More Than Sport: Highfields Students Embrace Pride in PE

Before the summer break, a group of Highfields students were invited to the University of Wolverhampton to take part in their thought-provoking ‘Pride in PE’ event. Led by Dr Helen Keane, the event placed identity at the heart of PE, with a particular focus on the voices, experiences, and hopes of LGBTQIA+ youth.

The day explored three powerful themes: being – what it means to feel truly seen, becoming – how to grow with confidence, and belonging – finding safety and connection in PE spaces.

Students engaged in a wide range of activities, from movement and music to team-based problem-solving and reflective writing. Every part of the event highlighted the importance of emotional safety, student voice, and peer affirmation, encouraging young people to view PE as a space for self-expression as well as physical development.

Dr Helen Keane stated that she was “Grateful and humbled by the brilliant young people who made the day so powerful, and to the adults who show up in schools as visible, compassionate role models.”

It was an inspiring opportunity for Highfields students to reflect on inclusivity, identity, and the role PE can play in helping everyone feel valued and empowered.

Highfields School Celebrates Best Ever GCSE Results

Huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 students who have once again demonstrated their hard work and determination with record-breaking success in this year’s GCSE examinations, with results marking the best ever in our history.

More than half of all students attained at least one grade 7, with over a third achieving three or more grade 7s. An impressive 60% of students secured a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in both English and Mathematics, while more than 80% achieved a standard pass (Grade 4 or above) in both subjects.

Mr D. Treble, Head of Upper School, praised the cohort, saying:

“This year’s GCSE results are a true reflection of the determination and resilience of our students. We also extend our thanks to our dedicated teachers and supportive parents who have played a crucial role in guiding our students to success. We are exceptionally proud of all their achievements and wish them every success in the future.”

Special recognition goes to several students who secured outstanding results:

• Shaankumaran A – ten grade 9s

• Poppy V – six grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7

• Nathan M – six grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s

• Jay M – six grade 9s, one grade 8, one grade 7 and two grade 6s

• Daisy C – four grade 9s, five grade 8s and one grade 7

These exceptional accomplishments represent the highest levels of attainment at Highfields this year.

Alongside the highest achievers, we also wish to celebrate those students who made remarkable progress during their time at Highfields. Special mentions go to: Serena S, Manraj K, Annie S, Isaac C and Rayan R.

Mr Treble added:

“These students have made the most progress of all in their year group, but in truth there are so many who can be very proud of the incredible strides they have made.”

We are delighted that so many of our students have chosen to continue their academic journey as part of our Sixth Form, and we look forward to supporting them in achieving even greater success. Others will be moving on to A-levels elsewhere, vocational courses, or entering the world of work, and we are confident that the skills, perseverance and determination they have developed at Highfields will serve them well in the years to come.

Highfields School is immensely proud of its students’ record-breaking GCSE achievements. Congratulations to every member of the year group for their hard work, resilience and success.

Students celebrate A Level results

Congratulations to all Highfields Sixth Form students who achieved another fantastic set of A Level results. This year also saw a record number of university applications from our Sixth Form – over 160 – with the majority of students securing their first-choice destination.

As always, there were some truly remarkable individual performances. Chief among them was Lizzy D-C, who achieved an incredible three A* grades and will now take up a highly competitive Forensics apprenticeship with West Midlands Police. Lizzy’s success is made even more exceptional by her flawless performance in Criminology, achieving full marks across the board – something very few students ever accomplish. Kyrun A, with A*A*A, will be studying Medicine at the University of Birmingham, while Kloe D, who earned AAD*, will be pursuing Speech and Language Therapy at Keele University. Reece H impressed achieving A*A*AA and will study Mathematics at the University of Birmingham: gaining four A-levels at such a high standard will surely open the door to almost any career path. Aaliyah K secured AAA* plus an A in her Extended Project Qualification and will study Psychology at the University of Warwick. Gurjot P achieved AAA* and is heading to the University of Birmingham to read Mathematical Economics and Statistics.

Around 40 students so far have accepted places at prestigious Russell Group universities, representing almost a quarter of all applicants. Five students will be studying Medicine – Harleen, Arwa, Jasleen, Jaskeerat and Kyrun – and are sure to make superb doctors in the future. The sole applicant for Veterinary Medicine, Lysia T, achieved brilliant A*A*B grades, easily meeting the very demanding entry requirements.

