BHSA Summer Bids 2026
Updated: Jun 30
Every year, the parents of the BHSA community decide how the money raised by the BHSA is spent. The money is usually used to further the experience of the students of Blackheath High School (Juniors and Seniors) beyond the curriculum and what we would expect the school to provide. Each year, the teachers are asked to propose examples of how the money could be spent, and the parents vote for their preferred options.
For example, in previous years, the BHSA has funded large projects, such as the fantastic new climbing wall at the Senior school and smaller projects, such as the 3D printers enjoyed by Junior School students.
Below, you will find the current options put forward by the teachers for 2025. In this instance, as the sum requested is somewhat less than the money available, we are simply asking you to vote yes or no. You can and are encouraged to vote on all Bids but please only vote once!
Please cast your vote by Tuesday 7th July.
The Bids
MUSIC EQUIPMENT
Proposed by Ruth Coles - Music
Cost: £1,506.95
'1) The electronic roll-up keyboards are a new model of instrument introduced to the market. They are light, portable and highly accessible for all year groups. We currently have a stock of 7 and need 5 more to complete the set (one for each student). They have been used very successfully so far in teaching composition and 4-chord progressions.
2) The classroom Cajons are incredible instruments for all year groups Nursery-Year 6. 'Cajon' means box/crate in Spanish - these instruments originate from Peru. They are again highly accessible and amazing for teaching rhythm and pulse, as well as different styles of music and use in composition. The colourful group cajon is perfect for EYFS and the seated, stackable cajons are perfect for Year 1-Year 6.
MUSIC EQUIPMENT
YES
NO
KS1 Maths Shed and Accessories
Proposed by Tristram Batt - Year 1
Cost: £954
'Year 1 has well-resourced Mathematics provision, but the outdoor area is not yet set up as continuous provision the girls can self-select from, leaving a whole learning environment underused for independent mathematical learning. A dedicated Maths shed with accessible, weatherproof resources would close that gap, letting the girls choose, return to and extend their own mathematical play, supporting the independence and self-regulation we nurture in Year 1 and extending the continuous provision model they know from Reception into Key Stage 1. The case is well evidenced: the EEF's Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 recommends that schools integrate mathematics throughout the day and make careful use of manipulatives and representations, both of which strong outdoor provision delivers through larger-scale, physical resources that reinforce the concrete stage of the approach underpinning our White Rose curriculum. Research also shows that learning through movement improves outcomes, with physically active Mathematics lessons producing greater gains in cognition, including arithmetic and working memory, and in gross motor skills. For our girls specifically, a hands-on environment they can direct themselves builds positive mathematical identity and confidence at the age it matters most, in line with the school's commitment to capable, confident girls; and as a one-off investment used daily by successive cohorts, with cross-curricular value in Science, D&T and physical development, it represents strong value for money and a lasting addition to our provision.'
MATHS SHED
YES
NO
Kapla Construction Toy
Proposed by Mary Crampton - Year 1
Cost: £264
We would like to teach more of the PHSE curriculum for KS1 and KS2 outside in the Forest School space. Outdoor learning is known to improve child development, support mental health and wellbeing, deepen nature connection and promote more inclusive and engaging learning. These logs seats would allow older children to sit in the Forest School space.
KAPLA CONSTRUCTION TOY
YES
NO
Goblin Kit Car
Proposed by Tristram Batt - DT
Cost: £1865
'The Goblin G2 is a complete kit car from the Greenpower Education Trust's Formula Goblin project, designed specifically for children aged 9 to 11, which maps directly onto our Upper Key Stage 2 cohort; it comes flat-packed with step-by-step instructions and introduces pupils to basic mechanics and electrics as they build a fully functioning single-seat electric racing car, which, once built and registered, teams can race at Greenpower events held across the UK between March and October. This is a genuine STEAM activity rather than a single-subject one, developing Science through circuits, the motor, battery management and forces, Engineering and Technology through assembly, the steering and braking systems and iterative problem-solving, Mathematics through gear ratios, speed, distance and time and the analysis of race data to improve performance, and Art and Design through the bodywork, which the kit deliberately leaves out and which therefore becomes an opportunity for pupils to design and model the shell themselves, building directly on the Tinkercad motorised-vehicle work we already run while considering both aerodynamics and the school's branding; alongside this it teaches teamwork, resilience and project management over a sustained period, making it ideally suited to an extra-curricular club with a fresh group of pupils taking it on each year. It also benefits the school more widely, since competing at regional and national Greenpower events gives us a distinctive, high-visibility offer that few prep schools can match, with strong photo and video content for our website, social media and press and a memorable talking point for prospective families, and, as a GDST school, fielding a team of girls in an engineering and motorsport challenge is a powerful statement about girls in STEM that aligns closely with the Trust's mission. In terms of value, the kit is a one-off purchase of £1,865.00, and as a welded, powder-coated chassis it is durable and reusable year on year, so the cost is amortised across many cohorts; for transparency, a battery charger, Greenpower event entry fees, bodywork materials and transport to events are not included in that figure and would be best presented as a modest annual running cost rather than allowed to surprise the panel later.'
