Special BBC Edition As we are situated in Elstree and Borehamwood, a moment’s walk from Elstree Studios (the UK’s

number 1 film and television studio), it’s not surprising that Hertswood Academy has very strong

links with the BBC. This week, we have decided to devote Hertsbeat to celebrating this relationship

which covers a number of events this year including BBC Children in Need, the BBC School Report,

an EastEnders visit and a BBC visit to Hertswood. Our students and staff enjoyed themselves

immensely and learnt a great deal about what it takes to be successful in the spotlight: performing

under pressure, taking risks, learning from mistakes, continually refining our practice - important

life skills which apply to us all on our journey to improve ourselves and our community.

Hertswood Academy Aim High Achieve Excellence

Hertsbeat Tuesday 29th March 2016 | Issue 11:21

Peter Gillett, Headteacher

A Talented Reporting Team by Mrs Edgar (Assistant Headteacher)

Every year a group of students come together to be the Hertswood Academy BBC News School Report team.

Several days across the year they work together to research, write, appear in, film and edit news reports on

topics that interest them. These practice events build up to the nationwide BBC News School Report Day.

Practice days this academic year have included a look at Hertswood Academy’s work with Noah’s

Ark Children’s Hospice, and examined whether children are spending too much time on the

internet. With each event, the students have taken charge of more of the process themselves,

from selecting their own topic, to cutting together the footage in editing software. Visit our

Facebook and YouTube pages to see the results of the students’ hard work.

This year’s School Report Day arrived on 10th March. Our young

team, along with schools across the country, spent the day writing

and filming their piece, ’Top of the Game!’, a look at what it takes

to be the best. They had been lucky enough to visit Emirates

Stadium for an Under 18 FA Cup game, receiving a tour, and

viewing the game from the press area. They also interviewed Lucy,

a keen footballer since the age of 4, now a student at the

academy, as well as a player for Arsenal FC. The Hertswood Academy 2015-16

BBC News School Report team

Reflections on Children In Need by Nabrissa (Year 7)

Five months after our choir’s fantastic performance at BBC’s Children In Need, our soloist looks back on the experience...

In all of the rehearsals I struggled to realise what I was actually going to be doing, that I was going

to be singing in front of most of Britain. Even the night before my performance I had butterflies

whilst I slept. All of the primary schools were very supportive and the teachers were so encouraging too.

The set was so bright, lights and people everywhere. The directors and producers on set felt so calm like it was

an everyday thing but to me it was a once in a lifetime chance. In all of the rehearsals our music teachers

stressed for us to smile but when we were on set it was hard not to. Looking down at the studio audience, I

thought about my friends and family at home and gave it my best shot.

The performance will stay with me forever and so will the confidence and determination I got from it.

If I ever become nervous I will think back and remember how proud I felt of myself when I had sung.

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Off to Walford by James, Katerina & The School Report Team

Along with young people from five other schools across the

country, four students from Hertswood Academy were invited to

Walford, with the opportunity to visit the world of EastEnders.

The experience began with an interview by people from BBC News

School Report, exploring what we were most looking forward to.

This included a few attempts before we had settled our nerves and

were ready to go behind the scenes and onto the set! Afterwards

we were given the opportunity to meet some of the story-lining

team, and to hear their views and how they shape the storylines.

Amazingly, we then had the chance to meet and interview three

members of the cast: Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) Jay Brown

(Jamie Borthwick) and Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid). Finally, we got to

go to Albert Square, where we had photos taken in front of the

Queen Vic, and a tour though Walford’s wondrous Albert Square!

Asked about the day, James said, “It was amazing to see the EastEnders set. As a big fan already this was a dream come true!”

Arsenal vs. Liverpool, Under 18 FA Cup Quarter Finals by Harry (Year 7)

BBC Careers Visit by Leo (Year 8)

As part of our Careers Programme, we were lucky enough to have Matt Tombs, Director of

the E20 Programme at the BBC, come in and talk about his career within the media. He is

currently overseeing the redevelopment of the Eastenders set, originally designed to be in

use for two years and now over 30 years old. He described the problems of the original set and the plans that are underway.

He told us about the varied aspects of his career and the projects he had been involved in. He described his past as a TV

scheduler, a producer on Holby City and Strictly Come Dancing, and in launching channels such as Dave and UK History.

The match was gripping and exciting! In the first half, Arsenal had looked dominant,

but Liverpool were still very tight in defence. During the break, we were lucky enough

to interview Adam Shergold from the Daily Mail who was also reporting on the game. He said

that all of the players would be trying to be at the top of their game so they could get noticed

by scouts from different clubs. Before the match we had already interviewed the scout from

Stoke City, Geoffrey Taylor. He tipped that the one to watch was Arsenal’s number 9, Stephy

Mavididi. He also told us that there would be about fifty other scouts, all from different clubs.

The second half started with a bang as six minutes in, Stephy Mavididi scored for Arsenal! Minutes later, Liverpool retaliated

with their own goal from Conor Masterson. Suddenly, Arsenal scored yet again giving them the lead. Arsenal 2, Liverpool 1.

Later on, a Liverpool midfielder (Alexander Arnold) got a yellow card. Liverpool made one last shot at a goal but the ball flew

right into the safe hands of Hugo Keto. The Arsenal fans cheered as the final whistle sounded, they were through to

the semi-finals! It was a great game and very close but in the end Liverpool were the ones going home defeated.

As part of our football focused 2016 BBC News School Report, a group from our School Report team visited Emirates Stadium

to meet some match reporters, and to take in a fantastic Under 18 game. Here is an excerpt from Harry’s match report...

Full report at facebook.com/hertswoodacademy