All the latest news, business reports, and education stories from the Prestwich and Whitefield

Year 11 Boys Football success in Bury Metro Cup

12:24pm Monday 24th May 2010

The Year 11 Boys Football Team celebrated a great victory in the Bury Metro Cup. The tournament involved all Year 11 teams across Bury and the final took place at Gigg Lane on Tuesday 20th April at 12.30 between Castlebrook and St Gabriel’s. Castlebrook went behind 1 v 0 and Lamar Harrison scored the equaliser. At half-time the score was 2 v 1 to St Gabriel’s and in the second half, James Wharmby scored a second goal to make it 2 v 2 at full-time. The score remained the same after extra time and the match was eventually won on penalties 5 v 4 to Castlebrook! The penalty scorers were George Powell, Josiah Morris, Lee Housley, Ellis Phillips and Lamar Harrison. Many congratulations to the team on their outstanding performance!

John Slattery judges Novelty Cake Competition

12:18pm Monday 24th May 2010

Year 10 GCSE Food Technology learners took part in our annual Novelty Cake Competition which has become something of a tradition at the school. Learners enjoyed themselves immensely making and decorating cakes which were then judged by John Slattery of Slattery’s in Bury New Road, Whitefield. Mr Slattery commented on the excellent standards achieved and said that the learners had produced the best results to date! Joint winners, Robyn Cole, Sam Bourke and Joab Williamson were presented with a book and a chocolate medal from Mr Slattery. Other learners who achieved medals were Sophie Cooney, Liam Woods, Madihah Zahid, Nicole Soloman, Daniel Crutchley, Natalie Lord and Charlotte Hudnott. Well done to all learners who took part in this competition!

Castlebrook achieve 'Good' in Ofsted inspection

12:11pm Monday 24th May 2010

Castlebrook has great pleasure in reporting that the school was judged to be ‘good’ in the Ofsted inspection that took place on the 10th & 11th March. The published report shows that the school has made significant progress since the inspection in September 2006 especially in light of the raised expectations in the Ofsted criteria. Comments in the report include, “Following a period of rapid change Castlebrook is now providing its students with a good education. The leadership team places a clear emphasis on raising attainment. Students are well supported and benefit from a highly personalised curriculum.….a large majority of students make good progress…students say they feel safe in school….behaviour is good. The majority of teaching is good and learning normally takes place at a brisk pace. Students’ achievement is good. An overwhelming majority of students reported they enjoyed coming to school. Financial management is secure and the school provides good value for money.”

Castlebrook raise over £1000 for sport relief

1:19pm Friday 26th March 2010

The PE department organised a whole week of activities for Sport Relief. Various activities included a cross-bar challenge for all year groups at a cost of 50p per go. The final was held on Friday 19th March and the winner was James Melluish in Year 11.

Learners harness wind power

11:30am Friday 26th March 2010

Winners from Castlebrook – Rae Breakwell 2G & Gemma Scott 2G Castlebrook High School learners working in partnership with Bury Grammar School for Boys put their Design, Technology, Engineering and Maths talents to the test in a one-day challenge set by educational charity The Smallpeice Trust. Working in small groups, this introductory session was designed to enhance learners’ aptitude for problem solving, creativity, design and engineering and was especially geared to complement the National Curriculum.

Ogden Trust Bury Science Partnership

11:04am Friday 26th March 2010

Ogden Trust Bury Science Partnership During 8th-12th March, learners from Castlebrook, Derby, Woodhey, BGS Boys & Girls, Holy Cross College and University of Manchester took part in various activities at different locations. In total, over 200 learners from Castlebrook participated in the activities which included the following events: Monday 8th March - ‘What is Nuclear Energy? Your future’ by Dr John Roberts (Stempoint) held at Castlebrook High School.

Pupils have fun in Normandy over half term

1:15pm Friday 26th February 2010

Half-term would certainly not be the same without our annual French study trip to Chateau Beaumont. This year, 42 learners sampled the delights of the Normandy region culminating in a trip to Euro Disney and Paris.

Diploma Taster Day

12:55pm Friday 26th February 2010

On 23rd February a group of Year 9 learners took part in a taster day for The Diploma in Construction and The Built Environment. Learners from Castlebrook, Radcliffe Riverside and St Gabriel’s competed in a team building activity called ‘Buy It Build It’ and then rubbed shoulders with David Morris, an architect from John Holts. Learners also had the chance to speak to John Walmsley from Cassey and Collin Eddy from Six Town Housing about training routes and careers in the Construction Industry. The event was supported by Andrew Hughes (Bury & Bolton EBP) and Wendy Cooke (14-19 Bury).