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NewsWise Pupil Reports

Summer term
These articles were written by primary school pupils taking part in NewsWise.
The following articles are made up of excerpts of reports by pupils from High Bank school.

Pupils play garden games
Freya
Grow to School is a company that provides outdoor learning to schools. High Bank junior infant and nursery school are being visited by Grow to School every Tuesday in the summer. Grow to School is a company which delivers curriculum lessons in school grounds across Yorkshire.

This company, based in Huddersfield, was founded in 2011 and provides their sessions to pupils including staff.

Grow to School also delivers food growing programs that encourage schools to grow, cook and eat fresh healthy food and engage with nature.

This small primary school, built in 1976, is located in Liversedge and has a lot of overgrown and neglected outdoor space. Their Summers Garden is named after their previous headteacher Mrs Summers, who passed away in 2016.

A spokesperson from Grow to School said: “Evidence from our work over the past 10 years shows that outdoor learning can help raise attainment, improve behaviour, build resilience and confidence and make learning more accessible.”

There’s little doubt being outside increases wellbeing for the children and staff. The following impacts are supported by our case studies and stories and evidenced by the growing body of international research.

Bethany, who works for Grow to School, said: “Grow to School is all about getting children outside and connecting with nature. It is also good because children who don’t enjoy all work very well in the classroom can feel like they are succeeding and achieving.”

Elliot from year 4 said: “It is good and peaceful.”

The majority of year 2 enjoyed Grow to School lessons. Crystal said: “We get to be around in nature.”

In an interview, Henry from year 2 provided an alternative viewpoint: “When you sit on the logs and pick up sticks you get dirty but I do like the Willow circles."

Miss Sheikh, a year 6 assistant teacher, said: “It is very creative and we learnt life skills for if we went camping. We learnt how to tie knots which I didn’t know and we made shelter which I didn’t know either. It is also good teamwork.”

It has been announced that High Bank school will be continuing Grow to School in the next academic year.
Freya has written a very informative and interesting reports and has included balanced quotes. Well done!

Exploring Earth
Amy
Grow to School is a company that specialises in outdoor learning in the United Kingdom. Outdoor learning can include shelter building, gardening and so much more. They came to High Bank Junior Infant and Nursery School in the summer on every Tuesday and they still go to this day.

Grow to School helps children with their outdoor life skills and survival skills. They also teach everyone teamwork, communication and listening to other people.

Grow to School was founded in 2011 so more people could have greater access to outdoor learning, discovering and exploring. They’re based in Huddersfield, (West Yorkshire,) and they operate in the education sector.

They provides products, services and experiences. They deliver food growing programmes that support schools to grow, cook and eat fresh and healthy food and engage with the natural environment.

These skills could then help people in their later life. This school was founded in 1976 in Liversedge which is not that far away from Huddersfield.

The school is smaller than the average school building. There was a lot of outside area but it was overgrown and neglected. This garden is called the Summers Garden which is one of the previous headteacher’s names. She passed away in 2016.

A spokesperson from Grow to School said:, "Evidence from our work over the past 10 years show that outdoor learning can help raise attainment, improve behaviour, build resilience and confidence and make learning more accessible."

Miss Shaikh, teaching assistant from High Bank, said: "It is very creative and we learnt life skills for if we went camping, we learnt to tie knots and build a shelter."

Bethany from Grow to School said: "It’s all about getting children outside to learn and connect with the outside world."

Elliot from year 4 said: "It’s good and peaceful."

The majority of year 2 enjoyed Grow to School lessons. Crystal said: "We get to be out in nature."

In an interview, Henry from year 2 provided an alternative view point: "When you sit on the logs and pick up sticks you get dirty but I do like the Willow circle."

It has been confirmed that High Bank will continue Grow to School until the end of the next academic year.
Amy has written a very interesting and well balanced news report. Well done!
The following articles are made up of excerpts of reports by pupils from Holmleigh primary school.

School closures and mergers in Hackney and Islington
Nayana, Negha and Olivia, Oscar, Tomiwa and Yonis
Four schools in Hackney and Islington will be closed and two will merge at the end of the academic year due to the lack of pupils. The upcoming closures, according to the Learning Trust, are due to fewer pupils and a shortfall in school funding.

Due to the merger, there will be more funding for the schools. Currently in Sir Thomas Abney there are thirty or less children in the majority of each class but with Holmleigh merging there will be a two form entry for sixty children in each year group.

Some people are happy, but some are not. Luke, a Year 6 pupil, is devastated because he wanted to visit the school site.

Ms Lorenzos, the admin assistant at Holmleigh primary school reported: "I feel upset because I have been here for a very long time and my daughter was taught here and I have very funny memories of the school."

Mr Richard, a teacher, said that he felt very disappointed. He thinks the decision was not made with the children's best interests. He also thinks the decision was made for financial reasons.

The local MP, Diane Abbott, said: ''I have expressed the view that these closures are not the right solution."

Others feel that it is a good thing because there will be more space, a speech and language unit and more funding.
These journalists used the news structure to produce an interesting and informative news report. Well done!

