Luckley Life
A Heartfelt Farewell from Luckley
Areti Bizior joined Luckley House School as Headmistress in September 2020 just six months before two consecutive national lockdowns upended school life across the country Unfazed by the turbulence, and grounded in her faith, Areti led with calm resilience Under her guidance, the School not only recovered but flourished By 2022, Luckley was back to full capacity with pupil numbers rising from 294 to 320, and by 2023, they exceeded expectations at 380, with a thriving Sixth Form that had nearly doubled in size
Areti devoted her time generously meeting with prospective parents, mentoring students, and always keeping her door open For many pupils, visiting her office became a weekly ritual a time for advice, a sweet treat, and a friendly chat She was deeply involved in the UCAS process, guiding students through personal statements and applications with thoughtful care.
During her tenure, Areti introduced more specialist staff and modernised school systems to better reflect a post-lockdown world. She expanded boarding and IT, created a dedicated pupil progress department, redeveloped sport and strengthened alumni engagement while always nurturing a strong sense of community, love, and service. She also oversaw a new marketing campaign, including a full overhaul of Luckley’s website, prospectuses, and campaign messaging, alongside new digital initiatives to showcase the School’s success.
Her vision for excellence is visible throughout the School Almost all leavers now receive offers from their first-choice universities Academic achievement advanced, with A* – A grades rising by 10% and top GCSE grades (9 – 8) more than doubling over five years.
The school estate has seen transformative improvements: a new all-weather pitch with floodlights and spectator seating, refreshed sports centre changing facilities and stylish new Sixth Form spaces including a conservatory and modern classrooms to accommodate growing cohorts. The boarding house underwent a full refurbishment and the historic main house was carefully restored, while the grounds now offer greater beauty and tranquillity for all
Now, Areti embarks on a new professional and personal chapter as CEO and Warden of the Dean Close Foundation an inspiring role leading two senior schools, three prep schools and seven nurseries, with a team of 750 staff and educating pupils from age 3 to 18.
On behalf of everyone at Luckley House, we extend our heartfelt thanks for Areti’s tireless dedication, vision, and deep care for our community especially our pupils Her much loved campaign message continues to ring true, “Where there is belief, there is possibility.”
Farewell, and go with God’s grace
Prize Giving
Our annual Prize Giving assembly marked a celebratory end to the academic year, recognising the achievements and progress of pupils in Years 7 to 10 and Year 12 across all subjects, from English, Maths and Science to the Arts and Sport The heart of the assembly was the presentation of prizes, celebrating the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of our pupils over the past year A musical interlude added a special touch before we took a moment to say farewell and thank you to staff who are leaving us this term. View the full event album here.
Speech Day
Speech Day was a joyful celebration of our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils, recognising academic excellence and wider contributions to school life. Highlights included musical performances from pupils across the year groups, a warm address from guest speaker and alumna Miss Jessica Bannerman Arnold (Class of 2016), and thoughtful reflections from our Head Students. Chair of Governors Mrs Claire Tao also paid tribute to Mrs Bizior, presenting her with a commissioned painting of Luckley House School by talented Year 13 leaver, Hannah L-S Congratulations to all our award winners – we are proud of all you have achieved!
LOWER SCHOOL
Mrs Holly Duxbury, Assistant Head of Lower School
Year
7 and 8 Residential - PGL, Osmington Bay, Dorset
Year 7 and 8 enjoyed an action-packed and memorable residential trip to PGL Osmington Bay during FUN Week, made all the better by the glorious sunshine throughout. Pupils threw themselves into a wide range of adventurous activities, including rifle shooting, zip wiring, survival skills and archery A special mention goes to Hugo W and Samuel B for showing outstanding courage on the zip wire Trip highlights included paddling in the sea at Weymouth, a scenic walk to the local dairy farm for ice cream, and the excitement of dragon boat racing – all contributing to a truly fantastic few days away
Year 7 Go Strawberry Picking
Year 7 enjoyed a trip to Gray's Farm during Fun Week to pick strawberries The weather was glorious and the pupils and accompanying staff enjoyed the walk to and from our local Pick
UPPER SCHOOL
Mrs Jenny Hayden, Assistant Head of Upper School
Year 9 Go Ape
Year 9 had a fantastic day at Go Ape during Fun Week, taking on high ropes, zip wires and team-building challenges It was great to see pupils step out of their comfort zones, support one another and build confidence and friendships along the way. A brilliant effort from all involved!
Teamwork and Throwbacks for Year 10
Year 10 kicked off their Fun Week with an action-packed morning of paintballing, where they showed great teamwork and energy. In the afternoon, they embraced the nostalgia of primary school games, enjoying a light-hearted, laughter-filled experience. A brilliant day of bonding and fun for all!
