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Dear Parents,
the academic year, I find myself reflecting with enormous pride on all that we have achieved together This has been a defining year in the recent history of Holland Park School Our recent Ofsted outcome gave us the opportunity to recognise how far we have come, but more importantly, it reaffirmed the ambition that continues to drive us forward Outstanding schools are never finished They continue to ask what more they can do, how much further they can go, and how many more young lives they can enrich
Having led a number of schools throughout my career, I can say with complete honesty that Holland Park School is a truly special place It is the people who make it so: a remarkable staff body whose professionalism, dedication and care for young people are evident every day; students who are curious, thoughtful, resilient and exceptionally talented; families whose quiet encouragement, generosity and trust enable our community to flourish and our wonderful PTA, whose tireless support, generosity and commitment quietly enrich school life in countless ways, often behind the scenes Together, you have created a school with a distinctive character and an unwavering commitment to excellence
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As we look ahead, our ambition is clear: to become the best state school in the country by 2030. It is an ambitious goal, but one rooted in the belief that excellence is not a destination but a habit As the educationalist John Dewey observed, "We do not learn from experience we learn from reflecting on experience " As we pause at the end of another successful year, we should take time to celebrate all that has been accomplished, rest and recharge over the summer, and return in September ready to write the next chapter of our story My leadership team and I remain steadfast in our commitment to that journey, and we are excited about what lies ahead.
True to Holland Park School tradition, the closing weeks of term have been anything but quiet. While many schools begin to slow down, ours has continued to buzz with activity and celebration From the exceptional GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition, showcasing work of extraordinary quality, to the Year 8 residential visit to the Isle of Wight, our students have continued to embrace every opportunity available to them We celebrated the achievements and character of our young people at the Ethos Awards, marked important milestones at the Year 9 Graduation, Year 11 Prom and Sixth Form Dinner, and welcomed former students back for our Life Out There Alumni Event Alongside these were the drama showcase, tennis tournament and many other events that have made these final weeks so memorable.
None of this would be possible without the generosity and commitment of our staff, many of whom willingly give their time beyond the school day to create experiences that our students will remember for years to come. My thanks also go to our students, whose enthusiasm and participation make every event such a pleasure, and to our families for their continued support throughout the year I hope you enjoy the photographs throughout this edition, which capture just a small glimpse of another remarkable year at Holland Park School I wish you and your families a restful, enjoyable summer break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in September as we continue our journey together
Best wishes,
Dame Sally Coates
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Ethos Awards | Mr O Tukacevska
A warm summer evening, olive trees lining the main hall, glasses of prosecco for the adults, and a steady stream of awards celebrating the many achievements of our students The Ethos Awards provided a fitting and joyful way to bring another remarkable academic year to a close It was a wonderful evening, celebrating not only academic excellence but also the character, aspiration, integrity and respect that make our school community so special Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate, and to The PTA, Ms Pugh, Mr Egleton and the Site Team for organising such a fantastic event. Finally, a huge congratulations to all of our award winners You should be incredibly proud of everything you have achieved this year We love celebrating your successes and cannot wait to see what you accomplish next
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Year 11 Prom | Mr J Clarke
As Head of Year 11, I could not be prouder of the way our students conducted themselves at this year's prom It was a truly memorable evening, filled with laughter, celebration, and a wonderful sense of togetherness as we marked the end of an important chapter in their school journey The students looked fantastic, behaved impeccably, and represented themselves, their families, and the school with maturity and respect throughout the evening Watching them celebrate their achievements and create lasting memories was incredibly rewarding, and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them A special thank you goes to Mr Fortmann, Ms St Clair and our PTA for their hard work and dedication in helping to transform our venue at the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, into such a beautiful setting for the evening Their efforts played a huge part in making the celebration so special and memorable for everyone Year 11 should leave with confidence in all they have accomplished, and I wish them every success as they take their next steps I look forward to welcoming them back on Results Day, celebrating their achievements, and seeing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for each of them
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Year 13 Prom | Ms A Pugh
