Willingtonian
Foreword
The end of the academic year always arrives with a touch of sadness as we bid farewell to our Year 6 pupils moving on to senior schools This year, however, they leave us with outstanding results, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements during their time here at Willington.
For the older children, the exam season is a critical time for both preparation and enrichment The focus is not only on transitioning to secondary education but also on acquiring life skills that will benefit them as they embark on this new journey. We are passionate about outdoor learning at Willington, and over the past two terms, every child across the school has had the chance to engage in outdoor education
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Headmaster July 2024
Exams
2024 will go down in Willington’s history as an outstanding year of success for our Year 6 pupils 26 children made 119 applications to senior schools; they received 79 offers and gained 11 scholarships between them. Simply brilliant! Offers from:
St Paul’s
Latymer Upper
King’s College
Epsom College
Whitgift
Kingston Grammar
St John’s Leatherhead
Dulwich College
Hampton Reed’s
Emanuel Fulham
Kingswood House
Kew House
Harrodian
Halliford
Ewell Castle
Claremont Fan
Box Hill
The Cedars Hall School
Trinity
Scholarships
King’s College - Arthur Caley Academic
Dulwich College - Lorraine Wilson
Memorial Academic
Epsom College - John Propert Academic
Reed’s - Music
St John’s - Academic & Sports
Trinity - Sport
Whitgift - Sport
Trips
The children have embarked on an array of incredible trips that have broadened their horizons across various subjects and interests.
The premiere trip was undoubtedly the Cultural Trip to Verona, during the Easter break, where pupils in Years 4 to 6 immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of Italian culture, history, and sport. A highlight was an afternoon making and eating gnocchi.
Each trip ensures our pupils develop a profound appreciation for the world around them From our youngest in the Nursery through to our Year 6 leavers, trips supporting their curriculum included:
Chessington Zoo
Hobbledown Farm
The Wallace Collection
Kew Gardens
The French Institute, Kensington
The London Mithraeum
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Brooklands Museum
The Globe Theatre
Deen City Farm
Polesden Lacey
Legoland
Richmond Park
Wimbledon Common
Outdoor Education
Willington’s Outdoor Education Programme has been a beacon of experiential learning. Central to our programme is the Year 6 Residential to Ullswater in the Lake District, the pinnacle of our outdoor education, where our oldest pupils embark on a journey of selfdiscovery, teamwork, and adventure against the breathtaking backdrop of England’s natural beauty.
Pre-Prep children explore the wonders of Wimbledon Common, cultivating early appreciation for nature At the other end of the school, The Oates Afternoons, a series of excursions to Box Hill, Polesden Lacey and Silent Pool for example, further enrich this connection through hands-on environmental education.
As our pupils progress, they embrace more challenging adventures: Year 2’s overnight stay at High Ashurst introduces them to residential life, and the Year 3&4 Residential Camping Trip in the same inspiring location cultivates independence and resilience
Year 5’s venture to Marchant’s Hill - PGL heightens these experiences, offering engaging outdoor challenges that build confidence and camaraderie.
Music
Our musical talents have truly blossomed, over these terms, captivating and inspiring our school community with a series of remarkable performances.
The Music Recital series kicked off this season of musical excellence, allowing our young musicians to step into the spotlight and showcase their individual talents. Across a diverse array of instruments and genres, these performances echoed the vibrant musical diversity that defines our school Such an array of talent laid the groundwork for more melodious events that were to follow, setting a high bar for what was to come.
Our auditioned ensemble, Chamber Choir, enjoyed an afternoon at Halliford School, making the most of their recording studio
Building on this momentum, the Easter Concert brought together a wider ensemble of our musical pupils, further showcasing the breadth of Willington's musical prowess in a celebration of harmony and rhythm. Yet, it was Celebration Day at The New Wimbledon Theatre that truly underscored the collective spirit and unity through music that our school embodies with outstanding performances from across the year groups.
