Trust Activities...
Our Partners are central to our existence as a Trust. As well as providing financial support, they provide valuable input into the development of new initiatives, particularly learning and teaching pathways.
The uniqueness of each Partner means they all bring something different to the table and as our relationships grow their involvement is starting to make a massive impact on our overall direction and development.
We have an exciting range of live projects along with an ever expanding list of up and coming initiatives - all of which contribute to the ongoing development of innovative learning, growth and achievement within the Trust.
Christmas Lunch 2010...
Teacher Training Academy...
A ground breaking programme currently in development that will establish the first teacher training academy based within a school setting. All training will be accredited by our partner Liverpool Hope University.
Tune In...
Plans are underway for LJMU to install electronic information systems that will allow the exchange of interactive meetings and teaching and learning sessions between our schools and the University. This development will also support innovative ways of delivering CPD activities for teachers. A small working party is being created to review and prepare an action plan for 2009/10, covering key innovative projects. The final installation will be complete by November 2010.
"Tune In" is the first programme developed as a result of this working party, and has been designed specifically to support simultaneous teaching opportunities across campus and schools.
The Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure is currently installing video equipment across the I.M. Marsh Campus, which will enable practical cookery demonstrations and sport/dance performances to be recorded. In addition, mobile video conferencing technology is also being utilised to capture lectures delivered by staff, and presentations delivered by students.
It is the intention that through the use of this technology both staff and pupils from across the Fiveways Trust will be able to "Tune In" to sessions delivered at I.M. Marsh. The initial development of this project will focus on demonstrations and question and answer sessions with elite sports performers, with future developments relating to viewing lectures and interactive cookery sessions in order to provide subject specific "booster sessions".
A further development of this project "Trust Interactions" will include specific staff development sessions provided by guest speakers or the use of enhanced podcasts to facilitate peer review.
Social Research...
To create a bespoke range of programmes that truly reflect the need of our community, we are conducting a number of social research projects. This will provide us with details on where our students live, learn, socialise and work, ensuring our community enterprise plan is fit for purpose.
Health Intervention Programmes...
Our partnership with the Liverpool PCT continues to grow, enabling us to create a range of high quality health related programmes for our young people and their families. These programmes will have a particular focus on health, well-being and advisory services offered to our young people, to promote the importance of healthy living in making them ‘fit for the future’.
Targeting Core Subjects...
The Chief Executive of the Trust has secured additional student placements from Liverpool Hope University, which commenced in September 2009. The University will work closely with both schools to develop teaching teams from Hope in the core subjects: Maths, English, Science and IT, who will be led by a "Super Mentor" from within the school, enabling those departments to build capacity, increase the amount of one-to-one support for students, enrich the student placement experience and add quality to the overall process. This will enable both schools to access three students within each of the above stated curriculum areas to make a real difference to our students' learning. This will further provide additional funding in terms of placement costs that can be used to enhance activities within core areas. Additionally, the "Super Mentors" will be able to receive accreditation for the coaching and mentoring work that they conduct with students.
“Mini-Wow” Programme...
With enterprise and employability at the heart of our strategy, the Trust has been working with our H.E. partners, as part of their ‘World of Work’ programme. This will provide a sharper focus on employability skills, giving our students a real head-start. This partnership agreement will provide exceptional access to employability and enterprise skills for students, alongside building personal profiles that will “wow” the competition!
Game On!...
An exciting research programme in partnership with Liverpool Hope University Computer Science Department, who are supporting the Trust in raising awareness of the potential of gaming technologies in education. To begin this research programme Hope is hosting a technology club for students and teachers on a Saturday morning commencing November 2009.
This will be an excellent opportunity for students to extend their interests and learn in a fun, informative way. The sessions will also provide teachers with ideas for using gaming technology in the classroom and provide crucial information for the university on future learning styles and expectations of prospective students.
ARTIC Centre...
The proposed ARTIC project will form a partnership between Liverpool Hope University, The Fiveways Trust and partner schools to establish a number of ARTIC centres, one at each of the schools, and a third at Liverpool Hope University. The centres would support action research in the school classroom, specifically in the innovative use of emerging technologies. They will investigate and develop novel technologies that have recently reached the market or are emerging but are not being exploited in educational settings. Examples of these are:
- Group speech recognition for whole class interaction
- Highly interactive and feature-rich robots
- Nintendo DS- the 21st century "slate"
- Nintendo Wii, currently not exploited to full potential in the classroom environment
- Pen-based computer
This project will establish a physical space at LHU, and corresponding spaces at the two schools.
