Message from the Headteacher, Mr C Richards:
We have finally reached the end of term on a real high! This week we’ve had a very successful sports day (read more below) and activities days both on and off site which have provided a very rich and rewarding culmination to the year. Our visit from I RI South Korean Girls school, the third of our international visits in as many weeks, has also proven very enlightening for all concerned.
School is closed from 12.30pm today and this includes phones and email. We will be open periodically over the Summer but there is a large amount of construction and maintenance work going on around the school and only a skeleton staff so please be patient if we don’t get back to you as quickly as you’d like. Teachers are not expected to answer emails over the holidays as they need a good break. Reception will be closed 29th July to 9th August inclusive of those dates and don’t forget August 26th is a bank holiday. A level and BTEC Level 3 results day is 15th August and GCSE and BTEC Level 2 results day is 22nd August. We will be open from 9am both days for your child to collect their results and enrolment for sixth form will take place immediately after results collection.
We are very grateful to all families who have supported us over the course of the year and never undervalue your role in your child’s education. As we approach the end of one year, a new year beckons. Please do take the time to make sure you purchase the right uniform for your child ready for September and ensure that your child is wearing it correctly (more details below). Please also remind yourself about our ‘not seen, not taken’ mobile phone policy. We look forward to welcoming your child Wednesday 4th September if they are in new year 7 or 12 and Thursday 5th September for everyone else. Please make sure your child is through gate 6 by 8.27am. Have a wonderful Summer!
National School Attendance Award
Villiers High has been recognised again by the Fisher Family Trust (FFT) because of the amazing attendance to school for the 2nd term running. Due to most of the students being in school every day, we are in the top 25% of all schools who have similar circumstances, and the top 25% of all schools nationally. On top of this, our overall attendance to school is always 2%+ over the National Average. Well done to all staff and students who have contributed to us gaining these very prestigious awards.
Year 13 Prom
As we bid farewell to our Year 13 students, they celebrated their prom at the Riverside venue. The evening was filled with dining, dancing, and capturing countless photos as they enjoyed their final goodbye. It was a beautiful event where students celebrated their accomplishments and cherished their final moments together before embarking on new adventures.
Year 7 end of year trip to London Zoo
Year 7 travelled to London Zoo, for their end of year trip on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th of July. Please see the attached letter below to find out how their activity days went.
19th Annual Dr. John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards
Josh 9V won the Jamal MBE Award for working hard and achieving against all odds and Tobi 7H was named the runner-up under the future leader category at the 19th Annual Dr. John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards organised by Descendants on July 13th.
Josh’s positive outlook and unwavering work ethic are admired by teachers and peers alike. He consistently demonstrates kindness, helping classmates stay focused and behave respectfully. With excellent attendance and punctuality, Josh brings a positive energy to the classroom, making him a joy to teach.
As a Year 7 School Councillor, Tobi has shown a high dedication to the service. He consistently uses polite language and treats everyone with respect. His humility shines through when he deflects praise and focuses on the team’s achievements. He’s a natural team player who always puts the needs of the group first.
Maths circle programme
We are delighted to announce that Villier’s Maths Circle programme has achieved great success this year! The program, aimed at fostering and enhancing the mathematical skills and problem-solving capabilities of Villiers students, has witnessed some truly outstanding accomplishments.
Our Maths Circle students have collaborated to confront difficult math problems, exchange their thoughts, and gain knowledge from each other, resulting in a deeper grasp of mathematical concepts, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and increased confidence in their capacity to solve intricate problems.
Some of the highlights of Maths Circle Club this year:
- Students in the Maths Circle programme have solved problems
- Solving techniques to effectively address intricate mathematical problems.
- There has been a notable enhancement in students’ capacity to articulate their thoughts and elucidate mathematical principles to their peers.
- The programme has cultivated a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among students, promoting mutual support and learning in Mathematics
We are also grateful for the dedication of our maths teachers Ms Carvalho and Ms Moorthothi who have provided mentorship to the students of the Maths circle, contributing significantly to the success of this program. Their patience, guidance, and support have played a crucial role in fostering the growth and skill development of our students.
Y10’s Practical football session
Riz Rehman who works for the PFA in the inclusion team came in to to do a talk on how to overcome challenges within sport. He wanted to assure students that, regardless of cultural background, all students can dream and pursue a career in sport. He then delivered a practical football session for the Football team in Year10.
