From the moment we arrived, all four pupils embraced the experience with enthusiasm, curiosity and a fantastic attitude.

One of the real highlights of the day was seeing Harrison, the only experienced angler in the group, take on a completely different role. Throughout the trip, he was a kind, supportive and incredibly helpful leader, regularly sharing his knowledge and helping the others without ever being asked.

One moment in particular really stood out. After Rehan landed a catch, Harrison called across the pool:

"Well done Rehan, that was an amazing catch, mate!"

It was brilliant to hear such genuine encouragement and excitement for someone else’s success. Harrison showed fantastic leadership and demonstrated just how much can be achieved when we support and celebrate one another.

The other three pupils took to fishing like a fish to water - excuse the pun! They embraced every part of the experience, from catching their first fish and helping their friends, to gathering around and cheering someone on when they had a bite. At other times, they were simply happy to sit quietly, enjoy the surroundings and take in the experience.

The photographs really capture just how much the day meant to them. For some, it was the excitement of catching their first ever fish; for others, it was the opportunity to learn something completely new, spend time outdoors and enjoy a different experience alongside their peers.

Days like this are about so much more than fishing. Experiences such as these create lasting memories while helping pupils develop confidence, patience, resilience, teamwork and consideration for others. They provide opportunities for pupils to challenge themselves, learn from one another and discover new interests in an environment outside the classroom.

And, of course, there was one particularly important achievement to celebrate...

Everyone caught lots of fish!

It is clear that the trip made a lasting impression, with Harrison and Archie already organising a return visit for this weekend!

When you see Archie, Joseph, Harrison or Rehan around school, please take a moment to congratulate them. They are extremely proud of what they achieved - and rightly so.

A huge well done to all four pupils, who were a real credit to themselves and to the school.

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This week marked the opening fixtures for our girls’ netball teams, with all three-year groups travelling to Smestow for their first Matrix Academy Trust fixtures...and what an opening week it was...

Our Year 7s got us off to a fantastic start with a 13–0 win. For all of the girls, this was their first opportunity to represent Barr Beacon in a competitive netball fixture, and they did themselves and our school proud. The Year 8s continued the strong start with an impressive 19–2 win. The girls worked brilliantly together across the court, showing excellent communication and teamwork in both attack and defence. Finally, our Year 9s rounded off the week with a fantastic 33–2 win. The girls played with confidence, moved the ball well and worked hard for one another from the first whistle to the last. 

It was fantastic to see so many of our girls representing Barr Beacon and enjoying competitive netball. All three teams demonstrated excellent teamwork, commitment and sportsmanship, with the fixtures played in a really positive spirit between the two Matrix Trust schools. A huge well done to everyone who played and represented the school. Three wins from three is a brilliant way to launch our new Matrix Trust fixtures!

We’re looking forward to seeing our pupils continue to represent Barr Beacon with pride throughout the academic year. If you see any of the pupils below, please congratulate them on their participation and results. 

Year 7 Team: Sundri, Georgis , Rosalie , Simreet, Isabella , Alysha (pictured above in blue)

Year 8 Team: Anmol , Prabjot , Alice , Olivia , Leiyah , Avaani , Ivy , Alannah (pictured above in pink)

Year 9 Team: Demi , Francesca , Ruby , Lottie , Violet , Ayva , Angel , Felicity 

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A huge thank you to all of the parents and families who joined us. It was fantastic to come together as a school community, enjoy some delicious treats and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, donated, and helped make the morning such a success. Your support makes a real difference.

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Leah shared her inspirational journey, including the determination and resilience it took to swim the English Channel and raise an incredible amount for charity. 

Her powerful message encouraged our students to believe in themselves, overcome challenges, stay resilient and never give up on their ambitions.

A truly inspiring experience for our Year 7 students and a wonderful way to encourage them to think positively and aim high!

The post Inspirational Talk for Year 7 appeared first on Barr Beacon School.

Students said the trip helped to improve their communication, team work and problem solving skills the most, with opportunities for self-reflection also being useful when looking at their future career and study choices. Many said the tour of the campus helped to give them a better feel for what studying at university would be like, with others saying the workshops touched on key ideas and skills they need for the future, such as understanding ethical principles or inspiring their creativity with an enterprise project.

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Our prefects took on a range of outdoor challenges designed to develop teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. It was fantastic to see them supporting one another, stepping outside their comfort zones and working together throughout the day.

