News
Archived News
30.04.2013 - Italy
In March 2013, a group from our Student Parliament paid a visit to Italy. The video to the right hand side gives you a breif glimpse of their adventure.
You can also watch the video in high definition, by clicking on the YouTube logo below.
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29.04.2013 - Highfields Got Talent!
Highfields School held their own annual version of Britain's Got Talent last Thursday 25 April at Starkholmes Lower School, raising £250 for Sheffield’s Children Hospital. Almost thirty students aged from 11 to 13 performed a variety of acts, from singing, dancing, juggling, magic tricks, gymnastics and even a pogo stick and unicycle act! Students performed to a packed house and teachers pretending to be celebrity judges. The talent show is about fun but also an opportunity to encourage children's ability in the performing arts.
Organisers of the event and heads of years 7 and 8, Maggie Brown and Alison Ruston, said, "We are very proud of our youngsters who auditioned to perform. It is wonderful to see their commitment and hard work, and the confidence they gain through performing has a long lasting effect on their development."
Please click the link below to view the photographs in our gallery.
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22.04.2013 - Matlock Teenagers' Behaviour in Spain Praised!
During the Easter holidays almost forty students aged 14 to 16 from Highfields School in Matlock visited Santander in Spain. As well as attending language classes the students visited all the main sights, including Toribio monastery and a trip into the Picos mountains. Typical Spanish cuisine was sampled and students dressed up in different themes most nights.
Behaviour was so exemplary the hotel has sent a congratulatory letter to the head of MFL, praising students for their impressive manners and behaviour. Every member of the hotel staff signed the letter, saying "Thank you for their behaviour, their upbringing and for the ease with which they have allowed us to work".
Organiser of the trip and head of modern languages Richard Bannister said, "I am immensely proud of our students, who were a delight to be with. In almost forty years of doing school trips, I have received a letter praising our students so highly only a couple of times. It is always fun bringing the language out of the classroom, to students abroad."
Please click the link below to view the photogrpahs in our gallery.
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19.04.2013 - Internal Year 9 SATs
All Year 9 students will be taking internal SATS in Maths and Science at the following times:
Please avoid planned absence on these days.
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18.04.2013 - Skiing in the Swiss Alps
The February half term saw a group of our students travel to Saas Fee in Switzerland for a skiing trip. The video to the right gives you a glimpse of their experience.
You can watch the video in high definition on YouTube.
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17.04.2013 - Year 10 Work Experience
The deadline for work experience placements will be 29 April 2013.
Derbyshire County Council will not carry out any new health and safety checks after 29 April 2013.
Please therefore make sure that your son/daughter returns the purple own choice work experience form no later than Friday 26 April 2013.
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03.04.2013 - School Parliament Italian Adventure
In March 2013, the School Parliament took a trip to Italy to visit Rome and Pompeii, whilst also visiting an Italian school to discuss democracy versus meritocracy, as well as compare each others school councils.
Please follow the link below to view the 'blog' written by Josh Wood of 10CW.
Update 18.04.2013: Please click here to view an article written by Hannah Peat of 11CLM.
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28.03.2013 - Sports Leadership Awards Evening
On Monday 25th March, Highfields School hosted the Sports Leadership Award Evening. We have added some photographs from the day to our gallery.
Our guests of honour for the evening were Olympians Casey Stoney (England ladies football captain), and Ross Davenport (three times Olympic swimmer) who spoke very highly of the achievements of our students. Ross is now a swimming coach of talented swimmers and our own SARAH CROSS in year 10 is one of them.
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28.03.2013 - Sponsored Walk Charity Donation
In Year 8 assembly on Tuesday 26th March we presented a cheque for £632.55 to Debbie Fennell from Ashgate Hospice, which was raised during our Sponsored Walk in Year 7. Other donations were made to UNICEF and the Tennage Cancer Trust, all charities chosen by students in Form Reps meetings.
