Over the first Half Term, Year 12 students took part in the 'Controversial Question' Essay competition. The title was "Being part of a state-funded sixth form is mostly about how well you do in your academic studies. Discuss". It was great to read so many conflicting views and well-thought-out arguments. Congratulations to the following winning students: Rianna Ludhra, Sara Daci, Arun Kharaud, Saniya Sharma, Salha Abdallah, Harmiter Kular and Shiv Padhiyar. 

Please find Rianna's winning entry below

"This evening’s Open Evening was fantastic. I learnt a lot about the Post-16 options offered at Heston and gained an insight into the subjects I might choose. Our school offers a wide range of subjects, from humanities, sciences to art and graphic communication. Personally, I was more interested in Arts and Maths, so I went to those rooms first and achieved a wider perspective on what the course work is like along with the specification. As well as A Level courses, I made sure to learn more about the BTECs offered and it is reassuring to know that, as well as doing a BTEC, you can also pursue an A Level. Overall, this open evening was quite useful and informative and makes me feel more confident about the future and what I aspire to do after obtaining my GCSEs."

Mancy Dutt [11P]

Overall, the Sixth Form Open Evening was incredibly insightful for those curious about the courses that they are considering taking after GCSEs. Both internal and external students were able to visit different classrooms, each specialising in different courses available at Heston, such as A-Level Chemistry, History, BTEC Business, etc. The teachers guided us through the summary of content on their chosen course, and its curriculum. There were also fellow Post-16 students who answered our concerns about workload, as well as how they manage and utilise their study periods.

As a Year 11 student, I feel that it has widened my understanding and knowledge of the possible pathways I could take after my GCSEs.

Ilhan Abdullahi [11Y]

I was thrilled to share my experiences of transitioning from GCSEs to A Levels with students and with their parents.  I reassured parents that whilst the workload was significant, the expert guidance of teachers and the Post 16 Team made the transition seamless for us all.

Manshveer Longani Deputy Head Boy [12C]

Yr 10 Basketball v Kingsley - Won 38-14

The first game league game for Year 10’s saw a win for Heston. Some good open-court play from Amrit and Rageh, kept a good supply to Matas who was dominant under the basket, scoring 28 points. Lots of positives were taken from this game and the team will look to build on this performance in further games. Player of the match for Heston - Amrit Webra 

Matas Luksas [10Y]

Team: Adnaan Abdi, Amrit Webra, Matas Luksas, Kamram Merchant, Joshwa Henry, Rageh Jaamac, Emmanuel Satta, Ahmed-Hadi Abdi [Y8]

Year 9 Netball v St Marks Lost 3-1

The game against St Marks was nice and fun and even though we lost, I think we played fantastically and each one of us played with passion. We all played as a team and not one of us gave up and in our next game we will play like we've never lost. Player of the match for Heston - Sonia Arora

Erika Gridan [8B]

Team: Elena Nedelshavic [Y9], Unnathi Sanyasi [Y9], Sonia Arora [Y7], Bianca Bolbocean [Y7], Migle Berankyte [Y8], Arushi Vashisht [Y8], Erika Gridan [Y8], Sahjepreet Kaur [Y8], Pearl Kaur [Y8]

Year 7 Football v Reach Academy - Draw 4-4

A slow first half saw Reach take an early lead. Heston came back with a goal from a corner scored by Zak. A few defensive mistakes saw Reach score a second goal in the first half. At half time, Heston was losing 2-1. The second half saw a much better performance from the team. As a team, they looked to pressure the Reach team more. This created more shooting opportunities for the team. Heston scored the next goal. A cross from Raphael which was then scored by Roshan. Reach then struck with two more goals. Heston was down 4-2 with 10 minutes to play. Heston rallied with a good individual goal from Enver, dribbling through the defence to score Heston's third. The final goal came with one minute to play from a corner with Ahmad scoring the final goal to draw the game 4-4. Player of the game for Heston – Enver Daci.

Team: Rashad Ahmed, Raphael Connor, Enver Daci, Ahmed Grama, Roshan Madhas, Krone Mwanza, Stephen Ojedele, Alex Princ, Cezar Stavarachi, Jaiden Verma, Zak Vohra

The Careers Cluster programme was an opportunity for the T Level Healthcare Science students to have access to a local labour market tool, which would support their research of career opportunities locally; as well as employer engagement.

In December 2022, the students took part in a virtual employer panel session, where they had the opportunity to talk to the employees from GSK about the range of roles available within the company.  

