State-of-the-art 3G pitch at Birches Head Academy officially opened by football legend Lou Macari

 State-of-the-art 3G pitch at Birches Head Academy officially opened by football legend Lou Macari

A new flood-lit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch was officially opened at Birches Head Academy on Thursday 28 September 2023 and is set to support pupils, the local and wider community.

The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the new 3G pitch, where special guests and VIPs were invited to celebrate to mark the event.

The grand opening commenced with a football tournament between pupils on the new pitch. Guests were greeted with a ‘hand-pan’ musical performance as they arrived to mark the start of the ceremony. The ceremony opened with a welcome from Principal, Ms Katie Dixon who was joined by pupils from the Leadership Team.

EPC Pupils were in high spirits this year as they collected their GCSE results

EPC Pupils were in high spirits this year as they collected their GCSE results

Most pupils will continue their studies at EPC’s Sixth Form where they will embark on a range of A-level qualifications. Our Trust motto of ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ has truly been exemplified by our pupils. 

Mrs Green, Principal at EPC said: “Following our wonderful Ofsted and SIAMS reports, I am delighted that our pupils continue to flourish and, as stated by our SIAMS Inspector, ‘pupils continue to be ignited by our powerful sense of ambition for all. 

I wish each and every student the best and it was wonderful to celebrate the success of our outstanding pupils, many of whom are coming back to continue their journey with us at Sixth Form.

BHA pupils share GCSE success

BHA pupils share GCSE success

BHA pupils were in high spirits this year as they collected their GCSE results. The staff and governors of Birches Head Academy are pleased and proud to report some outstanding achievements by its pupils in their GCSE and Vocational qualifications this summer. We are delighted that the majority of pupils have gained the qualifications they need to follow in their first-choice pathway.

Ms K. Dixon, Principal at BHA said: “This has been an incredibly tough two years. We all know how hard it’s been at times, but also how hard students, the school community and parents have worked together to achieve these results. We are very proud of them all and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

Chair of Governors at The Ellesmere Port C of E College Awarded Chair of the Year 2022-23

Chair of Governors at The Ellesmere Port C of E College Awarded Chair of the Year 2022-23

The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) are delighted to announce that judges from the Cheshire West Governance Association have recently awarded the Chair of Governing Body at EPC, Rev. Gordon McGuinness for the winner in the category 'Chair of the Year 2022-23'.

The judges wished to recognise Gordon’s sustained contribution to the school through a very difficult period, in which the school has been transformed.  The positive impact of this change on the pupils of the school is significant. 

£360 donated to EPC for Duke of Edinburgh course

£360 donated to EPC for Duke of Edinburgh course

The Ellesmere Port C of E College would like to thank Friends of Hadlow Road Station for their kind donation of £360 towards our Duke of Edinburgh programme. This money will be used to buy the necessary equipment for the pupils to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh course.

Following the special Coronation Pop-Up Café at Hadlow Road Station, The Friends of Hadlow Road Station donated £360 to Ellesmere Port Church of England College’s Duke of Edinburgh fund.

Ofsted GOOD rating in all areas – The Ellesmere Port C of E College

Ofsted GOOD rating in all areas – The Ellesmere Port C of E College

I have the greatest pleasure in attaching a copy of our most recent OFSTED inspection report.  Never before in the history of this school, or its predecessors, has it received such a glowing report or outcome and I am extremely proud.

I would like to extend a big thank you to staff, pupils, students, families, governors, trustees and the local community who have been very supportive over the years. Together, with the Frank Field Education Trust, I look forward to continuing the College’s strong upward trajectory. Our pupils and students deserve the best quality of education and there are no limits to what they can achieve here. 

Forty lucky students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) have been immersed into Spanish culture and language on a recent exchange visit to Granada, Spain

Forty lucky students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) have been immersed into Spanish culture and language on a recent exchange visit to Granada, Spain

Forty students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) recently travelled to Granada to work with partner school, Escolapios Genil Granada – a project funded by the Turing Scheme. From the 40 successful applicants, 20 students were then partnered up with 20 students from our partner school in Spain, with the aim of initiating a traditional exchange.

