Summer 2025 Newslter
MESSAGE FROM MS WILSON
Dear Parents, Carers and all in the Chessington community,
This year has flown by, I can’t believe our new Year 7’s are soon to be Year 8 and our Year 11 & 13’s are o to pastures new.
So much has happened this year both inside and outside the classroom, which you will read about in this bumper edition newsletter but one thing remains that I see being the Headteacher of Chessington as an absolute honour and privilege. Our students are simply amazing in so many ways. They make me proud in one way or another each and every day. Some of my highlights from the year listed below, there could have been many more!
1) Our sports teams have done incredibly well this academic year, from Yr7 right up to Yr13 the students have demonstrated excellent e ort and talent. It was a pleasure to celebrate with so many at the annual Sports Awards last week. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.
A huge thanks to the PE sta who are so committed to giving our students as many sporting opportunities as possible and giving up their time to train and coach them.
2) We have worked hard this year on some key teaching and learning strategies to support our students in the classroom with their learning. The use of mini whiteboards to help teachers spot misconceptions in the moment, interleaving of previous content to support connections and some excellent strategies for our SEN students that can be actioned within the classroom. Next year Ms Gri ths, one of our Assistant Headteachers, will be leading on developing further teaching and learning strategies to ensure the best possible classroom experiences for our students. We also had the first year of our new KS3 assessment system which has proven to be a great success, some minor tweaks for next year which Mr West will be implementing.
3) Our whole school musical The Addams Family was a smash hit! Miss Twomey and Mr DuBock led the cast and crew brilliantly. It was inspiring to see so many
Our first ever Performance Showcase was exceptional with some great musical and dance performances.
and better rewards following student feedback last year. Celebrating our GREAT values and good attendance are so important. Congratulations to the
for next year. I would also like to thank parents for their support with the changes to our detention system from February. We have seen a massive improvement to attendance to detentions but also a decrease in the number of detentions issued. We will be continuing with the new model next academic year.
5) Our Alternative Learning Week saw 40 di erent trips and activities take place and they were absolutely fantastic! Two residential trips, multiple trips into London - Zoo, Aquarium, Tower of London, London Dungeons, Madam Tussards, Twist Museum, Paradox Museum, Lion King, Wicked, Royal Courts of Justice and so many more. Ms Jacob put together the whole programme and I genuinely have never seen such a wide range of opportunities for students in my 20 plus years of teaching. Thank you to Ms Jacob and all of the sta involved not only on the trips but behind the scenes too.
In sta ng news, we are sad to say goodbye to some members of sta who are moving on to either new schools or other exciting new ventures:
Teacher of English - Mrs Simeonova
Teacher of Business Studies & Maths - Mr Cox
Deputy Headteacher - Mr Smith
Acting Associate Assistant Head & Head of PE - Mr Jay
In terms of new sta , in September we have the following excellent recruits joining our school community:
Head of English - Mrs Elmas
Teaching Assistant - Miss Moore
Admin Assistant - Mrs Brill
Admin Assistant - Miss Hayes
Our new mobile phone procedures start in September with Years 7-9 having pouches for their phones to support with increased concentration and engagement in lessons. A reminder of this will go out towards the end of the summer.
Next term we will need to run through some lockdown procedures with students and sta , this is following some national guidance from the Department For Education. Many local schools have been practising this in the last few weeks and we will be from September. I will communicate more details in the Autumn term.
I have had the pleasure of meeting with many parents over the last 12 months, face to face conversations can really improve communications, so please do meet with sta if you can. Our triangular relationship of school, home & student is so very important to their successes. It has also been a great opportunity for feedback and ways to improve our school.
I continue to be very proud of our school and will miss our students and sta over the 6 week holiday and look forward to welcoming them back rested and refreshed on:
Tuesday 2nd September - Year 7 & 12 at 10.30am (note only Years 7&12)
Wednesday 3rd September - All years at 8.25am
Wishing you a lovely & safe summer
Ms S Wilson Headteacher
Chessington School
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNORS
As we come to the end of another academic year it is with sadness that I inform you all that I standing down from the Board of Governors. I have seen the school join the Every Child Every Day Academy, be Ofsted inspected, and have a change of Headteacher, alongside having my own children go through the school. All of this has confirmed my belief that Chessington is a great school going from strength to strength, and I feel lucky and privileged to have been on the Board.
Also standing down from the Board at the end of this year is Emma Turner, who has not only chaired the Finance & Business committee and been the Health & Safety Link Governor but has also been on the Behaviour, Attendance and Personal Development committee for many years. Emma brought a wealth of school business management to the Board, and has also seen her own child progress through the school, both of these things resulting in valuable insights into school life.
