Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 – Thank You
As I wrote in my last blog, our school community has come together all week to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it such a meaningful and impactful experience.
I want to thank the staff for the care, creativity, and commitment they show every single day. Their wonderful teaching, thoughtful activities, open conversations, and safe spaces they create truly embody our shared belief that mental health is hugely important and is a feature of our school all year round.
I want to thank our students, each of whom we are so proud. I want to applaud their honesty, courage, and kindness in discussing feelings, supporting one another, and embracing this year’s theme of ‘This is my Place.’ You reminded us of all of the power of empathy and understanding and your personal messages to staff and others this week have made such a difference to our community.
To our families – thank you for engaging with the resources, continuing conversations at home and working in partnership with us. When school and home work together, we create the strongest possible support network for our children.
Finally, to the agencies and external partners, such a Place2Be and the Mental Health Support Team who supported workshops, assemblies, and guidance sessions (including our Acts of Kindness focus) – we are deeply grateful for your expertise and collaboration. Your contribution enriched the week and strengthened our whole-school approach to wellbeing.
Welcoming back one of our own
As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, we welcomed back to school Bradford City shot stopper, Zac Hadi, who spent the afternoon with us on Tuesday alongside player liaison officer, Dan. Zac left school in the summer of 2022 following the phenomenally successful completion of his GCSE exams. That summer, he began his scholarship with City and was awarded with his first professional contract in the summer of 2024. Just before Christmas, he earned a two-year extension to his contract that will keep him at Valley Parade until the summer of 2027.
He spent a lot of time with Key Stage 3 students talking to them about his time at Beckfoot and answering the amazing questions they had prepared for him about his time at school, his career and the things that matter most to him in terms of belonging. He was utterly brilliant with them and talked with great affection about Beckfoot, his teachers and his five years at our school. He talked about his journey in football and his ambition for the future and he spoke about the importance of hard work and family. He was incredible and I felt really proud of the man he has become.
It makes such a difference to have one of our own return to school and spend time inspiring the next generation of Beckfooters. We are so grateful to Zac for his time and wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future.
Taekwondo success
A huge congratulations to students Erin (Y7), Natasha (Y8), Seth (Y11), and Sophie (Y13) who took part in the international taekwondo competition, Flanders Fields 2026, in Mechelen, Belgium last weekend. The competition, with over 800 athletes from across Europe taking part, in a very prestigious event in the international taekwondo calendar and one of the largest across the world.
Results:
- Erin – an incredible third round as a debutant.
- Natasha – bronze in the Patterns (10-14 years)
- Seth – silver in the Patterns and bronze in the Full Contact Sparring (15-17 years)
- Sophie – bronze in the Sparring (18-35 years)
- We are immensely proud of them all and the dedication they show to their sport.
Lockdown Practice
On Thursday we had our emergency lockdown practice across the campus. The reality of why we have to do this is never easy and especially, so this week given the tragedies in both London and Canada. However, our staff and students were brilliant throughout with everyone playing a role to help ensure we have a safe community at Beckfoot. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the practice in any way.
Half Term
On Saturday, our annual ski trip heads off to Andorra for a week of skiing and adventure. I hope they have a wonderful and safe trip.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and challenge for our school community. I feel truly fortunate to spend my days working alongside such vibrant and committed staff and students. They make Beckfoot what it is as do our parents, carers, and external partners. I hope you all have happy and restful break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, 23 February 2026.
Take Care
Simon Wade – Headteacher
