Heywood Academy Blog - 5.12.25

Surviving Christmas in schools can be tough for many children and young people, especially when there's pressure, expectations, and heightened emotions during the holiday season. It can feel like there's a lot going on, both in terms of school activities and home life, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. We can help our young people by promoting self-care and letting them know that however they are feeling is ok.

The below resources were produced by Beacon House - a team of professional, compassionate and highly experienced chartered psychologists, psychotherapists and occupational therapists.

 

 

 

⭐️ Year 8 Weekly Blog from Ms Pugh

English

This week we have been preparing for our end-of-term assessment. Our focus has been on the poem Ozymandias, exploring the theme of power and how its impact can change or fade over time. Students have enjoyed discussing the poem’s deeper meaning and how Shelley presents the idea of long-lasting power.

Art

Linking with our English work, we brought Ozymandias to life by creating our own statues. Using papier-mâché and foil, students sculpted facial features and experimented with texture to recreate the feel of ancient, weathered stone.

Maths

In Maths, we introduced the “bar model” for DecemBAR. This visual method helps students break down and understand a range of numerical questions. They have been practising applying the model to different problem types and are growing in confidence.

History

We began our new topic on the Stuart period, focusing on King James and the Gunpowder Plot. Students sketched the key figures involved and used their iPads to research what happened and why. They particularly enjoyed uncovering the story behind this famous historical event.

Target

During Target time, students created candy cane wreaths to decorate the form room doors across the year group. These were a surprise for the form tutors—who were both shocked and delighted! We also had fun playing the “Yes/No” game.

PE

In PE, students worked on developing their football dribbling skills. The focus was on control, accuracy, and taking their time when passing and dribbling to partners.

Outdoor Education

Our Outdoor Ed trip this week took us to Asda in Pilsworth. Students were responsible for completing the shopping list for Breakfast Club and Food Tech. They approached staff politely to ask where products were located and successfully found every item on the list—excellent teamwork and independence on display!

RSE

In RSE, we continued our work on the Zones of Regulation. Students are learning how to identify their emotions, understand how feelings can affect their actions, and develop the language they need to express these emotions to staff. This will support them throughout their school journey.

 

Ms Zobenika’s weekly update

This week has been full of energy and enthusiasm across our PE and Outdoor Education lessons. Year 7 have been developing their gymnastics skills, focusing on balance and travelling at different levels. Year 8 students have shown great progress in football, improving both their dribbling control and striking accuracy. Year 9 have also stood out with their impressive work in netball, particularly in developing strong defensive skills. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow this week.

Our Outdoor Education lessons have been great for developing independence out in the community. This week, all year groups visited a local supermarket, where they followed a shopping list to purchase the items they needed. The students who took part were excellent role models throughout the visit and represented the school brilliantly.

Ms Nicholson’s weekly update

Creative Arts Blog Post

This week has been a vibrant showcase of creativity, curiosity, and talent across our school. Each year group has been diving into exciting projects that connect art, technology, history, health, and music in inspiring ways.

Year 9 Identity Through Pop Art

Our Year 9 students have been channelling the bold, playful style of Hattie Stewart, creating artwork that explores themes of identity. Their designs, inspired by Pop Art, are bursting with colour and personality, reflecting how art can be a powerful way to express who we are.

Year 7 Digital Media & Internet Safety

In IT, Year 7 have been exploring Digital Media by using Canva to design posters about internet safety. Their work shows not only creativity but also a strong awareness of how to stay safe online, a vital skill in today’s digital world.

Year 8 Healthy Living & Diet Awareness

Year 8 have impressed us with their thoughtful discussions around the four factors that contribute to a bad diet. Their enthusiasm for learning how to improve diets highlights a growing awareness of health and wellbeing, and it’s fantastic to see them so engaged in making positive lifestyle choices.

Year 7 History Meets Design Technology

Bringing history to life, Year 7 have been studying the Bayeux Tapestry and connecting it to Design Technology. They’ve collaboratively created a story, which they’ll soon transform into polyblock prints. Next week, their symbols will take shape in printmaking, a wonderful blend of storytelling, history, and design.

Year 9 Musical Brilliance

In Music, Year 9 have been studying Merrily We Roll Along and have wowed us with their talents on the keyboards. Their performances have been full of energy and skill, showing just how much creativity and dedication they bring to their musical studies.

 

 

Ms Crossley’s weekly update

Celebrating Creativity Across Key Stage 3!

This week has been an inspiring showcase of imagination and skill across our English classrooms. Each year group has taken on a unique challenge, and the results have been nothing short of amazing!
Year 7 have been diving into the magical world of folk tales, crafting their own stories filled with wonder and creativity. One of the highlights? A brilliant tale explaining how the centipede got its legs, a fantastic example of originality and storytelling flair!

Meanwhile, Year 8 have been exploring the power of poetry through Ozymandias. They’ve been unpacking themes of legacy, power, and time, and linking these ideas to creative discussions and oracy activities. Their interpretations have shown real depth and curiosity.
Finally, Year 9 have been channeling emotion and empathy into their writing, producing war stories that capture the human experience behind conflict. These narratives have been powerful, thought-provoking, and a testament to their growing maturity as writers.

We are so proud of the creativity and effort shown by all our students. Their work reminds us why storytelling and literature are such vital parts of learning, they help us understand the world and ourselves.

 

Mr Lord’s weekly update

Science

It’s been an exciting and challenging week in Science with lots of testing across year groups!
• Year 7 have been wrapping up their topic on Separation Techniques and completing their end-of-unit test.
• Year 8 have finished their work on Energy Stores and also sat their end-of-unit test.
• Year 9 completed their test on The Earth earlier in the week and have now moved on to exploring the fascinating world of Electricity.

Maths

• Year 8 have been working hard to finish their topic on Coordinates. They particularly enjoyed the revision game “Game Over Gopher”, which really got them thinking and engaged in problem-solving.
• Year 9 have completed their topic on Inequalities and successfully finished their end-of-unit test.

 

Have a lovely weekend!