It is hard for all of us now to focus on anything other than the ‘here and now’, so intense is our preoccupation with the daily news and how that affects our working and family lives. Whereas in the spring, the weather was beautiful and there was a real sense that together we could make sacrifices to defeat the virus, we now find ourselves filled with uncertainty over where our world is heading. Therefore, it is important for our young people to know that these troubled times will pass and that we have faith in a brighter future.

At school-level, we want to do our best to ensure the safe operation of our community and the happy progress of students, whilst being sensitive to their current anxieties. We want our students to feel happy and safe. Yet we also continue to plan ahead, with our eyes on the end-goal: to provide the best possible preparation in life for our students. Moreover, because life is ever-changing, a good school will forever be considering how it might do things slightly differently or better – hence the importance of our School Development Plan, Department Developments Plans, Covid Recovery Plans, Catch Up Premium Timetables, and our move to Blended Learning and Remote Learning.

We know, however, that happiness is not guaranteed and that none of us can claim to be happy every day of our lives. Life comes with its vicissitudes, and we do our best as teachers and parents to prepare our children for inevitable challenges, whilst also supporting them when things do not go to plan. Above all, we want them to feel fulfilled: content with their lot in life, believing in themselves and knowing that their contribution is both valuable and valued. True fulfilment runs much deeper than happiness.

I am generally a positive person and I have heard it said that ‘relentless optimism’ has been a much-needed quality for headmasters over the last few months! I think we probably all need a dose of that now as we wonder where our world is heading. So, as we look to our children and to the rays of sunshine they bring us even on colder and wetter days, we continue positively and resolutely on, in the hope and confidence that better days lie ahead.

As an English Team, we often come across pieces of work which are carefully crafted and written with flair. We would like to showcase the creative brilliance of one of our year 8 students, Ehan Taseen, who has written an excellent letter in which he responds to the statements made by the former Prime Minister, John Major, about the homeless.

Although we have many pieces of work we would like to share, we think that this particular example demonstrates empathy, sensitivity and the originality required for the very best pieces of work.

We hope you enjoy viewing Ehan’s work. Please follow this link to read Ehan’s writing. We’re very proud of his talents!

Mr Dubay (Head of English)

This year we are fundraising for local NHS charities. Woodland House is part of the Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity as well as the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. Please see the BWH Presentation below for more details and information. As a Birmingham school it is important and right that we raise awareness and funds for such vitally important local projects associated with our local Hospitals and NHS Trust. Please do all you can to support Woodland House through events such as the Annual Year 7 Sponsored Walk and our various forthcoming non-uniform days.

Be a force for good and positive action.

Thank you for your support.

Click here to click here to view the BWH Presentation

Please click here to view the AQA Q&A on Autumn Examinations.