Welcome from the Co-Headteachers

Driving the importance of personal and social development

This week, the school is truly in full flow with a vibrancy and energy within classrooms, around the corridors and across all outdoor “active play” areas. After school, a range of enrichment clubs are already up and running (see more below), helping our students develop leadership skills and strengthen their wider friendship circles. Our outstanding Year assemblies have been driving the importance of personal and social development, in particular ensuring that students display tolerance and empathy towards each other.

Furthermore, in our daily Study Support sessions, we have continued to drive the promotion of: 

  • positive wellbeing and mental health 
  • reading for pleasure 
  • personal organisation.

On the latter, please conduct regular checks that your son/ward is always in possession of a fiction reading book; this book should be secured safely within their school bag. 

As ever, this newsletter contains important information about our other traditions and values as so please do read it in full.

Sleep Routines

photo of person holding alarm clock

Protecting students’ wellbeing and mental health

As the school year begins, students need to establish strong and robust routines. Equally, it is important that parents/carers try to do the same with sleep patterns at home. Sleep is an essential requirement for people to effectively carry out our daily activities. It is hugely important for the protection of our wellbeing and mental health as well as self-esteem. Sleep helps with learning and the formation of long-term memories – not getting enough sleep or enough high-quality sleep can lead to problems focusing on tasks and thinking clearly. To support your son/ward, please review our checklist as well as NHS guidance.

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com.

Subject of the Week – Design Technology

Learn about one of our most in-demand subjects

Design and Technology (DT) is the subject where students have a chance to make things. They are all shown how to safely use familiar hand tools; they will also have the opportunity to use more heavy engineering equipment, such as milling machines, pillar drills and centre lathes; and they will all have a chance to make something using our cutting-edge manufacturing equipment, like laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC routers.

Key Stage 3

Students begin learning DT at Key Stage 3, allowing students to develop a love of designing and making products for use in their surroundings. The curriculum is intentionally technical and is tailored to the study of engineering. We give them the confidence to independently make their own solutions to various design contexts – creating a love of problem solving to produce the engineers of the future. For example, Year 7 are introduced to the safe use of soldering irons to allow them to develop the necessary skills needed to make an electronic touch sensor. Year 8 are building on these skills by applying them to a programmable electronic system as they develop a musical night light product, and Year 9 are starting to investigate mechanisms.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 students can take either a GCSE or vocational course in engineering. Just this week, Year 10 have been introduced to SolidWorks CAD software to increase the complexity of their computer designs. Our Year 11s continue to develop their own independent projects. They will also be engaging in a variety of revision and learning activities, combined with lots of low-stakes testing, to prepare them for their forthcoming GCSE examinations.

Key Stage 5

Year 12 students are looking forward to developing their love of engineering after being very successful at GCSE. They will be joining our year 13s on a vocational trip to Russell Finex to see how a modern engineering company helps provide jobs and skills to the local community. They will also be joining our vocational engineers on an engineering skills visit to Thorpe Park in October to highlight the variety of career opportunities in the engineering sector. Year 13 are fully engaged in the development of their final A level design projects.

Extra-Curricular

We also look forward to offering students the opportunity to engage in a variety of clubs to help develop their enthusiasm for making products. Keep an eye out for a woodworking club, a food technology club and an Arduino club, which will be running at various times throughout the year on Thursday afternoons.

Coming Up!

Key upcoming events

  • Thursday 26 September – KS4-Ready Evening (Year 10)
  • Thursday 3 October – KS3-Ready Evening (Year 7)
  • Friday 18 October – Progress & Partnership Day
  • Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November – Half-Term

You can access the entire calendar via this link.

Progress & Partnership Day

An early date for the diary!

During Progress & Partnership Day (Friday 18 October), normal lessons will be suspended for all year groups. Each student, accompanied by their parent(s)/carer(s), will have a ten-minute interview with a member of staff. Full details will be sent to parents/carers soon.

Open Evening Arrangements

Changes to the school day later in September

A letter was sent out earlier today about changes to the school day for our Open Evening. To reiterate:

  • On Wednesday 25 September, school will finish early at 1.10pm.
  • On Thursday 26 September, school will start late at 10.45am.

Some students will be invited to help on the evening – they will receive separate communications next week. We know that our students do a brilliant job of promoting our school to new parents/carers.

Active Play

Promoting physical activity for all!

Levels of physical activity at breaktime and lunchtime are incredibly high as students run, jump and chase each other around the outdoor school site. Supervised playful football, basketball, table tennis and cricket also take place. We really value the importance of playful, largely rule-free activity where young people escape the rigours and routines of the classroom.

