Tenay, Aisha and Moeeza achieved 16th place out of over 450 teams nationally in the Cambridge University - Biology Challenge. The students had to creatively present their ideas on a range of biological questions, such as "Why do animals not have wheels?", "Are humans still evolving?" and "What is the most incredible biology in your own habitat?". All three students are planning to read degrees in Biomedicine or Biochemistry. 

"After overcoming the difficulties of the Biology Challenge, we were invited to Homerton College at Cambridge University, along with a small group of other high-achieving students.

The Cambridge Biology Lecturer gave us insight into how the Biology questions were decided upon and different ways in which these questions could've been and were answered. We used the grand Dining Hall for lunch and then attended the Award Ceremony. After this, we were sent to an "escape room" where we teamed with students from Sixth Forms and Secondary Schools all over the country to solve various puzzles. Some were Biology related, some were not but, ultimately the point of the puzzles was to get us thinking and using our skills to solve problems we've never come across. As a team of six, we solved more than 20 puzzles. Some we did as a team, some we worked on individually according to our strengths. At the end, there was a small maze where we could progress only if we had solved the riddles. This experience was enlightening and highly enjoyable; allowing us to interact with new people that shared similar passions to us, whilst testing our knowledge and skills."

Tenay Chak and Aisha Hajiadam [13]

For further information on how to enter, see the link below:  https://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/cambridge-biology-challenge 

Sarah Khadar

My transition from Lampton to Heston has been challenging, but with the support of the teachers, I’m becoming more and more confident that I have made the right choice. Initially, I felt nervous about meeting new people and adapting to a different environment. However, the welcoming atmosphere at Heston quickly put me at ease. The school emphasises that when students and teachers collaborate, achieving distinctions in BTEC courses is always possible. I’m truly grateful for making the move here.

 Khadhar Abdullai 

Heston Community School takes pride in its strong academic achievements and commitment to its core values. Sixth Form students are offered a well-rounded curriculum, along with the privilege of study periods in its dedicated Private Study Area. The School goes above and beyond in encouraging students to participate in Societies and extracurricular activities, helping to build essential social and life skills that will benefit them at university and beyond.

As an external student, I can't emphasise enough how warmly I’ve been welcomed by both former primary school peers and new classmates. Overall, my time at Heston’s has been very positive and I feel very confident that I will achieve well and go on to my first choice university.

Liya Ludhra

The transition from Year 11 to Sixth Form is a significant shift. In the Sixth Form, we have more independence and dive deeper into our chosen subjects, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, with smaller class sizes, it becomes much easier to engage with your teachers and clarify any areas of confusion.

One of the biggest advantages of the Sixth Form is that you get to select subjects that genuinely interest you. Studying something you enjoy can make a big difference, as it motivates you to complete your work with more enthusiasm.

With greater independence comes the need to stay organised and manage your time well. The Sixth Form Centre provides a great space for independent study, whether you are pre-reading for lessons, catching up on homework, or revising. This not only helps you build confidence but also prepares you for future challenges.  I’m very happy that I made the decision to stay on at Heston and I’m optimistic about my grades at the end of Year 13.

Natalia Baranowska

Settling into Sixth Form has been a mix of emotions. It is quite exciting as I was able to choose the subjects I’m interested in.  Post 16 studies do come with far more freedom but also greater responsibility. I believe we are being prepared well to manage our work load and to organise ourselves so that we are not overwhelmed. However, there were also areas in which I felt nervous being in an environment with new people and worried about the work load. My fantastic teachers have allayed my concerns and I’m already making good progress.

Overall sixth form has been a great experience so far and I’m looking forward to the next two years.

Congratulations to all our Year 11 students on their GCSE examination results. We are delighted that many of our students will be returning to Heston for Post 16 study.

