Allerton Grange Life

Issue 6 Summer 2017

Students ask drivers to #SpeedDown

Groups of students from Year 8 and from our Deaf and Hearing-Impaired unit, conducted speed checks and traffic surveys on Talbot
Avenue in support of National Road Safety Week. The week of action is run by the road safety charity, Brake, who lead the campaign
and provide resources for schools and community groups.

The students, supported by Safer Schools Police Officer, PC Nigel Brown, and his colleagues from West Yorkshire Police, used a speed
gun to monitor the speed of vehicles travelling along the road outside the school. A number of vehicles found to be travelling in
excess of 24mph were pulled over and spoken to by the police, with our students, to remind them of the speed restriction in place
and to slow down.
PC Brown said: Poor weather conditions, such as weve seen on Monday, mean that drivers need to slow down in order to react
in time, should anything happen. At this time of year, its dark in the morning and our students might not be fully awake and paying
attention to the road. Lots of people around here are doing the school run at this time, perhaps rushing to drop their children off and
get to work. We all need to take notice of speed limits, especially around schools; they are there for a reason.
Cllr Hamilton and Cllr Macniven attended the roadside action events to show their support. Traffic problems are often hot topics for
local residents and they support initiatives like this which aim to educate people. Cllr Hamilton, said: We can all do our bit to make
our communities safer. Slowing down and parking considerately means everyone can use our roads safely.
All students will be attending a special Road Safety assembly this week where they are reminded of key messages from the
campaign, including how to keep themselves safe. The school are also supporting on social media, helping to spread the word
including #SpeedDown and #RoadSafetyWeek

Open
Evening is a
hair-raising
success
see page 5 for
more pictures and
reaction

Allerton Grange Life Page 1

Message from the Headteacher
This term we celebrated our highest ever attendance in the history of the school. Barriers to learning
have been addressed; our students understand our Policy for Positive Discipline, are well presented and
fully equipped for every lesson. Children want to be here and they are ready to learn. Punctuality to
lessons has improved and is now 99% following the introduction of the 5-minute warning whistle, as well
as all staff taking part in stop and drop to encourage students to lessons. Our school values are clear
and embedded in everything we do. We set high expectations and aspirational targets for every single
member of our school community, so that everybody can be successful.

I am equally pleased in the support received from our parents, prospective parents, and members of
the local community on a regular basis. We have over 650 responses to our Parent View Survey, which
is over 50% of our parents; the national average is just 3%. Not only are the results (which are available for all to see on the
Ofsted website) pleasing, (showing how weve developed over the last 2 years,) the sheer numbers of parents responding
represents the strength of support and engagement we have as a school community.

My message is clear: we know our school and we know that we have everything in place, from leadership to teaching and
learning in order to Aspire, Grow and Succeed.

We will continue with the rapid progress journey we are on, delivering high standards in the classroom and expectations of
our students. There is a real sense of pride from being part of the Allerton Grange School community and this can only go
from strength to strength as we continue what were doing and move forward together.

AGS celebrates great results

98% pass rate for A Level students with 99% securing appropriate pathways for next year
New grading in Maths and English show rapid progress in student achievement for
all abilities
On average, over the last 12 months, students have improved by two full grades in English and one and a half grades in Maths,
bringing levels above the national average
Students at Allerton Grange achieved excellent outcomes across all subjects within The Arts and Languages, including French,
German, Spanish and Urdu.

Allerton Grange Life Page 2

Lest we forget
In September, two Year 11 students, Leah Ball and Arghya Chakrabarty, embarked on a historically enriching trip to Belgium and
France as part of the centenary project to mark 100 years since the First World War.

