Spring 2025 Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM MS WILSON
Dear Parents, Carers and all in the Chessington community,
As we near the end of another busy term here at Chessington there is so much to report on and share with you but one thing that remains the same is that I continue to be immensely proud of our students.
Year 11 students have been approaching the final stages of their secondary school life with a real eagerness to succeed. After school revision sessions have been regularly attended but most importantly the 300 minutes of lessons each day are focused, purposeful and students are engaged in their own learning. Our staff are offering revision sessions during the Easter holidays to ensure that the students are as ready as they can be. The GCSEs start week beginning the 5th May. I wish them all the very best for them!
Year 10 students have been learning a variety of different revision techniques during tutor time to support them with their first set of mock exams which start after the Easter holidays. From what I have seen and heard the majority of students are focused and preparing well for the exams
As I write this 40 Year 10 & 11 students have just arrived in Spain for a 4 day trip to Salamanca. A great opportunity to enhance their spoken Spanish whilst embracing the Spanish culture too. I am always hugely appreciative of our staff for organising these opportunities. The planning and preparation that goes into just one trip is immense and sometimes goes unnoticed. Many more trips are coming up in Summer term, particularly our annual Alternative Learning Week in July. Most parents have made payments for the trips, if you haven’t please do, so that your child does not miss out on these experiences. Financial support is available if needed.
It was lovely to see so many parents, students and exstudents at our production of The Addams Family - it was fantastic! The cast, crew and staff have worked tirelessly over many months to bring it together.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNORS
Dear All,
This is a very busy time in school as students gear up for their exams, and some student head into their final term at Chessington School
The Governing Board has 3 committees (which have all met once this term):
Quality of Education Committee Chair: Andrew Evans
Behaviour, Attendance & Personal Development; Committee Chair: Gregor Falk
Finance & Resources Committee Chair: Emma Turner
We have also had one Full Governors’ Meeting where we discuss issues that affect the whole of school life The purpose of the meetings is to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school – checking that the information provided matches what students, staff and parents are reporting and that everything is in line with the School Development Plan.
To be able to do this takes common sense with an impartial overview, a willingness to be trained in specialist areas, the confidence to ask questions, and an interest in the education and personal
development of students
Each committee meeting lasts ~ 1.5hours – max 4 per year. The Full Governing Board meetings are held 5 times per year and last up to 2 hours. Governors are also expected to each make one specialised visit to the school per year and to report their findings back to their committee
If you have these skills and the time, and you are interested in being part of the team that supports the school then the role of governor is the job for you. As well as ‘giving back’ to the school community you will also learn skills that can prove useful in life outside of school. Full training is given and we do not expect you to be an expert in all areas. Have a look at our existing governors’ backgrounds for more about who we are and what we bring to the current board. Chessington School - Governor Profiles
If you would like to find out more about the role and what it entails, please do drop me an email on kcarman@chessington.kingston.sch.uk
Finally on behalf of the whole Governing Board I would like to wish you a very happy Easter – here’s hoping for some sunny weather (and lots of chocolate eggs)
Springtime regards,
Karen Carman Chair of Governors
HEAD OF YEAR UPDATES
MRS ROWDEN
Assistant Headteacher
MISS RUTLEDGE
Head of Year 8
MR LUCAS Head of Year 9
MR POWER Head of Year 10
MISS SWAYSLAND Head of Year 11
MR DAVEY
Head of Year 12 and 13
YEAR 7
Mrs Rowden
The spring term has been full of enthusiasm from year 7. In fact, as a year group they have collected over 15,000 ClassCharts points for enthusiasm alone.
Year 7 students also visited the London Docklands Museum and Crossrail Gardens as part of alternative
As students have settled into life as part of the Chessington School community, it has been great to see students develop in confidence. Year 7 had their first parents evening and have now received their second reports. Not only have year 7 students settled into learning at secondary school but they have thrown themselves into a range of enrichment opportunities. Many students have represented the school in sport, participated in house competitions and been part of the school musical production. I urge year 7 to take advantage of the opportunities available to them beyond the curriculum.
Assistant Headteacher
YEAR 8 Miss Rutledge
Year 8 have returned from Christmas with a spring in their steps with much improved attitude to learning. Post February has again been an improvement in academic achievement and attitude to learning.
The year group have engaged well with the GREAT themed assemblies and taken on board messages and competitions. The attendance focus group has greatly improved and a real success, being rewarded with the DEN pass has been very successful. #beheretolearn
The bi-weekly top ten is helping add competition to the year group to be the best they can be. A reminder that Resilience is our theme of the year and focus value for year 8. I produce a top ten for that as well These are shared with the year group bi-weekly in assemblies praising those who have made it to the top 10
Year 8 points success this year so far, these are fantastic totals:
Politeness (NEW) - 420
Resilience - 14652
Ambition - 7870
Enthusiasm - 9945
Form group points total:
8AMN - 6052
8CMU - 9207
8MCX - 7322
8SMY - 8656
8JAN - 8507
Please do share successes outside of school with me. I love hearing what fantastic things the students get up to in their spare time and what amazing hobbies they have.