We have a rolling program of recruitment to keep the Board fresh, and to ensure an even spread of the workload. If you feel that you have what it takes to be a 'critical friend' - holding the school to account and digging into the information we are given, giving support when needed and sharing the joy of the high points, then you’re who are looking for. As I have said before, You DON'T have to have previous experience to become a governor; full training is given, much of which is now online. You will need to be able to attend a maximum of 9 meetings (usually eves) and one specific school visit per year.
In particular we are keen to recruit governors who have health & safety knowledge, or HR skills, or who have a general interest in education and wish to support the school in driving forwards. If anyone would like more information I can be contacted on kcarman@chessington.kingston.sch.uk
As we race towards the end of another academic year, governors look forward to hearing about the extra events that take place this term such as the showcase production, prom night and alternative learning week (amongst others) and of course we wish all those who have taken exams the very best of luck with their results.
On behalf of the Governing Board, have a fabulous summer and let’s hope the glorious weather lasts into the holidays (with a bit of rain for the gardens!).
Karen Carman Chair of Governors
Performance Faculty Showcase
Prom 2025
HEAD OF YEAR UPDATES
MRS CHAPMAN Head of Year 7
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 Chapman
As we come to the end of the academic year, it’s hard to believe that our Year 7 students are no longer the newest members of our school. What a journey it has been!
From the very first day in September, when nervous faces lined up in brand new uniforms, to the
Their commitment to learning, respect for one another, and contributions to school life have been truly impressive. It’s also been a pleasure to watch so many of them develop their confidence and voice, taking on roles such as form reps and house captains.
As Year 7 prepares to move into Year 8, I know they will continue to build on the strong foundations they’ve laid this year. They should be incredibly proud of all they have achieved.
Well done, Year 7. You’ve completed your first year of secondary school with resilience, kindness, and spirit —and we are so proud of you.
Wishing you all a restful, safe, and happy summer.
Mrs Chapman Head of Year
7
YEAR 8 Miss Rutledge
This year I have seen some exceptional performances, sporting successes, amazing achievement in subjects, outstanding points totals, house competition winners, students who have shown resilience like no other and I have learned a lot about the year group.
I rounded up the year with our celebration assembly Tuesday and rewarded many students for their successes throughout the year. Top positive points was an exceptional 911, the best in the school. The top form groups gained over 13,000 points.
A trip to the Guardian newspaper to learn about how to create a front page was a great day. Here are some nished products.
The first aid workshop was a highlight where all of year 8 got to learn how to use a defibrillator and do CPR. an excellent opportunity.
scientists to look at career pathways in the NHS and social services. They were also part of a simulation of what happens in A&E seeing how a crash is responded to. All students who attended showed great enthusiasm and were an excellent example of students to be proud of from Chessington school.
An exciting year for options and thinking about GCSE subjects. I wish you all a great summer and hope year 9 brings more positives, more praise, more trips and more celebrations of an awesome year group.
Miss Rutledge Head of Year
8
YEAR 9
Mr Lucas
As the academic year draws to a close, it is with immense pride that I reflect on the outstanding achievements and contributions of our Year 9 students. This has been a truly remarkable year, culminating in some fantastic successes.
End of Year Exams
I am absolutely delighted to report on the exceptional performance of Year 9 in their recent end-of-year exams. The results have been excellent across the board, a testament to the dedication and hard work each student poured into their preparation. It was clear that a significant amount of e ort went into revising and understanding the material, and your commitment has certainly paid o . Well done, Year 9, on demonstrating such academic prowess!
Hollywood Bowling Rewards Trip
To celebrate their incredible enthusiasm and dedication throughout the year, a special rewards trip was organised for 40 of our Year 9 students. These students, who accumulated the most Enthusiasm achievement points, enjoyed a fantastic time at Hollywood Bowling in Tolworth. It was a welldeserved treat, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and celebrating their positive contributions to school life.
Sports Day Highlights
Sports Day this year saw an excellent turnout from Year 9, who participated with great spirit and determination. The day was filled with energy, teamwork, and some truly brilliant individual performances. We were particularly impressed by the outstanding e orts of Evie and Nevaeh, whose performances were nothing short of excellent. Their dedication and athletic talent shone brightly, inspiring
commend every single Year 9 student for their hard work, resilience, and positive attitude throughout the year. You have all made significant progress, both academically and personally. Enjoy a restful and welldeserved summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back for Year 10, ready for new challenges and successes.
Mr Lucas Head of Year 9
YEAR 10
Mr Power
What an outstanding term it has been for our Year 10 cohort! We're absolutely thrilled to report on their impressive performance in the recent mock examinations. The dedication and hard work demonstrated by students truly paid o , with results that are a testament to their academic growth and maturity. Well done, Year 10, on an exceptional achievement!
Beyond their academic triumphs, our newly elected Year 10 prefects have been nothing short of exemplary. Their commitment to their roles has been truly impressive, and they've already made a significant impact on our school community. They've played a crucial role in inducting our new Year 6 students, helping them to settle into secondary school life with warmth and guidance. Furthermore, their enthusiastic involvement in the recent Year 5 taster days showcased their leadership skills and made a fantastic impression on our prospective students.
