Handforth Grange Primary School (HGPS) was recently inspected by Ofsted and has been graded OUTSTANDING after its first Ofsted inspection since joining the Frank Field Education Trust.
The school was rated as ‘outstanding’ in all five key judgement areas, which include: The Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership & Management and Early Years provision.
At Birches Head Academy, we have provision for two parent governors and there is currently a vacancy as one of our parent governors will sadly reach the end of his term this summer.
No special qualifications are needed, and the most important thing is to have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the local governing board’s work. Training is available for all local governors and the Trust has an expectation that those new to being a local governing board member undertake induction and safeguarding training.
Birches Head Academy (BHA) has been awarded the International School Award by the British Council in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote global education within its curriculum and school culture.
The school's commitment to international work, formation of global relationships, educational trips, student exchanges and initiatives promoting international awareness and understanding has recognised BHA in fostering cross-cultural experiences for its students.
The creative minds behind the Friends of Handforth Grange Primary School (FoHG) devised an inventive approach to generate funds for a new trim trail installation at the school. Inspired by the release of the latest Wonka film, they introduced a thrilling challenge—selling chocolate bars with hidden ‘golden tickets.’
Already making waves, FoHG have raised an astonishing £11,000, steering them closer to their £13,000 target for acquiring new equipment for the school field. Anwyl Homes has generously contributed £500 towards prizes for the giveaway.
The EPC Elves, known for spreading seasonal cheer, have once again lent their magic to support the success of this much-anticipated event by Friends of Hadlow Road Station!
Pupils from The Ellesmere Port C of E College looked fantastic and did an incredible job escorting everyone to Santa’s signal box grotto. #CommunitySupportingCommunity
The Ellesmere Port Church of England College extends a heartfelt thank the ‘Friends of Hadlow Road Station’ for their generous donation of £400 toward our Duke of Edinburgh programme.
This donation will be instrumental in providing essential equipment for our pupils' participation in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
We are delighted to announce we have been shortlisted in the 2023 Educate Awards for:
Most Inspirational Secondary School of the Year
Kate Watt for Support Star of the Year
The Educate Awards, founded by Kim O’Brien in 2012, have grown into the largest education awards in the North-West. This glittering ceremony is the talk of the region, where the finest schools, colleges, teachers and support staff across Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester come together to celebrate their achievements in a truly unique fashion.
A new flood-lit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch was officially opened at Birches Head Academy on Thursday 28 September 2023 and is set to support pupils, the local and wider community.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the new 3G pitch, where special guests and VIPs were invited to celebrate to mark the event.
The grand opening commenced with a football tournament between pupils on the new pitch. Guests were greeted with a ‘hand-pan’ musical performance as they arrived to mark the start of the ceremony. The ceremony opened with a welcome from Principal, Ms Katie Dixon who was joined by pupils from the Leadership Team.
Most pupils will continue their studies at EPC’s Sixth Form where they will embark on a range of A-level qualifications. Our Trust motto of ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ has truly been exemplified by our pupils.
Mrs Green, Principal at EPC said: “Following our wonderful Ofsted and SIAMS reports, I am delighted that our pupils continue to flourish and, as stated by our SIAMS Inspector, ‘pupils continue to be ignited by our powerful sense of ambition for all.
I wish each and every student the best and it was wonderful to celebrate the success of our outstanding pupils, many of whom are coming back to continue their journey with us at Sixth Form.
BHA pupils were in high spirits this year as they collected their GCSE results. The staff and governors of Birches Head Academy are pleased and proud to report some outstanding achievements by its pupils in their GCSE and Vocational qualifications this summer. We are delighted that the majority of pupils have gained the qualifications they need to follow in their first-choice pathway.
Ms K. Dixon, Principal at BHA said: “This has been an incredibly tough two years. We all know how hard it’s been at times, but also how hard students, the school community and parents have worked together to achieve these results. We are very proud of them all and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”
The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) are delighted to announce that judges from the Cheshire West Governance Association have recently awarded the Chair of Governing Body at EPC, Rev. Gordon McGuinness for the winner in the category 'Chair of the Year 2022-23'.
The judges wished to recognise Gordon’s sustained contribution to the school through a very difficult period, in which the school has been transformed. The positive impact of this change on the pupils of the school is significant.
The Ellesmere Port C of E College would like to thank Friends of Hadlow Road Station for their kind donation of £360 towards our Duke of Edinburgh programme. This money will be used to buy the necessary equipment for the pupils to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh course.