Mrs Nathalie Boyer-Castle, Teacher
GCSE Fieldtrip to Dorset
of Geography
Our Year 11 GCSE Geographers had a fantastic field trip to the Dorset coast, where they explored a range of physical geography topics in glorious sunshine. The trip included measuring wave energy and beach profiles at Durdle Door, investigating geomorphic processes and landforms at Lulworth Cove, and examining river features along a river profile In Swanage, pupils studied the unique geology of the bay and collected data to evaluate the effectiveness of the town’s coastal management strategies; considering how well they protect the coastline while supporting tourism It was an excellent opportunity for pupils to consolidate their classroom learning and put fieldwork techniques into meaningful practice in a realworld setting.
Careers Day
Our recent Careers Day was a great opportunity for pupils in Years 7 to 12 to explore future pathways, build essential skills, and reflect on their personal development Year 7 pupils took part in introductory activities that encouraged them to start thinking about their strengths, interests and ambitions. Years 8 - 10 had the opportunity to take part in work experience placements, gaining valuable insights into the world of work and reflecting on their experiences in thoughtfully written booklets Year 9 also benefited from a dynamic workshop delivered by TalkTalk, aimed at developing oracy and public speaking skills - key for success in any career path
Year 10 pupils took part in subject taster sessions in Psychology, Economics and Politics, and enjoyed a visit from the British Army, who introduced career opportunities and led team-building exercises that strengthened communication and collaboration. A highlight for all was the series of powerful talks by Dr Aric Sigman, who spoke about positive mental health, the dangers of vaping, and the impact of screen dependency - encouraging students to make informed, healthy choices
Meanwhile, Year 12 students focused on life after Sixth Form, exploring a range of options including university, apprenticeships and employment as they begin planning their next steps.
Our sincere thanks to all visiting speakers and facilitators, and to our students, who approached the day with curiosity, enthusiasm and maturity
Mrs Katie Clutterbuck, Eco-Schools Lead
Eco-Schools - Celebrating Luckley Earth Day!
This term, pupils celebrated Luckley Earth Day with a variety of fun and meaningful activities designed to raise awareness and encourage sustainable action The day began with a Wildlife Quiz during tutor time, before moving outdoors for a lunchtime of hands-on eco-activities in the school's Eco-Garden Pupils enjoyed planting sunflower and cucumber seeds, litter picking around the grounds, and getting their hands dirty in the vegetable patch A woodland wildlife hunt added an element of adventure, with prizes for all who completed it, and free cake rewarded those who took part in the day’s celebrations. A big thank you to everyone who joined in! We have just been informed that Luckley has been awarded a Green Flag with Distinction again this year – the highest award available through the Eco-Schools award scheme - fantastic news!
Creative Arts Exhibition
This year ’ s Creative Arts Exhibition was a vibrant celebration of the outstanding talent among our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils. Showcasing an impressive range of GCSE and A Level work in Art, Photography, Graphic Communication, Design Technology and Textiles, the exhibition highlighted creativity, skill and innovation in every piece.
Highlights included striking landscape paintings, professional-standard graphic design, intricate jewellery, imaginative textiles and powerful photography The private view was well attended by pupils and their families, with a second opportunity to enjoy the work during the Luckley House Friends Summer Festival A wonderful celebration of the creative energy that flourishes at Luckley
Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions
This Summer Term saw our Bronze and Silver DofE Award groups embark on their assessed expeditions, putting their training, resilience and teamwork to the test Our Silver group tackled the varied terrain of the New Forest, navigating through heathland, dense woodland and wetland areas, all while sharing the landscape with ponies and their newly born foals The group impressed with their strong navigation skills, positive attitude and excellent teamwork throughout the journey
Closer to home, the Bronze group completed their expedition in the Pangbourne area, where they applied their campcraft knowledge, navigated confidently using maps, and remained upbeat and focused, even in the challenging heat of the second day Both groups should be incredibly proud of their achievements. A huge well done to all participants for their determination and commitment.
UPPER SCHOOL
Mrs Jenny Hayden, Assistant Head of Upper School
Year 11 Prom Celebration
We were delighted to celebrate the end of GCSEs with our Year 11 pupils and their parents at a special drinks reception on the back lawn, ahead of their prom at The Mill House in Swallowfield The evening began in sunshine and style, with pupils departing Luckley aboard a vintage red Routemaster bus, a fittingly iconic send-off Set in beautiful countryside, The Mill House provided a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable evening Everyone looked amazing, and we wish our Year 11s all the very best for their results and the exciting journeys ahead. View the full event album here.
DRAMA
Mrs Esther Brown, Director of Drama
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child –
A Spellbinding Success!
Our Junior Drama Club wowed audiences with three magical performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Secondary School Edition With 47 pupils from Years 7–9 on stage and support from Year 10 and Sixth Form behind the scenes, this truly was a whole-school production Directed by Mrs Brown and Mrs Stark-Ordish, with technical direction from Mr Bamber, the show featured stunning illusions, epic storytelling and unforgettable teamwork We were honoured to be among the first schools globally to perform this iconic play – and what a spectacular job our pupils did! View the full event album here.
