Heywood Academy Blog - 22.5.26
What a fantastic way to bring this half term to a close!
We would like to say a thank you to all of our students, staff and families for such a wonderful half term. We have finished on a high, celebrating together in our rewards assembly, where the many fantastic achievements of our students were recognised and celebrated.
It has been a particularly exciting final week, with students taking part in a bowling competition – coming second overall! Our sporty students have shown incredible resilience, determination and excellent sportsmanship, representing the very best of our school community.
We also took part in a staff vs student cricket competition! The students had been practicing all week and were absolutely fabulous!
We now wish all of our families a restful and enjoyable half term break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 2nd June, ready for another brilliant half term ahead.
Mr. Lord's weekly update
No Pens Day. Learning in Action Across the School!
It’s been a fantastic No Pens Day at Heywood Academy, with students across Key Stages getting fully involved in hands-on, practical learning experiences.
In Year 7, students took their science learning to the track! They carefully measured the length of a slot car track using tape measures, practicing accuracy, and teamwork. Working in groups, they then timed how long it took for the cars to complete a lap before calculating the speed by dividing the distance by the time. There was lots of excitement as some very fast speeds were recorded!
In Year 8, technology supported learning across subjects. In science, students used their iPads to further explore the topic of electrical resistance, applying their knowledge through an interactive online quiz. Meanwhile in maths, they stepped into a virtual fairground, investigating the probability of winning and losing different games, bringing maths to life in a fun and engaging way.
In Year 9, students developed their understanding of more complex scientific concepts. Using specialist software on the large screen, they explored how isotopes and
compounds are formed, working out chemical structures by considering how atoms gain or lose electrons. In maths, they rose to the challenge of a demanding multiple-choice quiz focused on quadratic graphs, helping them prepare for their upcoming end-of-unit assessment.
It was wonderful to see students so engaged, collaborating with their peers, and applying their knowledge in practical and meaningful ways. A brilliant day of learning without pens!
Ms. Pugh’s weekly update
What another busy and exciting week for Year 8 at Heywood Academy! 😊
📚 English For No Pens Day, students brought in personal items to help improve their oracy skills. Pupils asked each other targeted questions and spoke confidently about meaningful items including childhood toys 🧸, photos of pets 🐶📸, and certificates 🏅. It was lovely to hear students sharing their memories and experiences.
🧪 Science In Science, students played Scaletrix to investigate speed and learn more about how movement can be measured. 🚗⚡ The activity encouraged teamwork and problem-solving skills.
🌳 Outdoor Education Students continued adding to their portfolios, reflecting on the skills and experiences they have developed during outdoor education sessions. 📒🍃
🧁 Food Technology This week students made delicious high-fibre blueberry muffins 🫐🧁 before taking part in a fun description game to develop communication and listening skills.
🎳 Bowling Competition Some students represented Heywood Academy at a bowling competition in Rochdale against other schools. Everyone showed fantastic teamwork and sportsmanship , well done to all involved! 👏🏆
👋 Welcome to Year 8 This week we also welcomed a new student to Year 8. We hope he settles in well and enjoys being part of Year 8 at Heywood Academy! 😊
Have a wonderful week off everyone! 🌈
Ms. Crossley’s weekly update
✨ New Pens Day: Celebrating a Fresh Start ✨
There is something special about New Pens Day in English — that moment when fresh ink meets fresh ideas, and everyone returns ready to write, think and share.
This year, students in Key Stage 3 truly embraced the occasion, bringing energy, confidence and enthusiasm into the classroom. The day was filled with creativity and thoughtful discussion, showcasing just how much our learners are growing as readers, writers and speakers.
🎤 Show and Tell Success
Students kicked off the celebrations with a lively show and tell session. It was wonderful to see the variety of objects pupils chose to share — each one offering a glimpse into their interests, personalities and experiences.
They spoke clearly, listened respectfully and asked thoughtful questions. It was a fantastic opportunity to build confidence in speaking and listening skills, and the pride students showed in presenting their ideas was evident throughout.
💬 A Thought-Provoking Debate
Years 8 and 9 then took part in a debate on an important and highly relevant topic:
“Is the internet a right for young people?”
Students demonstrated impressive maturity as they explored both sides of the argument. Some argued that access to the internet is essential for education, communication and
opportunity in the modern world. Others considered the challenges, including safety, over-reliance and inequalities in access.
What stood out most was the quality of discussion. Pupils:
· Built on each other’s ideas
· Supported their opinions with clear reasoning
· Listened carefully and responded respectfully
They showed great confidence in articulating their views, and it was clear that they had thought deeply about the issue.
Ms. Zobenica’s weekly update
This week, students from across all year groups had the opportunity to take part in a tenpin bowling competition. Competing against five other high schools, our team
achieved an excellent second place overall!! The students demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship throughout and were outstanding role models for our school.
Year 9 students also visited the Cherwell Centre this week as part of their outdoor education programme. During their visit, they spoke with a professional artist and gained valuable insight into how she developed her career. They then had the opportunity to contribute by helping to paint props that will be used to decorate the Possibilities Summer Festival on 30th May.
Ms. Nicholson’s weekly update
This week has been a vibrant and engaging one across Creative Arts, with students demonstrating creativity, confidence and a growing ability to communicate their ideas in a range of exciting ways.
No Pens Day in Design Technology (Year 9) Year 9 students fully embraced No Pens Day in Design Technology, focusing on verbal communication, digital presentation and peer feedback. Students showcased their thoughtfully designed bunkers using Tinkercad, presenting their ideas confidently to their
classmates. It was fantastic to see such strong use of oracy skills, as students explained their design choices, materials and functionality without relying on written work. This activity not only highlighted their creativity but also developed their ability to articulate ideas clearly and respond to questions from their peers.
Food Technology (Year 8) In Food Technology, Year 8 students had a hands-on and enjoyable lesson making delicious blueberry muffins. They demonstrated excellent practical skills, following recipes carefully and working safely in the kitchen. After baking, students took part in a lively “Guess the Food Tech Item” game. This encouraged them to use precise language and descriptive vocabulary, again reinforcing their oracy skills. The combination of practical work and interactive activities made for a fun and memorable learning experience.
Information Technology (Year 7) Year 7 students in IT have been developing their digital creativity by designing game sleeve covers. They showed great imagination and attention to detail in their designs, thinking carefully about layout, colour and audience appeal. This week, students submitted their work for assessment, marking an important milestone in their project and giving them an opportunity to showcase the skills they have been building.
Art (Year 8) In Art, Year 8 students have continued to refine their looping technique, inspired by the work of Jacob Everett. Students have shown impressive focus and perseverance as they develop their pieces, exploring pattern, movement and structure. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they experiment with this technique and create increasingly sophisticated outcomes.
Overall, it has been a week full of creativity, collaboration and communication. Across all subjects, students have not only developed their practical and artistic skills but have also strengthened their confidence in sharing ideas and reflecting on their work. We are proud of their enthusiasm and progress and look forward to seeing what they create next.
