From the moment Saif joined us, it was clear he carried a quiet determination. What wasn’t immediately visible was the daily battle he has faced. Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Saif has had to confront physical challenges that would make many of us stop in our tracks. Some mornings, he would wake up in pain so severe it brought him to tears. Walking the corridors meant effort most of us will never experience. Even asking for the support of crutches—something he once saw as a weakness—took immense courage.

Yet Saif never stopped showing up.

He never stopped working.

And he never stopped believing that every drop of sweat, brought about by physical exertion, had to count.

During his GCSEs, when his body was pushed to its limits and he discovered a spinal asymmetry that made everything harder, he faced a moment of crisis. He questioned whether the hard work was worth it. Whether his dreams were even possible. Whether his future would be defined not by his potential but by his limitations.

But then came the shift. Saif chose to rewrite the story he was telling himself.

He decided that his challenges would not define him — his mindset would.

He realised that while others could walk comfortably to lessons without the daily fatigue he endured, he was ready to fight to reach his impressive potential. And that fight became his fuel and motivation. His message to others now is simple but profound:

“Never feel you’re at a disadvantage. The only thing that separates people is the effort they are prepared to put into the work they do.”

Saif also learned that seeking support isn’t weakness — it’s human. And as he gained confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging, he grew not just academically but personally. Acceptance came first. Then connection. Then purpose.

And that purpose is powerful.

Saif’s dream is to work in scientific research, focusing on SMA — not just for himself, but for others. His diagnosis at age three, and later his younger brother’s diagnosis, shaped a mission much bigger than personal success. He wants to contribute to better treatments, deeper understanding, and one day, maybe even a cure.

Today, Saif stands as a scholar, a role model, and a young man whose strength of character and resilience inspires everyone around him.

A grade 8 GCSE average.

A scholarship award.

A future scientist in the making.

A leader for his generation.

We are unbelievably proud of you, Saif.

Your story reminds us that strength isn’t found in the absence of struggle — it’s forged through it.

Congratulations, Saif — the best is yet to come

Earlier rounds had seen Crossley’s face mostly lower‑rated opposition, but this match promised to be a real challenge. Nottingham fielded a team closely matched to ours, and the classical 50‑minute time control meant that even the smallest mistake could decide a game.

Board 2 finished first: after capitalising on an early opening error, Alex secured a decisive material advantage and delivered the first point of the day. Soon after, Sri on Board 1 converted a passed pawn to victory against a highly rated opponent, giving Crossley’s a strong 2–0 lead.

Nottingham struck back on Board 6, where Lewis fell to a sharp tactical sequence from the Nottinghamshire U12 champion, narrowing the score to 2–1 and keeping the match very much alive.

Earlier rounds had seen Crossley’s face mostly lower‑rated opposition, but this match promised to be a real challenge. Nottingham fielded a team closely matched to ours, and the classical 50‑minute time control meant that even the smallest mistake could decide a game.

Board 2 finished first: after capitalising on an early opening error, Alex secured a decisive material advantage and delivered the first point of the day. Soon after, Sri on Board 1 converted a passed pawn to victory against a highly rated opponent, giving Crossley’s a strong 2–0 lead.

Nottingham struck back on Board 6, where Lewis fell to a sharp tactical sequence from the Nottinghamshire U12 champion, narrowing the score to 2–1 and keeping the match very much alive.

Under the expert guidance of Kieron Rodgers (Point Blank Cricket), students worked on refining their action, improving accuracy and building consistency. It was brilliant to see how quickly they were able to apply feedback and make visible progress across the session.

The standard continues to rise each week, with students showing great focus, determination and a real desire to improve.

We’re excited to see how their skills continue to develop as the programme progresses. More updates to come!

The workshop brought together young singers from across the region to develop their vocal skills, build confidence and experience the joy of singing as part of a larger choir. It was an inspiring musical experience and a great chance for our students to learn from expert musicians in a professional setting.

Well done to all of our students who took part and represented Crossley Heath so brilliantly!

