Welcome to our weekly update, where we celebrate the breadth of school life at Westonbirt. Each edition offers a snapshot of the learning, achievements and wider opportunities that define our community. We hope you enjoy reading this week’s highlights.
What a spectacular evening celebrating the creativity of our pupils. Thank you to every pupil, parent and member of staff who joined us for the Wishford Schools Art Exhibition. We are incredibly proud of every pupil who submitted a piece of artwork.
Our state rooms were transformed into a gallery, showcasing work from pupils across the Wishford schools. The standard was exceptionally high, with ceramics, still life studies and abstract pieces among the many impressive displays.
Particular thanks to Cricklade Manor Prep for curating such a wonderful event.
This week’s co-curricular feature is Esports! Esports offers pupils a fresh arena to showcase their talents. Mr Minghella, who runs the club, says: “Esports provides a space where pupil’s abilities can be celebrated, giving them the opportunity to be seen, valued and encouraged to grow.”
Last year, our pupils took part in events organised by the British Esports Federation, discovering just how inclusive and engaging the field can be. This year, we are focusing on building strong foundations, developing our teams and creating opportunities for future competitions.
Currently, pupils are competing in Fortnite and Minecraft, with plans to reintroduce Rocket League and expand into Valorant. Beyond the fun, esports develops teamwork, communication, strategy and quick decision-making, providing skills that extend far beyond the gaming screen. We look forward to growing a thriving esports community at Westonbirt.
On Thursday this week, Westonbirt celebrated World Book Day. Our halls, corridors and classrooms were transformed into some of our favourite stories as pupils dressed as beloved characters. Among those we spotted were Katniss Everdeen and Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, Miss Trunchbull and Matilda.
We celebrated the joy of literature by encouraging pupils to bring in their favourite books and enjoy ten minutes of reading at the start of each lesson. A huge thank you to all the pupils for putting so much creativity and dedication into your costumes – it was a wonderful day!
This term, our Art Scholars and Stars have been busy creating self-portraits in the style of famous artists. Their completed works have now been submitted for the Royal Academy Junior Summer Show, and we look forward to hearing if they will be on display in London this May.
We would like to congratulate the following pupils for their wonderful work:
Get your goggles ready, as pupils across all year groups will be taking part in a range of exciting activities next week! Pupils can cuddle chicks in Biology or explore the Physics of Music with a spectacular Reuben’s Tube demonstration. Expect explosive metals coming to life and special lectures from visiting experts, including alumna Angelina Ayche.
There’s also a Wildlife Photography Competition with prizes for the best entries – we can’t wait to see the amazing work submitted!
Science Week is a wonderful opportunity to spark curiosity, celebrate experimentation, and enjoy all the fun that science can bring.
The Dance Show on Tuesday 3rd March was a fantastic celebration of talent, creativity and dedication. Held in The Orangery, 52 students from Years 7 to 12 performed 24 dance numbers inspired by film and television. Chrissie Smith, Teacher of Drama and Dance, said: “Their confidence and enthusiasm shone on stage, making the evening a particularly special experience for both performers and audience members alike.”
From contemporary to street, modern and Irish dance, the show highlighted the creativity, commitment and teamwork of all involved, with 40% of the cast performing in their very first production. The evening concluded with a finale to The Greatest Show, capturing the energy, joy and incredible talent of our students.
Last Friday, Westonbirt Music Scholars took to the stage in our Reading Room for a truly memorable evening of music. The audience was treated to a formal recital showcasing a range of pieces, which featured music by composers such as Warlock, Joplin, Purcell and Bach.
Pupils demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication and the evening highlighted the depth of musical talent across our scholars. Congratulations to all the pupils involved on your fantastic performances – it was an evening to remember!
Did you know that five in every thirty children in the UK experience a mental health difficulty, contributing to rising social and academic exclusion? Jamie’s Farm is helping to change this. By partnering with schools, they deliver therapeutic, technology-free programmes that unlock potential, rebuild confidence, and nurture resilience. To date, over 16,000 young people have taken part, with 70% reporting significantly improved mental wellbeing.
At Westonbirt School, our dedicated team of runners is proud to support this life-changing work. Every donation, no matter the size, helps transform a young person’s life. You can donate to the cause here.
It has been a busy week in boarding! Boarders have enjoyed cake making, soaking up the spring sunshine on a crafty flower walk, polo trips, a lively game of Rummikub, and showing off their musical talents during a fun evening of karaoke.
It’s been an action-packed week in sport at Westonbirt, with fixtures across a range of teams. See the full set of fixtures and results here.
We always love to hear about achievements and moments of teamwork or collaboration. If you would like to share something, please email marketing@westonbirtschool.uk.