At Ashford, Kent, the students handled equipment and artefacts from the war, including exploded shells and grenades. After crossing
the Eurotunnel, the group arrived at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, where they saw the many unknown victims of the First World War. Later
that day, Leah took part in the highly respected Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, where she laid a wreath to the Allied soldiers
who sacrificed their lives during the First World War. The Last Post ceremony is held every night in Ypres as a way for the Belgian nation
to express gratitude towards those who died for its freedom and independence.
Other stops on their
Battlefields tour included
the Passchendaele War
Museum, Newfoundland
Memorial Park and Thiepval
Memorial, as well as an
authentic trench experience
in the Zonnebeke Church
dugout. Visiting the German
cemetery of Langemark on
the final day provided a stark
contrast between the different
ways soldiers were and are
remembered. The final stop
of the tour was to Tyne Cot,
the largest cemetery for
Commonwealth Forces in the
world. At Tyne Cot, Arghya
and Leah were able to find the
memorial to a soldier they had
researched from our local area,
Claude Reginald Peter Taylor.
The trip gave the group a
stark realisation of the scale of
death on the Western Front,
and prompted queries over the
importance of remembrance
100 years on.

Students participate in WW2 Bench ceremony

Students from Allerton Grange School were
invited to attend the unveiling of a new
World War II Memorial Bench at Allerton
Grange (AG) Fields on Friday 10 November.
The bench was commissioned by AG Fields
using funding provided by local Roundhay
councillors. Cllr Christine Macniven,was in
attendance, as were a number of local
residents and volunteers from Friends of
Allerton Grange Fields.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Stan Hardy, who
is the Queens representative, opened
the ceremony on the Friday before
Remembrance Sunday. He spoke about the
Queens service in the war, as well as his own
personal experiences: he was born on the
day that his father jumped out of a plane
and parachuted in to support ground troops
in France.
Our students, Isabel in Year 9, and Ethan and
Krishan from Year 10, attended the ceremony
as representatives of the school. Krishan
provided the drum roll as the bench was
unveiled.
Local member of the community, Dr Khan,
delivered a prayer as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant laid the wreath on the bench, respectfully marking the occasion with a salute.
Mr Roper, Headteacher at Allerton Grange School, said: We are honoured to have been invited to the memorial bench unveiling
at the former school playing fields, an award winning green space for the local community. It is so important that our students learn
about the war and recognise the significance of those who lost their lives, which has provided them with the opportunities available
to them today. It is a school value to develop active citizens in the community and beyond. Projects like this are another strand of
how we achieve this.

Allerton Grange Life Page 3

Students trained to save lives
Dozens of students took part in Restart A
Heart Day on 16 October. We were joined
by healthcare and emergency professionals
including, First on Scene, the Yorkshire
Ambulance Service, West Yorkshire Fire and
Rescue Service and St Johns Ambulance. We
also had the pleasure of hosting the Deputy
Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Michael Fox,
who is the Queens representative.
The 30 minute sessions used resources
available for use by everyone across Europe
taking part in the campaign day. This included
a video raising awareness about how many
lives could be saved each year by everyday
people if they knew how to perform CPR.
Half a million people have a sudden cardiac
arrest every year across Europe. We could
save 100,000 extra lives per year if ordinary
people get trained on basic resuscitation and
implement their skills when its needed.
European Resuscitation Council
The students learned how to perform CPR
using special mannequins which inflated when
air was correctly blown into the mouth. They
also learned techniques such as where on the
chest to target compressions, keeping the arms straight, and applying the right amount of pressure in order to pump the heart.
Miss Johnston, Health Officer at Allerton Grange School, said: Its been a fantastic day for our students to take part in this campaign.
Everyone should know how to administer basic CPR and together we can all do our bit to help in an emergency.

Poetry is performance for Year 7 and 8

The performance poet, Andy Craven Griffiths, visited school on Monday 9 October to deliver poetry workshops to a selection of
students from Year 7 and Year 8.

The students had a wonderful time, firstly listening to Andy perform some of his own poems, followed by the chance to create their
own poetry.
Andy informed the students that he had found writing poetry a great way to express himself when he had been at school. He
performed a poem about his own teachers portraying how he had realised they didnt know everything! He also performed a very
moving poem about his Grandad who had Alzheimers disease which portrayed, very succinctly, how devastating it can be to lose
the ability to express yourself and communicate. He very cleverly created a poem, included below, using the students names, which
he had written moments before meeting them.
Miss Fox, teacher of English, said, I thought it was really admirable that hed written a poem for the students with their names in it it
was a lovely way of engaging them.
Andy used the idea of rhyming couplets to create a poem. He began this by asking the students to complete the phrases If love was
. . . and then I would be . . ., and encouraged them to think of details about themselves; things they enjoyed or knew about. At the
end the students performed their poems, either in pairs or groups, with the microphone going down the line. The performances were
fantastic and it was wonderful to see so much creativity.
Andy said, I was very impressed with the standard of writing throughout the day. There were plenty of talented young people who
could one day be writing professionally. And the more they read and practice, the quicker theyll improve.

