Heywood Academy Blog - 14.11.25
What an incredible day for our school community! We were so proud to share the journey of our school during the grand opening ceremony and to celebrate the outstanding, inclusive learning environment that has been created for our students. We were especially proud of our students and how they conducted themselves throughout the day, they embodied the values we stand for. This milestone reflects the dedication and vision of everyone involved, and we are thrilled to see our values come to life in such a vibrant space. A heartfelt thank you to all who attended and helped make this occasion special.
Parent carer feedback on Heywood Academy
We are thrilled to share some wonderful feedback from our parents and carers! Hearing how much our school community values the inclusive, supportive, and high-quality learning environment we’ve created means the world to us. We are super proud of the positive comments and the trust you place in us every day. Your words inspire us to keep striving for excellence and ensure every child feels valued and empowered.
Please see a sample of some of the feedback we have received below:
Thank you to all our parents and carers for your continued support, it really makes a difference!
A Beautiful Tribute: Year 7 and 8 Create Poppy Installation for Remembrance Day with Ms Nicholson.
In a tribute to Remembrance Day, our talented Year 7 and 8 students have come together to create a stunning poppy installation. Using textiles, wire, and clay, they crafted individual poppies that now form a powerful and moving display within our school.
Throughout the project, students learned about the significance of Remembrance Day and approached the task with great respect and thoughtfulness. Many of them were using materials and tools they had never encountered before, yet they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and creativity.
Ms Zobenika’s weekly update
This week, our students have been focusing on how to stay safe while out and about in our local community. As part of our learning, we went on a walk to a nearby supermarket to put these important safety skills into practice.
Before setting off, we discussed how to walk safely near roads, the importance of listening carefully to adults, and how to be aware of our surroundings. The children were very enthusiastic and took great care to demonstrate what they had learned. Along the way, they practised using pedestrian crossings, walking in pairs, and following instructions to make sure everyone stayed together.
When we arrived at the supermarket, the children enjoyed exploring the aisles and spotting familiar products. Many were quick to point out special offers and “bargains”. We then spent some time in the café, where the students showed fantastic manners and communication skills when ordering and chatting with staff.
The year 7 students even got chance to be a "mini manager" and had chance to work on the tills. It was lovely to see how confident and responsible the children were throughout the trip. They represented the school beautifully, showing kindness, respect, and maturity.
Ms Crossley’s weekly update
English Blog:
Year 7: Folk Tales and “How the Wolf Lost His Tail”
Year 7 are diving into the world of folk stories, starting with the witty tale How the Wolf Lost His Tail. These stories are full of life lessons and cultural traditions. To keep the magic going at home, why not listen together to the Circle Round Podcast (click here)? It’s packed with wonderful stories from around the world.
Extra Reading Ideas:
· Aesop’s Fables – short, fun stories with morals.
· Tales from Around the World – a great way to explore different cultures.
Year 8: Myths, Legends, and Beowulf
Year 8 are stepping into the world of epic heroes with Beowulf. They’ll not only read the story but also create soundscapes to bring the drama of the mead hall and Grendel’s attack to life. It’s a fantastic way to mix creativity with literature!
Extra Reading Ideas:
· Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman – exciting retellings of classic myths.
· Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan – a modern twist on Greek myths.
Year 9: War Stories and Forum Theatre
Year 9 are reading The Sniper, a gripping story set during the Irish Civil War. They’ll recreate the setting and use Forum Theatre to explore character choices and alternative endings. This helps students think deeply about conflict and empathy.
Extra Reading Ideas:
· Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo – a moving WWI story.
· The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – a powerful novel set during WWII.
Celebrating Independent Reading
We love to see students reading beyond the classroom! If your child shares evidence of extra reading on Evidence for Learning, they’ll earn an Achievement Point. This could be a photo of the book, a short reflection, or even a creative response.
🌟Ms Pugh’s Year 8 Blog
This week, Year 8 students showed great maturity and respect as we celebrated Remembrance Day on Tuesday. All students stood silently and still for one minute to honour those who have served. For some, this was a real challenge, but every student managed the silence beautifully. We are incredibly proud of them for their focus and respect.
👑English – We continued exploring the poem Beowulf. Students created soundscapes to bring the poem to life using GarageBand, recording natural sounds such as paper ripping, vocal effects, and percussive instruments. The results were amazing, with Ms Crossley reading the poem as the soundscapes played.
