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!

Hola and Bonjour! A Fantastic Year for Modern Foreign Languages at Highfields

It’s been an action-packed year for the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) team at Highfields, with exciting trips, inspiring workshops, and cultural celebrations that have brought French and Spanish learning to life for our students.

A Trip to the Theatre – in French!

On Thursday 13th March, 15 of our enthusiastic Year 8 French students visited Tudor Grange Academy in Solihull (our partner in the MFL Language Hub) for a live performance by the Onatti Theatre Company. The play, Prendre sa revanche, was delivered entirely in French and gave students a chance to immerse themselves in the language in a fun and theatrical setting.

Francophonie on the Road

Just a few days later, on Wednesday 19th March, another group of Year 8 French students returned to Tudor Grange for the Francophonie on the Road event, run by the Institut Français. With a focus on the theme of water, students took part in a variety of activities, including team quizzes, puzzles, and creative challenges. One group impressed everyone with their winning hashtag: #poussezlavague (push the wave).

The event also included a session on Claude Monet and Impressionism, where students collaborated on group paintings and enjoyed a truly unforgettable VR experience. Sitting in a virtual boat, they were transported into Monet’s world—his gardens at Giverny and eventually into the Orangerie, surrounded by his famous Water Lilies. The pupils were a credit to Highfields and received praise for their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm.

Spanish Meets Business

On Wednesday 26th March, 10 of our Year 9 Spanish students took part in the Business Language Challenge at Tudor Grange, organised by the University of Warwick. Students competed in teams to design their own holiday experience in Spain, putting their Spanish language, marketing, and presentation skills to the test. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine creative thinking with practical language use, all in a competitive and fun environment.

Celebrating Success

Throughout the year, we’ve celebrated our most dedicated and hardworking MFL students with special reward lunches—an opportunity to relax and enjoy a well-earned treat of cake and pop as a thank you for their effort and commitment.

Onatti Theatre Visits Highfields

Most recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Onatti Theatre Company to Highfields to perform Primera Cita (My First Date) to our Year 7 Spanish students. This hilarious and engaging performance gave students the opportunity to see the language they’ve been learning all year come to life on stage, helping to improve their listening and comprehension in an interactive and enjoyable way.

It’s been an exciting year for MFL at Highfields, filled with learning beyond the classroom and a deepened appreciation for French and Spanish culture. We’re incredibly proud of all our students and look forward to even more linguistic adventures next year!

Year 10 Impress in Mock Interviews with Local Employers

At Highfields, we are committed to preparing our students for life beyond the classroom, and that includes giving them the confidence and skills to succeed in the world of work. As many adults know, job interviews can be daunting, which is why we believe in helping our students develop the tools they need to face them head-on.

Recently, our Year 10 students put their learning to the test in a series of mock interviews with real employers from a wide range of industries, including law, engineering, construction, and dentistry. In total, 20 professionals generously gave their time to conduct one-on-one interviews with every Year 10 student.

Following their interviews, students received personalised feedback—and the responses from employers were nothing short of incredible. Despite a few nerves, our students made a lasting impression with their maturity, confidence, and communication skills. Here’s what some of the interviewers had to say:

"They showed their want to learn and develop through their eagerness to engage."
"The student had excellent communication skills. Not just eye contact, but hand gestures and confidence."
"Very sensible and mature, thinking practically about their career."
"They had outstanding broad answers, with examples."
"The student instinctively used transferable skills to answer questions."
"They had an impressive number of external activities including volunteer work."
"Wonderful interview with clear idea of goals and how to achieve them."
"They were very presentable and understood key personal skills."

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 10 students for rising to the challenge and representing themselves and Highfields, so brilliantly.

A huge thank you goes out to all the employers who supported this valuable event. If our students can perform this well in interviews now, we’ve no doubt that employers will be fighting over them in the future!

Year 7 Put STEM Skills to the Test at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre!

Our brilliant Year 7 students recently enjoyed an exciting and educational day at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, where they took part in a hands-on STEM workshop designed to challenge their creativity and scientific thinking.

The workshop saw students designing and building their own sail-powered race cars using LEGO. Once built, they experimented with different sail shapes and sizes to test which surface area helped their cars move the fastest—learning firsthand how wind power and forces affect movement and speed.

As part of the session, students explored key scientific concepts such as air resistance, friction, and propulsion, all while having great fun in a unique and engaging environment. The day was a perfect blend of learning and play, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM subjects.

Well done to all the students for their teamwork, problem-solving, and imaginative designs—we’re already looking forward to the next STEM adventure!