Primary Leadership Programme

City Academy Whitehawk is currently undertaking its first project for The Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI), a study which asks: “through the use of IRIS Connect, can teacher CPD have a positive effect on pupil progress in Mathematics?”  The study will analyse whether the use of IRIS Connect aids teacher self-evaluation and improves teaching, therefore having a positive impact on pupil progress in Year 3 Maths. If this shows a significant impact on pupil progress, then IRIS Connect will be introduced throughout the school.

Around three years ago, we started using the Maths Makes Sense (MMS) programme designed by Richard Dunne. Since then we have observed an improvement in the rate of pupil progress in Maths across all year groups. We believe this new approach to teaching Maths has led to higher expectations in terms of pupil progress. These expectations are now embedded in the school culture.

Even with these improvements we believe there is still room to enhance the way in which we deliver the MMS programme, in particular the way in which teachers develop their own teaching skills. We have therefore decided to undertake our PTI project in conjunction with MMS, to develop teacher CPD through the use of IRIS Connect and to analyse the subsequent effects on pupil progress.

Using the videoing tool IRIS Connect, one of our Year 3 teachers has been recording and self-evaluating her lessons to develop her own Maths CPD and then analysing the effect it is having on pupil progress in her class. She is recognising her own strengths as well as areas for improvement. She has also been working alongside the Maths Co-ordinator to improve the quality of teaching and raise expectations of pupils.

We are currently two-thirds through our project and data so far suggests that pupils are making more than expected progress. Variables will be taken into account when evaluating the final data and results.

City Academy Whitehawk

City Academy Whitehawk was delighted to be visited by HRH The Duke of York, who spent time talking with parents and children. The school’s Newspaper Club also enjoyed the chance to speak to HRH The Duke of York about their activities.

The school also recently invited their local MP Simon Kirby to take part in a Maths challenge called ‘Beat the MP’, which he gamely rose to.

The local authority ran an art competition to collect decorations for hoardings on a local construction site. Three pupils submitted pieces of art and these were all chosen to be used. Each pupil also received a prize.

The recent recruitment of a PE teacher has made a huge difference to the school. A large number of children are now able to attend free after-school clubs as well as take part in regular sporting fixtures. In partnership with local football and cricket clubs, City Academy Whitehawk hopes to raise the aspirations of its pupils

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The regular reward trips are hugely popular across the school. Last year’s boat trip from Brighton marina was greatly enjoyed by the pupils, giving them a new experience and perspective as they viewed Brighton from out at sea. Pupils also enjoyed the most recent Outward Bound residential, which offered another opportunity to travel and explore places away from home.

City Academy Whitehawk is a two-form entry primary school in Whitehawk, Brighton.