#Proud

We have been overwhelmed by the response to the news that we have achieved our QiSS Advanced status. Thank you so much for your kind words! See below for just a snapshot of the fantastic comments we have received: 

Following a rigorous external validation process, the CU team were award the Advanced Level of Quality In Study Support. ( QiSS) This is a very prestigious accolade and justly rewards them for all their hard work and innovation, turning the CU offer into a Traded Service, whilst maintaining their positive relationships with schools and learning destinations. More and more schools are subscribing to CU as they see the positive impact on their pupils attainment and progression. - Assistant Director, LLSC, Sheffield City Council

Brilliant – you really deserve the fantastic feedback and Sheffield children are lucky to have you. - Director of Learning, CU Trust

Well done to you all!! No surprise at all to me BUT the culmination of effort, commitment and win-winships!! Congratulations all round! - Chief Executive, CU Trust

This is fantastic. I am familiar with the work of the CU from my last authority. Clearly we have a great team doing great work to support children’s learning and realise their aspirations in Sheffield. Well done team. - Services to Schools Manager, Sheffield City Council

Many congratulations on a brilliant achievement. The Sheffield CU keeps on going from strength to strength! - Carterknowle Junior School

Well done to you all and congratulations on such a wonderful achievement! - University of Sheffield

Congratulations! The team deserves the award for the high standards you have achieved. Well done to all concerned. It has been a privilege to be able to be a Critical Friend to Katie and Helen throughout the process and they deserve special mentions for all the hard work of writing the statements, and re-writing the statements and re-writing the case study and collating all the evidence. You have set the standard very high for others to achieve Advanced QiSS with such a professional approach! My every best wish for future success and the long term sustainability of Sheffield CU. – QiSS Professional Partner & Sheffield CU Critical Friend

Congratulations and well done to you all! Very well deserved. - All at Walkley Primary School.

Brilliant news, well deserved award. –  parent/carer

Well done to you all. You should be really proud of yourselves for the fantastic job you are doing! – Dobcroft Junior School

From strength to strength !!! Very impressive indeed, well done!!! –  Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, Sheffield City Council

To read the Passport to Learning Case Study that formed part of our QiSS Advanced portfolio and charts the journey of the Passport to Learning and its development here in Sheffield, please visit: http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/education/quality-in-extended-learning/docs/case-studies/Sheffield-CU.pdf

We did it!- QiSS Advanced Status

We have achieved another important milestone here in Sheffield and we can’t wait to share the news!

Some of you may be aware of the QiSS (Quality in Study Support) Awards. For those who haven’t come across it previously, QiSS is a national quality assurance framework that schools and learning organisations can utilise to demonstrate that they deliver quality provision that makes a real difference to children and young people.

The achievement of the thee quality marks demonstrates excellence in a variety of areas including raising attainment and achievement and engaging learners with a variety of needs. The Sheffield CU team have been working towards the final level (Advanced) of a 3 step Quality in Study Support (QiSS) award for the past year and after following a very rigorous external validation process we are thrilled to announce that we were awarded Advanced status!

Both Helen and I were overwhelmed with the fantastic feedback we received from the panel, and are so proud to achieved such an important milestone here in Sheffield. We have found the QiSS process so valuable in informing our development and allowing us identify and address gaps in our provision.

Achieving this award would not have been possible without the help of our critical friend Anita de Brouwer, and the attendees at our panel yesterday - Debra and students from Firth Park, Roger from Concord Music and Kulvinder, parent of one of our Passport to Learning children. Special thanks to Steve and Malin Bridge Primary for allowing us to visit their fantastic activities yesterday.

And also thank you to all of our schools, Learning Destinations, partners and parents/carers for being so instrumental in the development of CU here in Sheffield and helping us grow such a fantastic project. We couldn’t be more proud!

'Design a miniature garden in a seed tray' competition at Garden Up event

                                               Minecraft Garden by Dore Primary School

 

                                   Lawrence of Arabia Garden by St Catherine's Primary School

 

 

Mr Hop the Rabbit's Garden by Malin Bridge Primary School

The competition judging by Friends of the Botanical Gardens was based on innovative ideas, use of a variety of materials and demonstration of good presentation skills. Judges were very impressed by the creative ideas and hard work which had gone into making these miniature gardens.

The "Best in Show" winners in each category will receive a voucher and their school will receive a gift of gardening equipment. 1st, 2nd and 3rd each receive a rosette.

KEY STAGE ONE BEST IN SHOW

Malin Bridge Primary School — "Mr Hop the Rabbit’s Garden"

2nd—Dore Primary School — "Minecraft Garden"

3rd—Nether Green Infant School — "Make a Wish"

KEY STAGE TWO BEST IN SHOW

Lydgate Junior School — "Sheffield City Garden"

2nd—St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School — "Lawrence of Arabia"

3rd—Malin Bridge Primary School — "Gnomeo’s Place"

 

Garden Up!

Garden Up, the first Sheffield premier flower and gardening show takes place this weekend in the Botanical Gardens! The two day family event will showcase new talent from the worlds of Horticulture, Architecture, Landscape, Art and Design and more.
The event opens at 10.00 am and closes at 6.00 pm each day and its £6 for adults, with under 16s free!

Sheffield CU will be there hosting a miniature garden competition with our CU schools. We will also be delivering fun arts and craft activities in the Landing Zone with our friends from Art in the Park! If you have a CU Passport, please bring it along as you will be able to collect credits for taking part in these activities. CU Passports will also be on sale in The Little Nature Shop.

For more details about the event, please visit www.gardenup.org