The Art Department has had a fantastic term, with students producing an impressive range of creative and imaginative work across all year groups.
Year 7 students have created these gorgeous, intricately painted insects housed within matchboxes, inspired by the work of artist Kate Kato. They explored collage techniques using text and paper, before adding watercolours and detailed paint pen embellishments to bring their miniature creations to life.
Year 8 students have been developing their ceramic skills by creating delightful pinch-pot cakes. Taking inspiration from the work of Wayne Thiebaud and Joel Penkman, students carefully sculpted, painted and decorated their designs, resulting in a collection of colourful and realistic, sweet treats.
Year 9 students have produced these beautiful textured dragon eyes from clay. Using a variety of techniques to create depth and surface detail, they combined imaginative design with strong technical skills to produce striking and unique ceramic pieces.
The highlight of the term was undoubtedly the GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition. The exhibition showcased the culmination of two years of dedication, creativity, and hard work from our talented students. Visitors were treated to an outstanding display of artwork and photography, demonstrating exceptional skill, originality and personal expression. The quality of the work on display was truly jaw-dropping, and the exhibition was a fitting celebration of our students’ achievements.
We are incredibly proud of all our students and look forward to seeing their creativity continue to flourish in the year ahead.
Year 7 Students Bring Programming to Life with Scratch Pacgirl Projects
Our Year 7 Computer Science students have been showcasing their creativity and programming skills by designing and developing their own versions of Pacgirl using Scratch.
Throughout this project, students have explored the fundamental programming constructs of sequence, selection and iteration. They learned how instructions must be carried out in the correct order (sequence), how decisions can be made within a program (selection), and how actions can be repeated efficiently using loops (iteration). These key concepts form the foundations of computer programming and have enabled students to create engaging and interactive games.
In addition to these programming skills, students learned about variables—what they are, why they are used, and how they can store data within a program. Using variables, students were able to create scoring systems that kept track of points earned as players navigated their Pacgirl games.
What was particularly impressive is the level of creativity demonstrated by the students. Rather than simply following a template, many students developed their own unique interpretations of the game. They designed original characters, customised ghosts and obstacles and created eye-catching backgrounds to enhance the gameplay experience.
Students also developed their digital design skills by creating their own vector graphics for sprites, ghosts and game environments. The variety of ideas on display has been outstanding, with each game reflecting the personality and imagination of its creator. From colourful fantasy worlds to futuristic mazes, the range of designs has been remarkable.
This project has been a fantastic opportunity for students to combine computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity.
The quality of work produced has been extremely impressive, and students should be proud of how confidently they have applied their newly acquired programming knowledge.
Well done to all the Year 7 programmers for their enthusiasm, perseverance and imagination.
Year 8 Students Develop Their Python Programming Skills
Our Year 8 Computing students have taken the next step in their programming journey by learning how to code using Python, one of the world’s most widely used programming languages.
Building on the key programming concepts introduced previously, students have applied the fundamental constructs of sequence, selection and iteration to create a range of exciting programs. Through hands-on projects, they have developed their understanding of how programs work while strengthening their problem-solving and computational thinking skills.
During the unit, students programmed a variety of applications, including a dice game, a pet age calculator and an interactive quiz. These projects challenged students to think logically, plan algorithms and write code that responds to user input.
Students also expanded their knowledge of iteration by learning how to use ‘while loops’ and ‘for loops’. They discovered how loops can be used to automate repetitive tasks, making programs more efficient and powerful.
One of the highlights of the unit was a debugging challenge involving a sabotaged Friendship Calculator. Students were tasked with identifying and correcting a range of syntax errors and logic errors within the code. This activity helped them develop an essential skill used by all programmers: debugging. They demonstrated great resilience and attention to detail as they worked systematically to find and fix each issue.
The progress made by Year 8 students has been outstanding. They have shown confidence in applying new programming techniques, a willingness to tackle challenging problems and an excellent understanding of how to test and improve their code. Their ability to identify errors, think critically and develop solutions has been particularly impressive.
We are extremely proud of the enthusiasm and determination shown throughout the unit. Year 8 have excelled in developing their coding skills and have laid a strong foundation for more advanced programming projects in Year 9.