Miss Rutledge Head of Year
8
YEAR 9
Mr Lucas
Year 9: A Term of Reflection, Exploration, and Growth
As Head of Year 9, I am delighted to reflect on what has been an exceptional term for our students. It’s been a time of hard work, exciting new opportunities, and meaningful experiences that have truly helped to shape the Year 9 journey. I am proud of how well our students have engaged with every aspect of school life
Engaging with the Options Process
A significant milestone for Year 9 this term has been the options process, and I must say, our students have approached it with impressive maturity and enthusiasm. The Options Evening, which was excellently attended by both students and parents, provided a fantastic opportunity for everyone to learn more about the subjects on offer for the next stage of their academic journey
Following the evening, students had numerous oneon-one discussions with their tutors and teachers to help guide them in making informed decisions about their GCSE options. It has been inspiring to witness the thoughtful questions, the reflections on strengths and interests, and the supportive advice that’s been exchanged. This process has truly demonstrated the dedication and maturity of Year 9 students as they begin to shape their futures
Exploring New Subjects
One of the highlights of this term has been the opportunity for students to explore subjects they had not encountered before. The taster sessions in Media Studies, Child Development, and Business Studies have given students a valuable insight into areas that will be available to them in the future. The enthusiasm with which students have embraced these subjects has been fantastic. It’s been wonderful to see them engage with fresh ideas and discover new passions, helping them make more informed choices as they move towards their next academic stage.
A Meaningful Visit to the Imperial War Museum
Another standout experience this term was the trip to the Imperial War Museum to visit the Holocaust exhibition. This powerful and moving visit provided students with the opportunity to learn about an important part of history, and I am incredibly proud of
the way Year 9 conducted themselves. The respect and maturity they showed during the visit were outstanding. They approached the exhibition with sensitivity and thoughtfulness, demonstrating the depth of their understanding and empathy. It was a reminder of the importance of history in shaping our world today, and our students did the exhibition the respect it deserved.
Mr Lucas Head of Year 9
A Term of Opportunities and Future Focus!
What a busy and engaging term it's been for our Year 10 students! We've seen them embrace a wealth of opportunities; from insightful trips that broadened their horizons to our crucial Options Evening, where they shared their wisdom with our Year 9s making their choices. Our delegates to attend an event with the Metropolitan Police were fantastic and represented our community well
And the excitement doesn't stop there! In the coming weeks, Year 10 will have the privilege of hearing from inspiring speakers representing Oxford University, South West Rail, and the vibrant world of the fashion industry. These talks are designed to spark curiosity and provide valuable insights into potential career paths
YEAR 11 Miss Swaysland YEAR 10 Mr Power
Year 11 have been working incredibly hard over the past few weeks as they continue their preparations for the GCSE exams, which begin in May. They have now completed their second set of mock exams, approaching them with a really positive attitude and a determination to improve. It has been fantastic to see so many students reflecting on their progress, identifying areas for development, and taking on feedback to strengthen their revision. Teachers are using these results to provide targeted support, and students should now be focusing on refining their revision strategies to ensure they are fully prepared for the summer. We encourage all students to make use of the resources available to them, attend any revision sessions, and keep a consistent study routine in the lead-up to their exams.
Alongside their academic work, Year 11 have also been completing their yearbook profiles, reflecting on their time at school and celebrating the friendships and memories they have made. These will be available for
Looking ahead to next term, Year 10 will need to shift gears and prepare for the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead. Mock exams will provide crucial practice for their GCSEs, while prefect applications will offer leadership opportunities for those eager to step up. Perhaps most significantly, they will soon find themselves as the oldest students in the school when Year 11 depart for their exams. This transition marks a significant milestone, and we encourage them to embrace their role as leaders and role models for the younger years. Let's support them as they rise to the occasion!
Mr Power Head of Year
10
purchase along with leavers hoodies after the easter holidays. They have also begun making preparations for their Leavers’ Assembly, which will take place at the end of May. This will be a special opportunity to mark the end of their time at school, and students are already sharing their ideas to make it a memorable event
As we move closer to their final weeks, we encourage all students to stay motivated, make the most of the support available, and maintain a balance between hard work and well-being. Their positive attitude and commitment have been brilliant to see—we are incredibly proud of them. Keep going, Year 11!
Miss Swaysland Head of Year
11
YEAR 12/ Mr Davey
In January, the year 13 students completed their University applications and have already started to receive offers for places in September 2025. Also in January, both year 12 and year 13 Sport students sat unit exams with grades published at the end of March. Both year groups are working hard with their coursework, at the end of two years they will have completed 14 units, and the qualification they achieve is equivalent to 3 A-levels. Year 12 & 13 Child Development students have had a busy time with exams also, both year groups completing a 20 hour exam, and year 13 students completing two other exams on top of this.
