Co-curricular Highlights 2024-25
Community Partnership
33 pupils volunteered at our annual Christmas Lunch and Summer High Tea for members of the local community
20 pupils volunteered at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School’s sports day
8 pupils volunteered regularly at an after-school drop-in session for teenagers at Leatherhead Youth Project
6 pupils volunteered regularly at Leatherhead Trinity Primary School, assisting in lessons with reading and numeracy
8 pupils volunteered regularly at an allotment run by The Links Centre 2030
12 pupils volunteered regularly at local care homes including The Beeches, and The Pantiles to chat and play games with residents
10 pupils volunteered regularly at Woodlands School (for children with special educational needs)
ANNUAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
Pupils volunteered in three local primary schools, one local special needs school, one local day centre for older people, one local care home, a local community centre, plus gardening at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation residential care home. Several groups also spent time raising money for charity, with sponsored walks and other activities.
SUPPORTING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND RESIDENTS
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB FOR EAL CHILDREN
16 pupils and several members of staff support at Leatherhead Trinity Primary School with their weekly after-school club for EAL children
SWIMMING LESSONS
Two local schools use our swimming pool and facilities for swimming lessons
THE LEATHERHEAD TRINITY SCHOOL CHOIR
joined the St John’s Lower School choir at the St John’s Summer Concert
60+ PUPILS FROM EPSOM PRIMARY SCHOOL
take part in regular sport sessions each term led by our staff
SPORT SESSIONS
Pupils from Woodlands School (for children with special educational needs) visit for sport sessions every half term
SCIENCE LESSONS
Two classes from West Ashtead Primary School visited during Science Week for specialist science sessions led by our staff
WHEELCHAIR SPORTS
Each term, one class of pupils with significant disabilities (wheelchair users) from Woodlands School visit for a sport session led by our staff
SUPPORTING LOCAL RESIDENTS
Sixth Form pupils visit Fairfield Day Centre fortnightly to chat and play games with members
Making a Difference Eagle Community Holiday
Feedback from pupil volunteers
CHRISTABEL, LEATHERHEAD TRINITY
PRIMARY SCHOOL
I have loved volunteering at the local primary school, Leatherhead Trinity, reading and helping in class with children in Year 1. It has been a great experience. I have loved making a connection with the class and getting to know each of the children individually. I have been able to see their improvement over the year which has been so rewarding. It is such a simple thing for us to give up some of our time but it makes such a big difference to their reading progress.
TALLULAH, FAIRFIELD DAY CENTRE
I have been volunteering at Fairfield Day Centre since September. I primarily support those with dementia every other Tuesday. I have loved every minute of volunteering. It has been so nice to sit and talk with older people. When I am there I am always lucky enough to have time to chat over tea and some biscuits; I have really enjoyed getting to know them, and hearing about what they were like at 17!
LISARA, WOODLANDS SCHOOL
There are so many benefits of volunteering. For me it has been really rewarding, and for Woodlands, I can see how much they value the help. I volunteer in a class where most of the children are non-verbal, so when I’m there I normally play games, read them a book, or help them with their snack time. It genuinely is one of the highlights of my week.
From 17-24 August 2024, the St John’s School Eagle Community Holiday celebrated its eleventh edition, offering a week of fun, laughter, and heartwarming moments for 25 children and young people with disabilities, aged 10-18. This week-long residential holiday, filled with enriching activities, is made possible by the incredible care and support of St John’s pupils, alumni, and staff, who volunteered their time to ensure the children had an unforgettable experience.
Throughout the week, holiday-goers immersed themselves in a wide variety of activities, from treasure hunts and arts and crafts to dancing, swimming, and cooking. On-site surprises like a magician and petting zoo brought smiles, while off-site adventures like dry-slope skiing, cycling, and a seaside trip to Littlehampton gave the children new and exciting experiences. The group also enjoyed exploring Hobbledown and Bocketts Farm.
The holiday offers unique social opportunities for the holiday-makers and staff alike. Parents shared their heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the opportunities the holiday provides their loved ones.
Neil Whitmore, Registered Manager
It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and happy. The oneto-one companionship from their helpers made the experience extra special. Safety and wellbeing are always our priority, but the joy on the children’s faces is what motivates us year after year. We couldn’t do this without our incredible team of volunteers.
As we look ahead to August 2025, our dedicated holiday staff have hopes of creating even more memorable experiences for these remarkable children. We also look forward to welcoming several more young adults aged 19-25 for a new, four-day residential camp, which will also take place in August.
‘It’s a huge relief to know our daughter is having such a stimulating and social time while we spend a little time together. We couldn’t ask for more.’
Parent
‘My daughter had an amazing week, and I truly believe it’s helped her feel more prepared for her next step –starting college.’
Parent
Alongside the many county, club, regional and international individual successes of our pupils, we are delighted to share a snapshot of school team successes:
NETBALL
RUGBY
1st XV boys National Quarter Finalists
1,500+ FIXTURES
17 SPORTS
205 TEAMS 5 SPORTS TOURS
36 SENIOR PUPILS REPRESENTING AT COUNTY, CLUB, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
The academic year 2024-25 once again saw us offer our pupils meaningful variety through our games programme.
