Impact of partnership work done in 2023 (ISC annual Census 2024)
- 69 state schools involved
- 2001+ state school pupils involved
- 859 staff hours given
Impact Statement
1. SATURDAY SCHOOL
Saturday School at Latymer Upper started in 1995 and runs annually throughout the spring term for 150 pupils in Year 6 from up to 30 local primary schools. The children are selected by the headteachers for a wide variety of reasons. The aim is to bridge the gap between primary and secondary school, as well as to encourage enthusiasm for learning, and widen and enrich pupils’ knowledge and skills. Through meeting other local children, there are opportunities for participants to form new friendships and develop their social skills and self-confidence.
Feedback from Schools
“All the pupils who attended the Saturday School went to achieve very well in their year 6 SATs. 80% achieved Greater Depth. Moreover, their confidence grew tremendously. It really supported transition to secondary school by giving children a good understanding of what it would entail.” - Marily Troyano (Assistant Head - St Charles Catholic Primary).
“We specifically chose four pupils who we felt would benefit from broadening their learning and subject knowledge in a sustained and focused way that would be difficult to deliver within our timetable at school. The families, and particularly the children, were grateful for this additional input. We feel that these sessions supported their progress alongside the teaching; 3 out of the 4 pupils achieved Greater Depth in all assessed areas of the Year 6 Curriculum (Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling, Reading, Writing and Maths); 1 achieved it in GPS and Maths, nearly achieving Greater Depth in Reading.” - Mark Tomkins (Assistant Head - Avondale Park Primary)
“Saturday School has been great for broadening the education of participating students and they have appreciated opportunities that would not have been available during the normal school day (e.g. to learn a little bit of Spanish). It improves students' confidence to meet other Year 6's from local schools. I think it alleviates some of the anxiety about beginning secondary school. It also increases their aspirations. It decouples learning from constant talk of SATs, making it fun.” Joe Jones (Y6 teacher - Flora Gardens Primary)
“We have a large group of Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils who have continually demonstrated that they have the potential to consider independent secondary schools. We are delighted that the opportunities you present, allow us to give such a range of pupils, with a range of abilities, the chance to taste what it might be like. I can say first hand that several have then gone on to take the tests because of how much they enjoyed themselves at Latymer Upper.” Kieran Gorman (Deputy Head - St John’s Walham Green Primary)
“These sessions have really improved the confidence of our students who attended and a survey we completed showed that 100% of the children enjoyed the experience and thought that they were now able to do things other students in their class could not. They also felt more able to tackle things they did not understand. These sessions are also a valuable insight into secondary school life as part of the transition work with our Y6 students.” Robin Yeats (Deputy Head – Greenside Primary)
2. STEM ACADEMY
STEM Academy runs for four sessions in the spring term for pupils in Y7 and Y8 at local partner state schools. This course mimics the design and engineering process used by scientists and engineers in industry today. During the course, pupils develop and use design and engineering skills to grasp mathematical, scientific and technological skills and concepts. Participants learn to program, experiment and problem solve, as well as developing creative thinking.
Link to a video from the 2018 course: Stem Academy 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plGfyq1TL1I&feature=youtu.be
Latymer teacher Dr Patrick Drumm, who leads STEM Academy, wrote the following:
“The project was a massive success overall in terms of the students’ engagement and most students achieved way beyond their own expectations. This project continues to grow from year to year and this was the largest cohort of students that we have ever had (35 students) ...the weekly attendance rate was 96%. This was largely down to the enthusiasm and commitment of the students, as well as the support shown by the partnership schools.
Whilst students are given support throughout the process, they were encouraged to be self-reflective in testing and refining their programming. Even though this resulted early on in some basic errors, the students showed great resilience and self-motivation in not giving up and showing inventiveness to resolve these problems.”
Feedback from Schools
Parents of students who attended commented, “Inspiring, exciting and thought provoking.” Two of the students who attended have now exceeded their target grades in Science. - Marcel van den Heuvel (Head of Gifted and Talented-West London Free School).
