Having won the Team of the Year Award at the National Awards for School Support Staff (NASBM) two of our team were invited by David Cameron to visit Number 10 Downing Street. Colette Law and Pauline Hodge duly obliged and amid tight security enjoyed a fantastic day in London.

They were given a tour of the whole building which included visiting special rooms such as the Cabinet meeting room as well as rooms which were specifically used by certain Prime Ministers. They were given an overview of the history of Number 10 and all the changes that have taken place over the years as well as a tour of the gardens where David Cameron and President Obama famously enjoyed a BBQ together.

There was also time for photo opportunities which attracted a significant crowd at the gates to Downing Street.

A good time was had by all – even though the Prime Minister himself was not in attendance!

In June, Year 7 Opening Minds classes visited Coventry to find out more about the development of cars which they have been studying in lessons. On their guided tour they got to see the first type of bicycles produced in Coventry and learnt how these were combined with a carriage to make the very first car, a Daimler, manufactured in Coventry.

They saw how cars developed over the early 20th century, experienced the Blitz of Coventry and found out how the car industry was transformed into the aeroplane and war machine industries during World War II. The heyday of Coventry was the 1950’s and 1960’s and students really enjoyed seeing some of the classic cars from that era. The 1970’s saw the decline of the industry as it faced competition from abroad but the area is still a focus for car development and parts manufacturing.

The final part of the tour was the chance to admire the design of the two most recent land speed record cars and experience in the simulator the most recent land speed record run.

No trip to Coventry would be complete without a visit to its ruined cathedral and the chance to learn more about the loss and reconciliation associated with Coventry and, of course, the chance to climb the 180 steps up the cathedral tower to see exactly how Coventry has been rebuilt since it was destroyed in 1941. There were a few gasps climbing up the steps but the view was worth it! In the ruins, it was clear to see how much had been destroyed by the incendiary bombs in 1941 and the statues commemorating Hiroshima and Dresden gave students an understanding of the wider war and the common suffering of all of the countries involved. The Coventry Mystery players even entertained us one day so that was an unexpected but enjoyable part of Coventry’s history too.

Mrs N. Hartt

Handsworth Grammar School has been made a valued partner with the University of Birmingham.  This award recognises the valued contribution we make to the Access to Birmingham Scheme.

As part of the School’s University application process, all of our Year 12 students recently visited the University of Birmingham.

The students enjoyed a bespoke programme which included a talk on entry to University and the whole application process, and then met a number of current students from the University for an excellent question and answer session. Our visit also coincided with the University’s Graduation day, so there was the chance for our students to see proud young graduates and their families as they received their degrees.