Motivational speeches with Yr 10s
On Monday morning Year 10s met with ex Villiers Students to listen to their journey before, during and after GCSEs in the theatre. The students were inspired to listen to Pranshu, Ahmed and Salem who shared their struggles, successes and tips for our current Year 10s moving into Y11.
Degree apprenticeships hosted by West London University
Sixth formers were invited to West London University for a two day degree apprenticeship workshop. The event provided a holistic learning experience, blending academic knowledge with practical skills to prepare students for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Skill development was the key focus as students had the opportunity to improve their soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership, along with professional development activities such as application workshops and mock interviews. Students worked in teams on group projects, sharing knowledge and learning from their peers. Regular assessments and presentations provided feedback in order to track progress. Interaction with industry led professionals was key to the understanding of degree apprenticeships. This was also facilitated through guest lectures and year apprentices.
Trips
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting new trips program at Villiers. Our carefully planned trips are designed to enrich our students’ education by providing them with hands-on, real-world experiences that complement their classroom learning. School trips play a vital role in broadening students’ horizons, enhancing their social skills, and deepening their understanding of various subjects through immersive and engaging activities. To make this program possible, we will be asking parents to contribute with a one-off payment that will cover the costs of the multiple trips your child will be involved in throughout the year. This contribution will ensure that all students can participate in these invaluable experiences. More details about the trips, dates, timings and the payment process will be shared with you soon. We appreciate your support and look forward to providing our students with these enriching opportunities.
Southall community alliance events
Southall Community Alliance is pleased to provide details of a range of summer arts and cultural events in Southall. Most of the activities will take place at Southall Town Hall and/or Southall Park and will also be working with colleagues from Gunnersbury Park Museum.
All activities are free and aimed at bringing people from different communities together.
NHS parenting workshops
Over the summer, Ealing mental health team will be running a number of different workshops that you, parents and carers, may find helpful. If you would like to know more, please read the poster below for further information.
Free Cinema!
The Brentford Project this summer are hosting a free outdoor cinema for anyone to enjoy throughout July and August. Morrisons have teamed up with Heinz to give customers a free jacket potato and beans every day up until the 14 July. For more information, please click on the link below.
https://www.egfl.org.uk/news/2024/07/updates-ealing-cost-living-team
Explore Barcelona with us in 2025!
Join our exciting secondary school trip to experience vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine, whilst immersing yourself in Spanish! Limited spots available – reserve yours now by speaking to your languages teacher.
Lifeguarding qualification for Year 11 pupils eligible for the HAF programme
As part of our Summer HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme, we are offering year 11 pupils who are eligible (in receipt of benefits-related free school meals) the opportunity to complete the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) which will enable them to apply for work as a lifeguard in the future. The qualification will be offered at Northolt Leisure Centre, on 19th – 23rd August with the assessment taking place on Saturday 7th September 2024.
For further information, please click on the link https://www.egfl.org.uk/news/2024/05/lifeguarding-qualification-year-11-pupils-eligible-haf-programme
The Greener plan updates
Please read through some of the changes that have already started to take place here at Villiers as part of our ‘Greener Plan’ project. Some of the slides are blank as these will be updated on a weekly basis for you to look through. You can click the link to find out more.
Uniform expectations
All pupils return 5th September (new year 7 and 12 start 4th September). It is vital they wear the correct uniform from their first day back. Tutors will be checking with them in the first few days and we will contact families if items are missing or not correct. If you are concerned you will struggle to afford items of uniform, please let your child’s Head of Year know as soon as possible and we can arrange to support you.
A few commonly worn but incorrect items of uniform this year have been:
- A long sleeved t-shirt under a short-sleeved school shirt. If pupils want to cover their arms, please wear the long-sleeved shirt, the jumper or blazer.
- Short white socks over black socks are not permitted.
- Only navy trousers are permitted (not black) and these should be straight cut.
- Acrylic/false/gel nails (your child will be asked to remove these even if they have only just been done) and hooped earrings are not permitted.
- Necklaces may be worn under clothing but should be removed before P.E. for health and safety reasons.
- Lanyards and ID cards must be worn around pupils’ necks (and outside of jumpers) at all times.
- Top buttons should be done up and the tie worn around it. If a shirt has become too tight, please purchase another.
