THE PURSUIT OF LIMITLESS LEARNING EVALUATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2024-25
LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Nurture parents’ sense of involvement and investment in the BCS community through enhanced engagement.
Fully maximise the potential use of the new Atrium throughout the school day. Monitor and respond to changes and developments which a new Government will bring, to ensure BCS remains at the forefront of educational excellence Integrate formal coaching and mentoring into the delivery of professional development for staff.
Continually evaluate the potential of artificial intelligence and its capability to improve the daily running of the school
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Parental Engagement:
New parental focus groups, alongside events such as Eton College talks, parenting workshops, consultation evenings, and the Parent Inclusion Forum, help keep families informed and engaged. The visible presence of staff and the Senior Leadership Team during drop-offs and school events reinforces our family-centred ethos.
Learning & Community Spaces:
The Atrium has become a vibrant hub for school life, hosting Aftercare for Reception to Year 2, musical events, recitals, enrichment days, and Nativity performances. It has enhanced both the academic and social experiences of our pupils.
Strategic Planning and Financial Stability:
In response to policy changes and VAT introduction, fee increases were capped at 9%, demonstrating our commitment to providing financial stability for families while maintaining the highest educational standards.
Leadership Development:
The Headmaster completed a Level 7 Executive Coaching and Mentoring qualification and is now applying this expertise to support leaders across the sector. Other Senior Leadership and Management Team members have also begun advanced qualifications to foster professional growth, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership within the school.
Future-Focused Governance:
Governors have discussed the potential appointment of a technology specialist to advise on AI applications, reflecting our commitment to innovation and preparing pupils for a rapidly changing world.
SPIRITUAL & WELLBEING
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Prioritise Chapel as a central part of Prep pupils’ weekly timetable. Enhance the ways in which pupils’ achievements are rewarded and celebrated. Focus on the BCS Value of ‘respect’ across the BCS community
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Chapel and Reflection:
Prep now enjoys weekly Chapel services Wednesday for Lower School and Friday for Upper School. Chapel also hosts Year Group Assemblies, House Assemblies, performances, and special events involving parents The role of House Chapel Monitors has been highlighted as a position of significance, fostering leadership and responsibility
Celebrating Success:
Prep has introduced the Headmaster’s Commendation Award with bronze, silver, and gold levels, alongside redesigned Celebration Assemblies that recognise achievements across all subjects
In Pre-Prep and EYFS, children receive letters of commendation or Golden Picnics to celebrate successes.
Prep uses Trackit Lights to log House Points and rewards, giving children greater awareness of their achievements and encouraging positive behaviour
Wellbeing and Respect:
Lucie Welch from Services for Education led workshops on child-on-child abuse for pupils in Years 2–6 and staff, reinforcing respect and positive relationships.
Year 2 Playground Buddies in Pre-Prep support younger children at playtimes, promoting kindness and peer support
LEARNING & TEACHING
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Engender a love of books and reading at school and at home. Increase pupils and parents’ engagement with their individual targets and progress via The BCS Blue platform. Utilise the capabilities of technology to enhance further the learning experience of children across the school.
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Reading for Pleasure:
Staff training highlighted the importance of reading aloud to pupils, and the redesigned Prep reading programme was launched. Mr Brown led a Prep assembly to introduce the updated BCS Reading Challenge and redesigned pupil planners. The challenge is now termly, encouraging pupils to select reading materials that inspire them. Book Vending Machines in Prep and Pre-Prep further motivate reading for pleasure.
Digital Learning:
Two BCS Blue Launch assemblies provided pupils with guidance on accessing the digital platform, supported by information for parents. Prep also held a Digital Day in the Michaelmas Term, introducing new technology through collaborative lessons. A follow-up series in the Lent Term focused on upskilling both pupils and teachers, ensuring confident use of digital tools in learning.
ESTATES
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Develop the Early Years provision to enrich the experience of the youngest children in the school.
Complete the necessary stages of planning for the second AstroTurf facility.
Continue upgrading existing school buildings, with a focus on improving energy efficiency across the site.
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Preparations for the development of the EYFS playground have been carried forward into the 2025-26 academic year. New playground markings have already been refreshed to support active play.
The outdoor garden area on Library Lane has been refurbished with astro turf, providing Reception children with a safe and engaging Aftercare space.
Replacement windows have been installed in House 2, House 3 and the Viney Building, improving energy efficiency and comfort.
The swimming pool floor has been replaced and new diving boards installed, with generous support from The Friends.
The School Hall refurbishment was completed in September 2025, creating an enhanced performance space for all pupils, with upgraded AV equipment, new lighting, and an integrated accessibility ramp.
Fire doors across the site have been upgraded, and road markings have been repainted to ensure the highest standards of safety.
The development of the new AstroTurf facility remains a priority and will be progressed once the new Bursar is in post.
CO-CURRICULAR
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Review the holiday club provision at BCS for all ages
Utilise opportunities within the local community for the benefit of children in PrePrep.
Maximise the capability of the new food technology room in the Atrium.
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Trips and Visits:
Pre-Prep and Year 3 children enjoyed a theatre trip to see The Snowman. Reception visited ThinkTank Birmingham and Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. Year 1 visited a local church and took part in an adventure day at Umberslade. Year 2 explored a local mosque and welcomed Solihull & District Beekeepers to school.
