Principal’s Newsletter Autumn 2025
Your Library - The beating heart of the school! There have been many exciting opportunities and developments in the EBP Library, making it a true hub for learning, creativity, and community! At the beginning of the year, our students took part in the ESU MACE Debates Club, a fantastic opportunity for those involved to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. It was inspiring to see students confidently express their ideas and engage in deeply meaningful discussions. Our students proudly participated in the Lancashire Book of the Year initiative, exploring some of the best contemporary young adult literature. They shared thoughtful reviews and engaged in lively discussions, celebrating the joy of reading! New Library Leaders were appointed after a gruelling application and interview process. Our library leaders play an integral role in developing ideas and initiatives to enhance our reading culture, and ensure the library remains a welcoming, inclusive and calm haven for everyone. One of our new Library Leaders shared, “I am truly excited to help make our wonderful library a place where everyone feels welcome, whether that is to embrace a new world of adventure through the wonders of a book or to enjoy some quiet study time. Daily activities in the library include: • • • •
Reading Wise Sessions – Building literacy and confidence. Spirituality Circle – A calm and reflective space for spiritual learning. Study Time – Dedicated quiet time for focused revision and homework. Debate Club – Encouraging critical thinking and public speaking skills.
We are proud that the EBP Library is an inclusive environment, welcoming students of all backgrounds and interests to learn, grow, and thrive together. It is heartwarming to see pupils support one another in so many different ways!
Principal’s Introduction Assalamu ‘Alaikum and Peace be Upon You I pray that you and your family are well. It is heartwarming to celebrate the end of a very successful term. I look back on the term with immense gratitude to our wonderful pupils, parents and staff for their dedication, support and positivity. It has been lovely to welcome many parents, staff from Star academies and external visitors to school this term who have feedback on the special, spiritual, calm and uplifting feel of the school. We are so truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful EBP family! I am delighted by how well our year 7 have settled into life at secondary school. They have very quickly become a very special part of our EBP family. All parents can be assured that our number one priority is to keep pupils safe, happy and well and ensure they make outstanding progress in their learning, social and spiritual journey with us at Eden Boys’ School, Preston. We were delighted to welcome hundreds of visitors to our school for our annual Open Evening. Our visitors provided some incredible feedback. They were particularly impressed by our pupil leaders who spoke with such enthusiasm about their positive school experiences, led tours and various classroom activities. Well done gents! It has been a pleasure to meet so many of our wonderful parents, be it at the gates, at our parent drop-in sessions and at our various events this term; from our year 7 settling in evening, to the review meetings and the GCSE information meeting. Your commitment to the home school partnership is second to none and I truly appreciate your support and feedback. In our autumn term edition of our newsletter, you will read about the wide range of enrichment activities and trips pupils have participated in to enhance their experiences and cultural capital. Pupils have been to see various live football matches, to our very own Preston North End, to Anfield to Manchester United and Manchester City- pupils particularly enjoyed the Manchester City versus Napoli match at the Etihad stadium. Year 7 and 8 pupils developed teamwork, resilience and confidence during the residential to PGL Winmarleigh Hall, where they enjoyed the giant swing, orienteering, rope net and wall climbing, the zip wire and the toasting marshmallows around the campfire! Clubs have included, Debate, Draughts, STEM, Film, Drama, Nasheed, Art, Islamic History, Arabic poetry and Charity. Our Star performers have delighted in participation in drama performances of their GCSE texts to bring their GCSE studies to life. It has been lovely to have various alumni speak to our boys about their experiences of college, university and the world of work and learning to stand up on their own two feet! It is always a pleasure to welcome past pupils and hear about what wonderful, kind and mature young gentleman they have become. May the Almighty always bless them and protect them. Aameen.
As always, it is heartening to see how these experiences have supported pupils to forge strong friendships, reinforce the strong sense of belonging, support character development, continue to build positive relationships with their teachers and strengthen our ties as an Eden Boys’ Preston family!