There are evenings in the life of a school that feel less like events and more like milestones, and our leavers' celebration at Thorpe Lodge was unmistakably one of them Guests arrived through a magnificent flower arch and into gardens scented with lavender and lined with olive trees, where a sparkling dance floor waited beneath the summer sky and then there were the students themselves. We are used to seeing them in blazers and lanyards, hurrying between lessons; to see them arrive so glamorous, so poised, so thoroughly grown up, was to glimpse, just for a moment, the adults they are about to become. It was a particular joy to welcome so many parents Seven years is a long partnership: seven years of parents' evenings and school concerts, of exam seasons weathered together, of quiet encouragement at kitchen tables that no teacher ever sees but every teacher depends upon To share this final evening with the families who have walked every step of the journey felt entirely fitting, and their pride was written on every face
The evening itself was everything we had hoped Homemade pizza emerged from the ovens all night, the steak was cooked to perfection, and the dance floor, once claimed, was never surrendered; students and staff danced together until the very last song with only one break for speeches of thanks which were generous, funny and moving We could not be prouder of this cohort. They have weathered more than a few Holland Park storms and have emerged stronger than ever They have been enterprising, kind and ambitious in equal measure, and they leave Holland Park having given far more to the school than they know Evenings as special as this one come along rarely, and this one belonged entirely to them We shall miss them enormously, and we send them into the world certain that they will make it better Go well the cohort of 2026; you will always belong here
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Staff Pizza Party | Mr A Pugh
After we said goodbye to students on Friday afternoon staff congregated in Thorpe lodge gardens to celebrate the end of another successful year at Holland Park School The bubbles flowed, the smell of fresh pizza and grilled meat wafted across the gardens and the sound of laughter resounded Freshly cut sunflowers adorned tables covered by white table cloths and jugs of icy Pimms None of this would have been possible without the very generous donations given by parents and from all staff at Holland Park School I wanted to say a huge and heartfelt thank you Staff were also very touched and moved by the messages of thanks left by parents A school is only ever as strong as the community behind it and we feel so lucky to be supported by so many of our parents And to the PTA...you are Holland Park legends and I don't know what we would do without you your support means everything and we're so grateful
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Congratulations to Solveig H on an extraordinary golfing achievement! At the Surrey Women's Golf Junior County Championships, held at Foxhills Country Club on the Longcross Course, Solveig delivered a remarkable performance to be crowned Surrey Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 County Champion, as well as winning the Best Overall Net Score Despite temperatures exceeding 35°C, which saw the competition reduced from 36 holes to 18, Solveig remained composed throughout, posting a superb gross score of 76 (+4), comfortably the best score of the day. Playing off a handicap of 7 and representing Windlesham Golf Club, her outstanding round earned her an incredible four trophies To make the achievement even more special, Solveig's name will now be engraved alongside former champions, including Dame Laura Davies and Lottie Woad A phenomenal accomplishment and a moment to be incredibly proud of. Congratulations, Solveig!
A Silver-Winning Weekend for Hazel!
Congratulations to Hazel on an exceptional weekend of sporting success! Representing her borough at the London Youth Games, Hazel won a silver medal in the 50m Breaststroke, an incredible achievement, especially as it was her first time competing at the event Hazel also took part in the Aquathlon, where she finished an impressive 11th out of 55 Year 8 competitors Competing in the event for the first time, she embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed the experience We are incredibly proud of Hazel's achievements and look forward to celebrating many more sporting successes in the future Well done, Hazel!
Bronze and Silver Expeditions Complete | Mr D Hickey
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our Duke of Edinburgh's Award students, who have successfully completed their Bronze and Silver expeditions Our Silver Award participants spent three days and two nights in the Brecon Beacons, demonstrating excellent teamwork, resilience and navigation skills as they tackled challenging terrain Meanwhile, our Bronze Award students completed the South Downs Way in exceptionally hot conditions, showing remarkable determination, maturity and perseverance throughout We are delighted that every student successfully passed their expedition Congratulations to all of our Duke of Edinburgh participants on this fantastic achievement
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Portobello Dance | Mr D James
From September, Portobello Dance and Performing Arts School will return to Holland Park School, offering students the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting dance classes, including Street Dance, Jazz and Musical Theatre Sessions will take place every Tuesday after school in the school's dance studio and are open to students of all abilities If you are interested in registering for the sessions or would like further information, please contact: info@portobellodapas org uk
HPS PE donations | Mr D James
The PE Department is extremely grateful for the continued support of our parents and carers As we continue to grow our provision and create even more opportunities for students, we are inviting parents and carers to make a voluntary contribution to Physical Education at Holland Park School Donations will help fund new sports kit, equipment and additional sporting opportunities, ensuring that our students continue to benefit from a highquality PE and extracurricular programme Contributions can be made via ParentPay by selecting Physical Education Donation. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and ongoing support.
