Term 1 2026
Dear families,
As we reach the end of my first half-term as Headteacher at Barnwood Park School, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, families and staff for the incredibly warm welcome I have received.
It has been a real privilege to spend the past few weeks getting to know our school community. I have been particularly impressed by the positive relationships between students and staff, the enthusiasm for learning I see in classrooms every day, and the genuine sense of community that makes Barnwood Park such a special place.
I have made no secret of my ambition for Barnwood Park to become the best school in the country. This is an ambitious aspiration, but one I firmly believe we should have for our young people. Our students deserve an exceptional education, both inside and outside the classroom, and I am excited about building on the many strengths that already exist within our school.
Celebrating our students
One exciting development this half-term has been the introduction of our new Class Participation Point. This provides another opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the brilliant things our students do in lessons every day. Whether they are contributing thoughtful answers, asking excellent questions, demonstrating enthusiasm for their learning or actively engaging in classroom activities, we want to make sure these efforts are noticed and celebrated. We have incredibly high expectations of our students, but equally, we want to be just as ambitious in the praise and recognition we give them when they meet and exceed those expectations.
I have also been particularly proud of the way our Year 11 students have approached their Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs). Their maturity, focus and determination have been excellent to see. These examinations are an important part of their preparation for the summer GCSEs, and I would encourage all our Year 11 students to make the most of the feedback they receive. Thank you to Mrs Aboud for hosting our first Year 11 information evening this term. A second evening is planned for 25 January 2027, and I would encourage all Year 11 families to attend.
Our new Year 7 students have also made a fantastic start to their secondary school journey. Moving from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone, and I have been delighted by how quickly they have embraced our school culture, established positive routines and engaged with their learning. They should be incredibly proud of themselves, as should their families.
Learning beyond the classroom
One of the things I am particularly passionate about is ensuring that our students have access to a rich and varied experience beyond their normal lessons. This half-term has provided some wonderful examples of exactly that.
Our Year 11 Geography students visited Gloucester Docks over two days as part of their GCSE course. We are especially grateful to Cafe Corretto and Trattoria Settebello, who kindly accommodated our students during their breaks.
Year 7 enjoyed their first enrichment trip to Malvern Theatres to see Private Peaceful, an experience that has already sparked some thoughtful and inspiring conversations back in school. We also hosted our first Year 7 Inclusion Together coffee morning. Thank you to the families who attended and contributed to the ongoing partnership between home and school.
Students from Years 8 to 10 visited the Cheltenham Literature Festival, returning with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration for their own writing. Meanwhile, our GCSE Drama students attended a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and were excellent ambassadors for Barnwood Park.
We also welcomed Chelsea's Story back to school as part of our PSHE curriculum, providing students with an important opportunity to explore personal safety and healthy relationships.
These experiences are a vital part of education, helping our young people develop confidence, curiosity and a broader understanding of the world around them.
Welcoming our future families
We have been delighted by the success of our Open Events this half-term, welcoming over 300 families to our Open Mornings and Open Evening.
These events have been a wonderful opportunity to showcase the excellent learning that takes place in our classrooms, alongside the extensive enrichment and extracurricular opportunities available to our students.
I have been particularly proud of the students who have represented our school during these events. Their confidence, enthusiasm and genuine pride in Barnwood Park speak volumes about our school community.
For families wishing to find out more about the opportunities available at Barnwood Park, I would encourage you to visit our school website.
Looking ahead
As we approach the next half-term, I am excited about continuing to work alongside our students, staff and families to make Barnwood Park the very best it can be. We have much to celebrate, but also much to look forward to as we continue to raise expectations, recognise excellence and create exceptional opportunities for every young person.
Thank you once again for your support, encouragement and partnership throughout my first half-term.
I wish you all a wonderful and restful half-term break and look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Many thanks,
Will Meldrum
Headteacher
Barnwood Park School