A great start to their journey as School Prefects – we’re looking forward to seeing them put these skills into action and lead by example across the school! 

The post Prefects 26-27 appeared first on Barr Beacon School.

Open Evening will take place on Thursday 10^th September 2026 5.30 - 8.30pm

Open Mornings will take place on Friday 11^th September 2026 9.10 - 10.10am and Friday 2nd October 2026 9.10- 10.10am. 

There is no need to book.

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We are once again incredibly proud of the exceptional results achieved by our Year 11 pupils this year.

It is always a privilege to celebrate the achievements of our young people, and this year we have seen some truly remarkable performances that reflect the dedication, resilience and commitment of our pupils, alongside the outstanding support provided by our staff and families.

A particularly exceptional achievement comes from Bethany, who achieved Grade 9s in every subject she studied. This is the first time in the school’s history that a pupil has achieved this outstanding result, and Bethany deserves enormous congratulations for this remarkable accomplishment.

We are also immensely proud of Krisha C., who achieved an incredible eight Grade 9s and one Grade 8 — an exceptional set of results.

Our congratulations also go to the following pupils, who achieved an average grade of Grade 8 or above overall:

Mohammed, Daniyal, Marcos, Archie, Cameron, Jamie, Finley, Asiya, Oliver, Freya, Arav, Gagandeep, Olly, and Tania.

We are equally delighted to celebrate the achievements of Rehaan, Eiliyah, Owen, Tania, Saud, Lola-Mae, Alexandra, Reiss and Charlie., who all exceeded their individual targets by considerable margins.

These achievements are testament not only to the hard work of our pupils, but also to the commitment of our teachers, support staff and parents and carers, who have worked together to ensure that our young people have been able to fulfil their potential.

Mrs Hibbs, Headteacher, said:

“I am always immensely proud of the achievements of our pupils, and this year’s results give us enormous cause for celebration. I would like to congratulate every member of Year 11 on the commitment, determination and hard work they have demonstrated throughout their five years at Barr Beacon.

“For Bethany to achieve Grade 9s in every subject she studied is an extraordinary accomplishment and a historic moment for our school. Krisha’s eight Grade 9s and Grade 8 are also an exceptional achievement, and I am delighted to celebrate their success alongside that of so many of their peers.

“However, examination results tell only part of the story. Whatever grades our pupils have achieved, I want every member of Year 11 to know just how proud we are of the young adults they have become. Their journey over the past five years has involved challenges, successes, friendships, growth and countless moments of hard work.

“Congratulations to the whole of Year 11. You have made us exceptionally proud.”

Mrs McLaurie, Deputy Headteacher, said:

“These results are a wonderful reflection of five years of hard work from our pupils and the entire Barr Beacon Community. We are incredibly grateful to our teachers, support staff and parents and carers for the contribution they have made in supporting our young people to reach this important milestone.

“We are delighted that many of our pupils will be returning to Barr Beacon for Sixth Form, while others will begin exciting new journeys elsewhere. Whatever path they choose, we look forward to hearing about their future successes.

“To all of our Year 11 pupils — wherever you go next, please remain ‘on the bus’.”

Congratulations to the whole of Year 11. We are immensely proud of each and every one of you and wish you every success, happiness and fulfilment in the next chapter of your journey.

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Barr Beacon School is celebrating its best-ever Sixth Form results, with Year 13 students achieving outstanding outcomes across a wide range of A-Level and vocational qualifications. 

This summer, students demonstrated exceptional commitment and ambition, securing impressive grades that reflect their hard work and dedication. Nearly half of all grades awarded were at A*-B, while students studying Applied General and vocational qualifications also achieved excellent results. 

Among this year’s many successes, Joshua achieved an A* in History, an A* in mathematics and a Distinction* in Law. Ryan earned an A* in Mathematics, an A in Physics and a Distinction* in Information Technology. Jessica achieved an A* in Psychology, and Distinction* in both Business and Law. Emilia earned an A* in Chemistry and A grades in both Biology and Mathematics. Panni earned an A* in both History and Sociology and a B in Mathematics. Khadija secured an A in Psychology and Distinction* in both Health & Social Care and Law. Sami achieved straight A grades in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. 

The overall average grade achieved across all Level 3 qualifications was B-, with 93% of students securing a Distinction* or a Distinction in their BTEC qualification. This represents the strongest performance in the school's history, and highlights the high standards of teaching, learning and student achievement across the school. 

