The Birkenhead Park School Newsletter February 2026
As we head into the February Half Term, we’re reflecting on another exciting and action-packed term at BPS. Here’s a look at what our amazing students have been up to!
The Big Read
The Big Read is our daily reading programme designed to inspire a love of reading in all students, no matter their starting point.
All students in Year 7-10 take part in The Big Read every morning, reading for 30 minutes in a timetabled session with their form tutor. The impact of the initiative is clear: year on year, reading levels at The Birkenhead Park School have improved and are now above the national average.
Throughout the year, each year group reads a range of books spanning genres such as fantasy, dystopian and historical fiction, contemporary realism and classic literature, enabling students to engage with diverse themes and experiences.
Currently students are reading:
BPS University
Our BPS University Challenge students have been continuing their hard work, producing more fantastic pieces of work across a range of topics!
They have completed lots of research at home and presented their findings in creative and colourful ways.
Well done, everyone. Keep it up!
Year 10 Careers Day
Freddo Friday
Freddo Friday has been a huge success this term, with students across all year groups earning an impressive number of positive points each week. It has been fantastic to see so many students recognised for their hard work and commitment to learning.
Students earn points for achievements like excellent classwork, homework completion, and great effort, with the top point-earners receiving a delicious Freddo each Friday. Staff can also award ‘golden tickets’ for truly outstanding effort, giving students an extra boost and chance to shine.
An exciting Careers Day was held for our Year 10 students, where they engaged in activities and interactive sessions designed to help them plan their next steps beyond secondary school, including CV writing, using Unifrog, and much more.
Our external partners shared their expertise and inspired students to think about the educational, training, and career opportunities ahead. The day left our young people feeling more confident and informed as they consider their future.
LIPA Dance Trip
A group of our students spent six weeks working with the LIPA Outreach Programme to create a fantastic murder mystery drama piece and a SIX the Musical-inspired dance.
They took to the stage in front of a live audience and absolutely amazed everyone! We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.
Students also took part in a workshop exploring future career opportunities and institutions they could study at, gaining valuable insight and further developing their skills as part of the project.
STEM Day at University of Liverpool
A group of our students took part in a fantastic STEM Day at the University of Liverpool.
During the visit, students explored the high-spec central teaching laboratories and worked hands-on with a range of scientific equipment. Experiments included creating their own sensor beads to detect changes in pH, nickel and gold, and testing residue on ancient pots using chromatography to identify the types of fat they contained.
They had a great time and also gained valuable insight into university life and future STEM careers.
Year 7 Hive Trip
Our Year 7 students recently spent time at The Hive - a local Youth Zone offering Wirral’s young people opportunities to learn, grow and connect.
During their visit, students explored the stateof-the-art facilities and took part in a wide range of activities designed to build confidence and teamwork. These included team sports, playing instruments together, and getting creative with arts and crafts.
It was a fantastic experience outside the classroom that allowed our Year 7 students to develop new skills and work together to succeed.
Joseph Roberts Assembly
We were delighted to welcome local poet and entrepreneur Joseph Roberts to The Birkenhead Park School for a special assembly with our Year 8 students.
Joseph shared his personal journey and experiences, including working with major brands such as Liverpool FC, Nike, and more. He spoke passionately about the importance of persistence, self-belief, chasing your dreams, and surrounding yourself with positive influences.
Students also had the opportunity to watch ‘Dear Merseyside’, a moving poem and video Joseph created with Merseyside Police, which addresses gang issues and knife crime in our local community.
It was a fantastic morning, and our students left feeling uplifted and motivated.
Meet Elvis!
Elvis, our wonderful Pastoral Support Dog, has been spending lots of time with students across the school.
Elvis is gentle, friendly, and always ready to offer comfort, support, and a wagging tail, especially when students need a little extra help or even a reading buddy.
Karate Trip
Some of our students recently spent a morning at Birkenhead Karate Club, where they learned the fundamentals of karate, including discipline, balance and basic techniques.
The session was truly inspirational and gave our young people the chance to challenge themselves, build confidence, and try something new.
Mock Court Trial Competition
A group of our students have begun rehearsals for the Young Citizens Magistrates Mock Trial Competition, taking place in March.
In their first rehearsal, students explored a theft case and took on key courtroom roles with support from Paula Blakemore, former solicitor and Law teacher at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.
They showed great confidence and teamwork as they learned the formality of a Magistrates’ Court, and we wish them every success as they prepare for the competition.
A huge well done to all our incredible students for their amazing achievements this term! Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm continue to impress us all.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back after February Half Term.
The Birkenhead Park School Park Road South, Birkenhead Wirral, CH43 4UY
