The Wellbeing Ambassadors prepared a bake sale and cake decorating competition for Children's Mental Health Week, with the theme 'My Happy Place', which successfully raised £136.90 for PAPYRUS. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated to the sale. A huge well done to our winners:
1st Place: Abigail, Year 9, Elysia, Year 9, Jessica, Year 9, Leila, Year 7, Aoife, Year 7
2nd Place: Hollie, Year 11
3rd Place: Flynn, Year 7
Recently, 40 year 12 and 13 students took part in a webchat to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January. Survivor Paul Sved and his son, Richard, recalled Paul's experiences in Hungary during World War 2 as a young Jewish boy. Paul emphasised the importance of education about the Holocaust and the lessons that can be learned in fostering a spirit of optimism for the future.
Head of History Mrs Selby has led this week's assembly for Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme this year is "Bridging Generations" and pupils were told the story of Leon Greenman, he was born in London.
Leon and his family were arrested by the Nazis on the 8th October 1942 for the 'crime' of being a Jew.
The Greenman’ suddenly felt very scared and uncertain about what lay ahead…they were taken
from Rotterdam to Westerbork, a holding camp for Dutch Jews.
His story represents the impact of the Holocaust on Leon's generation but the way that this continues to effect future generations and how important it is to remember and not hide from what has happened. This is how humans will ensure it never happens again.
On 5th February, we once again welcomed Nicky Salt from the Anne Frank foundation. Helping pupils to understand Anne Frank's part in the Anti-Racist movement, Nicky explored ideas around racism in 2026.
This meant understanding the suffering of Anne Frank at the hands of the racist ideology of the Nazis but thinking about the impact words and actions still have now. Using examples such as racism in football, the groups in Year 8 considered the wide impact of racism, prejudice and discrimination and their own part in preventing this.
We would like to congratulate six of our Year 7 pupils who have qualified for members to the Mensa Society this year! Pupils had to achieve a score on the assessment which demonstrates that they have an IQ in the top 2%. Pupils will be receiving a special badge to proudly wear on their blazer alongside free membership to Mensa. Well done to the 22 pupils who participated in the assessment!
Key Stage 3
Pupils in Year 7 – 9 will be able to access work set by their class teachers through Class Charts. Pupils should follow their timetable. There is no requirement for pupils to submit their work through Class Charts. Teaching staff will not be available to respond to questions in a ‘live’ capacity due to supporting Key Stage 4 and 5.
Key Stage 4 & 5
Teachers are planning to deliver a ‘live’ lesson to their classes. There is a pupil guide for how to access their lesson via this link (insert link: https://bit.ly/4qOXf4x) . Teachers will be present and will utilise the Chat/Q&A feature on teams to interact with pupils. There may be some instances where a teacher is unavailable, if this is the case work will be set on Class Charts.
The Year 12 Biology Mock which was scheduled for 9am will now not go ahead. The Year 12 Law and Year 13 Health and Social Care at 1pm will go ahead as planned. Students should enter via sports hall gate and be on site no later than 1pm.
We will update you regarding arrangements for Monday by Sunday evening.
To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the University of Birmingham hosted a special event. The Year 12 Christmas Lectures showcased six different areas of study through bite-sized lectures, allowing students to experience what university learning is really like, with some sessions featuring a festive twist. Students engaged with a wide range of subjects, from Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences to STEM disciplines.
The day began with a psychology professor examining mental health support on TikTok, followed by a lecture on the ethics of the pop song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and another exploring horror in Christmas films, delivered by a Film Studies lecturer. In the afternoon, a physics professor spoke about his research in Antarctica, where his team’s exoplanetary exploration is searching for life on new planets. Students then learned about the role of “superhero” platelets in the blood and the cutting-edge research aiming to prevent heart attacks. The day concluded with a palaeontology professor discussing the discovery of unusual spiky fossils in Morocco, which led his research team to identify the so-called “punk rock dinosaur”.
The event not only gave students a taste of university learning but also highlighted the exciting research that takes place at Russell Group universities.
Our Sixth Form students with a keen interest in politics had a rare and exciting opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament. Students walked in the footsteps of hundreds of historical figures, influential politicians, and royalty as they explored the House of Commons and even had the chance to watch the House of Lords debate the Assisted Dying Bill, witnessing history in the making.
Later, students took part in a Snap Election, devising their own policies for newly created political parties. They focused on issues important to them, such as university tuition fees, free school meals, and travel costs to school.
This was a special trip with a highly engaged group of students who are excited to begin exercising their right to vote.
Three years ago, we started a new tradition at Barr Beacon School. One of our Year 13 students was observing the Careers Adviser conduct a mock interview with a Year 11 pupil when the student asked if he could have a go himself. Drawing on his recent experience of interviews for university, apprenticeships, and leadership roles within school, his involvement had such a positive impact that we decided to trial this approach on a larger scale.
Now, every year, our Year 13 students who have successfully completed multiple interviews support our Year 11 pupils by offering advice and tips from their own experiences. This is something that the Year 13 students have really enjoyed, as it allows them to give back to the school, and the Year 11 pupils have found it very beneficial.
Barr Beacon School hosted its annual Awards Evening 13th November at Sutton Town Hall, we welcomed parents, carers and staff to celebrate the achievements of our pupils. Our pianist Priya, year 10 welcomed the guests upon arrival and opened the evening with a captivating solo piano performance, followed by the school choir and a solo piece by Miley, Year 10.
The guest speaker, former Barr Beacon student Ethan Saunders, shared his inspiring journey of overcoming setbacks, and self-doubt, which shaped his resilience and confidence. He highlighted the importance of taking opportunities, seeking support and pushing yourself when things feel difficult. Ethan now works for the BBC as a journalist in radio and broadcasting. He inspired his young audience with his message of reassurance.
The ceremony celebrated excellence across a wide range of achievements, including the prestigious House Cup Awards which were awarded to: Bredon House to Clark, Clent House to Finley, Malvern House to Leya and Wrekin House to Rohan all pupils are in Year 11.
Special awards presented included Victrix Ludorum to Keira, Year 11, Resilience Award to Alexandra, Year 11, Services to the School Award to Krisha , Year 11, Rising Star Award to Ro-Ann, Year 11, Clive Mills Award for A Level Mathematics to Joshua, Year 13, Cadet of the Year to Isabelle, Year 12 and 100% Attendance to Gurleen Year 13. Gurleen has achieved 100% attendance over 5 years!
The evening was a wonderful celebration of student talent, hard work and dedication, highlighting both academic and extracurricular successes across the school community.
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
