Category: Key Stage 3

Gothic Party 2025

Just before half term, the English department hosted their annual ‘Gothic Party’, sharing spooky stories!

Year 8 have been studying Gothic literature in their lessons, using the topic to expand their writing skills, with a particular focus on despcriptive text. Each year, English staff select learners who have impressed them with their effort, progress, and skills to share their creepy tales.

There were some particularly scarey stories on display, read by staff and learners, while enjoying the spooky atmosphere.

Learner reads their Gothic story.
Learners get ready to share their Gothic stories.
Lights are dimmed for learners to read their spooky stories!
Learners smile, enjoying the annual Gothic Party!
Headteacher Mr Jones gives a dramatic reading of one elarners story.
Mr Jones reads through learners stories.
Female learner takes to the stage to read her story.
Learners enjoying snacks and treats, while listening to spooky stories.
Surrounded by spider webs and spooky props, a learner reads their story.

You can read a selection of learners’ work below…that is…if you dare…

Gothic Stories 2025Download

European Day of Languages 2025

We’ve had a fabulous time celebrating European Day of Languages! As always, our International Languages department got the whole school involved, for two days of celebration!

Last week, learners worked hard creating beautiful artwork, decorating the covers of thier workbooks with all things Spanish! Congratulations to Lillie, Emily, Amelia, and Lilli for taking first to fourth place!

Learner's book, decorated with 'day of the dead' skeleton, chillis and tacos.
Learners' book, with covers decorated with Spanish flags.
Learner's book cover, decorated with palm trees, and sugar skulls.

Festivities continued on Friday, with staff across the school dressing up to represent different countries within Europe.

Mr Avaient in his lederhosen!
Staff dress up as different countries; striped t-shirts and berets for France, flamenco dresses for Spain.
Mr Bolton and Mr Pownall share their love of languages in French and German outfits.

At lunch time, learners got in on the act. The photobooth, complete with European langauge themed props was a hit with all year groups!

Three learners pose inside a photo frame, holding cardboard cut-out fan, castanets, bowler hat and moustache.
Two learners pose inside a photo frame, holding a cardboard cut-out fan, and speech bubble saying 'Oh la la!'.
Three learners pose, holding cardboard cut-out bulls nose, bowler hat, croissant and moustache.
Two learners pose, holding cardboard cut-out glasses, bowler hat and Cordobés hat.
Three learners pose inside a photo frame, holding cardboard cut-out fan and moustaches.

Finally, Monday saw the annual ‘European Bake-Off’ take place, in what is fast becoming one of the most hotly contested competitions of the year! Year 7 learners baked an array of treats, from biscuits to cakes, suitably decorated to celebrate different languages and cultures. Entries were incredibly impressive; from Italian volcanos, to sushi made from cake! Thankfully, we had an independent adjudicator to judge: Ozzy from Sandwich Co.!

A cake decorated to look like a map of the world, with mini flags sticking up, representing different countries in Europe.
Cupcakes, decorated with different flags from Europe.
Cake, decorated with food and drink from European countries, made outof fondant; including cheese, pizza, and baguettes.
Learner collects money at cake sale for European Day of Languages. On the tables there are cupcakes decorated with French flags, and Welsh cakes.
Learners fill a classroom to buy cakes. There are lot of cakes, baked and decorated in the theme of different European countries.

Appearances weren’t everything though, as Mrs Davies’s packed classroom shows! The cakes went on sale during break time, and there was so much demand, Mrs Davies had to open shop again at lunch! Da iawn to Lucy, Anayah, Chloe, Meredith and Sophie, who won Ozzy’s vote for first to fifth place, and Evelyn for being the crowd’s favourite with her Encanto cake, and Zane for the ‘most delicious’!