Highfields says: ‘Welcome to the 60’s’ with their production of Hairspray!

This years musical put on by Highfields School sold out every single one of their four shows, and enthralled audiences with the story of breaking racial boundaries in Baltimore. 

The cast of around 70 students gave a stellar performance, tackling issues of segregation, body shaming, love and more through the medium of song and dance. Among the cast were many Year 13 students, for them this was their last school production at Highfields, with many of them having been in shows since they joined in year 7. These students included Lauren Poole, Paige Cordingley, Aeryn Stubbs and Jack Williams who worked especially hard learning two parts.

Lauren took to the stage as Penny Pingleton and Amber Von-Tussle, while Paige delighted audiences as her on-stage mother Velma Von-Tussle. Sadly Paige was ill on closing night meaning she could not perform as Tracy Turnblad. Aeryn also performed as Velma Von-Tussle as well as Prudy Pingleton. Jack Williams entertained audiences playing Edna Turnblad and Link Larkin, totalling the roles he’s played to a record-breaking 9 during his time at Highfields.

The cast were accompanied by the extremely talented school band lead by Mrs Jevon, Musical Director. The band was made up of Highfields staff and students, both current and past who always enjoy coming back to play in Highfields school productions.

The contrasting light-hearted and upbeat form of musical theatre with the serious and profound themes of the plot is perhaps what interested BBC Radio WM and the Express and Star. Both news outlets picked up the story, with a broadcast interview live on the radio and an article in the paper, covering the outstanding production.  

The school show managed to attract not only news attention, but also former student Beverley Knight, who attended the closing night to watch her niece, Tierney Smith, perform. Knight often takes time out of performing in musical theatre to support the school where she started out,. In 2018 she came to watch Highfields production of ‘Grease’ having played Sandy herself the last time the school staged the show. 

Director of Performance, Ms Bishop sung the cast’s praises’, saying it was amazing to witness such inclusivity, “To me, ‘Hairspray’ is one of the most prominent productions we’ve done here, solely because of how powerful it is to see students from all backgrounds and year groups coming together to tell this story and have so much fun doing it.”

This came to light when footage from racial inequality protests was projected during Motormouth’s song ‘I know where I’ve been’. A moment in the show that had been long in the planning by Ms Bishop and Mr Francis, Creative Director of the show. He said, “We were eager to make a real impact during this poignant moment of the show. We used protests from the 60’s then brought it up-to-date with footage from the more recent George Floyd protests. We hoped this resonated with audiences and reminded them of the ongoing fight for racial equality”

The process of this show has been a wonderful experience for students and audiences alike and the school hopes the impact remains even now the production has come to an end.

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Year 10 get a taste of university life

Last term Year 10 students visited Staffordshire University campus and the University of Birmingham campus to get a taste of university life. 

The day began with a tour of the campus and the students had their lunch in the student refectory. In the afternoon, activities included creating  a super hero student, a presentation on courses and academic opportunities, along with a guide to the social side of student life.  University Student Ambassadors took the lead and were able to answer the many questions posed by Year 10 students.

Mr Rose, CEIAG Lead said, “These types of trips are very useful for those student who are considering going to university, but also for those who are not sure yet. The trip gave students the opportunity to experience what university can be like and ask questions to current university students.”

Year 10 Student, Naiela Riaz said, “I enjoyed the campus tour and creating the superhero student, it was very fun and very informative”

An additional trip to another university campus is planned for the autumn term to enable more students to get a glimpse of what studying at university is like.

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Highfields achieves highest ever set of results

Highfields is celebrating another fantastic set of GCSE results.

“More than half of students attained at least one grade 7 and a third of all students achieved three or more grade 7s in total. 64% of students achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in both English and Maths, whilst 82% attained a standard pass (Grade 4 or above) in both subjects.”

Mr D Treble, Head of Upper School, said: “After unprecedented disruption to education caused by the pandemic, this is the first year group to have sat external examinations in three years.

