The GCSE exam preparation day was an extremely valuable and beneficial experience. As a Year 11 student, I found the day significant in strengthening my knowledge and preparing for my upcoming mocks and exams. 

The day began with focused subject workshops, where teachers addressed key topics that are challenging. In English, we analysed exam-styled questions, discussed effective revision techniques, and reviewed model responses so we are aware of key aspects examiners seek for. In Maths, we tackled a range of problem-solving questions, and unpicked them step by step. These sessions were highly informative and allowed us to familiarise ourselves with what we are expected to achieve.

Overall, the preparation day had a positive impact on all Year 11 students. It not only strengthened our skills, but also equipped us with techniques to revise more effectively and approach exams more prepared.

Jaania Kanwar [11Y]

On Tuesday, 02 December, Year 11 took part in developmental workshops focusing on our core subjects of Maths and English. Overall, the experience was immensely beneficial and productive.

In English, teachers explored key skills which would be used in Question 5 for our Language Paper 2 as well as preparing us for our January Mock Examinations 2026. Together, we focused on how to portray the key factors of Ethos, Pathos and Logos in our writing. We acknowledged how logical reasoning, combined with a personal argument, appeals highly to examiners. Then we were able to focus on the structure of an article, the key type of text we were focusing on. Finally, we attempted to answer a prompt question and gained insightful feedback from our teachers and peers.

In Maths, our focus was directed to the completion of exam papers. We found this incredibly helpful as one-to-one feedback was readily available for us – it almost felt like a private tutoring session! Such an inclusive experience easily strengthened our Maths concepts, especially those that were difficult for us before.

Thank you to all of our teachers for helping us to understand our weaknesses and reach our full potential!

Jasmin Kaur Sangha [11B] and Simran Kaur Punny [11B]

Academic Mentoring Day was really productive. In Economics, we spent the day researching key data to strengthen our arguments and develop our points. We then used this research in a class debate, where Mrs. Kyriacou consistently referred back to the examiners’ report, highlighting where we could gain marks. It was also great to have the opportunity to work with the other Economics class, where we debated for the first time and were able to learn from each other.

Sahib Bains [13F]

Academic Mentor Day was the perfect way to kick-start my revision and get me into the right mindset. Since then, I have been consistent with staying after school every day, and I hope to continue this routine until my final exams. I want to say a massive thank-you to all my teachers who planned such thoughtful sessions. In English, we managed to cover seven poems and analyse them in detail. I now feel much better prepared to analyse poems independently over the Christmas holiday.

Zoya Khatoon [13C]

I would like to say thank you to Mrs. Nandra and Mr. Green for planning such meaningful sessions. We were able to cover a wide range of topics and then completed an exam under full exam conditions, which was great practice. Receiving quick feedback afterwards has really helped me prioritise my revision topics.

Ikram Hersi [13G]

For our art trip, we went to Central London and visited several art museums, galleries, and libraries. These included the Wellcome Collection, the British Library, and lots of smaller exhibitions along Cork Street [which is known for its collection of seasonal galleries]. This trip was very useful for developing and adding to our Unit 1 Portfolios in A-Level Art Craft and Design and Graphic design. 

On Cork Street, we visited The Redfern Gallery, The Flowers Gallery, Waddington Custot, and The Frieze. These galleries have lots of paintings, drawings, sculptures, clothing, photographs, and installations of different sizes and colours that related to a wide variety of themes, including identity, anatomy, nature, architecture, emotions, and memories. This allowed me to take a lot of primary photographs of all types of artwork that will be essential for me for inspiration and development to make a strong unit 1 book and final piece. 

At the Wellcome Collection, there were a large range of exhibitions on different topics and their links to art. We visited an exhibition titled “Thirst: In Search of Freshwater” that was all about the importance of water to humans and how humanity can work together to end the mismanagement of it. In the exhibition, I saw lots of installations of sculptures, paintings, and photo-shoots of artwork relating to the importance of water to humans. 

In the British Library, we came across a wide range of books and exhibitions relating to our respective art themes. This was useful for being able to do wider reading around art and with gaining a better understanding of our art themes. 

Overall, I found the trip very enjoyable as we got to look at lots of artwork in person and it was also extremely useful for collecting primary photographs for future drawing references and for general inspiration for art. 