- No false eyelashes are permitted.
Just in case you’d forgotten, we do not allow mobile phones on site. The students are clear about our “Not seen, not taken” rule, meaning if you decide to bring one with you and it is seen, it will be confiscated until the end of the week (or the following week if it’s on a Friday). This is non-negotiable. I advised families this time last year to avoid buying a new smart phone and instead opt for something cheap and simple e.g. Tesco Mobile – This allows you to keep in touch with your child before and after school but prevents them from being distracted during the day.
Fresh and dry foods collection
We are having a small amount of fresh and cupboard food donated to us once a week. If you would like to participate and collect a bag for your family, please come to gate 5 and collect from the collection point (near the 6th form entrance ) on Villiers Road. This will be every Thursday from 1:30 – 2:00pm.
Please bring a suitable bag from home as we are not able to provide any.
Staff Meetings and Phone Calls with family members
This probably goes without saying for most families, but it is not permitted to record or film any aspect of any meeting (virtual or in person) or phone call with Villiers High School staff without first seeking permission to do so.
Contacting Staff
A reminder that if you need to contact staff at school, please use the contact page on our school website to make sure you get through to the right person: https://www.villiers.ealing.sch.uk/contact
If you are reporting lateness or absence, please check the details on this page: https://www.villiers.ealing.sch.uk/key-information/my-child-is-going-to-be-absentlate
Lunchtime arrangements reminder
Our lunchtime arrangements are still ongoing as a result of the work that has begun on our new building. As we will have less space for all the pupils to have the same lunchtime sitting, the split lunches began on Monday 15th April, and will still continue. Please see all details below.
Years 7, 8, 11 and 13 will continue to have their lunch from 12.30pm until 1.20pm
Years 9, 10 and 12 will move to a later lunchtime of 1.20pm until 2.10pm. We recommend that the pupils have a snack at breaktime to help keep their energy levels up until their later lunchtime.
On Thursdays, Years 9, 10 and 12 will not have a lesson after lunchtime. Therefore, they will be dismissed from school at 1.50pm and expected to be off site by 2pm.
On Thursdays, Years 7, 8, 11 and 13 will be dismissed at the usual time of 2.20pm.
Holiday playschemes
The Family Information Service (FIS) has put together this list of holiday playschemes that are running over the summer holidays.
Whilst all Holiday Playschemes are inclusive to children with Special Educational
Needs and Disabilities (SEND), some providers have additional information on areas
of particular SEND specialism which you may find helpful. We advise contacting the
provider directly to discuss your child’s individual needs. For further information please click on the link below.
https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/ealing/directory/files/2024_summer_playschemes.pdf
Leisure activities during the summer
There’s a variety of free and low cost activities on offer to help you make the most of your free time during the summer. Please take a look at the attached link for more information.
https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201320/cost_of_living_support_and_advice/3092/leisure_activities
Important information about Measles
Cases of measles are continuing to rise in London, including North West London. In order to manage this increased capacity, UK Health Security Agency colleagues are moving away from a full risk assessment of individual cases to only following up vulnerable contacts and high-risk settings. For more information, please click on the link below.
Infectious and contagious diseases and immunisations | Ealing Grid for Learning (egfl.org.uk)
Dangers of sharing intimate images
The risks of sharing intimate images of anyone without the persons consent is a criminal offence. Please read the article below to know the impact of what this could do to a person and the advice they tell you on how to avoid this.
Guide to Family Support Services
This guide is funded by Ealing’s HAF (Holiday, Activities and Food). The guide will highlight the important services and organisations that work locally to help various aspects of family life. These organisations provide help, guidance, and support to families.
For more information please click on this link: https://www.egfl.org.uk/news/2024/04/guide-family-support-services-2024-edition
Keeping children safe online
As we all have a part to play in keeping children safe online, please read and use the guidance on the NSPCC’s website to keep yourself, your friends and family safe online. Please click on the link below.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
Ealing Mental Health Summer Workshops
Over the summer, the Ealing Mental Health Support Team will be running a variety of online workshops for parents and carers of children who attend a school in Ealing. The workshops will be held online using Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending any of the workshops, please fill out this form.
For more information, please follow this link.
Ealing Mental Health Support Team
Over Summer, there will be a range of workshops that the Mental Health Support Team will be running for parents and carers. If you would like further information on how to sign up, please see below.
