J A Rajput and Z Copeland – Deputy Head Students
It's been almost 8 weeks since the new academic year started and already so much has unfolded.
While there is so much to look forward to over the year, there are also more challenging times
ahead that may require you to understand not only how to be successful but also how to turn
failure into success too.
Failure is a tool that should be used more when trying to achieve success as it can be a crucial
learning opportunity but often, we try to ignore our failures, moving on to the next thing when it
could be the perfect method to help us progress and get us closer to reaching our goals.
People experience failure for several reasons; maybe you were unprepared, your goals were
unrealistic or perhaps you simply need more learning and understanding of a topic to help you
succeed. Failure can help you to identify where there is work to be done and more importantly it
can highlight your next steps so that when you try again you do better than you did before. There are
a variety of ways to go about this and one way is setting SMART Targets to help create a streamlined
vision of what you want. For those of you who don’t know what these are, they’re targets that meet
the following requirements:

• Specific – Is it clear and definitive of what you want to achieve?
• Measurable – Can you easily track your progress on this goal?
• Achievable - Is it realistic and able for you to attain?
• Relevant - Is this goal something that aligns with what you want, long-term or short-term?
• Timely – Does the goal have a strict but realistic deadline?

It is crucial that you remember that failure is part of the process and is scientifically proven to help
the brain create stronger connections and improve problem-solving skills. This is how those of you
who are disappointed with your grades at the moment, can utilise what you perceive as failure to
your advantage and get that ‘academic comeback’!
But remember you also need to take breaks from your studies and have fun with your hobbies or
take on opportunities available to you because we can succeed in the most unlikely ways. This
could be through Social Mobility programs/charities (as listed at the end of this blog) or through
things like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, after-school clubs or sports teams because they enable
you to experience new fun things while getting extra support and a competitive edge when applying
for your next steps. Take those risks and don’t worry about the outcome! Because if you don’t go
for it, you might regret it and think “What if…?” or “I could have” - instead, go for those
opportunities and be more optimistic so you can say “I did it!” or “I made it!”
Finally, the easiest way to avoid failure is to never give up, give everything your best shot and you’ll
eventually reach the finish line. Approach everyday with your best effort, persistence and follow
your passions, whatever excites you or what you're enthusiastic about - just never give up, especially
through those challenging times (FYI: there will be lots of them, but your grit and determination is
all you need to persevere). Finally, use this as that little push to get you on track to whatever
journey you're striving for and make it happen - OWN WHAT YOU DO!
Remember to take a break during Half Term to rest and reset but be geared up, ready to go as soon
as that first Monday hits.

It’s never too early to start nor too late. So, if you do one thing from reading this blog, consider
applying to one of the programs below:
AMT Youth - AMT Youth Programme – Alice Made This
Leaf - Leaf
NCS - Find an NCS Programme Near You: Sign Up Today | NCS (wearencs.com)
SMART Targets -The Ultimate Guide to S.M.A.R.T. Goals – Forbes Advisor
Social Mobility Foundation - The Social Mobility Foundation
Sutton Trust - Sutton Trust
Zero Gravity - Zero Gravity | Unlock your university and career ambition

Happy Halloween and Diwali.

We are both extremely excited for the upcoming year as we plan to work closely together to turn our visions into reality and put forward our ideas that will strive to most effectively aid the students. We are also excited to combine our alternative perspectives and believe that we will complement each other, granting us the ability to access a wide range of insights and perspectives so we may attempt to address all students’ wellbeing creating a more inclusive and dynamic environment.

We are eager to begin this journey and begin accepting our new responsibilities as we attempt to bring something new to the roles and make our individual impact. Our commitment to the school and its students remains our paramount responsibility and passion as we vow to do everything in our power to support the entire school community.