“Staff and students worked tirelessly in the expectation that exams would go ahead and I'm pleased to say we are celebrating the best ever set of outcomes achieved by a Year 11 cohort at Highfields.

“We are exceptionally proud of all their achievements and wish them every success in the future.

Special mention should go to some exceptional achievements: Selina Malik - nine grade 9s; Bao Thy Nguyen - eight grade 9s and one grade 8; Gursevak Sandhu - eight grade 9s and one grade 8; Toby Macdonald - seven grade 9s and one grade 7 and one grade 6, and Malikah Dawood - five grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7.

Alongside these very high attainers are large numbers of students who have made some quite exceptional progress during their time at Highfields. Mr Treble added: “A special mention should go to George Bell and Mya Ashton who have made the most progress of all students but there are so many of the year group who can be very proud of their achievements. They have a bright future ahead of them. It has been a privilege to support them on their journey.”

Many students will continue onto their first-choice post-16 destinations next year, with more than 180 students choosing to return to study at Highfields Sixth Form in September

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Students celebrate A Level results

Highfields Sixth Form students are celebrating another fantastic set of A Level results.

Out of the 132 students receiving their results, more than 100 are now preparing to move on to university. Of the successful grades, over 20% of all results were A* and A grades, while 50% were A*-B and 78% were A*-C.

There were a number of standout performances this year. Among them was Aashik Jemseed who was awarded three A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and is now preparing to study Medicine at The University of Edinburgh. Another stand out student was Rajan Uppal, who also got a full house of A*s in Business, Religious Studies and Sociology and will be staying local studying Building Surveying at The University of Wolverhampton. 

Several students achieved at least two A* grades, including Eleanor Corbett achieving 2 A*s in English Literature and Psychology and an A in History; she is preparing to study English Literature at The University of Manchester. Aathik Jemseed achieved two A*s in Computer Science and Maths and an A in Business Studies and is going on to study Computer Science at the University of Warwick.

Mr Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form said, “Once again, our Sixth Form students have done themselves and the school proud; they have worked incredibly hard to overcome the challenges of the past two years. The fantastic results they have achieved are testament to their continued effort and dedication, and this is reflected in the fact that so many students have secured their first choice pathway, either at university, on an apprenticeship or in full-time employment.”

Mr Pycroft continued, “On behalf of everyone at Highfields, I would like to wish them the very best of luck for the future. I have no doubts whatsoever that great things await them in the future.”

Other success stories include Maya Freewood who achieved an A* in English Literature and As in Art and Design and Psychology and will be moving on to study Art at Oxford Brooks University, while Sneha Rai will be moving to The University of Warwick to study Economics after securing an A* in Economics and A grades in Maths and Further Maths.

Head Girl, Georgia Derrick said, “It feels great to have all of our hard work over the past two years rewarded with these results. We’ve loved our time at Highfields and can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Sixth Form dress to impress at their prom

Students turned on the style for the glamorous celebration at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel.

The hotel was transformed with Hollywood-style glitz and glamour for the fun-filled celebrations the in Orangery, which marked the end of their time at Highfields for Year 13 students. 

Mr Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form, said: ““It was fantastic to see so many of our Year 13 students celebrating together after completing their A Level exams. They have overcome so many challenges during the past few years and we couldn’t be more proud of them. After having their Year 11 prom cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, it only seems fitting that they were able to sign off on their time at Highfields with such a brilliant evening.”

The prom marked the end of school life for Highfields’ Year 13 students, who are now awaiting the results of their exams before moving on to the next chapter of their lives, whether it be University, Apprenticeships, a gap year or employment.

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Year 12 students plan their next steps

The whole of Year 12 took part in a visit to the University of Birmingham across two days. This was an opportunity for them to talk to current university students about life at university and their post-18 options. The visit included a number of activities, such as, a tour of the University of Birmingham campus, workshops on applying to university and writing a personal statement and a presentation on student finance.