The Child Development students continue to make progress, and make use of their work experience in the onsite nursery, developing the skills needed to work in a nursery once they finish their qualification. This is proving to be an excellent relationship and the Nursery Manager provides regular updates with student progress, which has been excellent for all students The students also had a visit to a local school with specialist provision, looking at how children with various needs are supported.
Both year groups have been on careers related trips during the term, including Kingston University, to look at degree options, and the National Apprenticeship Fair at Sandown Park to look at apprenticeship opportunities
Our students were not shy in engaging with the exhibitors and were even on stage with a Corporal from the Armed Forces. There were also some University exhibitors there, giving information on Degree Apprenticeships which is a growing option for students some University exhibitors there, giving information on Degree Apprenticeships which is a growing option for students
Our Sixth Form Football Team have finished the season convincingly, with big wins against Sutton Grammar and Reigate Grammar Schools. The Basketball Teams
Catering
We have had a wonderful Spring term in Catering Year 7,8 and 9 have been getting use to the 2nd rotation into food and creating dishes including fruit crumbles, bolognese sauce, jam tarts, fried rice and bread rolls. Learning all about health and safety and experiencing new equipment including making fresh pasta on the machines and cutting out spaghetti and tagliatelle
Year 10 are learning and using lots of new skills like de boning whole chickens and blind baking pastry. Year 10 were also lucky enough to have a workshop on fresh mussels, we made garlic butter and steamed the mussels and did lots of tasting, they really enjoyed this workshop from the ‘Fish heroes’.
d on their NEA and nearly a
Well done all.
We have also hosted a cake decorating house competition this term, and had lots of wonderful entries, go Pegasus!!!!
m looking f
Mrs Ford Head of Catering
DRAMA DRAMA
This term our year 9 took a trip to the National Theatre where the students were able to explore the backstage area for different disciplines of theatre design. The students were able to visit each of the stages in the National theatre and ask lots of questions on how the stage is designed and made. The students then watched the remake of ‘Alterations’. They were in full discussions on the way home on the train dissecting different elements of the play
And just like that, another school musical is over! The cast and crew worked exceptionally hard this year to bring 'The Addams Family' to life. We had the pleasure of performing for two evening performances and a matinee to our local primary schools. Each and every member of the audience were so impressed with the quality of the performers. We had students from year 7 through to year 11's taking on the roles the main roles. The backstage crew was entirely student based and as with every year, I was blow away by their professionalism. I would like to once again thank the parents for your support with rehearsals and line learning as without your support it would not have been a success
So as we pack away the set and costumes for another year it leaves me with just one question... What should we do next year!?
THEADDAMSFAMILY GCSEDRAMA
The year 11’s performed their exam pieces in the first week of March. Their visiting examiner came into the school and watched the students perform their monologues from a wide range of plays. They made themselves and me very proud!
Miss Twomey Head of Drama
Spanish Spanish
It has been another great Autumn term for our linguists at Chessington School. Students have developed their knowledge of key verbs and are now starting to manipulate the language learnt through their sentence builders to become more creative when producing language. Year 7 have been learning to talk about their hobbies in Spanish; Year 8 have been learning to talk about what they like doing in their free time and are starting to learn the past tense to talk about what they did; Year 9 have been learning to talk about their future aspirations and about living a healthy lifestyle, all while combining present, past and future tenses; Year 10 have continued their GCSE Spanish journey talking about their interests and hobbies; and Year 11 are now fully focused on their upcoming Spanish GCSE exams. They have just finished their last mock speaking exam in preparation for their real GCSE speaking exam straight after Easter and, soon after that, their lessons will focus on preparing for their listening, reading and writing exams in May/June. Our GCSE Spanish students have put a lot of effort into their recent speaking exams, for which they deserve to be congratulated.
I thoroughly recommend all our linguists to continue to put their language skills into practice during the Easter holidays with examples of real language use. Why not try watching your favourite festive films or series in the target language or tune into an international radio station online for a few minutes a day listening for gist?
Mr Murray Head of Languages
Year 8 First Aid Workshop
As part of our commitment to providing valuable learning experiences for our students, this term our Year 8 students participated in the London Lifesavers Schools Programme provided by the London Ambulance Service. Students were trained in providing CPR and using a defibrillator, giving them the confidence to act quickly to help save lives
The trainers were excellent and created an engaging and informative session, where students got plenty of ‘hands on’ experience in giving chest compressions and using a defibrillator, creating a new generation of lifesavers!
SCIENCE
CURRICULUM CORNER
It has been another busy term in the Science department. Y11 students completed their second set of mocks at the beginning of spring term two and we are now preparing these students for their summer exams. Students worked hard in preparation for their mocks and have identified areas that they need to work on for their GCSE exams. Y10 students have been exploring units of Homeostasis and Response, Chemical and Energy changes and Electricity in their lessons. Staff are approaching the end of teaching paper one content and will commence revision with students in preparation for the mock exams that they will be sitting after Easter. Y9 students are currently studying the unit of Structure and Bonding where they have been exploring the three types of bonding. They have also been looking at the unit of Energy where they have been exploring energy stores and calculating gravitational potential, kinetic and elastic potential energy. Y8 students have been exploring the structure of both the circulatory and respiratory system and how they link with Respiration. They had the opportunity to carry out a heart dissection which they very much enjoyed. Lastly, year 7 students delving into the topic of Forces and have carried out various practical activities which staff have linked to the real world. Y8,9 and 10 students have also sat round two of their progress check assessments and worked very hard to prepare for these.
