Great Baddow High School is proud to have been recognised with a prestigious award for its commitment to supporting students who are young carers. Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who help care for a family member affected by illness, disability, mental health challenges or addiction. Balancing these responsibilities alongside school life can be particularly challenging without the right support. The award has been presented as part of the Young Carers in Schools programme, delivered by national charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. This initiative provides schools across England with practical guidance and resources to help staff identify and support young carers effectively. GBHS achieved this recognition by demonstrating a strong and proactive approach to supporting this group of students. The school offers dedicated homework clubs and regular drop-in sessions led by a member of staff responsible for young carers, ensuring pupils have access to consistent support and guidance. Research from Carers Trust highlights the importance of this work, showing that 40% of young carers feel they do not receive enough support to balance their education with caring responsibilities. In addition, The Children’s Society reports that young carers typically achieve one grade lower at GCSE than their peers and may experience reduced confidence and wellbeing. National guidance emphasises the importance of schools identifying young carers early and putting support in place. Programmes such as Young Carers in Schools play a key role in helping schools meet this responsibility. Vicky Morgan, Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers at Carers Trust, said: “We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to Great Baddow High School. There are around two young carers in every classroom, and balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without support. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. This award reflects the vital work being done by staff at the school.” Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society, added: “School census data suggests many schools report having no young carers, but we know this group is often hidden. We are thrilled that GBHS has achieved this award, demonstrating its commitment to identifying young carers and ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed both at school and beyond.” The Young Carers in Schools programme is open to all schools in England. For more information, visit: www.youngcarersinschools.com

In April we were very fortunate to have representatives from Jack Petchey in school to facilitate two 'Speak Out Workshops' with some of our Year 10 students. Students spent a day off timetable in the library, practising their public speaking and picking up tips to help them prepare and present a speech on a topic of their choice. This was aptly timed around the English Language spoken language endorsement that students are currently working towards in class. During the course of each day, students chose their topic and developed their speeches. During period 5, a member of the English department and the facilitator watched all of the presentations and chose some winners to go through to the final. There were some very impressive speeches! Certificates were also presented to students who had showed true determination in the process and went out of their comfort zones to be able to present by the end of the day. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow. From the first day, the winners were: Kelsey T, Lacey T, Tom J, Lucy F, Isla E. The second day followed the same format with a different class. The speeches were equally as impressive and we were once again spoilt for choice and it was impossible to decide on just one winner. From the second day the following were chosen: Hannah DZ, Daisy D, Ethan H, Olivia M and Ollie M. There will be an opportunity for students to present their speeches in an assembly, to show younger students what they have achieved and share their inspiring speeches with a wider audience. Between the first and the second in-house workshops there was a digital final online. We selected Tom to submit his speech online via video, with Isla as the reserve. Due to the tight timings, neither had very much time to prepare for this and both delivered wonderfully. We were all absolutely delighted when we discovered this week that Tom had won the digital final. He is now one of 38 selected to compete for the Grand Final.   We have everything crossed for Tom and are very proud of him getting this far in the competition. "I would like to congratulate all of the students for their participation and thank the library for hosting both days. Thank  you to Miss Wallace for managing the digital final process and supporting the students with their speeches." Mrs K Edwards, Head of English    

We were delighted to welcome Michael Goodridge, Director of Clerking & Business Development at Deka Chambers, to speak with our Sixth Form students about careers in Law and Criminology. Deka Chambers is a nationally and internationally recognised set of barristers’ chambers, and Mr Goodridge brought a valuable real‑world perspective that complemented students’ academic studies. Drawing on his extensive experience in the legal sector, Mr Goodridge offered an engaging overview of: Routes into legal careers, including the pathways to becoming a solicitor or barrister, and the key differences between these roles. The work of a modern 21st-century barristers’ chambers, highlighting how legal practice operates today as both a professional service and a business. The range of specialisms within law, including criminal law, family law, civil litigation, and commercial work, and the unique “nuances” that define each area. The importance of transferable skills such as communication, organisation, resilience, and analytical thinking. Students particularly benefited from understanding how the legal profession has evolved, including the business and operational side of legal services—an area not always covered in traditional curricula. Student Interests & Curriculum Links In preparation for the visit, students shared questions aligned with their criminology studies. These demonstrated strong engagement with the justice system and included topics such as: The criminal trial process, including pre-trial procedures, bail, plea bargaining, and appeals. The structure of the UK court system, covering different courts and the roles of professionals working within them. The rules of evidence in criminal cases, including admissibility, relevance, disclosure, and the use of hearsay. External influences on trials, such as media coverage, witnesses, expert evidence, politics, and the role of the judiciary and legal teams. Mr Goodridge acknowledged these thoughtful questions and outlined how they connect directly to real-life legal practice. While some of the more complex procedural topics will be explored further by specialist criminal advocates, his session provided an excellent foundation and context. A Broader Perspective One of the highlights of the session was Mr Goodridge’s discussion of: The day-to-day reality of legal work, beyond what is often portrayed in the media. The collaborative network behind legal cases, including clerks, chambers staff, and legal teams. The balance between legal expertise and business management, particularly relevant in chambers such as Deka. This gave students a holistic understanding of how the legal industry operates and the variety of roles available within it—not just as a lawyer, but in supporting and strategic positions too. A Valuable Experience The visit was an enriching experience for our students, helping them to: Connect their academic studies to real-world applications. Gain first-hand career advice from a senior professional in the field. Develop a clearer understanding of the diverse opportunities within law and criminology. We are extremely grateful to Mr Goodridge for his time, insight, and enthusiasm. Opportunities like this are invaluable in helping students make informed decisions about their futures and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals. If your child is interested in pursuing a career in law or criminology, we encourage continued discussion at home and exploration of further reading, work experience, and enrichment opportunities.