Fulham reach rowing | Mr D James
We will continue our successful partnership with Fulham Reach Rowing Club Year 12 students will attend rowing sessions on Fridays, while Year 13 students will take part on Mondays, with sessions scheduled to fit around their school timetables If you are interested in registering your interest in joining the programme, please contact info@hollandparkschool.co.uk for further information
Year 8 Boys Plate winners | Mr D James
Our Year 8 boys' team completed a successful season, finishing third in the highly competitive QPR League, which features many of the strongest schools from the local area The team recorded impressive victories over Phoenix Academy, Hammersmith Academy, All Saints, and Kensington Aldridge Academy Their consistent performances throughout the season earned them a third-place finish and the QPR Plate – a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to all the players on an excellent season They will be aiming to go one step further next year as they look to challenge for the QPR Cup
Year 9 & 10 Boys Tennis| Mr D James
Our Year 9–10 boys' tennis team enjoyed another highly successful season, finishing the campaign undefeated with impressive victories over Latymer Upper School, University College School (UCS), and JFS Their outstanding performances have earned them a place in the Middlesex Final, where they will face Merchant Taylors' School in September The team will be looking to defend their title after being crowned Middlesex champions last year Congratulations to all the players on an excellent season so far, and we wish them the very best of luck in the final
Yr7/8 Girls Football Tournament | Mr M Abbott
On the 12th June, the Yr7/8 Girls Football team were selected to play in a ‘Talent ID’ tournament at Ark Academy Wembley. It was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to be scouted by the England Talent Pathway- we had a lot of interest from them as they were very impressed with the level of skill on display from the Holland Park girls We had tough opposition to face, with some teams being made up of players who play at academy level During the tournament, there was an ‘MLS-style' penalty shootout, where we selected Trixie to represent the school She eliminated all the opposition and won the shootout! The girls played brilliant football throughout the tournament, and we had many other teachers compliment the girls on their sportsmanship and gameplay.
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Meet our Winners (Planner Art Competition) |
Ms O Tukacevska
A huge thank you to all the students who produced work for the Student, Sixth Form, Parent and Staff Planners for next year (2026–27) There have been some beautiful pieces produced, and many will be featured on pages across the publications The cover winners are as follows: Bella C (Year 13), Francisco R K (Year 10), Clare Y (Year 10) and Olivia K (Year 10), who are the cover features, and Zuzu S and Xiaobei L (Year 7), who will be featured on the staff and student intro pages A special mention goes to Bella, Clare, Olivia and Francisco for producing these in a very limited timeframe - I couldn't be more pleased with the outcomes, and it really shows how fortunate we are as an art team to have so many talented artists These artworks will be framed and exhibited in reception next year Special mentions also go to the following students, whose work will be featured in the publications (images on the next page): Zoa M (Year 7), Khalid H (Year 7), Lora N (Year 8), Charlotte B (Year 7) and Zahra A (Year 7) The exact covers are a surprise and will be released in September Looking forward to sharing these with you!
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GCSE Art & A Level End of Year Show |
Ms O Tukacevska
Perhaps I'm biased, but I genuinely believe our Art Department goes from strength to strength each year The standard of work on display at this year's GCSE and A Level Exhibition was nothing short of exceptional From ambitious paintings and sculptures to highly personal photography and mixed media pieces, the creativity, technical skill and originality on show rival that of Art departments anywhere in the country. We are incredibly excited for Results Day in August and look forward to sharing our students' achievements with you Whatever the grades, the exhibition was a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved through determination and countless hours of hard work I could not be prouder of every one of our students, and I hope they are immensely proud of themselves too Their work is a testament not only to their artistic ability, but to their resilience, curiosity and commitment over the past two years
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THORPE LODGE ARTIST’S STUDIO
As parents and visitors enjoyed our recent GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition, many had the opportunity to step inside one of Holland Park School's most remarkable spaces: Thorpe Lodge Gallery Dating back to 1816, Thorpe Lodge is a Grade II-listed building with a fascinating history Originally built as a Palladian villa surrounded by open countryside, it has been home to distinguished residents, including Victorian portrait artist Henry Tamworth Wells and Montagu Norman, Governor of the Bank of England from 1920 to 1944. Since becoming part of Holland Park School in the 1950s, the building has served many purposes However, after decades with little investment, it was carefully restored and reimagined through a new renovation, preserving its historic character while creating an inspiring space for contemporary education Today, Thorpe Lodge combines beautifully restored Arts and Crafts interiors with a striking modern extension, designed specifically for art The light-filled studio features innovative movable screens, allowing students to work on artworks of many different scales, while the gallery space provides the perfect setting to celebrate their creativity
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The restoration revealed hidden architectural treasures, including rare wood panelling and bespoke decorative tiles that had been concealed for many years Great care was taken to honour the building's history while ensuring it could continue to serve future generations of students Our recent exhibition was a fitting reminder of the building's purpose Surrounded by nearly two centuries of history, students showcased work that reflected their own creativity, ambition and talent, demonstrating how Thorpe Lodge continues to evolve as a place where art, heritage and education come together From historic country house to contemporary gallery, Thorpe Lodge remains one of Holland Park School's most treasured spaces, connecting our rich past with the creative future of our students.
