Headmaster's News

Mar 17, 2020

If you are thinking about visiting Highfield Priory School and Nursery, please read the following visitor information. If you are a parent of a pupil at Highfield, please keep checking your Parentmail correspondence for relevant Covid-19 news and updates. Thank you.

Mar 6, 2020

5H Work Assembly
The Apprentice comes to Highfield! As part of Year 5’s HPSED lessons this year they were challenged with researching, creating, advertising and presenting a completely new product to a supermarket. 5H talked about the process of how they prepared themselves for that all important pitch from how they presented themselves, to carrying out market research, to giving their products a USP (unique selling point). The children created new chocolate bars, snacks and breakfast cereals and designed adverts with catchy strap lines to help advertise their product. They had learned so many skills as well as improving their ability to speak to inform and to persuade. Their imaginations had come up with some exciting new products. They would certainly brighten up our supermarket shelves! Thank you to Mrs Duke for organising this assembly.

Feb 14, 2020

Alice in Wonderland

Wow what a night! A huge congratulations to all our dancers and Year 4 actors. 99 children from across the school amazed us with their confidence and talent in their fantastic performance of Alice in Wonderland. Year 4 really commanded the stage, delivering their lines in character and with a real sense of timing and delivery that was way in advance of their years. They took advantage of their moment in the spotlight to contribute to a fantastic performance which will definitely stay in their memory and ours for many years to come. The range of dances was also incredible with dancers from the age of 4 right through to 11 performing complex choreography in fabulous costumes, providing us with a visual feast! Thank you to our two directors, Mrs. Duke and Miss Burns, whose hard work and dedication helped the pupils to achieve such a high standard of performance. Thank you to Mrs Jones for stepping into Mr Drake’s shoes with the sound and lighting and to all the staff who helped to make this opportunity possible for the children. Also a big thank you to Landmark for making us so welcome and the local businesses, especially the Banqueting Suite, for letting us use their car parks.

Jan 31, 2020

Out and About: Interviewing Year 6
I have been interviewing Year 6 pupils over the last couple of weeks in preparation for their interviews with secondary schools. I have been incredibly impressed by their composure and how natural they are when asked a series of questions in a slightly pressurised situation. They have been relaxed and have spoken with confidence about their experiences at Highfield Priory and what they are looking forward to at their new school. It is also interesting to hear what has stood out for them during their time at Highfield. They enjoyed reminiscing about their dramatic performances, Manor Adventure, Art lessons and even activities they took part in in their early years. It is lovely to witness the breadth of their experience at Highfield and how much they have enjoyed it. They were also not fazed when asked more difficult questions about current affairs or how a picture made them feel. I was very proud as their Headteacher, listening to them and helping them to prepare for the next big step in their lives. I know that they will be great ambassadors for Highfield Priory School as they attend their interviews and move on to their secondary schools. Good luck to all our Year 6 who are sitting Entrance Examinations and taking interviews at the moment.

Jan 17, 2020

5M Assembly – Happy New Year!

A big thank you to 5M who delivered an excellent work assembly this morning all about New Year. They told us how New Year is celebrated around the world, starting with London’s fireworks which are set off from the London Eye as Big Ben chimes midnight. In Romania, people dress up as bears to chase away the evil spirts. They do this because bears are special according to old Romanian stories and they can protect and heal people. Also, the children were amazed to discover that four children from 5M celebrated New Year at very different times as they were at different places around the world. 5M concluded their assembly by talking about their New Year’s resolutions and targets for the New Year. Thank you 5M for a fascinating assembly and I wish you all every happiness for the year ahead.

Dec 13, 2019

Nativity
What a wonderful Nativity our Reception and Infant children produced on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening! The quality of the performance for children of such a young age was quite incredible. They sang and spoke with great confidence and poise and, as an audience, we really felt part of the show. Thank you to Mrs Jones, Ms Eccles, Mrs Street and all the Infant and Reception staff for producing a fantastic show. Well done!