Teacher Stability

Ensuring continuity of learning for students

We are incredibly proud of our very high levels of teacher stability at Isleworth & Syon. Given this, it is important for us to share that, despite a highly challenging national teacher recruitment crisis, we have only needed to recruit three new, full-time teachers for this academic year. Continuity of teachers is crucial in building trust and enabling students to take risks in their learning. Indeed, for young people to be happy and productive, to achieve at school, and to be prepared for a full, active and successful life in modern Britain, teachers must also be happy and well. We work tirelessly to ensure that our students are taught by well qualified expert teachers and they have continuity in the adults around them. We are immensely proud of this; it demonstrates how staff enjoy working with our students, enjoy supporting our young people, and appreciate celebrating the successes of our student leaders and responsible citizens

Young Mental Health Day 2024

An important day to raise awareness

Next Thursday (19 September) is Youth Mental Health Day 2024. This is is an awareness day that encourages understanding and awareness of mental health in young people. Learn more in this information sheet from our local NHS nursing team.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Encouraging all students to get involved!

We encourage all students to “buy in” to our extensive enrichment programme which is free. Very little equipment is needed and where it is, the school provides it. This week has seen a surge in sport after school; matches start next week as well as Saturday morning rugby training. See below for a list of next week’s activities, and look out for the full timetable next week.

All clubs after school unless stated.

Year 7
  • Badminton (Years 7 & 8) – Monday
  • Creative Writing Club (Years 7-10) – Monday
  • Drama Club (Years 7 & 8) – Monday lunchtimes
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
  • Rugby (Year 7) – Wednesday
  • Football (Year 7) – Thursday
Year 8
  • Badminton (Years 7 & 8) – Monday
  • Creative Writing Club (Years 7-10) – Monday
  • Drama Club (Years 7 & 8) – Monday lunchtimes
  • Rugby (Year 8) – Tuesday
  • Football (Year 8) – Wednesday
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
Year 9
  • Creative Writing Club (Years 7-10) – Monday
  • Drama Club (Years 9-11) – Tuesday lunchtimes
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
  • Rugby (Years 9 & 10) – Thursday
  • Badminton (Years 9-13) – Thursday
  • Performing Shakespeare (Year 9) – Friday lunchtimes
  • Football (Year 9) – Friday
Year 10
  • Creative Writing Club (Years 7-10) – Monday
  • Drama Club (Years 9-11) – Tuesday lunchtimes
  • Football (Year 10) – Tuesday
  • Senior School Production (Years 10-13) – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
  • Badminton (Years 9-13) – Thursday
  • Rugby (Years 9 & 10) – Thursday
  • Arts Award (Year 10 – invite only) – Friday
Year 11
  • Revision Club (Year 11) – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
  • Drama Club (Years 9-11) – Tuesday lunchtimes
  • Senior School Production (Years 10-13) – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
  • Badminton (Years 9-13) – Thursday
Sixth Form
  • Senior School Production (Years 10-13) – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
  • Performing Arts Tech Club – Wednesday
  • Badminton (Years 9-13) – Thursday

Pride of House

A new set of award winners

A huge well done to the 40 students across Years 7-11 who have been awarded the first Pride of House award of the school year. These are nominated by Form Tutors/Pastoral Staff to recognise an outstanding contribution to the life of the school. You can view the lists by clicking a house badge.

Success Stories – Elliot Heath

A new weekly feature for this term

With this new feature, we wanted to showcase some of the outstanding Isleworthian journeys from our most recent leavers. These students have overcome great personal challenges to maximise their potential and achieve amazing feats. These stories, then, represent the essence of what it means to be an Isleworthian.

Elliot Heath (2017-2024)
Chatsworth Primary School
Isleworth & Syon School
Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge

Elliot was very active in school sport throughout his school career, especially football, table tennis and cross-country. These physical activities were highly effective for getting to meet people which strongly supported his Year 7 induction. His most memorable experiences at school included the four-day French trip to Pontarlier in Year 9 when he experienced biathlon (running and rifle shooting) as well as visiting the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. Elliot also took good advantage of the outstanding opportunities and extensive enrichment in school; this included Summer Arts Festivals and winter concerts as well as sports leadership via the Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver programme and the stand-alone Sixth Form Level 2 programme.

Teachers remember Elliot as being wholly diligent and determined; family members report how he worked and revised so hard throughout Year 13. Elliot really enjoyed GCSE PE in Year 10, particularly the psychological elements within the course. This, in turn, inspired him to choose PE and biology at A level and then select a related degree. 