School closures in Hackney and Islington
Dalal, Julia, Dahlo, Khamoy, Levi, Naomi and Nate
Holmleigh primary school, open since 1970, is now merging. The decision was made on the 22nd April. The schools affected are: St Dominic's Catholic primary school, St Mary's Church of England primary school, Oldhill Community School, Holmleigh primary school and Sir Thomas Abney primary school.

The closures and mergers are due to a lack of pupils attending schools in Hackney and Islington. Statistics show that pupil numbers have fallen by 2,399, and are predicted to fall by even further, to 2,637 by 2035.

If Holmleigh primary school children merge with Sir Thomas Abney primary school, then there will be enough money for more teachers, learning materials and to support extra activities. Children who have special educational needs will continue to be taken care of. Provision will now be even better because Sir Thomas Abney primary school has a language resource unit which provides extra support for pupils who have speech and language difficulties.

One of the parents at Holmleigh primary school stated: "I am totally against the
idea of my child moving to Sir Thomas Abney because we have been attending Holmleigh for over 10 years."

Miss Gaylor, a year 5 teacher, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Holmleigh."

Year 5 contacted both Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Cllr Bramble, deputy mayor and cabinet member of education and other local councillors. Diane Abbott expressed her concern about the school closures. She said: "I believe we must find ways to keep school open. Although I understand the pressures that the local authority is facing."
These journalists included lots of interesting additional information to produce a very informative news report. Well done!

Two local schools merge
Almina, Anaaf and Bea
Four schools in Hackney will close and two will merge in September 2025, at the end of the academic year.

St Dominic’s Catholic primary school will also close along with St Mary's Church of England primary school. Oldhill community school will merge with Harrington Hill primary school.

Between 2017 and 2024, Hackney has seen 2,399 fewer primary school-aged children and it is believed that by 2035, there will be 2,637 fewer pupils. The four schools are closing because not enough children are attending.

Merging two schools can bring quite a few benefits. Sir Thomas Abney primary school's large financial deficit is to be removed by the council. Holmleigh, judged ‘good’ by Ofsted, will benefit from becoming a two-form entry school.

To support the merger, Holmleigh primary school is having workshops for the pupils and the parents.

The expansion of Holmleigh school and the move to a new site will not affect the staff in any way.

There are mixed feelings with those affected including pupils, parents and teachers. Parents of a Holmleigh pupil said: “Holmleigh school is a lovely family school that has been giving quality school for many years. I feel disappointed with the decision, but we must stay positive.”

Amena, a teacher at Holmleigh primary school said: "I feel anxious because it is a very big change and a much bigger school however I am excited to see what the future holds."

Most of the Holmleigh children said they are excited to make new friends and have a bigger playground.

Mr Lian, a worker at Homleigh primary school, said: “I’m quite enthusiastic about it, we’re moving into a bigger building with more facilities - we’ll also have a moving company who can move things for us.”

Deputy mayor Councillor Bramble said that whenever the council looks at making changes to schools, they first think of what is best for the children and families.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North, has expressed her feelings in an email to year 5: “I have been firmly against school closures. Although I understand the pressure that the local authority is facing, including financial constraints and falling pupil numbers, I believe we must find ways to keep our schools open.”
These reports were very balanced, with views on both sides represented. Well done!

Two local schools merge
Alfie, Josie and Hawi
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Holmleigh primary school and Sir Thomas Abney primary school are merging. This is due to the declining birth rate during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The schools will merge together because Sir Thomas Abney is big enough for a three form entry school but it’s a two form entry school. So instead of closing down the school they’ll merge with Holmleigh.

Schools all over London that are big enough for three classes but only use two thirds of them will be either closed down or merged with another school.

Hackney council have announced they will merge because of the lack of students. For example, the minimum number of children you need in a class is 30, but at Sir Thomas Abney they only have 22 [children in a class].

The headteachers of both schools found out in September 2024 but the pupils and parents found out in October 2024.

At this moment in time the schools are preparing for the move. Some students are excited. Many teachers are nervous. There are many mixed feelings. Some people want the merger and some people are against it because they picked Holmleigh because of the fact it is one form entry. People from Holmleigh have been upset with the news and even started protesting.

A year six pupil stated: “Yes, I know that I am leaving when the merger is happening but I have been in this building for eight years. I would like to visit my old school when I leave.”

One person from year 3 said: “I am so upset, I have been in this school since I was little, now we have to move.”

A child from Holmleigh primary school said: “The Hackney educational trust can’t just bring us to another school and use this as an apartment building.”

McKenzie, from Sir Thomas Abney, explained: “I’m extremely excited for more pupils to attend our school!”

Parents and other carers are concerned and worried about this change because some parents and carers are going to have to take longer for their child to arrive at school.

Miss Boateng, the headteacher, may choose a select few teachers to teach in the new Holmleigh site.
These reports are about a very newsworthy topic and contain balanced points of view. Well done everyone!

Merger disrupts school life
Eleanor
Hackney council decided yesterday that they will go ahead with the merger with Holmleigh and Sir Thomas Abney primary schools because the British birth rate has decreased.

Sir Thomas Abney will close down and Holmleigh primary school will move onto the site.