It's not just in academics and leadership that Year 10 has shone; their sporting achievements this term have been equally impressive! They've shown fantastic teamwork and determination, participating with great success in recent borough athletics tournaments and rounders games. Their dedication culminated in some truly fantastic performances at their last ever Sports Day, where their enthusiasm and competitive spirit were on full display. They truly gave it their all, leaving a lasting mark for their houses.
The growth and maturity displayed by the entire Year 10 cohort this term have been remarkable. They're developing into confident, responsible, and capable young individuals, and we couldn't be prouder of their achievements both inside and outside the classroom. As they now look ahead to Year 11, we wish them all the very best. We're confident in their continued success, especially as more students focus on their post-16 journey and future aspirations.
Mr Power Head of Year 10
The 2025/26 Prefect Team
Sports Day 2025
Sports Day 2025
YEAR 11 Miss Swaysland
It's been a bittersweet few weeks as we've said a goodbye to our fantastic Year 11 students! They've now o cially finished their GCSE examinations, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. We're incredibly proud of the resilience and determination they've shown throughout this challenging period.
The celebrations began early with a heartfelt Leavers' Assembly on Thursday, May 23rd. It was a truly memorable occasion filled with awards, speeches, and plenty of shared laughter and tears (mainly from me!) as we reflected on their journey with us. It was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their achievements and the strong bonds they've formed.
To further celebrate their achievements and time with us, Year 11 enjoyed a spectacular Prom on Thursday, June 27th. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, dancing, and memorable moments as students, dressed in their finest, celebrated together one last time as a year group.
While their time in the classroom may have concluded, we know this is just the beginning of their next exciting chapter. We wish them all the very best as they await their GCSE results and embark on their chosen paths, whether that be further education, apprenticeships, or employment. We have no doubt they will continue to achieve great things.
I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your support over the last 5 years. We will truly never forget this special group of students.
Please look out for further information on the Class of 2025 Celebration Evening which will take place in November.
Miss Swaysland Head of Year 11
YEAR 12/ Mr Davey
Earlier this term we said goodbye to our Year 13 students. They worked hard in the final few weeks, to ensure all work was completed and excellent grades achieved. We held a leavers BBQ for them (thanks to Mrs Ford & Mr May for cooking), which included speeches from the Head of Year, and the Sports Coaches, a sta v students game of football and a Y12 v Y13 Basketball match, which the Y12 won. We also gave out some awards, Lillie M and Jaden M in recognition for their outstanding coursework, and to Emily C who was voted Year 13 Student of the Year by sta . We wish all of them the best for their futures. Most of them are heading to either University or into employment.
The Year 12 Sport students have been busy completing coursework. They continue to assist in lower school PE lessons and were also an integral part of school Sports Day, helping to o ciate events and record timings for races. They have also been fantastic ambassadors for the school leading PE sessions for Y5 students who have been in for Taster sessions. Students involved have been Alfie WS, Andrew A, Bradley L, Brandon P, Bogdan K, Eva RD, Kyan A, Kyren M and Ziya K.
The Year 12 Child Development students are making excellent progress on their course and continue to excel in the school on site Nursery. They have also completed three weeks Work Experience in a local Primary School. Aliyah V and Mia A were at Ellingham and Elliot M at St Mary’s. This gives the students experience of working with 4-5 year olds, which is also part of their course.
At the beginning of June, all of the Year 12s had a visit to the Emirates Stadium for a University and Apprenticeship Fair, which was very useful in helping the students shape decisions for progression after Year 13.
There was also a visit to St Mary’s University to look at Sport Science courses and the resources available for University students to use. They also had a chance to speak to current students on what Uni life was like. Students also began to write their UCAS applications, which we will continue to work on after the summer.
A successful year all round and as Head of Year, it is a pleasure to work with such an excellent group of students!
Year 12 Trip to the Emirates Stadium for the University and Apprenticeship Fair
Sports Day: Our Sport Sixth Formers after a long but rewarding day assisting with the running of Sports Day
Mr Davey
Head
of Year 12 and 13
WORK RELATED LEARNING
As we wrap up another successful year in Computer Science, we’re proud to reflect on the progress and achievements our students have made across all year groups. From mastering the fundamentals of coding in Python to tackling complex algorithms and cybersecurity concepts, students have shown real resilience, creativity, and problem-solving throughout the term. Meanwhile, our younger students have impressed us with their curiosity and enthusiasm in topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Spreadsheet fundamentals. It’s been fantastic to see so many students growing in confidence and applying their knowledge and creativity beyond the classroom, through competitions and independent projects.
In Business and Media Studies our Year 10 students have taken big steps forward with their coursework and are building a solid foundation ahead of Year 11, where they will continue with component 2 of there NEAs (Coursework).
