Today, a group of 10 students took part in a workshop led by Miss Dutta as part of our ongoing partnership with a school in Morocco. Students completed a range of activities and produced some excellent work, showing real thought, creativity and teamwork throughout.

The work completed will be shared with our partner school, giving students the opportunity to connect and learn from one another across the globe.

It was great to see such focus and pride in what they produced — well done to everyone involved.

On Monday 26th January, we were delighted to welcome Saltmine Theatre Company into school to deliver performances and workshops for Year 8 and 9 pupils.

Pupils took part in Ignite – a powerful and dynamic new production exploring young people’s mental health amid the overwhelming pressures of modern life. Using physical theatre and visual storytelling, the performance draws on real-life experiences and follows the journeys of three teenagers as they navigate anxiety, depression and doubts about their own self-worth. Through themes of isolation, the pressure to succeed and the desire to belong, pupils were encouraged to reflect on whether others feel the same way – and where hope and connection can still be found.

Alongside the performance, pupils also participated in an engaging workshop, providing a practical toolkit for promoting positive wellbeing. These sessions gave pupils the opportunity to explore emotions safely, reflect on their own experiences and develop strategies for supporting themselves and others.

The Ignite performance and workshops aimed to:

• Empower pupils to acknowledge and celebrate their identity and self-worth
• Equip pupils with practical tools to support positive mental health and build connections with others
• Encourage resilience, while clearly signposting where support can be accessed

The visit was a meaningful and impactful experience, helping to open up important conversations around mental health and reminding pupils that they are not alone.

On 3rd February, pupils took part in virtual mental wellbeing assemblies delivered in partnership with Kooth, helping to raise awareness of mental health and the support available to young people.

The assemblies explored what mental health is, the different factors that can affect our wellbeing, and practical ways pupils can look after themselves. Pupils were also shown how to access Kooth’s online platform for additional support whenever they need it.

Kooth offers free, online mental health support and counselling for all 11–25-year-olds in Birmingham, providing a safe, anonymous space for young people to talk, ask questions and seek advice. Commissioned locally in Birmingham and Solihull, Kooth is available without referral or waiting lists, with live text-based chat open until 10pm every night, 365 days a year. This provides a vital out-of-hours service for young people who may need support beyond the school day.

With mental health support needed now more than ever, the assemblies played an important role in ensuring pupils know they are not alone and understand where and how to access help. By signposting trusted services like Kooth, we continue to prioritise wellbeing and empower our pupils to seek support confidently when they need it. 

To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week (16–20th February), Key Stage 3 pupils are taking part in a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge over half term, encouraging them to make kindness a daily habit and reflect on the impact it has on themselves and others.

Each day, pupils are set a simple but meaningful kindness task – from secretly helping someone at home, to writing a thank-you note, being kind to themselves, or doing something positive for the environment. Pupils are also encouraged to write about what they did and how it made them feel, helping them to reflect on the powerful link between kindness, wellbeing and positive mental health.

The challenge highlights an important message: kindness doesn’t just help others – it helps us too. Acts of kindness are proven to boost mood, reduce stress and support both physical and mental health. Even better, kindness spreads. Research shows that a single act of kindness can have a ripple effect, spreading to up to 125 people – making it truly contagious.

By taking part, pupils are learning that small actions can make a big difference, building empathy, self-worth and a sense of connection with those around them. We’re incredibly proud of the thoughtful and positive approach pupils are showing, and we look forward to seeing kindness continue to ripple through our school community and beyond.

On Tuesday 3 February, Attendance Leads from across the Trust came together for the annual Trust Attendance Conference, focused on improving attendance and supporting pupils to be in school every day.

The conference was joined by Alex Turner, DfE Assistant Director for School Attendance, and Helena Crow, DfE Policy Advisor for School Attendance, who shared clear national messages alongside practical advice for schools.

The day was built around three key sessions:

• The national picture on attendance, helping schools understand why attendance matters and how data can highlight priorities
• Understanding attendance improvement targets, and how these can help schools plan next steps
• Sharing good practice across the Trust, with examples of what is already working well in our schools

Sessions were clear, practical and focused on actions that Attendance Leads can take back to their schools. The conference also provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues to come together as a Trust team, share ideas and have open, honest conversations about our attendance strategy.

The clarity and consistency of messages throughout the day were particularly appreciated, reinforcing our shared commitment to supporting pupils to attend well and succeed.

Our weekly In to Win attendance incentive is helping pupils build excellent habits by aiming for 100% attendance and punctuality every week. Pupils who are in school and on time every day are entered into a live prize draw each Monday, streamed via Teams, creating real excitement and healthy competition across all forms.

The initiative encourages pupils to start the week strong—and there’s a clear message: if your name is drawn but you’re not in school on Monday, the prize is re-drawn and awarded to another pupil. With every form competing, In to Win is proving to be a fun, motivating way to celebrate commitment, consistency and great attendance.

All Year 11 pupils who attend school every day, on time, over the next two weeks - between Monday 2nd February & Friday 13th February - will be entered into a raffle on Monday 23rd February with a chance to win a free Prom ticket (£45) or a voucher. This does not depend on their current attendance % - ALL pupils with 0 days missed in the next 2 weeks will be eligible.