Staff have also been introducing students to a new piece of software called SparX Science which they have mainly been using for homework. They have engaged really well with this new online platform. Students at Chessington have completed 1771 hours of personalised learning on SparX Science this year
PRIMARY OUTREACH
We’re excited to announce that local primary school students will soon be visiting our school for a hands-on STEM event, led by Mr. West and Mr. Power. The theme of the day is "Adapt and Change," where the students will dive into the world of energy efficiency by designing and building model houses
Throughout the visit, the primary school students will work on creating energy-efficient homes, learning about sustainable materials, renewable energy, and how thoughtful design can reduce energy consumption. This engaging event will allow them to apply STEM concepts in a practical, fun, and interactive way
We look forward to welcoming the young visitors and hope this experience sparks their curiosity about STEM fields and inspires them to think critically about sustainability and innovation.
STEM WEEK
Our recent STEM Week was a resounding success, igniting curiosity and showcasing the incredible potential of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics! Students dove into a range of engaging activities, from designing survival ropes for a deserted island to building intricate Rube Goldberg machines and researching the inspiring stories of STEM pioneers
As a reward for their enthusiastic participation and engagement, all students who contributed to STEM Week will enjoy a special STEM Day off timetable. This dedicated day will feature further hands-on STEM activities, exciting inter-house competitions, and invaluable opportunities to speak with professionals from diverse STEM careers. Get ready for a day of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration!
SCIENCE CLUB
Our Science Club has been busy with exciting hands-on experiments this term! Members peered at cheek cells under microscopes, discovered the power of citrus with lemon batteries, built intricate chemical structures using molymods, bravely dissected a heart, and explored the fascinating properties of states of matter by making goop. It's been a term of fantastic scientific discovery and practical learning!
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK
Students participated in a paper aeroplane house competition where students needed to change and adapt their paper aeroplanes to be the fastest Students had a lot of fun making these.
Mrs Andrew Head of Science
Spring term has been exciting for the History Spring term exciting for History department with a swath of historical trips on swath of historical trips with Alternative Learning Day. Year 7s visited the Day.
Dockyard Museum in South East London, to London, to East investigate the role of the dockyard for the role dockyard British trade throughout time. Year 8s visited Hampton Court Palace to reveal the fantastic Hampton Palace to Tudor artwork and architecture. Year 9s adventured to the Imperial War Museum, Museum, to Imperial where they maturely partook in learning they about the Holocaust. And finally, Year 10 Holocaust. And finally, Year Holocaust. historians visited the Science Museum, to the historians visited the Science Museum, to explore the wonders of Medicine Through Through the wonders of Medicine Time in an interactive experience Time
Aside from the great historical trips, students great trips, have been studying a range of interesting of interesting topics. From the Norman Conquest in Year 7, the in From Transatlantic Slavery in Year 8, World War in Two in Year 9, The Western Front in Year 10, and Weimar and Nazi Germany in Year 11 Weimar Nazi Year
The end of term marks an imperative moment The end of marks moment for all students with examinations in the term all ahead. Please support your child in preparing Please your child for these examinations, especially those in examinations, especially Key Stage 4, who will be taking meaningful Stage taking mocks in Year 10, or their real GCSE in Year GCSE 11.
Thank you for your continued support and you you and I’m hopeful for an equally exciting Summer for term.
Mr Forsyth Mr Forsyth Head of History and Humanities Head of History Humanities
COMPUTER SCIENCE
This term in Computer Science, students in Years 7, 8, and 9 have been involved in exciting and diverse programming projects, with each year group developing their skills and exploring different aspects of coding at their own level.
Year 7 students have been introduced to the world of coding using Scratch, a fun and interactive platform that lays the foundations of programming in an engaging way. Through Scratch, students have created their own interactive games, all while learning how to build logical sequences, use loops, and develop problem solving skills Scratch encourages creativity while also helping students to understand the basic structure and flow of programming It’s been a fantastic start to their coding journey, and the enthusiasm from the students has been inspiring to see
In Years 8 and 9, students have advanced to Python, one of the most popular and versatile programming languages. These students have been learning how to write clean, efficient code, with a focus on core programming concepts such as variables, selection (if statements), and loops They have started to create simple programs, such as interactive quizzes and calculators, which help to reinforce their understanding of these concepts. As they continue to practice, they are gaining the ability to break down complex problems and find structured, logical solutions
It has been wonderful to see the creativity, enthusiasm, and teamwork from all year groups. The skills they are learning now will be invaluable not only for their future studies in Computer Science but also for many other fields that require problem solving, logic, and technology We look forward to seeing how their projects develop, and can’t wait to see the exciting things they will create next Keep up the excellent work, students!