Quality at the Core...
The Trust is working to secure IS09001 accreditation to enable both schools to take advantage of the growth in Third-sector commissioning. This will guarantee the highest quality delivery possible for all Trust activities.
Kick Off!...
Collaborating with the Everton Foundation on Hoops for Health, Hoops for Housing, Shape Programme and Kicks Programme. This is part of a community engagement project focusing on increasing participation within and across the Trust.
Global Impact...
The development of our international dimension continues to expand with the creation of international partnerships with countries in sub-saharan Africa (Namibia/South Africa) and the USA (Slippery Rock University).
LJMU Partnership Board...
Trust Chief Executive Alan Smithies has been invited to be Chair of the LJMU Partnership Board. The Board have met twice to date. As chair of the board Alan will be able to create a robust approach to partnership engagement and also ensure that the Trust becomes embedded in the University's partnership agenda.
Hope Research Committee...
Chief executive, Alan Smithies has been invited to join the Research Committee at Liverpool Hope University. This Committee has a fundamental role in the development of research opportunities and positions at the University. This strategic partnership will enable both Trust Schools to participate in exciting educational research opportunities and remain at the forefront of education policy.
Taste of Leadership Success...
Senior teams from both schools participated in a 'Corporate Kitchen' event. Held at IM Marsh campus, colleagues were asked to work collaboratively to produce and serve a five-course meal. Each team had 5 recipes from around the world and a mentor who demonstrated how to make the dishes. This was an extremely successful event demonstrating how the Trust partnerships can offer an innovative and refreshing approach to team building. Every member of the team had to participate and communicate effectively to complete the tasks on time.
'What a wonderful challenge meeting new people and then having to cook for them under pressure!'
Another respondent stated on their evaluation:
'I thoroughly enjoyed the day and can't remember the last time I enjoyed staff training so much.'
This event is also a means by which we can trial new training programmes on behalf of the University and advise on how they can be developed for other organisations.
Alma School...
The Trust is continuing to work with Liverpool City Council's elected members to establish an ALMA training school in Liverpool. Alma is the world's leading international educational and training centre for Italian cuisine. The school educates chefs from all around the world, and is a flagship centre where master cooks develop new ideas and exciting experiences. Although our 14-19 bid was unsuccessful, the Trust is now looking at other forms of funding including transatlantic opportunities, to secure the financial support for this groundbreaking project.
Trust and Foundation Programme...
Professor Pat Shenton, Director of Quality and Strategic Development at LJMU, is a member of the SSAT Practitioner Group and SSAT Quality Assurance Group representing HEI/FE on a National Scale. Her role is to support, network and facilitate partnerships between Trust Schools and HEI partners therefore directly influencing education policy. Dewi Philips is also on the Practitioner Group representing Regional Trust School development. Both colleagues have ensured the Trust is at the forefront of future regional and national developments.
Fiveways Football Academy...
The Chief Executive has been working with Everton Football Club to develop a Fiveways Football Academy that will offer a range of football training programmes enabling students to achieve a BTEC National Certificate in Sports. As part of this programme the Everton Foundation will place a full-time member of staff at Broadgreen International School to facilitate the Academy.
The Fiveways Trust Academy will be based broadly on the academy system operated across all FA Premier League clubs and therefore will be a mixture of football training and competing in football matches, whilst also giving the students an academic qualification that will enable them to forge careers in football and sport. The course will be full time for 2 years. We are currently seeking to secure additional funding to support and extend this programme.
Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence...
Everton Tigers Basketball Academy Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
Everton Tigers Basketball Club have selected the Trust and its schools to be the location for their new Academy. The Academy will be the first of its kind on Merseyside and will provide young players with an opportunity to develop themselves into professionals within the British Basketball League, as well as continuing their education. The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence is designed to meet the needs of elite athletes aged 16-18 who wish to continue their sporting career and gain qualifications at the same time. Importantly AASE also provides an array of exit opportunities if the ultimate performance related outcome is not quite reached.
Mentoring Programme...