Ms O Tukacevska
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Life Out There? | Ms T Hart
For the third consecutive year, 40+ recent Holland Park alumni visited our current year 12s to bestow the most valuable and up-to-date advice on all things A Level, UCAS, and careers Playing musical chairs in small groups and oneto-one conversations, students unanimously praised the event for just how useful, enlightening and inspiring it was. Many thanks once again to all alumni involved!
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Year 9 & 10 Girls QPR League Runners' Up | Ms M Abbott
This season, the Yr9/10 girls finished the league as Runners’ up, which is an incredible achievement! Their hard work, determination and consistency has been pivotal to their success Considering many of the girls lead extremely busy lives juggling multiple sports and extra curricular, we as a school are so proud of their achievement A highlight of the season has to be the 4-3 win over Ark Burlington Danes school- the scoreline went against us multiple times, yet the girls kept working hard to bring it back, with a final goal in the last minute of the game! We’ve had many new players join the team this year, and it’s been so impressive to see them gel. I know next year we will be back ready to win that number one spot!
Yr7/8 Girls QPR League Champions | Ms M Abbott
On Sunday 14th June, the Yr7/8 Girls team were crowned champions of the QPR league The finals day demonstrated how hard the girls have worked over the season, as they played some fantastic football Throughout the season, the girls have gone unbeaten in the league- only conceding 3 goals along the way We were tied at the top with West London Free School, hence the finals day was the deciding match The girls fought hard, and were level at full-time onto penalties Trixie Claxton stepped up to go in goal, and saved a shot! Amelia Khar then had to score to see us win, and score she did A season full of hard work, resilience, lots of TFL journeys, and plenty of incredible memories made for the girls. A huge thank you to all of the players, parents and staff involved- your support has been vital to the success of the team
School tennis tournament | Ms L Nandwa
The year 7-11 boys and girls competed in the HPS student Tennis Tournament. The tournament saw a three-group stage knockout with 12 students in each group The girls played against each other, this saw Belén (Y7) and Hazel (Y8) playing against each other in the finals in a close back and forth match, with Belén being the ultimate winner of the girls competition The boys saw a strong group competing against each other with Teo (Y10) vs Lachezar with a final score of 2-1 for the boys side The winner of the whole school competition was Lachezar, who had a trying time against Belén and won 3-1
Year 9 Girls' Tennis Wrap Up
Our Year 9 girls enjoyed an excellent tennis season, finishing as runners up in the Middlesex LTA League. The team lost just one match, a closely contested fixture against the City of London School Congratulations to Alena Kravchenko, who was deservedly named Player of the Season
Volleyball Wrap Up
Our Under 18 boys' and girls' volleyball teams proudly represented Kensington and Chelsea at the London Youth Games The boys produced their strongest performance in recent years, finishing in the top four overall, with Nikita V named Player of the Tournament for his consistently excellent blocking and all round gameplay The girls also performed superbly, reaching the quarter finals through determination and teamwork Isabel N was deservedly recognised as Player of the Tournament Both teams should be incredibly proud of the progress they have made, with their final placings reflecting the hard work and commitment shown throughout the season
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Jill Scott x Girls Football | BBC News
On Wednesday 8th July, we had Ex-Lioness and Man City football star, Jill Scott, visit the school in partnership with Starling Bank, to film their new campaign, Kick On, and speak to some of our student footballers The campaign highlighted the difficulties many girls still face when trying to play football due to a growing funding crisis, and encourages businesses to sponsor grassroots teams 5 of our students were interviewed, and featured on news platforms such as BBC, and Sky Sports Amelia Spence, Amelia El-Gourja, Sophia Solomon, Natalie Mencacci, and Trixie Claxton all shared their views on finding clubs, and opportunities outside school in football All the students involved were so excited to meet Jill (as were staff!), and there were many shirts signed, and selfies taken with her She spoke to the girls about the importance of staying in the game, as well as coaching them, and teaching them new skills Overall, a fantastic morning, with some very inspired students! A huge thank you to all the staff that made this possible, all the students involved, and to our lovely visitors A link to the news story can be found here and the BBC News feature is available to watch on BBC One, BBC News London, 6:30pm, 8th July 2026.
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Following the conclusion of the student tournament, staff took to the courts for the annual staff competitions. The Social Trophy and the Competitive Cup were both played in great spirit, providing an enjoyable and competitive end to the day Congratulations to Mr Fortmann and Mr McNeal, who claimed the Social Trophy, and to Mr Sykes and Mr Weir, who were crowned winners of the Competitive Cup A special thank you to our hosts at Campden Hill Lawn Tennis Club for providing excellent facilities and helping to make the event such a success.