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28.03.2013 - Highfields Students Progress in National Competition
Two Year 8 students, Emma Jerman and Sophie Hamilton-Cody have progressed to the next round of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show Short Story Competition.
This is a fantastic achievement, particularly as there were over 90,000 entries! Well done to both girls and good luck for ther next round. |
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26.03.2013 - Red Nose Day
On Friday 15th March, Highfields School staff and students took part in events throughout the day, and raised £2,399.11 for Comic Relief. A big well done to all involved!
By clicking the link below, you will be able to access a selection of photographs from the day.
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26.03.2013 - Highfields School Goes Glacial!
On Monday 11 March and Tuesday 12th March, sixth form students spent time in the Lake District researching glaciation as part of their Geography course.
We have added some photographs to our gallery, as well as an article written by Year 12 student Jessica Greatorex.
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25.03.2013 - Ofsted School Data Dashboard
The Government launched the Ofsted School Data Dashboard in March 2013 which provides information for governors and parents on the performance of schools.
The Data Dashboard complements the Ofsted school inspection report by providing a high level summary of school performance over a three-year period. From the Dashboard you can see Highfields School students’ results and progress.
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Download the pdf
25.03.2013 - Spring at Starkholmes
We have added a small selection of photographs to our gallery of our Starkholmes site, taken on Sunday 24th March.
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21.03.2013 - News Day
Today is BBC School News Day. Highfields students in Years 7 and 8 got involved by making their very own news feature about the school's Gymnastics Club. You can watch this at the following link:
If you would like to find out more about BBC News Day and see content produced by other schools, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/
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19.03.2013 - Rugby Victory
On Thursday 14th March, 16 Year 10/11 students played in the Derbyshire Key Stage 4 Rugby Tournament. Highfields School won the competition, which consisted of Highfields, St Mary's Chesterfield, and Tupton School. Highfields beat St Mary's 12-5, and beat Tupton 27-0. Well done to all involved. They played some fantastic rugby, and the winning team was as follows;
Ben Wright (c), Ed Savage, Phil Braund, Andy Wallis, Will Croydon, Will Hartley, Olly Johnson, Zach Gaiqui, Josh Burns, Rory Simpson, Ayden Buswel, Isaac Fearn, Harry Pennington, James Pooley, Ollie Walden, Morgan Miles
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19.03.2013 - Year 10 Work Experience
The deadline for out of county placements will be 1 April 2013.
The deadline for in county placements will be 29 April 2013.
If your son or daughter wishes to attend a work placement which is out of Derbyshire please ensure that he/she returns the purple own choice work experience form by 27 March 2013 (this is before the Easter break). Derbyshire County Council will not carry out any new health and safety checks after the above dates.
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18.03.2013 - Silver Surfing in Matlock
A computer skills club to help residents at Denefields Court in Matlock has been recently set up involving seven sixth form students from Highfields School. The ‘silver surfers’ club means that each student is paired with a resident. So one on one help is available to the residents to improve their computer skills.
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Please click on the above image, to view a larger version. |
18.03.2013 - Be a Hero Campaign
On Wednesday 13th March BBC East Midlands Today broadcast a short piece featuring Year 13 student Sarah Howarth, on the issues of transplant surgery and the need for people to carry donor cards. They highlighted Sarah's story and filmed at her home and briefly in school, showing Sarah in a Biology lesson.
Thank you to the BBC for giving us permission to add this video on to the website. |
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14.03.2013 - Year 11 Students - English Literature Revision Materials
For help with your English Literature Revision, go to all users/English/GCSE Literature Revision Materials. This also can be accessed through the VLE at home.
I've uploaded all of the past papers and mark schemes for you to work through when revising for the summer exam. There are also some great resources there for you to use including revision guides and notes on the texts.
Now there's no excuse! Get revising!
Miss Whyatt
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14.03.2013 - Inkjet Cartridge and Mobile Phone Recycling
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13.03.2013 - Open Mic Night
On Friday 19th April, Highfields School is holding an Open Mic Night in the Wheeldon Hall at Lumsdale (Upper Site). The event will be held between 7-9.30pm.