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Open Evening - our busiest ever!
Over 240 families attended the Allerton Grange Open Evening on Wednesday 28 September. Everyone packed into the main hall
to hear the presentation from Mr Roper; it was standing room only. Before long, we quickly ran out of chairs!
The presentation centred around the positive impact the changes, introduced over the last 2 years, have had on outcomes and
behaviour at Allerton Grange. Many families attended from our local feeder schools; a direct result of our increased engagement
with primaries through a programme of activities over the last 18 months.
Allerton Grange is a rapidly improving school with high aspirations for all of our stakeholders, regardless of background or ability.
Prospective parents and students learned about the vision for the school, which is to become a beacon of aspirational inclusion by
2020. Our students are set targets that are designed to stretch and challenge them to achieve their full potential.
98% of our visitors left with a good or very good impression of Allerton Grange and 68% indicated that Allerton Grange would be
first choice for their childs secondary school.
We are rapidly becoming the school of first choice for our local community.

The success of the evening was reflected in the comments of prospective parents:
A very positive attitude to success but with everyone being part of it.
I liked the aspirations of the school to keep improving.
Headteacher, staff and students all very enthusiastic and inspiring.
Exemplary behaviour demonstrated by student ambassadors.
Very impressed with Leadership. Teachers very enthusiastic, pupils very smart and welcoming - all we spoke to like the school!
How enthusiastic and committed the teaching staff and pupils were in promoting their school
Teachers were very engaging with pupils and parents and passionate about their subjects. Students are very proud of their
school.
There is positivity and good inclusion of students

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 All The Worlds a Stage...

On Wednesday 15 December, we staged our annual Shakespeare performance. This year, it was the mother of all spooks, Macbeth.
And what a performance it turned out to be! Niall excelled as Macbeth, Kaia rose to previously undiscovered heights as his wife, while
Claudia, Ahmed and Jessica proved their lead roles in last years School of Rock and Hard to Swallow were not one hit wonders. They
were all ably supported by a mixture of old and new students, including a debut from Lewis as young Squire, in his first of many roles at
Allerton Grange.
The audience were left spell-bound, not just by the witches, but every aspect of the show. Members of the audience were heard to
comment that it was better than professional productions.
Under the directorship of Olivia and Mr Hasselgreen, this was arguably the strongest Shakespearean tragedy ever performed at
Allerton Grange. With rehearsals well under way for this years lower school production of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe and
auditions for Blood Brothers just round the corner, it is going to be another busy year for all the teachers and students of Drama at the
school.

GCSE students in in captivating exam performance

On Wednesday 8 November, Year
11 Drama students completed their
first practical assessment. Students
devised their own performances
based on the stimulus- The
Scream a painting by Edvard
Munch or the statement Who am
I? Students were able to perform
original pieces of theatre using a
variety of dramatic techniques
linked to their studies of the key
drama practitioners Bertolt Brecht
and Antonin Artaud.

Andy Norrington, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning), witnessed the performances and was glowing in his praise:
It was an absolute pleasure to watch the Year 11 Drama performance, our students were engaging, bold and imaginative.
Their performances were captivating and the audience were left mesmerised by the range of talent on show.

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Sell-out audience enjoys KS4 Music Recital

On Thursday 9 November, a sell-out audience gathered to watch music students from Years 9 to 11 perform their repertoire of all genres
of music from Rap to Rock, and from Pop to Classical. All students excelled in their performances and they were a joy to watch and
listen to. Well done musicians!

I am overly ambitious because I realise it can be done!

Pharell Williams.

