Foundation

Apple

This term, Apple class have been developing their skills writing non-chronological reports. These reports present information organised by topic rather than time, helping readers understand different aspects of a subject clearly. By practising this, students learn how to structure facts under headings, use clear subtopics, and present information in an organised and engaging way. It’s a great step towards becoming confident and structured writers!

Apple class have also been having fun learning catering skills, starting with the basics like buttering bread and making sandwiches. They’ve been spreading butter just right, choosing yummy fillings, and putting everything together neatly. It’s a hands-on way to build confidence in the kitchen, and the sandwiches tasted great too!

    

Cherry

Cherry class enjoyed exploring the world of the farm through a range of familiar and much-loved stories, including Spot Goes to the Farm, Scarecrow’s Hat, Farmer Duck, What the Ladybird Heard and The Little Red Hen. These stories have provided a rich foundation for developing early literacy skills, with pupils supported to sequence events, talk about characters, join in with retelling using visual cues, and develop writing skills.

Across Communication and Language sessions, the class have been encouraged to listen carefully, explore environmental sounds, and use simple descriptive language during farmyard role-play and small-group activities. Learning in Understanding the World has focused on building early knowledge of farm life, such as learning about animal families, the life cycle of a chicken, and the important jobs farmers do each day. Creativity has also played a big part in learning, with students enjoying hands-on activities such as printing with farm animals, making ladybird-themed crafts, and acting out stories using simple props and costumes.

    

Alongside topic work, the class took part in celebrations for Chinese New Year, where they were introduced to key traditions in a sensory and accessible way. They particularly enjoyed creating dragon crafts, listening to traditional music, and learning about the animals of the Chinese zodiac. During Children’s Mental Health Week, there was a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, with time spent exploring feelings through sensory activities, calming strategies, movement breaks, and familiar routines. These experiences supported the children in recognising emotions and expressing themselves in a safe, reassuring environment.

Primary

Pine

In Topic, Pine class have been learning all about the United Kingdom. They have investigated the countries, capital cities and key landmarks. Students also learnt about The Royal Family and had a great session at Windsor Castle. They enjoyed their workshop, exploring the castle and showing off their knowledge about King Charles!

    

In Science, they have been learning about animals and their habitats. Pine Class are making some model habitats out of cardboard boxes. We also had an interesting trip to RHS Wisley Gardens where we talked about plants and how they are also adapted to the places where they live.

Willow

Willow enjoyed a wonderful trip to Sea Life in London, which brought to life their science learning about animals and their habitats. They saw so many sea creatures, including scary sharks and luminous jellyfish. However, their favourite moment was watching the Gentoo penguins dive into the water and the class were amazed to learn that these are the fastest swimming penguins in the world. Overall, they had a fantastic day but were thankful for a nap on the train back to Heathermount!

   

Elm

In science, Elm class have been learning about the water cycle and plants. They set up a series of experiments to investigate how plants grow under different conditions, including with no water, no heat and no light. They carefully measured and observed the plants over time, developing their scientific enquiry and observation skills. Elm class also explored the parts of a flower by dissecting one, allowing the children to identify and name the different components.

Beech

In Science, Beech class are learning about the Earth and space. As part of the unit, students researched the Sun and created some really informative presentations. In Geography, students are learning about the tropics and Arthur gave a very professional-looking and sounding weather forecast of his chosen tropical location!

  

 

Oak

Oak class have been really busy.  They made pizza as part of their ASDAN lessons and had great fun choosing the toppings and taking them home to try!  They also had a lovely walk to Tesco in Sunninghill to buy some fruit to make a fruit salad with. On the trip, they put into practice their knowledge of road safety and also where to find the items they needed in store.  Making Rainbow Omelettes one afternoon was another highlight.  Students prepared all the vegetables before mixing them in and were excited to see how they looked after cooking.

Secondary

Earth

Earth class (Raf's group) have been developing important life skills as part of their ASDAN lessons. Students learnt how to use an iron safely, explored the different heat settings, and practised ironing their own clothes correctly. Everyone showed great focus and responsibility, especially when following safety rules and handling equipment carefully.