Nov 29, 2019

Parent Power!
Congratulations to the whole Highfield Community for achieving our highest ever position *SIXTH* in the country and *FIRST* in the North West in The Sunday Times Parent Power listings. This is our highest ever position, our second year in the Top Ten and our ninth year in the top thirty. This level of consistency has only been achieved by three other schools in the country. The Sunday Times has also given us permission to use their Top Ten logo.

Nov 15, 2019

Musical Assembly

This was our first Musical Assembly of the year. Some of the children were playing for the first time whilst others were experienced performers. It was also the first public performance of the new Junior Choir with 23 new members from Year 3 to Year 6. The Choir has been rehearsing songs dating back 80 years, imagining what it would have been like to be one of the first ever Highfield pupils. The song they performed in the Assembly was ‘We’ll Meet Again,’ which was made famous by Dame Vera Lynn back in 1939 at the start of the Second World War. The children found out that this lady, who was a very popular singer 80 years ago, is still alive today at the grand age of 102!
Our Year 6 pupils will be visiting our local Residential Home, Bethany House, to sing these songs to the residents. It was also lovely to hear Hanna from Y3 choosing to perform a piece on the piano, ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’, by our Composer of the Term – Mozart! Miss Macklam
Congratulations to all our performers! It was amazing to see your progress and the standard was incredible. Keep aiming high! Please have a look at our wonderful musicians on our Facebook page.

Oct 18, 2019

Open Morning
It was a very busy Open Morning last week with prospective parents visiting for a range of different year groups and all keen to find out more about Highfield. Our visitors were very impressed with the school, commenting on the standard of work on display as well as the knowledge and level of discussion they observed in the classrooms. They also spoke very highly of our Year 6 guides who spoke confidently and passionately about their school. They described all the activities, lessons and unique characteristics of Highfield in great detail. It is very important for any prospective parent to visit the school during a normal working day as it really does give you a realistic impression of school life. If you do know anyone who would like to see the school in action, please ask them to ring the office to arrange a tour. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Oct 4, 2019

5M Harvest Assembly
Thank you 5M for your excellent Harvest Assembly this morning and Miss Macklam for arranging it. We learnt about the history of the harvest and the harvest festival and how important it is to the country. You also explained how it is celebrated in other countries. I loved listening to your harvest songs as well as the Infant harvest song. Thank you also to all the families who contributed gifts and donated money to Water Aid.

Sep 20, 2019

4D Assembly
Thank you 4D for delivering an exceptional first Assembly of the academic year today. The focus of this Assembly was the International Day of Peace which takes place tomorrow. 4D explained that the emphasis this year is Climate Change. We all really enjoyed watching your play and song about peace which helped us to reflect and think about the importance of this day around the world. Congratulations to all of 4D and thank you to Mr Drake for organising this Assembly.

Sep 6, 2019

Welcome to the Autumn Term, 2019!
I would like to welcome you all back to the start of an exciting new academic year. This is now my tenth year as Headmaster of Highfield and I am looking forward to the year ahead and building on our successful Inspection report in the summer. An excellent team of staff and an inspirational cohort of pupils will ensure that the year ahead is fruitful, rewarding and a great deal of fun.

Jul 19, 2019

ISI School Inspection Report
The school was inspected in the last few weeks of term and a team of five Inspectors examined every aspect of the school. The feedback was very detailed, showing a full awareness of Highfield and its staff and pupils. I could see each member of the school in the Inspector’s words and I felt very proud of each and every one of you. I look forward to sharing the Inspection Report with you when it is officially published in a few weeks’ time.