Kabir Toor [12E] 

A spokesperson for Windsor Forest Colleges Group visited to share information about Post 16 pathways. They have four colleges and a Sixth Form around Langley and Slough. They offer Level 3 courses, including T levels with requirements of five good GCSE grades. They also offer a wide range of courses for students of all interests. Slough and Langley offer some apprenticeships in Cyber Engineering, IT and Plumbing. Most of their facilities look like the workplace environment to ensure students get some experience in this setting. I think it was a really useful talk for students who aren’t sure of their pathways just yet, as it makes you think of some colleges you could go to after year 11. It helps guide a student in their thinking and choices about what they may enjoy studying, as this will be an important part of their pathway through to their career of choice.

Haida Arab [11B]

The talk was about a potential Post 16 college option made up of four colleges which offer Level One through to Level 3 courses. They offer many departments and facilities, including a sports academy and a motor mechanics engineering workshop. Slough and Langley apprenticeships are also offered. It was an insightful talk and showed options for students after GCSEs. It was hugely beneficial to people who weren’t sure about what they would do as yet and all the potential pathways at Post 16 available to them.

Essa Hussain [11B]

I enjoyed the atmosphere of the fair the most. It was energetic, full of opportunities, and gave me the chance to speak directly with professionals who were enthusiastic about helping young people plan their futures. Being able to explore so many different pathways in one place made the whole experience exciting and motivating. 

The legal and security services stalls stood out to me the most, especially those representing law firms and organisations offering solicitor apprenticeships. They provided clear explanations of the solicitor pathway, the skills needed, and what day to day work in the legal field looks like. I found it inspiring to hear directly from people working in the profession I want to pursue.

The most useful thing I learnt was how accessible the solicitor apprenticeship route can be. I discovered that it’s possible to qualify while gaining real experience and earning at the same time, which made the career feel much more achievable. Hearing about the structure of the programme and the support apprentices receive was especially exciting.

The event helped me feel far more confident about my future because it gave me a clearer understanding of the steps I need to take. Speaking with employers made the process feel less intimidating, and I left with a stronger sense of direction and reassurance that there are multiple routes into the legal profession.

I would definitely recommend the fair to other students because it’s a rare chance to explore so many career options in one place. Whether someone knows exactly what they want to do or is still figuring things out, the fair offers valuable insights, real conversations with employers, and practical guidance that can shape their next steps.

Vajahat Hussain [13C]

What I enjoyed most about the apprenticeship fair was the chance to speak directly with professionals from the finance sector and explore the various pathways into the industry. Being able to ask questions and hear real experiences made the information much more engaging and easier to understand.

I found the stalls for banking and accounting firms especially interesting. The representatives explained the different roles available, how salary progression works, and the practical skills I could develop through their apprenticeship programmes. This helped me gain a clearer picture of what a future career in finance might look like.

The most useful insight I gained was learning about the growing opportunities in financial technology [FinTech]. I was surprised by how many companies now offer apprenticeships that include digital and technical skills, showing how the industry is evolving. Overall, the fair broadened my understanding of the finance sector and gave me confidence about the range of options available.

Amandeep Singh [13D]

At the apprenticeship fair at the ExCeL Centre in London, I really valued the opportunity to speak directly with employers and explore a wide range of career pathways. One highlight was the radiography stall, which clearly explained how healthcare apprenticeships can lead to essential NHS roles and outlined the training routes in a way that was easy to understand.

I was particularly interested to learn that apprenticeships allow you to earn while gaining recognised qualifications, with many programmes offering clear routes into higher-level positions. This helped me see how apprenticeships can provide strong long-term career prospects.

Overall, the fair boosted my confidence by showing that there are multiple pathways to success beyond university. I would definitely recommend it to other students, as it offers a valuable chance to explore different options, ask questions, and make meaningful connections with employers.

Nusayba Kasmi [12C]  

Recently, our school proudly hosted a More Able Evening, bringing together parents, students, and staff to celebrate and nurture exceptional talent. The event was designed to showcase opportunities for our most able learners and to strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting their academic journey.

The Evening began with a warm welcome from our teaching team, followed by an inspiring presentation from our Senior Sixth Form Team, Ms Jennings, Mr Ireland, Mr Ghataura and Tanveer on strategies to challenge and engage high-achieving students as well as opportunities after beyond academic life. Parents gained valuable insights into how the School tailors learning experiences to stretch potential and foster creativity. The evening was a wonderful celebration of ambition, curiosity, and collaboration—a reminder that when we work together, students thrive and achieve their full potential.

The More Able Evening was a helpful and interesting event. It gave me a better understanding of how to stretch my learning and aim for higher academic goals. During the evening, an external guest speaker came in to talk about his journey from Oxford and how it led him to work at the Bank Of England. He shared how his education and experiences helped him build key skills and succeed in his career. Some Year 13 students also spoke about their experiences with university admissions tests. They gave useful advice about preparation, time management, and how to stay motivated when applying for competitive courses. Overall, the evening was very informative and encouraged me to start thinking about my future goals and how to work towards them.