These students took it upon themselves to organise the sale to raise money for the upcoming Music Trip to Paris. Pictured are the brilliant organisers, along with several other students who used wonderful initiative and jumped in to help run the stall when it became incredibly busy.

A massive thank you as well to our wonderfully generous families and staff who donated bakes. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and support shown, and thanks to you all the students have raised a fantastic amount towards the trip.

We are always blown away by the generosity of our school community, and thanks to everyone involved over £300 was raised towards the trip which is just amazing.

It was wonderful to see our school community come together for such an important cause to support local people and families when they need it most. Harold had a brilliant time meeting everyone and seeing the incredible effort that went into making the event so special!

Inspired to get involved? Hosting your own Big Brew is a great way to support Overgate Hospice — simply gather friends, family or colleagues, pop the kettle on and make a difference.

Students took part in a fast-paced house challenge, racing against the clock to collect as many house eggs as possible while also trying to crack the Easter Bunny’s code. The competition was fierce, with teamwork, speed and problem-solving all playing a part.

The house that returned on time with the most eggs claimed the win in this exciting house competition, while the team that cracked the code first earned early lunch passes.

The Easter Bunny was on hand throughout, offering high fives and encouragement, before helping present prizes at the end. And best of all — every student went away with a chocolate bar!

A brilliant way to celebrate attendance, reward effort and bring some Easter fun to the end of term

The semi-final was a real nail-biter, made even more special as the boys faced the same team who knocked us out in the final of this round last year. The team showed huge determination and resilience to turn things around this time and secure the win.

That victory set them up perfectly to go on and take the North East title.

This now makes it two teams heading to Nationals, as the KS4 boys will join our KS3 girls team on the national stage. We couldn’t be prouder of the effort, teamwork and character shown today.

Next stop: Nationals

Under the expert guidance of lead coach Kieron Rodgers (Point Blank Cricket), our promising cricketers, girls and boys, have been developing their all‑round skills through a range of new and innovative coaching methods. From technical refinement to tactical awareness and game‑based challenges, Kieron is pushing every student to make the most of their talent and grow in confidence.

The commitment, teamwork and enthusiasm on display so far have been outstanding. It’s exciting to see such rapid progress this early in the programme, and we’re looking forward to watching each group continue to develop throughout the Spring Term.

More updates to follow as the programme continues...

Meadow competed against 70 nominated dancers from across the country, all of whom had achieved high marks in their ballet exams. From this exceptionally strong field, she progressed to the final and was one of just five dancers to receive a Special Commendation Medal at the Junior IDTA Awards.

An amazing accomplishment that reflects her dedication, talent and hard work. We are so proud of you, Meadow, what a fantastic achievement.

You may have seen our recent posts about Myra-Sofia, who is currently playing student Aisha Azzi in the hit show. The iconic TV series has launched the careers of many successful actors over the years, and we’re incredibly proud to see one of our own appearing on it.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Myra-Sofia, we have no doubt she has a very exciting journey ahead of her.

Well done Myra, you’re a superstar!

We are incredibly proud of how far this team has come over the past four years, and it’s been fantastic to see their hard work and commitment take them all the way to a county final.

Rugby is certainly on the rise again at Crossley Heath. With our recent tour to Canada just completed and exciting trips to Cumbria and Italy planned in the future, there’s plenty to look forward to. Well done to the team for representing the school so well.

This is the first time in over 10 years that Crossley Heath has won this event, making their achievement even more special. The team showed fantastic teamwork, determination and skill throughout the competition.

We are incredibly proud of them all and can’t wait to see how they get on next.

National final… here we come!

During the visit, students will investigate urban environments and practise gathering and analysing real-world data. These are valuable transferable skills that support learning across many subjects. For students continuing with GCSE Geography, the experience will also help prepare them for the Paper 3 fieldwork skills exam.

Even for those not continuing Geography, the investigative skills developed during the trip are useful for scientific enquiry, technology projects and other research-based learning.