GOBLIN KIT CAR
YES
NO
Imagination Playground Big Blue Blocks
Proposed by Tristram Batt - Year 1
Cost: $8,876.26 circa £6,695
'Investing in a set of Imagination Playground Big Blue Blocks for the Junior School playground would meaningfully change how the girls play together outdoors, shifting playtime towards large-scale, child-directed construction that children build collaboratively rather than alone. This is a significant expense, but one that delivers a lasting change to the quality and character of play in our outdoor space, and it carries particular value for a girls' school. A gender gap in spatial reasoning tends to emerge in the early years of schooling, and these skills can be improved through the right kind of play and training; because strong spatial skills predict success in STEM, building this capacity early helps address a disparity that later affects girls in maths and science. Research has shown that when childhood experience of construction play is taken into account, the gender difference in spatial reasoning largely disappears, and collaborative building in particular helps girls share expertise and apply spatial and mathematical thinking together, which suits the open-ended, social design of these blocks perfectly. Beyond the playground, the blocks would extend naturally into classroom and curriculum work, supporting imaginative play across lessons such as building fairy tale houses in drama, modelling structures in maths and design, and giving the children a low-barrier, hands-on entry point into the engineering and design thinking that runs through our wider STEM provision.'
BIG BLUE BLOCKS
YES
NO
Glow Sequencing Cubes
Proposed by Lizie Riordan - Nursery
Cost: £203.99
We are building up our technology resources so the children experience 'cause and effect' through a variety of different technology.
GLOW SEQUENCING CUBES
YES
NO
BBC Micro:bit Move Buggy (x10)
Proposed by Philippa McEwan -Computing - Robotics
Cost: £340
'A set of 10 move motors will allow me to teach this as a whole class unit. We currently have 3 move motors in school which has been used by the digital leaders in a recent robotics competition. Using these move motors, the girls can further develop their coding skills using using Micro:bits. It provides a fun introduction to buggies and robotics. They will learn about movement, how to utilise light and sound, obstacle detection and avoidance, and how to code :MOVE Motor to follow a line. When used in conjunction with the micro:bit’s radio features, the possibilities are endless.'
MICRO:BIT MOVE BUGGY
YES
NO
Cri-cut machine
Proposed by David Branch - Art + Textiles
Cost: £399.99
More extensive/advanced experiments with cutting fabrics, paper, vinyl etc Can be used for graphic, experimental samples across Art and Textile at all Key Stages. Quick immediate results. Stencils can be produced, lettering, fonts, signage, etc Can be used with plastics etc which can't be used on the laser cutter because of fumes. Allows us to do sampling more quickly and without overlap with DT dept laser cutter.
Cri-Cut Machine
YES
NO
Clay kiln, installation
Proposed by Laura Comerford - Junior School
Cost: £8,000
We are seeking funding for the purchase of a clay kiln to enhance creative learning opportunities across the art curriculum. Access to a kiln on site would enable pupils to experience the full ceramics process, from designing and sculpting to firing and finishing their work, fostering creativity, confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills. The project would particularly support girls in developing self-expression, practical design skills and a sense of achievement through creating lasting pieces of artwork. This investment would enrich the curriculum and provide a valuable resource that can be enjoyed by children for many years to come.
CLAY KILN
YES
NO
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