This half term has flown by, and it has been another incredibly busy and rewarding time at Nower Hill Our proudly diverse and inclusive community has truly thrived, with students throwing themselves into a wide variety of opportunities with enthusiasm and energy, and we are delighted to share these moments with you.
There has been a real buzz around the school, with students demonstrating immense creativity and ambition through whole year group events like the Year 7 spring party alongside Maths and Chemistry competitions, an international ski trip, and outstanding sporting excellence These rich experiences provide broad learning, expanding horizons and unlocking new possibilities and discovery for our young people We also warmly welcome our new student leaders, our Head Students, Prefects, and Heads of Houses I congratulate them and extend my deepest gratitude to our outgoing leaders for their dedicated service to the school, beautifully embodying our motto, Service Not Self
Meanwhile, our Year 11 and 13 students have made a strong, focused start to their public examinations They have approached this crucial period with maturity, commitment, and determination We are incredibly proud of how hard they have worked in their preparation, aiming high to create tangible future choices Both year groups have left a very
positive legacy at Nower Hill; we had lots of fun on their last day during their leavers' assemblies and look forward to celebrating further at their upcoming proms
In the last few editions we have included a spotlight on an example of staff professional development We plan to continue to showcase our shared commitment to nourishing a lifelong love of learning for all
As ever, thank you for your continued support for our school community We hope you enjoy reading about everything the students have achieved this half term, and that you have a restful and enjoyable break with your families
Jo Skelhorne Headteacher Nower Hill High School
Student Leadership Appointments
2026 - 2027
Following a rigorous selection process which involved completing an application, delivering a hustings speech and attending an interview, a brand new Senior Student Leadership Team has been appointed for 2026-27. The standard of applications, speeches and interviews was exceptionally high, making the decisions very difficult for the panel of Ms Skelhorne, Mr Bremner and Ms Cullum
Our new Senior Student Leaders, led by our two Head Students, take over at an exciting time as we look to embed the new school values into the life of the school They will act as role models, provide support and guidance to younger years and ensure that the school ethos of “service not self” is upheld
We are also delighted to announce our Year 11 Head Prefect team for 2026-27, who were successfully appointed after a challenging selection process and interview. Our two Head Prefects will be supported by four Deputy Head Prefects, in addition to a team of 130 Year 11 Prefects and 150 Key Stage 4 and Faculty Prefects.
Mr Bremner
Head Students
Desarae Wesley
Deputy Head Students
Prefects
Deputy Head Prefects
Melody Lucas
Matty
Oviya
Elsie Sabrine Head
Heads of Houses
BANNISTER - Zubair
FRANKLIN - Raghav
GANDHI – Ana
Nower Hill House System
As we move towards the final half-term of the 2025-26 House competition, Gandhi House continues to lead the way in our overall achievement point competition, with Shabazz close behind them At the bottom, Nightingale are narrowly above Bannister, while Franklin is pushing for a place on the podium as they close in on King in third place
Three House competitions remain next term with students able to win points in the Maths Bee relay, House MasterChef and our Computing competition and we end the Year with all students representing their Houses at Sports Day in July!
Mr Bremner
Year 13 Leavers
Good Luck Year 13!
After nearly two years of 6th Form and 7 years at Nower Hill for most students, Friday 8th May was the final school day for Year 13. It was a wonderful celebration, full of positivity and appreciation. As you can see in the photograph there were some wonderful costumes on show. We are so very grateful to all the students and teachers who worked so hard to put on such a fantastic show. We hope it was a day the students will remember forever.
We are very proud of all our Year 13 students, for all their achievements so far and those yet to come. We wish them all good luck with their exams and everything beyond.
Ms Abbotts
The Last Day of Year 11
On Wednesday 6th May 2026, our Year 11 students enjoyed a fantastic final day filled with celebration, reflection, and lasting memories The atmosphere around school was full of excitement as students marked the end of their 5 journey together and the start of their GCSE exams
One of the traditions of the day was the muchanticipated shirt signing. Students spent time sharing messages and good wishes on each other’s school shirts, creating keepsakes that will remind them of their friendships and experiences for years to come.
The celebrations continued with a memorable Leavers’ Assembly, where students and staff came together to look back on the achievements and highlights of our
“Game Changing Greens”. The assembly featured heartfelt speeches, laughter-filled memories, and touching moments that captured the spirit of Year 11 perfectly. Staff also shared messages of encouragement and pride, recognising the resilience, hard work, and character shown by students during their time at Nower Hill.