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Students celebrate University Progression Module graduation
A group of our Sixth Form students
joined more than 400 students from
across West Yorkshire, to celebrate
their achievements at Leeds Beckett
University, graduating from the
Universitys Progression Module.
The students, now in Year 13, took part in
the bespoke year-long study programme
during Year 12.

The course is designed to help students

investigate the different routes into
higher education, increasing their
knowledge and understanding, whilst
preparing them for the experiences
they are likely to encounter at university.
Students who successfully complete
the module, delivered this year in 21
schools and colleges across the region,
are awarded 12 UCAS points towards
applications for degree courses at Leeds
Beckett University, Leeds Trinity University
and the University of Huddersfield.

Former AGS student and parent of two of our current students, Professor Kevin Hylton, who is Head of the Centre for Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion at Leeds Beckett University, said: The ceremonies went really well. It is great to see young people so enthusiastic about
their futures, and it was also wonderful to see my old school, Allerton Grange, at the proceedings. As an alumnus of the school,
although I didnt do the progression module, I feel that the students are much better prepared than I ever was.

Progress and Welfare Leader for Key Stage 5, Mrs Braim, said: As a school, we are so proud of our students graduating from the
progression module. They have worked hard to complete the programme, alongside studying for their A Levels, and its fantastic to
see them attending a real award ceremony at Leeds Beckett University, in recognition of their achievements. We set aspirational
targets for our students, supporting them to achieve the grades they need to move onto higher education. The course and the
ceremony provide a taster of what to expect at university and encourage students to aim high.

Allerton Grange Sixth Form - Apply Now!

With the deadline for Year 11 students to complete their UCAS applications for post-16 study fast approaching, we have been
busy helping students to decide which courses on offer at Allerton Grange Sixth Form will best suit their future career plans. The
benefits of joining our Sixth Form are plentiful, but dont just take our word for it!

99% of Allerton Grange students go on to their choice of university, apprenticeship or

employment.
98% pass rate at A Level, with most subjects at 100%
Work alongside subject specialist teachers who know you and who will go that extra mile to
make sure you succeed.
Consistently in the top 25% of sixth forms in the country, with some subjects in the top 10%.
Ranked joint third out of 42 for sixth forms in Leeds by a Careers Service survey.
Allerton Grange has a full time careers advisor, who is expert in helping you to achieve
your dreams.
Allerton Grange offers leadership opportunities, which makes your applications stand
out from the crowd.
33% of students last year achieved the highest grades and went on to Russell Group
universities
Our specialist sixth form team will work with you, helping your progress, making sure you get
the results you need.
Enjoy football? We offer a sixth form course where you play nationally AND gain A level equivalent
qualifications.

WHY SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS?

How to apply:
Go to ucasprogress.com and fill in your application form.
The deadline for applications is January 19 2018
Allerton Grange Life Page 8
 Allerton Grange Buzz
Students from Allerton Grange School joined volunteers from
Friends of Allerton Grange Fields and representatives from
Bug Life, in a fruit tree planting project on the former school
playing fields.
The project is a result of funding from Bug Life through
#UrbanBuzzLeeds, seeing community volunteers and young
people coming together to enhance our local area.
This event is one of the first in a series of further projects
across Leeds, with the aim of creating over 25 hectares of
nectar rich, pollinator friendly habitat, including orchards,
woodlands and wildflower meadows. Over 100 buzzing
hotspots will be created, with the support of over 600
volunteers, developing vibrant, colourful spaces over the
next 21 months.
Our students provided person-power to dig holes in the
existing orchard area for the new trees to be planted.
Although good for the trees, the soil was mainly clay, which
stuck heavily to boots and trainers. It made their task quite
difficult, but hugely rewarding at the end when the trees
were all in place and ready for spring.
Well done to Rimsha, Rabail, Jacob, Krishan, Ethan and Isabel who were all keen to get involved in the project.
Mr Roper, Headteacher at Allerton Grange, said: One of our school values is to develop active citizens within the school
community and beyond. It is with this value in mind, that we welcome opportunities to support local community projects and
organisations. Thus inspiring our students to have pride in where they live and to become actively involved in maintaining a
pleasant environment for everyone.