Looking ahead to next year, we’re excited to introduce new resources and projects that will give students even more opportunities to explore real world computing challenges and prepare for digital futures. Thank you to all our learners for their hard work and commitment this term, We hope you have a well deserved rest over the summer and come back ready to keep building your digital skills!
Mr Cosgrave Head of Work Related Learning
HISTORY HISTORY
Summer Term has been an exciting and important term for all of our students. We have said our farewells to the fantastic Year 11 cohort, who have finished their set of History exams. We were pleased to have positivity around all three exam papers - which is a huge credit to the students’ preparation, and sta e ort. We wish you all the best of luck in your next stage of education or employment!
Year 10 have also embarked on a set of examinations, with their first formal mock. We are really happy with the e ort that has gone into these examinations and we have great promise for the year group. Next up is a fascinating study of Elizabeth 1, the great Tudor Queen, and then moving onto studying dictatorship through the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. Please do encourage your Year 10 students to explore History as an A-Level option as there are some wonderful courses in the local area; from Hollyfield to Esher College.
Key Stage 3 have been working phenomenally hard in the recent term, finalising content for the year, and preparing for end of year exams. A huge thank you to all students and parents as there has been a real buzz and e ort ahead of these exams.
Finally, an exciting time for Chessington’s History Department as we have an incredible turnout for Year 9 options, with over 110 students opting to take the subject. I am glad to know that so many students have an interest and passion for the subject, and I look forward to some excellent results.
Enjoy the holidays when they arrive and I look forward to the next academic year.
Mr Forsyth Head of History & Humanities
CATERING
7 8 9 10
Year 7 have been working hard on a range of skills including boiling, baking, frying, making pastry, making fresh pasta, all in one method, rubbing in method and perfecting the bridge and claw chopping techniques. This term they have made: Pasta salad, jam tarts, bread rolls, fruit crumble, bolognese and fruit cakes
Year 8 have been looking at energy, fast and slow release with the different energy bars Lots of skills making the below dishes too from frying, baking, boiling, coating and marinating: Chocolate mouse, scotch eggs, savoury rice, curry and tiffin.
Year 9 have been busy with life skills as some students finish their learning journey this year in catering. We have been looking at healthy chicken nuggets and oven chips, learning to plait puff pastry and blind baking shortcrust pastry This term they have made: Swiss rolls, chicken nuggets and chips, savoury plaits and French tarts
Year 10 have been practicing mock NEA tasks and designing meals for a range of situations to prepare them for starting the real NEA in September. Examples include:
A dessert of low sugar for a child
A dish suitable for older people that contains iron
A dish that involves making fresh pasta
A starter that includes making a type of pastry
Mrs Ford Head of Catering
ART
Ms Hudspith Head of Art
COMPETITON WINNER
As we come to the end of the academic year, we have not slowed down for a second. We have enjoyed many visits from primary schools for their taster sessions and look forward to seeing lots more talented artists join our school in years to come. We were delighted to celebrate the year 11 work in the performance showcase evening and have hosted our external exam moderator who also enjoyed seeing their beautiful portfolios and exam projects.
As usual, our incredible art students have continued to be inspired, imaginative, and dedicated to producing wonderful outcomes across the years and across the curriculum.
We launched a competition to design the outside of the ra le drum to represent the houses at the end of year draw. There were some fantastic ideas and our winner is Jack M, Year 9 - Well done Jack!
YEAR 11
Year 11 students finished their GCSE Art course, here at Chessington, with 2 days in the art room producing their final pieces for their exam projects. The students worked incredibly hard and the outcomes reflected their level of dedication throughout the final project. It has been a real privilege to see how far the students have developed and grown this year.
YEAR 10
Year 10 had a fantastic trip into London this term giving them a
the bright and interesting street art and gra ti that London has to o er. Next we walked along South Bank to take in the many architectural delights, including the iconic Houses of Parliament, London Eye, and city skylines throughout; past the brutalist architecture of the theatres and galleries including NT, Hayward, and Festival Hall; then stopping to eat lunch next to the baroque style of St Paul's Cathedral. After lunch we popped back across the millennium bridge, for a whistle stop tour of The Tate Modern to be inspired by the building and the wide range of art within. The students were, as always, a credit to the school and produced some amazing reportage drawings in a variety of media and styles.
YEAR 9
Year 9 have been looking at Pop Art and specifically the work of Roy Lichtenstein to inspire their own still life outcomes. We can see here the work in progress where students have arranged their own compositions; deciphered and simplified their photographs; used good brush control to produce flat, bright/ primary colours; considered shading through the use of benday dots; and considered some of the printing and gender di erences between modern day, and 1950s comic book America.
YEAR 8
Year 8 have been taking a closer look at bugs starting with tonal drawings to explore the details and then using their visual research to inform their 3D cardboard sculptures. We have been developing observational skills; fine motor skills; use of pattern, colour and shape; and layered thinking.