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Isle of Wight Year 8 Trip | Mr L Farrell
As part of the Holland Park Pupils’ Charter, we aim to give every student the opportunity to take part in a residential trip This year, 150 Year 8 students signed up to venture bravely across the Solent to the Isle of Wight What follows is the tale of Group 2’s adventures on the high seas, led by the buccaneering Captain Welbeck and her trusty crew: Masters Waterhouse, Nandwa and Altaie Forty-eight students, one coach and a minibus set off for the Isle of Wight, ready for three days of adventure After boarding our rather cosy private boat and distributing the essential jam sandwiches, we miraculously avoided seasicknessalthough some of the chocolate did not survive the crossing quite so well On arrival, students settled into their dormitories and faced their first challenge: making their own beds It was only on the third day that we discovered some had concluded that a duvet cover was entirely optional Any concerns about the heat in the dormitories were soon forgotten as students launched themselves down the slipway during the waterconfidence activity They embraced the challenge with considerable enthusiasm, while the evening meal that followed received similarly favourable reviews After a few technical difficulties, the first evening concluded with a movie night, enjoyed by students and staff alike Day Two brought dinghy sailing and kayaking Highlights included deliberately and sometimes less deliberately - capsising the sailing boats; attempting races with sails that had not quite been fully unfurled; exploring the river; and taking part in “kayak fruit salad”, a wonderfully chaotic game involving students swapping boats while attempting to remain out of the water. That evening, students enjoyed Spikeball and a walk into Cowes Predictably, the highlight for many was the local Sainsbury’s Teenagers, it seems, possess a remarkable ability to find excitement in the mundane The group returned safely on Friday, with tired eyes, plenty of stories and many happy students. Throughout the trip, they demonstrated genuine aspiration by embracing unfamiliar challenges and pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones. It was wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they developed greater independence, resilience and teamwork and learned, perhaps, that duvet covers really do serve a purpose A huge thank goes out to all staff who have volunteered their own time to enable these trips to take place – Mr Watts, Mr Zaini, Ms Phillipson, Ms Chamdin, Ms Bates, Ms Lewis, Mr Waterhouse, Mr Altaie, Ms Wedlake, Ms Nandwa, Mr Sykes, Mr McCarthy, and Ms Bertie A special shout out to both Mr. Watts and Ms. Chamdin for volunteering twice!
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BBQ Celebration |
Ms O Tukacevska
To celebrate our exceptional Ofsted report, the entire school came together for a legendary whole school BBQ, the first event of its kind at Holland Park School. Students and staff enjoyed a delicious barbecue together on the MUGA, taking time to celebrate everything we have achieved as a school community It was a truly special afternoon and a fitting way to mark an important milestone in the school's journey
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Year 10 & 12 Work Experience | Mr R McCarthy
We have 350+ students in Years 10 and 12 and sourcing work experience opportunities proved incredibly challenging this year due to the current work environment. Employment figures for young people are low so the employers that could support us have been very generous offering placements The range of opportunities has proved that we have students with high aspirations and full of ambition The students had to show perseverance and resilience to gain a placement this year, and I am proud of the efforts they have made. I have visited students in their placements and am glad to say that the employers I spoke too are glad to have our students with them This is being ever more recognised as a vital aspect of a student’s education, and we should be happy to be providing work experience for both year groups as many schools simply don’t have the capacity At assembly on Monday the Year 10’s were recognised with prises for the most resilient student, the student identified as outstanding by the employer, and the student who in Mr. Mc Carthy’s opinion completed the most work.
Biophysics Impact Day | Ms P Howitt
On 22nd June, 12 aspiring year 10 scientists attended the Biophysics Impact Day at Oxford University While at the university, they were taken on a lab tour and dazzled by breakthroughs in microscopy, allowing imaging of single molecules in living tissue They practiced using microscopy to identify antibiotic resistance, using AI and machine learning to accelerate diagnosis and treatment options They were also shown how to build a simple robot, as a model for microrobots used in Biophysics research.
Count on Us Challenge | Ms O Shibiko
This week, Holland Park School became the first United Learning school to compete in the Jack Petchey Count on Us Challenge A huge congratulations to our brilliant Year 9 team, Arty Lam, Karol Kwok, Layne Tubbs, Kit Vjestica and Zeynep Yesilirmak, who competed against more than 90 schools and reached the final in their very first year An incredible achievement! We're already looking forward to next year's competition and finding our next team. Year 8... get ready!