Year 9 Explore Digital Safety and Digital Media
Year 9 students have enjoyed a varied and engaging Computing curriculum this term, combining important lessons about online safety with creative digital media skills.
The term began with a focus on digital wellbeing and the importance of maintaining good mental health when using social media. Students discussed the positive and negative impacts that online platforms can have and explored practical strategies for ensuring that their online experiences remain safe, balanced and healthy.
As part of this learning, students were educated about online risks, including sextortion, and how to recognise warning signs and seek help if they ever feel concerned. A key message throughout the unit was that students should never deal with worries alone. They learned about the support available from trusted adults, CEOP, Childline and the wide range of safeguarding support available within school. Students were reminded that they can speak to their Form Tutor, Head of Year, use the Impero Confide button, or approach any member of staff if they have concerns about themselves or others.
Following their work on online safety, students moved on to studying how computers represent different types of media. They explored how sound and bitmap images are stored digitally and developed an understanding of how images are made up of individual pixels. Through practical investigations, students created and manipulated bitmap images to observe how image quality changes as pictures become pixelated.
Students then progressed to creating professional-looking vector graphics using Photopea. They learned how vector graphics differ from bitmap images and discovered why vectors can be scaled without losing quality. Using industry-style design tools, students developed their skills with the Pen Tool, worked confidently with layers, and applied colour effectively to create their own high-quality designs.
The creativity displayed throughout this unit has been exceptional. Students used their new skills to create eye-catching graphic designs, including photo cut-outs and striking glowing text effects. Their work demonstrated both technical understanding and artistic flair, producing some truly impressive results.
On 14th and 15th July 2026, our talented students brought the magic of Frozen: The West End Musical to life in two unforgettable performances. The production was a tremendous success, delighting audiences with its energy, talent and professionalism.
A huge congratulations to every student who took part in the production. From the principal cast to the ensemble, musicians, dancers and backstage crew, every member of the team played an important role in creating a truly spectacular show. Their commitment, enthusiasm and countless hours of rehearsal were evident in every performance, and they should all be immensely proud of what they achieved.
Our cast delivered outstanding performances, with every actress bringing confidence, emotion and sparkle to the stage. Their hard work and dedication over many months shone through, captivating audiences from the opening scene to the final curtain call.
The performances were beautifully accompanied by our school band, whose exceptional musicianship added depth, emotion and excitement throughout the production. Their outstanding contribution helped bring the story to life and was greatly appreciated by everyone in the audience.
The spectacular scenery and stage design, expertly created by the Art and Technology Department, transformed the stage into the enchanting world of Arendelle. Combined with stunning costumes, lighting and technical effects, the production looked every bit as impressive as it sounded.
Our dazzling dancers added colour, energy and excitement throughout the show, impressing audiences with their enthusiasm, precision and flair. Their performances complemented the cast perfectly and added to the magic of every scene.
Productions of this scale are only possible through the commitment of many people behind the scenes. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the staff who generously gave their time, expertise and encouragement throughout rehearsals and performances. Their patience, creativity and dedication ensured that every aspect of the production ran smoothly and provided our students with an unforgettable opportunity.
Most importantly, congratulations once again to every student involved. Your talent, teamwork, resilience and determination were an inspiration, and you created a production that entertained, amazed and made the entire school community incredibly proud. The standing ovations at the end of each performance were a fitting tribute to all your hard work and commitment. Frozen will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the school year, our final one in this school hall and every student involved should take great pride in their remarkable achievement.
Mrs Cattanach,
Associate Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Leader for Music
The Year 7 girls represented the school superbly at the South Ribble District Rounders Tournament, competing against ten schools split into two pools. For many of the girls, this was their first ever rounders tournament and their first experience of playing under high school rounders rules. Despite this, they displayed excellent skill, determination and teamwork throughout the tournament.
The team played four pool matches, winning three and drawing one, meaning they remained undefeated for the entire tournament. Their consistent performances and excellent results saw them finish as overall tournament winners, achieving the highest points total across the competition.