YEAR 7
Year 7 have been transported back in time and across the globe to ancient Japan where they have looked at the art of black ink painting, Sumi-e. Students have then considered more specifically the tonal di erences and di erent brush techniques in Suiboku-ga to produce wonderful bamboo paintings. Using these influences, year 7 have studied the symbolism of the Koi and produced some wonderful outcomes in ink, developing their skills in scale, proportion, detail, brush control and understanding of tone.
I think our art students need a well deserved rest after all their hard work this year, so we wish you a lovely creative summer break.
It has been a wonderful year in the English department at Chessington school We are so grateful to your commitment to the subject and to our school Students have had brilliant opportunities to read and write across multiple genres
The recent Key stage three exams highlighted just how creative and talented our students are and we can't wait to see what this leads to next year
This year we have had students at the guardian newsroom producing front pages, published poets getting their books to take home, tear jerking personal speeches as well as well prepared students taking multiple GCSE exams
We are sad to say goodbye to Ms Simenova this year who has taught every year group and shown a real passion for Shakespeare We hope that her lessons will be remembered We are excited to be welcoming Mrs Elmas who will take on the role as Head of English Faculty from September
Mrs Cooper Deputy Headteacher
RELIGIOUS Studies
It has been an exciting and thought-provoking year for the Religious Studies (RS) department, filled with exploration, creativity, and deep questioning across all year groups.
Year 7 students embarked on a journey through the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They examined shared histories, beliefs, and practices, gaining insight into how these faiths shape the lives of billions around the world.
Year 8 turned their focus to the Dharmic religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism—exploring the rich philosophical ideas, traditions, and spiritual paths that originate in South Asia. Their studies encouraged reflection on concepts such as karma, dharma, and enlightenment.
Meanwhile, Year 9 took a step back to ask the big questions: What is religion? Through critical thinking and debate, students examined definitions, functions, and the role religion plays in society today. This unit challenged them to think about belief from new perspectives and develop their analytical skills.
I am also proud to announce that Religious Studies has secured two classes at GCSE level for the coming year, demonstrating growing student interest and engagement with the subject.
In recent weeks, Year 7 and 8 students have been channeling their learning into creative expression through 'Spirited Art'—a project that invites pupils to explore spiritual and ethical themes through visual art. The results have been thoughtful, expressive, and deeply personal, showcasing the imaginative ways our students are connecting with the subject.
As always, the RS department continues to inspire curiosity, empathy, and critical reflection. We look forward to another enriching year ahead.
Have a wonderful summer,
Mrs Sherri Head of Religious Studies
SPANISH
It has been another great term for our linguists at Chessington School. Students have consolidated their knowledge of key verbs and vocabulary and have demonstrated their ability to manipulate and transfer the language learnt through their sentence builders in their end of year exams. Year 7 have been learning to talk about their life in school in Spanish; Year 8 have been learning to use up to three tenses (present, past and future) to talk about what they like doing in their free time and about their food preferences, including how to order food in a restaurant (so get them talking if you are travelling to a Spanish speaking country this summer!); Year 9 have been learning to talk about global issues, all while combining present, past and future tenses; Year 10 have continued their GCSE Spanish journey preparing for their first ever speaking mock exam, which will help them feel confident about this paper ahead of Year 11.
All MFL students have put a lot of e ort into their recent end of year exams, for which they deserve to be congratulated. Following exam feedback lessons, KS3 students continued their linguistic journey learning about the history, culture and traditions of a series of Spanish speaking countries, so do ask them about interesting facts they learnt!
As always, please encourage your children to continue to put their language skills into practice during the holidays with examples of real language use, especially if you are lucky enough to be travelling to Spain or a Spanish speaking country this summer! 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
library, literacy &EAL &EAL
The first literacy highlight for this term was the reestablishment of the annual Scholastic Book Fair at Chessington, this year from 7th to 11th July, where students had the chance to browse and buy a wide range of exciting new secondary titles to take home for themselves. Events like this are such a great way to support our school's reading culture and nurture a love of reading for its own sake, so it was great to see students excited about newly-discovered books, recommending titles to each other, and sharing experiences about what they’ve been reading. Thank you to everyone who came along and helped support our library!
In June, a group of our Y7 librarians were invited to Southborough High School for a very enjoyable talk by the author Natasha Farrant about her new book, The Secret of Golden Island. We heard Natasha speak about her love of reading, the importance of the natural world to her writing process, and what inspires her to keep putting pen to paper. Our students were brilliant representatives of the school and took the opportunity to ask some great questions, including about how di cult it is to write a book entirely from scratch, even when you’re an established children’s author! Thank you to Oliver K, Shiva S, Jessie W and Miruna S for being such fantastic reading ambassadors for Chessington.
