Breaking records and the most incredible talent in the final week of term.
The Autumn term is the longest one we do in education and is often the most challenging. It is the term that sees summer roll into winter and brings cold and darkness to our daily routines. However, it is also a term where the most incredible things happen especially if you believe your students have the ability to do the most amazing things if you simply allow them to.
Our incredibly busy final few days of 2024 began last Friday when we hosted other Trust schools to take part in a Modern Foreign Languages Spelling Bee competition in both French and German. The challenge was to take part in timed spelling trials against other students in the hope that you would make it through each round until only two are left. I can tell you it was unbelievably exciting and a little stressful to watch. After multiple rounds and spell offs, it was Eliza in Year 7 who won through the final against a student from Beckfoot Thornton. The final ended in a draw and went to a spell off where Eliza’s brilliance shone through. She won the Spelling Bee 2024 in some style and was the epitome of calm and confidence throughout. She was incredible and the most deserving winner. Thanks to Mrs Lee and the team of Ms Briosa and Dr Wright for making this happen and a very special event for all those involved.
Last Friday also saw our Brass Group travel to four local primary schools to perform for the children in those schools. Performing under the name Beckbeat Brass they performed to some very excited children. Our students played with such maturity and really showed off what our Music Department is all about. They understood the importance of sharing their passion for music in the hope that the experience might inspire a new generation to get involved and develop a similar love for music and performing. A special thanks to our Brass peri teacher Stephen, who leads the group.
Last Friday also saw the end of our Red Carpet rewards week. As you know, a few years ago we launched our Beckfoot Six Ps which was hugely shaped by our students who were determined that there would be a clarity around the expectations for students to really maximise learning and reward effort. It was always the intention for our 6 Ps to be about celebrating hard work and decency and ultimately, ‘catching young people getting it right’. Since its launch we have seen more and more students being recognised for their efforts with, on average, over 90% of our students being rewarded over the course of an academic year. Last week over 90% had the opportunity to choose a Red Carpet event because they have met the criteria set around attitude, attendance and a wider contribution to school life. They got to select from a list of activities including extra sport, extra creative arts, computing and coding, baking, board games and a range of films including Home Alone 1. For our students it felt good being recognised for getting it right and we begin again with clean slates for all in the Spring Term. Thanks to Mr Midgley, Mrs Wintersgill and the pastoral teams for making this happen and to our students for being caught every day ‘getting it right’!
Finally, I want to share some news about Sorrel in Yr 8 who is an incredibly This week, despite it being the last week of term has been one of the most exciting, emotional and memorable in my 31 years in education. To begin, yesterday a number of our Year 8 students travelled to Huddersfield to visit Kirkwood Children’s Hospice. For a few weeks now, as part of their First Give charity work, the students have been collecting donations of teddy bears to bring with them to share whilst they were there. They were incredible throughout the visit which was, as you can imagine, very emotional. They returned to school to an email from the hospice that thanked them for visiting. It shared the view that everyone that met them in the hospice said how well-mannered they were and what a credit to Beckfoot they are. The children absolutely loved the toys and saw the personal messages on each of them as such a thoughtful touch. In a week where it is even more important to think of others, I am very proud of tutor group 802 and grateful to Mrs Shaw for giving them the opportunity.
Yesterday, our Year 11 football team made history by making it through to the final 32 teams in the English Schools Football Association U16 competition. At Beckfoot, we have never made it this far and it has been quite the journey. Yesterday we played a school who had to travel for almost three hours from Cumbria. To support the fixture we had an unusual kick off time of 2pm and what a game it was. At this stage of the competition the standard is high and our boys were magnificent. They won 4-1 and played with passion, composure and a steeliness that I think I am most proud of. No matter what happens next they are history makers and a group of very special young men. I was proud of them yesterday but also a little envious because I know that what they have done together in recent months will be something that will bind them together for years to come no matter where they are or what they are doing. That is the power of sport and that is why my staff strive to give our students as many opportunities as possible in their time at Beckfoot. A huge thank you to Mr Owan and the PE faculty for all they do.
In Music, the week was no less busy. On Tusday we had our Christmas Concert rehearsal with younger year groups allowed to watch the show being put together and enjoy a huge number of performances. The annual Christmas Concert was sold out in hours over the two planned nights and what a show it was. I am sometimes accused of making claims that each year I have seen the best ever but I have to tell you that what I saw last night was, without question, the best ever. When I spoke at the end I reminded the audience, staff and students that we are a school, a school that teaches a curriculum and looks after young people to the best of our ability. In addition, my staff do things like last night and give so much time to providing incredible opportunities for our students to shine. And my goodness how they shone this week. Not only that but they broke yet more records in doing so because we have never had well over 200 students take part. It was so incredible, joyous and uplifting.
I know we are not perfect at Beckfoot but I also know from what is happening across the city and country, that we are a very special place doing very special things in the company of amazing young people, staff and families. Seeing so many past students last night, who returned to support us and see how we are doing without them, reminded me of that but also that we are always preparing our students for life beyond our gates. Thanks to Mr. Stimpson, Mr Lee, Mr Ratahi, the Music Team and the wider staff, I know we are getting it right most of the time and I am proud of that.
Happy Christmas to you all. Thanks for everything throughout 2024 and have a very happy, peaceful and safe holiday.
Simon Wade, Headteacher
