Principal's Weekly Update

Weekly Vlog

Hello, Uxbridge High School community, and welcome to the first vlog of the summer term.

Now, as I look out the window, it's a little gloomy today, but yesterday we had a golden start to the new term, and we’re hopeful that the warmer, brighter weather will lift all our spirits and help everyone stay motivated, positive, and in school as often as possible.

As always, I’ve got three themes for this week’s vlog, and they are:

• Safety

• Year 11 and Year 13

• Curriculum spotlight on technology
   

Safety at School

Safety is something we have spoken about in lots of previous vlogs, and it will continue to be a big focus across the summer term.

You will already know that we regularly conduct fire drills, but in 2025, the concept of school safety is broader than just fire. As part of our business continuity planning, we have to think about everything from intruders to cyber threats. That is why this half term, we will be conducting a “shelter-in” drill.

Now, I want to reassure you, this is purely a precautionary exercise to ensure we are prepared for anything. Students won’t know when it is happening, and staff will guide them through calmly and clearly. Students will be told not to use mobile phones, but just in case they do, and you receive a message from your child, please don’t panic. It’s just a drill. The important thing is we are ready, and we are doing the right things to keep our community safe.

 

Year 11 and Year 13 – Final Push

Of course, all our students matter every single day—but at this time of year, it is especially important to recognise the efforts of Year 11 and Year 13, who are in the final stages of their journey with us and preparing for those all-important exams.

To all the students and families involved, we know it can be stressful, but we are here to support you every step of the way.

• Year 11s should now have their revision guidebook.
• All Year 11 and 13 students have been given their exam timetables, including seating and venue details.

You will have also received a letter with the full list of end-of-year events for Year 11, including:

• The Year 11 Prom
• Their final assembly
• Our prestigious Golden Laurel Leaf celebration.

For Year 13, the pressure is just as real. They may be more familiar with exams, but the stakes are still high. Whether they are going on to university, apprenticeships, or straight into the world of work. So parents and carers, your support is vital. Help them stick to a solid revision routine, make sure they are getting enough rest, and keep encouraging them.

We are so proud of the hard work we’re already seeing, and I’ll keep you updated on their progress in the weeks ahead.

 

Technology & Creativity

This week, we're shining a light on the Technology department, and I’m thrilled to be filming here with Year 7 students who are currently working on their design briefs.

Why Technology? Well, this week we had a brilliant staff training session focused on “guided practice”,  which is all about breaking down learning into manageable steps for students. I walked into Mr Buckley’s lesson this morning and saw this in action. In a practical subject like Technology, it’s essential. You can’t just say “go build a phone stand” without teaching the process step-by-step.

And it’s not just Technology, this approach applies to every subject: English, Geography, History, you name it. And the best teachers are the ones who guide and check learning every step of the way.

Now, I’m going to hand over briefly to Mr Buckley, who is going to share a bit more about Technology Week and this term’s focus on creativity.

 

A message from Mr Buckley – Head of Technology

This week in Technology, we’re focusing on creativity. Now, people often associate creativity with subjects like Art or Design, but I want students to know that creativity is for everyone, and it’s a vital life skill.

Thinking creatively is key, whether it’s problem-solving, revision techniques, or designing something brand new. I’ve had great conversations already with Year 11 students about finding creative ways to revise, whether that’s mixing flashcards and diagrams or teaching content to a friend.

In our DT lessons, Year 7s are just getting started on a project that will allow them to design their own phone stands, something they’ll finish and take home this term. It’s about learning the process, building confidence, and being proud of the result. And that’s what creativity is all about.

 

Final Words

Let's look forward to a summer term filled with collaboration, celebration and as always, excellence. We have so many exciting things coming up, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Wishing everyone a positive, successful and sunny summer term. Thank you for your continued support.

Take care and see you all very soon.

Louisa Seymour
Principal