The year 2023 represents an important milestone in the school’s history as we are delighted to be celebrating 100 wonderful years of Westholme!

The year 2023 represents an important milestone in the school’s history as we are delighted to be celebrating 100 wonderful years of Westholme!
This year, we are delighted to be launching our INSPIRED Sixth Form Diploma. After the success of the Holistic Award programme which launched for Senior students last year, the INSPIRED Sixth Form Diploma celebrates key 21st Century skills and abilities, rewarding those who show commitment and engagement to all aspects of INSPIRED Sixth Form life.
We held our first Centenary Alumni Lunch on Saturday 28 January and what an event it was! As the first of our series of lunches, and the first of a long list of events taking place throughout the year, it was a fantastic way to start what we’re sure will be a year to remember in Westholme’s special history.
Our INSPIRED Sixth Form student, Harry Smith, has received an offer from Hertford College, Oxford University, to study mathematics.
On the last Thursday evening of the Autumn and Winter term, we held our annual Senior Carol Service in the magnificent surroundings of Blackburn Cathedral. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students in the Orchestra, Swing Band and Choirs to show off their talents in front of family and friends, on a wonderfully wintery and festive occasion.
On a snowy Wednesday morning, we saw students in Prep running a Santa Fun Run round the astroturf, which had been specially organised by INSPIRED Sixth Former and keen runner Charlotte.
Towards the end of last term, Prep held their annual Carol Service at the Cathedral. It was a wonderful service and the children sang, performed, read and played beautifully and before the service we listened to the string and recorder groups, who played spectacularly well.
Twenty-seven Year 5 and 6 pupils embarked on a half-term adventure to explore the culture, history and culinary delights of France – the first French trip to take place in nearly four years.
Last Friday we celebrated Children in Need across the whole school in support of the charity with a Dress Down Friday! Members of the INSPIRED Sixth Form charity team led an assembly in the morning for children of the Prep, raising awareness of Children in Need and the goals of the organisation.
On Wednesday 16 November, we were delighted to welcome a plethora of guests to Westholme for the official Opening of our Prep. This included inviting 75 dignitaries and supporters who all have special links to Westholme and the local community in some way, to attend the event. Amongst the guests were The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mrs Croston (Westholme Principal 1988 – 2013) and Mrs Anne Longson, the Great Niece of the school’s founder, Miss Emily Singleton.
We move closer and closer to the new year, when the Westholme Family will come together to celebrate 100 years of unrivalled holistic excellence, and this week we had a taste of what that celebratory atmosphere will feel like, as a large number of Old Westholmians returned to school as part of our Mock Interview event.
“Today’s GCSE success is testament to the true Westholme spirit” says Westholme Principal, Dr Richard Robson.