THANK YOU BETTY A fond farewell to our longest serving member of staff
SIXTH FORM CHARITYWEEK 2026 A memorable week of giving TRIPS AND VISITS Trips to Austria, Tate Modern and more LACROSSE NATIONALS 2026 Claremont make history again at the Nationals
As we reach the end of the spring term, we mark a truly momentous moment in the life of our community as we wish Betty Dear a very happy retirement after an extraordinary 54 years of service as our housekeeper at Claremont. Having witnessed decades of change, and now leaving us shortly after celebrating her 80th birthday, Betty’s quiet stewardship and care has shaped daily life here in ways that will be felt for years to come. We wish her a wonderful retirement.
In a short half term there has been no lack of opportunity for pupils as this edition of The Chronicle shows; from thoughtfully led charity initiatives to an impressive array of academic enrichment opportunities Whether debating complex global issues at the LSE, performing Shakespeare, or engaging with leading voices in science, governance and the arts, our pupils have demonstrated curiosity and confidence in equal measure.
As we look ahead to the summer term, I hope this edition of The Chronicle offers a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved in just a few weeks.
William Brierly,
FAREWELL
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
EXPLORING CAREERS IN GOVERNMENT
Councillor Waugh recently delivered an engaging and insightful talk about his role in local government and the work he and his fellow councillors are undertaking at Elmbridge Borough Council. He spoke about the strategic initiatives shaping the borough, including the rejuvenation of key areas, investment in local housing, and the significant impact of the ongoing reorganisation of councils across Surrey
Our pupils asked thoughtful and probing questions, particularly about what it takes to run a successful election campaign and how local government works in relation to Westminster It was a valuable opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of civic leadership and the responsibilities involved in serving the community
CAROLINE HEALEY - INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TALK
We were delighted to welcome Claremont alumna, Caroline Healy (Radnor, class of 1979) to deliver a talk on her work in international development. After leaving Clarmeont, Caroline went on to lead a wonderful career, and has over 18 years of experience helping to improve health services in different countries around the world She has led projects that support people with HIV/AIDS and help mothers and children get the healthcare they need, working with governments and charities in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Her job involved planning and managing projects, working with teams, and travelling to different countries to help make sure people can access important medicines and healthcare.
MARKETING CAREERS TALK
Lotte Spencer, Director of Marketing at InPost, introduced pupils to the Japanese concept of ‘Ikigai’ and encouraged them to think about careers that match their passions, skills and values. Her talk generated lively discussion and many thoughtful questions from the audience
30 MINS FREE AT LUNCHTIME? YOU CAREER JOURNEY COULD SPARK A FUTURE!
Every career has a story and yours could spark a future! We are looking for lunchtime speakers to give a 30 minute “day in the life of ” talk for Year 7 and 8 pupils as they start thinking about their GCSE choices With our new three year GCSE programme giving pupils more time for breadth and depth in their studies, it is more important than ever that pupils access a range of insight to explore subjects that match their strengths and future aspirations
UCAS applications sent for 2026 entry
UCAS offers received in total
success rating of offers so far different courses applied for of cohort also applying for apprenticeships
Several Year 13 students have secured fantastic sport related degree offers at prestigious universities including Durham, Edinburgh, Bath, Loughborough, Exeter and Nottingham Courses secured include Sport and Exercise Science, Global Sport Management and Sports Rehabilitation. Two students have obtained sports scholarships in the US for gymnastics and football. These students will continue to pursue their sports at university level alongside their sport related degree choices.
A fantastic achievement!
FUTURE READY PROGRAMME
This term, we were delighted to launch the Future Ready Programme, designed to encourage pupils from Year 7 upwards to explore careers, broaden their horizons and reflect on their learning. Four pupils have obtained their explorer award which we celebrated in final assembly: well done to Rosie H, Henry S, Harry S and LJ Penfold !
