For our Year 11 students, this term has been demanding, but we are delighted to report that they have worked with maturity and commitment. It’s a busy time as students pour their knowledge into their final NEA pieces for subjects including Photography, Art, and Food. It is also wonderful to see our performers taking the stage in Drama, Music, and Dance as they complete their final practical exams and share their hard-earned talents.

On this final day of term, we wish you all a very peaceful festive break. We know that our students and staff are tired, and we are so proud of our community for their hard work this term, which is the longest term of the lot! This month has seen more festive fun than I have ever witnessed in a school, and the pictures in this newsletter do more justice than I could in words. All students return to school on Tuesday 6th January but for now, we encourage all our students (and families) to rest and enjoy the Christmas period.

Yours sincerely
Mr M Preston – Headteacher

As we reach the end of this half-term, there is lots to reflect on. Firstly, we are so proud of the way that our Year 11s have conducted themselves before, during and after their PPEs. These examinations are so important in preparing our Year 11s for the real thing, and Mrs Aboud will be providing further details about a 'results day' for our students after half-term.

Well done to our Year 7s, who have had a brilliant first half-term. It is always challenging moving from primary to secondary school, and we're really proud of our Year 7s, who have bought into our school's culture and have been doing really well in their lessons.

One of the most significant areas of growth has been in our academic performance. Through improved teaching strategies, we have seen a notable increase in the percentage of students meeting and exceeding expectations. But beyond the numbers, what's truly inspiring is the visible enthusiasm for learning amongst our students and the confidence with which they approach new challenges.

A particular highlight has been the fantastic start to the Year 11 exam season. Our students have approached these crucial assessments with maturity, dedication, and a clear focus. We have been incredibly impressed by their resilience and the effort they have poured into their studies. Early feedback from the students coming out of their exams has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are immensely proud of the way our Year 11 cohort has represented themselves and the school. Keep up the excellent work, Year 11 – we are all behind you!

For our Year 11 students, this term has been a demanding but incredibly important one. Many are diligently completing their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) coursework across a range of subjects, expressing their knowledge and understanding in their final pieces for subjects including Art, Photography, DT and Food. Alongside this, practical exams in Drama, Music and Dance are providing opportunities for them to showcase their talents in their final performances.

The focus and engagement that has been seen in lessons has been spectacular. Students are really focused and working on their subjects, developing their knowledge and showing excellent levels of participation. For our students in Years 7 – 10, this is preparing them brilliantly for their upcoming assessments, which will take place next half term. Our Year 11 students have completed their first rounds of PPEs (pre-public examinations). The commitment that the Year 11 students showed during these exams was fantastic and is really establishing a foundation for their real GCSE exams.

During this half term, students experienced a wide variety of trips and visits which enriched their learning, developed their character and widened their horizons.

We were delighted to welcome the author Chris Bradford, who also gave an engaging presentation to Years 7 and 8. Years 9 and 10 met the author Tanya Landman who also shared her personal story of how she became a writer. All students gained a much deeper understanding of the writing process and how to develop a story which will become vital as they progress through their studies.

I wish all our students, staff and their families a happy and safe Christmas break. We have an Inset day on Monday 6th January, but we look forward to welcoming all year groups back on Tuesday 7th January.

I would like to thank all parents and carers for their continued support of the students and staff at Barnwood Park throughout the year. Over the course of this term, we have seen our students grow, develop and most importantly celebrate their enormous range of skills, talents and achievements.

Although it is with sadness that I write this, my final newsletter, to you, it is with real pride that I would like to say a huge congratulations to our Year 11 students on the start of their exams. The students have conducted themselves in a calm, purposeful and focused manner; it has been encouraging to see them attending their exams and preparation sessions with such a positive mindset. We wish them all the very best for the remaining exams.  

The last few weeks have flown by and Spring is quite clearly with us with the flowers and lighter mornings and evenings.

The Easter holidays will soon be with us and I am sure that staff and children are looking forward to the break!

We are delighted to introduce Yvonne Lopez who is our new school counsellor. I would also like to welcome Debbie Ward, our Lead for First Aid and Rachel Hodson who is our new Cover Supervisor.

As we approach the end of a very busy and long term 2, I would like to thank you all for your continued support of our students.

Teaching and Learning

All parents and carers will have received their first progress report at the start of term; students have now completed their second round of assessments, allowing the school to begin to see clearer patterns of progress and identify intervention where needed.

To celebrate the progress the students have made, we have introduced a new rewards system. Students can receive a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Assistant Headteacher, Headteacher or Governor certificate for the number of achievements they have accrued in a term. Similar certificates are also being awarded for students with Good to Excellent levels of attendance. Subject teachers have also awarded commendations to students who have excelled in their classes since September. Please encourage students to look after these certificates – they will be extremely useful in Year 11 when students are applying for college and apprenticeship placements. Over 700 certificates have been issued for this Term – well done to everyone for their commitment!

As we come to the end of our first term this year, I would like to thank all students for their hard work and commitment to school life at Barnwood.

It has been a busy second half to the term. We held a very successful Open Day and Open Evening – our Head Students, Prefects and Tour Guides took a real sense of pride in showing the school to prospective Year 6 students and their families. Thank you to everyone who took part.