HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 19th SEPTEMBER 2025

College & Extra-curr Highlights

From Mr Insley, Assistant Principal

🌟Colts Shine in Lexia and Reading Support 📚✨ 

At Lordswood, we are always proud to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our pupils, and this week, our Colts have truly shone.

Every morning, the Colts have been giving their very best during Lexia sessions, approaching each challenge with energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. Lexia is such a powerful tool for building literacy skills, and it has been inspiring to see our pupils engaging so positively and making real progress day by day.

We were also delighted to welcome Pam back this academic year, who spends time  weekly offering 1:1 reading support. Watching the joy, pride, and confidence that came from these moments was a wonderful reminder of just how transformative personalised support can be for our pupils.

We’ve included some photos below to showcase their amazing effort in action, proof of what can be achieved when hard work meets encouragement.

As always, the Academic Support Team is committed to ensuring every pupil has the guidance they need to thrive. We are so proud of the Colts for their dedication and so grateful to all staff who make these opportunities possible.

Together, we are not just building literacy skills, we are nurturing confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

If you would like to support our reading programme please get in touch with Ms Russell, e.russell@lordswoodboys.co.uk.

Teaching & Learning and Homework updates

From Ms Bunger, Assistant Principal

KRAFT in Action!

We’re excited to share KRAFT in Action, a programme giving our students the chance to experience high-quality teaching and innovative lessons across a range of subjects.

For parents, KRAFT means your child is benefiting from:

• Expert teaching: Learning from teachers with specialist subject knowledge and innovative approaches.

• Engaging lessons: Classrooms where curiosity, challenge, and creativity are encouraged.

• Practical skills: Opportunities for students to see ideas applied, enhancing understanding and long-term memory.

• Collaborative learning: Building confidence, teamwork, and independent thinking.

Stay tuned for updates and highlights from KRAFT sessions throughout the year!

The Power of Independent Learning at Home 

At Lordswood Boys' School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Independent learning at home helps students develop valuable life skills like resilience, time management, and responsibility.

A key part of this is daily reading — just 15–20 minutes a day boosts vocabulary, imagination, and confidence. Reading aloud, listening to audiobooks, or enjoying a quiet book fosters comprehension and a lifelong love of learning.

Supporting your child with homework and daily reading helps them grow as curious, confident, and independent learners.

Please see the homework timetable below:

Behaviour & Attitudes updates

From Ms Davis-Musabayana, Assistant Principal

🌟 An Incredible Beginning to the Term: 20,316 Positive Points! 🌟  🌟 

We are delighted to share some wonderful news, our students have made a truly inspiring start to the new term, living out our school values of Ready, Respectful, Safe every single day.

Already this term, our school community has achieved an outstanding 20,316 positive ClassCharts points! This is a powerful reflection of the hard work, positive behaviour, and commitment to learning shown by our students.

✨ Together, our students have achieved 20,316 positive points! ✨

Here’s a closer look at the fantastic achievements across year groups:

• Year 7 – 3,319 points

• Year 8 – 5,180 points

• Year 9 – 4,231 points

• Year 10 – 3,963 points

• Year 11 – 3,623 points

We are incredibly proud of our boys for the enthusiasm, positivity, and dedication they have shown so far. Their combined efforts have created a vibrant and supportive school community where everyone feels encouraged to succeed.

Let’s keep this momentum going — we are excited to see just how much more our students will achieve as the term continues!

👉 Parents and carers: Please remember to log onto Class Charts regularly to stay updated with your son’s achievements and celebrate his successes.

Safeguarding Updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

A Reminder About Parking and Road Safety Around School

We would like to remind everyone of the importance of driving and parking considerately in the streets around school. The start and end of the day are particularly busy times, and the safety of our students depends on all of us being mindful.

Please help us by:

• Driving slowly and carefully in the vicinity of school.

• Avoiding parking on double yellow lines, zig-zag markings, or across driveways.

• Encouraging older students to walk, cycle, or use public transport if appropriate.

Your cooperation ensures that the area around our school remains safe for all children, families, and local residents. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Weekly Sports Round-Up

From Mr Janes, Director of Sport

Sport fixtures and training schedules 

⚽ Year 7 Football Debut Victory!

Our Year 7s made a brilliant start to their school football journey on Monday, defeating Bishop Challoner 2–0 in their very first league fixture.

Goals:

• Jonathan: Followed up a driven clearance to score the opener.

• Selorm: Calm, precise finish from the left edge of the box for the second.

Standout Players:

• Max (CB): Strong defensive leader with key tackles.

• Selorm (Midfield): Scored and created chances with flair.

• Luka (CM/CB): Controlled the game with composure and leadership.

• Aryan (GK): Crucial saves and organised the defence to keep a clean sheet.

Coaches’ Comments: Head Coach Alfie Cutler and the coaching team praised the squad for their organisation, resilience, and character.

Shout-Out: Thanks to Joe, Will, Sanad, Noel, and Abdoulie for supporting as linesmen and leading warm-ups.

Well done to everyone involved — an excellent start to the season!

⚽ Year 8 & 9 Football – Strong Start to the Season!

Year 9 kicked off their first training session of the year with over 30 students showing up, showcasing some high-quality play as they prepared for the upcoming season.

Year 8 were equally impressive, with over 40 students attending their first session under Mr Badu — a fantastic display of engagement and enthusiasm!

It’s great to see such strong participation across both year groups as the football season gets underway.

Weekly Music News & Schedules

From Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music

🎶 Exciting Musical Highlights at Lordswood!  🎶  

This week, our Music Department welcomed Paul Clark, co-founder of the acclaimed Clod Ensemble, to meet Year 10 GCSE students and music staff. Paul’s visit offered students a unique insight into professional composing, inspiring them with his bold and innovative approach to music, theatre, and visual art.

We’re also thrilled with the start of our instrumental lessons, including first-time cello and double bass players! A reminder to check the Music Noticeboard for next week’s timetable.

Thank you to all students and parents for supporting our young musicians — we can’t wait to see their progress!

🎻🎶 Year 11 Solo Performances in Action! 🎶

This week, our Year 11 Music students have been hard at work preparing for their solo performances. It’s been fantastic to see them practising with focus and confidence, even performing in front of each other in class.

These sessions are helping students refine their skills and build confidence ahead of their GCSE assessments.

A huge well done to all our Year 11 musicians for their dedication and commitment! 👏

🎶 Exciting Music News & Opportunities at Lordswood! ✨

Big things are happening in our Music Department! Here’s a sneak peek:

• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire: Two collaborative projects coming soon!

• Ex Cathedra partnership: An exciting event is in the works.

• National Youth Orchestra: Big news to be revealed shortly.

• DJ Workshop: Friday 9th October, welcoming a Birmingham-based DJ for Year 7 & Year 10 students.

Join Our Music Clubs & Instrument Lessons! 🎵

All clubs are free and open to everyone — beginners welcome! Highlights include:

• Pop Symphony Orchestra – Tuesdays

• Jazz Band – Wednesdays

• Drumming Club – Thursdays

• Vocal Group – Thursdays (rappers & singers welcome!)

• Computer Creation Club – Fridays

Check the Music Timetable on the noticeboard or speak to our Music staff for more details. Get involved and make some music!

🎶 Instrumental Lessons – Sign Up from 22nd September! ✨

Mrs Lowndes-Ford will have new application forms available from Monday 22nd September for any students who want to start learning an instrument.

This is a fantastic chance to make music, meet new friends, and join our growing musical community. Don’t miss out – get involved!