Zoe's group have also been busy developing their life skills and have had some great trips this term to support their learning, which included swimming, a treasure trail around Eton and mini golf!

English

Mars students have been exploring poetry and how traditional fairy tales can be told through rhyme. The main focus has been The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Robert Browning, with students enjoying the rhythm of the poem and discussing storytelling.

Mercury have been travelling through Ancient Greece, following Odysseus on his journey home from the Trojan War. Along the way, they enjoyed learning about Greek myths, gods and monsters, and how these stories were used to explain the world and teach moral lessons.

Neptune and Saturn, have begun exploring dystopian fiction through The Hunger Games. They have had some thoughtful discussions about alternative states and governments, and how different societies might operate compared to our own.

At GCSE, students have been recapping Paper 1 skills and applying them to exam-style questions. They have produced some fantastic answers, showing growing confidence in both analysis and written structure.

Maths

GCSE students have been working on securing their basic skills with rounding, collecting and representing data, percentages and perimeter, area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes. During this time, they have completed general classwork as well as working cooperatively to solve exam-style questions that required them to utilise different skills and knowledge.

Saturn and Neptune completed a complex unit on constructions, where triangles and placements were created using only a ruler and a pair of compasses. They are now working on a unit about number, which includes the various sets of numbers and simplifying numbers such as surds.

Mercury learnt about data handling and various ways to collect data and represent it, including in Venn diagrams. They are now learning a topic based on algebraic skills with simplifying binomials with a shared factor, expanding brackets and will be solving some more complex equations.

Mars completed a long unit on fractions, decimals and percentages, which they found rather challenging. These aspects of number will be revisited as the year progresses in different contexts and as short revision starter activities. They are working closely now with mental, written and formal written methods for adding and subtracting various numbers, from integers to decimals and percentages.

Science

This term, Mars have been learning about forces, and students have had lots of fun doing different experiments to investigate friction and how forces work.

Mercury have been learning about chemical reactions and have participated in lots of practicals, as well as watching some demonstrations! They wrapped up their learning about conservation of mass by performing an experiment and weighing both the reactants and the products to see if they weighed equal amounts. They used their skills in being safe around Bunsen burners and worked calmly and safely whilst burning magnesium. They were introduced to new equipment – using a clay triangle instead of the gauze on top of their Bunsen burners!

Saturn and Neptune have been busy learning about variation and inheritance, where they have learnt all about why animals are different, evolution, natural selection and extinction as well as all about the role of gene banks.

Computer Science

Year 9 students are creating an interactive multi-page website for their Enterprise chocolate project.  By doing this, they are learning project management skills and appropriately combining a variety of software applications to create a product that meets real life expectations.  Here are a few examples of the logos they have created:

             

History

Year 9 students have been learning about how World War One began. In class, they looked at the main causes of the war, including alliances between countries, rising tensions in Europe, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. They used videos, sources, and group discussions to help them understand what life was like at the time and why the war started in 1914. This topic has helped us see how one event can lead to big changes in history, and many students have enjoyed sharing their ideas and opinions in lessons.

Geography

In Geography, Mercury class have been learning all about volcanoes, and things got very exciting! Students explored how volcanoes are formed, why they erupt, and what happens when hot lava flows down the sides of a volcano. To bring their learning to life, the class created a model volcano experiment. Everyone gathered around as the volcano “erupted,” with foamy lava spilling down the sides. The experiment helped pupils understand how pressure builds up inside a volcano before an eruption.  The class showed great teamwork, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the lesson. There were lots of brilliant questions and amazed reactions.

    

Drama

You can read all about Drama at Heathermount in our news article.  Foundation and Primary students have been developing their social skills, imagination and storytelling through drama, whilst Secondary students have been working hard on the musical Bugsy Malone which they will be performing next term.

Music

Willow and Oak class have been learning the PBuzz. This is a plastic instrument that introduces students to playing brass instruments. They have learnt to play three different notes and how to play as a group, listening carefully to each other.

Pine class have been learning how to choose instruments and make sounds that fit with a story. They are getting used to the sounds different instruments make and have had fun trying to make the sounds of a flea, a monkey and an elephant.