86% OF PUPILS REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL
With Park Run, dance, yoga, climbing, cross-country, badminton, shooting and many more on offer, pupils have a fantastic opportunity to choose from outside of our major sporting options.
This academic year saw the increased development of girls’ football. With four Lower School girls’ teams now active alongside our established senior teams, the programme has already been celebrating some great victories. Interest in girls’ football continues to grow across all year groups. From September 2025, it will be offered as a dedicated games option.
1st VII County Champions and Seaford 7s Shield Winners
2nd VII undefeated season
U14 Surrey Finalists
U13 reached ISNC final 16
U13, 14, 15, 16 and U18 all qualified for Surrey Schools Finals Day
FOOTBALL
U13A ISFA Cup National Champions
1st XI, 2nd XI, 16B, 14A and U14B were SOCS SKILLS League Champions
Girls U15A reached the ISFA last 16
HOCKEY
1st XI ISHC National Plate round 4
1st XI achieved fifth place in Tier 1 England Hockey
U14A Tier 1 plate semi-finalists
U13A South East Regional Finalists
U12D girls had an undefeated season
Pupils representing Scotland U18 and England Talent Academy
U15 boys National Schools Cup Semi Finalists
U16 boys Sevens County Champions
U14 County Vase Winers Sevens
Girls U14, 16 and 18s competed at Rosslyn Park
Mixed U14 Touch Rugby T1 National Finalists and Silver Medallists
SWIMMING
Bath and Otter Cup: boys eighth place in 4x100m, and sixth place 4x50m, girls ninth place in 4x50m
Fifth place in the Schools Super Swimming League Intermediate Boys Relay Team qualified for the National ESSA finals – finishing in 11th place in the country
ATHLETICS
12 athletes qualified for the Surrey Schools Championships
Pupils representing England Schools, and participating in the South of England Championships
CRICKET
U14 boys Surrey Cup Semi Finalists
U14A girls Surrey Cup Finalists
U15A girls Surrey Cup Quarter Finalists
U12A girls Surrey Cup Semi Finalists
Performing Arts
Autumn Term
CONCERTO COMPETITION
highest number of concertos (14) with a professional orchestra
MICHAELMAS CONCERT
A full house at The Leatherhead Theatre with the largest number of performers ever (153), including a performance from the entire Lower Third
CHRISTMAS ROCK
CONCERT
A colossal concert with over two hours of music from many performers
CABARET
Lower School Musical Theatre
Cabaret showcasing the talent developing in our younger year groups
HOUSE SINGING
COMPETITION
The highlight of the last day of Autum Term, featured a very special staff performance of an Oasis classic
FOUR LUNCHTIME RECITALS
Spring Term Summer Term
DRAMA PRODUCTION of Black Comedy - two evenings of belly laughs from full houses
MUSIC COMPETITION
The Forbes Music Competitionwith competitors from all years across all disciplines, culminating in a spellbinding Winners’ Recital
HOUSE DANCE COMPETITION
Our inaugural senior school house competition launched with great success
SPRING CONCERT
A tour around the world in the PAC
‘9 TO 5’ THE MUSICAL
Three award winning performances at The Leatherhead Theatre, from a cast of 53 pupils, supported by a talented crew
FOUR LUNCHTIME RECITALS
THE LOWER SCHOOL PLAY performed in the Leatherhead Theatre for the first time, complete with a 12ft fire breathing dragon
SUMMER ROCK CONCERT AND DANCE AND LAMDA MUSICAL THEATRE SHOWCASE
Both events displayed the incredible talent across the School
SUMMER CONCERT
One of many highlights was the moving rendition of The Armed Man by Sir Karl Jenkins
SENIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE CABARET
A spellbinding event, with over 90 minutes of emotive singing and acting
FOUR LUNCHTIME RECITALS
OVER 12,000
PERIPATETIC LESSONS
OVER 42% OF PUPIL ENGAGEMENT
48 WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AND REHEARSALS
NOMINATED IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL
THEATRE AWARDS FOR BEST MUSICAL
‘9 to 5’ nominated for best musical at National Theatre Awards
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL AWARD FROM NATIONAL SCHOOL
THEATRE AWARDS
Ruby, playing Doralee was awarded this prestigious award for her role in ‘9 to 5’
60 PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES
153 MUSIC AND LAMDA EXAMINATIONS, WITH OVER 90% OF GRADES 6 - 8 ACHIEVING MERITS AND DISTINCTIONS
Combined Cadet Force
Army Cadets
RAF Cadets Navy Cadets
• Field Training Exercises at Longmoor and Mereworth Woods
• Senior cadet urban battle camp at Longmoor Urban Training Centre
• Action packed Range Day with cadets firing on the 25m Range and DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer)
• Military obstacle course training for Lower Fifth cadets
• Junior Military Skills Competition during the March Field Day
• Eight cadets Static Line Parachuting Course
• One cadet will be completing Master Cadet Course in August
• 22 Fourth Form pupils on their first 24 hour field exercise
• Adventure training day at Walton Firs
• Air experience flying for four senior cadets at RAF Benson
• An overnight field exercise with the Army Section
• Fight Simulator Training and AI in Defence Workshop at RAF Hendon
• Two days of afloat training
• Naval gun run, high ropes, sand yachting and submarine compartment clearing down at HMS Collingwood
• Leadership training day run by Royal Navy instructors
• One cadet undertook the Royal Navy Navigation and Seamanship Course
Annual Inspection
The St John’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent was honoured to welcome Lieutenant Daniel Saunders of the Coldstream Guards on Thursday 1 May 2025, for an official visit and inspection, supporting preparations for the unit’s biennial review in Summer 2026. This follows a successful inspection by The Chaplain General in Summer 2024.