“We used this partnership provision to expose a section of disadvantaged students to an excellent programme focused on the creativity in STEM subjects. The programme was inspiring and engaging for the students involved, and they improved not only in their STEM Knowledge, understanding and skill-set but also in their confidence and independence. The students get exposure to outstanding facilities and resources in the completion of a project, which moves from conception to development and review in a short space of time. 4 students participated in the course and qualitative feedback indicates a striking impact on those involved.”- Eoin Kelly (Deputy Head - Ursuline High School)
3. PRIMARY DEBATING
This project has been running since 2011 and involves up to 50 pupils in Y6 from 12 local partner primary schools. Primary Debating commences annually after October half term and runs until the Easter holidays. Latymer Upper Lower Sixth students teach the course, with a small amount of oversight by staff. At the end of each phase, there is an inter-school debating competition, culminating in a ‘Grand Debating Competition’ at the end of the spring term when a cup is presented to the winners.
Feedback from Schools
“The debating helped lift the confidence of those taking part, as well as helping to improve their ability to listen very carefully to others and work well as a team. Last year, all of our debating children achieved Greater Depth in their Key Stage 2 SATs - one of which had only been predicted to achieve the Expected Standard.” Tanya Zalar (Deputy Head – St Peter’s CE Primary))
“The students are thoroughly enjoying participating in the Primary Debating Programme. They are becoming increasingly articulate and we are delighted that those who do not necessarily 'flourish' at writing have the opportunity to use their spoken skills.” Eimear Fee (English Lead - Larmenier & Sacred Heart Primary)
“Amazing opportunities to be part of something we could not do ourselves; great to be able to offer brightest children such enriching opportunities, inspiring our own School Improvement: oracy.” Claire Fletcher (Headteacher - St Paul’s CE Primary)
“The Debating Club has really instilled confidence into some of our children and provided them with an excellent opportunity.” Emma Harrison (Y6 Teacher/Maths Lead - John Betts Primary)
4. SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY
All Lower Sixth students (190+) undertake voluntary work as part of the curriculum. This is a commitment of up to two hours a week from November until Easter, or beyond. Students regularly visited residents in local care homes for the elderly, carried out weekly one-to-one mentoring at the West London Free School, IntoUniversity and the Rugby Portobello Trust. They helped to run Saturday School, and were in full control of the Primary Debating project.
The volunteers work with young refugees, teaching ESOL at West London College, and 75 sixth form students worked for three days in Calais with the refugee charity Care4Calais on separate trips. More of these are planned for 2019. Many worked with charities for the homeless or disadvantaged, and several have set up charitable initiatives independently, one specifically focused on Period Poverty.
State secondary schools continued to benefit from extension classes taught by L6 students in maths as well as other subjects according to need.
Latymer Upper School has strong links with local primary schools where Lower Sixth students taught Latin and ICT, helped with reading, led playground activities, and assisted at after school clubs of all types from sport to chess or art. This academic year, a new primary school maths project is underway with the charity Maths Teams. Lower Sixth students are running this initiative as maths coaches.
Feedback from Schools
“Our Y10 pupils are able to take advantage of the expertise of the Y12s to help them with a wide variety of subjects in their 1:1 mentoring every Monday lunchtime. This is of benefit to these pupils for the GCSE grades, and for the Y12s who get to practice mentoring and teaching pupils in an unfamiliar setting.” Rupert Littlewood (Assistant Head - West London Free School).
“We love hosting them at our school and enjoy watching the development of the children working alongside each other and the mutual benefits of such a positive working relationship.” Jessica Mair (Headteacher – John Betts Primary)
“I've been really impressed by the willingness of the sixth-formers to 'muck in' and encourage and guide younger students. The voice of an older young person showing interest in a Year 6's writing can boost confidence and self-esteem.” Joe Jones (Y6 Teacher - Flora Gardens Primary)
“The wonderful sixth form volunteers who have helped at our school have done so in an incredibly professional manner and have helped support a variety of projects: from Latin club at lunchtime to helping in classes from Year 1 to Year 6.” Tanya Zalar (Deputy Head – St Peter’s CE Primary)
5. ACADEMIC INTERVENTION (Senior Schools)
Latymer Upper School (LUS) provided weekly twilight sessions in maths, physics, chemistry, biology and English to Y11 pupils from Phoenix Academy.
“The sessions have not only enabled our students to immerse themselves in subject scholarship but they have also raised their aspirations and expectations. This has played a crucial role in helping to redefine their work ethic.” Oliver Knight (Executive Head - Phoenix Academy).
