We’re delighted to announce our new Sixth Form Senior Leadership Team!
Our Head Students are Nathan L and Isabel P and they will work with Ruby B, Sienna J, Kian S, Syed H
It was a really strong field and everyone who applied did brilliantly - choosing was tough!
Huge congratulations to the new team.
On Wednesday, a group of our Year 10 pupils visited Oxford University to explore pathways into Russell Group universities and experience life at one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions.
Pupils took part in a Q&A with current Oriel College students, toured Oriel Colleges, and enjoyed lunch in the dining hall.
The visit inspired pupils to think about their future ambitions and university opportunities ahead.
Our pupils were a real credit to the school, demonstrating excellent behaviour, enthusiasm and maturity throughout the day.
Year 12 students had the unique opportunity to take part in a Forensic Science: CSI Masterclass, hosted by the University of Wolverhampton.
Experienced forensic scientists and a real-life CSI professional with 20 years’ experience at West Midlands Police led the session. Students took part in real life crime scene scenarios, together with forensic science examinations and analysis activities. Students particularly enjoyed the crime scene investigation activity at a bespoke crime scene house, involving evidence recovery, analysis and interpretation activities.
Students and staff alike very much enjoyed the insights gained on this taster day and valued the interactive nature of the learning tasks, helping them to really test out if not only this course, but also this career, would be suited to them.
We were delighted to see that once again, the number of pupils taking part in the Year 9 Work Experience Day has increased. Pupils are recognising the value in exploring their options early and that going into the workplace to get a taste of working life is one of the best ways to do this.
The feedback received was overwhelming positive, with 100% of parents saying their child enjoyed the placement and the vast majority of pupils getting the chance to develop their skillset and come away feeling more positive about the world of work. Our feedback from parents encouraged greater access to longer work placements, something we are looking into for the future.
Even more good news came from employers, with 100% confirming that our pupils represented the school well. We have also been gathering insights into work experience from an employer perspective, to help us better work with their needs and to understand the benefits and challenges faced. We look forward to maintaining strong relationships with employers and shaping impactful experiences for our pupils moving forward.
Thank you to all of the parents and carers who worked hard to secure a placement for their child and to every employer that gave up their day to help our pupils settle in and get a valuable day in the workplace.
For our pupils who remained in school on this day, a special employer led event was arranged in school. Pupils got to experience life in the army, with a talk about the different careers available within the army, followed by an Elite Skills course, where pupils took part in multiple hands on activities to test their team work and problem solving abilities under pressure. Pupils were also given time to research careers linked to their skills and interests in computer room sessions supported by UCAS.
With the best apprenticeship opportunities growing increasingly competitive, we want to do everything to give our students the edge and have the very best possible chance of securing an offer. One element of the often very extensive application processes for apprenticeships is the Assessment Centre. In these Assessment Centres, students could face anything from a group task, panel interview, in-tray exercise, role play or they may even have to prepare a presentation.
The Department for Work and Pensions gave students a taste of their assessment centre process, giving pupils the chance to take on two group tasks, and also to get direct feedback from employers for their conduct, not just during the tasks, but throughout the event. This feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
The students themselves said:
“It was a really good session. I took away a lot from it. I didn’t need to be worried at all; this has given me a confidence boost.”
“Definitely one of the most enjoyable sessions I have been a part of in long time. Sometiemes it is hard to concentrate when a guest speaker just talks at us, but this was fun and much more interactive.”
“I felt like my skills definitely grew as the session went on.”
“I learnt lots about how the assessment process works. I didn’t know any of this before the session. I came away with lots of tips.”
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.
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.
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.
Sweet Surprise for Staff: A Caramel or Crème Egg Treat Brightens the Day!
Following the Easter break, our Year 7–9 pupils took part in the Mini London Marathon in Schools during their PE lessons, demonstrating fantastic perseverance, resilience and determination as they challenged themselves to run as far as possible within their allocated time. It was inspiring to see such enthusiasm for promoting healthy, active lifestyles across the school.
We are incredibly proud to share that, through their efforts and the generous support of our community, pupils have raised over £1,300 for Papyrus, a national charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Every step taken and every donation made will contribute towards supporting young people and raising awareness of such an important cause. Thank you to all pupils, families and supporters who helped make this event so meaningful.
Our Trust fundraising total is now just a few hundred pounds from hitting £20,000.
#MiniLondonMarathon #Fundraising #SchoolCommunity #Papyrus #MentalHealthMatters #ActiveSchools
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