GCSE Results 2025 We celebrated another set of excellent GCSE results in August. It was lovely to see our former year 11s achieve such fantastic results. They achieved 69% grades 9-5 in English and maths, making us the second highest performing school in Preston, hot on the heels of Broughton High School! We are exceptionally proud of their achievements and pray for their success in their future endeavours. Make the most of your break! Whilst I know pupils will be busy over the winter break, it is important that they rest and recharge. For pupils in years 11 and 10, it is important they use the holiday to revise and review their learning in preparation for the forthcoming GCSE examinations. As former pupil, Abubakr Patel, advised our year 11 pupils during the GCSE information event, “Work hard; it always pays off in ways even you would not have believed yourself, be kind to yourself and others and remember the Almighty is always with you.” For our pupils in Years 7-9, it is important pupils review their learning over the term and unwind with a good book! Thank you for your continued support of all that we do. Best wishes for the new year ahead. We look forward to welcoming our children back to school on Monday 5th January 2026, to be in line up, no later than 7.57am. Please do remember us all in your humble duas and prayers.
English Year 10 enjoy a captivating performance of A Christmas Carol This half term, Year 10 students were treated to an outstanding performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Our school hall was completely transformed by the Manchester Actors Company (manACTco), who brought the classic novella to life with a small but versatile cast. The actors moved seamlessly between roles, turning the familiar tale into an engaging and atmospheric experience.
The production transported the audience from the bleak streets of Victorian London to the warm and lively Cratchit household, capturing both the gothic tone and the festive spirit that makes the story so remarkable. One of the highlights of the performance was the portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge. The actor brilliantly depicted his dramatic transformation — from a cold, miserly figure to a joyful man determined to “keep Christmas in his heart.” This was the first introduction to the novella for our year 10s and the performance proved to be both entertaining and thoughtprovoking. Students commented that seeing the story performed increased their understanding, and many are now excited to begin studying the text in their English lessons. Overall, the performance was a highlight of the term and an unforgettable experience for all who attended. We hope manACTco will return soon to enrich our English studies once again — perhaps next time with a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Bringing Shakespeare to Life: How Year 7 Students Are Exploring Romeo and Juliet Through Creative Writing This term, Year 7 students have been diving into one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays, Romeo and Juliet. While the text might be over 400 years old, teachers have been finding fresh and engaging ways to help students connect with the story, its characters, and its timeless themes. A First Encounter with Shakespeare For many students, Year 7 marks their first formal introduction to Shakespeare’s work. Rather than beginning with complex analysis, teachers are focusing on helping students understand the play’s central ideas—love, conflict, family, and growing up. Through guided reading, character discussions, and dramatic reenactments, pupils are discovering that Shakespeare’s stories are far more accessible (and fun!) than they might have imagined. Bringing Characters to Life Through Letter Writing One of the most exciting parts of the unit has been the use of creative writing tasks to deepen understanding. Students have been exploring characters by taking on their voices, emotions, and motivations. Letter writing has become a standout activity. By stepping into the shoes of characters, students are developing empathy, creativity, and a more personal connection with the play. This approach also supports literacy skills—building vocabulary, encouraging clarity in writing, and reinforcing the importance of writing with purpose and audience in mind. Building Confidence and CreativityParents will be pleased to know that students are not only learning about classic literature but also gaining confidence in expressing their own ideas. Creative writing helps them explore complex themes in a way that feels meaningful and achievable. Many students have found that writing as a character makes Shakespeare far less intimidating and far more enjoyable. Looking Ahead – As the school journey continues, students will have opportunities to perform short scenes, explore modern adaptations, and reflect on how Shakespeare’s texts still resonate today. By blending traditional study with imaginative activities, the English department hopes to foster a lifelong appreciation for literature—starting with one of the world’s most famous love stories.