Our Spring Ensemble Concert was a wonderful showcase of the range of musical talent across the school. The programme included lively performances from the Jazz Band, featuring Thomas M as a soloist, atmospheric selections from the Choir inspired by Stranger Things, and an engaging John Williams orchestral medley. Solo highlights included Lara L performing Chopin’s Rondo on piano and Oscar T singing Moondance, alongside a confident duet from Amber-L C and Amerleigh P from Wicked. The evening also featured the String Ensemble and Musical Theatre Club, creating a varied and enjoyable concert for all
PSHEE SPEAKER - DEANA PUCCIO
Reading for pleasure is a habit that reduces stress, strengthens the brain, improves focus, memory, concentration, vocabulary and communication skills. It expands your knowledge, enhances creativity and fires up your imagination What’s not to like?
Year 7 is huge transition for your children and as they change throughout the academic year, so do their reading habits.
HERE ARE MY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR 7 PUPILS:
WORLD BOOK DAY 2026
LITERARY QUIZ
The Year 7 Literary House Quiz was a real highlight of the term and a wonderful celebration of reading during book week. Pupils from all six house teams came together at lunchtime to test their knowledge of three shared books they had read in advance. The atmosphere was lively yet focused, with teams collaborating enthusiastically as they answered a range of questions designed to reward close reading, assimilation and recall
It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement and teamwork, with pupils clearly proud to represent their houses. Participants enjoyed chocolate bookworms, popcorn, and a well-earned pizza lunch and every pupil had the opportunity to choose another book to take home, helping to extend their enjoyment of reading beyond the event itself.
The books read were:
Greenwild: The World Behind The Door by Pari Thomson
The Case of The Vanishing Painting by Brian Gallagher
I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery
“I had an amazing time at LSE this weekend I learnt so much and met so many interesting people, including many international students who are passionate enough about MUN to travel all the way to this world-renowned event”
- Harry, Year 10
“Model UN has also helped me develop many transferable skills that will aid me in the future and in the workplace. For example, it has helped me develop critical thinking and negotiation skills, which will be especially useful in a world of AI. Overall, I really enjoyed the LSE conference and can’t wait for the next competition!”
- Kieran, Year 12
MATHS FEST 2026
Our Year 12 students had a fantastic day at Maths Fest 2026 at Kensington Town Hall, enjoying talks from some of the UK’s leading mathematical communicators. Hosted by Matt Parker, the line up included Sophie Maclean’s exploration of prime numbers, Alison Kiddle’s insights into the maths of decision making, James Grime’s fascinating look at the secret codes behind the digital world, Ayliean MacDonald’s creative puzzle session, and Nicole Cozens’ invaluable exam technique masterclass A highlight for many was seeing Steve Mould demonstrate the “Mould effect” live“awesome to see… by the man himself,” as one student put it Some students also managed to get their calculator cases signed by Matt Parker and Steve Mould The day was described by students as “truly enlightening,” “inspiring, motivational and eye opening,” and a brilliant reinforcement of the exam strategies “our teachers tell us” in lessons
LATIN AND CLASSICAL CIVILISATION TRIP TO THE ROMAN BATHS
Our Year 8 Latin and Classical Civilisation pupils had a wonderful time at the Roman Baths where they learned all about life in a provincial Roman town. Following a tour of the baths, the pupils had the opportunity to chat to some Romans, speak to the dead (translate some funerary inscriptions), and some were even brave enough to sample the mineral water (full of delicious sulphur!) To top it all off, they tasted the delights of the local fudge shops and did some souvenir shopping.