It was a fitting send-off for a wonderful year group who have contributed so much to school life. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and wish them every success and happiness as they start their GCSE exams and move onto the next exciting chapter of their academic journeys
Miss Azam & Mr Ford
Year 7
Paul Hannaford Assembly
Year 7 students recently attended a powerful and thought-provoking assembly delivered by Paul Hannaford Drawing on his own lived experiences, Paul shared an account of the dangers of drug addiction and the impact substance misuse can have on family relationships, physical and mental health, and future opportunities.
The assembly encouraged students to reflect on the importance of making positive choices and seeking support when needed The session provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop their understanding of the consequences of addiction and the importance of resilience, wellbeing, and informed decision-making.
Year
8
Spring
Party
The Year 7 Spring Party held at the start of term, was a tremendous success and thoroughly enjoyed by all students who attended. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to socialise with their peers, build new friendships, and celebrate together in a fun and positive atmosphere.
Students enthusiastically took to the dance floor throughout the evening, enjoying the music, dancing, and refreshments, including pizza and drinks. A particular highlight of the event was seeing Form Tutors and Heads of Year joining in the celebrations, entertaining students with their enthusiasm and some very impressive dance moves!
The evening was filled with laughter, energy, and a strong sense of community, making it a memorable occasion for everyone involved. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the PTFA for all of their hard work in organising the event and ensuring that the party was such a fantastic success.
Ms Sahadow & Ms Sheppard
Year 8 have their exam week coming up on Monday 8th June Exams will take place in lessons and will be for their core subjects; English, Maths and Science Over the course of this term students have had study skills sessions delivered in form time to encourage trialling different revision techniques. More guidance can be found on the Student Wellbeing page, that students can access via their G-Suite account, along with strategies for managing exam stress. The End of Year Exams are an important way for us to be able to assess the progress that your child has made and set targets for the next steps as they begin their GCSE journey in Year 9. It’s about measuring progress, not creating pressure! Good luck Year 8!
Ms Eveleigh, Ms Hamilton & Mr Michaelides
Junior Maths Challenge
Wednesday 29th April 2026
We are delighted to celebrate the success of our Year 7 and 8 students in this year’s Junior Mathematical Challenge The Challenge is a 60-minute, competition with 25 multiple choice questions designed to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency. The problems are accessible whilst still providing a challenge for more experienced mathematicians An impressive 260 students took part, demonstrating enthusiasm, resilience and excellent problem-solving skills throughout. We are especially proud to announce that students achieved 12 Gold, 54 Silver and 55 Bronze awards. In addition, 9 students have qualified for the Junior Kangaroo Challenge, a fantastic achievement, and further information will be shared in due course Congratulations to all students involved on their outstanding efforts and success.
Chemistry Olympiad
On Wednesday 28th January, a group of outstanding A Level Chemistry students sat the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad Students had been meeting on Friday lunchtimes to work through a variety of questions from earlier papers, to become familiar with the highly challenging format.
Our students performed very well and we are incredibly proud of them We would like to give particular Congratulations to Caitlin O'Mahoney who achieved a Silver Award and to Zoha Ali who achieved a Bronze award
Miss Lam & Mrs Jilka
Ms Watson
Sestriere / Sauze d'Oulx Ski Trip 2026
28th March - 4th April 2026
During the first week of the Easter break, 40 students in Years 9, 10 and 12, and 5 members of staff travelled to Italy for a week of skiing. This proved to be an unforgettable experience filled with determination, teamwork, and plenty of fun on the slopes
From the moment we arrived, students embraced the challenge of learning new skills, with all progressing under the guidance of experienced instructors. Whether beginners skiing for the first time, or more advanced skiers tackling steeper runs, everyone showed resilience and enthusiasm throughout Beyond skiing, the trip offered opportunities to build friendships, take in the stunning scenery and enjoy evening activities together
A huge well done to all students on the trip, we hope they enjoyed their time in Italy and have taken lasting memories with them!
Miss Genower
Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme
This year’s Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme has been a great success, with students demonstrating outstanding commitment, maturity and engagement across all elements of the project They have taken part in seminars at a range of schools, including visiting institutions of different faiths, where they have shown great respect, curiosity and openness in learning about other communities and perspectives In addition, they have taken on the responsibility of hosting four schools earlier in the year, where they acted as confident and welcoming ambassadors for our school, supporting the smooth running of sessions and engaging positively with visiting students.