Science Year 8 Take Science to New Heights Exploring the Conservation of Mass with Balloons, Bubbles & Brilliant Thinking! During this half term, year 8 pupils delved into one of chemistry’s most fascinating ideas — the Conservation of Mass. Pupils engaged with an exciting hands-on investigation involving fizzing reactions, floating balloons, and precise measurements! Wearing their protective goggles and big scientific curiosity, students worked in teams using a conical flask, baking soda, vinegar, balloon, digital scale, and a funnel to test whether mass is truly conserved during a chemical reaction. After carefully measuring vinegar into their flasks and loading baking soda into deflated balloons, the moment of anticipation arrived. With steady hands (and big smiles), students tilted their balloons to release the baking soda into the flask. A bubbly reaction erupted, sending carbon dioxide gas straight into the balloon and causing it to inflate impressively. However, the magic did not stop there. Once the fizzing calmed, the young scientists placed the entire setup back on the digital scale. To their amazement, the final mass matched the initial mass — proving that even though the reaction produced a gas, the total mass stayed the same. The classroom buzzed with excitement, teamwork, and thoughtful discussion as students connected hands-on experience with scientific theory.
Extra-curricular - Crest award Following a successful year in the Big Bang Challenge, the Science team at Eden Boys’ School Preston are excited to challenge our Year 9 pupils with the CREST Award. Students are showcasing their creativity, problem-solving and engineering skills as they design and construct their very own rollercoasters. Alongside the practical work, they are exploring the physics behind rollercoaster speed — including gravity, energy transfers, friction and aerodynamics — to understand how to make their rollercoaster travel faster. They have now completed their initial designs and will begin building their models over the next term. Good luck to all our Year 9 pupils as they work towards their CREST Award!
KS3 Pupils Put Their Knowledge Into Motion with Forces Practicals! This term, our KS3 scientists have been exploring the fascinating world of forces and they’ve certainly shown that learning can have a lot of pull! They carried out two key practicals to investigate how forces affect everyday objects. In their Hooke’s Law experiment, students carefully added weights to a spring and measured its extension, discovering the relationship between force and stretch. There were plenty of surprised smiles as they realised just how precisely a spring can spring into action! They also investigated friction, testing how a trolley moved across different surfaces. By comparing how far and how smooth the trolley travelled, students were able to see first-hand how friction can change the motion of objects sometimes helping, sometimes hindering, and always giving them something to think about. Throughout these practicals, students worked safely, thoughtfully, and collaboratively, showing brilliant scientific curiosity. Their discussions, predictions, and careful measuring proved that Year 7 and 8 aren’t just learning about forces they’re driving their understanding forward. We’re incredibly proud of their hard work this term and can’t wait to see where their scientific journeys take them next!
RS RS Department Shines at a Successful Open Evening The Religious Studies Department was delighted to welcome pupils, families and visitors to a vibrant and engaging Open Evening. The department was buzzing with activity as our displays showcased a range of beautifully presented religious artefacts from major world faiths. Guests had the opportunity not only to view the items but also to learn about their significance, sparking many thoughtful conversations. One of the highlights was the tasting of sunnah foods, which proved extremely popular and allowed visitors to experience an authentic part of Islamic tradition. We were especially proud of our fantastic Year 7 volunteers, who confidently guided visitors, answered questions and supported the activities throughout the evening. Their enthusiasm made the event even more enjoyable. Our world religions quiz brought out a competitive spirit in students and families alike, with many eager to test their knowledge for the chance to win sweet prizes. The evening was a wonderful celebration of learning, diversity and community spirit within the RS Department.
Geography Year 11 Geographers have shown impressive dedication and maturity in their preparation for the AQA GCSE Geography exam. This term, our learning has centred on one of the most fascinating and high-impact units in the course: Natural Hazards. Throughout the half-term, pupils have deepened their understanding of the physical processes that shape our planet. We began by exploring the structure of the Earth, moving from the crust to the inner core, and examining how convection currents drive the movement of tectonic plates. This fundamental knowledge has enabled pupils to develop clear explanations for why earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in specific global locations. A key focus has been applying theory to real-world case studies—an essential skill for exam success. Pupils analysed the contrasting impacts of the Chile 2010 and Nepal 2015 earthquakes, evaluating how levels of development affect vulnerability, response, and longterm recovery. The class engaged well with comparison tasks, demonstrating strong analytical skills and improving the quality of extended answers. We also covered tropical storms, including their formation, structure and the sequence of conditions needed for them to develop. Pupils examined the causes and effects of Hurricane Haiyan and assessed how prediction, planning and protection strategies can reduce the risks. Students made thoughtful links between physical geography and the challenges faced by communities living in hazard-prone environments, reflecting the wider importance of geography in understanding global issues. We are extremely proud of the effort shown so far. With continued focus and consistent revision, Year 11 are well on track for success in the summer GCSE examinations. We look forward to building on this momentum next term as we move into the final stages of the course. Well done, Year 11—keep up the excellent work!
