Spring 2026
30 January – NEWSLETTER
EDITION 53
HeadTeacher’s Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to this week’s newsletter.
I was very pleased to see so many parents and carers at yesterday’s Sixth Form Parents’ Evening. Conversations reflected on Year 12s’ transition into the Sixth Form, as well as students’ subject progress so far, looking at how they can best prepare for the remainder of the academic year. For Year 13s especially, this is a vital year in their academic journey and I was impressed to see all students appreciating the responsibility that comes with this stage in their education.
In recent newsletters, we have shared stories sent to us from the parent community. In the interest of continuing this, we encourage you to tell us about your child’s successes outside of school and submit your articles for future newsletters.
Tim Fox
Headteacher
Congratulations from the Secretary of State for
Education
Last week, Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education wrote to Highbury Fields congratulating the school community on last year’s excellent exam results.
In our GCSE results, an incredible 88% of students attained a grade 4 or above in English language and 82% achieved a grade 4 or above in mathematics, both significantly higher than the national average for girls. Meanwhile, 95% of A-level results achieved were between A* and C grades, while the national average was reported to be 77.7%.
“Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement.”
– Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education
We are pleased that students have the recognition that they deserve for the commitment they demonstrate every day to their learning and the community.
Highbury Fields has subsequently been asked by the Department for Education to participate in the ‘RISE education fortnight’ – a London-wide initiative taking place in March. We will open our doors to other schools and show what makes Highbury Fields a community of academic and social success by sharing our attendance, behaviour and teaching practices.
SIXTH FORM SUCCESS
Sixth Form interviews
From next week, students across Year 11 will be attending their Sixth Form interviews. This is an opportunity for Year 11s to showcase their knowledge and skills, as well as ask any questions they may have about Sixth Form life at Highbury Fields.
Students have been allocated interview slots by order of applications received. If you have applied but not yet received your invitation to interview, this will be because you applied later than others; do not worry, you will receive your interview details in the coming weeks.
For any questions or concerns about Sixth Form admissions, please email Ms Morgan at admissions@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk.
Trips and Enrichment Activities
Belgium Trip – Parents Information Meeting
5pm Tuesday 3 February | The Atrium
Next week, we are hosting an information meeting for all parents and students signed up to the Year 9 Belgium Trip in February.
Students and parents are expected to attend this meeting at 5pm on Tuesday 3 February as we will share important information about the trip. Please bring your passports and GHIC cards as these must be handed in.
We encourage parents and carers to come prepared with any questions you may have about the trip. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing further information about this fantastic trip!
Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winners
On Monday, students from across the school attended the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards held at Islington Assembly Hall.
Students shook hands with Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rosaline Ogunro, and received their medals and certificates, recognising them as outstanding young people.
Well done to all winners for 2026!
Other news from around the school
Computer Science Bebras Challenges
In the autumn term, Computer Science students from Year 7 to 9 took part in the Bebras Computer Science Challenge, a national competition entered by students across the country.
The competition challenges students’ computational thinking and problem solving skills.
Highbury Fields performed exceptionally well, with 14 girls achieving scores in the top 10% nationally.
Congratulations to all who took part—this is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the many talented computer scientists at Highbury Fields School.
Grantham Climate Art Prize
Imperial College London is holding its annual Grantham Climate Art competition for young people aged 11–25 and invites students to reimagine what a thriving, eco-friendly city could look and feel like. Students can submit a landscape mural design exploring innovation, nature and sustainability.
The winning design will be transformed into a 20-metre-long mural at Imperial College London’s White City campus by professional artist Jeru Nomi. Two runner-up designs will also be exhibited on campus. Prizes include £250 for the winner and £150 for each runner-up.
Designs should consider creative climate and eco-solutions, with guidance available on the Grantham Institute website. To enter, upload a clear photograph or scan of your artwork by Monday 13 April 2026.
Our Parent Community
Feature in our next Newsletter
We are always eager to share more stories about student success in our weekly newsletter.
Whether your child competes in regional swimming competitions, or volunteers in the local community, we would love to hear from you!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ HFS Rewards ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Attendance
Here are last week’s top performing forms for their attendance:
Top Forms for Attendance
Year 7: 7/Frida Kahlo – 98.19%
Year 8: 8/Serena Williams – 97.08%
Year 9: 9/Barbara Hepworth – 96.74%
Year 10: 10/Angela Carter – 95.77%
Year 11: 11/Margot Fonteyn – 96.96%
Sixth Form: 13/Tanni Grey-Thompson – 95.45%
Merit Awards
Congratulation to all who received merit awards last week. It’s fantastic to see more and more students achieving 120 merit awards and even 240 merits!
30 Merits
Form Tutor Merit_
Year 10: Sabiha, Tamar, Kaamila, and Marnie
Year 11: Hawa, Zudem, Fatimah, Ajeib, and Taleah.
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60 Merits
Head of Year Merit
Year 7: Celine
Year 9: Elif, Zara, Claudia, Rana, Aalaa, Isabella, and Sophia
Year 10: Aisha, Ahsoka, Ahlam, and Maria
Year 11: Ikran, Beatrice, and Ayana.
120 Merits
Headteacher Merit
Year 7: Myia, Sabrina, Alisha, Jawhariyo, Eliza, and Meriem
Year 8: Phoenix, Taybah, A’Kaylah, Mikhaila, and Mary Jane
Year 10: Zoe, Zerina, and Aya.
240 Merits
Board of Governors Merit
Year 7: Amen Andarge and Safina.
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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/Chimamanda Adichie – Issi-Iyak and Sabrina
7/Frida Kahlo – Emilia
7/Helen Sharman – Nafeesah
7/Junko Tabei – Emmylou
7/Rosa Parks – Isra
7/Winona LaDuke – Jamilla and Aldana.
Year 8
8/Alicia Keys – Alice
8/Jane Goodall – Maha
8/Margaret Atwood – Emily
8/Marie Curie – Aziz and Aaliyah
8/Nawal El-Saadawi – Sabrin
8/Serena Williams – Minni.
Year 9
9/Barbara Hepworth – Zoe and Aarya.
Year 10
10/Angela Carter – Lujayn
10/Jacqueline Du Pré – Savanna
10/Kadambini Ganguly – Tia
10/Sylvia Earle – Sara Weeydow.
Year 11
11/Ada Lovelace – Zeynep
11/Andrea Levy – Hatice
11/Kelly Holmes – Trinity
11/Malala Yousafzai – Elifnaz
11/Margot Fonteyn – Ghena, Amaryllis, Rim, and Ehssan.
Dates for your Diary
Belgium trip – Parents information meeting
3 February
Year 10 French – BFI Study Day
5 February
Year 12 Politics – Greater London Authority Trip
9 February
Belgium trip
11-12 February
Year 10 – Parents’ Evening
12 February
Year 13 – Uni cooking masterclass
13 February
LATEST GALLERY
Gallery: Perform Morning – Autumn Term 2025