Hull in print : Feature

They interview teachers who apply for a job at their school.
They produce their own TV news programme about their school which is broadcast across the world via the internet.
They have a say in setting up extra-curricular activities – which include judo, basketball, a computer club just for girls and a folk music club.
And when the primary school experience is all over at the end of year six, they have a glitzy 'send-off' with a prom night which – yes, you've guessed it – they organise themselves.
It's no surprise that in a recent report by government inspectors, pupils at Bricknell Primary were described as "feeling that their views are being listened to and taken into consideration."

Keen not to miss anything

The school is among seven primaries and one special school in Hull to be judged as 'outstanding' by inspectors from Ofsted, the government's schools watchdog.
Their report into Bricknell also stated that "attendance is good because pupils enjoy school and are keen not to miss anything."
Being off school if you're in year five, for example, could mean missing out on the chance to speak to children in Germany through a fortnightly live video link-up as part of German lessons.
Or if you're in the year six pop choir, it might mean missing out the chance to go to a recording studio to make a pop CD.
Or if you're in year four, you could miss a trumpet lesson.

Bringing subjects to life

Dig this: Bricknell Primary School pupils muck in during a gardening lesson, and (below) year six get dressed up for their end-of-school prom.

There are also a wide variety of not-to-be-missed visitors to the school, including sporting heroes, artists, musicians and theatre companies.
And school trips take pupils as far afield as cheese factories in France, or as near as a simple walk in Pearson Park to study nature.
"We want pupils to absolutely love their lessons, because that's when they learn best," says acting head teacher Tim Attwater.
"And we are constantly thinking of ways in which we can bring subjects to life. For example, instead of doing a piece of writing about a topic, we might make a radio broadcast or a film about it.
"We never put limits on our expectations of our pupils, but rather we say 'how far can we run with this?'"

Belief in ourselves

A further 41 primary schools in Hull, out of a total of 71, are judged to be good by Ofsted, which means that inspectors believe children there are making better-than-expected progress.
Statistically, a total of 69 per cent of Hull primary schools are now judged to be good or outstanding, compared to 61 per cent of all primary schools nationally.
What's more, the SAT scores for English and maths at Key Stage 2 have risen by 23 per cent and 22 per cent respectively in the last ten years, compared to national rises of 18 and 19 per cent.
"There has been a belief that we could raise our standards," says Ken Sainty, head of service for primary schools at Hull City Council.
"And there has been an enormous amount of work from individual schools and the council to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
"Bricknell is typical of lots of schools across the city in the way it gives children a voice in what happens to them at school, and brings lessons to life."
Other primary schools judged to be outstanding are: Clifton, Collingwood, Gillshill, Northcott Special School, Pearson, Spring Cottage and Stepney.

No child left behind

All pupils in year four learn a brass instrument

Meanwhile, six-year-olds in Hull who are struggling with their reading are being given extra support through a pioneering new programme.
Eleven primary schools in the city have been selected to take part in the government's Every Child a Reader programme – which means that, between them, they will receive a total of £500,000 to be spent over the next four years.
Under the programme, trained teachers give pupils one-to-one specialist support to enable them to catch up with their peers and become good readers, often within a matter of months.
The schools chosen were those with the highest numbers of pupils with reading difficulties, and were already working closely with parents to help children with reading.

Healthy schools

A total of 56 primary schools have also achieved the government's 'gold standard' in promoting the health and well-being of their pupils.
That means they've all received the National Healthy Schools Award after meeting a long list of requirements, including encouraging pupils to drink water during the school day, and encouraging them to walk or cycle to school.
To receive the award, schools also need to provide two hours of structured physical activity each week, as well as activities to build confidence and self esteem.
As this issue of Hull in print went to press, 11 more Hull primary schools were working towards achieving the award.


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