Adults - £4 Children -£2 Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children) - £10
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12.03.2013 - Former British Boxer Checks In
As part of the Sky Living for Sport Project, former British Boxer Dermot Gascoyne paid a visit to the school yesterday (Monday 11th March). Below is a link to a small selection of photographs from the session.
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11.03.2013 - Double Cross Country Success
Congratulations to Emma Erskine in Year 13, who finished 43rd out of 145 competitors in the National Cross Country Championships. Derbyshire finished 6th out of 24 counties, in the event which was broadcast live on satellite television.
Elsewhere, on Saturday 9th March, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School hosted the Partnership Cross Country Championships. Highfields School achieved its best ever results, with the boys finishing as winners, and the girls coming in third. Well done to all our runners, you were a great inspiration.
Teams consisted of the best Year 5 and 6 pupils from Primary Schools in the respective schools cluster. The individual results can be found by following the link below.
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07.03.2013 - Young Ambassadors Celebration Day at Wembley Stadium
Wednesday 6th March saw Emma Erskine, Jay Whitworth, Katie Doull and Nic Rimmer take a trip down to Wembley Stadium for the Youth Sport Trust's Young Ambassadors Celebration Day.
The day was full of networking, listening to inspirational stories from Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and attending work shops and seminars.
The highlight of the day was meeting and having pictures taken with former Triple Jumper Jonathan Edwards. He is a former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World Champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995. |
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15.02.2013 - Rugby at Welford Road
On Saturday 2nd March, 40 Highfields students paid a visit to the home of Leicester Tigers to watch them beat Sale Sharks.
At half time the students were allowed to walk around the pitch and have their picture taken with Steve Mafi, the 6ft 7 Tongan international second rower. The students also met Manu Tuilagi and got his autograph.
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Please click on the above image, to view a larger version. |
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14.02.2013Highflyers win Buxton Dance competition and will progress to Regional Showcase!
After a very successful performance at Buxton Opera House this week our contemporary dance group the 'Highflyers' have been chosen to go forward to represent the Derbyshire Dales SSP at a bigger dance performance event at Derby Theatre in March. Well done to all involved.
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12.02.2013 - Mending Broken Hearts Appeal
Recently Year 9 students Aaron Cordin and George Marriott were presented a trophy by Mr J. Dean of the British Heart Foundation for finishing as runners-up in a sponsored swim.
The pair raised £195 for the appeal, which was held at Matlock's Arc Leisure Centre on Saturday 20th October 2012. |
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11.02.2013 - Cross Country Win for Highfields Student
Emma Erskine, aged 18, was one of a number of Highfields students who qualified to run in the county championships at Catton Park, Walton on Trent, on Saturday 2nd February. Emma, from Matlock, won the senior girls competition by a comfortable margin, in the mud and standing water. The course at the park was a good mix of flat and hills but was made tough by the mud.
Other Highfields students who ran in other age groups of the competition were Ellie Ingram, Imogen Dilks, Saul Greenwood, Marco Kelman, Owen Ash, Jess Amis, Michael Beech and Riley Richardson. |
Please click on the above image, to view a larger version. |
11.02.2013 - Highfields School YouTube Channel
Highfields School has recently launched its own channel on YouTube. Please click on the logo below, to view our page, and our selection of videos.
One of the latest videos follows the Student Parliament on their trip to the Netherlands.
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| 07.02.2013 - English Extra Curricular Activities - (Please click on the image to see a larger version) | ||
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24.01.2013 - Games Legacy Booklet and DVD
The Highfields School 2012 Games Legacy booklet and DVD are now available at a cost of just £8. Copies are available from Mrs Allen.
If paying by cheque, please make payable to 'Highfields School'. |
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23.01.2013 - Year 10 English
The English Department have changed to the Cambridge IGCSE for the current Year 10. It means that the ways in which students are assessed and examined has changed quite dramatically from previous years.
