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Message from the Headteacher, Mr Richards
Happy New Year! We’ve had a positive first week back at school and it’s been interesting talking to the pupils in assemblies about resolutions, commitments and promises for the new year. Many of them are very determined about their futures in spite of the difficulties going on internationally at the moment and I am so proud of them for this.
This week we received some very positive outcomes for our year 12s and 13s who re-sat GCSE Maths and English exams, so well done for all the hard work which has paid off in so many cases. Year 13s also started their mock examinations. Next week Mr Bassett is taking some year 9s to a session about the Holocaust at the Imperial War Museum and Ms Nayyar is taking the year 9 Architecture club to Pitzhanger Manor. We have a year 8 parents’ evening on Thursday so please make sure you attend if your child is in year 8, and the year 11 mock exams start, so make sure your child works hard this weekend but is rested ready for Monday if they’re in year 11.
A few key dates to put in your diaries: year 9 options evening is taking place on 29th January from 5 – 6.30pm, year 13 parents’ evening is taking place 5th February (where those all important mock exam outcomes will be discussed), the school Drama production will be taking place 12th February in the evening (details about tickets on their way) and it’s the deadline for year 9 options 13th February which is the last day before February half term.
Chair of Governors
As many of you heard at the Winter Concert, and in our family bulletin 5th December, we have said goodbye to Mrs Rose Turner after nearly nine years as a Governor and three as Chair of Governors at Villiers High School. We are extremely grateful for all she has done for the school. Our student council put some questions to our new Chair of Governors, Mr Richard Hinwood, to find out a bit more about him and why he wanted to work with us:
Q1. In your opinion, what makes Villiers a unique and special place?
Villiers is special because it combines high expectations for learning with a genuine sense of care and a strong commitment to the local community. What stands out to me is that every student and member of staff is treated as an individual, with their own strengths, interests, and potential. Villiers encourages people to keep growing, ask questions, and continue learning long after they leave the school. Just as importantly, the school helps students see themselves as active members of their community, with a responsibility to contribute and the confidence to aspire to great things, not only for themselves but for others as well. It was this focus on learning for life, community, and ambition that attracted me to the role of Chair at Villiers.
Q2. Could you share some of the other roles or jobs you’ve had before this one?
Before becoming Chair, I’ve had a few different roles, all involving helping people and the organisations they are part of to do their best work and achieve their goals. I started my career as a lawyer, which taught me to think carefully, ask good questions, and make fair decisions. I moved away from practising law to becoming Head of Strategy for a global law firm, where my job was to help plan for the future, translate the strategy into clear action plans, and ensure that our different teams and offices performed successfully together. More recently, I worked for a large international family-owned organisation, supporting its CEO and leadership teams around the world to run a wide range of businesses and charities. Today, I run my own organisation, Enriched Leadership, where we work with leaders and teams to help them expand their leadership capacity, build collective leadership strength, and translate strategy into sustained results.
Q3. What does your role as Chair of Governors involve on a day-to-day basis?
My role is to help the school be the best it can be, both now and in the future. On a practical level, that means working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, led by the Headteacher, and the other Governors, reading papers, attending meetings, and helping the Board make good decisions. One important part of the role is being a critical friend to the Senior Leadership Team – asking thoughtful and sometimes challenging questions, while also offering support and encouragement. Above all, my role is about helping the whole school community thrive, so everyone can do their best work and achieve fantastic results, both individually and collectively.
Q4. What are three interesting or fun facts about you that most people don’t know?
I love spending time outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or sailing. I’m passionate about playing drums, especially different styles from across the world such as Japanese taiko, Brazilian samba, and African drum circles. I hope one day to learn to play tabla, which looks particularly challenging to master! My parents were both teachers – my mother taught in primary schools and my father taught physics in secondary schools, finishing his career as Headteacher.
Q5. Do you have a favourite quote or saying that inspires you?
A quote I often return to is: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” For me, this is about doing things today that will benefit others in the future. Education is exactly like that. The effort teachers, staff, and students put in now helps create opportunities that may only fully appear years later. It’s a reminder that what we do at Villiers really matters – not just for today, but for generations to come.
We look forward to working closely with Mr Hinwood. For further information about our leadership and governance, please click here.
A Winter Concert, December 2025
The annual Winter Concert is a very special event in the busy calendar of the Music Department at Villiers School. It provides a fantastic opportunity for students between the ages of 7 and 18 to work collaboratively in the production of a truly festive event.
This year was no exception – at 5.30 pm on Thursday, 11th December, and again at 11 am on Friday, 12th December, audiences witnessed the musical achievements of students at every stage of their musical development from beginner brass to accomplished year 11 and 12 vocalists. Our soloists, vocal and instrumental ensembles, bands and choirs performed a challenging and stylistically varied programme, displaying a wealth of talent and demonstrating that music is indeed alive and well at Villiers High School. Well done to everyone involved!
Goodbye to long-serving member of staff
We bid a fond farewell to Ms Nagi after working at the school for a great many years and being a pupil here herself. Ms Nagi decided to leave Villiers High School at the end of December and to retire from full-time teaching. She would like to wish staff, students, and their families all the very best for the future.
Ofsted inspections
As mentioned last month (12/12/25), Ofsted has changed their framework for inspection. Please find a letter from the Strategic Director of Children’s Services in Ealing, Robert South.
Is my child well enough to go to school?
If your child is feeling unwell and you’re not sure whether to send them in, please read this NHS guidance which will support you in making a decision: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
Penalty notice for Unauthorised Attendance
Parent/carers are reminded that if they take their children out of school for 5 days or more (which do not have to be consecutive) in a 10-week period, they will be liable for a penalty notice from Ealing. Currently the amount payable for the 1st penalty notice is £160 per parent/carer per child which reduces to £80 if paid within 21 days.
If a further 5 days of absence without a reasonable explanation occurs, then a 2nd penalty notice of £160 per parent/carer per child will be issued, with no reduction. If the penalty notice remains unpaid after 28 days, Ealing will consider a prosecution in the Magistrates Court. Further absences after this stage could also result in prosecution.
Please note that penalty notices are issued per parent/carer per child, so a family of two parents and two children will receive 4 penalty notices. Please check our term dates on our website to help you avoid taking your child out of school during term time.
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