Ashneet Arora [12D]

During the More Able Evening, we had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking talk delivered by an Oxford University alumnus, who shared insights into his academic journey and professional experiences.

The session began with a personal reflection on life at Oxford, highlighting the unique culture at Oxford and how he faced challenges adapting to a new environment, as well as the change from studying collectively to independent study. Tanveer provided us with tips on how to manage both the change and time effectively, offering practical advice for those considering top-tier universities. The talk concluded with a Q&A session, where we asked about university applications, personal statements, and career pathways. Tanveer provided thoughtful responses and encouraged us to aim high, reminding us that ambition paired with hard work can open doors to incredible opportunities.

Overall, the event was both informative and inspiring, leaving us motivated to explore our potential and consider the possibilities that lie ahead.

Prem Ghatora [12H]

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Heston's more able evening; an event designed to both inspire and aid students with great potential aspirations. The introductory segment of the session began with a reminder of what it truly means to be a "More Able Student" and the increased expectations that are attached to the label. It also went on to provide a further overview, and importance, of the enrichment activities provided by the school, including both extracurricular activities, such as clubs [more oriented towards sports], enabling student creativity, in addition to super-curricular activities. These are more focused towards enriching your academics, such as the various student led societies that are on offer, as well as going into depth about the potential benefits that partaking in these societies could have on your university applications. Once the introduction concluded, we were then segmented into our respective year groups where we were greeted by Tanveer [an Oxford alumni] who shared insight on his experience attending the university and provided a deeper dive into what it actually took to get him there.  Overall, I found the evening to be a deeply enriching experience, providing me with insight into the steps I would need to take in order to successfully pursue my own goals and clarity to my future career prospects. 

Alpi Uddin Bhuyan [11W]

On the 06 November, Heston hosted a More Able Information Evening. It consisted of various aspects, such as an overview of the School’s aims for high achieving students and anecdotes from the current Sixth Former students and an external speaker. I found the experience immensely valuable and I was able to get a one-to-one opportunity to ask tailored questions to the Sixth Formers, who had achieved their GCSEs not too long ago. The Evening consisted of an exploration of different career types, ranging from a focus on Computer Science to Medicine and Law. We were able to try university entrance questions for each of the subjects and were advised on the application processes. Overall, I found the Evening exceptionally educational. It has left me with better knowledge about my future options and career opportunities to what I held previously.

Jasmin Sachdeva [12E]

At our recent More Able Evening, I delivered a speech to the junior cohort, encouraging students to make the most of opportunities beyond the classroom. I reflected on my own journey of exploring different career paths, sharing how I initially struggled to identify a clear passion. Attending insight days, internships, and confidence programmes helped me to focus my attention on economics, where I discovered a strong interest in data analysis and behavioural economics.
I spoke about how experiences such as the Morgan Stanley Confidence Programme, the Cisco Internship, a four-week finance programme at Queen Mary’s University, and numerous insight events shaped my academic direction. By sharing these opportunities, I aimed to show prospective students how engaging with extracurricular and super-curricular activities can provide clarity, build valuable skills, and inspire confidence in their future aspirations.

AngelinaTihhomirova [13F]

The Year 10 Geographers had the fantastic opportunity to travel to Hengistbury Head near Bournemouth as part of their GCSE fieldwork investigation. The trip was spread out over two days with 60 students going on each day. It was an early start with a 07:30 departure, but it was worth it! When we arrived at the coast there were breathtaking views of the coastline.  

The purpose of our trip was to collect data that would help us to answer our key question: ‘To what extent does beach width vary at Hengistbury head?’ We went to three different sites and at each site we were split into groups of 4/5. We measured how wide the beach was as well as the rate of longshore drift.  Although we had practised this in class, doing it in the open was slightly more challenging than expected as the wind kept blowing our tape measure, so we had to come together as a team and try and solve that particular problem. 

To measure the longshore drift, we had to throw oranges into the sea and measure how far they travelled in sixty-seconds. Keeping track of the oranges was tricky, especially when a seagull swopped down and took the orange away!

 

As we walked from site to site, our teachers pointed out our different types of coastal management techniques and also evidence of coastal processes like erosion and slumping that we had learnt about in the classroom.  This really helped us to see first hand how the theory can be applied to real-life environments and brought the subject to life. 

All in all, it was an exhilarating experience and we are so grateful to everyone who helped to plan and organise the trip.

Pearl Kaur [10R]