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STEM
Willington Prep’s young ‘Stemmers’ have embarked on an exhilarating voyage through the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The journey began with Mars Day, an immersive experience where pupils from Nursery to Year 6 delved into the mysteries of the Red Planet, engaging in handson activities that blended learning with imagination
Other intellectual challenges followed, included the prestigious Cayley Maths Challenge at KCS Wimbledon and the Maths Wizard Challenge at Hampton School Our pupils showcased exceptional mathematical prowess, competing at the highest level and embodying the spirit of academic excellence.
Alongside these competitions, our Science Trip to the Royal Observatory offered a unique opportunity to explore celestial wonders and The Great Space Quest at Epsom College, an exciting adventure that saw our pupils navigate the mysteries of outer space, applying their STEM knowledge in innovative and collaborative ways.
These events have inspired a relentless pursuit of knowledge and discovery in the fascinating world of STEM
Sport
The summer term at Willington was an exciting showcase of athleticism and sportsmanship, culminating in the muchanticipated whole school Sports Day up at our playing fields. This highlight of the sporting calendar saw the entire school community come together in a celebration of physical prowess, teamwork, and healthy competition Whilst families enjoyed picnics alongside the finish line, POW generously supported the occasion with food, drink and a fun array of activities early into the evening.
Aside from Sports Day, our children demonstrated their skills in a variety of sports Tennis and cricket fixtures offered opportunities for strategic thinking and teamwork, dodgeball games honed quick reflexes and agility, and even our first golf fixture nurtured precision and focus.
With every child in the prep taking part in fixtures and a comprehensive PE programme, starting with our Nursery children, Each sport contributed to the holistic development of our pupils, instilling in them the values of perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of participation
Arts Festival
The Willington Prep Arts Festival was a vibrant showcase of creativity and culture. Highlight activities included a collograph printing workshop where children unleashed their artistic talents, an electrifying African drumming session that invited participants to explore rhythmic beats and an innovative Lego building challenge that encouraged imagination and engineering skills. As popular as always, the parent and child workshops sold out within minutes, as families discovered new creative outlets, including clay modelling and 3D chicken wire sculptures
Pupils across the year groups enjoyed trips to the Wallace Collection, to study famous landscapes/seascapes as well as portraits and myths and legends
The festival was a rousing celebration of the arts, attended by enthusiastic pupils, parents, and staff, all of whom left inspired and connected. Thank you to Mr Cassar for his sterling efforts to get the show on the road.
POW & Community
At Willington, the spirit of community shines brightly, brought into the spotlight through events that unite children, parents, staff and the wider community in celebration and camaraderie
The POW Quiz is an annual favourite for parents and staff alike, while the Year 6 Summer Fair epitomises this sense of togetherness, transforming our school into a vibrant hub of joy, activity, and shared experiences
The POW Staff & Parents Football & Netball Tournament further showcased our unity, highlighting the power of teamwork and mutual support across competitive yet friendly matches. With alumni joining the event and our wonderful POW team serving up hot dogs, a Pimms tent and a sideshow of fun activities for the children, this is a true community experience.
Celebration Day capped off these gatherings, a festive culmination of our collective achievements, reinforcing our shared values and the strong, supportive network that defines our community.
Each event, distinct yet connected, encapsulates our commitment to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where everyone is part of the Willington Prep family
We are committed to creating an exceptional childhood experience in a supportive atmosphere, guided by our school values of honesty, respect, kindness, and humility Empowering each child to unlock their innate talents and abilities across all facets of life, our comprehensive approach embraces academic, creative, and sporting accomplishments while fostering self-confidence and happiness in every child. We aim to prepare them for a bright future, offering an excellent foundation for lifelong learning and success, and instilling these essential values that will serve them well throughout their lives
Willington Prep Contact Us
www.willingtonschool.co.uk
Headmaster
Keith Brown
E: headmaster@willingtonschool.co.uk
T: 020 8971 0452
Chair of Governors
Deborah Streatfield
E: deborah.streatfield@willingtonschool.co.uk
Admissions
Lucy Walton
E: admissions@willingtonschool.co.uk
T: 020 8971 0452
School Office
E: office@willingtonschool co uk
T: 020 8944 7020