Below you will find a Powerpoint presentation which provides you with a basic overview of the English IGCSE
Please click here to download the Powerpoint viewer, if you are unable to open the above document.
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English IGCSE Overview16.01.2013 - Dance Success
Three talented dancers from Highfields School have successfully auditioned to be part of the newly formed 'Derbyshire Youth Dance Company'. Over fifty young people auditioned with only twenty places available, and we are very pleased that our students have been chosen to represent the county in dance.
Congratulations to Ben Jones and Farrah Hands in Year 7, and Tayla Donnelly in Year 10. |
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15.01.2013 - Consultation Evening Dates
This years consultation evenings have been scheduled to take place between February and April. We are pleased to invite parents and carers to attend these evenings with their youngsters.
Please refer to the list below for details of the dates for each Year Group.
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15.01.2013 - Highfields Abroad
Over the coming months, our students will be visiting a number of exciting places...
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21.12.2012 - Christmas Concert
This years Christmas Concert took place on Wednesday 19th, and Thursday 20th December. It was a fantastic performance, and we would like to congratulate all students and staff involved.
Please follow the link below, to view a collection of images from Wednesday's performance.
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21.12.2012 -Highfields sixth formers bring Christmas spirit to Denefields Court
On Tuesday 11th December, a group of our sixth formers held a Christmas party at Denefields Court residential home in Matlock, and the residents had a fantastic time. The story made it on to page 3 of this weeks Matlock Mercury.
Please follow the link below, to view a small collection of images from the party.
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19.12.2012 - Highfields on the BBC
On Wednesday 12th December, BBC East Midlands Today paid a visit to Highfields School, and recorded a short piece about the Olympic Legacy. They also spoke to our Olympic Torchbearers about their experiences in the summer. To the right hand side, you will find the clip from the show.
Thank you to the BBC for giving us permission to add this video on to the website.
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17.12.2012 - Year 11 Post-16 Options Event
A "Post-16" Options Event was held last Thursday (13th December) for the Year 11 students to help them with their option choices, and career decisions. Local colleges, universities, employers, and training providers attended. The event was a great success. Thank you to all those who gave up their time to contribute to the event.
Two Year 11 students have produced a short account of the day, and how they felt it has helped them.
Angie Steyn - 11DR "I found the opportunity to get information about careers and next steps after Year 11 very helpful. If we hadn't have had the opportunity to get all the information from that day I don't think I would have taken into consideration the amount of different things I could do with my life."
Jaidene Parks - 11DR "I thought that the event was very helpful, as it gaveyou the opportunity to speak with different universities about the courses that they offer, and also speak to people currently working in different lines of work about what their job involves, which is useful if you are unsure on what career you want to follow once you have left school." |
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11.12.2012 - Stepping Back in Time
The year 2012 marks thirty years since Highfields School was founded. The school was the result of a merger of Ernest Bailey's Grammar School and Charles White Secondary Modern School.
The site of Charles White Secondary Modern School in Starkholmes became the 'Lower Site' of Highfields, while Ernest Bailey's was converted to the county council records offices. A new site was built to house the new 'Upper Site' at Lumsdale.
We have put together a group of photographs of the Lumsdale Site taken during its construction, and from its opening days of school life. There is also an article available, on the history of the school, written by Sixth Former Cerys Parkin.
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10.12.2012 - Strictly Highfields School!
Highfields School held its annual evening of dance event on Thursday 6 December. 100 performers from every year group, years 7 to 13, put on an exciting programme of dance pieces including Contemporary, Street and Breakdance styles. Many of the performances were choreographed by Highfields students and show the talent and skills that the students develop through regular dance lessons.
Kerryn Wise, head of dance at Highfields, said, "Our students work very hard to make our annual showcase of dance something special. Dance develops confidence and self discipline in our youngsters and I am very proud of what they have achieved."