Young Carers
All pupils were given information about young carers in assemblies recently. Please see the information below about how you can make a referral to access support if you consider your child to be a young carer.
Vape Awareness Letter
Please take the time to read the letter below highlighting the dangers of using any sort of vape devices, and discussing this with your children to raise the importance of just how damaging on their health this could be. We want all children to be safe, so talking about this with them will be a great help.
Behaviour Systems
Our behaviour systems have been further developed so that they are clear and transparent for everyone. Please see our new behaviour pyramid below. The pastoral team has explained this to all the children. Since Monday 19th February, there have been posters up in classrooms and other areas of the school as a visual reminder. As always, we appreciate your support and any feedback is welcome.
Information about free school meals
Families who are not currently registered for free school meals but feel that they are eligible can apply using the following link here.
Free school meals are available for pupils of parents or carers that receive certain benefits.
Further information on the criteria for applying can be found here.
If your child is eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals during the summer holidays, please take a look at the attached letter below on how to receive a supermarket voucher.
Top tips for staying secure online from the National Cyber Security Centre
Combine three random words to create a password that’s ‘long enough and strong enough’.
Weak passwords can be cracked in seconds. The longer and more unusual your password is, the harder it is for a cyber criminal to crack. A good way to make your password difficult to crack is by combining three random words to create a password (for example applenemobiro). Or you could use a password manager, which can create strong passwords for you (and remember them). Avoid the most common passwords that criminals can easily guess (like ‘password’). You should also avoid creating passwords from significant dates (like your birthday, or a loved one’s), or from your favourite sports team, or by using family and pet names. Most of these details can be found within your social media profile. If you’re thinking of changing certain characters in your password (so swapping the letter ‘o’ with a zero, for example), you should know that cyber criminals know these tricks as well. So your password won’t be significantly stronger, but it will be harder for you to remember.
If you want to find out more about why the ‘three random words’ technique works, you can read this blog by one of the NCSC’s technical experts that further explains our thinking.
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online/three-random-words
Medical needs & allergies
We would like to ensure that our school records accurately reflect your child’s medical needs including information on any allergies. Please keep us informed of any changes to your child’s medical allergies to ensure information is accurate and up to date on our school system. In the case that a student has been prescribed an Epi-Pen by the doctor, they should bring two Epi-Pens to school, one to carry on their person and the other to be provided to the Welfare Office, as a spare in case of an emergency. Please encourage your child to check with the canteen staff for any food allergies and to read the food labels before making purchases. If you have any questions, you can contact the welfare officer directly via email- welfare@villiers.ealing.sch.uk or call reception. For food related questions, you can contact the canteen directly via email- cparameswaran@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and calls
Please click on the link below to learn how to recognise and report emails, texts, websites, adverts or phone calls that you think are trying to scam you:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
Cash payments
We are a cashless school and families can pay for school meals, stationery, trips and clubs via ParentPay. You can top up your ParentPay account from a bank account or by using a debit/credit card. If you do not have a valid bank account or debit/credit card, please email info@villiers.ealing.sch.uk. We will set up a PayPoint account, so you can make payments using cash.
Key information about Villiers’ Diner
Please look through and have a read to find out more about our produce in the kitchen and even our excellent hygiene ratings. You can also have a walkthrough through our canteen to see where our delicious meals are prepared on-site daily. Please click on the link below.
https://www.villiers.ealing.sch.uk/our-school/our-food-and-service
Safeguarding and well-being spotlight
There is a lot of advice and guidance available to help and support parents and carers when you have any worries or concerns about your child. Please click this link for the NSPCC website which offers advice on some different issues.
Key forthcoming dates
For our major events, please check here.
| 19th July 12.30pm – 3rd September – Summer holidays 4th September – New year 7 and year 12 induction (Must be through gate 6 by 8.27am) 5th September – All other year groups return (Must be through gate 6 by 8.27am) | |
| Just ahead… 18/09/24 – Introduction to Year 11 Evening 20/09/24 – Late start 09:20 (following open evening) |
Opportunities at Villiers High School
Take a look at our current vacancies and join our team – Click here
Get in touch
If you have any suggestions on how to improve the school further or any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email: info@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Don’t forget to follow Villiers High School on social media.