We look forward to a fantastic and engaging day of learning beyond the classroom for all of our Year 9 students!

We asked staff to nominate students they particularly admire, and we loved reading the nominations that came back. They celebrate many different types of success and reflect our school values of kindness, courage and excellence.

Staff nominated young women who are academically exceptional, those who have shown incredible determination and improvement, students who successfully balance demanding commitments such as sport, music and the arts alongside their studies, girls who demonstrate kindness and leadership every day, and some who have overcome significant personal challenges and are now thriving.

Some students preferred their nominations to remain private, and we are equally proud of them and the example they set.

Throughout the day we will be sharing some of these nominations and celebrating just a few of the incredible young women who demonstrate the extraordinary in the ordinary every single day.

We are very proud of them all.

Annie had an exceptional festival, winning her Classical Singing Class for both Years 6 and 7. This success led her into the prestigious Winners Challenge, where she competed against winners from other age categories and won that too. She also achieved second place in both her Musical Theatre and Unaccompanied Folk Song classes. To top it all off, Annie was invited to perform at the final day concert at Huddersfield Town Hall, an honour reserved for the festival’s most promising performers.

Sienna also enjoyed fantastic success, placing second in the Young Voices Duet (Year 13 and under). In the Pop Ballad category (age 14–17), a large class of 27 entrants in which she was one of the youngest, she achieved second place, just one mark off first. She also placed third in the Magic of Walt Disney (Year 9) class and second in Musical Theatre (Year 9).

We are incredibly proud of both students for their dedication, talent and confidence on stage. What a brilliant celebration of performing arts success at Crossley Heath!

First Place: The Mad Hatter and Lord of the Rings

Second Place: The Midnight Gang and King Harold

Third Place: Macbeth’s Witches and Alice in Wonderland

A huge well done to our winners and to everyone who took part. Seeing our students celebrate reading in such a creative way is a brilliant reminder of how important books are in shaping curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.

Stay tuned for our next post to see how our staff also joined in the World Book Day fun!

The Maths department followed the yellow brick road as characters from The Wizard of Oz, Geography travelled all the way to Middle-earth as The Lord of the Rings, Languages brought smiles as the colourful Mr Men and Little Miss, SEN stepped out in style as Cruella de Vil and the Dalmatians, and Pastoral caused a little mischief as Gru and his Minions. And that was just the start, there were many more fantastic costumes across the school!

A big thank you to all the staff who joined in and helped make the day such fun for our students.

His journey shows that being open to new opportunities can lead to amazing places.

Read Olly’s full story and his advice for current students here: https://www.crossleyheath.org.uk/.../from-first-class-law...

Congratulations on securing your place, this is such an exciting milestone, and we are so proud that you will be joining our school community.

We can’t wait to meet you over the coming months through our transition events and get to know each and every one of you. There’s so much to look forward to – new friendships, new subjects, new opportunities and becoming part of the Crossley Heath family.

Welcome to the start of your next adventure, we are thrilled to have you with us.

At Crossley Heath, we are incredibly proud of the significant proportion of our students who balance their studies alongside sporting success. This prestigious two-year programme has been designed to ensure our most talented and ambitious student athletes do not have to choose between academic excellence and sporting ambition. They can achieve both.

Delivered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, and supported by elite athletes, coaches and mentors, the programme will include:

• A financial scholarship to support sporting development

• Dedicated coaching oversight and weekly strength and conditioning

• Academic workshops on a range of topics including dual careers, nutrition, sport psychology and more

• Mentorship from alumni athletes and elite sport professionals, including experienced coaches and Olympians

• Access to university-level sport science equipment and performance environments

• A personalised development plan tailored to each athlete

....and more!

We will select just 8 to 12 students for our first cohort, with places limited and selection competitive. Applications are now open to both internal and external Sixth Form applicants and close on Monday 13th April 2026.

Apply by completing the form found on our website here: https://bit.ly/4rGWZFp

Please send queries to: sportingexcellence@crossleyheath.org.uk

We cannot wait to welcome our first cohort of Sporting Excellence students!