DRAMA
Mrs Gaëlle Stark-Ordish, Teacher of Drama
Speech & Drama Showcase in the Woods
Around 40 pupils from Years 7–10 performed in a magical outdoor Speech and Drama Showcase this term, sharing pieces they’ve prepared for their Trinity and LAMDA exams some up to Grade 8. With outstanding results already in and more to come, the evening was a wonderful celebration of their hard work, talent and creativity. Well done to all involved!
As You Like It
Year 10 wowed their audience with a stunning promenade performance of As You Like It, set in Luckley’s beautiful grounds and woodland. The cast delivered incredible performances, embracing the outdoor setting and creating a magical atmosphere as the sun set and festoon lights twinkled. It was a joyful and memorable evening, showcasing the pupils’ talent and hard work.
MUSIC
Mrs Janice Ellwood, Director of Music
Summer Concert
Our Summer Concert was a truly joyful and fitting finale to a busy and successful year of music at Luckley. The evening showcased the incredible breadth of talent across the school, with performances from all our ensembles and choirs, as well as a wonderful array of solo pieces, spanning everything from Purcell to Coldplay. It was a particular pleasure to welcome back some of our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils, who returned to perform after completing their exams We were also thrilled to see several alumni take to the stage for a powerful medley from Les Misérables, reminding us of the lasting connection between Luckley and its musical community The concert was a celebration of skill, creativity and collaboration a perfect way to end the year. View the full event album here.
Primary Schools Choral Day
We ended the summer term on a high note with a fantastic day of singing at our annual Choral Workshop Children from our feeder schools joined together for a full day of musicmaking, performing arrangements of popular songs accompanied by a band made up of Luckley pupils and staff The day concluded with a joyful performance a wonderful celebration of music, collaboration and community spirit!
In late June, a group of our Music Scholars, GCSE and A Level pupils and ensemble members enjoyed a memorable trip to the West End to see Evita, starring the acclaimed Rachael Zegler in the title role. The production was powerful and atmospheric, with outstanding performances and staging that captivated the audience It was a fantastic way to round off an exciting and successful year of music and performance at Luckley.
Summer Festival
On a beautiful summer ’ s evening, we were treated to a series of outstanding performances from our talented young soloists: Nina, Oscar, Kiana, Rei, Cassian, Mina, Penelope, Teddy and Olly Each brought their own unique style and skill to the stage, creating a warm and memorable atmosphere. A huge thank you to them all for their contributions to a truly special evening.
SPORTS
Mr Tim Hamilton, Director of Sport
Sports Day
Sports Day took place at Bracknell Leisure Centre, where over 150 students from all year groups took part in a day of competition and camaraderie Pupils showcased their athletic talents across a wide range of track and field events, with highlights including the always-popular All Stars Relay and the fiercely contested Tug of War. The atmosphere was energetic and supportive throughout, with all four Houses giving their all. Final results saw Randle in 4th place, Galloway 3rd, Blake 2nd and Cornish taking the top spot with an impressive 1458 points Huge congratulations to Cornish House for their well-deserved win! View the full event album here
SPORTS
Mr Tim Hamilton, Director of Sport
Junior Sports Awards Dinner
Over 120 students from Years 7 to 10 attended our Junior Sports Awards Dinner, joined by special guest Chad Miller – a 100m sprinter for Great Britain and a rising star for the 2028 Olympic Games. Congratulations to all our award winners and to everyone who has shown dedication by taking part in weekly fixtures and sporting competitions throughout the year View the full event album here
Senior Sports Awards Dinner
Over 40 students from Years 11 to 13 gathered for our Senior Sports Awards Dinner; an evening celebrating sporting excellence, dedication and teamwork Awards such as Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Personality and Team of the Year were eagerly anticipated. Guest speaker Chris Hunt-Skelley inspired students with stories and valuable insights for aspiring athletes
Athletics
The ISA National Athletics Championships were held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, where Jasper L and Oliver P proudly represented Luckley in the 1500m and 800m events, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. At the Berkshire County Athletics competition on Wednesday 25 June, Year 7 pupils Hannah S-Kg (Javelin) and Grace H (Shot) also impressed, both placing 3rd and 4th in a highly competitive field Congratulations to all four athletes on their fantastic achievements
SIXTH FORM
Mrs Julie Rumble, Head of Sixth Form
Year 13 Leavers’ Dinner
Our Year 13 Leavers’ Dinner was a truly special evening, bringing together parents, students and staff to celebrate and reflect on their time at Luckley. The evening began with drinks and canapés on the sunken lawn, accompanied by a display of photos capturing the students throughout their lives. A delicious Greek meal followed, with chicken and lamb gyros, chocolate brownies and loukoumades Awards were presented by Mrs Rumble and Mr Crosley, and everyone enjoyed a light-hearted game of “Guess the Baby Photo” The evening ended with music, laughter, and the traditional smashing of plates an exuberant farewell to a wonderful cohort View the full event album here