A key focus of their current project has been tackling LGBTQ+ misinformation and improving education around this area. Students have approached this with sensitivity and thoughtfulness, working collaboratively to research, plan and design informative sessions aimed at promoting understanding and respect. They are now preparing to deliver lessons to all Year 7 students, which represents a significant achievement and an important opportunity for them to make a positive impact within the school community. Throughout the programme, students have developed as leaders, communicators and role models, and we are extremely proud of the way they have represented the school.
Mr Kilroy
Year 10 Work Experience
We are delighted to announce 323 Year 10 students participated in work experience placements from Tuesday 5th May to Friday 8th May 2026.
Over 160 students found their own work experience placement, which is an amazing achievement. Thank you to parents and families for helping support your child with a placement or offering to take on another student.
A wide variety of industries offered work experience to our students - pharmacy, estate agents, fitness centres, primary schools and solicitors
Our students thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the world of work and did exceptionally well. They were fully engaged and professional Students have gained new skills that will be invaluable when they enter the workplace in the future
Here are some of the comments made by students: “All in all, it was a fantastic experience. It gave me an insight into how organisations operate.” “I enjoyed meeting with employers and learning about their life at work and what they do.” “It really made me think about what I want to do and what my aspirations are ” “So different to being at school, long day and I was very tired.” “Work experience helped Improve my time keeping skills.” “I realised how hard teachers work and I appreciate them more ”
Overall, employers were very impressed with our students and thought they were confident, polite and an asset to our school Well done to all the students who took part
Ms Doshi
Above: Alan Senitt was a former student of Nower Hill High School
Year 12 Biology
Our Year 12 Biology students created fantastic antibody models to demonstrate their understanding of the immune system The quality of work was outstanding, with students showing great creativity, effort, and scientific knowledge
Well done to all students for producing such impressive models and engaging so positively with the task.
Ms Tshibola
Performing Arts News
Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge Final
On Sunday, 19th April, our incredible Glee Club took to the iconic stage of the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End for the Grand Final of the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge.
It was an evening of high energy and immense talent The performances were nothing short of spectacular Students handled the pressure of a professional West End stage with absolute poise, showcasing a level of professionalism that made us all beam with pride We are so incredibly proud of every single performer for their commitment and passion.
A huge thank you to the staff and parents who supported the club throughout the year, and what a fantastic way to celebrate all that hard work! A massive thank you to Beth Leighton for all her hard work with students throughout the year and to Miss Hamilton and Mr Cotter, for their support on the day.
Mr Roberts
“Taking part in this glee club competition was not only about the few minutes we spent performing on stage, but also about all the hard work, passion and teamwork behind it. From countless rehearsals to bootcamps and workshops, every moment helped us grow stronger as a team and improve together Seeing everyone backstage hugging, cheering and even crying tears of joy after the performance made me realise that all our effort had truly paid off. It’s an experience I will never forget.
”
Chloe Lai 9NN
Sports News
Year 10 Football Team - Winners!
The Year 10 boys' football team concluded their exceptional campaign by winning the 2025/26 Harrow Borough Cup in a dramatic final against Park High at Rayners Lane FC on Friday 17th April Keen to improve on last year’s semi-final finish, the boys desperately targeted the cup
They started slowly, conceding inside ten minutes after a good run from the opposition's left winger. Showing great character, the team rallied together and began dominating possession. Leo soon levelled with a speculative long-range strike from outside the box, maintaining his record of scoring in every single game this season. However, shaky defending allowed Park’s goal scorer to drive from the halfway line, assisting his teammate to leave our boys trailing 2-1 at halftime
Following a tough team talk from their manager, the boys completely dominated the second half, pinning their opponents back Despite missing multiple chances and facing a strict man-marker, Leo broke free in the left half-space, scoring with his weak foot to equalize 22 with just minutes remaining
In extra time, the boys proved to be the stronger team The breakthrough arrived when Leo’s initial shot was saved, and Rushil smashed home the rebound to put them ahead. The team dug in defensively until the final whistle, proving to be the deserving champions.
Mr Hughes
Key Stage 3 Girls’ Football
The KS3 Girls’ Football Team have seen outstanding sporting performances this year and have represented the school with pride, commitment and sportsmanship throughout a very busy fixture schedule Their season highlights included being crowned Middlesex Cup champions and reaching the final of the Harrow League, which took place on 6th May at Bannisters Outdoor Sports Centre.
The girls showed great determination and resilience in the final, battling hard throughout the match but
unfortunately losing 2–0 Despite the result, their achievements this season have been exceptional, and they have been brilliant ambassadors for the school both on and off the pitch
The team should be incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished this year!
