School Closed for Years 3 and 4

On Thursday 24th April, the school is open only for pupils in Years 5 and 6. Children in Years 3 and 4 should not attend school next Thursday. This is due to the national one day strike called by the National Union of Teachers over pay. Although Brackenbury school is closed, the breakfast and after-school clubs at Brackenbury School will run as usual for any of our Year 5 & 6 pupils who normally attend.
Click here to download letter to parents about the strike .

One in a Hundred

Solar panels on the hall roof were officially turned on today by a child from each class, together with colourful sunbeam character 'Sunny Solar'. UJS is one of 100 schools in the country to benefit from £20,000 solar panels funded by the Co-operative group and the government. As well as helping to provide some clean, green electricity the panels have a key role to play in educating our pupils about renewable energy and climate change. Pupils can keep track of how much energy the panels are generating and the amount of carbon dioxide they have saved to date, by checking a monitor in the main corridor by the fiction library.

Aim Higher

Year 5 'Graduates' threw their mortar boards in the air to celebrate 'graduation', in the courses of their choice, from Bournemouth University's 'Aim Higher' workshop. Certificates were awarded for courses ranging from veterinary science to sports management.

As well as thinking about which subjects they could study at university, children in years 5 & 6 learnt about university life and made their own mortar boards. These fun activities happened last half-term when students from Bournemouth University visited Underhill with Professor Fluffy's roadshow.

UJS Hits New High in Rankings

UJS rockets up the rankings when Dorset primary schools are compared by the progress the children make from age 7 to age 11. Tables based on 'added value' over four years, published on the BBC news website ('right-click' to open in a new window or tab), show UJS as 12th out of 84 Dorset schools. For the third year running, UJS pupils made above average progress compared to schools in Dorset and across the country. On this measure, we are the second ranked school in Weymouth and Portland (up from fourth last year).

These figures are a much fairer way to compare the results of schools (as well as our own results from year to year) and are based on the progress made by that group of children from the SAT tests they took at age 7 to the ones they took at age 11. Unfortunately, the value added figures are not included in the table published in the Dorset Echo. On the measures used in the Dorset Echo, UJS still achieved a respectable 38th place out of 84 Dorset primary and middle schools.

High Performing School Again

UJS is in the top seven per cent of schools in the country for maths value added, according to OFSTED figures based on our context. UJS also ranks in the top 15 per cent of schools nationally for children's progress overall in English mathematics and science.

This the third year running that we have had very good figures from OFSTED. Last year we were in the top 10 per cent for English. We are delighted that the OFSTED data credits the very good progress made by the children in their four years here. Once again, it is fitting recognition for all the hard work put in by staff and children, supported by their families.

OFSTED's progress measures are based on the progress made (contextual value added) by Y6 children who took SAT test last summer (2007) from their results when they were tested at the end of Year 2.

Stars in Their Eyes

A mobile planetarium filled our school hall and brought the wonders of the night sky to children in years 3 and 4. Inside the inflatable silver dome, children also enjoyed learning about some of the ancient myths and legends of the stars and constellations. The visit was arranged as part of this term's science project on the earth in space.

Record Breaking SAT Results

The table below shows the percentage of Year 6 pupils at the end of key stage 2 achieving each level in the School in the summer of 2007.

2007 TEST RESULTS
No of pupils - 36	Percentage at each level (figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding)
	Below level 3*	3	4	5	Expected level (Level 4 or above)	Pupils absent
English	3	11	58	28	86	0
Mathematics	0	17	50	33	83	0
Science	0	3	56	42	97	0

* represents pupils who were not entered for the tests because they were working below level 3 in English, mathematics or science; pupils awarded a compensatory level from the tests; and pupils entered for but not achieving a level from the tests.

Highlights from 2007 Results:

• Best ever English results with 86 per cent at or above the expected level. (Beating previous record of 84% set in 2005);

• Reading results - record equalled with 89 per cent at or above the expected level;

• New record for boys' English results with 89 per cent at or above the expected level. Girls fell just short of their English record of 90 per cent set in 2006.

• Equal numbers of boys and girls achieved top grades in Reading - 44 per cent;

• Best Science result for last five years with 97 per cent at or above expected level (beating 93% set in 2005 and 95% from 2003).

Progress Measures

The progress children make in their time with us is most important and OFSTED rank schools by the progress their pupils make over the four years of key stage two (from age 7 to 11). We are delighted to have been ranked for three years running as a top performing school for progress (Contextual Value Added). In 2006 and again in 2007, the very good progress made by the children's in English, maths and science placed Underhill in the top 15 per cent of schools in the country.

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Back to School

Children return to school on Wednesday 5th September. Staff return on Monday for two days of staff training and the school office will be open on Monday and Tuesday between 9.30am and 3p.m.

Sail Away

Forty seven of our pupils went sailing at the National Sailing Academy as part of the 'Sail for a fiver' scheme. Conditions were perfect for first-time sailors and, with expert tuition from 'Sail Laser', over 20 boats took to the water. The dinghy with Alex Hall at the tiller led the fleet home and he received the trophy for the young sailor with the most potential.

None of our youngsters had ever sailed before but, after this successful taster, many said they couldn't wait for another chance to go sailing.

Top Performing School Again

UJS is in the top 10 per cent of schools in the country for English value added, according to figures just released by OFSTED. UJS also ranks in the top 15 per cent of schools nationally for children's overall progress in English mathematics and science.

Head teacher, Mr. McKechan, said, 'This is the second year running that we have had very good figures from OFSTED. This year's are even better than last year's and we are delighted that the OFSTED data credits the progress made by the children in their four years here. Once again, it's fitting recognition for all the hard work put in by the children and staff'.

