Highdown School
and Sixth Form Centre

“I wanted to write to highlight the excellent behaviour I have observed among your pupils on their way to school. I am a Caversham resident and usually run three mornings a week. I regularly pass Highdown pupils on their way to school. When I have stepped aside to allow pupils to pass and to maintain a social distance, I have almost always been the recipient of a ‘thank you’. Likewise, pupils have politely stepped aside to allow me to pass. I was extremely impressed with both the politeness and understanding of the importance of social distancing observed by your pupils. A credit to your school – well done! ”

Local Resident

“Please pass on our immense thanks to all your wonderful teachers and support staff for your continued hard work, it is very much appreciated. ”

Parent

“Really grateful for the efforts of all staff - true normally, but especially true at the moment!”

Parent

“Thank you to all the teaching staff for looking after my daughter. She has had an amazing & memorable experience where she has made new friends and gained self-confidence. ”

Year 8 Parent

“Thank you very much for giving up your week to give the Year 8s a wonderful experience in Rhos-Y-Gwaliau! It was really kind of you and, whilst I know you say that you had fun too, you did sacrifice your evenings and weekend time - so it is much appreciated!”

Parent

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to say how happy I am with the Sixth Form teaching staff who have made P’s A level exam experience so positive. She has been well prepared and supported and has been able to approach each exam with a degree of confidence that has been lovely to see. Whatever the outcome in August, the exam experience has been a positive one for all of us.”

Sixth Form Parent

“I was bowled over by their positivity and each teacher seemed to know my daughter very well and gave supportive and constructive feedback.”

Year 7 Parent

“I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks for all your efforts and an appreciation that such intervention sessions are for the students' benefit and are just part of what you teachers do that is over and above your standard working hours. ”

Parent

“We will always consider it our school and support it. We feel it is a beacon in our local community.”

Parent

“My son comes home from school buzzing from his lessons and informing me of the P points he has received.”

Year 10 Parent

“I just wanted to say a massive Well Done to Highdown and a big thank you to the fantastic Teachers that you have.”

Year 10 Parent

“Thank you so much for hosting us at your lovely school”

Visiting Headteacher

“Attending radio extra-curricular club every Thursday after school is great fun and has boosted my confidence. Thank you.”

Year 8 Student

“We were thoroughly impressed by your school: the facilities, curriculum and staff, the beautiful setting and in particular the students”

Year 7 Prospective Parent

“Students have strong relationships with their teachers.”

Ofsted

“Teaching has greatly improved since the previous inspection. It is now at least good across the school and students make good progress in a broad range of subjects.”

Ofsted

“Highdown makes school life as good as it could be”

Student quote, Ofsted 2010

“We used the Highdown School Radio equipment to create a sound effects podcast to enhance our A2 Drama examination performance. It was easy and fun to use. ”

Isabelle and Jess, Year 13 Students

“The behaviour of students is good. They are polite and courteous to each other and to adults. Students are punctual to their lessons and treat their school with respect.”

Ofsted

“You have many fine teachers at Highdown”

Year 8 Parent

“Students are well presented and proud to members of the school community”

Ofsted

“Students feel safe and well looked after.”

Ofsted

“Teachers know their students well and use information about students’ progress to identify where students are underachieving. Additional help or support is then quickly provided to help these students to catch up.”

Ofsted

“The headteacher provides outstanding and determined leadership for this rapidly improving school.”

Ofsted

“Subject middle leaders have a very clear understanding of the impact of their subject on the overall outcomes for the school.”

Ofsted

“Pastoral middle leaders provide high quality support and guidance.”

Ofsted

“The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced.”

Ofsted

“‘’The strong leadership of the school was one of the reasons we wanted our son and future children to join. It is a fantastic school.’’ ”

Year 9 Parent

“He will have gone away appreciating the professionalism of the Highdown staff and their commitment to improving the life chances of the young people at the school”

Visiting Teacher

“I just loved meeting with your pupils. They were polite, cooperative, charming and interested – and I would happily have stayed all day talking to them!”

Visiting Teacher

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all of you for taking my son to Rhos-y-Gwaliau. He knows how fortunate he is to have teachers who are willing to take students away for a whole week on a challenging trip like this. ”

Year 8 Parent

“Thank you all again for giving up your precious time to offer our young people the chance to challenge themselves in this way. We can only imagine the amount of additional stress, organisation and hard work that goes into making a trip like this happen and we really appreciate it. ”

Year 8 Parent

“I just wanted to congratulate you and your team for the very good Ofsted report and also for the excellent GCSE / A level results…. All excellent.”

From year 7 and year 9 Dad (and ex Headteacher)

“Thank you and to all the staff at Highdown for being such a great local school.”

Year 8 Parent