PE and Sport It has been an extremely busy term for the PE department, with our students competing in a range of competitions and activities across the district of Preston. Football Throughout this term, Staff and students have been busy attending lots of football fixtures whatever the weather! Our football teams have played against several schools in the Preston district, performing with a desire and motivation to succeed. Our Year 8 11-a-side football team shared some success and made fantastic progress across the term. Despite losing their first two games, they picked up momentum and drew 1-1 against St Cecilia's and then went on to winning their final match against Longridge 3-1. Our Year 11’s recently had a nine-goal thriller against Moor Park with Muhammad Patel scoring three goals. After an end-toend intense football match, it was Moor Park who came out on top and won 5-4. Across November and December, we entered the district 7a-side football competition at Ashton high-school. Students relished the opportunity to represent the school and played with great enthusiasm and resilience, with further practice they will improve knowledge and understanding of playing on a larger pitch. Our year 7 Football captain Muhammed Anas Patel displayed stand out performances across all games by displaying a wide range of dribbling and passing skills. We look forward to our next set of football fixtures in February.
Trips to Man City! Throughout this term, our pupils have had the opportunity to attend a selection of live sporting events. These have included trips to Manchester City to see a Champions League fixtures against Napoli, and a trip to see Manchester City against Brentford in the EFL cup. The trips have provided our pupils with the opportunity to experience live sport at an elite level. In addition, many pupils have been able to see their role models in action, which they have thoroughly enjoyed! Extra-curricular sport clubs Alongside fixtures, we have been offering a variety of extra-curricular sport clubs. Our football club on a Tuesday has been very popular, averaging between 30-40 students every week. It has been a great chance for students to further improve their skills and game understanding. Such students are leading the way to a healthy and active lifestyle and will be reaping the advantages. Next term we look forward to offering a new selection of opportunities, including competitive fixtures in Basketball and Table Tennis.
PE and Sport District Handball! Throughout Autumn 2, the school have hosted a range of district handball events. This term, teams in years 11, 9, and 7 have competed in district events. Despite not covering handball on the curriculum until Spring 1, our Y7 and Y9 team again made significant progress across their games, showing a greater knowledge of the technical and tactical aspects as the competition progressed. We’d like to highlight our three STAR Performer’s from the competition. In the Y11 competition, Mohammed Hafez was our STAR Performer due to his fantastic defensive displays. He made essential blocks, interceptions and pressed the opponents with intensity in all games. In the Y9 competition, our STAR Performer was our Goalkeeper Safi Begum. He displayed incredible reaction time and strength to make a high number of crucial saves for his team. In the Y7 Competition, Arhan Raj displayed great dribbling skills and was not afraid to drive forward and cause problems for the opposition’s defence. Well done all!
Handball Action
Ten Pin Bowling During Autumn 1, a selection of our KS3 pupils were invited to a bowling tournament with a variety of schools from the area. Last year, our students won the competition and were ready to defend the title. We selected a group of very enthusiastic and eager pupils to represent the school, and they were an absolute credit to our school and community! The boys had put everything they had into the competition, with the hopes of retaining the trophy. Our Bowling team
Onto the results, our students came in third place, which is not the result we wanted, but still fantastic to return to school with bronze medals. A special shout out to Emam Sami, who scored over 100 points for our team, He was presented with ‘The 100 club’ Certificate. Congratulations to all of the pupils involved!