Local Matlock theatre and dance school, Essential Energy, also performed some work in the event.
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05.12.2012 - Knitting and Stitching
Highfields School in Matlock took a group of art textiles A level students and some art GCSE students to The Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate International Centre last week.
The multi craft show covers not just knitting and stitching but also felt-making, shibori dyeing, jewellery-making, card-making, mixed media. Students were very inspired by the work on show by a range of artists and practitioners, and could see what is possible beyond the classroom.
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04.12.2012 - Highfields Guard of Honour
On Saturday 1st December, 44 students paid a visit to Welford Road to the game between Leicester Tigers and Bath. Our Year 7 & 8 students walked around the pitch before the game, before forming a tunnel for the players to run out to.
A selection of photographs from the day have been added to the Photo Gallery, and you can click the photograph to the right, to view it at it's original size.
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30.11.2012 - Highfields School Staff Sprout Movember Moustaches
For the whole of November over ten teachers from Highfields School in Matlock grew moustaches, as part of the Movember movement. This promotes awareness and raises funds for men's health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. For the entire month these 'Mo Bros' had to grow and groom a moustache and by doing this, raised a healthy £488.50 for research and programmes aimed at raising awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.
Dave Turner, assistant head of sixth form at Highfields and one of the chief 'Mo Bros', said, "It was harder than it looks. It was worth doing for such a good cause, but I can't wait to shave it off!"
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21.11.2012 - Children in Need
On Thursday 15th and Friday 16th November staff and students participated in activities to raise money for Children in Need. We have raised a total of £2657.30. That is almost £700 more than last years total!
Each house took part in their own activities, and helped raise more money for Children in Need. The breakdown of the totals raised by each house can be seen below. The house with the highest total will be awarded with 100 house points.
A large number of photographs were taken on the day, with a selection available on our new Gallery webpage. We have also added a collection of photos from the Olympic Unveiling which took place in September.
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16.11.2012 - Highfields to Paris
In October half term 39 students in years 10 to 13 from Highfields School in Matlock visited Paris on a cultural and language learning trip. Highlights of the trip included visiting all the sights (some by night), sampling French cuisine, and having a chance to practise their French.
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12.11.2012 - Highfields in Holland
Last week ten members of the Highfields School Parliament paid a visit to Holland. Tim Coates of 12AS has produced an account of his experience. Click the link below to find out more...
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16.10.2012 - Derbyshire Dales Awards
The Derbyshire Dales Award evening took place last night, and proved to be an amazing evening. Our students won the following awards:
Boys Junior Sportsman of the Year - Joshua Haynes Girls Junior Sportswoman of the Year - Emma Erskine Male Sports Volunteer of the Year- Sam Heath (with Ryan Gackowski finishing as runner-up) Female Sports Volunteer of the Year Joint Winners- Debra Greer and Abigail Akehurst
Emily Thoday Watson was there to pick up the trophy for Matlock Cycling Club.
Sarah Needham and Mrs Allen were interviewed on stage as torch bearers. They met GB Olympic Skier Ellie Koyander and Olympic Cyclist Annie Last.
Congratulations on such great achievements!
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16.10.2012 - Show Jumping Success
Our show jumping team competed at the Regional Show Jumping Championships on Sunday 14th October.
They finished second, and will now represent the area in the Nationals in Buckinghamshire next weekend. This is amazing as it is the first year we have entered this competition. The team consists of Zoe Amis, Harry Bloomer, Jess Amis, and Georgia Vickers.
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23.08.2012 - Students Celebrate one of Highfields' Best Years Ever! (updated 25.09.2012)
The publication of today’s GCSE results sees Highfields ‘Class of 2012’ celebrating a big improvement in results. Overall the gold standard 5 A*-C including English and Maths has risen to 70%, a 7% increase on last year. The improved results are a further positive for the school following on from last week’s excellent ‘A’ level results and building on the recent Ofsted visit which concluded that the school is ‘making good progress’.