The Pre-Prep Eco-Committee took part in a community litter-picking project.
Clubs and Activities:
Super Sports launched the new holiday club in Summer 2025. Oversubscribed activities such as Chess and LAMDA were expanded, with additional sessions now running to minimise waiting lists.
A new badminton programme has been introduced in partnership with the West Midlands Performance Centre.
With support from The Friends, the Food Technology kitchen was equipped for both curriculum and co-curricular use.
Performing Arts:
Major performances took place in new venues while the School Hall was under refurbishment, including the Christmas Concert at St John’s Church and the Year 4 Production at The MAC.
Additional LAMDA sessions were introduced, giving more pupils the opportunity to develop their performance skills.
Sport:
BCS once again featured in the Top 50 Cricketing Prep Schools, reflecting success across both boys’ and girls’ cricket.
A record number of pupils were selected for county winter cricket programmes. The Year 6 Ski Trip 2026 was launched with the largest number of sign-ups in BCS history (48 pupils).
SOCIAL IMPACT
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Strengthen the opportunities for pupils to contribute positively to the local community.
Develop the School’s partnership with the Birmingham Disocesen MultiAcademy Trust.
Investigate opportunities for international fundraising.
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Community Action:
Year 6 pupils dedicated an afternoon in the Lent Term to community service. Activities included helping at Harborne Library, singing at Beaumont Care Home, planting bulbs along Harborne Walkway, litter picking and playing board games with residents at Metchley Manor.
BDMAT Partnership:
Our partnership with the Birmingham Diocesan Multi Academy Trust has continued to flourish. Feedback praised the impact of our Learning and Teaching Advisor in supporting Early Career Teachers (ECTs), helping them to develop their skills and improve outcomes for children in their schools. In particular, Mr Robinson’s work with EYFS ECTs –through team teaching, mentoring and sharing best practice – has been highlighted as a model of excellence.
Global Connections:
A presentation to governors in March 2025 explored potential partnerships with schools in Malawi. A reconnaissance visit was undertaken in June 2025 to ensure any future collaboration is meaningful and sustainable.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Develop a DEI calendar to capture the dates for religious festivals, cultural celebrations and other dates of significance which represent the diverse BCS community. These dates will then be shared and recognised at a whole school, House, year group and/or class level.
Improve the communication between school and parents as to how diversity, equity and inclusion is taught and celebrated in School
Ensure the school’s resources, timetable and daily routines provide an equitable learning experience for all pupils.
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Celebrating Culture and Identity:
A calendar of cultural and religious events has been shared with staff and pupils, with celebrations highlighted in assemblies, classrooms, and displays Special events such as a Diwali feast, Bollywood dancing enrichment day, Eid feast, and recognition of Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Ramadan, Persian New Year, and Neurodiversity Week helped bring these moments to life for the whole community
Curriculum and Learning:
The Leadership for Change scheme of work has been embedded into PSHE Pupils also took part in the National BookTrust competition, Books That Represent Me, as an enrichment activity
Pupil Voice and Parent Engagement:
DEIB pupil voice discussions in the Lent Term gave children the chance to share their views, with follow-up actions implemented The Parent Inclusion Forum (Lent 2) provided an opportunity for families to learn more about how DEIB is taught and celebrated across the school
Spaces and Resources:
A new reflection/prayer room has been created in the Prep building for use by all staff and pupils. The school has invested heavily in diverse literature and resources that reflect a wide range of heritages and backgrounds, ensuring children feel represented and stereotypes are challenged.
Leadership and Governance:
DEIB is now embedded more explicitly in policies such as the Equal Opportunities Policy. A new governor, Nick Bailey, has been appointed with responsibility for DEIB and met termly with the (Acting) Chair of the DEI Group to review progress.
SUSTAINABILITY
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Develop further the sustainable transportation strategy for BCS. Explore sustainable energy options for the School.
Engage the children in the sustainable design and build of new estates projects.
Raise the profile and outcomes of the Eco-Committee.
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Greener Travel:
All school minibuses are now powered by biofuel, reducing our carbon footprint.
Eco-Committee Action:
The Eco-Committee have led assemblies on recycling and energy use, organised a community litter pick in February 2025, and created posters encouraging everyone to switch off lights, save water, recycle, and minimise food waste.
Learning and Awareness:
A local beekeeper visited the school to explain the vital role bees play in supporting biodiversity, inspiring pupils to think about how they can help protect them.
Recognition:
We achieved platinum status in the Woodland Trust Green Tree Schools Award.
COMMUNICATIONS & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
2024-25 PRIORITIES
Enter stage two of the new website development to further personalise the admissions process.
Increase the data quality of the Old Scholars’ portal.
Improve the induction process for mid-year joiners to ensure a smooth transition into the school at an atypical entry point.
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New Starter Experience:
A structured process has been introduced for mid-year joiners, including a face-to-face meeting with their Class Teacher/Form Tutor before they start. Prep pupils also meet their Head of Year on their first day to set up iPads, review timetables, and go through expectations, ensuring a smooth start. New Prep joiners were welcomed a day before term to settle in, while Pre-Prep starters had the opportunity to attend half-day and full-day taster sessions in October 2024.
Old Scholars Engagement:
An Old Scholar conducted a review of our alumni platform and provided recommendations for improving how we connect and engage with past pupils.
Website Development:
Stage two of the website development is planned to resume next academic year.
