Newsletter
Spring 2018
School’s progress on the right track Rebecca Poole has been appointed as the school’s substantive headteacher. Chair of governors Rachel Cooper said Ms Poole has demonstrated unyielding passion and commitment to the school. Ms Cooper said in a letter to parents: “We know that Rebecca is the right person to lead the school and continue the fabulous work that has been started by the staff.” On her appointment, Ms Poole (pictured above) said: “It is a real privilege to be
leading this school, which I believe has all the ingredients to become a securely good school by the end of this academic year.” The news comes after praise from our School Improvement Partner (SIP) Alastair Wilson following a visit in February. Mr Wilson, who has worked with us for over a year, interviewed staff, assessed teaching in lessons and tracked student
progress, in line with Ofsted’s evaluation framework. He was joined by Orleans Park Headteacher Elaine Ball and Waldegrave Headteacher Philippa Nunn, who are both supporting our improvement journey. Ms Poole added: “We continue to develop and embed the culture of the school, which is one of academic aspiration and resilience combined with care, respect and support for each other.”
Primaries join students to stage popular musical PRIMARY school pupils joined older students at Hampton High for a musical performance of Annie Jr. Buckingham Primary, Hampton Juniors and Hampton Hill pupils performed classics such as Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow to families at three sell-out shows held in December. The shows were a culmination of Hampton High’s Primary Performance
Arts Centre, which started in the summer. As part of the partnership, primary pupils took weekly singing, dancing and acting workshops with Performing Arts staff at Hampton High. Sixth form students at Hampton High and Teddington School helped to plan, design, source and make the set and props for the production. Hampton High’s Head of Performing
Arts, Alice Jones, said: “It has been such a pleasure to work with the students across the three local primary schools. “They have been a fantastic addition to the cast.” She added: “We are so proud of all the students who have been involved in the production as they have demonstrated the talent, dedication and collaboration of the students at Hampton High.”
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
Abi keen to engage students in politics BUDDING politician Abi Fisher has vowed to canvass the view of students after being elected chair of the Richmond and Kingston Youth Council. The Year 10 student will lead the crossborough council for at least six months after being voted in by her peers at a poll held in March. Abi, who was first elected last year, has promised to visit schools across Kingston and Richmond to get the opinions of fellow students. She also wants to bring more attention to the work of the youth council and encourage other young people to get involved in politics. She said: “It is a great honour to be the chair of the Richmond and Kingston Youth Council. I have learned an awful lot from the previous chair and I want to keep going the work she has started. “Being chair is an awful lot of responsibility but responsibility is something that I have always welcomed. “We are doing a lot of important work to get the voices of young people in the two boroughs heard but there is more we can do. “That is why I would like to visit many more schools, youth and sports clubs to find out what the issues are that are important to students. “We also need to work on promoting ourselves so more people out there know about the work we are doing and can seek our help.” Abi took her first step towards achieving her dream of being a politician by securing a
... It’s fire man Sam with fire
YEAR 7 Sam Scoggins is playing e bubble while demonstrating the methan . club M experiment in STE
Voted in: Abi Fisher was elected chair of the Youth Council
provisional offer of work experience with MP Vince Cable. During his visit to the school in January, Abi was among three student s who took the Liberal Democrat leader on a tour. She said: “Vince was really nice and offered
me work experience with him at Parliament. I have since emailed him and am now waiting for a time to go and in and work with him.” Vivien Macleod said on our Parents Facebook page: “Congratulations Abi, well done. You deserve it, you’ve worked so hard.”
Creative young cell scientists YEAR 7 developed their knowledge of specialised cells by making their own model cell using a choice of materials in biology class. Student Sam Scoggins impressed by developing a working nerve cell, while Kye Frost made a ciliated cell model and Kyle Bryant built a plant cell from Lego. Science teacher Ms Brodie said: “I would like to commend all the students for their originality and hard work – and the parents who helped them.”
Tuition tips STUDENTS from Years 7 to 11 have been getting extra one-to-one sessions from tuition experts Tutor Doctors.
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Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
In brief
Students return for ceremony
Welcome: Sir Vince Cable chats to students before meeting with the leadership team
School ‘in the best shape for many years’ MP Sir Vince Cable has hailed the strong leadership at Hampton High and says it is in the “best shape” for years. Sir Vince took a tour of the school with students before meeting with senior teachers during a visit in January. The MP said a renewed focus on teaching and learning at the school was yielding positive results. He also praised the strong leadership of new Headteacher Rebecca Poole, who took charge in September, for engaging students. Speaking during the visit, he said: “I was highly impressed by the three young people who showed me around today. “From this brief visit, it is clear that you have an engaged and enthusiastic cohort of students. “In my years visiting Hampton High, I have seen many comings and goings, many ups and
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downs but I am very pleased to discover the school in the best shape I have seen it for many years. “Today I have learned the reasoning behind this is a very strong leadership team that has been put in place. “The previous Kunskapsskolan Swedish model was an experiment that clearly did not meet the needs of the students. “A renewed focus on teaching and learning is clearly starting to yield results.” Headteacher Ms Poole said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Vince Cable to Hampton High. “We were able to talk about the changes students had experienced as well as the clear direction that the school is travelling in. “He was very impressed with the students he met and offered the possibility of some work experience in his parliamentary office.”