Other highlights included:
Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Surrey (Cadet Under Officer W Setchell)
Participation in HRH Duchess of Gloucester’s visit as the Guard of Honour
Second place at the South East Military Skills Competition
Successful annual review by a Subaltern from the Coldstream Guards
All Lower Fifth Cadets trained in basic first aid
120 pupils attended the Nuts Challenge mud run and obstacle course
Two OJs commissioned into the Army through Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and one commissioned into the Royal Navy at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth
One cadet through to National Cadet Competition in July
Successful Regimental Dinner with 17 OJs returning
only School’s
Across the Globe
We got to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity with some of the most beautiful animals on the planet. By the end of the two weeks, I didn’t want to leave. SAM
It was an unforgettable experience and one I think anyone in the coming years would benefit hugely from by participating.
SARAH
It was amazing to experience all the conservation work with both animals and nature. Best memory was definitely experiencing the vets darting an elephant for treatment! Best trip at St John’s, definitely recommend!
ORLA
Taking the Lead
ST JOHN’S STEM
This year’s STEM teams have been hugely successful.
ROCKETRY SOCIETY
September 2024 saw the launch of St John’s Rocketry Society led by a brilliant rocketeer Hamish. They took part in a competition, with the challenge to launch a rocket with two eggs (uncooked). We assembled three engineers, and the team began by designing rocket components: the nose-cone, recovery system (parachute), connecting sections and tail-fins.
The Regional Competition was held at Stowe Maries WW1 Airfield, Essex. They had a great time taking part, and didn’t take out the museum, a car window or hit the port-a-loo! Overall, they placed 14th out of 35 schools participating, which was great considering this was their first year taking part!
TEAM
MAGNOSAT
CLAIMS
SECOND PLACE IN THE CANSAT 2025 NATIONAL FINAL!
This has been another outstanding year for our national CanSat project.
Armed with a clear scientific goal, Team MagnoSat designed and built a CanSat - a soft drink can sized satellite - capable of collecting and broadcasting environmental data mid-flight. Their CanSat mission tackled the big question:
“COULD
LIFE EXIST ON AN EXOPLANET?”
From designing the mission and assembling complex electronics to coding data systems and presenting their findings, the team demonstrated exceptional academic strength, dedication, and teamwork throughout.
After three days of intense competition at the University of York, our CanSat team proudly claimed second place in the UK National Final - a remarkable achievement that places them among the very best in the country. Competing against over 300 schools, Team MagnoSat were one of just nine to reach the National Final.
GOLD ARTS AWARD
For their Arts Leadership project, four Gold Arts Award pupils devised a series of workshops for the residents of The Beeches care home, Leatherhead, culminating in a wonderful Public Show in the Performing Arts Centre. Every element of the project was organised by the pupils, from the original inception of the Lion King theme for the show, to its promotion and delivery.
This was a hugely challenging and rewarding experience for pupils and participants alike, helping our young people develop leadership skills whilst building special relationships with these inspiring elderly people, including Doris who celebrated her 100th birthday this year! Percussion, dance, costume design and singing - everyone engaged enthusiastically with the different art forms.
THE EAGLE POLITICS MAGAZINE AND POLITICIED PODCAST
It has been another remarkable year for the pupil led St John’s Eagle Politics Magazine. Bella took on the role of Editor-in-Chief and Freddie as Head of Graphic Design. Both pupils led a new editorial team, with a remarkable level of creativity and journalism. Recent editions have seen pupils across all years groups, from Lower School to Upper Sixth, contributing to the publication. The Spring Term issue was a remarkable eighty pages, with original artwork, receiving several nominations for the prestigious Shine National School Media Awards. In June 2025, the team celebrated the following achievements:
Winner: Best Illustration and Artwork
Winner: Best Design
Winner: Best Magazine - Single Topic
Highlight Commended: Bella, for The Terry Mansfield CBE Award for Tomorrow’s Talent
Shortlisted: Scoop of the Year - Ethan
Politicised, the pupil led school politics podcast, has also reached new highs, with Charlotte interviewing a remarkable range of political leaders, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, Michael Portillo, Jess Phillips, Ian Hislop and many more.
St John’s School
T: +44 (0) 1372 373000
school@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk
Registered Charity No: 312064