Wonderful wizard of a show

Students at a Poole secondary school ended term on a high with their wicked production of a Wizard of Oz. From Year 7 right up to Year 10, talented teenagers from St Aldhelm’s Academy all played their part on putting on a show to remember. There were 33 students in the cast and even more helping out with lighting, stage … Read More

Ambitions rise in the primary league tables

Primary schools which have been taken over by Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT) have made marked progress at key stage 2, according to the latest performance tables. Manorside Academy in Poole – taken on by AAT in April 2015 – has reached the government required standards in reading, writing and maths for the first time in five years. While King’s Park … Read More

St Aldhelm’s pupils go ‘Google-y eyed’ for latest technology

Year eight pupils from St Aldhelm’s Academy have been getting up close and personal with dinosaurs using the latest ‘immersive learning’ technology from Google. The school in Herbert Avenue, Poole, is among the first in the country to try out Google Expedition headsets – virtual reality learning aids which have already been piloted by schools in the United States. Google … Read More

Chamber awards Ofsted chief top marks for skills revolution call

Dorset’s voice of business is backing calls by Britain’s Ofsted boss to bring in vocational training for non-academic teenagers aged 14 to 19. Sir Michael Wilshaw publicly called for more university technical colleges (UTCs) in order to create the skills revolution needed to make us more competitive after Brexit. Members of Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry have repeatedly flagged up … Read More

St Aldhelm’s GCSE results up 13 per cent on last year

Just a year after being taken over by Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT), St Aldhelm’s Academy has recorded a 13 per cent rise in the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs (grade A*-C). Among the many success stories are Eleanor Cleave, who attained 11 GCSEs grade A*-B – three A* grades, 4 As and 4Bs. She said: “It’s been a challenging … Read More

Students soar thanks to inspirational Jon Egging Trust

Thirteen students from St. Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole have graduated with flying colours from an ‘inspirational’ programme run by the Jon Egging Trust (JET). The Trust’s Blue Skies programme supports young people who find themselves in difficult circumstances, helping them to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential. Kaye Jackson, Dorset Youth Liaison Officer for the Trust, praised both the … Read More