Every player made a valuable contribution to the team’s success, demonstrating impressive batting, fielding and tactical awareness. The girls adapted brilliantly to the new rules and showed fantastic resilience and sportsmanship in every match. Their teamwork and support for one another were outstanding from start to finish.
A special congratulations goes to Elodie P, who was deservedly named Player of the Tournament. Elodie delivered exceptional performances throughout the competition and was a key contributor to the team’s success.
The squad consisted of:
Katy L, Isabelle M, Gracie W, Scarlett O, Jessica F, Elodie P, Frankie D, Sarah F, Dominika Z, Elsie M, Olivia L and Neytiri F.
The girls should be incredibly proud of their achievements. To go undefeated and be crowned South Ribble District Champions in their first Year 7 tournament is a fantastic accomplishment. Every member of the squad played their part, and the team produced outstanding performances throughout the day. Well done to all involved! 🏆👏
Our annual Sports Day took place last month and was a tremendous success, providing a fantastic experience for everyone involved.
Students participated enthusiastically in a range of events, including athletics, netball, and rounders. Throughout the day, they demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and determination. Every student played an important role, whether competing on the field or supporting the event as photographers, journalists, or members of the form banner teams.
Sports Day not only promoted physical fitness and discipline but also strengthened our sense of community while encouraging healthy competition. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by our students, teachers, and support staff made the day both enjoyable and memorable.
A heartfelt thank you to all the staff and pupils whose hard work and positive spirit contributed to the success of the event. We are incredibly proud of everyone at PGHS!
On Friday 12th June, we took four teams from Years 7–10 to Stanley Park, Blackpool, to compete in the annual South Ribble Inter-School Athletics Competition.
All of the girls performed fantastically across both track and field events, demonstrating exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship throughout the day. We had many individual students achieve first-place finishes and podium positions in their events, with every result contributing valuable points towards their year group’s overall team score.
Competing against 11 South Ribble schools, our athletes produced some outstanding team performances, achieving the following results:
Year 7 – 5th place
Year 8 – 2nd place
Year 9 – 4th place
Year 10 – 3rd place
These are excellent achievements, and we are incredibly proud of all the students who represented the school so positively. Their hard work, commitment and teamwork were evident throughout the competition, making it a very successful day for our athletics teams. Congratulations to everyone involved!
On Wednesday 1st July, four of our top mathematicians took part in the Key Stage 4 Maths Competition at Lancaster University School of Mathematics (LUSoM) in Preston.
Alisia J and Lesley Y from Year 9 and Emily T and Arina A of Year 10 pitted their mathematical wits against teams from several local schools and some from farther afield such as Blackburn and Lathom.
The competition involved several rounds of highly challenging, logic based, problem solving activities that required close teamwork and resilience along with an ability to work fast and accurately under pressure.
Despite a heroic effort, the girls didn’t quite finish in the top three. Neverthless, all thoroughly enjoyed their experience and gained a useful insight into the facilities and atmosphere at one of the UKs leading Maths Schools.
On Wednesday 29th April, our Year 7 and 8 pupils to take on the yearly challenge of the UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge 2026.
This national event takes the form of a multiple-choice quiz based on using mathematical skills learnt in lessons to solve problems.
Over 4000 schools across the UK take part in this event and the standard of participation is high, only the best achieving students can receive an award and to do so is recognition of the effort and ability of our students.
After good showings from previous year groups in their respective challenges, last year expectations were high and I am proud to announce that this year, the results were on a par with some of our best with many pupils receiving awards.
This year’s prize winners are as follows:
Quinn M (Year 8) – Best in School, Best in Year 8 and Silver award.
Isabelle M and Sarah M (Year 7) – Joint Best in Year 7 and Silver award.
Silver awards were also achieved by the following:
(Year 7) Maleeha Y, Esther N and Mia P.
(Year 8) Annabelle B, Poppy E, Darcy A, Aisha B, Elodie K, Alice L, Elizabeth B, Evie O and Kathryn M.
Bronze awards were achieved by the following:
(Year 7) Mariyah C, Matilda B, Rahma O, Scarlett O, Sarah F, Zahraa B, Felicity H, Juliette C and Gracie W.
