Art, Identity and Industry: Students Explore Heritage Through Creativity

Last year, a group of talented Year 9 artists took part in a truly enriching experience that brought together culture, creativity and community. Their journey began with a visit to the New Art Gallery in Walsall to view The World Belongs to Us—a powerful exhibition celebrating artists of South Asian heritage. Through artwork exploring migration, belonging and identity across the UK, USA and Canada, students gained deeper insights into cultural narratives and artistic expression.

The visit included a special workshop led by contemporary Midlands artist Exodus Crooks, titled Race, Heritage and Identity. This thought-provoking session encouraged students to reflect on what they’d seen and consider how to explore similar themes in their own work.

Back in the classroom, Mrs Hall launched a new and exciting project that focused on the industrial heritage of Wolverhampton—particularly the stories of immigrants who worked in low-paid manual jobs and faced racial prejudice. Students explored the vibrant work of British-Punjabi artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman and used her fusion of culture and contemporary art as inspiration.

Blending research and imagination, students studied local and Punjabi architecture, digitally designing “hybrid” buildings in the spirit of Chitra Ganesh, and bringing them to life with vibrant Posca pens and jewel embellishments. Their final creations were ceramic tiles combining Wolverhampton’s industrial forms with ornate Punjabi-inspired windows, motifs and patterns, glazed in dazzling colours to echo a jewel-like finish.

This powerful project not only developed artistic skills but gave students a richer appreciation of heritage, culture, and identity through art—beautifully blending past and present into something completely their own.

To read more about how the case study written by Mrs Hall, click here.

Former Student Simran Uppal Returns to Inspire and Inform Year 10

We were delighted to welcome back former student Simran Uppal to our school this week. Simran, who now works for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), delivered an engaging and informative workshop to a group of 75 Year 10 students focused on the risks associated with cryptocurrency scams and the growing influence of online "finfluencers."

Drawing on his professional experience at the FCA, Simran helped students understand how to identify misleading financial content on social media and the dangers of get-rich-quick schemes involving crypto assets. Through interactive discussions and real-life case studies, he highlighted the importance of critical thinking and financial literacy in today’s digital world.

Students left the session better equipped to make informed decisions about their financial futures, with many commenting on how eye-opening and relevant the workshop was to their online experiences.

Miss Green who organised the session said “It was a pleasure to see one of our alumni giving back to the school community and making a real impact. We thank Simran for his time and insight, and we look forward to welcoming him back again in the future”

Double Champions! Year 7 Footballers Crowned City’s Best

Highfields’ Year 7 football team are celebrating a phenomenal season after being crowned Wolverhampton City Champions—and securing the coveted league and cup double!

The team’s road to the final was packed with thrilling victories, including a 3–1 win over Aldersley, a hard-fought 4–3 result against Wolverhampton Grammar, and an incredible 8–1 triumph over Coppice. In the final, they faced a strong Heath Park side but rose to the occasion with an impressive 4–2 win to take the title.

On top of their cup success, the team also clinched the league title, rounding off a perfect season with silverware in both hands. A huge congratulations to our talented Year 7 players for their dedication, teamwork, and outstanding performances throughout the campaign—we couldn’t be prouder!

Policing the Future: Inspiring Careers Talk for Highfields Students

Students in Years 10 and 12 were recently given an inspiring insight into the world of law enforcement, thanks to a special presentation by Delmar Brown from West Midlands Police.

Delmar spoke passionately about the wide range of career opportunities available within the police force—from frontline officers to behind-the-scenes roles in cybercrime, forensics, community engagement, and more. He also discussed the various recruitment pathways, offering advice and encouragement for those interested in pursuing a future in policing.

The session was both informative and eye-opening, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among students and highlighting just how many exciting and meaningful careers the police service has to offer.

Students Get a Paws-on Look at Policing!

On Friday 9th May, a group of lucky Year 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to attend the prestigious National Police Dog Trials in Birmingham, hosted by West Midlands Police.

The event gave students a front-row seat to witness the incredible skill and discipline of police dogs in action, showcasing everything from obedience to suspect apprehension. As well as watching these impressive canine demonstrations, students explored a wide range of exhibits from other emergency services, including the fire brigade and air ambulance teams.

It was an exciting and eye-opening day that offered a fascinating insight into the world of law enforcement and emergency response. Many students came away with a new appreciation for the crucial roles these professionals—and their four-legged partners—play in keeping our communities safe.

Highfields Students Honoured at Buckingham Palace for Gold DofE Achievements

Twelve former and current DofE gold award students from Highfields School were celebrated in royal style on Friday, 9th May 2025, as they attended a prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) celebration at Buckingham Palace.

The event recognised the remarkable commitment, resilience, and leadership demonstrated by young people who have completed the Gold level of the nationally respected DofE programme. The Highfields students joined hundreds of other Gold Award holders from across the UK for the special occasion, held in the iconic gardens of the Palace.

Accompanied by staff and proud family members, the students were praised for their dedication to personal development through volunteering, physical challenges, skills development, and a multi-day expedition. Their achievements reflect months—and in many cases, years—of hard work and perseverance.

"As a school, we are incredibly proud of all our students who achieved their Gold DofE Awards. Attending a celebration at Buckingham Palace is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fitting way to recognise their efforts and personal growth. These students are an inspiration to the whole Highfields community."

Mr Tate

The event also featured a keynote speeches by The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and Alex Scott MBE, as well as appearances by celebrity ambassadors who shared words of encouragement and congratulations.

Congratulations to all twelve awardees on their outstanding achievement who attended the awards celebration day!

‘45Aid Society 80th Anniversary Gala Reunion

Mrs Ellis and Miss Tappenden pictured with Nic Wetherall MBE and delegates from Trinity Catholic School, Leamington Spa and NUSA, Nottingham.