Ms Genower
Gymnastics Harrow Borough Competition Success
On Wednesday 6th May, students from Years 7 to 9 represented Nower Hill in the Harrow Borough Gymnastics Competition. This year was a huge success for our school, with an incredible team of 24 students representing us - our biggest team yet. All students competed in both a vault event and performed their own floor routines, which they have worked hard over the past term to create and perfect.
We are especially proud to announce that:
The Core team achieved an amazing 2nd place overall
The Advanced team were awarded 1st place overall
There were also several outstanding individual performances:
Leiya in Year 7 placed 2nd overall Ava in Year 8 achieved 3rd overall Lily in Year 9 won the award for: ‘Most memorable floor routine’
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part - we are incredibly proud of all our gymnasts!
Miss Kidd
Harrow Athletics Championships
On Tuesday 5th May, 50 Nower Hill students in Years 7 - 9 took part in the Harrow Athletic Championships Throughout the event, they demonstrated excellent behaviour and outstanding sportsmanship, supporting one another and showing great respect to competitors
There were many examples of this throughout the day, including a Year 7 student who offered his relay medal up to his peer who had been injured in his race and so could not take part, also a Year 9 student stepped up to help younger students, giving her spikes to a Year 8 student to compete in high jump and helping Year 7 students with their baton technique before their race.
There were some brilliant individual performances across a range of events, with students displaying determination, resilience, and a strong competitive spirit It was fantastic to see their hard work and commitment rewarded
All students represented the school with pride and were a real credit to the community. Well done to everyone involved!
Ms Genower
Spotlight on staff professional development: Technology, Innovation and Education:
Reflections from India
During the Easter break, I was honoured to receive a special invitation to join the School of Coding and AI on an educational visit to India as part of the Turing Programme. One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to visit the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar), one of India’s leading institutions for engineering, technology, and innovation.
The IIT institutions are internationally recognised for their academic excellence and have produced influential global figures, including Sundar Pichai Visiting IIT Ropar offered a fascinating insight into the culture of ambition, discipline, and innovation that exists within these institutions
What stood out most was the determination and mindset of the students. Entry into the IIT system is incredibly competitive, with over a million students sitting the entry examination each year and only a small percentage securing a place. Speaking with students, alumni, and professors provided a valuable perspective on the importance of aspiration, resilience, and opportunity in education.
The visit also highlighted India’s growing position at the forefront of technological and AI innovation Across the country, there is significant investment in digital infrastructure, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship, helping to establish India as one of the world’s leading technology hubs. Experiencing this rapid development first-hand provided valuable insight into the future of global technology and the increasing importance of digital skills for the next generation.
This experience will have a direct influence on future projects and the continued development of the technology curriculum at Nower Hill High School
Observing how institutions and industries are using
technology and engineering to respond to changing global challenges, including sustainability, energy generation and food security, reinforced the importance of preparing students not only with technical knowledge, but also with creativity, adaptability and problem-solving skills The visit provided valuable inspiration for future initiatives that will help students engage with emerging technologies and better understand the evolving opportunities within STEM and AI-related careers.
The trip additionally offered a rich cultural experience, including visits to the breathtaking Taj Mahal and Golden Temple, alongside learning about the history of the region through the museums in Amritsar.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our Headteacher for supporting and allowing me to take part in this exceptional opportunity The experience was both professionally and personally enriching, and I am grateful to have represented the school on such a valuable international visit.
The visit served as a powerful reminder of the transformative role education and opportunity can play in shaping people’s futures and aspirations.
Ms Francis
Student Wellbeing
Remember, there is always someone at school that students can reach out to.
Students can access the Student Wellbeing Page using their Google Account. A reminder that if parents/ carers need any support, you can access a range of resources on our school website
Local Half Term Events
Nower Hill High School is proud to offer many facilities for hire to the local community, clubs and organisations at an affordable price.
For further information on our School Facilities, including availability, please visit: School Hire
Did you know that you Nower Hill High School is registered with easyfundraising? which means you can raise FREE donations for the school every time you shop online Over 7,000 brands will donate to Nower Hill when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to you.
These donations really mount up and make a big difference to the school, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us It’s completely free and only takes a moment You can find our easyfundraising page at: https://www easyfundraising org uk/causes/nowerhillhs/
Work Experience
YEAR 12
Are you able to offer one of our 6th Form students a work placement?
Year 12 go on work experience from Monday 22nd June – Friday 26th June 2026. The placements will be linked to the degree course they wish to study at University, or Apprenticeship they may wish to pursue.
If you are able to offer a Nower Hill student an opportunity to work in a professional working environment, please contact Mrs Doshi at careers@nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk or on 0208 863 0877