Beech class have been learning about rock music, focusing on the Bon Jovi song Livin’ on a Prayer. They have used the keyboards and drum kit to learn sections of the music and are working towards a class performance.

  

In Elm class they have been learning to play the ukulele. They can all play the chord of C and some have managed to learn the chord of F and be able to move between the chords. They have learnt how to follow the music and how to strum both up and down.

Art

Students have produced some amazing artwork this term.  You can read all about the different techniques they have used and the artists they have studied in our Art in Term 3 news article.  Plus, you can see examples of their work in the art photo Gallery.

​PE

This term, Primary students have been completing a wide range of circuits, allowing them to develop key skills such as balance, coordination, and problem-solving. The students thoroughly enjoyed the challenges, and impressed staff with their resilience and positive attitudes throughout the sessions.  They also continued to develop their skills across a variety of invasion games. A particular favourite has been the fast paced Shark Island. More new and exciting activities will be introduced next term.

    

Our Secondary students have been focusing on basketball and tchoukball. Tchoukball has been a really popular addition to the curriculum at Heathermount and is played across all Key Stage 3 and 4 groups. It has provided an excellent opportunity for students of all abilities to engage positively and develop teamwork and game awareness.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, we have been unable to take part in any fixtures since returning from the Christmas break. However, we are looking forward to returning to Fulham next month and are hopeful for another positive and enjoyable day.

PSHE

In PSHE, Elm class has been learning about puberty, they have been very mature throughout their lessons and have asked some great questions. Beech class has been learning about communities and how we can show respect to people of different races and cultures. In Secondary, Mars has been learning about puberty and what to expect as they go through their teenage years. Mercury has been learning about FGM and forced marriage, as well as the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Saturn and Neptune have been learning about drugs and their risks. Saturn has also been working on their assembly for children's mental health week, which they will be presenting to the rest of Secondary. Pluto and Jupiter have been learning about drugs, alcohol and addiction. They have also been working on finding work experience placements for later on in the year.

Business Admin

Business Admin students have trimmed and filed paperwork in the classroom – learning to file documents is part of their qualification criteria. Students also taught each other how to complete purchase orders.  The students raise purchase orders and expense forms on behalf of staff, then liaise with the finance team to effectuate them.

Young Enterprise

Students are currently working towards selling their succulent plants to the public. They aim to achieve the best aesthetic by planting them inside pretty old-fashioned tea cups to maximise sales.  In the classroom, they have been conducting board meetings – brainstorming their business plan.

  

Catering

The level 2 group have been making naan bread. This is part of their qualification and needs to be covered within the bread and dough unit. This bread is quite unique as it does not use yeast, but uses yoghurt. It is also fried to create a bubbled texture and look.  The students passed their assessment and have nearly completed the bread and dough unit.

Construction

The side tables are now finished, and most have already made it home – I'm sure it was a lovely surprise for families! Students have adapted really well to working with cover teacher Matt while Mr Scott is off, showing great attitudes and teamwork throughout. There’s been lots of hard work and some wonderful craftsmanship on display. The results speak for themselves. Students are now moving on to some smaller carpentry projects, including planters, cookbook holders and mug trays, where they will keep building their skills and confidence.

Horticulture

In Horticulture, students have been working hard towards their qualification. They have maintained and cared for hand tools and helped improve the school site by dead-heading shrubs, demonstrating responsibility and teamwork.

    

Forest School

Students have been developing their whittling skills, safely learning how to use tools to create their own pencils from sticks. They also crafted charming woodland creations, including hedgehogs and mushrooms, showing both creativity and growing confidence in practical skills.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

On February 2nd, students took part in a navigation session as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The session took them around the local area, following a set route and taking turns to lead different sections of the walk. This practical activity allowed students to apply their navigation skills and work together as a team. This was the final session to complete the Skills section of the award.

  

Girls Club

In Girls club, students learnt about nail art and designed their own pieces, exploring different colours and patterns.  They have also started creating something for Valentine's Day which will be revealed next week.