Jul 12, 2019

Leavers’ Assembly
This is always the most memorable and emotive assembly of the year as we look back on our Year 6’s journey through the years at Highfield. We share with you many happy memories from your years here, right back to Nursery for some of you and throughout the school; many of you have been with us for nine years! You spoke passionately and fondly of the activities and events that you have enjoyed, the ones that made you laugh and the ones you will always remember. The Assembly finished with your leavers’ video which really captured the big heart and fun side of Year 6 and certainly made us all laugh. Thank you Year 6 for so many happy memories.
Year 6 NCT Results
The Year 6 National Curriculum Tests results were published on Tuesday. The children achieved the following class average scaled scores.
111 in Mathematics (National Average: 105)
111 in Reading (National Average: 104)
115 in Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (National Average 106).
This is an excellent set of results. Congratulations to all the children and staff on all your hard work.

Jul 5, 2019

Super-Hero Reception Assembly
It was Reception’s first Assembly today. Their topic was Super-Heroes and they talked about all the heroes in their life, from comic-based super-heroes through to everyday heroes in the community like policemen, doctors and their parents. The assembly finished with a very catchy tune about super heroes sung by the whole of Reception. Thank you RB and RH for a fantastic assembly! Your confidence and composure were quite incredible for children of such a young age. I can’t wait to see you progress further as you move up through the school. Thank you to Mrs Bennett, Mrs Hewertson and Miss Wright for arranging this assembly.

Jun 28, 2019

Independent Schools Inspection
The school had a focused Compliance and Education Quality Inspection this week. Five Inspectors visited Highfield and looked at every aspect of the school from the children’s welfare and safety right through to their academic and personal development. The Inspectors watched lessons and checked all our policies, procedures and records. They interviewed all the staff individually and in groups and conducted seven group interviews with the children. Although I am not allowed to divulge their conclusions until the report is published, I am allowed to say that I am very pleased with the report and extremely proud of every member of the Highfield Community. I would like to thank parents for the very high response to the parent questionnaire which really helped to support the evidence the Inspectors saw within school. The Inspection Report will be sent home with children when it is published. This may not be until September.

Jun 21, 2019

Infant Sports Day
We had a fine day for our Infant Sports Day yesterday. The children were all very excited and each child represented a different country. The team approach to each activity really encouraged the children to support each other with lots of cheering, pats on the back and advice. The children demonstrated a range of talents in disciplines including throwing, jumping, hurdling, balancing and sprinting. The obstacle races were particularly competitive with the children having to remember a specific routine of skills to complete each lap. I would like to congratulate the children for the amazing level of effort and passion they showed throughout the afternoon.
Thank you Mrs Botton and Mrs Parsons for organising the event. The winners were India with 553 points followed by Australia on 541 points, Germany came third with 538 points.

Jun 14, 2019

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a good half-term break. The children certainly look energised and ready for a busy half term ahead. This week alone saw children from across the school taking part in four major events: ISA Athletics, our fabulous Museum of Creations, Junior Sports Day and our Musical Assembly. The array of talent and personal achievement was quite incredible. Congratulations to all the children and staff for organising, and participating in, these events.

May 24, 2019

Manor Adventure –They’re Off!
Forty two Year 5 and Year 6 pupils have set off for Manor Adventure in Shropshire to enjoy a weekend packed with adventurous activities. We will be updating Facebook over the weekend with pictures of the children completing the activities. Thank you to Mrs Jones, Mrs Botton, Ms Eccles and Mr Sheppeck for taking the children.

May 17, 2019

3M Assembly
Thank you, 3M, for your assembly this morning about World Day for Cultural Diversity which is on 21st May. You talked about what the word ‘culture’ means and how it can be seen in people’s writing, religion, music, clothes and cooking. You explained that World Day for Cultural Diversity is about gaining an understanding of each other’s culture in order to promote peace. It was interesting to hear what products you use at home and their countries of origin. Your assembly even took us back many years in history to talk about how Anglo-Saxons, Scandinavian Vikings and Norman invaders have all contributed words and sayings to the English language. The benefits of having such a diverse culture in a country were evident throughout the assembly and had particular relevance to Highfield. You told us that Highfield alone has 15 languages, other than English, that are spoken. You finished the assembly by singing the song Everyone Belongs. Thank you 3M for delivering this very important assembly and for preparing us for May 21st. Thank you to Mrs Morrice for organising it.