On Sunday 4th May, Miss Tappenden and Mrs Ellis were rewarded for their commitment to Holocaust Education and engagement in Nic Wetherall’s project ‘The Holocaust, Their Family, Me and Us’ with an invite to the ‘45Aid Society 80th Anniversary Gala Reunion at the Royal Lancaster in London.

The ’45 Aid Society was established as a charity in 1963 by a group of child Holocaust survivors who were brought to Great Britain at the end of the Second World War. In total 732 children were transported to the UK to begin new lives. They quickly became known as ‘The Boys’ – although 204 of them were girls. Most had lost everything and had little or no surviving family. With each other, they created their own extended family, and the charity is built on these strong foundations. They support survivors and their families, and the annual gala reunion is an opportunity to be together, to celebrate life and remember those who were lost.

Angela Cohen MBE has been chairman of the ’45Aid Society since 2015. Her late father, Moishe Malenicky was one of the boys who arrived at Windermere in 1945. The family story was featured in the BBC programme ‘My Family, The Holocaust and Me’ in 2020, and is one of four family stories from the documentary featured in the HtFMeUs project.

This year marked a landmark anniversary; 80 years since the end of the war, the liberation of concentration camps throughout Europe, and for many of ‘The Boys’ since their arrival in the UK. The evening was one of extra special reflection and celebration, during which those in attendance heard from surviving members of the boys, Angela, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. There was even a special mention for Highfields School in the introductory video for the event, watched by 600 people in attendance, who fell silent as the event got underway.

Click the button below to see this video, and learn more about the significance of the ‘45Aid Society.

Future Broadcasters Enjoy Rewards Lunch

At Highfields, we are committed to ensuring our learners leave us with the skills necessary to advocate for themselves in the wider world. Oracy plays a significant part in a child's education and it is imperative that they are able to articulate their thoughts and feelings, share ideas and stories and find their voice. The Highfields English Revision Podcast, run by Miss Aldridge and Miss Robson, invites KS4 students to discuss their views on the GCSE Literature specification. The goal is for students to flex their 'oracy' muscles, explore their set texts in more depth and, ultimately, provide a bespoke learning resource for their fellow students!

Year 11 Students who appeared on the 'Highfields English Revision Podcast' this academic year were rewarded with a special lunch to celebrate their brilliant contributions. It can be quite daunting to have your voice recorded and even more so when it is presented to the rest of your peers! Our wonderful students have gone the extra mile to consolidate their ideas within English by taking part in recording episodes on each key component of the GCSE Literature specification. From discussing A-Level style statements to role-playing as canonical authors, these students have given us a plethora of illuminating and insightful ideas - it is truly a testament to their hard work and enthusiasm for collaboration. 

Students enjoyed taking part in the process and, for some, this experience has opened their eyes to the world of broadcasting - English Literature isn't always about essays! Recent episodes of the podcast include:

To Autumn and The Prelude - two students role play as Keats and Wordsworth to examine their famous poems and provide writing advice for students endeavouring to write about them.

Toxic Love: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth agree for their marriage counselling session to be recorded in order to answer the elusive question - whose fault was it?

Jekyll and Hyde: Key Characters - two students expertly analyse the key characters in Jekyll and Hyde with reference to relevant contextual information and possible points for analysis.

The podcast is always looking for new presenters and experts (aka, students) and we cannot wait to see what other brilliant ideas students come up with in the future.

Lower School Rugby Team Roars with the Tigers!

Our Lower School rugby team recently enjoyed an unforgettable reward trip to Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, packed with training, inspiration, and top-tier sporting action.

The day kicked off bright and early at 7:00 AM as the team headed to Leicester for a full day of rugby experiences. First up was a two-hour coaching clinic led by Leicester Tigers’ expert staff, focusing on both individual development and team tactics. The players threw themselves into the session, showing real commitment and passion for the game.

Following the clinic, the team were treated to a Q&A with first-team player Sam Williams. Sam shared his journey from grassroots rugby to the professional stage and offered valuable advice on how to progress in the sport. His insight and encouragement left a lasting impression on our students, who asked thoughtful questions about life as a professional athlete.

Next stop was the iconic Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium - home of Leicester Tigers - where the boys had a team photo taken on the pitch, proudly sporting their new Tigers T-shirts.

The day concluded with a thrilling match between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins, where the Tigers dominated with a 40–7 victory. Watching world-class rugby live offered a perfect end to the day and plenty of inspiration to take back onto the training pitch at Highfields.

A fantastic day all round, and a well-earned reward for a hardworking and dedicated group of players!

Benvenuti to Miss Mitric’s Italian Club!

What an incredible journey it has been so far! Miss Mitric’s Italian Club has truly blossomed into something special, and it is all thanks to the amazing students who come along every week with such energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm.

Our club is a little corner of Italy right here at school - a place where we celebrate not just the beautiful Italian language (yes, we are learning the basics for beginners too!) but more importantly, the rich and vibrant “cultura italiana”. From delicious food and iconic music to inspiring figures from Italian history, art, and cinema, we’re exploring it all together.

Each week is a new adventure - one day we might be tasting traditional Italian treats or learning about the magic of Italian music, and the next, we are diving into the lives of Italian legends like Leonardo da Vinci or Sophia Loren. Whether you have got Italian roots or are just curious about the Dolce vita, there is something here for everyone.

And the best part? We are only just getting started. Some truly exciting events are on the horizon, so stay tuned!

To every student who has shown up, participated, laughed, learned, and shared their love for Italian culture – grazie di cuore. Your passion makes this club what it is. You bring so much joy, and I could not be prouder of what we are building together.

Here is to many more weeks of fun, friendship, and La Bella Italia!
Con tanto affetto,
Miss Mitric