Tobias and Kyreece

As Deputy Head Students we are thrilled to embark on a new adventure with the Head Students and believe that, across this next academic year, we will be able to provide a supportive outlet for concern and promote student voice. This will enable us to achieve our aim of being a close-knit team that prioritises the voice of students and takes advantage of first-hand experiences to provide a personal note on events and celebrations. We also promise to offer more exhilarating openings that students can use as examples when they are demonstrating leadership skills, helping them with their future careers and moulding them into young people fuelled with success and determination. We strive to embody the Beacon Values in an environment where diversity is celebrated, kindness and compassion are the norm and excellence is the standard, whilst always remaining ‘Proud to Succeed’ so that we can inspire others to do the same.

Aum and Zahira

I am incredibly honoured to have received the title of Head Student, yet this is not just a title to me but rather a commitment to serve, represent and uplift our student body and foster my vision to create a supportive, accepting and forward-thinking environment within school. I aim to promote further opportunities for students to embrace on their journey to reach their greatest ambitions.

The experiences and opportunities that have been presented to me at Barr Beacon School have shaped me in ways I could never have predicted, and it is because of these that, as I step into the role of Head Student, I can assure you that I will endeavour to give back to the school community and continue to foster an environment where people feel encouraged to achieve their aspirations, just as I have. As I reflect on the experiences I have been granted and remember those who inspired me, I feel a profound sense of responsibility to become the role model for younger students as they begin their journey and set their sights on reaching their full potential.

My passion for this role and my unwavering desire to help people drives my initiatives and dedication to make a meaningful impact that hopefully, after I pass on the badge next year, will be a lasting legacy added to a long list of accomplishments of the Head Students before me.

T.Hunt (Head Student)

Since the beginning of my journey at Barr Beacon School I have always had uncertainties about where I want to find myself in the future.  However, I have always known the person who I want to be and the impact that I want to have on others. I was given an environment in which I could not only excel academically but as an individual too, allowing me to learn the great significance of leadership, empathy and success. With the ability to act as a liaison between faculty and students, I will pride myself in displaying an approachable and considerate attitude towards my peers and the school.

I have always been driven to demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm and integrity both academically and in extracurricular activities. By representing Barr Beacon School as a musician at Awards Evening, as a prefect at Open Evening and as a sportsman at tournaments, I have learnt to enhance such spirit throughout all aspects of school creating comfortable environments which place great emphasis on the achievements and success of the student body.

Having been granted such a prestigious role, I will dedicate myself to enhancing our school environment by promoting diversity and inclusivity whilst also soliciting feedback to better understand the desires of Barr Beacon students. With a genuine ambition for student achievement, I intend on bringing a different yet determined personality to this role.

K.Bynoe (Head Student)

From the moment I appealed to gain my place in Barr Beacon School in 2018 to making my way on to the Head Student Team in 2024, I have always been proud to say that this school has helped me to gain so much. From achieving a range of outstanding GCSEs to attaining skills in public speaking, team leadership and critical thinking, I have been encouraged to embrace these opportunities, allowing me to develop my confidence and grow, shaping me into the person that I am today.

Throughout the years, this school has also provided me with many opportunities: work experience days, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, the Diana Award, subject workshops and career fairs, all contributing to my progression from a boy who was anxious about his future, to a young adult who is now striving towards a career in architecture.

These experiences have made me an advocate for embracing new things and encouraging others to take every opportunity that passes their way, embodying the Beacon Value to ‘Own What You Do’! That one opportunity could be the one that sparks an interest in something that may never have crossed your mind previously.

J.A.Rajput (Deputy Head Student)

I am proud to have been entrusted with the role of Deputy Head Student, a position that will enable me to continue to represent the school I have come to love and that has provided me with ample opportunities all of which have helped to curate the character I am today.

During my time at Barr Beacon School, I been given the opportunity to travel, immersing myself in new cultures alongside my peers. I was also tasked with the position of prefect. These experiences have instilled skills in me such as independence, perseverance, and collaboration that I now intend to use as I progress through the next few important chapters of my life. I believe that in seizing all the opportunities I have been presented with, I have become someone who will thrive in all future endeavours.  It is for this reason that as Deputy Head Student, it will be an objective of mine to ensure that others have the strength to do the same whilst allowing them to communicate any adversities or apprehensions they encounter along the way.