Students struck the perfect balance between focused study sessions and energising outdoor activities, creating a positive environment to recharge and refocus. The retreat not only supported exam preparation but also helped build confidence, teamwork and resilience along the way.

The atmosphere throughout was motivated and purposeful, with students embracing every opportunity to prepare for their exams with renewed determination.

A huge well done to our amazing Year 11 students for their hard work, positivity and enthusiasm, we are so proud of you.

An impressive 19 students from Years 7–9 qualified for the next round, demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills and mathematical thinking. A special mention goes to three Year 9 students who went on to tackle a demanding two-hour Olympiad paper, an outstanding accomplishment.

Congratulations also to our Best in School, Muhammed in Year 9, a brilliant achievement, particularly as he was competing against students in Years 10 and 11.

Well done to all students involved for their hard work and dedication

Being in school every day builds confidence, friendships, resilience, and academic success, and it’s one of the best ways our students can unlock their full potential and prepare for a bright future.

A huge thank you to our students, parents, carers, and staff for working together to make attendance a priority, this achievement belongs to all of you!

The event gave students valuable insight into a wide range of skills and career pathways, with interactive activities and conversations designed to highlight the many opportunities available beyond traditional academic routes. From learning about apprenticeships to understanding how classroom skills translate into the workplace, it was an inspiring and informative experience.

Well done to our Year 9s for engaging so positively and making the most of this opportunity, and thank you to everyone involved in delivering such a brilliant event

Achieving a DofE Award requires commitment, resilience and determination, as students balance volunteering, physical activity, skill development and expedition challenges alongside their studies. Each certificate represents hours of hard work, teamwork and personal growth.

Well done to all our students for this fantastic achievement — a testament to your perseverance and willingness to challenge yourselves. We look forward to seeing where these skills and experiences take you next

Read her full story, including honest advice on rejection, resilience and finding your path in a creative industry: http://bit.ly/4rbRmPm

We’re so proud to see Holly’s journey from Crossley Heath to the TV studio and can’t wait to watch the next series knowing she helped shape the stories!

Well done to Harriet and Tara in the Year 10/11 race, and to Raphael and Jack in the Year 7 boys’ race, for their fantastic efforts.

A special congratulations goes to Ruby (Year 7), who finished an outstanding 7th place.

An excellent achievement by all involved – we are very proud of you

Well done as well to our KS4 Badminton Team, who put in an incredible performance and narrowly missed out on qualification for the North East round after a three-way tie for the top spot. Qualification was decided on a count-back, with just 10 points separating them from the eventual winners. An amazing effort by the girls and a performance to be very proud of.

Fantastic representation of the school from both teams

The night featured food and drinks, a DJ who kept the dance floor busy, and a 360° photo booth that captured some brilliant memories with friends. It was wonderful to see our Sixth Form students dressed up, celebrating together and enjoying a special night to remember.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success!

Students watched a powerful drama performance following the lives of three teenagers, exploring the challenges they face when alcohol becomes part of their social world. Through relatable characters and real-life scenarios, the performance highlighted how quickly risky situations can arise and the pressures young people may feel around drinking.

After the performance, students took part in an interactive workshop, encouraging them to reflect on what they had seen and discuss wider issues around underage drinking. Together, they explored the social and emotional reasons young people may turn to alcohol, the impact it can have on health, relationships and wellbeing, the role of peer pressure in decision making, and where to seek support for themselves or others.

From 9 students diving into Fine Art and Textiles taster sessions (including paper garments made in just 20 minutes! ), to lunchtime creative challenges exploring fine art, illustration, digital art, animation, game art, architecture and fashion design the energy and imagination on display has been amazing.

Students have designed mascots, created adverts, experimented with different media and styles, used industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, and even designed their own computer game characters

We’ve also loved hearing from our inspiring alumni, including Emily Stollery, Annie Wade-Smith and Amanda McDermott, who shared their journeys and showed just how many exciting career paths creativity can open up.

