News

• Friday 17 January 2025 Castle Hill Blog 17/01/25 What a fantastic week it has been here at Castle Hill. Thankfully the sun has certainly had its hat on for the most part and the pupils have thoroughly enjoyed being able to enjoy the outside spaces. We were treated to a rousing bagpipe performance from Demi-Lea at break-time today and some of the Year 7s joined me for a sing along and a dance. We also saw the return of the infamous lunch-time 'Sing and Sign' club organised and led by Dani Austin and Sue Cooper. Earlier in the week Shay Worswick in Year 8 brought me a freshly baked slice of his Victoria sponge cake-I am convinced he will be a world class chef in his later years; it really was delicious!
• Friday 10 January 2025 Castle Hill Blog 10/01/25 Firstly, happy new year to you all! What a strange start to the term, I know that the extreme weather and forced changes to our normal school routine has resulted in many staff feeling discombobulated and anxious so I would like to share my deepest empathy for the impact that it must have had on many of our young people. I really appreciate your understanding and support. Earlier this week many pupils were excited by the fresh snowfall and as such we offered them the opportunity to play in the snow in a fenced area (unfortunately we could not permit this activity later in the week when the snow froze and became too hazardous). This was to allow for safe supervision. Also, for those that wanted to be outside but did not wish to play in the snow they were able to enjoy their play time without the worry of being hit by a snowball. As you can see they had great fun.
• Thursday 19 December 2024 Castle Hill Blog 19/12/24 What an exciting week it has been with a crescendo of wonderful events for our young people to enjoy!
• Friday 13 December 2024 Castle Hill Blog 13/10/24 One can't help feeling nostalgic this time of year, Mrs Brown's wonderful assembly today was about traditions across the world over the Christmas period...from eating KFC on Christmas eve in Japan to BBQing on the beach in Australia! One of my Christmas traditions which I have passed on to my own children is to enjoy the magical story: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Therefore, I was particularly delighted and impressed when this amazing piece of work 'landed on my desk'!
• Friday 6 December 2024 Castle Hill Blog 06/12/24
• Friday 29 November 2024 Castle Hill Blog 29/11/24 I am extremely proud that our school continuously strives to provide exciting experiences for our young people. Last week many of our Year 10 pupils who study drama were able to enjoy a well loved west end musical: Blood Brothers, at the Palace theatre in Manchester. The pupils were captivated from start to finish!
• Friday 22 November 2024 Castle Hill Blog 22/11/24 As everyone knows, in England, we love to talk about the weather and this week has been no exception. Ice, snow and rain have made the last couple of days particularly challenging. I would like to give a special mention to all my staff who have braved the elements to grit all the pathways and manage the traffic so that everyone can access the site safely. Thank you to all the parents and carers who showed patience, support and understanding when difficult decisions had to be made in relation to school opening today.
• Friday 15 November 2024 Castle Hill Blog 15/11/24 Castle Hill prides itself on ensuring that when our young people leave they have been given as many different opportunities as possible to develop important life-skills. This week has been no exception.
• Friday 8 November 2024 Castle Hill Blog 08/11/24 Every day the pupils in our school remind me of how lucky I am to be a part of their world. We have been preparing pupils to think about this year's theme for anti-bullying week: Respect. When pupils were asked in their assembly to define what the theme meant to them, the overwhelming majority were able to articulate really mature and informed answers showing great awareness of others.
• Friday 1 November 2024 Castle Hill Blog 01/11/24
• Friday 18 October 2024 Castle Hill Blog 18/10/24 Our first half-term has flown by, I do hope your child has had a wonderful time! The staff are flushed and happy back from their sponsored walk. It was the perfect time of year to step out and take a moment of staff reflection together under the paint box of autumn leaves. If you would like to make a donation the link is: https://gofund.me/1de28706
• Friday 11 October 2024 Castle Hill Blog 11/10/24 This week, pupils have been encouraged to think about how to be kind to themselves and others. Linked to this we are holding an exciting art competition. Your child has designed an image to promote mental health awareness. This can be printed onto a mug (other items are also available, please see the website formore information). All instructions are on the artwork form that has been sent home.
• Friday 4 October 2024 Castle Hill Blog 04/10/24 This week's spotlight is shining on our 6th form pupils who have been embracing the world of work. Ben has started this term in a new work placement within a charity shop. He is enjoying all the responsibility and getting sections tidied up and organised. Sarah, Ben's manager thinks he is a great addition to the team!
• Friday 27 September 2024 Castle Hill Blog 27/09/24 Shay Worswick in 8P has been working really hard in his Maths lessons this week, we are very proud of him.
• Friday 20 September 2024 Castle Hill Blog 20/09/24 One of the most important aspects of our school which makes it so successful is the engagement and support that we receive from our parents and carers. Therefore I am very proud to announce that we have earned re-accreditation of the Leading Parent Partnership Award. I would like to particularly mention Laura Agnew who worked incredibly hard to pull all of the evidence together and who coordinated the inspection. Please click on the link below to read the full report.