This idea was proposed to the headteacher of Holmleigh primary school, Miss Boateng, in September 2024. The students and most of the teachers only found out in October 2024.

The merger will take place in the summer of 2025 when the current year 6 class have left and the school year has ended.

Many parents are angry because this will be a big disruption in their children's daily lives.

Children are also very angry and upset because they will have to get used to a new and bigger school and they will have to leave all their memories from the school.

Parents are worried that moving from a one-form entry school to a two-form entry school will affect their children badly. A year five parent said: "It will be very hard for my child as one-form entry schools bring a real sense of community to their learning and have a safe and friendly teaching environment."

From October, there have been many meetings and discussions questioning the merger and the children voiced their opinions on post-it-notes in the Holmleigh school hall.

Many Sir Thomas Abney teachers are angered too as they will be made redundant when the school moves. If headteacher Miss Boateng decides however, she may choose a select few teachers to teach in the new Holmleigh site.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been less and less children so schools have been empty - this is the reason many schools are closing around the UK.

Teachers are wondering about other school's futures too as the current Sir Thomas Abney site is big enough for a three-form entry school
This report has a great 5W paragraph and tells us all the key details of the story in a clear way. Well done!

School move
Zac, Thomas, Julia, Layla and Leah, Lewi, Mason, Amariyah
Yesterday it was confirmed that Holmleigh Primary School is forced, by the local council, to merge with another school, Sir Thomas Abney, in September 2025.

In October 2024, Hackney council proposed a deal to, instead of close Sir Thomas Abney, merge it with Holmleigh and Holmleigh would stay but use their site.

Mrs Boateng, the Holmleigh headteacher, said: “It’s really disappointing that we have to move. We know that there’s a lot of parents who chose to go to Holmleigh because we’re a one-form entry school and so it is a real shame that we’re moving and becoming two-form entry.”

The reason this was proposed by the council is because Sir Thomas Abney is struggling to find enough pupils to fit their three-form entry site because of a decrease in birthrate in the local area, whereas Holmleigh has lots of pupils and isn’t very far away.

There has never been a merge in Holmleigh’s history as it was only made in the second world war since the birth rate was going really high. This is going to be the first move in their history.

A year six student from Holmleigh, Kaiden, shared that the two schools consider each other rivals of sorts, due to football matches.

Miss Jane said: “I’m really going to miss Holmleigh, it's a wonderful place. It’s something that some people have grown up in.”

Parents have claimed that they are furious with the merger. Georgiana’s mother informed us: “The whole reason I put her into this school is because it's a one-form-entry school and now it’s become a three class school. This is honestly horrible.”

Josie informed us: “I know I’m in year six but I also want to visit my old school.”

Some parents were happy about the decision. One of the council members stated: “I think it was a great idea to merge the two schools because not only will it be helping both schools and making a better community, bigger schools mean more friends and a better education.”

Mr Marvin, one of the teachers at Sir Thomas Abney, said: “I think it is fine for the schools to merge because our school does not have enough pupils.”

All of the teachers at Holmleigh will move to the Sir Thomas Abney building and keep working there.

During the upcoming summer holidays everything will be moved to the other school ready to start the new year. Sir Thomas Abney is going to be named Holmleigh Primary School.
These journalists all used quotes well to produce a balanced and informative news report. Well done!

School moves school
Luke
A school in Hackney is merging with their neighbours due to a lack of students because of a low birthrate in the local area. The merge will take place on 1 September.

Hackney council have recently decided to merge two schools together. The idea came up in September letting some students know, but the majority of students received the news in October last year.

When the change happens, teachers from Holmleigh Primary School have the option to keep teaching or to leave the school. Whereas the other teachers will automatically be made redundant unless hired by the headteacher of Holmleigh, Miss Boateng, if extra staff were needed.

The teacher of year six at Holmleigh, Mr Mathewson, complained: “I am very upset about this decision as I think it ruins the history of Holmleigh, changing it into a two- to three­-form entry school.”

Pupils say they are very disappointed with the idea and even children from year six who will not be here say they would like to visit their old school and the same building.

When the change has been completed the council plans to knock it down the schools to build a block or blocks of flats.
This journalist used the news report structure very well to write an interesting and informative report. Well done!

School moves
Yesterday afternoon, Hackney council confirmed the merger with Sir Thomas Abney and Holmeigh primary schools due to the fall in birthrate during Covid.

The council has decided this as Sir Thomas Abney does not have enough students in their classes.

Once Holmleigh move, they will re­name Sir Thomas Abney as Holmleigh primary school.

Reporters have spoken to some students from both Sir Thomas Abney and Holmleigh primary schools.

A boy named Samuel said: "It is very disappointing to see that teachers are going to lose their jobs and we are going to have new teachers we have never seen before."

Students from Holmleigh said: "We are disappointed as this has been our school for a long period of time and it would be sad to see our school being knocked down."

Children from Holmleigh have been planning to protest, getting parents and teachers involved. Letters about the protest have been sent out.
This journalist wrote a very well balanced news report. Well done!

Read more pupil reports
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Flytipping, school dinner drama, inflation and the cost of living

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