In March 2023, the students went to GSK headquarters and took part in employability based sessions to gain a greater knowledge of the working world. Following this visit, students had access to an online Hounslow Borough funded online labour market tool, where students had the opportunity local opportunities related to their skills and interests.

Through taking part in this pilot, students had the opportunity to explore and understand a wider range of employment opportunities related to Healthcare Science. The panel session opened student's awareness of employment opportunities and allowed the students the opportunity to ask questions.  The GSK visit was a great opportunity to see a Global biopharma company and understand the research roles which are available. Student's had the experience of seeing a workplace in action and  access to valuable employer contact. The EMSI pilot session, allowed student's access to a useful and invaluable tool, that opens the opportunity to research a wide variety of realistic roles; within the local labour market. Overall this was a fantastic opportunity and will contribute towards the student's career aspirations in the future. A Laing [Careers Advisor]

"In my exploration of healthcare related careers, I had the opportunity to delve into the diverse world of healthcare professions through the EMSI Careers Coach digital tool. This valuable resource provided me with insights into the healthcare careers in my area, shedding light on the various specialisations within the industry. My journey extended further when I visited GSK and interacted with healthcare professionals. Theirs firsthand experiences showcased the range of responsibilities and the importance of teamwork within healthcare. This immersive experience not only broadened my understanding of healthcare careers but also influenced my thinking about future career paths in the healthcare field, highlighting the potential of making a meaningful impact on people’s lives". Elisha Kudhail Year 13- T Level Healthcare Science

​"Having participated in the careers cluster programme gave me an opportunity to learn and develop my skills in a wider spectrum. I was involved in a video panel, visited GSK and also used an online platform that showed me lots of opportunities that are local to me. In the video panel and when visiting GSK I was informed about a range of job roles within the pharmaceutical industry that I didn’t know existed. Having played around on the online platform, I was able to find so many job opportunities local to me based on some questions that I answered which was fun to do as well as informative." Simarpreet Kaur Year 13- T Level Healthcare Science

We hosted our annual Careers Fair and invited a wide range of employers, universities, colleges and training providers to join us for this evening. We had several talks that took place during the evening, which were highly attended.  Students and their parents/carers had the opportunity to engage in valuable conversations with the exhibitors and take away resources to help them to continue to explore options. Feedback was very positive and we look forward to holding this again next year.

"Overall, the Careers Fair was good. It was neatly organised and I was able to take a look round the different groups. All the arrangements were on point. It allowed me to speak to my desired organisations quickly and efficiently. The exhibitors were very nice and provided me with lots of information in regard to what I was looking for." Rayhan Kabir [12A]

"The Careers Evening allowed me to get first-hand experience of different university campuses and facilities. The evening was fun and an informative way to narrow down my options, to find the right fit for my future. I explored Coventry University and Royal Holloway University and both were extremely helpful, to help me gather valuable information to help me with my decisions." Faiza Shooble [12H]

"The Careers Fair was the perfect opportunity to meet employers from different career paths. For Year 7-9, it is an excellent experience that incentivises Year 9s to pick specific subjects for GCSE. The Careers Fair also allows students in Key Stage 4, to network and speak to professionals in specific career areas they may want to pursue. Overall, the Careers Fair was the perfect opportunity for young students to develop passions for specific careers and even more beneficial for older year groups, to meet with potential employers." Sara Daci [12G]

"The Careers Fair was very beneficial, as it gave an opportunity to explore our options for our future careers. Employers from a variety of workplaces spoke with students from Years 7-13 and gave supportive, advantageous advice on how we can achieve, to get our desirable grades and the determination to stand out. Given I am someone who is confused about what I would like to study at university, the Careers Fair gave me clear, sufficient insight on interesting degrees. I spoke with professionals, such as employers from British Airways, The Army and Imperial College London." Rianna Ludhra [12G]

"In my exploration of healthcare-oriented professions, I delved into the dynamic landscape of healthcare careers using the EMSI Careers Coach digital tool. This invaluable resource offered me a comprehensive understanding of the diverse healthcare professions available in my region, unveiling the myriad specializations within the field. Expanding my journey, I had the privilege of visiting GSK and engaging with seasoned healthcare professionals. Their firsthand experiences illuminated the spectrum of responsibilities inherent in healthcare roles, emphasizing the pivotal role of teamwork in this sector. This immersive encounter not only enriched my knowledge of healthcare careers but also significantly influenced my perspective on potential career trajectories within the healthcare realm. It underscored the profound potential for making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals, solidifying my commitment to pursuing a fulfilling career in the healthcare field." Alexandru Apetrei [13B]