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Long Service Awards 2026

Staff from across the Trust who have given more than 20 years of service came together to celebrate an incredible milestone at our annual Long Service meal.

Held at the beautiful Bank Restaurant in Birmingham, the afternoon was an opportunity to recognise the dedication, commitment and passion shown by colleagues who have devoted two decades or more to supporting our communities and delivering outstanding care.

The event brought together staff from a wide range of teams and roles across the Trust, each with their own stories and experiences but all sharing a common commitment to the people we serve. Colleagues had the chance to reconnect, reflect on their journeys, and celebrate the impact they have made over the years.

Reaching 20+ years of service is a remarkable achievement, and the evening served as a small token of our appreciation for the knowledge, experience and compassion these colleagues bring to their work every day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to all those celebrating their long service this year. Your dedication truly makes a difference.

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Chris Woakes Returns to Inspire Young Cricketers

Chris Woakes Returns to Barr Beacon School to Inspire Young Cricketers.

Barr Beacon School was proud to welcome back former pupil and England cricketer Chris Woakes for a special day celebrating cricket, inspiration, and community.

Returning to where his cricketing journey began, Chris spent time with staff and pupils discussing his career and offering pupils a unique insight into life at the highest level of the game. Chris joined pupils out on the field, taking part in training sessions, offering coaching tips and helping develop skills. Pupils also had the opportunity to have cricket gear signed, creating lasting memories for our aspiring young players.

The morning also highlighted Barr Beacon’s growing cricket success, with pupils showcasing the school’s involvement in the Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup, the national state-school cricket competition, with finals held at Lord’s. Chris’s visit provided extra inspiration for those representing the school in the competition.

In a generous gesture, Chris signed an England cricket shirt for the trust, which will be raffled to raise money for the trust charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. Watch this space to have a go.

The event attracted significant media attention, with Sky Sports, TalkSport and BBC Midlands Today on site to cover the story of Chris returning to his former school.

Chris’s visit was a proud moment for Barr Beacon, celebrating both a distinguished former pupil coming home and the bright future of cricket within the school.

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Trust Wide Netball Tournament

Our first ever Matrix Netball Tournament took place on Wednesday 22nd April, bringing together schools from across the trust for a fantastic day of sport, collaboration and competition. The event showcased the strength of sport within the trust and provided pupils with the opportunity to represent their schools with pride.

Throughout the day, all participating schools demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination and sportsmanship, contributing to a positive and inclusive atmosphere both on and off the court. It was particularly encouraging to see the continued growth of netball across the trust, including increased participation in mixed and boys’ netball, reflecting the sport’s expanding inclusivity.

The standard of play was consistently high, with many closely contested matches highlighting the talent and commitment of pupils from every school involved. While Etone College went on to secure the overall victory, the tournament was very much a collective success, celebrating the effort, enthusiasm and unity of all participants.

Thank you to every school, pupil and member of staff who took part and supported the event. Your contribution made the inaugural Matrix Netball Tournament a memorable occasion and a strong foundation for future trust-wide sporting events.

Contact Info

Barr Beacon School
Old Hall Lane
Aldridge, Walsall
West Midlands
WS9 0RF

T: 0121 366 6600
postbox@barrbeaconschool.co.uk

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Copyright 2026 © All Rights Reserved

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