United star shares football skills with AGS girls

Vurnon Anita, recently signed Leeds United player, delivered a football
training workshop at the school on Thursday 12 October.

The VIP joined the Premier League for Girls session, run by the Leeds
United Foundation, where he got stuck in sharing his skills and doing a
question and answer session. He gave advice about how to get into
sport and took time to pose for photographs with our students and PE
staff.
Jess Douthwaite, female participation project officer at the Leeds
United Foundation, said: Its fantastic to see Vurnon come down and
take part in the programme as it gives a chance for the pupils to ask
questions from a professional sports person and get an insight into their
life.
Katie Radford, Teacher of PE at Allerton Grange, said: We have part-
nered with the Leeds United Foundation whose trained coaches work
with our students on a weekly basis. The visit from Vurnon was absolute-
ly amazing and helps to inspire our young girls to get involved in sport.

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Sporting superstars at AGS
Luciano is World Champion!
Year 11 student Luciano Zanuni returns with a gold
medal after representing England at the World
Shotokan Karate Championships in Treviso, Italy.
His opponents were rated amongst the best in the
world in the 14-15 age category and came from
countries including Russia, Czech Republic and
Hungary. Luciano fought five tough rounds and won
the final against his friend and teammate, Jade
Stapleton-Smith, to clinch the title.
Luciano travelled back from Italy on Monday 25
September, with the England team, and was back in
school this morning, Tuesday 26, sporting some hard
won battle scars. His family, who travelled to Italy to
support him, are due to arrive home later on today.
Younger brother Luca, In Year 9 at Allerton Grange,
inspired by his older brothers commitment and
achievement, is following in his footsteps by training
and competing in the sport.
Luciano said, I still cant believe it, Im in shock. Ive not
even been home yet, I stayed at my friends house and
came into school this morning. No way did I ever think
that Id win gold, but I got to stand on the podium for my country; I can actually say I am World Shotokan Champion.

Mr Roper, Headteacher at Allerton Grange, said, We are immensely proud of Luciano. Weve supported him on his journey and
hes been able to balance his school work with training, upholding our values through dedication and hard work. On behalf of
everyone at the school we want to congratulate him on becoming World Champion; hes an inspiration to others.

In the swim of things - Olivia and Solomon

are National Champs
Olivia Hidayat and Solomon Hodgson, both Year 7 students, claim the title at the
Junior League Grand Final with City of Leeds Swimming Club.
In addition to being dedicated students, both make time to train for, on
average, 20 hours per week at newly-built facility at John Charles Centre for
Sport. Olivia gets up at 4am on two mornings each week to train before school,
as well as attending training every night from 3.30-8.00pm.
Olivias mum said: She works so hard at training and school, we are incredibly
proud of her and her teammates achievements in winning this prestigious title.
Mr Roper said: We are extremely proud of Olivia and Solomons recent
swimming achievement. Students who commit themselves to a sport outside of
school develop skills that benefit them in so many aspects of their lives. They show
courage and determination far exceeding expectations, and as such are role
models for others to look up to.

Holly for Yorks Shell bowl Hillerby brothers are

Huge congratulations to Year 10
student, Holly W, pictured here
in her county kit. Holly has been
called up to represent Yorkshire
Rugby Union.
Allerton Grange Life
you over
Rebecca Storrie in year 11 has just
secured a place in the England
Academy for ten pin bowling.
Rebecca says: I started bowling
in April 2012 and I have made
steady improvements since. My
current high score is 215. I enjoy
taking part in many of the British
Ten pin Bowling Association
tournaments. Competitions
take place nationwide. I have
also been part of the Yorkshire
under 15s team for two years
in a row, and have won a silver
medal with them. The England
Academy offers much more in-
depth training. I am learning new
techniques and how to adjust to
different lane conditions, which
should help me improve my
scores.
serving up aces
Scott Hillerby attended a LTA regional tennis
training camp in Manchester on Tuesday 10
October. It was an all-day event organised by
the North of England head of performance
tennis. Scott has had a very successful tennis
summer, winning several regional tournaments,
resulting in his ranking rising to No1 in Yorkshire
u12, No 2 in the North of England & the top 20 in
Great Britain.
His older brother Adam, is playing competitions
again after a year off & won the U16 Yorkshire
Tennis Championship.
Page 10
International stars host girls rugby at AGS
AGS hosted a Leeds Rhinos Girls
Rugby Festival, attended by 10
schools from across the city. The
tournament was arranged as part
of our ongoing partnership with
the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
We were delighted to welcome
England international Lois Forsell
and former Rhinos and Great
Britain favourite, Chev Walker,
who organised the event. Well
done top all taking part and
a big thank you to our rugby
ambassadors who helped run the
competition.

