YEAR 9 INFORMATION EVENING 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 Alastair Couldrey - Deputy Head, Academic Laurence Gardiner - Head of Middle School
Aims
Academic structure Much of the information can Key dates be found in this Parent Academic progress Information Guide – on the Academic enrichment Parent Portal Careers support Co-curricular Pastoral information Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Questions
Learning at Claremont
10 Learner Attributes Connecting Problem Solving Attentiveness Creativity Critical Thinking Curiosity Collaborating Precision Oracy Metacognition
Academic Structure – Year 9 Regular feedback about progress October – Grade card (7 October ) and Meet the tutor evening (14 October) November - Grade card with comments February – Grade card March – in person parents’ evening May – Summer exams – timetabled feedback week May – Exam card June – Grade card with comments Strong rewards system designed to encourage good learning practices. Year 9 is an opportunity for growing independence.
Academic Integrity
A three-year academic ‘roadmap’ not three separate academic years.
Feedback every half term with regular, focused written comments in grade cards to facilitate progress and development.
Increased in-person parents’ evenings structured around mock examinations.
Little and often approach to examination practice, preparation and feedback.
Finalised set of subjects by half-term.
Indicative three-year assessment and reporting pattern
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
Target grades - designed to be aspirational but realistic to gently challenge pupils to be the best they can be
Target grades based primarily on professional teacher judgement informed by evidence in class, written work and the discussion with the pupil
Attainment is tracked using a PRAG indicator
Critical importance of a growth mindset, engagement with feedback and reflecting on learning processes.
Academic Integrity
Encouraging independent and reflective learners
Take responsibility for their own progress
Think about skills and processes, not outcomes
Holistic approach with the tutor overseeing progress.
GCSE TARGET TRACKER 2026-29
Academic Enrichment – Mrs Harper • Competitive applications programme (CAP) • Extends across Years 9-11 • Focus in Year 9 is on the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)– assembly held last week • Myriad other opportunities on offer – weekly national competitions distributed through tutors.
Have athletes reached their full potential in terms of breaking world records?
Feminism: A relic of History or a modern need?
Should the NHS fund the treatment for 'self-inflicted' adult obesity or smoking? How ‘revolutionary’ was the American Revolution? Can fungi help to Is technology suppressing save the planet? children's imaginative and outdoor play?
Can we justify human space exploration?
NATIONAL COMPETITION OF THE WEEK
See/Email Mrs Harper for the ‘Toolkit’ to get started and she will register your team. Who is this for? • 11-16 and 16-18 year olds Anyone interested in: • Competitive Applications, particularly to large corporations such as Barclays • Formula 1 • Design and Technology • Marketing, Design, Advertising, AI, Media
Deadline – Friday 18th Dec
Find out more here: Accelerate your skills: National competition
Click me^
MEET THE STUDENT FUTURES TEAM Mrs Wigley lwigley@claremont.surrey.sch.uk
• Student Futures Coordinator • Available to talk to pupils about career options, Post 16 choices and building up skills for the future
Mrs Hawtin
• Oxbridge and UCAS Coordinator • Available to talk to pupils about the process of applying to Oxbridge and university
TALKS COMING UP THIS TERM Friday 25th Sept
Careers talk - Jojo Tanner – The world 1.20 – 2.00 of technology and AI
Drawing room
Tue 29th Sept
1.20 – 2.00
Inspire Lecture Life Sciences Careers talk - Emma Fletcher Octopus Energy – ideal for anyone interested in working in business or marketing
Drawing room
Drawing room
Thu 26th Nov
Inspire Lecture - Volcanic Hazards Careers talk - Mr Beresford - Working 1.20 – 2.00 in aviation
Drawing room
Tue 1st Dec
1.20 – 2.00
Drawing room
Thu 3rd Dec
1.20 – 2.00
Tue 13th October 1.20 – 2.00 Thu 15th Nov
1.20 – 2.00
Inspire Lecture Astronomy Careers talk Sunil Patel - Whisper TV – ideal for anyone keen to work in media
Great Room
Drawing room
WHAT ELSE IS COMING UP… Weekly drop-in sessions for pupils to discuss anything careers or post 16 related – Monday and Tuesdays 1.20 – 1.55pm in the meeting room in the basement of the mansion A half termly careers newsletter where we will highlight interesting things pupils might like to attend e.g. virtual careers events The Student Futures evening – Thursday 11 February – open to Years 9 – 11 – an opportunity to meet representatives from a wide range of industries and universities Form time activities on Unifrog ‘The Apprentice’ enterprise and employability day PSHE focus on identifying personal skills and matching them to careers.