OUR record-breaking former students returned to the school for an awards ceremony marking their incredible achievements. The school achieved a 66 per cent pass rate at Grade 4 or above (the A*- C equivalent in 2016) in maths and English, a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. At A Level, 35 per cent of sixth formers achieved A* to B and 67 per cent scoring A* to C grades. This is a ten per cent improvement on last year. Winners include Megan Nichols (Governors’ Award), Ehsan Mahmood (Headteacher’s Award), Marc Parker (Aspiration) and Laurel Flatley (The Ethan Richards Award). Others to win awards included Ella Heath, James Reynolds, Megan Huntingford, Amber-May Hutton and Parisa Darushian. Mr Bedford, Head of Year 11, said: “It was lovely to see all of these students again and to present them with awards for all their hard work.” YEAR 9 students have created a 3D n art project inspired by illustrators John Tenniel, Quentin Blake and Lauren
Child. Students researched the artists before developing their own work based on their chosen book for art class. Art teacher Mrs Roberts said: “Students have had great fun bringing their creations to life with Modroc, papier mache and paint to create some stunning final pieces.”
YEAR 11s have won praise for n their GCSE food preparation and nutrition practicals. Head of Art/Technology Ms Broome said: “Students showed commitment, attention to detail and put in an exceptional amount of hard work.”
YEAR 10 GCSE food prep students n Shabidul Siddique, Spencer Griffin, Beatrice O’Riodan, Charlotte Cooper, Ella Wyllie and Sophie Creech made it through to the Richmond upon Thames Young Chef of the Year semifinal.
YEAR 11 students mixed revision n with fun activities during a weekend trip to Calshot Activities Centre in Solent in January.
YEAR 10 and 11 drama students n were treated to a performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Orange Tree Theatre.
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
Students quizzed Sir Vince on leadership SIR Vince Cable was among a host of visitors quizzed by our students during a leadership workshop run by the Futures Club charity. The Liberal Democrats leader was joined by Head of Development at FTSE-listed firm BTG International, Dr Nermeen Varawalla, at the session held in January. Around 100 students from our peer mentors scheme, anti-bullying ambassadors and student council learned key leadership qualities such as communication and organisational skills. Students then put their learning into practice by posing questions of Sir Vince and Dr Varawalla about their leadership experiences. Assistant Headteacher Miss Taylor said: “The delivery of the presentations was very impressive, with students articulating their views in a matured and considered manner. “Our students gained valuable insight into the challenges faced in leadership roles.” The session was led by students from University College London and Cambridge University.
THE school celebrated Science Week with a range of fun experiments and activities. Students made their own pen grips, discovered how Nepalese farmers transport tomatoes, why you don’t burp in space and the how long a red blood cell takes to circulate the body. THE school welcomed hundreds of families to the school for a transition evening. Year 6 students joining us next year took part in fun educational activities while their parents heard from our senior leadership team.
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Art selfies: Our Year 7s have created self-portraits in art class.
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
HAMPTON HIGH COMMENT
Hard work by all brings rewards which ensure students are meeting or exceeding their progress targets. Our students prove time and again that they are excellent ambassadors for the school. This was demonstrated most recently during our transition event, which was attended by around 300 visitors, as well as our follow-up transition morning, which was also extremely wellattended. Our guides were able to talk with pride and honesty about our school, impressing all of the
new parents. We were thrilled to learn that we now have a waiting list for places in our new Year 7 cohort for September. This is a real testimony to the hard work of the students, staff and families, as well as the proactive support of our Friends of Hampton High and the Governing Body. We are working in close partnership with schools across the locality to ensure that we continue to thrive and provide every opportunity in our pursuit of academic excellence and student happiness. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a good Easter break and thank them for their continuing support of our wonderful school.
