Summer 2026

15 May – NEWSLETTER

EDITION 65

Head’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

I would like to start this week’s edition by wishing all those who started their exams this week the best of luck over the course of their exam period.

In this edition, we share the exciting news of our Year 10s visiting Capital One to take part in a workshop. Their creativity and teamwork skills were a fantastic representation of our school community.

Tim Fox
Headteacher


We are currently looking to secure work experience placements for our Year 12 students on 25 – 26 June 2026. In particular, we are searching for placements in the following areas of work:

  • Law
  • Journalism and media
  • Healthcare
  • STEM

If you can help the school source placements for our Sixth Formers, please email Ms Douse: rdouse@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk.


We are incredibly proud to say that 33 schools across the country, as well as representatives from the Department of Education, visited Highbury Fields to learn from our best practices in attendance, behaviour and teaching.

The visit included opportunities for visiting schools to meet students and obseve lessons, as well as learn from senior leaders.

To find out more about this incredible accomplishment – click the button.


Year 10 students recently visited the Capital One offices, to take part in a full-day  workshop focused on developing workplace skills and learning more about the modern world of work.

During the visit, students had the chance to hear from Capital One employees about their career journeys and the roles available in the financial services sectors. Students also enjoyed a tour of the office, to see what a modern working environment may look like, and took part in a range of interactive activities designed to build employability skills. The day ended with a business-style challenge where students worked in groups to create a campaign aimed at young people, before presenting their ideas to a panel. This was a chance for students to show their creativity, and practice their confidence and teamwork skills.

We are proud of how our students represented the school and would like to thank Capital One for hosting such an engaging and enjoyable experience.


On Thursday our wonderful water sports team once again headed out for the water and had a great time.

The students had to learn how to paddle board, which as you can see by the picture is no easy feat. One by one they all fell in the water, but don’t worry, the laughter was infectious and Teayanna, one of our Year 7s, said it was fun but a bit scary.

We can’t wait for next week to see what water sport they will be learning next. Well done team!


Alessia is one of our incredible students currently working on their Bronze DofE.

Alessia has taken up rock climbing as her physical skill and she is thoroughly enjoying it, as you can see from the picture. The skills and energy that she is displaying are incredible. So, well done Alessia!

Alessia is exceptionally dedicated to completing her Bronze DofE and attends rock climbing once a week. We’re all rooting for Alessia and can’t help but think, what a great role model!


One of our Year 8 students, Emily, took part in the UK Junior Maths Challenge and has done fantastically well, winning gold.

She has qualified for the Junior Kangaroo challenge, which is a follow on for those who achieve incredible results in the UK Junior Maths Challenge. Emily will have 60 minutes to answer 25 multiple choice questions. She has already accomplished a phenomenal achievement and we can’t wait to hear how the Junior Kangaroo challenge goes.

Well done Emily!


sign up on Arbor Today so you don’t miss out

We have some fantastic trips lined up. Scroll through the carousel below to see what’s in store for each Key Stage.


There are many trips coming up for which we are seeking parent volunteers. If you are willing to chaperone students on any of the following trips, please email rdouse@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk or call the school. The approximate time commitment is also included below:

  • Year 10 Neals Yard Dairy trip: 19 May (9am – 1:30pm)
  • Year 10 Imperial War Museum: 26 June (8:30am – 3:30pm).

Attendance

Here are top performing forms for attendance last week:

Top Forms for Attendance
Year 7: 7/Winona LaDuke – 99.5%
Year 8: 8/Serena Williams – 99.47%
Year 9: 9/Wangari Maathai – 98.30%
Year 10: 10/Angela Carter – 98.21%
Year 11: 11/Margot Fonteyn – 97.67%
Sixth Form: 12/Berta Cáceres- 100%


Merit Awards

Congratulations to all students who achieved merit milestones last week.

30 Merits
Form tutor Merit
.

Year 9: Letty



.

60 Merits
head of year Merit
.

Year 9: Myah and Letty



.

120 Merits
Headteacher Merit
.

Year 7: Ameerah
Year 9: Safi, Sara, Nailah, Asma, Safa, Ruwayda, Lacey-Belle, Ja’Kayla

.


Students of the week

This academic year, we have introduced ‘Students of the Week’ to recognise individuals who have demonstrated excellent commitment to learning and the community. Here are the successful students from last week:

Year 7
7/Frida Kahlo – Phoebe
7/Chimamanda Adichie – Charlotte
7/Rosa Parks – Bilen and Poppy
7/Helen Sharman – Alicia

Year 8
8/Alicia Keys – Elfida and Alice
8/Jane Goodall – Sarya and Shannon
8/Margaret Atwood – Angelina
8/Marie Curie – Annabelle and Lyra
8/Nawal El-Saadawi – Erin and Violet
8/Serena Williams – Grace

Year 9
9/Barbara Hepworth – Elif
9/Olga Korbut – Alessia

Year 10
10/Jacqueline Du Pré – Maryamo
10/ Kadambini Ganguly – Najma
10/Mae Jemison – Afifah
10/Nicola Adams – Esila
10/Sylvia Earle – Isabelle

Year 11
11/Ada Lovelace – Salma


Our Parent Community


Islington offers a variety of parenting programmes designed to support parents and carers with children, from birth to 19 years old. This includes programmes and courses for: strengthening families, ADHD parenting support, Islington togetherness, and more. These programmes are designed to promote emotional health and well-being by supporting relationships within families. They are free and can be accessed online or in-person.

Follow the link to find out more about the individual programmes.


Food support in Islington is available through various food banks, community food hubs, and hot meal services; including hubs at ARC (N1), Elizabeth House (N5), and Ringcross (N7). Services often require referrals or pre-registration, although some offer open drop-ins.


Dates for your Diary

year 10 – Food trip to neal’s yard

19 May

Bronze DUke of
Edinburgh
Week-end Expedition

12-13 June

Silver DUke of
Edinburgh
Week-end Expedition

12-13 june

year 13 BBQ

19 June

Walton-on-the-naze
trip

19 June

Year 12 bath
trip

24 June



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