⚡️Science – We began a new topic on Energy. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be learning about energy and forces, bringing these concepts to life through hands-on experiments.
🐦⬛Outdoor Education – Year 8 students visited Morrisons Café, where they bought their own snacks and practiced ordering food. Afterwards, we explored the shop to find items for making bird feeders for Forest School. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience — and, of course, their tasty treats!
🏋️♀️PE – This week’s focus was on core strength, with students completing circuit training and practising their netball passing skills.
🏞️Geography – We continued building our model of a river’s journey, which is really starting to take shape!
🐴History – Year 8 completed their end-of-unit assessment on Medieval London, showcasing all the knowledge they’ve gained this term.
🎶Music – Students have started learning sign language to accompany Christmas songs. We’ll be performing these at our upcoming Christmas Fayre — we can’t wait to share their hard work!
🍊🍍🍌Food Preparation – Year 8 had their first practical cooking lesson, making fruit salad while learning about healthy eating. Students practised safe cutting techniques using the bridge and claw grip.
🌹Art – To mark Remembrance Day, students contributed to our Poppy Installation. They created a clay mound and attached handmade fabric poppies using cut wire and hot glue. The final collaborative piece will be proudly displayed in our visitor reception area.
As we close the week, we reflect on both Remembrance Day and Anti-Bullying Week. Our students have taken part in a range of thoughtful activities to raise awareness of these important topics.
Well done, Year 8! 🌟
Ms Nicholson’s weekly update
A Week in Creative Arts at Heywood Academy
Students in Year 7 Design Technology have been doing a piece of work with fascinating cross-curricular links to English! Students have been working on wolf tail designs, linking to the story How the Wolf lost its tail, using textile techniques and exploring the properties of wool. Their knotting skills have stood out—many have shown a real aptitude for handling materials with care and precision.
Year 8 students have been learning seasonal songs and incorporating sign language into their rehearsals. It’s been encouraging to see them engage with both the musical and communicative aspects of the project. Year 9 had their first experience
in the food tech room this week. They created fruit salads rich in vitamins, and their knife skills were impressive. Knife cutting techniques like brunnoise, julienne, and rondelle were demonstrated with confidence—some students clearly have a natural feel for food preparation. In art, Year 7 students began wax resist studies of jellyfish as part of their marine life project. The early stages show thoughtful use of colour and texture, and it’ll be interesting to see how these pieces develop. Students in Year 9 completed Unit One on cyber security. Their understanding of key concepts and ability to discuss digital safety has been strong throughout. It’s clear they’re thinking critically about the online world.
Finally, students from Years 7 and 8 collaborated on a felt and wire poppy installation. The result is a striking piece that reflects both their technical skill and their ability to work together creatively. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of the talent across our school.
Mr Lord’s weekly update
Science
Year 7:
Our budding chemists have embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of atoms, compounds, and molecules. To make learning interactive, students became “atoms” themselves, joining together to form molecules like water. This hands-on approach not only reinforced their understanding of chemical bonding but also made the classroom buzz with energy and collaboration.
Year 8:
Energy was the focus for Year 8, as students explored different energy stores and how energy transfers from one type to another. Through practical examples and engaging discussions, they discovered how these concepts apply to everyday life—from powering a light bulb to fuelling a car engine.
Year 9:
Geology took center stage for Year 9, as students examined the Earth’s internal structure. They enjoyed a creative twist by using a Scotch egg to model the layers of the Earth—shell for the crust, egg white for the mantle, and yolk for the core. This tasty analogy made complex ideas easier to visualize and remember!
Maths
Year 8:
Students have been mastering coordinates, working with both positive and negative numbers. By plotting points and navigating grids, they’ve strengthened their spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills, essential foundations for future mathematical challenges.
Year 9:
Continuing their “Making a Difference” project, Year 9 students tackled compound shapes, moving on to more complex examples. This work not only sharpens their calculation skills but also encourages logical thinking and perseverance.
Why It Matters
These activities highlight our commitment to making learning dynamic and meaningful. By blending theory with practical experiences, we help students see the relevance of Science and Maths in the world around them, sparking curiosity and building confidence.
Have a lovely weekend from all at Heywood Academy.