Following the special Coronation Pop-Up Café at Hadlow Road Station, The Friends of Hadlow Road Station donated £360 to Ellesmere Port Church of England College’s Duke of Edinburgh fund.
I have the greatest pleasure in attaching a copy of our most recent OFSTED inspection report. Never before in the history of this school, or its predecessors, has it received such a glowing report or outcome and I am extremely proud.
I would like to extend a big thank you to staff, pupils, students, families, governors, trustees and the local community who have been very supportive over the years. Together, with the Frank Field Education Trust, I look forward to continuing the College’s strong upward trajectory. Our pupils and students deserve the best quality of education and there are no limits to what they can achieve here.
Forty students from Birches Head Academy (BHA) recently travelled to Granada to work with partner school, Escolapios Genil Granada – a project funded by the Turing Scheme. From the 40 successful applicants, 20 students were then partnered up with 20 students from our partner school in Spain, with the aim of initiating a traditional exchange.
As you are aware the National Education Union (NEU) has announced both National and Regional dates for industrial action. The remaining Strike dates are scheduled below.
• Tuesday 28th February 2023 – Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School
• 1st March 2023– Birches Head Academy
• Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 – Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School
Congratulations to student, Nazib in Year 8 who is co-winner of the Edge Transport (@edgetransport) truck livery design competition, celebrating 90 years of excellence!
Our school newsletters are full of interesting information about what’s going on in school and includes useful information and key dates for your diary.
If you require further information about any of the items shown please contact the school and we will do our best to help.
Please click here to download a copy of the BHA Learning Programme 2 Newsletter
As you are aware the National Education Union (NEU) has announced both National and Regional dates for industrial action, of which five encompass the locations of our Schools. These are detailed below.
Wednesday 1st February 23, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 23 – Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School
Tuesday 28th February 23 – Ellesmere Port Church of England College and Handforth Grange Primary School
Wednesday 1st March – Birches Head Academy
On Wednesday 28 January 2026, FFET hosted its first-ever Student Leadership Conference at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, bringing together students from across the Trust for a full day of leadership development and reflection.
The conference opened at 10.00am with students taking part in a leadership style task, followed by a keynote address from Mrs Green, Deputy CEO of the Trust titled “What is Leadership?”. The keynote set the tone for the day, encouraging pupils to consider the meaning, qualities, and responsibilities of effective leadership.
There are three age categories: Years 1 and 2, year 3 and 4, Years 5 and 6, Years 7 and 8 and Years 9 and 10. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not marked – it’s all about creativity!
Finalists will be invited to go to a glamorous grand final at Cranage Hall where the bronze (2), silver (2) and gold (2) winners in each category will have their stories read out.
There are also prizes to be won – each winner will take home books and the gold winners also win books for their school library.
Not only that, but the winning stories will also be published in a FFET short story illustrated anthology.
Staff from schools across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) embarked on an incredible trip to New Delhi, India, marking the beginning of a new international partnership with PRATYeK - a charity dedicated to supporting and educating street-connected children.
As part of this inspiring collaboration, a group of teachers from across the Trust travelled to New Delhi in November for a week-long visit.
During their stay, they explored PRATYeK’s community projects, worked alongside local educators, and gained first-hand insight into The National Inclusive Children’s Parliament and the charity’s approaches to children’s rights and education.
We are delighted to publish the FFET Autumn Term 1 Newsletter, showcasing some of the incredible work taking place across the Trust.
This edition highlights a term full of inspiring moments, including pupils meeting the Prime Minister, a Trust-wide conference, Be More events, international partnerships, and the everyday achievements happening across our classrooms, schools, and communities.
As part of its Handforth Experience theme, ‘Earth Conscious’, Handforth Primary School proudly participated in the first-ever live assembly broadcast from Antarctica.
The assembly featured Robert Swan OBE, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles, who engaged with students about environmental stewardship and polar exploration. Jenny Cooke from the 2041 Schools charity also joined the session to launch their new education program, encouraging children worldwide to become Antarctica Champions.
Staff from across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) recently travelled to Sweden to partner with two schools within the Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES) Trust — in Kista (Stockholm) and Eskilstuna.
The partnership aimed to explore how schools in socially vulnerable areas have achieved remarkable success. The visit centred on the theme:
From Special Measures to Success in a Socially Vulnerable Area – The Swedish Free School Context.
Over three days, staff from the Trust, Ellesmere Port C of E College, Birches Head Academy and Handforth Grange Primary School
