Growing Together: Reflecting on Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

26th February 2026Mrs D Curtis
This February, our school community came together with vibrant energy and compassion to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2026.

While academic success is a priority, the emotional well-being of our students sits at the very heart of our mission. The week was a powerful reminder that “it’s okay not to be okay,” and that at St Edmund’s, no one has to walk their path alone.

If you walked through our corridors, you would have seen a sea of green ribbons pinned to uniforms and lanyards. These ribbons served as a silent but powerful symbol of our collective support for mental health awareness. By wearing them, our students and staff sent a clear message: we are a community that listens, cares and refuses to let mental health be a taboo subject.

A highlight of the week was the incredible work of our Student Mental Health Champions. These dedicated peer leaders were available, offering a friendly face and a listening ear to anyone who needed a chat.  Our champions did an outstanding job fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment for their fellow students.

This year’s national mental health theme, ‘This Is My Place’, was the focal point of our PSHE lessons. Students explored what it means to belong and how a positive community spirit can act as a safety net for our well-being.  By building a culture of kindness and inclusivity, we ensure that every student feels this is truly their place—a place where they are seen, heard and valued.

To add a bit of joy to the week, we hosted a special ‘green snacks’ tuckshop. The tuckshop wasn’t just about the snacks; it was a hub of activity that encouraged students to take a break, step away from their screens and enjoy a moment of mindful connection with one another.

We are immensely proud of how our students engaged with the various activities. Mental health awareness isn’t just for one week of the year—it is an ongoing conversation. We encourage all students to continue looking out for one another and to remember that our support systems are always here.

Chloe Wins Gold

23rd February 2026Mrs D Curtis

Year 10 student, Chloe Darling, has achieved an outstanding gold medal in the 400m Freestyle and a bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle in the 16-year-old age group at the Staffordshire County Championships.

She also placed 3rd overall in the 400m Freestyle at the Junior Championships — a fantastic achievement.

In addition, Chloe reached the finals in both Butterfly and Backstroke, achieving some excellent personal best times.

We are delighted and proud to celebrate Chloe’s wonderful accomplishments.

Shining a Spotlight on Future Healthcare Heroes: Year 12 Work Experience Success

23rd February 2026Mrs D Curtis

While many were taking a well-deserved break during the February half-term, one of our dedicated Year 12 students was busy getting a head start on her career. We are incredibly proud to celebrate Chantelle’s successful week-long placement at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, specifically within the fast-paced Diagnostic Radiography department.

Stepping out of the classroom and into a busy hospital environment is no small feat.  Chantelle thrived during her time at the hospital; she didn’t just observe—she became part of the clinical rhythm.

Her experience covered the full spectrum of modern medical imaging:

  • X-ray: Under the careful guidance of senior staff, she moved beyond shadowing and was able to assist in x-raying a patient, gaining firsthand experience in positioning and radiation safety.

  • MRI & CT Scanning: She became familiar with the sophisticated machinery behind Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography, learning how these tools create detailed internal maps of the human body.

  • Ultrasound: She developed a foundational understanding of sonography and how sound waves are used in real-time diagnostics.

An NHS hospital is a high-energy environment that requires composure and empathy. Chantelle felt entirely comfortable in the healthcare setting, demonstrating the professional ‘soft skills’ that are just as vital as technical knowledge in healthcare.

“This experience gave me a massive insight into how the NHS functions behind the scenes. Seeing how the team works together to provide patient care has really solidified my career goals.”

Work experience like this is invaluable. It bridges the gap between textbook theory and real-world application, providing an excellent addition to any apprenticeship/university application or CV. By exploring the various pathways within the NHS, Chantelle has returned to school with a clear vision of her future career pathways.

Walker Awarded Honorary Doctor of Law

6th February 2026Mrs D Curtis

St Edmund’s is delighted and proud to announce that former student, Walker Darke, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law in recognition of his outstanding contribution to global sustainability, youth engagement and international policy.

Walker, a Partnership and Communication Expert, currently works at the United Nations.  He was the UK’s 2023 G20 Youth Delegate, where he pushed for young people to have more of a say in global decision-making and made history as the first person from Wolverhampton to appear on the Forbes Under 30 list.

 

A letter to the Principal from the Secretary of State for Education

28th January 2026Mrs D Curtis

Our principal, Maggie Hazeldine, was delighted and proud to receive a letter from Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, showcasing the continuing success of St Edmund’s, particularly as we ensure the best outcomes for our most disadvantaged young people.