The trust is continually researching and developing new strategies for engaging and motivating our students. In partnership with Everton Tigers we have developed a ten week mentoring programme designed to support our most hard-to-reach students. The sessions, focused on basketball, will be based around learning to play the game, teamwork, motivation and co-operation. This mentoring will be provided by experts from the Tigers Academy.
ITT Mentor Training...
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has developed a framework for mentor recognition and accreditation to value and develop the role of the school based tutor in initial teacher education (ITE). Normally this is delivered at the University over a three year period but in order to support our collaborative work with schools and to raise the status and quality of mentoring in ITE we have developed a fast track route for experienced mentors for module one, Mentoring in Education. This was successfully delivered to 12 teachers in the Fiveways Trust who engaged in the reflective and collaborative activities with enthusiasm. They appreciated the opportunity to share and develop practice, reflect on the theoretical frameworks and apply them to their own practice. One teacher commented in their assignment:
'Whilst undergoing this PG CERT course, I have taken a long and hard look at my current practice and used my reading to adapt my views on the mentoring process. I have come to realise the importance of matching up mentor and mentee not only to develop a productive relationship but also to nurture the needs of the mentor in a non-functionalist way'.
It is hoped that a number of these teachers will continue with the PG Cert at LJMU and we hope to make this delivery of the mentoring in education module an annual event to the teachers in the Fiveways Trust.
Library Membership...
Hope University has generously provided library membership for all our year twelve and thirteen students. This will allow them access to world class library opportunities for study skills training and of course the knowledge and expertise of the library and information staff.
Governor Training Programme...
In partnership with Stepping Stones UK Ltd. The Trust is developing a national training programme for Governors. The training will up-skill stakeholders and provide support and guidance on their role. It will also develop new and innovative training methods including web-based resources, bite size sessions, and DVD training. As the leading case study the Trust will also receive an income for the Chief Executive's time in developing scenarios, and 10% of the total revenue received by the company through sales. This programme demonstrates our inclusive commitment in the development of strategy and policy, with governance being core to the success of our organisations.
UK Online...
The Trust is currently installing UK Online software and hardware in both schools. This significant investment of over £45,000 will enable our schools and their communities to access all government services, as well as providing accredited I.T. training opportunities. Additional bids will be submitted in the autumn term. It is anticipated that the Adult Learning Service will work in partnership with the Trust to develop this further. The Adult Learning Service have also agreed to work with the Trust to review the current programmes available at both schools to provide a renewed and refreshed learning offer for members of the community, working collaboratively to attract funding from external sources and focusing on provision for NEET students.
Northwest Food Industry Network...
An exciting partnership with the North West Food Industry, Local Authority and LJMU has enabled us to create a Health and well-being strategy for the Trust. This will cover the development of programmes that encompass a whole range of food and nutrition specialism's including; growing, packaging, preparing and enjoying food. The plan will identify target groups and outline key points at which to communicate our message.
Theses will include:
- Feeding in the womb
- Babies and toddlers
- Primary years
- Secondary school
- University, professional life and adulthood
- Over 55
- Retirees
- Create a wide range of projects that will encompass all aspects of food and nutrition from growing to the table.
With the support from our food industry partners, PCT, the commercial sector and hospitality industry the trust will offer a variety of programmes to support our food and nutrition principles. These programmes will include:
- Nutritional health
- Food coaches
- Work placements
- Factory visits
- Vouchers for families
- Food and behaviour
- Social and emotional aspects of food
- Curriculum
- Appliances
Every Child Everywhere...
The Trust has contributed to an enormously successful international conference; 'Every Child Everywhere - The Global Dimension' at Hope University. The conference was another example of how our partnership work is providing opportunities for all partners to share good practise across an ever increasing audience.
National Challenge...
The Trust has been instrumental in developing a highly effective individualised English and Maths programme to support year 11 students and their parents at Broadgreen International School, and their parents in preparation for their GCSE exams. Students participated in weekly English and Maths tutorials at Assess Education, enjoyed motivational activities with a Life Coach, took part in study skills tutorials, and used a variety of technologies to support and enhance their learning. Feedback from this programme has been extremely positive:
'I've really loved this programme - I wish we could have started this earlier,' one student commented in their evaluation.
'I have noticed such a change in these students, they're motivated engaged and are thinking seriously about higher education' Carolyn Helme, Head of Maths.
Results have also highlighted our tremendous achievements with over 60% of the students achieving a 'C' grade in English or Maths.
