Year 7 Open Morning - July 2025

Good morning, and a very warm welcome to Newstead Wood School. 

I’m delighted to be joined on stage today by members of our Head Student Team, as well as Anika and Eleanor—students who are just completing their first year with us. 

Today is your opportunity—as prospective students, families, and friends—to experience what makes Newstead Wood such a special place. It’s a chance to explore our vibrant school community and to understand our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and personal development. As you tour the school, I encourage you to speak with our staff—and especially our students—who can offer a vivid and authentic insight into life at Newstead. 

Newstead is a successful school because of the people within it—and we are incredibly fortunate to have some truly remarkable individuals here. We work hard to create opportunities for every student to succeed. And success takes many forms: academic achievement, personal growth, leadership, resilience, and meaningful relationships. Our students leave us as confident, capable individuals—aware of their strengths and responsibilities, and ready to make a difference in the world. 

We are proud to be an intellectually stimulating and academically challenging environment. Our students are naturally curious, hardworking, and passionate about learning. Combined with our culture of high expectations and rich opportunities, this leads to exceptional outcomes. We are consistently ranked among the top-performing state schools in the country and are regularly rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. In their most recent visit, inspectors noted that “students thrive here”—a sentiment we are proud to uphold. 

But our success is not just measured in grades. We are ranked as one of the top grammar schools nationally for student progress—meaning we add significant value to each student’s journey, regardless of their starting point. We were delighted to be recognised by The Sunday Times as London State School of the Year 2025. 

Our students go on to study at the world’s leading universities, across a wide range of disciplines—from traditional academic subjects to modern, innovative courses, and increasingly, prestigious degree apprenticeships. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Newstead student—except that they are all successful. We celebrate individuality and diversity in every sense. 

We are incredibly proud of our students—not only for their personal achievements but also for their contributions to school life and the wider community. 

At the heart of our ethos is the development of the whole person—not just the intellect. We aim to nurture confident, resilient, creative, and compassionate young people who are ready to lead, to serve, and to thrive. To support this, we offer a wealth of opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop new skills. 

We believe that personal development is essential for living a fulfilled life and for adapting to an ever-changing world. Our students will be the generation tasked with solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges—climate change, sustainability, global peace. While they are with us, we guide them to become socially responsible adults, capable of making ethical, informed decisions and leaving a positive mark on the world. 

There truly is something for everyone at Newstead. We place great emphasis on student initiative—if a club or society doesn’t exist, we’ll help create it! From academic societies and professional pathways like Medicine and Dentistry, to sports, Knit and Natter, Japanology, Global Social Leaders - our co-curricular life is rich and varied. Our Diversity Forum celebrates all cultures, and last Thursday we hosted our Asian Celebration Evening in honour of South Asian Heritage Month, followed by Japan Day on Monday, and China Night (yes, I’m singing in the Chinese Choir!). This sits alongside our Community Iftar, A Pinch of Spice, Cultures Day – all student led – and next week’s Cultural Arts Week, which features a wide range of creative workshops. 

Our curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in essential knowledge while also developing the skills needed for further study and the workplace. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students study traditional subjects alongside programmes that build independence, research, and real-world problem-solving. Tonight, our Year 9 students present in the final of the Wings of Hope Achievement Awards Ceremony at The London Business School, and on Monday we travel to London Drapers Hall for the Sell a Snack Enterprise National Final. Last week our Year 12 Biologists presented their research at the Royal Society.  

At Key Stage 4, students enjoy a broad GCSE curriculum, complemented by our vibrant elective programme. 

Our Sixth Form is thriving and oversubscribed. We offer a wide range of A Level courses, including subjects new to many students such as Classics, Psychology, and Economics. Leadership development, pastoral care, and enrichment are central to our Sixth Form experience, ensuring students are well-prepared for university and beyond. 

The partnership between home and school is vital. We are committed to working closely with families to give every student the best possible opportunities. 

We are proudly a girls’ school and an academically selective one. Research from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (2023) highlights the benefits of this environment: 

• Classrooms are less disruptive, with students seeing a clearer link between effort and opportunity. 

• Girls report greater satisfaction in working hard toward goals and persisting through challenges. 

• Wellbeing is a strength, with fewer incidents of bullying and a strong sense of belonging. 

At Newstead, we focus on nurturing confidence, leadership, and aspiration. We understand how girls learn best and provide the support and mentoring they need to flourish. Most importantly, we create a space where they can truly be themselves. 

Newstead Wood School is a happy, positive, and vibrant place. We want our students to enjoy their seven years with us—to work hard, discover their talents, embrace new challenges, and always strive to be their best. Our success is built not only on the brilliance of our students but also on the dedication of our exceptional staff—both teaching and support—who inspire and guide them every step of the way. 

Thank you for joining us today. Newstead is a school rooted in traditional values, yet progressive in outlook. Learning is at the heart of our community, and I am incredibly proud to lead this exceptional school. I hope today has given you a glimpse into our ethos, our values, and our aspirations for every student. I look forward to the possibility of working together with you in the near future. 

Thank you. 

Good morning, everyone, I am Hana and am the current Deputy Head Student. I study English Literature, History and Politics A levels and I have walked the spacious corridors of Newstead since Year 7. Thank you all for coming this Saturday and I hope I can persuade you to apply to our brilliant school.

From Year 7 right up until Sixth Form, students are encouraged to become well-rounded and talented individuals that go on to be leaders in their fields, contribute positively towards society and achieve amazing things.