On the other end of their school journey, our Y11 EAL students have now completed their GCSEs and are moving on to the next stage of their education at college and sixth form. Their determination, hard work and enthusiasm for learning through what is already a challenging time for students has served as a real inspiration for all of us, and we’re so proud of the immense progress they have made since joining us last year. We wish them all the very best of luck for the paths they choose to follow in the future.
Finally, this term saw the school celebrate Nationalities Week, with a focus on recognising the wonderful diversity of languages and cultures at Chessington. In English language interventions, our EAL students prepared short presentations for their classmates celebrating their cultural heritage and first languages, and taught us how to say a few words in Korean, Ukrainian, Pashto, Portuguese, Tigrinya, Cantonese and Farsi, to name only a few. Excitingly, the library is now also home to our new Chessington Language Tree, a display composed of leaves on which students from across the school have written a short message in one of the myriad languages spoken at our school. We hope that this tree will continue to flourish and grow as we welcome new students to the Chessington community in September.
Mr Murray Head of Languages, Literacy and EAL
MUSIC
In the May half term year 7 finished learning about scales and moods, year 8 worked on famous film music themes , and year 9 learned some Baroque, Classical and Romantic era music.
This half term, year 7 will be creating music for an olympic event, year 8 will create their own soundtracks for animation, and year 9 will remix a classical piece into EDM. Students will be able to download these pieces so parents can listen too!
Upcoming year 10 class applications for BTEC/GCSE were oversubscribed and we were able to use the Jack Petchey prize funding to help buy three new computers for the music department and increase the class size.
Year 10 BTEC students have received their allocated grades for their Component 1 assignment which moderators agreed were accurately marked. They now have begun small group recording projects for the pieces “Stairway to Heaven”, “Feelgood inc.” and “Let it Be”.
Year 11 have completed and submitted their Component 3 final assignments and we look forward to some good results.
The Performance faculty showcase was on 25th June including work by our art, dance, drama and music students.
We also have ten students performing in the Rose Theatre on 28th June with several other schools in the KINGSTON 2025 YOUTH MUSICAL - Bridging Kingston: A Musical Odyssey.
Mr DuBock Head of Music
DRAMA
This term in drama we have been completing a range of topics throughout the di erent years.
Year 7 we have looked at Commedia Dell'arte in class, exploring the di erent characters and style of theatre. The students really enjoyed the comedy style of this theatre and really threw themselves into the performances.
@reallygreatsite
Year 8 we looked at creating a musical theatre style performance, the students were looking into the history and style of Musical theatre. They then went on to create their own ‘revolting children’ performance from Matilda.
Year 9 explored set design and were able to create a set slice for a performance of their choice. The creativity of some of the set designs were incredible!
In year 10 we have been fully focused on the devising performance element of the exam. The performance and design elements are starting to take shape and I’m really proud of the work that they have created and I cannot wait to see where it goes!
Outside of the drama room the students were able to showcase their work in the performing arts faculty performance evening this term and we look forward to showcasing more students' work next year!
Miss Twomey Head of Drama
It’s been a dynamic and discovery-filled term in the Science Department! Our students have been busy conducting experiments, tackling real-world problems, and exploring the wonders of biology, chemistry, and physics.
Y10 students have now moved onto paper two content. The first unit of this is titled ‘Rate and extent of chemical change’. Here they have been exploring how di erent factors a ect the rate of a chemical reaction through practical work. Y9 students have been exploring ‘Infection and response’ where they have been learning about di erent types of diseases and how they enter the body. They have also been looking at how vaccinations work. Y8 students have been looking at the unit of Genes where they have been learning about the causes of variation and how evolution happens. Y7 students have been exploring the wonders of Space- how we get day and night, seasons and years and what causes the moon phases.
On top of all this, the team have been focussing on preparing Year 11 students for their final GCSE exams. Students sat six papers and therefore had a vast amount of intervention sessions to attend to ensure that they were ready for their final exams. We have also been delivering revision sessions to Year 7, 8 and 9 students in preparation for their end of year exams. Well done to you all for getting through these!
For the upcoming alternative learning week, Mrs Andrew is very excited to be leading the ‘Mad Scientists’ trip. This will involve visiting the Royal Observatory where students will be learning about the Solar System in an interactive way. Students will also be visiting the L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre where they will be carrying out some exciting Chemistry experiments and then will finish o with a trip to the Wonderlab at the Science Museum.
In the summer term, over 300 year 5 children from local feeder schools experienced a range of Taster days held by the school. Children were involved in activities from Drama, Art, PE, Catering and Construction and all left having an enjoyable day.
It was brilliant to see so many children demonstrating our GREAT values each day and we look forward to work with them and their schools next year!