(Year 8) Emma L, Gracie E, Harriet F, Nevaeh S, Ammarah A, Missy E, Grace C, Laura F, Charlotte P, Francesca T, Muznah A, Olivia M, Olive W, Harper E, Ruqayya M, Sienna K, Dhemica P, Molly S and Lingyi Z.
Congratulations to everybody involved.
The department is already looking forward to seeing what each year group can do in their respective challenges next year:
Intermediate Mathematics Challenge (Years 9 and 10) – Wednesday 27th January 2027
Junior Mathematics Challenge (Years 7 and 8) – Tuesday 27th April 2027
Supporting Every Child to Succeed in Secondary Maths
In our Maths department, we want every student to feel confident, supported and able to make strong progress. We know that students learn in different ways, so we plan our lessons carefully to ensure they are accessible for all learners.
🌟 How We Make Maths Accessible for All Learners:
We use a range of inclusive strategies to help students understand and enjoy maths:
Small‑step planning: Learning is broken into manageable chunks to reduce cognitive overload and build confidence.
Adaptive teaching: Lessons are adjusted so every pupil can access the same curriculum at the right level of challenge.
Strategic seating: Some students sit closer to the board or teacher to support focus.
Visual accessibility: We use coloured overlays on PowerPoints or print worksheets on coloured paper for students who benefit from reduced visual stress.
Concrete and visual models: Tools such as algebra tiles, counters and bar models help students understand abstract ideas.
Effective TA support: Teaching Assistants provide planned targeted support that encourages independence.
🔁 Building Fluency, Reasoning & Problem‑Solving
We want students to become confident mathematicians who can think, reason and apply their knowledge. To support this, we use:
Task variation: Carefully designed tasks help students spot patterns, deepen understanding and improve fluency.
Starter booklets: Every lesson begins with short recall tasks to strengthen key foundation skills, conditional knowledge and problem‑solving and reasoning tasks.
A/B paired tasks: Students work in pairs on linked questions to encourage discussion, reasoning and shared problem‑solving.
Mini‑whiteboards: Teachers check understanding in real time and give instant feedback through live marking.
🎮 Interleaved Gaming Activities to Boost Engagement
To make maths enjoyable and to strengthen long‑term recall, we use interleaved gaming‑style activities throughout the year. These help students practise key skills in a fun, low‑pressure way while improving fluency and confidence.
Examples include:
TT Rockstars battles: Class vs class competitions to build rapid recall of multiplication facts.
NumBots challenges: Engaging number‑sense games for students who need extra support.
Interactive quiz games: Short, mixed‑topic quizzes that help students revisit previous learning.
Timed problem‑solving rounds: Encourages teamwork, reasoning and resilience.
These activities increase motivation, build confidence and help students retain knowledge over time.
🗣️ How We Build Confidence in Speaking & Thinking in Maths:
We want every pupil to feel confident sharing ideas, even if they are unsure. To support this:
No‑hands‑up questioning: Instead of relying on volunteers, teachers choose students to answer so everyone stays engaged.
Think–pair–share: Students always get time to think individually, then discuss with a partner, before being asked to share with the class.
Cold calling: After think–pair–share, teachers select students to answer, ensuring everyone has had time to prepare.
This approach builds confidence, improves reasoning and ensures every voice is valued.
🚀 Homework and Follow-up tasks:
Some students benefit from additional practice or structured intervention. We offer:
TT Rockstars: Builds quick recall of multiplication facts.
NumBots: Strengthens number sense for students who need extra support.
MathsWatch: Provides video explanations, practice questions, and personalised tasks for KS3 and KS4.
MethodMaths: Provides additional practice at GCSE style questions and past papers
Numeracy intervention — Small‑group or 1:1 sessions to help students catch up and close gaps.
💬 Our Commitment: No Student Left Behind!
We are proud of our department mantra:
“We are a team, and no student is left behind.”
This belief guides everything we do. By planning in small steps, reducing cognitive overload, offering targeted support, and providing high‑quality teaching, we ensure every student feels capable, supported and confident in maths.