His exceptional grades of two A*s and an A allowed him to successfully continue along this same pathway beyond school, via an exciting psychological and behavioural sciences degree at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge.

Safeguarding and Personal Development

Making sure students are ready for learning

black and blue pens beside red covered notebook

This year, a whole school objective is to ensure that all students are ready to learn. We know that being well-organised is crucial for students as it enhances their academic performance and overall well-being. Developing organisational skills helps students to manage their time and prioritise tasks, reducing stress and preventing a ‘last-minute’ approach. When students maintain organised notes and materials, they can easily review content and prepare for exams, leading to better understanding and retention of information. 

Additionally, good routines and organisation fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, essential traits for lifelong success. It encourages students to set goals and develop plans to achieve them, building confidence and independence. Ultimately, being well-organised not only contributes to academic excellence but also prepares students for future challenges in higher education and their careers. 

Please encourage your son/ward to take responsibility for simple steps in developing their own good organisation. Remind them to prepare for their school day the evening before, through checking their PPA (homework) and packing their bag with a pencil case, books and other equipment needed. Encourage them to look ahead to key dates so they are aware of the time left before exams and other important dates.  

If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of your child, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@isleworthsyon.org. A member of staff will be monitoring the account. If there is an emergency call 999 or, for non-urgent matters that require police attention, call 101.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

News

A unique in-school opportunity plus information about school developments

‘Lord of the Flies’ Enrichment

Yesterday (Thursday), we were delighted to team up with the Hounslow Education Partnership to offer selected Year 10 and Year 11 students the chance to take part in a very special online event. The focus was on William Golding’s seminal book, ‘Lord of the Flies’, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. A set text at GCSE, this event saw students:

  • Hearing from an illustrator about turning the book into a graphic novel.
  • Learning about a special artwork competition.
  • Submitting questions for a special question and answer session.

It was a brilliant way for students to learn more about their set texts and give them with some different perspectives. This will help them shape their approach to the final written examination.

Site Developments

During 2023-24, we continued to develop our school site. This included the substantial enhancement of electronic access both on external doors, and classrooms and other spaces. This ongoing work improves the overall security of the school site, as well as boosting staff and student safety.

This summer, the humanities classrooms were developed to be in line with the rest of the school corridors, as well as new blinds and carpets. Our art and technology rooms remain a great resource for practical working, but the glass roofs have been causing difficulties in the summer, so we have sourced effective anti-glare blinds.

We are not immune to the continued economic difficulties facing many individuals and businesses. The continued planned and phased upgrade to LED lighting around the school, with motion sensors (where appropriate), is helping medium- and long-term cost-saving. This also helps us reduce any negative environmental impact we might make.

The school site was built in 1939, which brings challenges – but we always try to preserve the heritage and history of the site, while ensuring that it is fit for modern-day working. Over time, this has involved upgrading elements like our emergency lighting, access in parts of the building, and the flooring. As usual, there has been a significant amount of work behind the scenes from our fantastic Estates team to ensure that our large and complex site is kept extremely well-maintained, safe and compliant.

Ivybridge Community Day

As a school, we strive to anchor ourselves in the community. One such example is through the Ivybridge Community Day, organised by the Bridgelink Centre. It was a great success last Saturday! Information on a wide range of activities and services was available including Action Isleworth Mothers, the Health Outreach Team, Sky Up, Safer Neighbourhood team and Fire Brigade. The Orange Tree Theatre ran a drama workshop, Positive Movement delivered a Zumba session and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust some sports skills. 

It was fantastic to see some of our families in attendance. Afterwards, representatives from the centre told us, “We appreciate the support given by the school over the past year and looks forward to developing the partnership over the coming year.”

Derek Millard-Healy – Chair of Trustees

Finally for this week – last year, we said farewell to our Chair of Trustees, Vanessa Smith (pictured above left), after over twenty years of service to the school’s Board of Trustees. Derek Millard-Healy (pictured above right) was unananimously voted in as the new Chair of the Academy Trust. He has been a trustee since 2017, and has chaired the Resources and Audit Committee and served as Vice Chair, as well as being the link trustee for SEND. Derek brings a vast amount of industrial experience and academic rigour to the role. As Head of the Health, Safety, and Environment Team at Brunel University London, his role encompasses an array of compliance and sustainability issues. He is educated to PhD level, and previously worked at DEFRA as a researcher focusing on zoonotic diseases. Isleworth & Syon is already benefiting from his vast experience and interests as the school heads into its next chapter.