GCSE MATHS IN ACTION TRIP
Year 10 pupils enjoyed an enriching visit to GCSE Maths in Action at the Emmanuel Centre on Wednesday 18 March. They heard from five inspiring speakers, exploring topics ranging from the mathematics of crowd flow to Bernoulli’s principle and its impact on F1 car design, as well as an entertaining look at the unexpected maths behind juggling. A memorable highlight was meeting the infamous Dr Frost, who happily signed calculators and maths books before delivering a valuable session on exam technique, including tips for maximising marks and effective preparation. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all pupils
Year 10-12 drama trip to see Lost Atoms
Year 13 biology trip to the Royal Institution
Year 13 textiles trip to the Fashion and Textile Museum and White Cube Gallery
Year 9-13 trip to Surrey SATRO heat
Year 12 trip to see The Tempest at the Globe
Sixth form trip to the National portrait gallery and Tate Modern
This term has brought a fantastic range of co-curricular opportunities, with something for everyone to enjoy, including a number of new community outreach initiatives. Our gardening club took their enthusiasm beyond the school gates with a visit to Esher High Street, where they planted The Pupils’ Patch, a donated flower bed at the top of the pathway linking the high street with Esher Library and the Civic Centre. We were also delighted to launch crochet club, marking the first time we have brought together current pupils and alumni in a shared creative project. Together, they have been crafting crocheted bees in celebration of Claremont’s own resident hives behind Fan Court. W t h thi t h th h f l ti ill ap ected ‘ra
CLUB NAME: CHILL ‘N’ CHAT INVITING: YEAR 7 & 8
DAY / TIME: WEDS, 1.30PM - 2.15PM ROOM: AR3
SOCIAL SCIENCE WORKSHO
On Wednesday 25 February we held our Vocal Music Tea in the Great Room. It featured fantastic performances from pupils inY3 up to Y13, performing a wide range of repertoire, including Gershwin, musical theatre classics and current pop hits and more. The Stable Court choir also gave a super performance of selections from The Lion King, filled with energy and expression. Our audience also got a sneak peek of our upcoming production of High School Musical, with a duet of Breaking Free
Claremont pupils who scored in the top 10% nationally for the Bebras Challenge in November were invited to compete in the “The Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge” The aim of the 45minute coding challenge is to enhance skills, build confidence, and inspire students to develop programmed solutions to computational thinking problems. Mrs Cox is extremely proud of all those who competed.
On Wednesday 18 March, the English department ran the ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition. After an incredible afternoon of poetry and performance, Petrina Tate, renowned educator and performer, assisted by Chloe Fabregas, head of the English department, had the unenviable task of choosing two winners. After great deliberation, Teddie Goode’s recital of John Cooper Clarke’s ‘I wanna be yours’ and Emily Thomson’s performance of Walter de la Mare’s ‘The Listeners’ were chosen. Both Teddie and Emily will proceed to the next round in the competition
After advancing through the English Speaking Union (ESU) Performing Shakespeare competition in our internal heat at school, Claremont's two winners, Will G and Hattie H travelled to Lady Elanor Holles school to participate in the second round of the competition.
Will portrayed Caliban from The Tempest, skilfully showcasing Caliban's torment at constantly being depicted as a villain, when he is arguably a true victim of Prospero's colonisation of the island. Hattie played the traumatised character of Lady Macbeth from the ‘Scottish play’, highlighting her fractured state when the guilt of planning King Duncan's death finally catches up with her
Both Will and Hattie performed superbly, showcasing some amazing dramatic talent! The competition was fierce, and even though they were not selected to advance to the next round, they received high praise from the judges. Well done!
MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY
GCSE and A level Food & Nutrition students were treated to a cutting edge culinary experience this term during a Molecular Gastronomy Masterclass that brought science and creativity together in spectacular style.
The session introduced students to innovative techniques used in top professional kitchens, including spherification, flavour encapsulation, and textural transformation Pupils had the opportunity to experiment with ingredients such as agar agar and maltodextrin, producing everything from fruit “caviar” to melt in the mouth chocolate soil
The masterclass not only strengthened students’ practical skills but also deepened their understanding of the scientific principles behind modern cuisine. Students described the workshop as “inspiring” and “unlike anything they’d ever done before.”
This dynamic experience has sparked new excitement in the department, with students eager to bring molecular techniques into their upcoming assessments and practical work.
CLAREMONT’S CAKE AT BREAK WINNERS
The inaugural Classics Day proved an inspiring and action-packed celebration of the ancient
ALUMNI HERITAGE NEWS:
A HISTORIC TAIL FIN RETURNS TO CLAREMONT
The Hawker Association generously supported the donation and preparation of an original and significant aircraft component, created under the leadership of renowned aircraft designer Sydney Camm It is now proudly displayed in the entrance foyer of the Sir Sydney Camm Science and Technology Building.
