Pupils Experience History Firsthand During WWI Battlefields Trip

Last week, pupils in Years 9-11 traveled to northern France and Belgium to immerse themselves in World War I history and practice their French language skills. During their three-day trip the pupils, along with Mr Burden, History teachers Mrs Roland and Mrs Wren, and French teacher Mme Austin, visited some of the most significant battlefield sites, museums, and memorials of the First World War. 

Each of the many places visited, based in the Ypres Salient and Somme regions, helped pupils develop greater understanding of the significance of the events that they have learned about in their History lessons, the enormity of the suffering, and the bravery of so many. There were plenty of opportunities for reflection, including visits to memorials and cemeteries for both Allied and German soldiers, and the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate—a tribute to the thousands of soldiers of all nationalities who gave their lives on the battlefields around Ypres. 

The realities of military strategy and the difficulties of battle were brought to life with stops at battle sites, trenches, and bunkers including those at Sanctuary Wood, Arras, and Vimy Ridge. Visits to museums, including the Flanders Field Museum and Passchendaele Museum, gave the pupils an opportunity to go deeper into the history of the time period with interactive exhibitions.

And of course there were plenty of lighter moments as well with evening entertainment in French, visits to a local chocolate shop and meals out at area restaurants. We are sure the pupils will remember their experience for a long time to come.

View a Gallery

Heritage pupils in Years 9-11 spent three days visiting WWI battlefied sites and museums.

Spotlight on Enrichment: Learning about the Tudors

With Tudor dances, dressing-up, and crafts that included Tudor Roses made of clay, orange pomanders and lutes constructed from tissue boxes, Upper Prep experienced history in a whole new way during this enrichment session.

View a Gallery

Heritage Upper Prep pupils spent an afternoon living like Tudors

In a recent assembly, Seniors heard from Mr Barry Griffiths, Community Engagement Officer for Jimmy’s Cambridge

Seniors Hear About Homelessness

During this morning’s assembly Seniors heard from Mr Barry Griffiths, Community Engagement Officer for Jimmy’s Cambridge, a community-based charity providing both support and housing to people who are rough sleeping.  

The organisation began as a small shelter on East Road, and grew into a 24-hour service that provides housing to those who need it through 25 rooms, 10 supported houses and 26 modular homes. They also offer several different additional forms of practical support to help individuals on their journey toward independent living.

Mr Griffiths, who himself spent a period of time sleeping rough, spoke to the pupils about the factors that might contribute to homelessness; including the breakdown of family relationships, addiction, domestic violence, mental illness and more. The issue of homelessness extends beyond those who are sleeping rough, and also includes those who have been displaced from their homes and are depending on friends or other temporary housing. 

Jimmy’s provides 10,000 cooked meals each year to those they support; meals that provide opportunities for the staff to hear individual stories and experiences, and to build trust among a population who otherwise might have difficulty opening up to others. 

Heritage families can support the work of Jimmy’s by bringing in non-perishable food items or other household items into school over the next week. But, as Mr Griffith encouraged the pupils to remember, even more important than the items being donated are the thoughts and goodwill behind them toward those who are struggling.

Magazine Article Praises Heritage for Careful Use of Technology

In the September 2023 Schools supplement of The Spectator magazine, English actress Sophie Winkleman writes about her concerns around the increasing use of screens in schools. Ms Winkleman is a public figure and parent who has been outspoken about this issue, and is also a royal patron of many children’s charities.

The piece includes a number of comments from educators about the negative impact of technology in the classroom; for example, this observation of pupils by one assistant principal: ‘[The iPad] sought only to stoke their screen addictions and took away from the purest form of teaching: explanation. The goals of digital learning – to be more efficient, to increase independence, to reflect the real world and give students the tools needed when they leave school – largely fail on all accounts.’

In the article, Heritage is put forward as a positive example of a school using technology in moderation. The author writes, ‘Started by Jason and Fiona Fletcher in a little townhouse off Trumpington Street, the pupils go on nature walks each morning,* draw their bounty afterwards while listening to classical music, then begin a day of gentle but deeply rigorous screen-free lessons in the hands of wonderful teachers. The bar is raised high, and all the children reach it. As often with the best schools, it’s not ‘shiny’ (there are no gleaming IT suites, tennis courts and theatres); just a deeply thoughtful space created by passionate teachers with a vision. The pupils are calm, happy, reflective and eager for knowledge.’    

We applaud Ms Winkelman for adding her voice to the many who are increasingly concerned about this topic. The full article is available here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/my-fight-to-get-screens-out-of-schools

*Heritage Infants and Juniors go on weekly nature walks.

Excellent 2023 Exam Results for Heritage Pupils

We are pleased to announce our GCSE exam results for 2023. They are stronger than our most recent pre-Covid results (in 2019), and they continue to demonstrate that Heritage School delivers outstanding, value-added academic outcomes. This year, 55% of all results were awarded 9 or 8 (A*), and 70% of all results were awarded 9-7 (A*-A). 

Headmaster Jason Fletcher says: ‘Today, we are celebrating the achievements of our outgoing Year 11 pupils. They have done extremely well in their exams, each one achieving what they need to progress to their preferred post-16 school or college. 

This year’s Leavers are planning to go to Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, Comberton Sixth Form, Hills Road Sixth Form College, King’s Ely, Millfield School, Parkside Sixth, The Perse School, The Stephen Perse Foundation, and West Suffolk College. 

We are very proud of our pupils for what they have achieved and for their contribution over the years to the Heritage School community. They are well prepared to step confidently into the next stage of their education and we wish them all the best as they do so.

I would also like to acknowledge our teachers for their professionalism and tireless efforts on behalf of our pupils. Their calibre and kindness make Heritage Senior School the exceptional learning community that it is, enabling our pupils to achieve more than they otherwise would have done.’

A summary of our 2023 results can be found at www.heritageschool.org.uk/information-for-parents/exam-results.