Mr B Cosgrave Head of Computer Science
THELIBRARY
This term has been a busy one for the library, with quite a few new arrivals added to our book collection, including a series of brand-new graphic novels, World Book Day titles and some exciting new sports fiction. We’ve also had a great uptake from the new round of Student Librarian applications, and following some enthusiastic entries we’re pleased to welcome a few new helpers to the team, bringing the total number up to 15. Our team has been working hard during lunchtimes to stock and organise the shelves, look after our new genre-based collections and decorate the library, so a massive thank you to everyone who’s wearing the purple Library badge proudly
A particular highlight was Chessington’s celebration of World Book Day on 6th March, which included a bookthemed online quiz, games and competitions in the library, and a school-wide book character costume competition on the day. In true literary spirit, students and staff had the opportunity to come to school dressed as their favourite character from a work of written fiction, and we had an amazing turnout of creative book-inspired costumes, which was a real testament to the enthusiasm our students have for sharing the stories they enjoy the most – a massive well done everyone who took part!
Please find below the winners for World Book Day competition:
Some fantastic costumes all round, and thank you too to anyone who wasn't able to dress up but still took part in the spirit of the day! It was extremely difficult to choose winners as so much ef many creative outfits, but after much deliberation this year’s most cr
Henry, Amelia, Grace and Belle (7EWI) as The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, Thing 2 and Conrad from The Cat in the Hat
Shiva (7FSF) as Dracule Mihawk from One Piece
Joseph (7WS) for his Skulduggery Pleasant costume
Chari (7MWS) as Annie from Thomas Meehan’s book of the same name
Kodi (8AMN) as Harry Potter
Samantha (8AMN) as the experience of synaesthesia from A Mango Shaped Space
Eulalia (8SMY) as a NASA technician from Hidden Figures
Mia (9GBE) as the Trunchbull from Roald Dahl’s Matilda
Edmund (10MPZ) as Edmund from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Archie (10SSH) as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz
Cailyn (11CCE) as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland
Tristan (11TSA) as the eponymous character from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
All winners received a certificate, a limited edition World Book Day pin badge and 30 points for their house
WORLDBOOKDAYQUIZ
Winners (30 House Points each):
Aamira (7JHH) Henry (9BGE)
Runners-up (20 House Points each):
Poppy (9HCT) Noel (7JHH)
William (9JDK)
Siyona (7JHH)
Ishaq (8JAN)
JACKPETCHEYSPEAKOUTCHALLENGE
On Thursday 13th March our Year 10 Jack Petchey finalists took part in our Assembly Final. Jessica, Woody, Edmund, Maria, Krishan and Teanna all did a fantastic job
We are very proud of all the students who stood up in assembly and delivered their speeches to the rest of their Y10 peers Edmund won, with Teanna as runner-up They both did brilliantly and were given Jack Petchey certificates issued by the Speakers Trust. Edmund, as our winner, qualified for the Regional Final, which took place on Wednesday 2nd April at The Kingston Academy. A huge thank you to Mr Ashton for supporting him on the day - he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of speaking in front of an audience in a contest that saw all winners from Kingston Borough schools perform.
Mr Murray Head of Languages
Art Art
Another fabulous term of excellent art at Chessington, where students have been blowing my mind with their talents, creativity and enthusiasm! I am incredibly proud of all the hard work that has gone into sketchbooks, outcomes and collaborations this term, so let’s have a peek at what’s been going on…
CompetitionWinner CompetitionWinner
Huge congratulations to Vladyslava Y11 who has entered and WON the digital art category of the Infomatrix international art competition. We could not be more proud!
The winning project is called The ‘Us v’s Them’ Effect, and based on lived experience - it seeks to challenge and question our tribal instincts to gravitate towards our ‘own’ people and make judgements about ‘others’. A powerful message as well as beautiful digital artwork
Year 11 Year 11
Well done to all our talented year 11 students who have started their final exam project and developed some very successful outcomes in our recent mock exams. Students are working incredibly hard on their last project at Chessington, and we are very excited to see outcomes develop as we move towards the final exams
Forms with block printing and clay work. Lessons are a hive of creativity as students are now creating their final pieces for this project, where they can let their own individual styles shine
Year 9 Year 9
Students have been exploring the theme of Identityconsidering how we can represent identity through portraiture, objects, hobbies and travels. Students are currently creating their own abstract self portraits using mono printing and inspired by the work of Loui Jover
10 10
Year 8 Year 8
Students have been exploring the theme of Identityconsidering how we can represent identity through portraiture, objects, hobbies and travels. Students are currently creating their own abstract self portraits using mono printing and inspired by the work of Loui Jover.
