Welcome to the new academic year

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome our Latymerians back to school for the start of the new academic year. I was able to share with them plenty of exciting news from the summer, not least of which were some excellent results in public examinations. At GCSE, over 70% of grades were A*, over 90% A*/A, and (for the first time) 100% A*/C. At A level, 34% of grades were A* (a new school record), 73% A*/A and 92% A*/B. I would like to congratulate last year’s Year 11 and Upper Sixth on these splendid results, and their families who supported them through the arduous revision and examination months.

Our sportsmen and women also had a busy summer, and I am delighted to report that Georgina Seal, Maddie Lloyd, Darla Matthews and Mia Andersen rowed for the GB U16 crew against France, winning a convincing gold medal. Flynn Traeger and James Phelps competed for England in the Home International Regatta, winning gold in the coxed 4 and 8 events. Carter Nelson competed in the GB coxless quad at the European championships, making the A final on both days. Meanwhile, Taylor Williams won an individual silver medal in the U15 European Biathlon championships and a gold for Team GB.

I am delighted to say that our refurbishment of the Art department was completed successfully over the summer and the resulting creative spaces are inspiring! I know that colleagues and pupils are impressed with the high standard of their new rooms and look forward to seeing their work at the next Latymer arts exhibition.

Other changes this term are to our mobile phone policy, the aim of which is to encourage our pupils to benefit from the many social opportunities available to them in the real world during the school day – not least the huge choice of clubs and societies on offer during the lunch break. Essentially the changes are:

• Lower School – mobile phones locked away during the school day
• Middle School – mobile phones allowed at break/lunchtimes, but not in the dining hall or in transit around the site.
• Sixth Form – no mobile phones in the dining hall or in transit around the site

I wish all our pupils an exciting autumn term!

David Goodhew

Head, Latymer Upper School

Author: Karen Dove