The most wonderful Christmas Concert – what a truly joyous way to bring a remarkable year at Beckfoot to a close.
On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 250 students took to the stage for our annual Christmas Concert. Performing to packed audiences on both evenings, they showcased the extraordinary musical talent that we are so fortunate to have within our school community. I was lucky enough to attend on the opening night and found myself on an emotional and uplifting journey, filled with memories, pride and admiration.
The variety and quality of performances were simply outstanding – from rock to pop, brass to drums, and an abundance of wonderful vocal talent. The ensembles were vast, vibrant, and spectacular, making this concert truly special – without doubt the best I have experienced in my 23 years at Beckfoot. Under the expert guidance of Mr Lee, Mr Stimpson, Mr Ratahi and their incredible peri team, our students performed with confidence, joy, and an unmistakable passion for their craft.
For many of our Year 13 students, this marked their final Christmas Concert, and it is hard to put into words just how much they have given to our school over the years. I hope they know how valued they are. At the same time, it has been a joy to see our newest students, particularly our Year 7 cohort, stepping forward so enthusiastically and showing they are more than ready to carry the torch. The future of the Creative Arts at Beckfoot has never looked brighter, and I feel incredibly excited about what lies ahead. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped make this unforgettable week possible.
This week has also been filled with end-of-term celebrations and festive cheer. Since Monday, over one thousand students have been rewarded through our Red Carpet events. From Christmas films to additional opportunities in sport, dance, art, DT, and computer science – and so much more – it has been wonderful to see such high levels of engagement and enjoyment. Our expectations for inclusion are rightly high, and as always, our students have risen to the challenge beautifully.
Wednesday brought our much-loved Christmas lunch, with staff gathering in the atrium to help serve and share in a truly special moment of the season. Alongside the usual lunch options, our fantastic kitchen team prepared a full festive meal of turkey, potatoes, sprouts, Yorkshire puddings, chipolatas, gravy, and dessert. Both sittings had a lovely, celebratory atmosphere, and our students were exemplary in their manners, kindness, and interactions with staff. I am hugely grateful to Anne, Karen, Sharon, and their wonderful team for everything they do day in, day out. They are an integral part of Beckfoot, and we are lucky to have them.
Over recent weeks, our Sixth Form students have been leading the annual Beckfoot Reverse Advent Calendar, collecting food donations for the Bingley Foodbank. The generosity shown by students and families has been extraordinary and will make a real difference to others this holiday season. In addition, they have gathered gifts and treats for local families and children to enjoy at Christmas. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported these causes. Funds raised from today’s Christmas Jumper Day will also go towards supporting the Bradford Soup Run charity.
In student leadership news, our new Beckfoot Student Leaders were elected following whole school voting last Friday. Congratulations to Maggie N, Finlay F, Nell B, Adnan T, Mueez G, Humaria S and Ava R, who will represent the student body throughout 2026. They will be formally introduced to staff at Friday’s briefing and are already brimming with enthusiasm for the projects they wish to lead. I am really looking forward to working with them. Our students consistently show great clarity, ambition and insight, and I know they will make a positive and lasting contribution to our school community.
We are also incredibly proud of Charlotte H in Year 7, who has been selected to perform in Brighter Still, a major production taking place in Myrtle Park at sunset on December 20 and 21, marking the Winter Solstice and serving as the closing event of Bradford City of Culture 2025. Charlotte will perform alongside a community cast of 80 people, joining dancers, musicians, choirs, and local dance crews in a spectacular show involving hundreds of performers. It is a tremendous achievement and honour to be selected to dance on both nights, and we wish her every success this weekend.
2025 has been a truly special year for our Beckfoot community, and none of it would be possible without your ongoing support. As we look ahead, our commitment remains the same: to do even more for our young people and families, and to continue nurturing and caring for the remarkable students we are privileged to work with every day.
Finally, I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy Christmas. I hope you enjoy a safe, restful, and joyful break, and I look forward to seeing you again in 2026.
Take Care
Simon Wade – Headteacher
