Principals Weekly Update
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Exploring the Economics of Food, Communication and Clues to Success at Uxbridge High School
This week, Ms Louisa Seymour, Principal of Uxbridge High School, was joined by Miss Yasmin Polat, Assistant Curriculum Leader for Business, to explore a fascinating range of themes, including the Economics of Food, effective communication, and the ongoing “clues to success” that reflect the school’s strong start to the academic year.
The Economics of Food – Bringing Real World Learning to Life
In this week’s assemblies, students have been exploring the Economics of Food, a topic designed to help them understand how everyday choices link to wider economic and social issues.
Miss Polat explained:
“We wanted students to think about how something as simple as where they buy their lunch from can impact the economy and the community. We’ve encouraged them to support local businesses and farmers, while also understanding why food prices are rising and how production might look in the future.”
The Business and Economics department continues to make learning practical and engaging through hands-on initiatives such as the Tenner Challenge, where students start with £10 and are challenged to grow it by creating and running their own mini-businesses. The department also enriches learning through trips to destinations such as Cadbury World, the Bank of England and Chelsea Football Club, giving students valuable insights into the world of business.
Ms Seymour praised the department’s efforts:
“Our business team do a fantastic job connecting classroom learning with the real world. Students are not only learning theory but developing the confidence and skills to thrive beyond school.”
Building Stronger Communication
Ms Seymour also discussed the importance of effective two-way communication between school and parents.
“We are committed to keeping communication open and clear. Our vlogs, emails, and social media are part of that, but so are the everyday conversations we have with parents at the school gates or during our Monday leadership surgeries.”
Parents can contact the school through several dedicated email addresses, including parents@uhs.org.uk, office@uhs.org.uk, finance@uhs.org.uk, and attendance@uhs.org.uk, depending on their enquiry. Ms Seymour emphasised that communication works best when its respectful, constructive, and collaborative:
“We all share the same goal, ensuring every young person achieves our gold standard of success.”
Clues to Success – A Half Term of Achievement
Reflecting on the term so far, Ms Seymour shared her gratitude for the community’s continued support and highlighted some of the school’s key successes:
- Improved punctuality to both school and lessons
- High attendance rates across all year groups
- Record numbers of reward points for students demonstrating STAR behaviours and PROUD values
- Fewer behaviour incidents compared to previous terms
“These are all clues to success,” Ms Seymour said. “They show that students are engaged, motivated, and supported at home, and that partnership is key.”
The school has also seen record attendance at recent Open Mornings and Evenings, reflecting growing community interest and confidence in Uxbridge High School’s provision.
This week also saw auditions for the school’s upcoming musical, Little Shop of Horrors, with an incredible turnout of talented students. Ms Seymour noted that “the packed auditions were another sign of the creativity, enthusiasm and school spirit that make UHS so special.”
Looking Ahead
Following the recent Gold in Everyone Awards Evening, Ms Seymour thanked families once again for their involvement in school life. Parents of Year 8 students were also reminded to complete the Year 8 Parent Survey, available both at and after Parents’ Evening, to share valuable feedback.
“It’s wonderful to see so many positive signs of progress and engagement this term,” Ms Seymour concluded. “Thank you to all parents for your continued support and partnership. Together, we’ll keep striving for excellence in everything we do.”