Year 7 Year 7
Students have been collaborative in colour, creating a giant Tony Cragg inspired colour wheel for the classroom wall and learning all about colour theory through food (and making me very hungry just looking at it all!)
Art Club Art Club
Art club and prop club have been all hands on deck to create the props and scenery for the school play - The Addams Family Students have been working incredibly hard and collaborating to create a whole spooky world for our talented actors to perform in.
Evening Options Evening
Options
It was really lovely to talk to so many students and parents about next steps at the year 9 options evening. Some students have mentioned the art department was too busy during the evening as it is a popular subject, but please be reassured that students are welcome to talk to me in S28 at any time if they have any questions
Careers Careers
We have also created a careers wall in the art corridor, showcasing just a few of the industries and careers that start with Art GCSE, so students are welcome to look at that to help plan their futures
It’s been a fantastic half term in the Maths department, with great learning and progress across all year groups. Our students have shown impressive dedication, and we are thrilled with their development
Our Maths Homework Club, Sparx & Snax, has been a huge success, providing extra support and a fun, relaxed environment for students to tackle their homework
We’re also excited to announce that the competition to create your own board game is nearing its end, and we can’t wait to see the final designs! We look forward to selecting the winner and celebrating everyone’s creativity and effort
Finally, we bid a fond farewell to Mr. Adan, who has been a brilliant member of our team this term. We wish him all the best in his future teaching career – he will be greatly missed by both staff and students alike
Here’s to a strong finish to the term!
Miss Spink Head of Maths
CAREERS
A busy term with regards to Careers. The highlight was a visit from South West Trains to talk to our Year 10 students about Apprenticeships with an engaging activity for the students to take part in. In National STEM week, students took part in a range of activities throughout the week during Tutorial sessions and those who were most enthused were invited to attend a STEM Day. This involved a Water Rocket Challenge, Science Challenges and various talks from guest speakers who work within STEM industries. Year 9 students have had an assembly from an Apprenticeship Provider and a talk from NESCOT College about courses available there. This tied in with Options Evening, with the knowledge that decisions students make regarding key stage 4 subjects, may influence career choices in future.
The Sixth Form students have had various trips over the term, including a visit to Kingston University and to the National Apprenticeship show at Sandown Racecourse. The students got valuable information about Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships and University degrees from the exhibitors
Our Year 13 and Year 11 students have all had a one-to-one Careers Meeting with our specialist Careers Advisor, helping the students to plan their next steps
Mr Davey Head of Careers
MUSIC
In the January half term year 7 finished Samba music, year 8 completed their songwriting project and some made really excellent efforts to record their own songs, and year 9 completed a sequenced cover version of a song by Weeknd.
Year 7, 8 and 9 have all been studying ukulele this half term, and each learning different pieces to develop and extend their skills. Each pupil able to access a ukulele and some learning in small groups, alone or with teacher support. Progress has been better than ever before!
Year 10 BTEC students have nearly finished their assessed work for Component 1 assignment, incorporating their work in different styles and showing their abilities in making music from scratch.
Year 11 have completed and submitted their Component 2 assignments and have now started making their pieces for Component 3 - the final piece of their coursework- responding to a music brief
Rehearsals have continued for the school production of "Addam Family Jr" and pupils have just finished the final show at the end of March. Vocal Director of the show, Mr.Ide has been working his magic in supporting individual student rehearsals and whole/part cast singing rehearsals too
The year 9 band and the year 10 band have been practising and composing this year as they entered the Battle of the Bands competition writing and performing their own songs They competing against several other local schools at the competition in Richard Challoner School on 26th March The year 10 band came second in the competition which is an excellent outcome!
Mr DuBock Head of Music
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
D&T has seen students compete in the House Competition to design a new ride for Chessington World of Adventures, with some amazing entries. It was great to see a variety of physical models with card and paper mache as well as hand drawn sketches, use of CAD and software like Planet Coaster and Roblox. Well done to all who entered.
KS3 rotations have brought students back to the workshop, with Y8 learning CAD for the first time. They have been challenged with designing a lam, inspired by either Art Deco or Steampunk design movements
Watch out for these coming home at the end of term.
Year 10 Construction have been plumbing as part of their vocational course Most had never soldered copper pipe before, and really enjoyed testing their work and hoping they wouldn't get wet!
Mr May Head of Design and Technology
child development
As we move further into the academic year, I am pleased to share some fantastic progress across all year groups
Year 11 students have shown great focus and determination in their Non-Exam Assessments, with just three hours remaining. Their work rate has been impressive, and I am very pleased with their efforts so far. With only exam content and technique left to cover, it is now crucial to maintain this momentum and focus right through to the end.
Year 10 have continued to engage well with the course and are making good progress. Next half term, they will be taking part in a structured walkthrough of Piglets, which will provide valuable insight and practical understanding.