PE and Sport Y7 District Rugby! This academic year has been one of the busiest we’ve seen with regards to extra-curricular activities, fixtures, and trips. With some initial uncertainty regarding its success, we decided to offer an after-school rugby club to introduce the sport to our pupils and provide them with an opportunity to experience the game and develop their technical and tactical understanding and their knowledge of the rules! We very quickly realised that the addition of the rugby club was a huge success, and we had students from all year groups showing their interest! Due to the fantastic attendance, we decided to enter our first Y7 district competition at Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club. Despite it being their first experience of competitive rugby, this did not phase the pupils at all, and we took a number of pupils to the district event in November! It was an amazing experience for our young men to participate in a sport they had never seen before. They were able to learn new skills and knowledge, whilst also applying their previously learnt techniques in a competitive situation. The team were superb and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Overall, it was a really positive experience, and the boys are eager for the next competition in the New Year!
District Badminton! Autumn 2 has also been a busy time for our badminton players, who recently travelled to Fulwood Academy to showcase their skills against a variety of pupils from Fulwood Academy, Longridge, St Cecilia’s and Archbishop Temple High Schools. The pupils showcased immense teamwork and perseverance, and performed superbly throughout the competition, applying their tactical and strategic knowledge during a range of singles and doubles games. Their attitude and respect towards the other participants was commendable, and we were very impressed with the way they performed. A huge congratulations goes to Younus Khan, who was the player of the tournament, performing superbly throughout the afternoon!
PE and Sport Zorb Football! Last week, our MUGA was transformed into a bouncing, rolling, laughter-filled arena as students took part in our very own Zorb Football event. The activity was organised to give pupils a fun, energetic break from their usual routine—and it turned out to be one of the most memorable events of the term. Zorb Football puts a hilarious twist on the traditional game. Each player climbed into a large inflatable Zorb suit, leaving only their legs free for running and kicking. The moment the whistle blew, our students discovered just how entertaining (and challenging!) it can be to play football when you’re wrapped in a giant bubble. From determined attempts at scoring goals to spectacular bouncy collisions, the pitch was full of excitement. One of the highlights was watching players accidentally roll over, only to pop back up again with huge smiles. The event wasn’t just about fun—it also encouraged teamwork. With limited visibility and movement inside the zorbs, students quickly learned to communicate and support one another. Teachers noted how well groups worked together and how confidently students threw themselves into the activity. We’re proud of how enthusiastic and spirited our students were throughout the day. Many said it was the most enjoyable activity they’ve tried in school, and several are already asking when we’ll host the next Zorb Football session. A huge thank-you goes to everyone who helped organise the event and to all the students who took part with such energy and positivity. Whether you were scoring goals, bouncing across the pitch, or cheering from the sidelines, you helped make the day a wonderful success. The PE department have been impressed with the outstanding attitude and engagement of our pupils throughout this term. We are pleased with the progress they are making in PE, and we hope this inspires them to lead their own healthy, active lives. Well done to all the pupils who attended our extra-curricular sports clubs, sporting events, or represented the school throughout this term, we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our pupils again in the New Year!
Safeguarding Anti-Bullying At our school, we remain firmly committed to being a “No Bullying” community. Recently, we have noticed that some pupils and parents are unsure about what constitutes bullying, which can understandably lead to confusion or concern. We would therefore like to offer a gentle reminder of how we define bullying and how important it is that all concerns are reported to us promptly. Understanding the Definition of Bullying Not every unkind comment or disagreement between pupils is considered bullying. Bullying is repeated, intentional harm—whether physical, verbal, or emotional—directed towards someone who may find it difficult to defend themselves. Friendships can have occasional fallouts, and pupils may sometimes say or do things without realising the impact. These incidents are still taken seriously and addressed, but they are different from sustained, targeted behaviour that fits the definition of bullying. Why Reporting Matters We can only support pupils effectively when we are made aware of concerns. Some children worry about “telling,” while others may not recognise when a situation has become serious. We encourage parents to contact us as soon as they notice changes in their child’s wellbeing or hear of negative interactions at school. Early reporting allows us to investigate swiftly, resolve misunderstandings, and prevent issues from escalating. The first point of contact is your child’s Head of Year followed by his Year Lead Link. When a concern is raised, we follow a clear and thorough procedure, which includes speaking to all parties involved, keeping families informed, and ensuring appropriate support is put in place. Our trained Bullying Ambassadors also remain available to provide peer support to anyone who feels worried or unsure. Working Together We deeply appreciate the partnership we have with our families. By modelling positive language at home and challenging stereotypes or unkind behaviour, parents and carers play an essential role in helping us maintain a safe, respectful environment for every child. If you or your child have any concerns—big or small—please do reach out. We are here to listen, support, and ensure that school remains a happy and calm place to learn.