Sir Sydney Camm and his team from Hawker Siddeley were based at Claremont Mansion during the War, when the girls of Claremont School were evacuated to Llandrindod Wells in Wales between 1940-1945. Camm joined the Hawker Aircraft Company in 1923 and became Chief Designer in 1925. Over the course of his career, he was responsible for the design of 52 Hawker aircraft, ranging from biplanes such as the Hawker Hart in the 1930s to the legendary Hawker Hurricane, widely regarded as the workhorse of the Battle of Britain during the Second World War. In the post-war years, Camm was credited with pioneering aircraft including the Hawker Hunter and ultimately his visionary concept for the Harrier jump jet.
“WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS REMARKABLE PIECE OF HISTORY ON DISPLAY IN OUR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING, BRINGING CLAREMONT’S HISTORY FULL CIRCLE. WITH THANKS TO TAYLOR PEARCE LTD FOR FITTING THE TAIL FIN.”
Ms Bradford, Claremont’s Community & Alumni Officer
SIXTH FORM STUDENTS AND OUR YEAR 1 JUNIOR SCHOOL PUPILS
ENJOYED READING TOGETHER FOR WORLD BOOK DAY
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, a group of Claremont’s sixth form students visited our junior school to read with our Year 1 pupils. As you can see, it was lots of fun and a wonderful opportunity for our younger pupils to enjoy stories shared by older role models, and an equally rewarding experience for our senior students, who embraced the chance to support and inspire. We believe strongly in the value of whole-school activities that bring different age groups together These shared experiences help pupils learn from one another, build confidence and strengthen the sense of community that lies at the heart of our school.
HALF TERM HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS
The second half of the spring term has been full of creative, competitive and spirited house events. Year 7 launched with the House Literary Competition, reading three books between teams before testing their knowledge in a lively quiz. Badminton for Years 7–10 brought energy to the sports hall, with Norwood taking the win and Stanmore and Banstead sharing second place. In the Minecraft Competition, pupils built Claremont-themed creations, with Esher finishing first, followed by Norwood and Longcross.
The term concluded with the much-loved Easter Egg Rolling Competition on the Triangle, before a high-energy House Music finale, showcasing impressive talent and house spirit.
Stanmore currently lead the leader board, with Longcross close behind, followed by Norwood, Esher, Banstead and Radnor. With summer term to go, it is still all to play for.
BADMINTON COMPETITION MINECRAFT COMPETITION
END OF TERM
HOUSE MUSIC COMPETITION
THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG ROLLING COMPETITION
A CRACKING CLAREMONT TRADITION
Pupils embraced a much-loved Claremont tradition ahead of Easter with the annual egg rolling house competition. Pupils carefully painted and decorated their hard-boiled eggs before racing to roll them down the hill on the Triangle, hoping theirs would make it to the bottom uncracked. Full of colour, creativity and laughter, the event was a joyful way to celebrate the season, round off the term together and earn valuable house points. Well done to Molly S, who won for Stanmore, gie M third for
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
YEAR 8 NETBALL & FOOTBALL TRIP
The Year 8 netball and football trip was an amazing experience and a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved where the pupils got to develop their passion for their sport and learn new skills On the Friday evening, the students kicked things off with some competitive matches at Laser Quest. On Saturday morning, the girls were lucky enough to take part in a coaching session with Meg Perkins, while the boys enjoyed a professional coaching session from West Bromwich Albion F C Later, both teams went to watch their live sport, with the girls at the Motorpoint Arena for the Netball Grand Final double-header and the boys at The Hawthorns to watch West Brom win 3–0. The next day, the girls played their own netball fixtures against Sutton Town Netball Club, and the Boys also took part in competitive and enjoyable fixtures themselves
UNDER THE LIGHTS VICTORY
U12 RUGBY TEAM EARN SECOND PLACE
The U12 squad showed great determination throughout a challenging opening group, facing strong teams from Dulwich Prep, John Fisher and Broomwood. Despite some tough results, the boys maintained their focus and secured fourth place in the pool, progressing to the medals competition in the next stage.