“Our students benefited from the support. They were part of a wider intervention programme that saw Phoenix become the most improved secondary school in London last year.” Mike Baxter (Head of School - Phoenix Academy).
100% of students who attended Latymer achieved grade 5+ in English, Sciences and Maths
80% of students of who attended Latymer achieved grade 7 in English, Sciences and Maths
40% of students achieved grade 8 in English Sciences and Maths
20% of students achieved grade 9 in English, Sciences and Maths
85% of students who attended last year stated that they found the sessions either beneficial or extremely beneficial to their studies.
6. UNIVERSITY ACCESS, HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREERS
The educational charity, Generating Genius guides bright, disadvantaged young people from the BAME community towards admission to top universities, and is a key partner. Latymer Upper hosted two Saturday morning sessions for their current cohort; one in maths, and a second in debating skills, with motions based on science topics and ethics. This year the Generating Genius recruitment evening was held at Latymer. It was very well attended, and helped the process of selecting their new cohort of Y10 Junior Genius students, as well as alerting potential bursary students to the financial help that is on offer at Latymer Upper.
Latymer Upper invited 35 partner senior schools to relevant talks and events throughout the year.
On 26 September 2018, an evening event, ’Studying in the US: An Introduction & How to Apply’, was aimed solely at maintained partner schools, and organised by a Latymer Lower Sixth student, alongside key staff. The speakers were influential admissions staff from Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth. Over 250 local students and parents attended. Partner state schools were also invited to the US LIberal Arts Colleges Evening in September, 2018 and the Canadian Universities Evening in October 2018 alongside students from independent schools.
Mock Oxbridge interviews were offered to local schools, as well as help with the UCAS application process.
Feedback from Schools
“We are extremely grateful for the mock interviews held for our students and would hope that this support could continue next year. Five students obtained Oxbridge offers and the help received from Latymer staff can only have been beneficial. The Economics talk focusing on Brexit, which our sixth formers attended recently, was also a highlight, as well as the talk delivered by Paul Goldsmith as part of our Guest Speaker Programme.” Lucy Frederick (6th Form Registrar - West London Free School).
The Alumni Department at Latymer Upper organises twice yearly networking events for former and current Latymer students in different career areas. Partner state schools are also invited, and students from six local schools attended, some accompanied by their teachers. This year there was an Architecture and Creative Arts event, and a Politics networking evening. These events enable students to meet significant influencers and speakers in a variety of career fields; they also learn the soft social skills of how to network and engage with others.
In 2019 year two events are planned; one for those interested in the Media and another for the Financial Sector. These will be open to partner schools in the state sector.
7. THE PRIMARY SWIMMING PROJECT
The Primary Swimming Project is now in its fourth year and the aim is to teach all pupils of the six participating state primary schools to swim 25m by the time they leave primary school. The national statistic for this is only 30% and dropping according to the ASA. Use of the pool is free.
Feedback from Schools
“Swimming has had an outstanding impact on all of our Key Stage 2 children. It has made it so easy for them to attend top quality swimming lessons and all have made amazing progress.” Tanya Zalar (Deputy Head - St Peter’s Primary School)
“This enhanced provision enables more pupils to leave primary school being able to swim 25 metres.” Dave Collins (Headteacher - Brackenbury Primary School).
“Increased number of children who can swim confidently.” Aby Underhill-Carey (Assistant Head - St Paul’s CE Primary)
8. BURSARIES
175 pupils attend Latymer Upper on bursaries of up to 100% of fees funded through private donations and events as part of the ‘Inspiring Minds’ campaign. 19 of these pupils joined the school in September 2018
Year 7 Bursaries
Bright Sparks again took place at Latymer Upper in association with Generating Genius delivered by Latymer staff and Year 10 volunteers. In May 2018, 60 bright Year 5 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, came to Latymer Upper over three consecutive Saturday mornings (9.30-1pm). They experienced fun, dynamic lessons in English, maths and science. There was 100% attendance at these three sessions and several applications for bursary places at Latymer Upper in 2019 as a result.
The 2017 Bright Sparks project led to four new bursary students in Year 7 in 2018.
Sixth Form Bursaries
As a result of several initiatives, 15 students entered on a bursary to the sixth form in 2018. (9 full and 6 partial bursaries)
