Heywood Academy Blog - 7.11.25
We’ve had a truly fabulous start back after the half term break, and what a way to finish the week! Today marks our grand opening ceremony, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the incredible work our staff team and students have accomplished since our school first opened.
From inspiring lessons to creative projects, their dedication shines through in everything they do. A heartfelt thank you to all of you for your ongoing support, it means the world to us and makes our journey possible. As part of today’s celebrations, our student choir will perform our Heywood song, and our Year 8 students have recorded a stunning piece of poetry about the moon.
We are immensely proud of their achievements and can’t wait to share this special moment with you.
Ms Nicholson’s weekly update
It’s been a busy first week back in the Creative Arts, with students exploring everything from food science to expressive painting and collaborative installations.
Year 7 have been preparing for their first practical lesson in Food Technology. They’ve been learning about different knife cuts and how to handle equipment safely — a key skill as they get ready to start cooking. They’ve also looked into enzymic browning in fruits and vegetables, planning how to slow it down. They have also checked their mouldy bread experiments which have sparked some interesting discussions about hygiene and cleaning methods, some slices were impressively mouldy!
Year 8 have been working with spray paint, creating bold pieces inspired by artist Jim Dine. The students loved creating silhouettes of various objects such as tools and brushes. It’s been great to see their confidence grow as they worked with a new medium.
Year 9 have taken time to reflect on Black History Month, responding to the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat through mixed media. Their pieces are thoughtful and expressive, showing a great understanding of Basquiat’s style and the themes he explored.
Across all year groups, students have started a collaborative art piece for Remembrance Sunday as they have been creating a poppy installation. It’s been lovely to see everyone contribute, and we’re looking forward to sharing the final piece next week.
Ms Nicholson - 7.11.25
⭐️ Mrs Pugh’s Weekly Blog
We were delighted to welcome our Year 8 students back this week, with the added bonus of a new student joining our class! Everyone has made a positive start to the new term and is looking forward to the exciting learning opportunities this half-term will bring.
📚Outdoor Education: This week we visited Heywood Library, where students immersed themselves in the books and the joy of the written word.
👑English: We’ve started a new topic, Myths & Legends! Students began reading extracts from the classic tale of Beowulf, exploring the hero’s adventures and legendary battles.
🏞️Geography: Our river model project is underway! Using natural resources, students are learning about the journey of a river and key geographical terminology.
History: This week we explored London during World War I, comparing how the city changed in contrast to the Industrial Revolution era.
🏃🏼♀️PE: In PE, students have been developing their core skills through circuit training. Activities included lifting 5kg bags, balancing exercises, speed bouncing, and target training.
Well done, Year 8! You’ve had a fantastic week, keep up the great work and enthusiasm!
Ms Crossley’s weekly update
Year 7 – Stories from Around the World
Our Year 7s are reading into stories from different cultures. These open windows into other ways of life and help students think about identity, community, and empathy. These stories are a brilliant springboard for creative writing.
Want to support at home? Try reading together or listening to audiobooks like:
· The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook
Podcast pick: Circle Round – beautifully told folktales from around the world, perfect for sparking imagination.
Year 8 – Myths and Legends
Year 8 are exploring the world of Beowulf. These timeless tales help students understand storytelling structure and symbolism.
Great reads to try at home:
· Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
· Beowulf (retold by Michael Morpurgo)
· The Odyssey (Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds)
Podcast pick: Greeking Out . A fun and engaging podcast from National Geographic Kids that brings ancient myths to life.
Year 9 – Writing About Conflict
In Year 9, students are reading The Sniper by Liam O’Flaherty. This is a short but powerful story that explores the impact of war. It’s a great way to get students thinking about perspective, emotion, and the human side of conflict. They’ll be using this as inspiration for their own war-themed writing.
Books to explore at home:
· Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
· All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg
Podcast pick: History Extra (BBC) – while not specifically for teens, it has some excellent episodes on wartime stories that older students may find fascinating.
Achievement Points Up for Grabs!
If any of our young learners, read, listen or watch anything related to their learning, upload evidence on Evidence for Learning and they’ll earn an Achievement Point!
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the moments that matter most. See you next week!
