Highfields to host Sixth Form Open Evening

Prospective students are being invited to an Open Evening to get a glimpse of what our Sixth Form has to offer.

The Sixth Form Open Evening will take place from 5.30pm-8pm on November 14th.

Visitors will get the chance to speak to current Sixth Form students and tutors, whilst taking a tour of the facilities.

Kevin Blower, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Making your decision about Post 16 education is very important.

“We are always delighted that so many of our students choose to stay on to study at our Sixth Form and we are hosting this Open Evening so that they and other students can get a feel of what we offer.

“Highfields Sixth Form has a reputation for providing high quality teaching and learning. Our ethos is about having high expectations within a supportive and friendly environment.

“We believe that every student can excel on courses that are appropriate to them and this is reflected in the extensive range of A-level and BTEC courses we offer.

“We look forward to welcoming prospective students, along with their parents or carers, to our Open Evening so they can get a flavour of our Sixth Form and consider it as an option for their Post 16 education.”

During their last visit, Ofsted inspectors praised Highfields’ Sixth Form, commenting on students’ good progress, the quality of teaching and strong curriculum which ensures that ‘students’ progression to internationally-renowned universities or high quality work based training is possible’.

The Open Evening is being held after our Sixth Form celebrated positive AS and A-level results. Students achieved a 99.7% pass rate this year -  78% of them being A*-C grades. Those achieving the top A* and A grades jumped from 18.7% last year to 25.5% this year.

Highfields among city's best in performance tables

Highfields has maintained its position among Wolverhampton’s top schools for both attainment and pupil progress in provisional performance tables released by the Government.

The tables are based on this year’s GCSE results, which are currently being finalised, and have been released ahead of official league tables in the new year. 

Our Attainment 8 score of 51.1 out of 80 puts Highfields among the top three schools in Wolverhampton, whilst it ranks second of the city’s non-selective schools in the city under the Progress 8 measure. Progress 8 looks at the advances a student makes from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school, comparing their results with the achievements of other youngsters with the same prior attainment. Indicators show Highfields has a Progress 8 score of +0.51, meaning students achieved on average around half a grade more in their GCSEs than their peers elsewhere.

The headline Attainment 8 and Progress 8 measures were introduced by the Government in 2016 to mark students’ progress and achievement over eight GCSE subjects, replacing previous calculations which ranked schools based on the percentage of students achieving grade C or higher in five GCSE subjects.

Headteacher, Mr Graham Tate, said: “We are pleased with the provisional performance tables which indicate Highfields is among the top schools in Wolverhampton for both progress and attainment. It is testament to the continuing hard work of our students and staff.

“Our current Year 11 students are already working hard in preparation for their exams next year to maintain Highfields’ excellent academic standards.”

A new grading system was introduced for this year’s GCSEs which saw traditional A*-G grades replaced with 1-9 gradings in Maths, English Language and English Literature.  Highfields saw 109 students achieving the highest gradings of 7 or above in English or Maths. (Grade 7 is equivalent to an A grade/ Grade 8 is equivalent to A* and Grade 9 is the new highest attainment grade)

A staggering 90% of students achieved a Grade 4-9 in English, with 72% of students achieving a Grade 4-9 in both English and Maths. Half of all students achieved the new strong pass of Grade 5 and above in both subjects. This is the highest for both 9-4 and 9-5 gradings amongst non-selective schools in the city.

Thirty students achieved the highest Grade 9 rating in English Literature and English Language, out of just 13,000 nationally, whilst Gurkeerat Sandhu attained a 9 grading in English Literature, English Language and Maths - one of just 2,000 students nationally to do so. He also achieved another 5 A* and two A grades. 

Sixty per cent of students achieved a Grade 7 and above, or an A* and A, whilst 32% of students got three or more 7-9 or A* and A grades.

Places available for Stratford Shakespeare performance

*Image courtesy of Royal Shakespeare Company

A handful of tickets are still available to see one of Shakespeare’s most famous and well-loved plays brought to life on stage by popular TV stars.

Highfields’ English and Drama departments have organised a visit to see Twelfth Night at the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford on Thursday, November 16th.

Students can still get their hands on tickets for the performance, which features former Eastenders and Mr Selfridge star Kara Tointon and Adrian Edmondson, who is best known for his roles in Bottom and The Young Ones.

Twelfth Night is often described as Shakespeare’s greatest comedy; a hilarious, yet heartbreaking tale of unrequited love.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “ Twelfth Night is undoubtedly one of Shakespeare’s finest works and this trip provides a wonderful opportunity to see it brought to life on one of the world’s most famous stages, with well-known TV stars tackling some of the leading roles.