The variety of courses and destinations this year is something to be celebrated. Happy B is off to King’s College London to train in Midwifery, a brilliant accomplishment after a lengthy and competitive application and interview process. Nana S, with AAA, will also be heading to London to study Pharmacy at UCL. Not all our students are heading into healthcare, however; Natasha A will study Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime; Jessica W-L will focus on Wildlife Conservation; Isaac J, who achieved AAA, will pursue International Management; and our very own ‘resident Taylor Swift’, Emily M, will be studying Popular Music Performance & Songwriting. And we’re pleased that students are venturing to many different parts of the country to pursue their next steps, from Edinburgh to Falmouth! 

Beyond university, many students have secured high-level apprenticeships. Two will be joining JN Bentley, while Ella S’s hard work has earned her a coveted position with the BBC. Many more have accepted roles in Finance, Accountancy and Digital Technology, demonstrating the wide-ranging talents and ambitions of this year’s cohort.

Highfields congratulates all of our outstanding students on their A Level results. Their hard work, determination and passion have truly paid off, and we are immensely proud of every achievement. The future is bright for each of them, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the years to come. Well done to the Class of 2025!

Celebrating Sporting Excellence: Legacy Awards 2025 Inspire a New Generation at Highfields

The Highfields School PE Department once again hosted an unforgettable evening of achievement and inspiration at this year’s Legacy Awards – an annual celebration honouring students' exceptional contributions to sport and physical education.

The event brought together students, families, and staff to recognise the remarkable talent, determination, and commitment shown across all year groups. The atmosphere was filled with pride and excitement as awards were presented in a range of categories, celebrating sporting achievements across a range of awards. The ‘Head, Heart and Hands’ awards, recognising exceptional achievement across our three assessment strands. Students were also celebrated for their extra-curricular commitment, sports leadership, and our PE Recognition Award for the highest number of positive acknowledgements from PE staff. We also presented awards for GCSE PE Student of the Year, Sports Studies Student of the Year, Dancer of the Year, as well as the coveted titles of Sports Person of the Year and Team of the Year.

This year’s ceremony was made even more special by the presence of Stuart Benson, Olympic bobsleigh bronze medallist, who delivered an incredibly engaging and motivational speech. Sharing his own journey to the Olympic podium, Stuart spoke candidly about overcoming setbacks, the importance of resilience, and the power of perseverance in the face of failure. His message resonated deeply with students, reinforcing the value of staying committed to personal growth both on and off the field.

Reflecting on the evening, Mr Blakeway, Head of PE, said:

"The Legacy Awards are more than just a celebration of physical ability – they recognise the character, dedication, and teamwork that sport helps develop in our students. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved, and we are inspired by their passion to keep pushing their limits. Events like this remind us why sport is such a vital part of education."

As the evening drew to a close, students left with renewed motivation and a strong sense of pride in their accomplishments. The 2025 Legacy Awards not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for future success, showcasing the enduring impact of sport on student well-being, confidence, and character.

A Showstopper to Remember: Highfields Summer Showcase Shines Bright

As the summer break looms and the school year draws to a close, Highfields marked the occasion in spectacular fashion with the highly-anticipated Summer Showcase - a dazzling celebration of the incredible talent bursting from every corner of our school community.

The evening was a vibrant blend of music, drama, and dance, with students from all year groups taking to the stage and leaving the audience utterly spellbound. From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear this would be a night to remember.

The audience were treated to powerful violin and piano solos that tugged at the heartstrings, while Guitar Club and soloists brought pure rock energy to the stage with thrilling covers of songs by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Billy Idol and Foo Fighters.

The Drama Club had the crowd in stitches with their side-splitting performance of Roald Dahl’s hilarious retelling of Cinderella, proving that fairy tales are even better with a twist. Meanwhile, the school choir enchanted with a showstopping medley from Wicked, which was, unsurprisingly, very “Popular” with the crowd.

Throughout the evening, Dance students delivered electrifying performances to tracks from Six the Musical, exuding confidence, charisma, and girl power in a way that would make the Spice Girls proud.

But perhaps the most emotional moment of the night came at the very end. In a touching farewell, Mr Dean, who is sadly leaving us for a new adventure overseas, surprised everyone with a heartfelt rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as staff, students, and parents alike reflected on the unforgettable memories shared with him over the years.

A huge well done to every student, staff member and supporter involved in this unforgettable evening. What a way to end the year - with passion, pride, and a whole lot of Highfields magic.

Lights, Camera, Awards! Highfields celebrates students at Young Wolf

Thursday 10th marked the much-anticipated return of Highfields’ very own celebration of cinematic creativity — the Young Wolf Awards. A true highlight of the school calendar, the evening was dedicated to recognising the incredible achievements of our Film Studies students and Film Club members over the past year.