I’m convinced my daughter is in good hands at Hampton High
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Parent Rebecca Davies reveals why she’s glad she made the decision to send her daughter Emma to Hampton High... happy the students were. I was also so impressed with the new buildings and the scope for Hampton High’s potential for the future. I have to say I did want Turing House initially and felt some disappointment when I wasn’t offered there. But now I couldn’t be happier with Hampton High. We did get offered Turing House after going down from 82nd on the waiting list to first, but by this time we had got the uniform and Emma had been on Hampton’s summer school camp, which she loved. She only knew one other girl
from Stanley, so making new friends was important and she has made some lovely ones! Her form tutor Mrs Savage is great and has kept me up to date with how Emma has settled in. Emma has learnt so many new things and grown so much in her independence. The introduction of Show my Homework has been great too. She has joined police cadets and auditioned for Annie (school production) and embraced all of the rehearsals. I want to thank her teachers and tutor for helping her grow and develop and hope this continues in her future years.
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I was apprehensive about what secondary schools I should put down for Emma’s transition from primary school to secondary school. We live in Hanworth – on the border of both Hounslow and Richmond boroughs. I knew she needed a nurturing school and a school smaller than some of the other ones in the borough. I didn’t want her to be lost in a highly academic school but still wanted her to do well in secondary school and be happy, too. I knew the choice would be mainly between Turing House, Hampton High and also Richmond Upon Thames College. We visited all the open evenings but I felt pleased with Hampton, how supportive the teachers came across and how
Reacting to demands on literacy Senior Deputy Headteacher Ms O’Brien explains the new literacy push at Hampton High...
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This term sees the re-launch of our literacy policy. All the new GCSE examinations place more demands on our students’ use of extended writing and in maths. This has led to an increase in more challengingly worded questions on each of the papers. Through scrutinising student work, book looks and learning walks, we have identified opportunities across the school where we can support students’ writing. As a staff, we are having additional training this term on how we could be doing this in our lessons. We are having a push on Marking for Literacy and encouraging students to redraft work in green pen where teachers have given advice and feedback. At home there are several things you can do to support. Encouraging your child to read widely can improve their vocabulary as well as understanding. Other activities include discussing the news, reading newspapers and magazines, and being read to. Encouraging students to make notes as they do online research is also a great idea.
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Headteacher Rebecca Poole reflects on another successful term at Hampton
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I am delighted to have been appointed to the permanent post of Headteacher at Hampton High. It is a real privilege to be leading this school, which I believe has all the ingredients to become a securely good school by the end of this academic year. The interview process was a good opportunity to reflect on everything which has been achieved since September. The summer GCSE and A Level results (the best the school has ever seen) were achieved through focused hard work by the staff, students and families over a sustained period of time. They have given us a strong platform to further embed systems throughout the school
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
Focus on... careers
Students’ insight into construction
YEAR 10 students got a taste of a career in construction during a taster day with industry experts. They heard from professionals at developers Farrans at a visit to the site of a proposed new school in Heathrow in December. The ten students were tasked with constructing their own buildings from newspapers and sticky tape before getting a tour of the site. They were also given the opportunity to ask questions about construction career paths and a masterclass in building site safety. Year 10 Bradley Lake said: “My dad is a mechanic so it was that area of construction that appealed to me the most. “I hadn’t realised that building sites need help with their cranes and vehicles until this visit. It has opened my eyes to a new career
path.” Fellow Year 10 Jonathan Ride added: “The idea of working outside and being able to do something with your hands appeals to me a lot. I really enjoyed making the newspaper towers and it made me think that perhaps I would be interested in bricklaying as a career.”
Industry experts call in
YEAR 8 and Year 11 students learned about career paths, interview techniques and soft skills such as communication and teamwork when a wide range of industry experts visited our Careers Carousel. Professionals with jobs in education, media, finance, architecture, uniformed services and law talked to students during ten-minute sessions, which took place in February and were run by Hampton Futures. Careers advisor Alex Holmes said: “For many this will be their first introduction to the world of work. “This will help them to start to become comfortable with the challenges and opportunities that await them after Hampton High. “The industry experts who have given their time are potentially one day going to be in a position to employ our students. “Their guidance and support will be
Inspiring day YEAR 9 students took their first steps towards a career in medicine during a cross-school workshop. They got the chance to talk to industry professionals and took part in problemsolving activities during February. The sessions were part of the Independent and State Schools’ Partnership and was held at Tolworth Girls’ School. Ms Regis said: “The students learnt about the history of medicine and the role of doctors, as well as allied healthcare professions and medical work experience. It was a very useful and inspiring day.”
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Words of wisdom: Industry professionals gave guidance and support to students invaluable not only for learning about specific careers but the intangible such as soft skills, networking and interview techniques.” Lisa Webberson said on our Parents’
Facebook page: “Melissa enjoyed it although her career spectrum has now got wider. I think these talks are very useful indeed – I hope they do more.”