Now I know these are broad claims, but I assure you they are true. From the moment we start Year 7, students are encouraged to lead, debate, critically evaluate and be empathetic.

This is taught through a range of activities and competitions such as Foundation Studies in Year 7, where we learn debate and important current affairs as well as friendship and how to deal with pressure.

In Year 8 we have Enterprise, where you present your charity to a panel of experts for a chance to gift them £1000. This is so important to develop empathy and kindness as well as leadership.

In Year 9 we have the Performing Arts competition where forms put together a 15-minute musical production with a role for everyone whether that is singing, dancing, acting, controlling lighting, playing the piano or even designing costumes and writing a script. Everyone is included and has a part to play.

I know academics are important – we have an excellent reputation and achieve some of the best results, which is a reflection of the brilliant teaching and resources available. Something that I think has benefited me is the challenge.

It can be daunting at first, as I am sure many of you are the smartest in your schools and coming to a school where everyone is just as intelligent and bright is unfamiliar. But being surrounded by like-minded girls that are just as passionate and interested in the variety of subjects Newstead incorporates in its brilliant curriculum is the best environment to be in as a young girl. I benefitted hugely as my brain felt challenged in the classroom and I developed passion for the subjects I now study at A level and an appreciation for the complexity of others. Newstead does a lot to support you through your secondary education – the support room, extending deadlines, additional support lessons if you find a subject tough. And most importantly, for the first time I felt encouraged to ask questions and be comfortable in being “smart”.

The last thing I want to touch on is how Newstead celebrates diversity. On Thursday we celebrated Asian Celebration Evening, in April we celebrated A Pinch of Spice, in March I led our third interfaith Iftar event, and every year we hold We Are Newstead Day, that celebrates the range of ethnicities and cultures that make up our school community. Truth be told, my heritage wasn’t something I was encouraged to celebrate when I was younger but when I arrived here, I saw other girls eating the same special food as me, wearing the same vibrant clothes and speaking the same language. It is a truly beautiful experience finding people who share these things with you but what was even more important was tasting, dancing and listening to so many more rich cultures and sharing special moments with my peers. I hope one day you can experience these events too.

We are so much more than a school, we are a diverse community that champions every young girl no matter who you are, and I hope you can experience the same truly wonderful secondary education I have had at Newstead Wood School.

Especially to the children, as you walk around the school and explore our various departments, I urge you to ask questions, read the work, talk to our students and I hope you get a feel of the wonderful school I have called home for the past 6 years and counting.

Good morning parents and future Newsteadians. I am Anika and I am in Year 7. I remember visiting last year, and it feels amazing to stand here now and represent my school today. Thank you, teachers, for this wonderful opportunity!

I am sure everyone here today has this one question in their mind: Is Newstead Wood the school for me? And the only right answer that I can give to you is YES!

YES! Newstead is the school for you because of the variety of opportunities it has to offer from music to, clubs, trips, drama, sports and science, there is something for everyone.

From the very first day, the teachers and other students were kind and welcoming. There is always someone to help if you’re lost or have a question. And before I knew it, I was making new friends, joining clubs, and feeling like I truly belonged here.

Since starting here, I’ve already learned so much – not just in lessons, but about my interests and my potential. The teachers challenge us to think differently and try our best, and they’re always there to help us when we need it. The lessons are challenging in a good way, and the teachers really encourage you to try your best, be curious and aim high – whilst making learning enjoyable.

But Newstead is not all about tests and grades, it's about growing as a person. The best and most special thing about Newstead is the community. My friends fill my days with fun, enjoyable memories; we all support each other to try new things and bring out the best in us.

We host many competitions throughout the year. These events involve designing or researching something that is better for the planet: for example, recently we had Science Expo where we presented our experiments, research and models. The theme, this time, was UN Sustainability! These competitions are there to make us aware and to collaborate with others.

I recently joined the DT club and have already learnt how to design and print 3D models with the help of my peers! Clubs are available during lunchtime and not only after school so anyone willing to do it, can! This is just one of the examples of the amazing resources that Newstead has to offer!

I hope your visit today gives you a good sense of how special this school is. I’m proud to be a student here, and I hope most of you will be joining us soon!

Thank you,

Starting secondary school was a big change for me. I felt excited and ready for it but I had worries too. Things like traveling to school by myself, getting used to new subjects and having different teachers for each subject.

At first the school felt enormous. I had never had to move around between different classrooms before, so I was worried about getting lost and being late for lessons. However, this wasn’t really a problem and I quickly learnt to find my way around.

Most of all, I think I was worried about making new friends. I only knew one person that was starting, so I was scared. I needn’t have been. Within my form group and across years I have made many friends. I have found people like me who share my interests, especially in the clubs that I fill my lunchtimes with, and in the extracurricular activities I do after school.

Having never worn a blazer before it felt a bit strange and stiff at first. However my blazer has so many pockets — which, let’s be honest, are a life-saver. It’s Tardis-like: tissues, pens, snacks, the occasional crumpled-up timetable… all magically fit inside. It’s like having an extra invisible backpack.

The blazer makes us look serious and is also a symbol that shows people that we are from Newstead. A few months ago at a science event in London a well-dressed businesswoman came over to me and said “I know that blazer. I went to your school” and while browsing in a bookshop an old lady came up to tell me she went to Newstead too, and they were some of the happiest days of her life. I now love my blazer and find it extremely useful.

My experience of Newstead has been very positive. Being here has given me many responsibilities and opened up lots of new opportunities to me.

I have really enjoyed my first year here and I am excited to see what Year 8 brings.

Thank you and enjoy your visit.