School of the Week: Sheldon Heath Arts College
STAFF at a Birmingham secondary school are in for a close shave this week as they embark on a major fund-raising programme in aid of sick children.
Around 20 male members of staff at Sheldon Heath Arts College in Sheldon Heath Road have been growing hair on their chins in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The volunteers, ranging from classroom assistants and administrative staff to assistant head teacher Shah Khan, have been trying to grow beards since putting their shavers and razors away on November 30.
They are due to get them shaved off this Thursday when they will have earned around £500 in sponsorship.
Mr Khan said: “I had the idea of doing something different in aid of the children’s hospital.
“We are being led from the front by our head, John Allen, although he had a beard to start with.”
A cheque for the total amount raised will be presented to the hospital tomorrow. At the same time, Sheldon Heath will deliver about 40 toys for patients following a separate fund-raising effort.
Added Mr Khan: “We also had a collection of coins around the form groups and raised £300 which we used to buy gifts such as CDs, games, puzzles and dolls.
“This will be further boosted on Friday when the pupils each bring £1 to school for our non-uniform day.”
Sheldon Heath is due to change its status from art college to academy in the near future following a sponsorship agreement with the King Edward’s Foundation of schools.
“The teachers are looking forward to it and also to getting a new building in due course. But we are no longer a National Challenge school after taking our five or more GCSE figure including English and maths to 42 per cent, well above the Government’s target of 30 per cent,” the assistant head added.
