Headteacher's Newsletter

As we begin this exciting new term at West Hatch, I am delighted to welcome both new and returning families to our vibrant community. Having been part of West Hatch since 2014, I am incredibly proud to step into the role of Headteacher. Our school is more than just a place of learning – it is a community where everyone is encouraged to strive to be their best.

At the heart of our school is a simple yet powerful motto: "To be the best that I can be." This drives our commitment to nurturing the potential of every student and supporting them on their journey to success. As your new Headteacher, I feel privileged to lead a school where academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of community are our key priorities. This Newsletter will detail some outstanding success in these areas.

From the moment our pupils returned, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy and enthusiasm that fills our school. It is with great pride that I share the outstanding start we've had to this academic year; a reflection of the collective efforts of our pupils, staff, and parents. The standard of uniform presentation has been excellent especially from Year 7! The pride pupils take in their appearance speaks not only to their respect for the school's values but also to their readiness to fully engage in learning. This attention to presentation is a clear sign of their commitment to excellence—an ideal we cherish at West Hatch.

It has been a calm and purposeful start to the academic year, whether inside the classroom or beyond, pupils’ conduct has been outstanding. This positive behaviour fosters a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. It’s truly heartening to witness the mutual respect and consideration that form the foundation of our school community.

These early impressions fill me with immense pride and optimism for what we can achieve together. The combination of a smart appearance and exemplary behaviour sets a powerful foundation for both academic success and personal growth. It creates an atmosphere where creativity can blossom, critical thinking is encouraged, and every individual feels valued and supported.

As we embark on this new academic year, I am committed to building on these strong foundations. Together, we will strive for excellence in all aspects of school life, creating an environment where each pupil can discover their passions, develop their talents, and achieve their dreams.

Victoria Schaefer

Headteacher

I am pleased to share the achievements of our students in their recent GCSE examinations. These results reflect the hard work, commitment, and resilience of our pupils, as well as the support they have received from their families and teachers.

This year, 59% of our students achieved grades 5 and above in both English and Mathematics, and 75% secured grades 4 and above. Furthermore, 20% of our students earned grades 7 and above across all subjects.

These outcomes place West Hatch High School among the top 12 schools in Essex, and when considering non-selective schools, we are proud to be ranked in the top three.

This success is a result of the combined efforts of our staff, parents, and, most importantly, the students themselves. Their determination and dedication have made these achievements possible.

Once again, West Hatch Sixth Form has achieved excellent A Level and Vocational results. Despite the return of grade boundaries to 2019 levels, which led many schools to expect a dip in performance, we are proud to share our key outcomes:

• Nearly 1 in 5 A Level grades were A* or A.
• Over half of all A Level grades were A* to B.
• The average grade in vocational courses was a Distinction.

In the coming weeks, more than 80 of our students will be starting university, many of them the first in their families to do so. Notably, nearly one-third of these students have secured places at prestigious Russell Group universities, including one who will be attending Christ Church College at the University of Oxford. In addition, we have supported 15 students in securing highly competitive degree apprenticeships.

I would like to take a moment to highlight the important work of our safeguarding and pastoral team, who play a key role in supporting the well-being and success of our pupils.

These dedicated professionals work diligently to ensure that our pupils are safe, supported, and able to thrive. The safeguarding team ensures that robust policies are in place to protect every student, while the pastoral team provides emotional support, helping pupils navigate challenges and build resilience.

Together, these teams are a vital part of our school community, working behind the scenes to create an environment where students feel secure and able to focus on their education. They are trained to respond effectively to any issues that may arise and offer the care and guidance our pupils need to succeed.

In the coming weeks, you will have the chance to meet some of these team members and learn more about the important work they do.

Head of Year 7: Mr Blain

Head of Year 8: Mr Limon

Head of Year 9: Miss Fraser

Head of Year 10: Mrs Reid

Head of Year 11: Mr Orton

Head of Y12 & 13: Mr Windsor

Head of Austen: Mrs Parmar

Head of Brunel: Miss Clements

Head of Fiennes: Ms Lord

Head of Newton: Miss Howarth

Head of Roddick: Mr Redwood

A reminder about the MyEd app, which is our digital tool designed to improve communication and provide easier access to important school information for pupils, parents, and staff. The MyEd app is a practical platform that streamlines how we share updates, announcements, and key details within our school community. It offers features such as real-time updates on pupil , timetables, rewards and behaviour logs, all easily accessible from your device. For parents, it will offer a straightforward way to stay informed, helping to strengthen the connection between home and school.

For more information on what it does, how to use it and how to download it, please see the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=uNb6ZIrxdTQ

Please note that when signing up for the App you must use the same contact email address and mobile number that the school hold for the Priority 1 contact on your child’s record. The reason for this is that the system will link your child/children to your MyEd account automatically based on the information we hold and the information that you enter when signing up. This is also where the security codes will be sent to for the initial configuration of the App. If your contact information has changed please let the school office know of these details via the admin email before signing up for the App.

Here are the links for the App if the QR code doesn't work:

Apple iOS App: -
Click here for the Apple version

Google Android App: -
Click here for the Android version

See below for details of our extra curricular clubs for this term.

Please find below reading lists from our Librarian suggestion a selection of books your child may be interested in reading.

A reminder to parents and carers to park and drive respectfully when you are dropping off or collecting your child from school. We have already received complaints from Cedar Park, that cars are parked at the beginning and end of the day blocking their front gates which is preventing residents from entering or exiting their private property.

Parent Events

Thursday 19th September - Year 10 Information Evening

Wednesday 2nd October - Year 11 Information Evening

Thursday 21st November and Friday 22nd November - Yr. 7 Aspirations Days (by appointments)

Thursday 5th December - Yr.11 Parents Evening (by appointments)

PPE Examinations for Yr.11 and 13

Wednesday 6th November -Friday 15th November

Closures and early/late starts

Wednesday 18th September Inset Day - school closed to students

Thursday 26th September - early finish at lunchtime due to the Year 6 Open Evening

Friday 27th September - later start at 10am

Monday 18th November Inset day - school closed to students

Friday 20th December - early finish at lunchtime for the winter break

October half term

Monday 28th October to Tuesday 5th November (school starts on Wednesday 6th November)

I want to highlight the important role parental involvement plays in our shared mission. Parents and teachers are key partners in a child's development. Parental trust in our school is crucial. When parents support our educational approach, it has a direct impact on pupils' confidence and motivation. This trust fosters a positive learning atmosphere and helps students believe in themselves.

Building trust is a two-way process. We encourage all parents and guardians to engage with us, share their insights, and actively participate in their child's education. Your involvement strengthens our efforts and enriches the overall experience for each pupil. Please do keep in contact with the school via your child’s Form Tutor and Head of Year in the first instance, or the Head of Department, if it is related to a specific subject, should you have any concerns. I hope to be meeting many of you at our year group information evenings in the coming weeks as well as other parent voice opportunities throughout the year – dates to be announced shortly.

Thank you for your continued support.