Mrs Hazeldine said, ” This has always been our mission and a testament to every adult and child working within our community. It is lovely to have national recognition for the St Ed’s family.”

Engaging Prime Law Workshop

27th January 2026Mrs D Curtis

Loyola students interested in pursuing a career in Law were invited to attend the Prime Law Workshop at St Edmund’s.

This fully funded, interactive, industry-led session was conceived specifically for schools in areas of low social mobility. It was aimed at students aged 12 – 14 with the intention to plant the seed that a career in law is attainable for them, whatever their background, underlining the varied routes into the industry, including apprenticeships.

The event informed, inspired and raised levels of aspiration while transforming perceptions around who can work in the legal profession.

The students were fab and a credit to the Academy. The lawyers were very impressed with them!

 

 

Gymnastics champions of the West Midlands!

27th January 2026Lisa Day

Sunday marked an outstanding achievement for St Edmund’s gymnastics as seven of our talented students travelled to Stoke-on-Trent to compete in the West Midlands Gymnastics Competition. They returned not only with an impressive collection of medals, but proudly crowned as Overall Regional Champions.

Throughout the competition, our gymnasts demonstrated exceptional composure and skill. Every routine showcased precision and confidence, with polished performances across both floor and vault disciplines. Their success is the result of dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of training—often staying late after school to refine routines, perfect transitions, and support one another as a team.

We are delighted to congratulate the following students on their achievements:

  • Daisy Winwood – U19 Overall West Midlands Individual Floor & Vault Champion

  • Megan Grove – U19 Overall West Midlands Individual Silver Medallist (Floor & Vault)

  • CD, Sophie Grove, Mahdi Asaney, Emmanuel Ejeagwu and Morgan Hamilton – U16 Mixed West Midlands Floor & Vault** – U16 Mixed Milano Team Champions

Congratulations to our magnificent seven—you have made the entire St Edmund’s community incredibly proud.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Mrs Grove for accompanying the team and supporting them throughout the competition.

The Floor & Vault team and the Milano team will now go on to represent the West Midlands at the National School Championships later this year. We wish them every success.

🏀 YEAR 9 & 10 GIRLS BASKETBALL CITY CHAMPIONS! 🏆

22nd January 2026Mrs D Curtis
Huge congratulations to our Year 9 & 10 girls for a dominant performance at the City 3v3 Basketball Tournament!
After a marathon 6-game run through the pools, the girls faced St Peter’s in a high-stakes final. They showcased incredible teamwork and skill, controlling the court to secure a fantastic 6-2 victory!
Amazing effort from the whole squad: ⭐ Ginevra Mensio ⭐ Michelle Adegbokan ⭐ Anu Omololu ⭐ Sophie Grove
Well done, girls—a well-deserved win for St Edmund’s! 👏✨
St Edmund’s B team also impressed also with the improvements they made as the tournament progressed.
Some great play from all members – Daisy Winwood, Sienna Di Gianvittorio, Grace Clews and Julia Wierzchowiak
#StEdmundsSport #BasketballChampions #CityChamps #TeamWork

Athletics Success

21st January 2026Rachael Stokes

Our indoor athletes delivered a strong series of performances across multiple track and field events on Tuesday 20th January at Aldersley Leisure Village. The boys’ hurdle relay team and the girls’ hurdle relay team both secured second place in their respective heats, while the boys’ one-lap relay team claimed first place in their heat.

Individually, David Olanrewaju finished second in the two-lap race, and Nicholas Odigie earned second place in the four-lap race. On the girls’ side, Natalia Sauter had an outstanding meet, placing second in the standing long jump and second in the two-lap race. Ginevra Mensio also impressed with a second-place finish in the four-lap race.

Rounding out the relay events, the girls’ one-lap relay team placed third in their heat, completing a successful and competitive showing for the team. Huge congratulations for the whole of the indoor athletics team.

Year 8 Pupils Shine at City Kin-Ball Festival

20th January 2026Rachael Stokes

Eight Year 8 girls recently had the opportunity to attend the City Kin-Ball Festival at Aldersley Stadium, and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Kin-Ball is a fast-paced and inclusive game played with a giant inflatable ball, where teams work together to send the ball into the air while calling out the name of the team responsible for catching it before it hits the ground.

The event was great fun and provided a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to develop their teamwork and communication skills. The girls were a real credit to the academy, demonstrating excellent cooperation, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship throughout the day. Well done to all involved!