As a result of our success, an enhanced programme has been offered to current year 11 students at Broadgreen. The programmes will include life coach support for each student for an hour each week in areas such as study skills, time management and motivation techniques, core subject tutoring, e-mentoring and the use of new technologies to support learning. The response has already shown increased motivation and application:
'I can already identify the benefits of this programme, the students have been switched on to learning again and are motivated to study,' Paul Duffy Broadgreen.
Have Your Say...
The Trust is currently undertaking a marketing campaign across our community to determine how our stakeholders envisage the Trust developing programmes to support their needs. The Trust aims to make our schools the schools of first choice for all its audiences, and as such, is seeking the opinions of parents, carers, colleagues and students. To encourage participation, the Trust is offering substantial prizes for ideas, including a £300 shopping spree for the winning student, a weekend away in a country hotel for the winning member of staff and £700 in vouchers to put towards a fantastic family Christmas for the parent who suggests the best idea. All prizes have been kindly donated to the Trust.
NVQ in Customer Care...
Stepping Stones UK Ltd is providing free Level 2 NVQ training in customer care, equivalent to 4 GCSE's. This will be offered to all Trust support staff and parents. In the first instance, a residential programme took place in Blackburn in May 2009. Eight delegates attended commenting:
'It was an inspirational two days where we had an opportunity to reflect and consider our current customer care practices, whilst achieving an NVQ."
This programme will help to ensure the Trust meets the needs of all staff offering pathways to Further and Higher Education.
A* Project and Future Fund Raising...
The Everton Foundation is generously providing the Trust with season tickets worth £1500 for staff and students. These will be used as part of an extensive reward system across the Trust recognising those who have excelled in three areas: Attendance, Attitude and Achievement. The Trust CE and CEO of the Everton Foundation are working together to develop a schedule of joint charity events using Goodison Park as the venue.
Widnes Vikings...
The Widnes Vikings kindly provided 80 tickets for students and their families to attend their match against Toulouse. This was an excellent opportunity for our students and families to engage with another top-level sport.
Technology Tuck Shop...
To provide opportunities to trial new technologies and develop enterprise skills in our students and colleagues, each school will be provided with a 'Technology Tuck shop'. The Tuck shops will be an exciting facility for students and teachers demonstrating the potential of future technologies and encouraging ideas for development in an educational setting. The Trust will install a rolling programme of cutting edge resources that can be tested in schools, encouraging all members of the Trust to forge ideas for new programmes.
"13 Going on 30" and "Get Involved in Style"...
The Trust in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure, is applying for Sport England funding to review participation in active sport for people 16 years of age and older. The research paper will aim to extend the Sport England market segmentation research, which identified sport and physical behaviours related to demographic data.
The funding will be used to deliver the "13 Going on 30" project, which aims to:
- Establish an understanding of key stage 4/5 girls' attitudes and behaviours to Sport and active recreation
- Investigate the actual and perceived barriers to participation in sport and Active recreation
- Develop strategies and provide best practice examples, which will help to reduce barriers to girls' future participation in sport and active recreation
This research will form the first phase of the "Get Involved in Style" project, which aims to reconceptualise girls' sport and physical activity within a trust partnership, in order to increase participation and develop positive life-long attitudes towards physical activity as well as develop sustainable practices.
Peer 2 Peer Programme...
The Peer 2 Peer Programme is an opportunity for young people to link with higher-level research students at LJMU. Sports Science PhD students and Broadgreen IB students will work in partnership, sharing research methods and data analysis techniques, giving both sets of students opportunities to access an enriching curriculum experience.
Sports Scholars...
LJMU's Sports Scholarship scheme builds on the University's and the City's strong sporting foundations; attracting and developing the best sporting talent in the UK both locally and nationally. LJMU has strong and extensive ties with professional sports organisations and sports agencies across the northwest and this established network of partnerships provides LJMU scholars with access to some of the region's finest training and competition facilities. It is our intention to apply for a £5,000 grant from the Marie Crabbe Foundation in order to extend the sports scholars programme to talented athletes within the Fiveways Trust supporting them to achieve their full potential. Past LJMU Sports Scholars have included; Beth Tweddle, Martyn Bernard and James Roby.
Liverpool Hope University Foundation Scholarships...