• Friday 13 September 2024 Castle Hill Blog 13/09/24
• Friday 6 September 2024 Castle Hill Blog 06/09/24 The warmest of welcome back wishes to all old and new members of our fantastic Castle Hill community. It has been an utterly delightful start to the year. Our pupils have shown great bravery and resilience in coming into school after such a long summer break, in particular our new Year 7 pupils! Please do pass on just how very proud I am of them. All pupils have been working hard and there has been a positive and purposeful buzz in every classroom I have been in. This is also credit to my talented teachers who have worked hard to ensure that this week has been exciting and engaging for all.
• Tuesday 23 July 2024 Castle Hill Blog 23/07/24 As another academic year draws to a close, I take a moment to reflect on the past year. This school really is like no other with such a breadth of exciting curriculum opportunities and an incredible staff team who show such dedication, kindness and care to our pupils. It really is a privilege to work with our inspirational young people and watch them grow in confidence and independence as they work their way up through the school. No two days are the same and we wouldn't have it any other way. Whether you are a parent, governor or a young person who attends our school, thank you for making this community something so magnificent!
• Friday 12 July 2024 Castle Hill Blog 12/07/24 The event of the year is ready to open...make sure that you come on down to enjoy our fabulous summer Fair. With delicious treats, fantastic gifts and prizes to be won it really will be a wonderful way to spend your Saturday morning.
• Friday 5 July 2024 Castle Hill Blog 05/07/24 At Castle Hill, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on life skills alongside academic achievements. Our Year 9 pupils have been learning some vital life saving skills this week in first aid workshops such as the recovery position, treating someone who is choking and providing CPR.
• Friday 28 June 2024 Castle Hill Blog 28/06/24 The week has ended here with some inspirational training relating to adaptive teaching. Although I have an exceptional staff team, it is important that we never stop our quest to develop and enhance our skills, knowledge and understanding. Our pupils deserve the best quality teaching. The main principles taken from today will be followed up in our weekly meeting/training sessions.
• Friday 21 June 2024 Castle Hill Blog 21/06/24 Another wonderful week has whizzed by here with so many achievements to celebrate!
• Friday 14 June 2024 Castle Hill Blog 14/06/24 Good evening all! Some of you may be aware that I have spent the majority of the last three days on a training course developing my skills and understanding of restorative approaches. I feel strongly that a punitive approach to conflict and discipline does not have long lasting positive effects on a child's behaviour. I feel that all staff who work in Castle Hill have a duty to explore the individual needs of pupils when their behaviour falls below our expectations. It is important that an appropriate consequence is put in place but alongside this the pupil's voice must be heard. There must be an opportunity for them to be able to understand the harm that they may have caused and offer a suitable opportunity of reparation. Pupils are encouraged to attend a reflection session with a member of staff where they are guided to learn from the experience. We use the template below (the Hub pupils follow the same model with some adaptations based on need):
• Friday 7 June 2024 Castle Hill Blog 07/06/24 Unfortunately some staff and pupils have had to endure some particularly difficult challenges recently with ill health or the loss of loved ones. Castle Hill is a very caring environment and community of people who want nothing more than to offer support to those who may be suffering. I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has stepped in to offer kindness and practical help to those who have needed it, it is always appreciated!
• Friday 24 May 2024 Castle Hill Blog 24/05/24 What a varied and wonderful week it has been at Castle Hill with plenty of achievements to celebrate!
• Friday 17 May 2024 Castle Hill Blog 17/05/24 We've produced a poster to thank everyone who donated to our Gofundme page to rescue our forest school after the fire. This will be going up on both sides of the KS3 yard fence, so it can be seen from the playground, and from our basecamp area.
• Friday 10 May 2024 Castle Hill Blog 10/05/24 Every visitor who comes to our school always talks about what an incredible place it is and how wonderful our pupils/students are. Frequently they talk about the positivity and the resilience shown when faced with unknown challenges. This was beautifully exemplified by the fabulous 7H super swimmers who received a well earned certificate for their efforts.
• Friday 3 May 2024 Castle Hill Blog 03/05/24 This week we have laid out the welcome mat for our new parents and carers of the new Year 7 pupils who will be joining us in September. After a grand tour they were able to enjoy the standard magical hospitality service provided by our pupils and students!
• Friday 26 April 2024 Castle Hill Blog 26/04/24 We have had a wonderful week here at Castle Hill with another bundle of reasons to celebrate our fantastic school!
• Friday 19 April 2024 Castle Hill Blog 19/04/24 Welcome back everyone! It might have been a wet and windy one this week, but nothing can really dampen your spirits when you are surrounded by such fabulous staff and young people.
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