Dear Parents

This week we received our students’ IGCSE results.  Mrs Sharp talks about them below.  I will only say two things:  

1. The results are outstandingly strong, and prove that we are where we belong: right up with the best international schools in the world. 

2. I told you so: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Science grades are not only the best in the school (88% A*/A) but also the best I have ever seen in any school I have worked in.  Many congratulations to the students, to our outstanding Faculty of Sciences, and to the parents for their great support.   

The long summer holiday may provide opportunities for rest and relaxation for our students, but the school never sleeps!  We have been very busy preparing for the new year – readying the outstanding new Music Department, Technology hub, Year 5 and 6 facilities, Drama studios, cooking classroom (etc etc) in the new Crowthorne building, as well as opening a new exit gate in the Senior car park, cleaning, planting, painting. 

This week we have been doing staff training.  On Wednesday, I shared the theatre stage with Iain Henderson.  He spoke in detail about excellence, the Wellington ethos, why we are not just another school, and how Wellington UK is leading the development of Harkness teaching to a new level.  I talked about the importance of a culture of trust; about belonging (every student, staff member, and parent is equally ‘one of us’, unconditionally); about the many, deep ways in which we support our students to flourish; and about workplace ethics.   It is always a thrill to stand up in front of everyone, look out across the rows and rows of staff, and realise how wonderful our school has become! 

I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday 

With best wishes 

Chris 

Dear Parents 

We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer holiday and are feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting year in the Junior School!  

As we prepare to welcome our students back, I’m writing to share some exciting updates and reminders for the start of the new academic year. 

Staff Are Back and Ready! 

All our Teachers and ALTs have now returned to school, and the energy around campus is absolutely buzzing! They’ve been busy preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and collaborating to ensure a smooth and inspiring start for your children. 

Excitement Builds for the Crowthorne Building 

One of the most anticipated moments this year is the opening of the Crowthorne Building, our brand-new learning space including the incredible facilities for Years 5 and 6. This state-of-the-art building is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and excellence in learning. We can’t wait for our older students to explore and thrive in this incredible environment. 

Uniform 

This year, we want all of our Junior School children to feel proud and confident in how they present themselves each day. A smart appearance helps set the tone for learning and reflects our high standards across the school. To support this, we kindly ask all families to ensure that children come to school in the correct uniform each day. This includes black shoes (leather or sports-style shoes) for all students in Years 1 to 6.  

Please check that your child has everything they need ready for the start of term - thank you for your support in helping our students look and feel their best! 

Orientation Day – Tuesday 26 August 

We are very much looking forward to seeing all our families at Orientation Day on Tuesday 26 August. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, visit their classroom, and get a feel for the year ahead. It’s also a chance for us to reconnect as a community and celebrate the beginning of another exciting chapter. We look forward to seeing you then. 

Kindest regards. 

Hannah 

As we prepare to begin the new academic year, I’m pleased to share some exciting updates from the Senior School. 

We received our IGCSE examination results this week, and I must say, our Year 11 students amassed an incredible set of results. In total, between them, they achieved a phenomenal 114 A* and A grades. Please remember that this is our smallest year group, so this really is a VERY impressive result. 85% of students earned at least one A* grade, 88% achieved A*-A in their Science exams, and 100% of all Science entries were graded B or above. Several students achieved all A*s and As, and we look forward to celebrating individual successes in the coming weeks. Not only that, 10 of our subjects received all A* and A grades! These results are a testament to the students’ dedication and the hard work, along with the attention and bespoke support provided by our teachers, and their parents.   

Although Year 12 AS results are not published as they are the mid-point of the A Level course, we are very, very pleased with the results we received last week. A significant number of students achieved straight A grades - the highest possible AS level grade - and 15 students earned full marks on their papers which is an exceptional accomplishment! 

Last week, we welcomed our new teachers for several days of induction, and on Wednesday, our returning staff joined us to begin preparations for the term ahead. Everyone is working hard to ensure your children receive the best welcome and a strong start to the academic year. We’ve made several changes to classrooms and learning spaces in the Skylight building, and we’re thrilled to now have access to the stunning new Crowthorne building. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the Senior School really is a fantastic environment for both teaching and learning. 

However, a school without students does feel a bit odd! But I do not have long to wait, as in just a few short days, the school will be buzzing with our fantastic students, ready for an action-packed, successful, and fun year ahead. 

I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon, 

Jane