Posted on: 17/06/2025Holocaust Testimony 360 ProgrammeToday, our Religious Studies department had the privilege of welcoming a team from the Holocaust Educational Trust to deliver their powerful Testimony 360 programme. Sixty of our Year 9 students engaged in an unforgettable learning experience that brought them face-to-face virtually with one of the darkest periods in human history, through the lens of faith, morality, and the enduring power of testimony. Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, students explored key Holocaust sites, including Auschwitz concentration camp and the moving Holocaust memorial along the River Danube in Hungary. The immersive nature of the tour encouraged students to reflect deeply on the moral questions raised by the Holocaust on human dignity, justice, the consequences of prejudice, and the importance of remembrance. Perhaps the most impactful part of the experience was the opportunity to interact virtually with Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack. Susan, who endured unimaginable suffering during World War II, has recorded thousands of answers in a green screen studio, allowing students to ask her questions directly and hear her responses in real time. Through this technology, our students were able to ask about her experiences of childhood, persecution, life in the camps, and the horrific death marches. They also explored her personal reflections, asking questions such as which football team she supports and what she appreciates most about life in the UK. For Religious Studies, this experience offered rich opportunities for spiritual and ethical reflection. It challenged students to consider the importance of memory and testimony in combating hatred and promoting compassion. Hearing Susan’s story helped them understand not only the horrors of the past but also the strength of the human spirit and the need to uphold values of love, tolerance, and justice in our world today. We are incredibly grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for their work and dedication. Their mission to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive is a vital one, and this experience will stay with our students for a long time both intellectually and spiritually. View Article
Posted on: 4/04/2025Celebrating Work Experience WeekLast month, our Year 10 students took part in Amery Hill’s first Work Experience Week for many years – and what a success it was! We want to say a huge thank you to all the parents, carers, and employers who supported our students and made these incredible opportunities possible. Our students completed placements in a wide range of industries, including accountancy, kitchen design, broking and underwriting in the London insurance market, engineering, sports coaching, manufacturing, graphic design, air traffic control systems, fire and rescue, publishing, scientific research, and architectural design – to name just a few! Throughout the week, students reflected on what they had learnt: · “Getting real life experience” · “Meeting new people and learning new skills” · “Learning pathways into law” · “Insight into how the real world works” · “Provided opportunity for interesting experiences” A special thank you also to Queen Mary’s College, who supported the week, giving students the chance to develop their soft skills while working alongside college staff. We are extremely grateful for their support. If you or your organisation would like to get involved in offering a work placement to our students in the future, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at careersadmin@ameryhill.school. View Article
Posted on: 9/05/2025Local MP Damian Hinds Visits Amery Hill for Lively Student InterviewThis week, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming our local Member of Parliament, Damian Hinds, to Amery Hill. Mr. Hinds was interviewed by our Year 9 students as part of the British Values Module within our 'Education for Life' programme. Giving our students a deeper understanding of public life, representation, and politics is a crucial part of their personal development here at school. This direct engagement with an elected representative offered an invaluable opportunity for our Year 9 students to grasp how parliamentary democracy works and the role of an MP. Our students truly stepped up, showing both keen interest and excellent preparation. They posed some truly insightful questions to Mr. Hinds, covering a range of topics relevant to both local and national issues. This interaction not only enriched their understanding of British values but also encouraged critical thinking and active citizenship. We're incredibly grateful to Damian Hinds for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit Amery Hill and engage so openly with our students. His willingness to share his experiences and perspectives made for a highly educational and inspiring session. We very much look forward to his next visit! View Article
Posted on: 12/05/2025Hairspray Star Inspires Amery Hill's Performing Arts StudentsThis week, Amery Hill buzzed with excitement as we welcomed Ben Anderson, an actor from the UK tour of Hairspray. Ben led three incredible workshops for our current and future Dance and Drama stars. Ben guided students through choreographing and performing steps and scenes, sharing vital insights into musical theatre. The sessions included workshopping performances under audition conditions, allowing students to refine their skills in a professional setting. We are really grateful to him for taking a break from his schedule to come and share his incredible energy and musical theatre know-how with us. The Dance Studio was full of students after school reprising the steps they had learnt with Ben, so it's safe to say his visit truly inspired those he worked with! View Article
Posted on: 21/08/2025GCSE Results 2025We extend our warmest congratulations to the Amery Hill School Class of 2025 for their superb results in their GCSE exams. Their results indicate even better progress than that made in previous years, and fantastic attainment. This year group has impressed us all with their determination, focus and positivity, both in their studies and in the way they have contributed to the wider life of our school. They have consistently supported one another and embodied the kindness and consideration that underpin our strong sense of community, at the heart of Alton – a wonderful legacy to the school. At Amery Hill, our motto is ‘Education for Life’. We aim for every student to leave us as a confident, independent and resilient young adult, ready to thrive in the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The Class of 2025 have lived out these values, working in partnership with our dedicated staff and with the invaluable encouragement of their families. Their results are a clear reflection of what can be achieved when aspiration is matched with commitment and character. We are incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished. Their success once again highlights the importance of our core values: Independence, Creativity, Active Learning, Resilience and Empathy. With these qualities, the Class of 2025 are extremely well-placed to embrace their next steps – whether that be college, apprenticeships or training – and to do so with confidence and purpose. They started their Amery journeys in uncertain times but now have given themselves certainty about their futures. It has been a privilege to work with this fantastic year group - they will be remembered for their energy, determination and good humour. On behalf of the whole school community, I wish them every success, health and happiness as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives. R Jeckells HeadteacherView Article
Posted on: 14/03/2025British Science WeekChange and adapt was the theme for British Science Week 2025 and Year 7 classes were set a challenge to design a simple wind turbine capable of lifting a mass off the floor to bench height. They have explored modifying existing designs to produce turbines which either spun at certain speeds or could lift the most weight. There were some very creative designs. Engineers of the future? We certainly think so! View Article