A real highlight of the week was our Year 12 trip to the University of Huddersfield, where students experienced university life first-hand through workshops in Fine Art, Illustration and Textiles. Huge thanks to the university staff and student ambassadors for such a motivating day

Thank you to everyone who got involved at lunchtimes, took on challenges, collected passports and earned house points - and well done to our Year 7s for getting started on their competition entries… more on that soon!

The future of the creative industries is looking very bright.

Huge congratulations to our winners:

• Yulianna and Amelia – Using the Scientific Method: Investigating the effects of different drinks on dentine using eggshells. Their project stood out for its clear planning, strong logic and particularly thoughtful evaluation and reflection on the strengths and limitations of their study.

• Miguel – Using the Engineering Design Process: A coded car parking management system that followed the full design cycle from problem identification to testing and improvement. Miguel impressed judges with his working one-in-one-out system and clear explanation of how it could be developed further.

• Tarunikaa – Science and Design: A creative and interactive model of the solar system and constellations, helping others understand how the night sky changes across seasons and hemispheres. The project combined strong scientific understanding with excellent communication.

• Reeti – Science Research Project: “Why haven’t we cured cancer yet?” An ambitious and highly researched project exploring complex biological processes and cancer treatments, delivered with confidence and genuine curiosity.

• Khadeeja - Judge’s Choice Award – Energy Bus: A highly innovative and sustainable design where passengers generate electricity while travelling, showing outstanding creativity, inclusivity and real-world problem solving.

Judging was carried out by Dr Kerry Parris, Lecturer in Medical Education at The University of Manchester School of Medical Sciences, who praised the depth of understanding and quality of discussion throughout the fair.

A huge thank you to King Beds in Halifax for kindly sponsoring the prizes.

Well done to all students involved – a brilliant celebration of science at Crossley Heath!

Katherine was selected for this award in recognition of her outstanding commitment, composure and leadership throughout the season. She consistently remained calm under pressure, providing a steady and reassuring presence that kept her team focused and united.

Playing with excellent skill and quiet determination, Katherine led by example rather than words, demonstrating resilience, maturity and sportsmanship throughout her time representing Crossley Heath. Through her performances and attitude, Katherine is helping to carry forward the proud sporting legacy of Heath Grammar School, which was long known for its sporting excellence.

We’re incredibly proud of you, Katherine, and look forward to seeing you continue to build on this legacy in the years ahead.

Since then, Daphne has continued performing through open mic nights, musical performances and school productions, including Oliver Junior in Year 7. She is incredibly proud to be part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show.

Aqib was always hugely passionate about our house system and was a true team player, consistently encouraging others to get involved and step outside their comfort zones. He threw himself into every opportunity with enthusiasm, supporting those around him and contributing positively to house events across the school.

From singing a solo as Freddie Mercury during House Music, to fully committing (blue paint and all!) to his role as the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, Aqib embraced each role with confidence - all while remaining a popular, well-liked and respectful presence around school.

This award celebrates Aqib’s energy, teamwork and willingness to give things a go. He's already greatly missed, and we’re excited to follow his achievements as he moves on to the next chapter.

Congratulations, Aqib!

The standard was incredibly high, making judging very difficult, but special congratulations go to our winners:

Ajay (7F) – Runner up

Safiyah (9E) – Runner up

Muhammad-Musa (7C) – Winner, with an impressive model of Durdle Door!

Thank you to all students who entered and to the Geography team for organising such a brilliant competition. A fantastic example of imagination, geographical knowledge and house spirit in action!

Zara’s involvement doesn’t stop there, she’ll be returning again tonight as an Ice Marshall and will also play a role in the medal ceremony, making this an unforgettable few days at the championships.

A brilliant achievement and a wonderful example of dedication and commitment. Well done, Zara!

A special thank you to alumnus Thomas Backhouse, who returned to Crossley Heath as a guest pianist. It was a real privilege to welcome him back and to be inspired by his performance.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the festival such a success!