“It will be a wonderful experience for any budding performer or English student.

Tickets for the show, which cost £25, are available from the Humanities LRC. A coach will leave school at 3.30pm, allowing students to take a look around the historic town and get food. It will return at approximately 11.30pm. The trip is open to all students (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

The trip comes after dozens of students staged their own version of the play as part of this year's Shakespeare Summer School at Highfields. Students gave up the first week of their summer holidays to take part in the Summer School, before performing  to family and friends. 

'Staying in Learning' Day set to inspire students

Year 11 students will be inspired to look forward to life after GCSEs and understand the options available to them during this year’s Staying in Learning Day.

The event is an annual fixture on Highfields’ calendar which allows all Year 11 students to take part in a range of hands-on workshops and activities to support them with both their short and long-term educational and career goals.

It will take place on Tuesday, November 14th.

The day will be tailored to suit individual needs as students choose to take part in up to three workshops and lectures based on the pathways they are interested in taking after finishing their GCSEs.

Those planning to stay on at Sixth Form or moving to college to study A-Levels will be given a glimpse of further education with workshops in a host of subjects ranging from Maths, Science and English Literature to Film Studies, Catering, Health & Social Care and Law.

Professionals will also visit the school to give practical advice and demonstrations, allowing students an insight into typical working expectations in a range of careers including Travel and Tourism, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Media and Engineering.

Adrian Jeavons, Careers and Business Link Manager, said: “The purpose of the event is to provide students with information and guidance on the pathways and progression routes available to them post 16. 

“On the day they will attend a range of workshops aimed at providing them with more information about Sixth Form, college and apprenticeships. These are all tailored to the aspirations and abilities of individual students.

“Staying in Learning Day helps to kick start the Post 16 options for Year 11 students and allows them to process the decisions they will be having to make shortly."

Firework finale at spectacular Autumn Festival

More than 200 people flocked to this year’s Autumn Festival, which saw crowds entertained with live performances and a spectacular fireworks display.

Talented Highfields students took to the stage to showcase their dancing and musical skills in the Lyceum, whilst a host of stalls were set up selling crafts and cakes. Henna art, face painting and glitter tattoos were on offer for young visitors as well as competitions to guess the name of a teddy bear and weight of a pumpkin and marrow to raise funds for the next Sixth Form prom.

The event closed with a bang with a stunning fireworks display on the terrace.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “The Autumn Festival has become a popular fixture on the school calendar and this year’s event was another huge success.

“Thank you to everyone who helped out, as well as the performers who did a great job on stage and our visitors for coming along and making it so special.” 

Highfields to host Sixth Form Open Evening

Prospective students are being invited to an Open Evening to get a glimpse of what our Sixth Form has to offer.

The Sixth Form Open Evening will take place from 5.30pm-8pm on November 14th.

Visitors will get the chance to speak to current Sixth Form students and tutors, whilst taking a tour of the facilities.

Kevin Blower, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Making your decision about Post 16 education is very important.

“We are always delighted that so many of our students choose to stay on to study at our Sixth Form and we are hosting this Open Evening so that they and other students can get a feel of what we offer.

“Highfields Sixth Form has a reputation for providing high quality teaching and learning. Our ethos is about having high expectations within a supportive and friendly environment.

“We believe that every student can excel on courses that are appropriate to them and this is reflected in the extensive range of A-level and BTEC courses we offer.

“We look forward to welcoming prospective students, along with their parents or carers, to our Open Evening so they can get a flavour of our Sixth Form and consider it as an option for their Post 16 education.”

During their last visit, Ofsted inspectors praised Highfields’ Sixth Form, commenting on students’ good progress, the quality of teaching and strong curriculum which ensures that ‘students’ progression to internationally-renowned universities or high quality work based training is possible’.

The Open Evening is being held after our Sixth Form celebrated positive AS and A-level results. Students achieved a 99.7% pass rate this year -  78% of them being A*-C grades. Those achieving the top A* and A grades jumped from 18.7% last year to 25.5% this year.

Fundraiser Lola to shave hair for charity

A kindhearted student is shaving off her long locks to help cancer sufferers.

Lola Spicer-Neal is shaving her hair as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign after seeing a number of close family and friends battle the disease.

The 14-year-old’s hair will be donated to make wigs for cancer sufferers whilst she is now asking for donations to support the incredible work of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Year 10 student Lola will shave her hair on November 10th at Wolverhampton’s Firewalker Gym, where she trains in boxing. 