Students have been really taking o with learning on SparX Science! As seen in their end of year report: 261,699 questions have been correctly answered, 3,516 hours have been spent on personalised science practice, and students have challenged themselves with misconceptions and knowledge gaps 73,303 times Keeping in mind that SparX Science was taken up mid-year, these numbers are amazing and we can only expect them to climb even higher next year. The Science department is looking forward to awarding students based on their successes in SparX Science Each year group will have one star student who has demonstrated GREAT qualities in their SparX Science homework journey Year 7’s Shivavinayak S achieved a level 13, Year 8’s Marcel S achieved a level 10, Year 9’s Emily B achieved a level 10, Year 10’s Shawn B achieved a level 7, and Year 11’s Sam K achieved level 11 The Science department would like to congratulate all students who used SparX Science for revision and we are all looking forward to seeing just how much those numbers grow in the 2025/26 school year!
The Science Club has been very busy this term! From participating in a ‘magical’ trend using bags of water and pencils, to swabbing our own cheeks to observe our cells, to making loads of noise with bottle pop rockets (and smelling the consequences of vinegar!), to even crafting up periodic tables to be used in our science classrooms next school year. We encourage more students to join us in our end of year science adventures that will include using coca-cola and mentos and designing eye-catching posters to encourage the new year 7’s to join in on the fun next year!
Mrs Andrew Head of Science
CAREERS
Year 11
Following on from Careers Day at the end of year 10, the year 11s had further talks from Kingston College, NESCOT, Way to Work Apprenticeships and Hollyfield School. Students were then supported making their post 16 applications. Each student had a one-to-one interview with our Careers Adviser Mr Poole, who helped guide students on to their planned next steps, looking at all available options. In the first term, there was a Careers fair at Hollyfield school which many of the students attended, and some students went to an Apprenticeship Fair. By the time they started their GCSE exams, all students had a firm o er in place for post 16 and Mr Davey will be in school on results day to help advise students if necessary.
Year 10
The year 10 students have also had presentations from Kingston College, NESCOT, South West Trains Apprenticeship opportunities, Hollyfield School and also Esher College. They are aware of all the di erent types of pathways post 16, e.g A levels, BTEC, Apprenticeships, T levels and the various local providers. There have also been talks and activities for some students from South West Trains and a professional from the Fashion industry. Some students also benefited from an excellent trip to Sussex University to experience Uni life.
On the Careers Day during Alternative Learning week, the students benefited from a speed networking event, where they had the opportunity to meet a range of employers from various sectors, from Banking to Engineering, and Professional Sports clubs to Beauty Therapy. Our students are now aware of various jobs in the local area, and the career path they need to take to get there. As well as this, students also completed Virtual Work Experience with Springpod, and can now build on this over the summer, now they are registered to this platform.
Year 9
The year 9 students also benefited from Careers day during Alternative Learning Week and the speed networking event. They also completed a research task that has ensured they are familiar with all of our local further education providers. This was on top of presentations in assembly from NESCOT and Hawk Training Apprenticeships. Year 9’s have also had their options evening that gave information regarding local labour markets, and advice and guidance regarding key stage 4 subjects and their influence over future career choices.
Years 12 and 13
Year 13 students were supported with their UCAS/Apprenticeship applications and all received firm o ers for their next steps. The students also had a careers meeting with Mr Poole who gave the students ideas for consideration. Both year 12 and 13 students visited the Careers fair at Hollyfield school, attended the National Apprenticeship fair and had engaging careers talks from Chelsea Football Club (Sport students) and a Nursery Practitioner (Child Development students). Year 12 Sport students also benefited from trips to Kingston University and St Mary’s University. There was also a visit to the Emirates Stadium for the University and Apprenticeship fair which had over 100 exhibitors. The students have also benefited from the onsite work experience, with our child development students working in our onsite nursery and the sport students assisting in lower school clubs and PE lessons. Finally, our child development students also benefited from three weeks work experience in a local primary school, and the Sports students took part in two days of external work experience working in a range of di erent roles in the Sports industry.
Mr Davey Head of Careers
Years 7 and 8
In PDW lessons, the year 7 & 8 students each had a half term focussed on Careers. The students have considered various jobs, the skills and qualities needed to successfully carry out these roles, assessing their own skills profile. They have been introduced to post 16 options and the key terminology. At the beginning of July, a group of year 8 students visited Kingston Hospital to take part in a Health related career insight day, experiencing the patient journey, which demonstrated the variations of care provided. It also included engaging with Health professionals, who informed the students about their jobs and their career path.
MATHS
The Maths Department has had an incredibly busy and productive Summer Term! Our students worked incredibly hard on their end-of-year assessments, demonstrating impressive progress and resilience. Students have been busy reflecting on these assessments and know what they need to improve for next year. A huge well done to all students for completing their Sparx Maths homework for the year – your consistent e ort truly pays o ! Beyond the curriculum, we've had some fantastic opportunities for students to engage in problem-solving challenges, fostering critical thinking and collaborative skills. Finally, a massive congratulations to Matej and Lola in Year 8, who were the deserving winners of the board game competition, winning Amazon vouchers– brilliant work!