Kew Gardens | Ms P Howitt
Year 12 Biologists travelled to Kew Gardens to complete one of their assessed practicals and explore the magnificent Royal Botanic Garden. The diversity of plant life, collected over centuries from all corners of the globe is an amazing resource to study evolution and adaptation While at the gardens, students conducted field research into the effect a tree has on the surrounding grass population, climbed up into the treetop walkway and saw plants from lush temperate ecosystems
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A lovely photo from the final Textiles Club session of the academic year A huge thank you to Ms Denford, our wonderful Art Technician, for running such a creative and popular club throughout the year Students have produced an incredible range of handmade projects, including pencil cases, quilts, skirts for Jellycats and scrunchies, developing new skills while enjoying every minute To round off a fantastic year, Ms Denford even treated everyone to an ice cream, a perfect way to celebrate another successful year of creativity. We can't wait to see what they'll create next year!
This week's Principal's Praise goes to Miles in Year 7 I have been particularly struck by Miles' love of reading Every morning before school, you'll find him standing by Reception with a good book in hand, eeee making the most of every spare moment to read Reading is one of the greatest gifts a young person can give themselves. It develops knowledge, curiosity and imagination, broadens our understanding of the world, and builds the vocabulary and confidence that support success across every subject Miles' enthusiasm for reading is a wonderful example to others, and it is a pleasure to recognise his commitment Well done, Miles, and keep turning those pages!
Dame Sally Coates
Trip to Thorpe Park | Mr C Wedlake
The highly anticipated rewards trip to Thorpe Park was a day full of smiles, laughter and high-speed thrills Students with exceptional attendance, achievement and behaviour records travelled via coach to Thorpe Park They were seen upside down in the air on rides such as Swarm; paddling on the beach; winning very large cuddly toys (thank goodness for the extra coach seats!); and playing fun fairground games
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Save the Date – Comedy Night | PTA
Following the incredible success of last year's sold Holland Park School PTA Comedy Night returns on October for another unforgettable evening of entertainment Join us in the school hall from 6:30 pm start as some of the UK's finest stand up comedians stage for an exclusive adults only (18+) comedy night bar, along with delicious hot food and snacks, will throughout the evening, making it the perfect enjoy a fantastic night out with friends, neighbours parents while supporting the PTA Tickets are £15 sale soon. Every ticket sold helps raise valuable funds educational experiences of our students Please event is for adults aged 18 and over, and the performance contain adult humour and strong language.
Save the Date – HPS PTA Welcome BBQ | PTA
The Holland Park School PTA warmly invites all staff, parents, carers and students to our Welcome Back BBQ (September 11th 2026) Join us for a relaxed evening of delicious food, great company and the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces while welcoming new families to our school community It is the perfect way to celebrate the start of a new academic year together Burgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the evening Please note that students must be accompanied by a parent or carer and cannot attend independently We hope you have all had a wonderful summer and look forward to welcoming you back for what promises to be a fantastic evening.
Need any last-minute school uniform?| PTA
Our wonderful PTA volunteers are here to help! Join us at our special Back-to-School Uniform Sale before the new term starts and stock up on everything you need Have uniform to donate? We'd be so grateful if you could drop any goodquality school uniform at the school reception before the sale If you can't make this special event, don't worry! Our regular uniform shop will reopen once school starts and will be open every Tuesday from 2:30–3:30pm We look forward to seeing you there!
A warm welcome to Year 7 & 12 Parents (2026 – 27) | PTA
The PTA is delighted to welcome you to the Holland Park School community We are a warm, friendly and supportive group of parents and carers, and we love helping new families settle in We have WhatsApp groups for each year group where you can connect with other parents, share information and keep up to date with PTA news and events If you are a new family joining HPS, please click the link below to join your year group WhatsApp community. We can’t wait to welcome you! Year 7 - 2026/2027 Whatsapp Group Year 12 2026/2027 Whatsapp Group
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Shrek the Musical | PTA
At the end of June, a number of talented Holland Park School students took to the stage in a spectacular charity production of Shrek the Musical with the Earl's Courtiers Bringing together young performers from more than 15 schools, the production was a wonderful celebration of creativity, collaboration and community spirit. Across six performances, more than 2,000 audience members enjoyed the show, making it a tremendous success Despite performing in exceptionally hot summer conditions, our students demonstrated remarkable dedication, confidence and professionalism, delivering outstanding performances throughout the run Congratulations to Harrison C, Caspian M, Tinsley F, Erin S, Simona K and Leona N, who represented the school so brilliantly We are immensely proud of their achievements and extend our thanks to the Earl's Courtiers and everyone involved in creating such an inspiring opportunity for young performers.