OFSTED's progress measures are based on the progress made by Y6 children who took SAT test last summer (2006) from their results when they were tested four years earlier. (Also known as 'contextual value added' from Key Stage 1 to 2.)

Tuneful Toys

UJS pupils were proud of the 'Desktop toys' they made at a day of design and technology at Royal Manor Arts College. Each toy played a tune which the child had downloaded onto a microchip in a circuit they had soldered together. This was a successful pilot project which we hope to roll out to other classes.

Iron Man

A dramatic performance of the 'Iron Man' was very well received by the invited audience of families of the cast. Children from the after-school literacy clubs at Underhill and Southwell schools worked jointly on the dance and drama with staff at Royal Manor Arts College. The presentation was the climax of this term's project based on a study of 'The Iron Man' by Ted Hughes.

Above Average Again

For the second year running, UJS pupils made above average progress compared to schools in Dorset and across the country. On this measure, as you can see from this link to the BBC News website , we are the fourth ranked school in Weymouth and Portland and nearly two-thirds of Dorset primary schools had lower progress figures than UJS. Unfortunately, this information was not included in the version of SATs results for Dorset primary schools printed in the local paper. The missing figures are vital because they're a much fairer way to compare the results of schools (as well as our own results from year to year). Each school is given a "value added" (VA) measure which shows the progress made by that group of children from the SAT tests they took at age 7 to the ones they took at age 11.

Our 2006 results were lower than our 2005 ones but that's because our 2006 leavers were quite different from our high-flying 2005 group. The 2006 group was made up of 20 boys and 10 girls and half of the children had special needs. Nevertheless, these children still made good progress as shown by the above average "value added" figures. They also set the following records:

• Best ever girls' English results with 90% at or above the expected level 4.

• Best ever girls' writing results with 90% at or above level 4.

• Best ever overall results for writing.

Shipwreck Detectives

Diving expert, Duncan Cameron, dressed up two Year 6 pupils in his diving gear at Portland Museum. The event featured Duncan's book 'Shipwreck Detective' and was recorded by BBC Radio 4. Both girls were interviewed for the programme and found the whole experience challenging and exciting. The broadcast is due to go out early in December.

Pupils Get Street Wise

On their safety tour of 'Streetwise', a full sized village inside a warehouse, our pupils learnt how to cope with hazards in a wide range of scenarios, including a high street, a park, a farmyard, a railway track, electricity sub station, a heath, a beach and a building site. www.streetwise.org.uk/

The children also visited the Bournemouth Islamic Centre as part of their RE work.

Mayor Captivates Children

Weymouth and Portland's Mayor, Councillor Howard Legg, captivated children in assembly talking about his role and his regalia.

A highlight for some of the children was the chance to have their own mini procession at the front of the hall. The Mayor found the children to be 'very interested and attentive'.

Harvest Festival

Children from each class presented a harvest assembly to parents and the rest of the school. They used the letters of the word HARVEST help the audience think about the meaning of harvest. They thanked everyone for their donation of harvest gifts which were later given to elderly people in the community.

Lovely Leeson

Even long walks in the rain and mud couldn't dampen the spirits of children on the residential trip to Leeson House Field Studies Centre near Swanage.

They enjoyed the whole Leeson experience: comforting food; lovely grounds; helping in the dining room and kitchen; and tiredness and excitement of two nights in shared bedrooms.

Out and about the day completing their geography work in the stunning Purbeck scenery, they had fun with activities like orienteering in the evening. Tired teachers were delighted with the success of the visit but looked forward to a good night's sleep back home!

School Improvement Plan (SIP) Review

School Improvement Plan (SIP) Priorities and Projects for 2005 - 2006	Date Due	Review Comment
To maximise value added for maths and English for 2006 SATs, given that attainment will be lower than exceptional 2005 results	July 06	Initial Value added close to top 25% of schools nationally
Continue to raise standards in Years 3/4 by - Introducing ‘learning partners’ for speaking & listening (Literacy across the curriculum) installing Interactive Whiteboards (Enriching the curriculum)	Oct 05 Sept 06	Successful . Introduce learning partners in Y5/6 from Sept. 06. Whiteboards ordered
Projects to Secure Long-term Improvement
Accelerating Progress To raise standards and accelerate progress throughout the School Take part in Dorset’s Primary Strategy pilot based on the Intensifying Support Programme Continue to embed good practice from ISP through relevant whole staff professional development and accountability	Ongoing	Membership of Dorset's network for Schools in challenging circumstances includes £4,000 for an intervention project. Portland Pyramid have secured further funding for a literacy intervention.
Emotional Health Continue to embed teaching of Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Continue to promote good behaviour & eliminate bullying (OFSTED) Healthy Schools Scheme		By the end of this term we will have completed a full cycle of SEAL units. 92% of parents viewed behaviour as 'good' in a survey.
Attendance (OFSTED action plan)		Review needed, following recent figures.
Enrichment Enrichment of Curriculum (Whole School Review Day) Literacy & numeracy across the curriculum (OFSTED) Community Partnership to create a quiet garden area in the main playground		Draft policies reviewed on training day Awaiting outcome of lottery bid for £10,000
Non-Curriculum Priorities
Governors Governor Effectiveness (OFSTED action plan)		Audit at on 11 July will give useful feedback on progress with procedures etc.
Remodelling the Workforce Statutory review of Staffing Structure Completion of major remodelling of staff room and administrative areas to create effective working spaces for staff.	Jan 06 Sept 05	Completed and published Achieved

World Book Day

Children from all classes marked World Book Day by dressing up as book characters. During a special assembly the characters introduced themselves and staff shared some of their favourite books. Each class also did activities throughout the day to help bring home the enjoyment that can come from books and reading.