Miss Spink Head of Maths
IT UP’ - Matej, Year 8
‘SUM IT UP’ - Lola, Year 8
‘SUM
COME TO COME TO DINNER DINNER
You are all invited to dinner, you can pick any seat, Make some new friends, enjoy something to eat.
There are lots of dishes, some you will know, Or why not try something new as you go
We will have poppadoms, samosas, and onion bahji, With bombay potatoes and lamb biriani
We will have pizza, pasta and seafood risotto, With gnocchi, tirimisu and pistachio gelato
We will have pork enchiladas and beef quesadilla, With salsa, guacamole and chicken fajitas
We will have jollof rice and bobotie, With yassa, injera, suya and mafe.
We will have fish and chips, and a Sunday roast, With sausage and mash, and beans on toast.
We will have coq au van and beef bourguignon, With croissants, crepes and multicoloured macarons.
With music and dancing, it will be so much fun, Everyone is welcome, we hope you can come.
Diversity Poem KS3 Student
MrJay HeadofPE
Chessington
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
School Sports Day 2025 – A Celebration of Spirit and Strength
On Thursday, 3rd July 2025, the vibrant community of Chessington School gathered at Kingsmeadow Stadium for an unforgettable Sports Day that ran from 9:00am to 2:30pm. With the sun shining and spirits high, students, sta , and families came together to celebrate athleticism, teamwork, and school pride.
Track Races: From the explosive 100m sprints to the endurance-testing 800m, students showcased speed and determination across all year groups. Field Events: Long jump, triple jump, high jump, and shot put drew enthusiastic cheers as competitors pushed their limits.Team Relays: The crowd roared during the relay races, where coordination and camaraderie were key to victory.”
Sta vs. Students Relay brought laughter and friendly rivalry, with the sixth-form students narrowly edging out the teachers.
The stadium was alive with house colors, banners, and chants as students competed for house points.
Parents and carers joined in the festivities, cheering from the side
The event was supported by the PE department, led by Mr Jay, whose tireless e orts ensured a smooth and spirited day.
Medals and certificates were awarded to all the winners for their achievements.
The coveted Sports Day House Cup was claimed by Pegasus (blue) House, whose consistent performance across events earned them top honors.
Chessington School Sports Day 2025 wasn’t just about competition—it was a celebration of resilience, unity, and joy. With memories made and records broken, it truly embodied the school’s commitment to excellence both on and o the field.
Kingston Borough Athletics
On Tuesday 24th June, over 50 students from Chessington School proudly represented the school at he annual Kingston Borough Athletics Competition held at Kingsmeadow Athletics Track.
This prestigious event brought together students from across the borough, competing against a range of both state and private schools including Kingston Grammar, Canbury, Ti n Girls & Boys, Coombe Girls & Boys, Richard Challoner, Holy Cross, Tolworth, Hollyfield and TKA.
The level of competition was incredibly high, and our students rose to the occasion with passion, commitment, and resilience. Team Chessington delivered an exceptional performance, securing 17 medals across a range of track and field events. A further 12 students narrowly missed out on podium finishes, achieving strong 4th place results — a testament to their talent and determination.
The day was not only about medals; it was a celebration of hard work, school spirit, and the thrill of representing Chessington at a borough-wide level. Our pupils showed immense character and determination, with many already motivated to return next year and surpass this year’s successes.
Outstanding Achievements - Our Medal Winners
Track Events:
Junior Girls 200m – Gold: Filijay T
Junior Girls 75m Hurdles – Gold: Filijay T
Junior Boys 200m – Silver: Dexter B
Junior Girls 800m – Bronze: Nevaeh A
Senior Girls 4x100m Relay – Bronze: Tilly S, Jessica K, Alicia C & Gracie S
Junior Girls 4x100m Relay – Bronze: Evie B, Filijay T, Tea C& Nahla G
Field Events:
Junior Girls Long Jump – Gold: Filijay T
Junior Girls Javelin – Gold: Evie B
Senior Girls Shot Put – Gold: Skye C
Senior Boys Shot Put – Silver: Billy B
Senior Girls Triple Jump – Silver: Tilly S
Junior Boys Triple Jump – Silver: Lenny G
Junior Girls Shot Put – Bronze: Maisey B
Junior Boys High Jump – Bronze: Arthur M
Junior Boys Long Jump – Bronze: Harry W
Senior Girls Discus – Bronze: Skye C
Senior Girls High Jump – Bronze: Jessica K
A special mention goes to Filijay T, who had a phenomenal day, securing three medals (including two golds) across both track and field events – a true all-round athlete! We are incredibly proud of every single student who took part. Whether they won a medal, achieved a personal best, or simply supported their teammates with enthusiasm and positivity, they represented Chessington School with excellence. Congratulations once again to Team Chessington on a truly memorable and successful day!
1stPlace 2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