Industrial Action - Updated Information

Industrial Action - Updated Information

As you are aware the National Education Union (NEU) has announced both National and Regional dates for industrial action. The remaining Strike dates are scheduled below.

  • Tuesday 28th February 2023 – Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School

  • 1st March 2023– Birches Head Academy

  • Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 – Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School

Industrial Action

Industrial Action

As you are aware the National Education Union (NEU) has announced both National and Regional dates for industrial action, of which five encompass the locations of our Schools. These are detailed below.

  • Wednesday 1st February 23, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 23 – Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School

  • Tuesday 28th February 23 – Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School

  • Wednesday 1st March – Birches Head Academy

Four elves from Ellesmere Port Church of England College support the Santa's Grotto event by Friends of Hadlow Road Station

Four elves from Ellesmere Port Church of England College support the Santa's Grotto event by Friends of Hadlow Road Station

Thank you to everyone who came and visited Santa at Hadlow Road Station in his signal box Grotto which was held at Hadlow Road Station on 11th December 2022 with the signal box grotto looking really fantastic for Santa to welcome all the children. It was a very cold day, but the sun was shining and it was dry, so we can't complain.

Exciting new partnership with Hupan Road Middle School, Tianfu New District, China

Exciting new partnership with Hupan Road Middle School, Tianfu New District, China

We are excited to announce the new partnership between Birches Head Academy and Hupan Road Middle School, Tianfu New District, China. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday 24th November between Principal Ms K. Dixon and Principal of Hupan Road Middle School, Tianfu New District.

The partnership, organised through the Global School Alliance, supports our plans for regular exchange trips between our students , teachers and Principals

Birches Head Academy school science technician wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Education Prize

Birches Head Academy school science technician wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Education Prize

Ms Lynn Kidwell of Stoke-on-Trent has been named the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Excellence in Secondary and Further Education Prize. Nominated by her peers, Ms Kidwell was chosen by the RSC’s prestigious panel of judges as one of the most inspirational, innovative and dedicated people in education.

Based at Birches Head Academy, Ms Kidwell has now become a winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Excellence in Secondary and Further Education Prize, For significant and sustained contributions to safe chemistry practical education..

Twelve lucky Year 11 students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) have been immersed into Spanish culture and language on a recent exchange visit to Granada, Spain

Twelve lucky Year 11 students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) have been immersed into Spanish culture and language on a recent exchange visit to Granada, Spain

Students studying Spanish at BHA had the opportunity to put their language skills to the test during an October exchange visit with our partner school, Escolapios Granada Genil, in the beautiful city of Granada.

Students experienced first-hand what it's like to be a student living in Spain. This trip was the first exchange with the school in Granada, and was a great opportunity to learn language outside of lessons and truly experience a whole new lifestyle and culture.

Exciting new partnership with Tianfu No.3 Middle School

Exciting new partnership with Tianfu No.3 Middle School

We are excited to announce the new partnership between the Handforth Grange Primary School and The Primary School Affiliated to Tianfu No.3 Middle School today.

This morning our signing ceremony took place between Head Teacher, Andrea Booth and Principal of The Primary School Affiliated to Tianfu No.3 Middle School. We are delighted to begin our plans for regular exchange trips between our pupils, teachers and Principals.

Exciting new partnership between EPC and Zhengxing Middle School Of Sichuan Tianfu New Area

Exciting new partnership between EPC and Zhengxing Middle School Of Sichuan Tianfu New Area

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Zhengxing Middle School Of Sichuan Tianfu New Area today. This morning our signing ceremony took place between Principal Cath Green and Principal Fang and we are delighted to begin our plans for regular exchange trips between our students , teachers and Principals. This momentous occasion will provide opportunities for our students to work collaboratively on a whole range of curricular activities and to develop life long partnerships. We are excited to trial blaze this collaborative partnership with China in our town.