The annual Speakers’ Cup Celebration Finals took place this week, with sixteen children from across the school presenting to an audience of peers and family members.  Children from Year 1 upwards are asked to prepare a short spoken presentation on a subject of their choice.  The presentations are a great way to develop self-confidence and oracy (effective speaking and listening skills), as well as providing an insight into the interests, talents and, sometimes, family stories of the school’s pupils.

This year’s finalists spoke on a diverse range of subjects, from polar bears to artificial intelligence, and from Brentford Football Club to tornadoes.  Each was engaging and informative.  The staff jury selected an overall winner for each.  Congratulations to all the children for taking part and to all the finalists for their outstanding performances, which reflected the quality seen across the school this half-term. 

High Beeches musicians have been in performance mode for the last two Tuesdays, with the school’s own annual Spring Music Evening closely followed by the Harpenden Schools’ Spring Festival at the town’s Eric Morcambe Centre (the EMC). 

A large group of parents, grandparents and siblings filled the school hall to watch the thirty-seven children from Years 4 to 6 who performed in the choir, orchestra, small group and solo items in the Spring Music Evening last week.  The older members of the school choir were then invited to join the massed choir at the EMC on Tuesday evening this week.  They sang nine songs on the theme of confidence and empowerment, in a combined choir of over 100 singers, accompanied for many of them by a combined concert band from the local secondary schools and including a number of High Beeches alumni.  It is always such an impressive evening. 

Congratulations to all those involved with both events, current and former pupils alike, and a big thank you to the music staff who rehearsed and directed the ensembles orchestra and choir.

The week in school started with an Eid Assembly with those who had been celebrating Eid, which is an important Islamic festival, celebrated at the end of Ramadan (the month of fasting) and which took place last Friday.  The assembly provided a lovely opportunity to learn about Muslim traditions and to share in the celebration.  Eid Mubarak – Happy Eid!

9th to 13th February 2026 - This week is our annual Be Safe Week, which augments our personal and social education curriculum with additional learning on safety awareness and includes physical safety, safeguarding and online safety.  Throughout the week year groups will be participating in workshops and activities, on and off site, to help develop their understanding of this critical area.  For more informtaion, do have a look at our Staying Safe page.

High Beeches Primary School is delighted  to have been ranked 23rd in the South East region and 112th in the country, in the 2026 Sunday Times school league tables.  The tables, compiled using school performance data, reflect our desire to ensure that, through our strong values and an ambitious curriculum, every child makes the best possible progress, equipping them for a successful future.