Welcome to the August news roundup from Aspirations Academies Trust, a family of 16 academies located across the South of England, including seven in Dorset.

This month, we celebrate the success of Magna Academy’s Josh Barents as he prepares for the World Surf Lifesaving Championships; Atlantic Academy students featured on ITV; and we introduce you to Dolly, Bovington Academy’s beloved therapy dog.

ASPIRATIONS ACADEMIES IN THE NEWS!

Local Aspirations academies have been in the spotlight over the last month with appearances on radio and TV!

Pupils departing on a residential trip from Atlantic Academy, Portland, were filmed as part of a news package which featured on the ITV network. Principal of the Primary phase at Atlantic, Melissa Hepworth, detailed the problems faced by families when it comes to the cost of school trips:

“This year, a third of our year 6 pupils have been unable to participate in our annual residential trip to London. As a school serving a significant number of disadvantaged families, we do all we can to subsidise trips and activities, but costs in the last couple of years have spiralled. A lot of our families sacrifice other things to make sure their children can go. This trip is so important in terms of the life skills the children learn, broadening their horizons and showing them the possibilities that exist outside Dorset,” she said.

The experience at Atlantic Academy is replicated across the country. A survey of 1,000 parents by the insurance company Zurich found that school trips were too expensive for almost a third of families and increased transport costs, such as coach hire, are leading schools to cut the number of trips they offer.

Meanwhile, Bovington Academy near Wareham, was delighted to be BBC Radio Solent’s ‘Workplace of the Week’ in July.

Year 6 students Harley, Noah, Boris, Zara, Faith and Charlee became radio presenters with a daily spot on the BBC’s Dorset Breakfast show, hosted by Steve Harris. Working with broadcast journalist, Harry Kille-Smith, the pupils lent their cheery voices to the show, introducing the final track of the morning across the week and sharing the things they love about the summer.

“The children were great,” said Harry. “They were all very enthusiastic and very professional. It made a real change for our ‘Workplace of the Week’ to be a school. Bovington Academy is a very welcoming place to be with a great atmosphere.”

MAGNA ACADEMY STUDENT PREPARES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Seventeen year old Magna Academy student, Josh Barents is celebrating following his inclusion in the GB Surf Lifesaving team which will compete in the World championships in Australia next month.

The sport is relatively small in the UK but enjoys widespread participation in the US, Australia and New Zealand where it was developed to improve the fitness of lifeguards. Following selection trials in Wales Josh was chosen as part of the IRB (Inshore Rescue Boats) team.

“I’ve always been a swimmer and came from county swimming to join Branksome Chine Surf Lifesaving club. I’ve been crewing IRBs (Inshore Rescue Boats) as part of the club’s programme for the last two years. I’m so excited to have been selected and I’m really looking forward to the racing.”

Josh, who is studying Sport Science, Geography and Applied Science, is hoping to become a paramedic. This summer, he has been working as an RNLI lifeguard at Boscombe and Southbourne beaches.

“Lifeguarding is such an important skill. The RNLI deals with a huge number of incidents in Poole bay every summer. Surf lifesaving is excellent training and it’s great to be part of a sport with a real purpose.”

Josh is the youngest member of the GB team which races on 4th September.

Aspirations Staff Spotlight: Dolly the Therapy Dog

Five year old Dolly has been working as a therapy dog at Bovington Academy for two years, accompanied by her owner, Pastoral Lead, Lowry Stone.

Dolly what’s your official title?

Dolly – Bringer of Joy!

How often do you bring the joy?

I come in on a Wednesday and often on a Thursday too. It can be rather intense as I do get a lot of attention from the children.

What does the role entail?

I greet children at the school gate at the beginning of the day and I see them off at home time. At lunchtime I work with individual children who need me, or I’m just around and available for petting. Some children have never come into contact with a dog before.

My companion Lowry and I have worked with four children who are actually petrified of dogs. They’ve got to know me and they’ve taken me out on my lead. Now they don’t have to cross a street when they see a dog any more. The fear is gone.

What are the benefits of your presence in school?

We’ve found there are huge benefits, everything from boosting staff morale and parental engagement to impacts on learning. Children will speak through me. Reluctant readers will read to me; sometimes they won’t want to read out loud to an adult but they’ll read to me. I don’t judge or assess. I’ve been used to assist bereaved children and children who are stressed or anxious. Stroking me is very calming. Sometimes, just knowing I’ll be in school is enough to coax a reluctant child to come into school.

What are your favourite toys?

I have a cuddly dog of my own, called simply ‘Dog.’ I’ll chase anything that can be thrown. My parents were Welsh champion gun dogs you know. But I’m equally happy having a cuddle.

What do you do to relax?

Outside school my main interests are wood walks with my companion, Lowry; swimming, and seeing if I can snaffle some cheese.

• https://www.aspirationsacademies.org/