Year 12 have successfully completed their first exam and are now working on further units of study. Their placement at Piglets has been excellent, with students showing great commitment and enthusiasm. The partnership with Piglets Nursery remains invaluable in providing real-world experience and reinforcing their learning. Their hard work and dedication have been commendable, and they are well on track for a strong finish to the year
Finally, Year 13 have now completed all their exams, and their placement work continues to go well
Well done to all students for their continued effort and focus – let’s keep up the hard work!
Miss Rutledge Head of Child Development
STEM REWARDS DAY
This term Years 7-10 took part in STEM week, where students engaged in fun, creative activities in tutor time related to STEM. Those who showed the most enthusiasm and engagement with these activities were treated to an exciting visit from the National Physical Laboratory. The National Physical Laboratory ran an engaging, hands-on workshop for 32 lucky students, with a particular focus on measurements and a practical demonstration involving liquid nitrogen. Check out some photos from the day below! Students had a spectacular day and developed their STEM knowledge in an exciting and educational environment
This term has been packed with an array of extracurricular clubs and an impressive calendar of sporting fixtures, both at home and away. The dedication and enthusiasm shown by all involved have been truly commendable. Players, coaches, and teachers alike should feel incredibly proud of the hard work, determination, and sporting successes achieved over the past months.
One of the standout features of this term has been the exceptional participation and commitment demonstrated by so many. From early morning practices to intense match days, it’s clear that everyone has contributed wholeheartedly to creating a vibrant and rewarding sporting community. The high attendance at the scholar morning sessions has been a particularly remarkable highlight, showcasing the dedication and passion for growth, learning, and excellence
Beyond the sports field, the extracurricular clubs have also thrived, offering students the opportunity to explore their interests, develop new skills, and foster a sense of belonging and teamwork. These clubs have not only been a space for learning and enjoyment but have also played a vital role in enriching the overall experience of the term.
From thrilling victories to moments of teamwork and camaraderie, there have been countless highlights that deserve recognition and celebration. Each success, whether big or small, is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and positive spirit that define this community
Remember to follow us on our PE online platforms to stay updated with the latest news and engaging content. Join us for tips, activities, and a community that celebrates physical education and school sport @chessingston_sch_pe
bbasketball asketball PPHYSICAL HYSICAL EEDUCATION DUCATION
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Chessington year 10 girls got 2nd place in the Surrey schools basketball finals. Thanks to Coach Addy for his efforts coaching the girls
Chessington Year 7 boys basketball continues to grow in strength as they won 43-37 in their high scoring game in the Surrey league again Hampton School
Year 8 boys beat George Abbott in a Surrey League game With an exceptional 3 pointer on the final buzzer by Chessington to get the win.
We also entered a co-ed year 10 basketball tournament. Seeing the boys and the girls working together on the court was a great experience. Chessington narrowly missed out on going through to the the next round during a hard fought battle. Check out our socials for some great clips of this match.
ffootball ootball
5 aside borough football tournaments are going on all this week. Organised and hosted by Chessington. Chessington girls finished top of their group and went on to win the tournament after a nail biting final which went to penalties
Chessington 6th form boys football won 3-0 vs Sutton Grammar thanks to some good tactical work by coach Morgan.
Year 8 boys faced Rutlish in Kingston and Merton league and came away as 3-0 winners. They currently unbeaten in the league with 2 games to go
The year 10 boys have posted back to back wins in the Kingston and Merton league. With a fine 5-1 win against Rutlish and another confident 5-1 win against Hollyfield.
nnetball etball
Year 9 and 8 girls netball both secured wins against Harris Academy. They face Hollyfield in the coming weeks so look out for how they get on.
ppupil upil sspotlights potlights
A few pupil spotlights; one of our year 13 students. Lille Betts competed in rugby at national level in France. It makes the team of staff very proud to see one of our students doing so well at the highest level. We wish her well with her sporting journey
sport scholar trip sport scholar trip
In January our Sports Scholars enjoyed a trip to Surrey Sports Park. Miss Williams organised this years event. Which saw our Key stage three sports scholars, rock climbing and playing squash. As well as hearing from a professional netballer. As she talked about her sporting experiences and what life is like as an elite athlete at Surrey University. We also got a tour of the impressive facilities at the sports park. A big highlight of the day was playing the amazingly fun sport you’ve probably never heard of. Kinball a chessington first we all got to play Kinball. Its a fast-paced interactive sport that engages a wide range of skills. Its essential a giant heavy beach ball 1.5m in diameter
It’s been a truly memorable term, filled with growth, achievement, and moments to cherish. Here’s to building on this foundation and continuing to inspire and excel in all areas in the terms to come!
Mr Jay Head of PE
RELIGIOUS S T U D I E S
This term in year 7, we have been focusing on one of our key abrahamic religions which is Judaism. We have looked into their sacred texts like the Torah in detail. In addition we have also been learning about their places of worship, which is the Synagogue
Year 8 have travelled to the east and started learning about Buddhism as their next dharmic religion. In our lessons we have tried some meditation. We have also studied some really important key buddhist leaders like the Dalai Lama Who was a spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a worldwide supporter of peace and compassion.