I eagerly anticipate the responsibilities that this role entails and hope that my desire to serve those within the school community will contribute to the extensive list of attributes found in prior members of the Head Student Team.

Z.Copeland (Deputy Head Student)

Head Student Team 2023 - 2024  

Congratulations to our new Head Student Team on their successful appointments.  We are looking forward to working with them as they bring their ideas to the role.  

A message from our Senior Four  

We are honoured to represent Barr Beacon as the Head Students. We see these significant roles as a great opportunity and privilege to act on behalf of our school. 

We look back at our predecessors and recognise the high standards that they have set, their accomplishments and the manner in which they have upheld the Beacon Values.  We realise that we are following in their stead and that we have a chance to continue their work.  We will be collaborating with both staff and students to generate ideas and then drive them forward towards successful implementation.  

With this in mind, we intend to create a safe community within the boundaries of our school, ensuring that everyone is granted the same opportunities, allowing them to develop and grow.  

We will encourage and support students, across all year groups, to take full advantage of all the opportunities on offer, so that we can take our school to even greater heights of success.  

 Head Students: Jada and James  

Taking on the role of Deputy Head Students is something that we will carry out with the upmost respect, as we work alongside the Head Students.  

Our aim is to support fellow Sixth Form students, younger pupils and staff, to make continuous improvements to our school.  We are looking forward to motivating and supporting others to be the best versions of themselves.  With each of us bringing our individual ideas to the role, we hope that, as a group, these ideas will flourish and grow to create our legacy.  

At Barr Beacon School, we pride ourselves on being ‘proud to succeed’ and as Deputy Head Students, we will take on all new challenges head-on and listen to every voice. We are honoured to not only support others on their journey, but also to finish our final leg at Barr Beacon, by being able to give back to the school that has given us so much.   

Deputy Head Students: Isobel and Katie  

Meet the team

Jada C – Head Student  

In 2017 I joined Barr Beacon School with little idea of just how much I would flourish and excel under the vast array of opportunities that the school would provide.  Resilience, conviction and independence are attributes I have gained as a result of my experiences, shaping me into the person that I am today.  I feel indebted to not only give something back but also to leave a legacy that will withstand changes to come in the future and in turn, better the school community that I have grown to cherish.  

As Head Student, I will promote diversity and establish a community that will work concordantly to consistently be a voice for the students at Barr Beacon. I want to ensure a continuity of the opportunities I have received throughout my years at school, as well as to encourage change, improving the experiences of others. Lastly, I hope to ensure that everyone is treated with the upmost respect and dignity in their learning and development.  

I have grown a lot over the past 6 years under the roles of Prefect, Peer Mentor and School Council Representative and with this growth I have encountered many challenges. I truly recognise the nature of the role and cannot envisage a more rewarding and worthwhile challenge to embark upon, during my final year at Barr Beacon School.  

James D – Head Student  

Since joining the school in 2017, Barr Beacon has provided me with an amazing range of opportunities to develop my personal qualities and enhance my skills and interests.    

Highlights of my time at the school include being selected, in Year 12, to participate in a trip of a lifetime to Japan (as part of the Turing Scheme).  Prior to this, I embraced the opportunity of the Erasmus Project, hosting a student from an Italian school for a week.  

I have represented the school both academically and through sport in a number of ways and have found them all fulfilling.  Academically, this has included competing in the UK Maths Challenge on several occasions and the ‘Race to the Target’ event with the University of Birmingham.  In sport, the school supported my proposal to enter a team into the England Schools Golf Championship. I was also successful in securing the prestigious role of Prefect during my time in Year 11.   

From all the opportunities the school has presented me with, my confidence has grown to a level which I would not have imagined when I first stepped through the school gates in Year 7.  Post Barr Beacon, the positive characteristics I have developed will fuel and help me to further success.

Isobel C – Deputy Head Student  

From the first day I started at Barr Beacon, the school has been supportive, nurturing and given me opportunities to excel. I am proud to have been an ambassador for the Mayor of Walsall to reduce the stigma around mental health.  More recently, I had the pleasure to facilitate and lead a presentation at Imperial College London, presenting to a large group of people, including college professors and doctors.  