Navvya Makwana, who secured a highly impressive eight Grade 9s, said: “Each Grade 9 required hours of work and dedication and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. You reap what you sow with GCSEs. With 9s in Sciences and Maths, I’m going to study Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Further Maths and I’m also pursuing the Extended Project Qualification, with the hope of becoming a psychiatrist in the future.”

Angelina Tihhomirova, who achieved five Grade 9s, said: “I couldn't have been happier with my results. When I first opened the envelope, I was overwhelmed with surprise and happiness. Even more so, I was proud of the effort and hard work I put in over the two years - the extra work I handed in for marking, the interventions I went to.  I am especially thankful to all the teachers that took time out of their day to print out extra work, booklets and exam questions for me.”

Congratulations to all of our Year 13 students on an outstanding set of examination results! It was wonderful to see so many elated reactions as our students secured impressive apprenticeships and places at a range of prestigious universities. &n

Super Learning Day at Heston Community School: A Day of Enrichment and Exploration

Super Learning Day at Heston Community School was a highlight of the summer term, providing students with the opportunity to engage in unique learning experiences outside the traditional classroom environment. This year's final Super Learning Day was packed with diverse and enriching activities tailored to each year group, allowing students to explore new areas of knowledge and develop important life skills.

Year 7: Cultural Exploration and Urban Regeneration

Year 7 students were split into two groups, each embarking on a different journey of discovery. One group visited the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Hounslow, where they had the chance to learn about Hindu culture and practices. The visit included a guided tour of the temple, discussions about the significance of various rituals, and a Q&A session with the temple staff.

"Visiting the temple was a wonderful experience. I learnt so much about Hindu traditions and felt very welcomed by the community." - Maryam Ahmed [7B]

The other Year 7 group focused on the regeneration of the Hounslow area by investigating activity on the High Street. They observed and recorded changes in the local area, discussing the impact of these developments on the community.

Year 8: London Trail

Year 8 students embarked on the London Trail, a walking tour that took them from Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace. They passed through Hyde Park and Green Park and saw many landmarks and monuments along the way. They learnt about the historical significance of these landmarks and the royal history associated with them.

"Walking through London was amazing. I’ve lived here all my life, but this is the first time I’ve really had a chance to explore Central London properly. I had a lot of fun and learnt a lot about the city I live in." - Tanveer Sandhu [8G]

Year 9: PSHE Workshops

Year 9 students participated in a series of PSHE workshops that focused on resilience, anti-vaping, and social media addiction. These workshops were designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge to navigate modern challenges.

"The workshops were really eye-opening. One thing that stuck in my head was when the speaker told us that we can be amongst ‘the brave’ and achieve something in our lives if we are resilient. The main thing I took from this assembly is that if you put your mind to something and be resilient even when things get hard, then you’ll achieve anything you want” – Omar Ahmad [9Y]

Year 10: Maths and English Booster Session

Year 10 students dedicated their Super Learning Day to boosting their Maths and English skills. These intensive sessions were aimed at preparing them for their upcoming exams, providing targeted support in key areas.

Year 12: Mock Assessment Centre and Sports Day

Year 12 students had a dual-focus day with a Mock Assessment Centre for apprenticeship positions and a Sports Day competition. The mock assessment provided students with valuable experience in job application processes, including interviews and group tasks.

“The Mock Assessment Centre was a great idea. I felt that I learnt skills that I can immediately put into action in the real world. It was a good introduction to the world of applying for apprenticeships and jobs and allowed us to practise and learn the skills in a low-pressure environment.” – Kartik Panwar [12G]

The Sports Day competition allowed students to showcase their athletic abilities and engage in friendly competition.

“It was nice to have a Sports Day to celebrate our successes and achievements this year. I liked the inclusive nature of the activities and how they promoted a sense of teamwork and companionship, but also competition.” – Jeevan Gill [12G]

Super Learning Day at Heston Community School was a tremendous success, offering students a break from their usual routine and the chance to learn in exciting and innovative ways. We look forward to seeing how these experiences will inspire our students in their future learning journeys.