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Year 9 Graduation Event | Mr C Wedlake
For the first time ever, we hosted a Year 9 Graduation Ceremony! This was to mark the end of three years of hard work during Key Stage Three and look ahead to the exciting prospects of Key Stage Four and the beginning of GCSE courses in September Tutor groups prepared short performances, videos, speeches and pieces of art reflecting on their school journeys so far Ms Wedlake and Ms Benfellahi presented the students with certificates They graduated with either a pass, merit or distinction and these grades were decided by their attendance to school, their effort in lessons and their achievement points It was a wonderful evening - thank you to our amazing PTA for providing such lovely refreshments and to all who attended
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Cultural Capital Interview (Isabella N) | Mr L Farrell
I had the pleasure of speaking to Isabella N. in Year 7, who has recently joined us from the Midwest in the United States
Mr. Farrell: Isabella, you’ve completed lots of Cultural Capital Passport activities already What have you enjoyed so far?
Isabella: I’ve gone to most of the museums, and I’ve found them really enjoyable. I really like that it puts you out there and forces you to broaden your mind You learn new things and gain knowledge
Mr. Farrell: I completely agree And, of course, joining us from the USA gives you a pretty fresh look at London’s culture What are some of the differences that have stood out to you?
Isabella: The richness of the culture here really stands out For example, in the British Museum, I was looking at these slabs from Ancient Greece I think they’re from the Parthenon and it made me realise how global the museums are here. In Ohio, the focus was less global. There are also just so many museums in London. You can literally go to six museums in one day and for free
Mr. Farrell: That’s such a good point I think Londoners can sometimes forget how unusual that is Which tasks have you enjoyed the most?
Isabella: I really enjoy anything creative and anything that has got me out of the house For example, the Design Museum was great because you got to see all of these creative objects. I found it really inspiring.
Mr. Farrell: And how has it helped you?
Isabella: It has! When I went to the Winton Gallery, I realised that there was more to maths than sitting in a classroom solving equations
Mr Farrell: I must confess, I’ve probably struggled to move beyond that quite basic view of maths myself. Please can you expand on that a little bit?
Isabella: There was a chart in the Winton Gallery that used a variety of equations to estimate your age and how tall you are I was surprised to realise that I’m actually quite tall for my age But it also has a really useful purpose in medicine For example, if people are shorter than expected, then they can be helped with their diet to boost their growth
Mr Farrell: I love that That’s exactly the sort of thing the Passport is supposed to do: help you see that subjects are not just things that sit in exercise books, but ways of understanding the world So, what’s coming next?
Isabella: I’m definitely excited to do the PE challenges. I’m planning on doing the cycling over half-term
Mr. Farrell: Brilliant Well done, Isabella It has been lovely to hear how much curiosity and independence you have brought to the Cultural Capital Passport and how quickly you are making the most of London
In The Know
Cultural Capital Interview (Troy H) | Mr L Farrell
Mr. Farrell: Troy, you have completed a really impressive range of Cultural Capital Passport activities What have you enjoyed most?
Troy: I really enjoyed watching a film about the young Pelé. What stood out to me was that he had to rely on his character and determination to succeed He did not have much money or expensive football kit, but he still worked incredibly hard and believed in himself It showed me that success is not just about what you have, but about your attitude, resilience and willingness to keep going
Mr. Farrell: You also returned to the V&A, which you last visited when you were nine What was it like going back as an older student?
Troy: I enjoyed returning to the Victoria and Albert Museum because it felt different going back when I was older The museum had changed quite a lot, but I think I had changed as well I noticed more than I did when I was younger, and I understood the displays in a different way It made me appreciate the history, design and creativity behind the objects much more.
Mr. Farrell: How did these visits develop your understanding of London?
Troy: It helped me understand that London is full of important cultural places that lots of people want to visit The museums were clearly very popular, with people from different places coming to see the collections It made me realise that London is not just where we live or go to school; it is also a city with a lot of history, art and culture
Mr. Farrell: Was there another activity you particularly enjoyed?
Troy: I also really enjoyed visiting the British Museum We looked around the Egyptian exhibition, which was interesting because there were so many objects from such a long time ago It helped me imagine what life was like in ancient Egypt and made the history feel more real Seeing the artefacts in person was much more memorable than just reading about them in a book
Mr Farrell: So what is next on your Cultural Capital Passport?
Troy: Probably Food Technology I would like to cook something for my parents at home, perhaps a dish from Jamaica or the Philippines. I am thinking about making a curry or a stew because those dishes have lots of flavour and would be interesting to learn how to cook properly I would also quite like to complete a 5km run At the end of every season, my rugby football club does a 5km charity run, so I would like to take part in that It would be a good way to challenge myself, improve my fitness and raise money for a good cause
Save the Date! | Mr A Chapman
In The Know
As we break up for the summer holidays and enjoy indulging in seasonal desserts such as trifle, Eton mess and ice cream sundaes, please envisage a world where whipped cream is the currency of chaos Set in 1929 New York, where Dandy Dan’s hoodlums are terrorising the city with their new weapon – splurge guns (a weapon that shoots whipped cream!). The owner of the Grand Slam Speakeasy nightclub brings in Bugsy Malone (a smooth city slicker who is far more interested in sweet-talking Blousey Brown, a would-be singer) to help him defeat his rival. But things do not run smoothly In fact, they get very, VERY messy! This winter at Holland Park School, we are presenting Alan Parker’s and Paul Williams’s hit musical Bugsy Malone The show will take place on the 9th, 10th and 11th of December 2026 at 18:00 in the Main Hall. Students who wish to participate in this exciting event will be able to attend auditions in September, which will be advertised at the start of the Autumn Term We recommend that you watch the film, listen to the soundtrack and consider whether you wish to take part in this musical comedy There are many roles in the show, and we look forward to welcoming actors, singers, dancers, musicians, make-up artists, stagehands and designers to join the team. See you in September for another splurge of fun!