In the second round, the team really found their rhythm Competing in a very closely matched group, they produced two hard-fought draws and finished with a well-deserved win. Their efforts earned them an impressive second place in the medals pool.
qualifying for the national championships in Sheffield for the U14 girls’ category This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to her hard work, skill and commitment.
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
1ST VII NETBALL: CLAREMONT TRIUMPH OVER DUNOTTAR
Claremont’s 1st VII delivered an impressive performance on home court against Dunottar. A feisty, physical first half set the tone, but clinical attacking play and solid defending saw the team maintain focus and consistency throughout. Their determination paid off as they secured a wellearned 18–10 victory against a strong, competitive opposition, showcasing teamwork and resilience.
CELEBRATING BEN’S TENNIS SUCCESS
U12B DEFEAT RAA IN FOOTBALL
Claremont U12B started strongly, with the whole team linking up well and showing relentless energy. Will G’s longrange strike rattled the bar, but Will S opened the scoring after a slick move Callum tested the goalkeeper, and solid defending kept the lead at halftime After RAA equalised, Claremont responded brilliantly, with Will S scoring again to restore the advantage. Strong defensive work from James and tireless midfield play from Callum helped the team hold on for a well-deserved victory, showcasing determination, teamwork, and skill.
COLOMA CUP
Over the half-term break, Ben achieved an outstanding result at the Sunderland Boys U14 National Tournament. Originally listed as second reserve, he was called up less than a week before the event to take the final qualifying spot as player number 32 In the opening round-robin stage he played three matches across two days, spending over seven hours on court. After a narrow tie-break loss to the number 15 seed, Ben bounced back with a convincing win before defeating the number 5 seed 4–6, 6–4, 10–6 in a thrilling two-hour match to secure a place in the final 16 main draw.
He then narrowly lost 4–6, 5–7 to a player ranked 26 in the country. Despite picking up an injury and having to withdraw from his next event to recover, it was an incredible achievement and a fantastic experience for Ben.
THE PUPIL’S PATCH ON ESHER HIGH STREET
Claremont Gardening Club pupils Evie and Emilia have been working hard to revitalise an overgrown plant bed along Old Church Lane, the pathway that leads from the high street to Esher's Library, supporting volunteers’ group, Esher Planters’ Club. They’ve done a fantastic job selecting plants that reflect Claremont’s royal heritage and our school grounds and community. In the front, they planted lavender, attracting the bees from the hives here on site at Claremont. In the centre and along the back of the bed are camellias. When Claremont was a royal residence, Princess Charlotte was particularly fond of camellias and would stroll through what is now the camellia terrace at our National Trust neighbours, Claremont Landscape Garden. The Pupils’ Patch serves as a special nod to Esher’s rich garden history at Claremont, and brings lovely colours, scents and story telling to Esher High Street.
THE BIG FEED EVENT
On 9 April we are looking for volunteers to assist with labelling, portioning, and packing of 5000 meals for charity, in support of Thomas Franks Foundation, our school caterers charity See the poster below for more information. We hope to see you there!
Scan the QR code and listen to the audio track recorded by gardening club that tells the story about The Pupils Patch - their plant choices and how they reflect our school grounds, past and present.
Friends of Claremont
NEWS & UPDATES: THE FRIENDS AT WORK
THE FRIENDS OF CLAREMONT ARE OUR PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION, BRINGING FAMILIES, STAFF AND PUPILS TOGETHER TO SUPPORT SCHOOL LIFE.
THROUGH EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING, THEY HELP ENHANCE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL. HERE’S THEIR LATEST UPDATE!
The Friends of Claremont are really excited to announce they are hosting a Summer Soirée on 27 June, to be held on the school grounds. The event is open to all parents and carers who have children at the school. We wanted the event to be a more casual affair than the bi-annual ball and therefore you don’t have to organise tables of 10 and it’s not a sit down meal format, no speeches etc. Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Claremont Connect on Tues 14 April and usually sell out within minutes so do make sure you can access the site in advance. We hope it will be a really fun midsummer evening, with drinks, food, music and dancing and an opportunity for everyone to let their hair down at the end of the school year. We hope lots of you can make it!!