Year 9 have started to pick their options and it has been amazing to hear how many are looking forward to picking RS as a GCSE option. With options in mind, the focus was on social justice in our lessons. We have explored prejudice and discrimination in detail. Year 9 has shown maturity and compassion as we have tackled some hard hitting issues such as institutional racism.
Key stage 4 has been focusing on content for their themes paper. We have started working on two out of the four themes. The two themes we have studied in detail are:
Religion and life Crime and Punishment
The students have been amazing and really got involved in some ethical debates about abortion, the death penalty and corporal punishment
Mrs Sheriff Head of Religious Studies
Miss Edwards and Mr Dowell have been running TLC Extra this term for a small group of Year 7 students They have taken part in Conversation Club, Lego Therapy and arts and crafts sessions.
Students have been thoroughly enjoying their Lego intervention group The groups have worked on communication skills and team work and produced these fantastic Lego models; which they are proud of
Mrs Dowell Deputy SENCO
E n g l i s h
The English Department have had an exciting term. Our Year 11s have completed all their mock exams and the course entirely! They have worked tirelessly attending half term and after school revision sessions. We know that the next term is the most challenging but the effort across the board so far has been excellent and we know it will continue
All of our students have sat writing assessments this term, which are helping them best prepare for their end of year exams. We have been very impressed with their creative and outside the box thinking. Our Keystage 3 students have been immersed in the Novel section of our syllabus and there has been some wonderful reading aloud and confidence building lessons
World Book Day had an outstanding contribution from the student community with brilliant creative characters roaming our building! As a department we are always telling our students the importance, and joy, of reading and it was wonderful to see this come to light
Mrs Cooper Deputy Headteacher
SALAMANCA SALAMANCA SALAMANCA TRIP TO TRIP TO TRIP TO
Our group of Year 10 and Year 11 Spanish students on the Residential trip have arrived safely at Salamanca. After an early start and a long day of traveling we went out for a first walk around the historical town centre before dinner and bed time
We have an exciting day on Friday as we will visit our partner school IES Fernando de Rojas, where students will have the opportunity to attend a series of lessons and workshops, have a typical "picoteo" to taste some local food and meet Spanish peers with whom they can develop valuable friendships. In the afternoon, students will take part in a self-guided walking tour to discover the historic town centre, also accompanied by some of the Spanish students
Saturday activities will include a guided tour and/or a walk through the roofs of the unique Salamanca Cathedral, a tapas experience, a visit to Casa Lis (an Art Nouveau and Art Decó museum in a modernist stained-glass building) and astreet art visit to the picturesque Barrio del Oeste
This is a unique opportunity as it combines linguistic development with cultural experience. Participating students will return with improved skills in spoken Spanish, with the added benefit of valuable links and experience to enhance their Spanish GCSE outcomes and, looking further ahead, their language learning options at ALevel
¡SALUDOS DESDE SALAMANCA Y FELICES VACACIONES A TODOS!
Mr Murray Head of Languages
GEOGRAPHY
The Spring term has been a busy term for the geography department with new topics being studied across KS3 and KS4 as well as fieldwork completed by year 11 geographers. The fieldwork took place in Stratford on an unfortunately damp January day. The weather did not stop the year 11’s from investigating how the redevelopment due to the Olympics had impacted contrasting locations. Students were able to compare the locations using environmental quality surveys and some bravely asked the public their opinions of the areas using questionnaires
KS3 students have again been enthusiastically engaging with geography this term as year 7 investigated natural hazards around the world and some of the key issues cities can present to the people living there and the environment. Year 8 looked into how water is an important resource and the problems caused when it is misused. Year 8 has also spent the last half term finding out about the Middle East and how it has changed over the years due to the discovery of oil and how access to water may cause conflict in the future. Year 9 have had an indepth look at the continent of Africa and its challenges and opportunities. This topic led nicely into the Geopolitics lessons which showed how opportunities and challenges in a country are strongly linked to its geography
Year 10 are continuing the GCSE content and kept up the momentum from the good start to the year as they learned about rivers and coasts and started an in depth look at Nigeria and how its economy and society has developed to become the most important in Africa As well as completing the fieldwork and the challenge of resource management topic, year 11 are focusing on the upcoming GCSE’s and are hard at work revising and preparing Keep up the hard work!
Mr Allen Teacher of Geography
Our first parents think tank launch was a great success this term. It was brilliant to see so many parents attending to discuss new initiatives launched in our school and ways we can make them even better We had an excellent discussion relating to rewards and have acted on this in the Spring term; creating new categories on class charts and extending our rewards offer
The summer term think tank save the date is coming soon!
To support the co-production between parents and senior leaders we created a ' Parent think tank Chair' role which Mr Alan Pavett has accepted. He will work alongside Mrs Cooper in leading this forum and supporting actions going forward.
We look forward to updating you on our work in the future
It is important that you keep your records up-to-date Should you need to update your contact information or amend your consents, please email:
contactus@chessington.kingston.sch.uk