Academic Integrity ●
Numeracy-based A level subjects, higher education courses and professions require at least a Grade 6 in Maths and English Language (if not more)
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Important to achieve facilitating grades in the subjects and related subjects you might wish to study at A Level
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Further Maths important if considering numeracy-based university courses that might require the ESAT or TMUA as part of an admissions process. * Illustrative – full list on the portal
Co-curricular activities
• Over 80 clubs across the senior school. • Co-curricular Fair was on Friday 11 September • We ask all pupils to attend at least 3 lunchtime clubs over a week, one being nonsporting. • Encourage you to discuss these with your child • There are lots of house events across the term • Enrichment trips – lots of curriculum-based trips across the year.
Co-curricular activities SPORT
Netball Lacrosse Football Rugby Fencing Strength and Conditioning Tennis Golf Badminton Gymnastics Archery Rugby Cross Country Dance Volleyball Basketball
MUSIC AND DRAMA
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
History Choir Film Club Classics Society String Ensemble Coding Club Orchestra Geography Club Jazz Dough and Design Rockshop School production ‘Faraway Tree’ Linguistics Olympiad Philosophy Club Chess Club Backgammon Club Japanese Language Language in the Media Equality Alliance Science Club Eco Warriors Photography National Cipher Challenge Gardening Board Games
Safety / IT support • Monitoring of the laptop • Yondr pouches • Expectations of students on technology
The Support Team
STUDENT AND PARENT SUPPORT – MRS. HEARD Teen Tips and Wellbeing Hub Themes until Christmas: - September – Puberty - October - How to talk to your teen about... - November - Understanding mental illness - December – Helping your child to thrive. Next 2 webinars...
Year 9 PSHEE – Mrs Hamer
Personal, Social, Health, Economic Education Content covered this half term: Fake News & Conspiracy Theories • What the terms conspiracy, misinformation and disinformation mean, and their prevalence online Extremism & Radicalisation • To understand extremism and radicalisation • How and why someone might become an extremist • Understand the process of radicalisation Run, Hide, Tell • How to follow the ‘RUN HIDE TELL’ safety procedure in the event of a knife or gun attack • Responsible use of mobile phones during a knife or gun attach • What to do if suspicious behaviour or items are seen in public Serious & Organised Crime • Risks of illegal behaviours online, including drug and knife supply, or the sale of purchasing illicit drugs online • Which trusted adults to talk to if worried about violence and/or knife crime • The law as it relates to knives and violence Deepfakes • What deepfakes are and the harms they can cause someone • Sources of support for someone who has seen or received a deepfake, or been targeted using this technology • The laws around deepfakes and nudification tools Sextortion & Online Blackmail • What sextortion is and how it links to online blackmail • The risks around sharing images, including the law on deepfakes and blackmail • How to seek support if an image is shared online without consent • How to report indecent material that has been circulated online and how to manage issues
Communication If you need to contact the school, please contact your child’s form tutor as the first port of call. All emails start with teacher initial, then full surname @claremont.surrey.sch.uk Eg lgardiner@claremont.surrey.sch.uk Please check your child’s prep book as any homework will be recorded here and on teams.
Parent information guide
The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme 16th September 2026 Mr Andrew Oxley
WHAT IS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD? • Founded in 1956 by the late Prince Philip and has now expanded to 144 countries • An internationally recognised award programme for young people aged 14-25 • Three award levels – Bronze (Year 9), Silver (Year 10) and Gold (Year 12/13)
Three levels
Physical
Physical
Skill
Skill
Volunteering
Volunteering
Expedition
EXPEDITION Open
Claremont
EXPEDITION Claremont
TRAINING DAY: route planning, camp craft, tent & trangia tutorials Sunday 7th February
PRACTICE EXPEDITION
QUALIFYING EXPEDITION
28th – 30th June
Expedition
Expedition
WHEN COMPLETING THE ACTIVITIES: Participants should ensure that… 1. The plan for each activity is uploaded to eDofE 2. They have an ‘assessor’ who can vouch for what they do 3. They can commit an hour per week to the activity for the set amount of time 4. Keep a log (perhaps photos) of activities to act as evidence.
COSTS DofE registration fee (£33) Non-refundable Physical, Volunteering & Skill sections Expedition: Kit Expedition package: circa £270
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? • Get started • Launch to pupils on Monday morning. • Discuss with your child. • Complete the Evolve consent form & payment, by Thursday 1st October. • Receive eDofE log-in (& welcome pack)
KEY DATES • eDofE training : tutor times throughout October. • 7th February, Sunday: Expedition training day, onsite. • 28th – 30th June, activities week: Expedition (Dorking). • 7th July: Have all assessors reports on eDofE. • 18th September: Collect certificate and badge
ANY QUESTIONS?
aoxley@claremont.surrey.sch.uk – Mr Andrew Oxley
DofE Official Website: www.doe.org
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
BRONZE (Y9) AND SILVER (Y10)
The expectation for each section is around 1 hour per week Year 9 Bronze Award launch to parents - Tuesday 23 September 7-8pm in the Great Room
Thank you for attending