Geography Fieldwork ! | Mr A MacNeal
On Monday 29 June, Tuesday 30 June and Friday 3 July, our Year 12 Geography students took part in a series of fieldwork investigations to collect data for their NonExamined Assessment (NEA), which contributes to their final A Level grade During the first two days, students explored regeneration and gentrification by comparing quality of life across different areas of London, gathering primary data to support their independent research. The final day focused on physical geography, with students measuring water infiltration rates and investigating the environmental factors that influence how quickly water is absorbed into the ground. The fieldwork provided invaluable hands-on experience, allowing students to apply their classroom learning to real-world geographical investigations while developing the research and analytical skills needed for success at A Level.
In The Know
the moment is expanding the range of titles available to students in our school library This is an ambitious process and our aim is to have coverage of as many books as we can in the newly written reading lists for Key Stage 3 (these can be found here [hyperlink to website to be added]). If parents would like to donate either copies of the books on the reading list or money towards the library's expansion, we would be deeply grateful Options to donate are available on Parent Pay (£10, £25, £50, £100!) and these will be very gladly received If you do have a physical copy of any of the books on the reading list, please do ask your child to drop it off at the desk of the Main Library either before school, at break or at lunchtime once school resumes in September.
As a reminder, if your child needs to use their Office 365 account while travelling overseas, please let us know in advance so we can make sure everything runs smoothly Simply email our IT Helpdesk at hpsit@unitedlearning org uk with:
Your child’s name The countries they’ll be visiting The dates of travel
Letting us know early helps us set things up in time for your trip. Thank you for your support!
GETTING TO Know… Ms Pippa Howitt
Head of Biology & Science Teacher
A half termly feature where we introduce a different member of staff!
1.What is your favourite food? There great foods, I can't pick There aren't many foods I don't enjoy. I love a noodle soup, saag paneer or al pastor tacos
2. Where would you most like to visit? I scuba dive and would really like to see manta rays in the wild Apparently, there are a lot off of Komodo in Indonesia
3. What would your ideal superpower be? I'd really like to be able to teleport through space and time
4. What was your favourite book as a teenager and why?
I was very into the Hunger Games when they came out I thought Katniss was such a great hero, because she was very tough but then so soft with the people she cared about The whole dystopia genre has been a big favourite of mine ever since
5 What skill do you wish you had? I wish I could speak more languages. I learned French and Spanish in school, and lived in California where lots of people speak Spanish so I could hold a conversation, but it's all gone now
6. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A marine biologist! I went to an aquarium and really got obsessed with rock pools and intertidal zones
7. Tell me about a time you failed at something. I fail very often My biggest was probably trying to hike a week long section of the Camino del Norte in the Basque country of Spain I had bad shoes and was really unfit It was swelteringly hot on day one and we hadn't slept or really eaten. The whole trip was exceptionally unplanned and we didn't have a place to sleep on our first night so spent almost two hours trying to find somewhere in broken Spanish Then, it poured for the next two days and I was trying to dry out my boots by shoving newspaper into them I ended up bailing and taking a bus to Bilbao and spent the rest of the trip eeeeee
resting and eating tortilla Failing upwards!
8. What would your teachers have said about you when you were at school? My favourite teacher, Madame Helmore, used to tell me that 'empty vessels make the most noise' because I couldn't stop talking I got moved around the room to try and make me stop, but I would just chat to whoever I was next to
9 Who is the most famous person you’ve met or bumped into? This probably won't land here but there was a newscaster in a town I lived in, John Palminteri , who had massive Ron Burgundy vibes He was a bit of a local legend and I ran into him at a grocery store He was talking to the cashier about his 'rip-roaring weekend' and I was a bit star struck.
10. What sport do you watch and which teams or players do you support?
I don't follow any sports really I like watching surfing and skateboarding
HOLLAND PARK SCHOOL
Artist of the Term
ADAM | YEAR 10 | PENCI L ON PAPER ( A2) 2026