And what a year it’s been! From experimenting with stop motion animation to directing and starring in their own short films, students have thrown themselves into every aspect of filmmaking. They've recreated iconic scenes, penned gripping screenplays, written glowing reviews and insightful exposés, all while exploring the wider industry on some unforgettable trips.

Dressed to impress, students arrived in style, strutting down the red carpet with all the glamour and confidence of Hollywood A-listers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as awards were handed out, celebrating everything from technical brilliance to creative flair and storytelling genius.

While not every student left with a trophy in hand, every single one should be immensely proud of their hard work, passion and talent. The Young Wolf Awards aren't just about winning, they're about recognising the voice and vision of our next generation of storytellers.

Fierce, Fabulous and Full of Flair: Year 9 Fashion Show Turns Heads

The Lyceum was bursting with colour, creativity and confidence recently as our talented Year 9 students took to the runway in a dazzling Fashion Show that showcased weeks of hard work, imagination and collaboration.

As part of their abstract-themed project, students explored the exciting world of Shape, Colour and Form, working together in groups to design and produce striking fashion pieces. From bold headwear and statement jewellery to upcycled garments adorned with embellishments and decorative flair, each look was a testament to their design skills and teamwork.

What made this project particularly special was its focus on sustainability, with students reimagining and reworking existing clothing to give it new life. The final designs were as thoughtful as they were eye-catching, proving that fashion and environmental awareness can go hand in hand.

The grand finale came as students proudly modelled their creations in front of a live audience of Year 7 students in the Lyceum, turning the space into a vibrant catwalk filled with applause and admiration.

A huge well done to all the students involved for their creativity and confidence, and thank you to the Art and Design team for bringing such a brilliant project to life. Fashion, fun and flair — Highfields has it all!

Year 9 Engage in Thoughtful Dialogue with “Solutions Not Sides”

On Monday 7th July, our Year 9 students took part in a powerful and thought-provoking workshop led by the educational organisation Solutions Not Sides. The session was designed to deepen students’ understanding of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encourage respectful, balanced dialogue on this complex issue.

As part of the session, students heard directly from two guest speakers, one Palestinian and one Israeli, who shared their personal perspectives and experiences of the conflict. Their stories offered unique, human insights that moved beyond headlines and newsfeeds, helping students to better understand the real-life impact on individuals and communities.

The Solutions Not Sides programme focuses on promoting critical thinking, empathy, and conflict resolution. It aims to empower young people to explore nuanced viewpoints and move away from division or polarisation.

We’re incredibly proud of how maturely and thoughtfully our students engaged with the session—asking insightful questions and showing a genuine interest in understanding the conflict from multiple angles.

A huge thank you to Solutions Not Sides and our guest speakers for providing such an important learning opportunity.

Year 10 Students Get a Taste of University Life at Gloucestershire

On Monday 30th, 45 of our Year 10 students took part in an aspirational visit to the University of Gloucestershire, offering them an exciting glimpse into higher education and life beyond Highfields.

The day was organised and led by the university’s Outreach Team and enthusiastic student ambassadors, who delivered engaging sessions on university life, budgeting, and the wide range of courses available. From hands-on advice to real-life student experiences, our pupils gained valuable insight into what their future could look like.

A highlight of the day was a guided tour of the campus, where students explored the university’s impressive facilities, including state-of-the-art sports science labs and top-tier performing arts spaces.

The Outreach Team were full of praise for our students, stating:
“Your students were great to work with, and we felt they really engaged in all the sessions. They were fantastic on the campus tours and asked good questions.”

We’re incredibly proud of how our students represented Highfields and hope the experience has inspired them to keep aiming high for their futures. A huge thank you to the University of Gloucestershire for such a warm welcome!

Highfields Students Lead the Way at Westacre Sports Day

Recently, a group of our fantastic students had the opportunity to support Westacre Infant School during their annual Sports Day, and they did us proud!

Our Year 8 pupils worked with reception classes, while our Year 10 Sports Leaders supported Year 1 and 2 children, helping to run a variety of activity stations. From guiding the little ones through races to cheering them on with encouragement and enthusiasm, each Highfields student took on their role with energy and maturity.

Every student was responsible for running a different station, ensuring the Westacre pupils had a fun, safe, and engaging experience throughout the day.

We are incredibly proud to share that the Westacre staff were full of praise, commenting on how mature, helpful, and responsible our students were. They were an absolute credit to Highfields and showed what brilliant role models they can be.

Well done to all involved. You represented the school beautifully and helped make the day a memorable one for the next generation of young athletes!