Heywood Academy Blog - 21.11.25
This week we are delighted to share that so many of our students have stepped forward to put themselves forward as student counsellors. Each candidate delivered a passionate speech about the positive changes they would like to bring if elected. Following these inspiring presentations, we held a ballot during assembly to give everyone a voice in the process.
Incidentally, we are also in the midst of voting for our new parent/carer governors. We’ve been equally thrilled by the enthusiastic response from our families and deeply grateful for the time, energy, and commitment you all give to enrich our school community. Your involvement really does makes a difference!
⭐️ Year 8 Weekly Blog ⭐️
This week in Year 8 has been full of creativity, discovery and hands-on learning across all of our subjects!
🐺English We continued reading the epic poem Beowulf and created visual mind maps to help bring the story to life. Our focus this week was on Grendel’s mother, a mysterious sea-lurking creature, and we explored how she is portrayed in the text.
⚡️Science In Science, we have been learning about energy and gravity. Students investigated different types of forces and how they affect movement and interaction in the world around us.
🍊Forest School A wonderfully practical session this week! Students made bird feeders using oranges and placed them around the school grounds to support local wildlife as the weather becomes colder.
Geography Our river journey models continued to take shape. Students added detail to show the different stages of a river, from source to mouth, developing their understanding of physical geography.
👑History We began exploring a new historical period—the Stuarts. Students were introduced to the key events and figures that shaped this era.
Food Technology This week, students completed their half-termly assessment, demonstrating the skills and knowledge they have been developing in the kitchen.
🚦RSE In RSE, we started learning about the Zones of Regulation. We discussed the terminology and strategies that will soon be used across all areas of school life to support emotional awareness and self-regulation.
🔷Outdoor Education Our visit to Bury Art and Sculpture Museum was a highlight of the week. Students explored the exhibits and brought the artwork to life through discussion and creative interpretation.
Art In Art, students practised weaving techniques by creating small woven samples. These will form part of their hanging textile pieces.
Mr Lord's weekly update
This Week in Learning: Maths & Science Adventures!
Maths
It’s been an exciting week in our maths classrooms!
· Year 8 have been diving into line graphs, learning how to interpret and create them. They’ve also started using number engines to plot different lines, which is a fantastic way to see how numbers and patterns come to life visually.
· Year 9 have begun a brand new topic in algebra. They’ve been working hard to solve one-step and two-step equations, finding the value of unknown letters. This is a key skill that will help them tackle more complex problems in the future.
Science
Our science lessons have been full of curiosity and discovery!
· Year 7 have been exploring the process of diffusion, investigating how particles move and how the strength of concentration affects this movement.
· Year 8 have been learning about energy stores and how energy transfers when work is done. They’ve been asking great questions about how energy changes form in everyday situations.
· Year 9 have continued their study of Earth’s structure, focusing on the rock cycle and how different types of rocks are formed. It’s amazing to see them connect these ideas to real-world geology!
We’re so proud of the effort and enthusiasm our students have shown this week. Keep up the fantastic work, everyone!
Ms Crossley’s weekly update
Exploring Stories and Literature Across Key Stages
This term, our English classes are embracing creativity and critical thinking through exciting projects:
• Year 7 have begun writing their own safari adventure stories, inspired by the traditional tale How the Wolf Lost His Tail. They’re learning how to weave vivid settings and imaginative characters into their narratives.
• Year 8 are delving into the epic poem Beowulf, analysing its themes of heroism, loyalty, and the clash between good and evil. This classic text is helping them develop deeper analytical skills.
• Year 9 are crafting wartime stories based on the short story The Sniper. Through this, they’re exploring tension, perspective, and the human cost of conflict in their writing.
To enrich these experiences, we encourage students to engage in age-appropriate outside reading. Here are some suggestions:
• Year 7: The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
• Year 8: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Grendel by John Gardner
• Year 9: Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Students who upload evidence of this extra reading on Evidence for Learning will receive an Achievement Point.
Ms Nicholson’s weekly update
A Creative Week in the Arts and Technology!
It has been a fantastic week in the Creative Arts department, filled with colour, creativity, and hands-on learning across multiple subjects.
Art
Our Year 7 artists have been experimenting with wax resist techniques, producing vibrant jellyfish artworks that are as striking as they are inventive. These pieces beautifully capture the delicate elegance of underwater life, and the creativity on display has been inspiring.
Design & Technology
Year 8 students have been weaving their way into history! Inspired by their English curriculum on Beowulf, they explored Anglo-Saxon weaving techniques. This practical activity not only honed their DT skills but also gave them a tactile connection to epic poetry and ancient craftsmanship, a wonderful blend of literature and design.
IT
Our Year 9 students have embarked on an email etiquette project, learning how to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively in the digital world. These essential skills will serve them well both in school and in their future careers.
Food Technology
Meanwhile, Year 8 have been investigating the science behind cooking, focusing on dextrinization, the process that gives foods like bread and potatoes their golden, crispy textures. Next lesson, they’ll put theory into practice by cooking potato wedges, and we can’t wait to see (and smell!) the delicious results.
Music
Finally, our Year 7 musicians have been impressing us with their keyboard performances, learning a variety of songs and developing their confidence in playing. The progress they’ve made is music to our ears!
We’re so proud of the creativity and enthusiasm our students have shown this week. From art and music to technology and food science, it’s been a celebration of skills that connect knowledge with imagination.
Which project would you love to try at home? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
Weekly update from Ms Zobenica
Outdoor Education & PE Weekly Update
This week in Outdoor Education, our Year 7 and 8 students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Bury’s Art and Sculpture Museum. During the visit, pupils explored a wide range of artistic styles and genres, taking the time to really soak up the culture around them. They particularly enjoyed studying the different sculptures on display.
In groups, the students then tried recreating some of the artworks themselves. This activity was a real highlight, with pupils showing excellent expression and characterisation as they posed. It was wonderful to see them working collaboratively, discussing ideas, and allocating roles within their teams.
Meanwhile, Year 9 visited Falinge Park to learn about the importance of staying safe in public spaces. Students identified potential hazards, discussed how to respond safely, and considered strategies to keep themselves and others secure while out in the community.
In PE, Year 7 continued their fitness module by taking part in the bleep test, challenging themselves to reach the highest level they could. There was a brilliant effort all round, with many students pushing themselves to stay in as long as possible.
Year 8 have begun their new topic of football, showing great promise in their first lesson focused on ball control. Their enthusiasm and determination were clear to see.
Year 9 continued to build on their skills in netball, where we introduced a new pass. They have been working incredibly hard to refine their technique and develop confidence within the game.
A brilliant week for all. Well done to students for their hard work, participation, and positive attitude!
