A group of students in Year 8 have really excelled at their mid-point English assessments recently. This group includes: K. Hussain (8T1), L. Cullen (8T1), D. Da Conciecao (8T1), L. Thompson Clarke (8T1), T. Cham (8T1) and A. Williams (8T1).

Boys across Year 8 have been improving the way they use academic writing to explain the meanings of poems and have been learning to use new skills and techniques to help them to write with crystal clarity. Some boys have gone on to show a maturity beyond their years in their writing and have really impressed.

Year 8 have been looking at the theme of ‘Identity’ through poetry. The boys have been looking at poets such as: John Agard, Grace Nichols and Sujata Bhatt who write about their experiences of growing into a new culture and identity, when moving to Britain from other parts of the world.  The poets use imagery and humour to get challenging and complex ideas across, and the boys have really risen to the challenge of both understanding these ideas, and of explaining them through their skillful ability to write in an academic style. 

To encourage further excellence, the boys who have been most successful in their writing have been awarded a book to read and enjoy.

Keep it up boys!

The SEND Department has had a busy half term, offering guidance to our Yr 9 pupils as they choose their options for KS4 and supporting our current pupils with their GCSEs and End of Year Examinations.

We have also had the pleasure of welcoming some of our new pupils who will be joining us in September 2024. We held a Parent/Pupil Transition Evening and two additional SEND Transition Mornings this year. All events were extremely successful and we are eager to welcome our new students into the Turves Green family in the new academic year.

July - September is always a time of transition for schools; for some pupils, change can be exciting, for others it can be a time of worry and anxiety. If anyone has any worries or concerns around transition next term, then please let me know and we will do everything possible to support this.

Changes in routines, such as those brought about by summer holidays can be difficult for some pupils. Please see the details for a SEND Youth Club that is hosted every Friday evening for young people aged 7-16, close to Villa Park.

This is a FREE opportunity for young people to take part in fun sporting activities and games, as well as socialise with other each week.

Recently, our year 9 students had the opportunity to witness a fascinating science demonstration on the Thermite reaction. The demonstration not only showcased the incredible power of this reaction but also highlighted its practical applications in real-world scenarios, specifically in rail-road track welding.

The Thermite reaction is a highly exothermic reaction between iron oxide and aluminum, resulting in the production of molten iron. This reaction generates intense heat, reaching temperatures of over 2500 degrees Celsius, making it an effective method for welding metals together. In the case of rail-road track welding, the Thermite reaction is commonly used to join sections of railroad tracks together, creating a seamless and durable connection.

Furthermore, the demonstration was linked to the HS2 project, a high-speed rail project currently under construction. The HS2 project aims to connect major cities in the UK with a high-speed rail network, improving transportation efficiency and reducing travel times. The use of Thermite welding in rail-road track construction plays a crucial role in the success of this project, ensuring that the tracks are securely joined and able to withstand the high speeds of the trains.Overall, the Thermite reaction demonstration provided our students with a valuable insight into the world of chemistry and its practical applications in engineering and construction. By linking the demonstration to the HS2 project, students were able to see how the science they learn in the classroom can have real-world implications and contribute to important infrastructure projects.