Headteacher, Eddie Wilkes said ‘These results represent the outcome of a great deal of hard work by staff and students, led by head of year 11 Jill Rickels, who has done a great job of keeping us all going. At the top end it is great to see youngsters achieving as many as 10 A* grades. It is also pleasing to know we are meeting the needs of our students across the ability range as we look to ensure we have given them the best possible start’. |
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The improved results come at the end of an academic year which started with the school being given ‘notice to improve’ by Ofsted, based primarily on the need to improve GCSE achievement. The intervening months have seen the school community pulling together to address the issues raised in September 2012. Chair of governors, Atholl Donaldson reflected ‘This has been a challenging time for our school, and we are pleased that we are clearly able to demonstrate a step change in achievement at the end of year eleven. We recognise that under the leadership of Eddie Wilkes staff and students have worked incredibly hard to take us forward, and we rightly celebrate these results. There will not, however, be any complacency, as we look for even more improvement in the coming years’.
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21.08.2012 - A Level Results 2012 (updated 25.09.2012)
This summer saw the release of the A Level results with many students celebrating successful grades. Highfields School has improved on its overall A2 average points score for the fifth successive year. 60.1% of our A Level Results were Grades A* to B. This figure has risen for the fifth year in a row. It is a key indicator for successful applications to the most competitive university courses.
In a year when A*-A grades fell by 0.4% nationally, Highfields figure rose by 6.7% to 31.8% These represent the best A Level results the school has ever had. A comparison of Highfields A2 results with 2012 national figures (shown in brackets) highlights the strength of our A level results in 2012.
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04.09.2012 - Derbyshire County Council Catering Awards
Highfields School’s catering team have successfully achieved the following awards:
Kitchen 1: Customer Care Secondary Catering Quality Assurance (Silver) Manager’s Award for best promotional event Most improved meal uptake
Kitchen 2: Customer Care Secondary Catering Quality Assurance (Bronze)
Kitchen 3: Customer Care Secondary Catering Quality Assurance (Silver) |
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09.07.2012 - Highfields School hosts the Premier League Trophy
Year 9 student Ben Pearson won a competition which brought the trophy to his school for the day (Friday 7th July).
The trophy spent time at both sites as staff and students were invited to have their photograph taken with the silverware, which was won by Manchester City last season. |
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| 25.06.2012 - Olympic Torch (updated 09.07.2012)
The Olympic Torch webpage has been updated with a selection of photographs from the day. Please follow the link below...
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30.05.12 - Highfields is 'Making Good Progress'
Following a visit from HMI Ofsted inspector, Trevor Riddiough, we are pleased to report that our latest inspection found that we are making good progress. The inspection report comments that:
A letter sent home to parents, and the full report can be found below... |
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17.05.2012 - Derbyshire Literature Challenge (updated 22.05.2012)
Congratulations to our Highfields Bibliophiles team on winning the Derbyshire Literature Challenge on Wednesday 16th May - Tim Hand, Sophie Bailey, Rosalie Barrett-Lawton and Leila Pankhurst.
Please click on the images to the right, to view the larger versions.
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09.05.2012 - Parent View
Parent View is Ofsted’s new on-line questionnaire that allows parents and carers to give their views on their child’s school at anytime of the year. Ofsted will use the information to help make decisions about which schools to inspect and when. The results will also be available to inspectors at the point of inspection.
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02.04.2012 - Amazing Victory for Highfields StudentsOn Tuesday 27 March, four of Highfields brightest mathematicians took part in the Regional Final of the UK Maths Team Challenge, a competition for students in Years 8 and 9. They travelled to Doncaster and took on 30 schools from the region in a "winner takes all" four-round tournament. The four students, Simon Finney, Chris Roland-Shrubb, James Boshier and Michael Crowfoot allowed themselves to be pushed to the limit in their mathematical ability and despite a disappointing third round, came out as winners and now go forward to the London Final in June. |
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