Professional writers offer advice STUDENTS were given insight into the what it has led to, as well as its origin. careers of two top industry professionals On Mr Brun’s talk, Elliot Mitchell at talks held at neighbours Hampton said: “He gave us some great moral School. advice during his talk, such as the They heard from former importance of ‘having constant Daily Telegraph journalist patience’ and ‘never giving up’ YEAR 9 student Grant Feller and novelist on something that you aspire Jonny Brook has Theodore Brun during a to achieve.” been awarded a visit to the school this term. Assistant Headteacher Ms place on the RAF 100 On Mr Feller’s talk, Year Taylor said: “We’d like to STEM course at RAF 10 Klea Vlladi said: “We thank Hampton School Wittering over the learnt about how fake news for inviting us to these thought Easter holidays. changes the impact in our provoking events and we look society; what it has created and forward to our next visit.”
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
Politician was impressed by our students STUDENTS won praise for their excellent behaviour and smart uniforms from a senior politician at Richmond Council. Cllr Geoffrey Samuel wrote to our Headteacher Ms Poole following a visit to discuss the council’s Vehicle Idling Action campaign on Hanworth Road. Cllr Samuels, a former deputy leader and Richmond’s longest-serving councillor, said: “I have always felt that the appearance and behaviour of pupils outside a school is a good indication of the standard of school. “Your pupils were smart, well dressed and extremely well-behaved. They are a credit to themselves and the school.” As part of the green initiative, backed by the Mayor of London, students learned about how local air quality is affected by idling cars. Student Morgan Wainwright said: “It was a very interesting session which really got the point across about the effects on the environment of idling cars. “I have been inspired to speak to those in my family who drive and to get them to switch off their engines if they are not moving.” Councillors and volunteers spent the afternoon in March inviting drivers on
In brief
Professor’s tips on avoiding exam pitfalls KINGSTON College professor Ben Rowe has been holding exam tips sessions with our Year 11 students. During sessions held this term, Mr Rowe has covered a range of topics including the importance of reading exam questions and revision and time management techniques. Head of Year 11 Mr Bedford said: “Mr Rowe bamboozled the students with questions that could trip them up and then gave them really clear advice about how to avoid these pitfalls in examinations.”
Care home help YEAR 9 students have been planning a community project to deliver workshops to residents of a care home. Ideas include sessions on singing, arts and crafts, nail painting and discussions. Check our social media pages and next newsletter for updates on this story. Praise for school: Cllr Geoffrey Samuel Hanworth Road to join the campaign and switch off their engines when not moving. Hampton North Cllr Kate North said: “It is very important young people get on board with this project. They are the ones who can influence their parents and relatives.”
Literary activities STAFF dressed as their favourite literary characters and students took part in fun interactive activities as the school celebrated World Book Day.
YEAR 9 students created masks inspired by their study of the Elizabethan period in English class.
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Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018
HAMPTON HIGH SPORT
Our Year 7 and 8 girls netball teams beat Teddington School 6-5 and 11-4, respectively.
Final hope for handball girls Big chance: Jonny Brook
Jonny eyes English title YEAR 9 Jonny Brook will compete against the best cross-country runners in the country at the English Schools Championships. Jonny secured his place in the finals following a highly impressive sixthplaced finish at the Middlesex Schools Cross Country Championships in February. The final will be held in Leeds on March 17. Please check our Facebook a Twitter pages for the race results.
OUR U15 girls’ handball team are celebrating after reaching the final of the London Youth Games tournament. After emerging victorious in the borough champions in January, the girls travelled to Lambeth school Oasis South Bank for a final eliminator tie. A tenacious defence coupled with goals from Kelsey Pollard, Ellen Dilloway, Oneda Uka and Beatrice O’Riordan, saw the team record a 4-3 win. Ellen Dilloway, who scored the decisive fourth goal, was named player of the match. Head of PE Mr Bucknall said: “Throughout the match the quality of the defending from the girls was amazing and the powerful Oasis team struggled to get through. “This week has shown that the Sport England campaign of ‘This Girl Can’ is alive and well at Hampton High.” He added: “Girls who wish to participate should look at the extra-curricular boards to identify which clubs they want to try and
succeed in.” The Youth Games final will be played at the London 2012 Olympic Games handball final venue, the Copper Box Arena, on March 27. Please check our Facebook a Twitter pages for the match results.
Jackson grabs gold for gymnastics glory HAMPTON High student Jackson Birch was part of a four-man team who took gold for Team GB at an international gymnastics tournament. Jackson’s team were crowned champions in the Men’s 4 acrobatics event at the International Federation
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of Gymnastics sanctioned tournament in Warsaw, Poland, in March. The team, from Richmond Gymnastic Association, based in Mortlake, achieved their best score in balance and dynamic routines and have now set their sights set on the European
Championships next year. Jackson (left) said: “Representing your country is an amazing honour, I felt so proud. “Competing at international level is hard because you are up against the top people, so to beat our own personal best score was a really great feeling.”
Hampton High newsletter n Spring 2018