Mr Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form said, “This was a valuable experience for our students and they got lots of useful information from the trip.”

Year 12 students also attended a UCAS exhibition where more than 150 exhibitors, including vast majority of UK universities and a wide range of apprenticeship providers were in attendance. There were several talks that students could listen to, such as, ‘The Student experience’, Student finance and accommodation.

Mr Pycroft said, “This exhibition takes place every year and it is a vital event for students wishing to apply to university next year. It gives them all the tools they need and it is a fun day out!”

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Spectacular send off for Year 11 Students

From tuxedos to tiaras, top-of-the-range sports cars and gorgeous gowns, their prom provided a spectacular send-off for Highfields’ Year 11 students.

The celebration was held at Wolverhampton’s Park Hall Hotel, in the stunning Orangery. 175 year 11’s were in attendance, who all arrived in style, in Aston Martins, Bentley and even a classic Land Rover Defender.

A highlight of the evening was Sweet Caroline being played through the speakers. All in attendance sang along on the dance floor in honour of the Year 11 Team's earlier performance to this song at the Leavers assembly the day before.

Mr D Treble, Head of Upper School at Highfields, said: “The Year 11 prom was a wonderful celebration of the end of the school year for our students who have worked so hard over the last year”

“The event gave our students the chance to let their hair down and enjoy themselves in style after such a strange year.

Mr Rhodes, Raising Achievement manager said, “It was nice to have the prom back where it belonged at the end of the summer exams, the first time in 2 years the students have been able to enjoy the evening without any covid restrictions.”

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Rugby reward trip for students

On Sunday the 19th of June Highfields school was able to secure a small group of tickets for England versus the Barbarians at Twickenham. 

The students who were lucky enough to go were among the schools rugby teams. The trip was a reward for the students from years 9 and 10 who reached the semi-final of the Staffordshire cup and the year 7 team who won the Staffordshire bowl competition. 

Staff and students managed to get to Twickenham just in time to join in singing the national anthem. The budding rugby fans were in awe of the impressive stadium and watched nearly 80 points scored. Unfortunately, it was a win for the Barbarians 52 – 21 before England head to Australia for their tour. 

Mr Moody, Teacher of PE said,  “This was an excellent opportunity for the boys to see international players performing on the highest stage and it’s an experience they will never forget”

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Last day at Highfields for Year 11 Students

Highfields has bid a fond farewell to Year 11 with a special assembly which was held in school for students, giving the class of 2022 the chance to celebrate their school life as they prepare to move on to the next chapter.

As part of the celebrations, awards were handed out to honour special achievements or particular events, whilst old photographs and videos were shown documenting students’ time at Highfields.

After the assembly the students gathered in the restaurant to sign shirts and say their goodbyes.

Head of Upper School, Mr Treble, said: “It was lovely to have so many Year 11 students join us for our leavers celebration. 

“They have made such a positive contribution to the school community during their time at Highfields, and we are immensely proud of everything that they have achieved. 

“They have coped with the challenges of the last couple of years admirably and I am confident that further success awaits them in the future.”

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Lewis Francis.

Year 6 Students get taste of life at Highfields

Primary school students due to join Highfields in September have been given their first taste of life at the school, taking part in a range of team-building outdoor activities.

They were set several problem-solving challenges, including a spider web, blindfolded obstacle course and an orienteering activity. All the challenges are designed to develop new skills in preparation for moving to secondary school. It is also an opportunity for students to experience the school during a normal day alongside other students who are in lessons.

The Yr 6 transition sessions have taken place over the past week, giving all 280 students set to start in September the chance to get a feel for Highfields whilst meeting staff and fellow students from other primary schools. All students will then return to Highfields for two days in July for their full induction.

Mr C.Moody, Outdoor Activity Manager, said: “The transition sessions provide Year 6 pupils with an opportunity to take part in a number of fun, outdoor activities and challenges whilst meeting students from other schools who will be joining Highfields with them in September.”

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Lewis Francis.