Drama students on set Hot chocolate rewards

At the end of September, the Drama Ambassadors visited 'The
Emmerdale Studio Experience' near Leeds city centre.
The visit included learning about the history of the popular soap
opera and a guided tour of the studio itself. During the tour
students found out about the production of the show from page
to screen and the construction of the Emmerdale village on the
Harewood estate. They got to see what goes on behind the
scenes in the costumes and make-up department and even how
special effects are used. Highlights from the trip included the
students making their own videos on set, setting the lighting states
for a specific scene and editing some footage from the TV show.
Elections are now open to appoint new Drama Ambassadors for
2017/2018. As a popular subject and extra-curricular activity, high
numbers of applicants are anticipated.
Several groups of students have met with Mr Roper in a new
initiative introduced this term called Hot Chocolate Friday.
The school has a policy for positive discipline which focuses
on rewarding good behaviour. It is embedded into school life
through stamps in planners, achievement points and reward
assemblies. The students nominated to take part in the new
incentive were put forward
by their Heads of Year for
embracing our school values
and going the extra mile.
The students receive special
invitations from Mr Roper
to join the meeting which
takes place in his office
after registration each
Friday morning. The meeting
provides an opportunity to get
to know the students more and to recognise their achievements
over an informal chat and a hot drink.
Mr Roper said, I wanted the opportunity to personally recognise
the achievements of our students and thank them for their
contribution to our wonderful school community. We are very
good at celebrating the success of our students at Allerton
Grange. However, I wanted an opportunity to shine the light on
students who may not always achieve the highest grades or be
the most talented sports person, but who are equally important
and valued as individuals.

Camp Tanzania students ramping up fundraising

Students taking part in a trip to Tanzania in
2018, with Camps International, are ramping
up their fundraising efforts. Each student is
aiming to raise 5,000 to cover the cost of
the month-long trip, travel, food and board,
as well as the necessary equipment and
vaccinations. The AGS Camp Tanzania Team
will join with other young people from all over
the world to deliver building, infrastructure
and environmental development projects in
disadvantaged third world communities.

You can support them by donating to their

crowd funding page https://www.justgiving.
com/crowdfunding/ags-camptanzania

Hand illustrated Christmas cards are also

available to purchase for 2.50 from the main
office or one of the Camp students.

Allerton Grange Life Page 11

 Allerton Grange Life
Associate Assistant Heads
appointed to boost learning
Mr Hanson,
Associate Assistant Headteacher
(More Able and Intervention co-
ordinator/educational visits lead)
The New Session 6 programme provides
students access to bespoke tuition, across a
number of subjects, through formal timetabled
lessons after school. Delivered over six weeks,
the hour-long sessions, attended once a week,
are personalised to the specific needs of the
students selected to maximise progress. Class
sizes are small to ensure more focus is given to
individual students.

Ms Shaw,
Associate Assistant Headteacher
(Curriculum lead for English)
Q Time can last from 5 minutes to a full hour
and now happens consistently in every lesson.
Students must work in silence and cannot ask
for help to complete the set task. The use of Q
Time, which has received positive feedback from
students, is designed to increase independent
learning, encourage resilience and ultimately
improve each students ability to succeed during
their exams.

@Allerton_Grange
Allerton Grange School

Allerton Grange wishes all our

parents, students and staff, along
with our local community, a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year

Allerton Grange School

Talbot Avenue
Moortown
Leeds
LS17 6SF

Phone:0113 393 0304

E-mail:agadmin@allertongrange.com

Allerton Grange Life Page 12