Charity Eden Boys’ School, Preston pupils come together to support the community this winter. As colder evenings set in and winter temperatures continue to fall, pupils at Eden Boys’ School, Preston are bringing warmth and kindness to their local community through our annual Winter Gift Programme. At Star Academies, making a meaningful contribution to society is central to everything we do. Our schools are dedicated to supporting their communities and helping those who need it most. This winter, pupils and staff are once again taking positive action to support vulnerable individuals across the local area. The Winter Gift Programme is a yearly initiative that brings together pupils and staff from all Star Academies schools. Through charitable donations, volunteering and thoughtful acts of kindness, the campaign shares a clear purpose – ensuring that no one feels isolated or unsupported during the winter months. During the programme, Eden Boys’ School, Preston is supporting a wide range of people within the community, including those who are elderly, unwell, living in care, or experiencing homelessness, loneliness or food insecurity. Alongside supporting others, pupils also benefit greatly by developing leadership skills as they plan, organise and take part in charitable activities, gaining a deeper understanding of the impact that compassion and service can have. Over the course of a three-week fundraising campaign, pupils and staff have worked collaboratively to gather food donations and gifts. As part of the initiative, pupils aim to lift spirits during the winter period by delivering gift hampers to patients at Royal Preston Hospital, while also showing appreciation for NHS staff for their continued dedication and care. Throughout the winter term, the school is also strengthening its commitment to tackling food poverty by collecting tinned food donations to help provide vital meals for local residents in need. It is hoped that the gifts will bring smiles to faces at the local foodbank and Royal Preston Hospital, offering comfort, joy and reassurance during the winter months.
School Notice Road Safety Awareness The safety of our pupils is our highest priority, especially during busy times at the start and end of the school day. When vehicles are parked unsafely or pupils cross without care, the risk of an accident increases significantly. We need every member of our school community to play their part in keeping children safe. Recently, we have had near misses involving pupils and vehicles, which is a serious concern. We need your help to prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.
For Pupils •
Do not run out of the school gates, walk sensibly.
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Always stop, look, and listen before crossing the road.
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Never step out from behind parked cars or cones without checking both directions.
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Use the help of our staff in high-visibility jackets. They are stationed at key points to assist pupils in crossing safely—please follow their instructions.
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A reminder for pupils who have been granted SLT permission due to exceptional circumstances to have a mobile phone securely stored in a mobile phone locker in school, you must not use your phone in the vicinity of the school. You must use the school phone from the office if contact is needed to be made with parents/ carers.
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If you cycle to school, please ensure you wear a helmet. It can save your life in an accident. Wear bright/reflective clothing, especially in winter or low light. Please do not cycle on the pavements. Any students cycling dangerously will be asked to come off their bike.
For Parents and Carers •
Do not park on pavements or in areas marked with cones. These spaces are kept clear for pupil safety. Parking here has contributed to recent near misses.
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Please do not park in the motorcycle shop next door. This is private property and not intended for school use.
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Use the visitor parking spaces provided by the school or park responsibly on surrounding streets.
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Agree on a designated pick-up point with your child. This helps reduce congestion at the school gates and ensures pupils know where to meet you safely.
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Drive slowly and carefully near the school entrance—remember, children can be unpredictable.
Your support is essential to prevent accidents. Let’s work together to keep our pupils safe.