The Trust has been successful in securing two four-year undergraduate scholarships Broadgreen International School commencing September 2009. This will enable students from our school community to apply for a bursary of £500 per year over four years through an agreed eligibility criterion. This £8,000 contribution to the Trust will encourage student participation from all aspects of the community; ensuring students are rewarded for personal endeavour as well as academic excellence.
360 Degree People...
A £12,000 bid has been submitted to Merseyside Expanding Horizons specifically to target the development of employability skills for our NEET students. To achieve this aim the Trust is working in partnership with '360 Degree People', a training, management and coaching company, to develop a competency framework for young people. This will enable students to create an online record of their achievements, skills and attributes throughout their school career. It will also increase their self-awareness and ability to identify key personal priorities for development. Having completed this process from year 7, students will be engaged in meaningful discussions about their future and have a sense of their own values and beliefs, all helping to prepare them for the world of work. Students from our schools took part in the successful launch of this programme in Liverpool on 17th September 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Riverside Housing...
The Trust has submitted a bid for £90,000 working in partnership with Riverside Housing to develop a financial support programme for the elderly in our community. This project will offer guidance on financial decision-making, managing budgets and using technology in finance. There will also be opportunities for our young people to link with the elderly in our community, making this a truly intergenerational programme.
The Trust and Riverside Housing have submitted a joint proposal to the Nationwide Foundation Investor Fund. The proposal outlines a two-pronged approach to target residents in the East / South East area of Liverpool who are aged 70 and over; aged 50 and over from BME groups; and aged 50 years and over who have experienced or are experiencing financial abuse. A second focus of the programme will be on engaging sheltered scheme residents. The funding will be used to set up a project team who deliver initiatives such as: Inter-generational workshops i.e. young and old people learning about budgeting and basic skills together, energy efficiency and household bills, community events, practical demonstrations, awareness raising campaigns, drop-in and outreach services offering information, advice and guidance, signposting to specialist agencies.
Teacher Training Academy...
The Trust has been working in partnership with the PCT to develop a programme of intervention from a range of health workers and specialist practitioners to enrich the health and well being offer at both schools. This will include working with the Community Dietician, Active City, D-MYST, CHATS, FAG Ends, Lifestyle Coaches, Health Co-ordinators, Health Schools and the Public Health Neighbourhood Management Team.
The Chief Executive has now secured a named representative who will co-ordinate the work of the PCT alongside the Chair and the Chief Executive to ensure that the PCT continues to be actively engaged in the life of the Trust.
The PCT has also committed to presenting school assemblies for 2010 across all year groups raising awareness of our health and well-being programmes. The following additional opportunities for PCT involvement have also been identified:
- Liverpool Active City
- Taste for Health
- D-MYST
- Stop Smoking Service
- Public Mental Health
- Breast Feeding
- Alcohol
- Healthy Communities Cancer Collaborative
- Diet and Nutrition
- Walk for Health
- Dental Health
- Teenage Pregnancy
2010 International Health & Education Conference...
With 2010 being the year of health, the Trust is planning to host an international Health and Education Conference at the Echo Arena Conference Centre in summer 2010. This will stage internationally esteemed presenters and keynote speakers. This event will be an international showcase for the Trust and leading health and education professionals, demonstrating our commitment to partnership working and ensuring we remain at the forefront of Education and Health policy.
Health & Education Debate...
A number of senior practitioners from local hospital trusts and senior educationalists were invited to an open debate on 29th June 2009 at Liverpool Hope University. The forum focused on how our health and education professionals can establish a joint strategy that will ultimately ensure maximum impact and benefit for our communities.
Our Trustees...
Bill's current primary role is at Liverpool Hope University as Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Relations & Widening Participation).
The former Headteacher of Parklands High School, Alan took over as Chief Executive of The Fiveways Trust in 2009.
Patricia is Director of Quality & Strategic Development at Liverpool John Moores University.
Information to follow.
Sue is currently Director of Finance at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust having taken up post in February 2009.
Tony is the Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, and has been in the fire service for more than 33 years.Contact Us
‘Friend of Fiveways’ - A Case Study
As a Friend we are able to get involved with as many aspects of the Trust as we wish, from assisting the management team with marketing and PR planning.
Tel: +44 (0)151 228 6800•Fax: +44 (0)151 220 9256•E-mail: chiefexecutive@fivewaystrust.com