These results have opened exciting opportunities for students as they progress to leading universities, higher apprenticeships and a wide range of other positive destinations. 

We are immensely proud of everything they have accomplished and congratulate them on their success. 

Headteacher Mrs Hibbs said: 

"Today is a day of celebration for our students, and we could not be prouder of what they have achieved. These are the strongest Sixth Form results in our school's history, with students securing an impressive average grade of B-. Behind every grade is a story of commitment, perseverance and ambition, and it has been wonderful to see so many young people rewarded for their efforts. We are equally proud of the way our students have contributed to the wider life of the school, demonstrating maturity, leadership and character throughout their time with us. We congratulate every member of Year 13 and thank our dedicated staff, parents and carers for the support they have provided along the way.  We look forward to seeing our students thrive as they embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives." 

Miss Clarke, Assistant Headteacher for Sixth Form, said: 

"This year group has been an absolute pleasure to work with, and today's results reflect the determination and resilience they have shown throughout their Sixth Form journey. To achieve our best-ever Sixth Form outcomes and an average grade of B- is a fantastic accomplishment and one that every student should be proud of. What has always stood out about this cohort is their willingness to embrace opportunities, support one another and make a positive contribution to our Sixth Form community. As they move on to university, apprenticeships and a wide range of exciting careers, they leave with our warmest congratulations and every confidence that they will continue to achieve great things."

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Our employers gave us some excellent feedback. Just a few examples are included below:

• Jia was described as “a credit to the school”.  She was given various tasks, including some anonymised, but real, cases. These ranged from corporate due diligence to gaming law; “Given these were university level tasks, her work was impressive”. 

• Saverah impressed at her pharmacy placement by putting her Punjabi language skills to use in engaging with patients and impressing the owners with her positive attitude: “She was outstanding, with excellent communication skills and a very good work ethic.”

• In Lacey’s placement at a care home, she was: “very good at engaging with the residents. Lacey was a pleasure to have and has taken a keen interest in the activities, providing new ideas”.

• Layla received very positive feedback from the Lighthouse Young People’s Centre, where she has been keen to work on projects supporting young girls, and has been trusted to manage her own budget when planning her own project.

• At Select Windows, Nathan was described as “exceptional. Every task I gave him he completed accurately. He was punctual very day, polite and happy to take on any task. I couldn’t ask for more. He was a real credit to your school”.

• Rory worked at a construction consultants, where his communication skills really stood out to his employer: “Rory was attentive and engaged with all the tasks put to him. The work experience involved working with colleagues in the office and also clients and contractors on development sites. He interacted well with all parties.”

Our students also spoke very highly of their experiences:

• Millie had an exciting insight into the police force, helping to train puppies, work with dispatches and even work closely with 101 and 999 call handlers.

• With his ambition to pursue a career as a criminal investigator, Ryan chose to observe varying criminal cases at the Crown Court, saying: “It has genuinely been really good. I'll probably end up doing this more often.”

• Many of our students have used this week as a chance to see if their chosen career is really for them. Aveneet’s experience at an Accountancy firm “has made me realise I definitely want a career in finance, I am just unsure which area”. Similarly, Parvesh explained that his placement at a civil engineering firm has allowed him to “explore the different types of engineering, as I am not sure which one is best for me yet”.

• Our students have also recognised the value of gaining transferable skills. Scarlett is aspiring to pursue a career as a paramedic, but placements within a healthcare setting are hard to secure; nonetheless her work placement in a customer service environment has helped her gain the skills to remain calm under pressure when dealing with difficult customers.

With the competition to secure work experience places ever increasing, but the value of these opportunities being as important as ever, we are very grateful to all of the employers who supported our students this year. 

Arun’s placement with WSP, in the Mailbox, has confirmed his aspiration to pursue quantity surveying.

Millie was able to visit Tally Ho on her placement, learning how their horses are used within the police force.  

Jonathan’s employers at Allsee Technologies put him to work testing their content management systems.

Keira loved her placement at Oakwood School.

Isabel greatly enhanced her management and organisation skills, balancing the many responsibilities of the Commercial Facilities Service for Birmingham City University.

Joseph took his love of sports to Blue Coat Academy where he inspired the younger generation.

Reece disassembles an old DT project at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School.  

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