The school’s first inaugural Science Fair marked a vibrant and inspiring milestone, bringing together students from Years 7 to 12 in a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking. Held in the main hall, the event transformed a familiar school space into a bustling hub of innovation, where ideas flourished and learning extended far beyond the classroom. From the moment judges entered, they were greeted by a diverse array of projects spanning an impressive range of topics. Some displays explored the vastness of space, with students presenting models of planetary systems, investigations into black holes, and research on bioastronautics. Others brought attention closer to home, examining chemical reactions, renewable energy solutions, and even the biology of slugs. This wide spectrum of subjects highlighted not only the breadth of the science curriculum but also the individuality of each student’s interests and passions. Each project demonstrated rigorous thinking and commitment. Students carefully designed experiments, gathered and analysed data, and communicated their findings with clarity and confidence. Posters, and hands-on demonstrations added depth and engagement, allowing judges to interact with the science in meaningful ways. Whether explaining chemical reactions, showcasing engineering prototypes, or discussing environmental concerns, students consistently demonstrated a strong grasp of their chosen topics. A particular highlight of the event was the presence of Guest Head Judge Gary Cousins, President of the Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society (CSES). His expertise and enthusiasm added a real sense of importance to the occasion. As he moved from stand to stand, Mr Cousins took time to engage with each participant, asking thoughtful questions and offering encouragement. He expressed how impressed he was by the high standard of work on display, noting the level of detail, originality, and scientific understanding evident across all year groups. Equally commendable, Mr Cousins remarked, were the students’ presentation skills. He praised their ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and confidently, emphasising how effectively many students communicated their research to the audience. For most students, this was their first experience presenting in such a formal setting, and we hope that next year students will continue to develop their presentation skills further. Teachers and judges alike commented on the positive atmosphere throughout the event. There was a genuine sense of pride among students as they shared their work, alongside a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. Older students offered guidance to younger participants, while peers showed interest in one another’s projects, fostering a community built on shared curiosity. "The success of the inaugural Science Fair has undoubtedly set a strong foundation for future events. It not only showcased the talent and dedication of the students but also reinforced the importance of scientific enquiry and communication. As the event drew to a close, it was clear that this was more than just an exhibition—it was a celebration of learning, discovery, and the exciting possibilities that science holds for the future." Mr R Davis, Head of STEM / KS3 Science / Trips & Visits Co-ordinator Winning Projects: Best in Show: Noah H - Why do slugs hate salt? Best Experiment: Amelie T & Bella A  - How often should you wash your hair? Best Scientific method: Sadie R - Do pineapples eat us back? Best Presentation: Aurora F - Why do people see colour differently? List of Projects: Can Diet Coke & Mentos fill a balloon with CO2? Bioastronautics. Issac Newton and Gravity. What is CO2 and how is it produced? Aerodynamics. Aerodynamics in cycling. Can food charge your phone? Skittle diffusion. Can you judge intelligence by face shape? How big a pay load can an aircraft carry relative to its size? Which is the dirtiest space in school. Rot or not? The Milky Way. Geothermal energy in Cornwall.  

Our Year 13 students marked the beginning of their final weeks at GBHS in fantastic style with their annual fancy dress charity day, raising much‑needed funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. As always, the year group fully embraced the occasion, arriving in an impressive range of creative costumes and bringing energy, humour and enthusiasm to the day. Students organised and ran a variety of charity stalls, which were enjoyed by Sixth Form students and staff alike, helping to make the event a real community effort. The celebrations continue on Friday with the Year 13 celebration lunch - a special opportunity to come together and say goodbye to those students who have been completing vocational qualifications and therefore have now finished their time with us, with no exams still to sit. This event perfectly reflects the spirit of this fantastic year group: supportive, generous and determined to make the most of their time together. As exams begin for many in the coming weeks, we are incredibly proud of how our Year 13s have approached their final days at GBHS – celebrating friendships, giving back to charity and creating memories that will last well beyond the exam hall. "We would like to wish all of our Year 13 students the very best of luck as they move into the next stage of their journey." Mrs J Ferguson, Head of Sixth Form VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE DAY IN OUR SCHOOL GALLERY HERE

The Geography trip to Sorrento over the Easter holidays was a great success, with 36 students enjoying the Italian sunshine on an action‑packed tour of the region. The first day included a visit to a small local farm, where students saw olives, lemons and oranges being grown. This was followed by a hands‑on pizza‑making lunch – and, of course, eating the finished products! The evening was spent back at the accommodation and enjoying time on the local beach. An early start the next day saw the students take the ferry to Capri, where they travelled around the entire island by boat, followed by a trip on the funicular up to the town of Capri where they explored the designer shops. An ice cream demonstration and tasting proved both hilarious and informative. The following day they were guided around the incredible ruins of Pompeii before walking up to the crater of Mount Vesuvius in the afternoon – a real highlight of the trip. The final day arrived far too quickly, but they still managed a fascinating tour of Herculaneum before flying home. "Many pizzas and gelatos were eaten throughout the trip, there was lots of fun had by all, and the students were excellent ambassadors for the school throughout." Mrs J Dawson, Geography Teacher