These two examples, together with many other activities I have been a part of, have taught me the importance of leadership, working as a team, listening to and learning from others and always being passionate, aiming to be the best in everything I do.  

 I am honoured to be a part of this year’s Senior Team and I promise that every day I will endeavour to help make a positive difference to each of you.  I will lead by example and always be driving the school’s motto of being ‘proud to succeed’.  

Katie O – Deputy Head Student  

Looking back to when I first joined Year 7, I had no idea how much Barr Beacon School would assist me in cultivating my skills, by providing me with an abundance of opportunities and experiences that have helped me into becoming the resilient, determined and hard-working individual I am today. Whilst working hard I centred my efforts around the quote “Work hard in silence, let success be your noise”, because nothing is more powerful than being able to say how hard you worked to achieve your dreams.   

Barr Beacon School has not only guided me but has also pushed me outside of my comfort zone, allowing me to understand that sometimes you need to step outside of the box to reach your full potential. Challenging myself is now something I aspire to do on a regular basis, and it is something I encourage others to try.   

I have taken on many different responsibilities throughout my time at Barr Beacon School, from being a librarian, to becoming a Beacon Values Ambassador and a Prefect, as well as being given the position of Flight Sergeant within the Combined Cadet Force. I have a massive passion for helping others and giving back to those in the welcoming community at Barr Beacon School.   

As Deputy Head Student, I cannot wait to continue and add to the legacy set forth by the previous senior teams, and to work alongside the incredible staff and amazing pupils who help make Barr Beacon a remarkable place to learn.   

Written by Head Student Makara M.

As Years 11 and 13 approach the final few weeks ahead of the examination season, we can expect to start feeling stressed and anxious about what lies ahead.  Whilst many students may already feel prepared for their exams and are comfortable revising, some may still feel uncertain about how to begin revising or even how to revise. At this stage, it is vital to be able to cope with exam stress in order to prepare for exams and the future after leaving school.  However, it is only possible to effectively cope if you are comfortable revising, and able to understand how best you can deal with your own stress.

It is often the case that people are unable to start revising as they don’t understand how to go about it. Here are some of the most common revision techniques to get started:

• Using flashcards to self-quiz on information
• Creating mind-maps or knowledge organisers from memory, then adding any forgotten information in a different colour
• Completing past exam papers
• Consolidating knowledge by re-writing summarised lesson notes
• Familiarising yourself with mark schemes and question structures in order to effectively answer questions

Revision techniques cannot simply be taught, though, as they are individualistic.  What works for some may not work for others. The most effective way to revise is to work out how best you learn information, whether it is by repeatedly self-quizzing or by applying your knowledge, and then to focus on the areas you struggle most with.

As well as knowing how to revise, it is important to understand how to cope with exam stress and worries. It may be tempting to develop unhealthy routines, such as staying up late to revise the night before an exam, but it is vital to look after your physical and mental health in order to not only feel less anxious, but to actually retain the information you have learned! Here are some important tips to help minimise exam stress:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, so that you are able to focus and retain information
• Eat balanced meals to keep energy and focus (especially on the day of an exam)
• Drink water to stay hydrated and to prevent feeling unwell (headaches are commonly linked to exam stress)
• Keep your revision notes and resources organised so that you can easily find what you need and minimise any unnecessary worries
• Prioritise downtime as well as revision in order to maintain a balance for your mental health. Activities like regular exercise or seeing friends and family may be most effective for minimising stress and giving yourself a mental break.

If you are feeling overly worried or anxious about exams, make sure to speak about it with someone you trust, such as friends/family/Form Tutor/teachers and remember that it is perfectly fine to feel stressed at this point in the year.

To everyone who is sitting exams in the next few months, good luck! Make sure to keep a balance of working hard but also looking after your mental and physical health.

Below are some helpful links for any advice or support:

Tips on preparing for exams - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Preparing for exams (bath.ac.uk)

Exam Stress | How To Deal with Exam Stress | YoungMinds

Coping with exam pressure - a guide for students - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Information for 11-18 year olds – Exam stress - Mind