Mr R Oseland, Head of Year 10, said: “Lola was inspired to support this campaign and shave her hair after seeing a number of family members and friends suffer with cancer in recent years.

“Everyone’s lives have been affected by this terrible disease in some way and we are all very proud of Lola for what she is doing to help those who are suffering by donating her hair and raising much-needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Lola has set up a Just Giving page for people to donate and has already raised more than £300 for the cause. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tracy-spicer-neal

Farm shop visit for Food Technology students

Students got a glimpse of the journey their food takes before it reaches their plate during a visit to a leading farm shop.

Twenty-five students visited Apley Farm Shop, in Shropshire, as part of their Food Technology studies.

Apley Farm Shop features 12 businesses that focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce, and students spent four hours there meeting staff and sampling some tasty offerings.

Food Technology teacher, Miss B Chima, said: “They are studying sources of British food, so their visit began with an introduction from the General Manager and Farm Shop Manager before heading off for a guided tour of Apley Walled Garden. 

“After a wholesome lunch in the Creamery Cafe, they met the Apley Butcher and Apley Farm Manager, Adrian Joynt, to hear in detail the journey their food makes, from field to fork.”

Tickets on sale for Autumn Festival

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Autumn Festival, which will see crowds entertained with live drama and music performances, activities, stalls and a spectacular fireworks display finale on the terrace.

More than 200 students, parents and members of the community are expected to flock to this year’s extravaganza on Wednesday, November 1st.

Budding young actors and actresses will be taking to the stage in The Lyceum, whilst the event will also feature performances from musicians, singers and dancers. Stalls, cake sales and crafts activities will also be on offer to entertain visitors. The evening will close with a fireworks display at 8pm.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “The Autumn Festival has become a popular fixture on the school calendar and we are looking forward to another fantastic event.”

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 (Free for Under 5s) and include a snack. They are available from the Humanities LRC.

Our Brian settles into life at Oxford University

Former Highfields student Brian White, whose battle to stay in the UK captured hearts across the country, has started the next chapter of his life by taking up his hard-earned place at Oxford University.

The talented Chemistry scholar is embracing life at the world’s best university, where he’ll be studying for the next four years.

The 21-year-old faced having his dream of studying at Oxford snatched from his grasp and being deported to Zimbabwe when his application for a student grant was refused in 2016 because he no longer had permission to live in the UK.

Having been refused indefinite leave to remain, the 21-year-old’s life was left in limbo for over a year whilst he appealed against the decision. His plight led to an overwhelming national campaign that saw him receive support from tens of thousands of people and the UK media, before the Home Office granted him indefinite leave to remain.

During his fight to stay in the UK, Brian spent his time living with Martin Leigh, the partner of Highfields teacher Ms S Bishop. The proud pair recently travelled with him to Oxford to help him settle into his new home alongside the country’s finest academics.

Brian said: “I have been offered a great opportunity in life and intend to take it with both hands.

“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind but now I am delighted that I am now here at Oxford. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped to make this possible and I will do all I can to repay their kindness, generosity and support by studying hard and making the very most of my time here.”

Brian lived in an orphanage in Zimbabwe until the age of six when a missionary spotted the bright boy's potential and introduced him to British-born Peter White who was working in the country and had two children and a Zimbabwean wife.

Mr White first fostered and then adopted Brian, who was 12 when he moved with his new family to Botswana, where he was later left with one of their friends on their return to live in Penn. He was allowed to join them at the age of 15 but immigration officials gave him temporary rather than indefinite leave to remain here.

This was only spotted when Brian's application for a student grant in 2016, following the offer to study Chemistry at Lady Margaret Hall after he got 3 A*s and an A in A Levels, was rejected when it was discovered he had inadvertently overstayed his temporary visa and faced deportation.

Lady Margaret Hall took the rare step of putting his place on hold for 12 months whilst he fought to stay in the UK.

His story started gaining local media attention and the backing of a number of celebrities, including soul superstar Beverley Knight and author Sathnam Sanghera before a petition started by his friend, Luke Wilcox, turned his case into a national sensation.

The online petition urging the Home Office to rethink its decision to refuse him indefinite leave to remain in the UK was signed by more than 111,000 people whilst his story was picked up by the national press, including The Guardian, The Independent, BBC, Evening Standard, The Mirror, Daily Mail and BuzzFeed, among others. He also appeared on This Morning alongside Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.

After months of waiting for his future to be decided, he was delighted to receive a call from lawyer, Mr Louis MacWilliams, confirming the news he had been waiting for.