Issue 16 by Highfields School

4th July 2025

Our newsletter aims to keep parents and carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.

Don’t forget to visit our website (www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk) for more news and information.

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your support.

A Marsh Headteacher

Disclaimer: HighfieldsSchoolisnotresponsibleforthequalityofproductsororganisationspublicisedthrougharticlesor advertisementsintheschoolnewsletter.

Message from the Headteacher

No sooner have Y11 left us than we are greeted by the sight of year 6 students bounding up the lane to be part of the Highfields family. These students, welcomed and shepherded for the day by sixth form ambassadors, undertook a range of activities as they got to know their new school buddies. These days are always about 95% successful with 5% of students having a shaky first day when they find that they are not in the form with the people whom they would have wished for. As always, we promise what we know to be true: that within two weeks in early September, all will have settled down and new friendships will have been made. In the evening of the same day we had an opportunity to meet new Y7 families and this was a great opportunity to get to know each other - thanks to anyone who offered feedback about the event.

Generally speaking it is often the case that there is an inverse relationship between the amount of fun young people have at an event and the adult workload required to organise it (those of you who have made the mistake of throwing a party for small children may have found this). At sports day, however, it was well worth the bother. Students had a brilliant time and so did (for the most part) the adults. The morning was spent ensuring that EVERYONE took part and featured various games from Combat Ball to Capture the Howler to Volley Ball. This was inclusive and, for some form groups, FAR too competitive.

In the afternoon, things tended towards the elite as students who had qualified during heats in PE lessons competed in athletics finals. Some of our students are ridiculously quick.

In everything we do: the training day on Monday (brilliant planning for 2025-26- see image) Y6 transition day/evening, Y10 work experience, Y7 sponsored walk day, sports day, Y9 examination challenge day, Y7 disco etc we always consider ALL students. Amongst our students, a key group for special consideration is those with additional needs. Schools are chronically underfunded to support such students and so care and ingenuity often have to suffice where, ideally we would want a much greater level of resource. Last week we had our SEND quality assurance visit from EMET, the trust to whom we belong, and they reported really favourably on our work with this group of students. We know we can always improve but I was so glad to see our learning support team getting the recognition they deserve for the care and skill which they show in their work every day with these valued students.

And in answer to your very thoughtful questions about my domestic building disaster: no, the builder hasn’t come back or refunded the money he took, yes, there is still a big hole outside my back door and possibly, I currently own the most dishevelled home in Sheffield. Here is my recent attempt to fix a new tap in our horrible downstairs bathroom (eagle eyed plumbers may spot my error). It is a matter of time before this house falls down.

Have a good weekend. We are Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher