CHRONICLE THE JULY 2026
IN THIS EDITION: GCSE AND A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN EXHIBITION A celebration of creativity HOUSE CUP 2026 Final house scores revealed ENRICHMENT WEEK Curiosity, creativity, academic discovery and adventures CLAREMONT GALA DAY 2026 A celebration of fun, family and community
HELLO & WELCOME THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR As we reach the final edition of The Chronicle for this academic year, it is a pleasure to look back on this extremely busy half term. In these closing weeks of term, the pace has not slowed. Instead, it has provided some of the most memorable moments of the year. From the creativity on display in our GCSE and A level art and design exhibition, to the spirit and determination seen on sports day and across the house competitions, this edition captures the richness of life across the school.
Gala day 2026
A particular highlight has been enrichment week – and this year brought the added challenge of a red weather warning across much of the week, requiring thoughtful adaptations to the programme. Despite this, pupils fully embraced the experience. Whether through residential trips, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, local volunteering or creative projects, they demonstrated resilience, flexibility and positivity throughout. Gala Day will be remembered as a joyful celebration of everything that brings our community together. Pupils, families, staff and alumni shared in a day full of activity, entertainment and fun– who would have known Mr Stanley would make such a talented compere at our first ever dog show? As Year 13 prepare to move onto the next exciting part of their lives, James, one of our school captains for 25/26, reminds us of the lasting impact of a Claremont education; one that extends far beyond the classroom and stays with our pupils long after they leave. I hope you enjoy looking through this edition and I wish you a restful and enjoyable summer. William Brierly Head
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Claremont does Crufts 2026
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
ALEX THORNTON: MOTORSPORT CAREER TALK We were delighted to welcome back Alex Thornton (class of 2005), who returned to Claremont with his restored Le Mans-style racing car. As part of the Student Futures “A Day in the Life” series, Alex shared insights into his career in motorsport with pupils and led an engaging session with the Junior School go-karting club. It was wonderful to see Alex back on site, inspiring our pupils and reflecting on his time at Claremont.
EXPLORING THE BRAIN: YEAR 12 PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS ATTEND NEUROSCIENCE MASTERCLASS Year 12 psychology students recently took part in an inspiring Brain Day with renowned neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton, participating in a one-day intensive neuroscience programme that explored our understanding of the brain and mind in the 21st century. Throughout the day, students learned about the workings of the healthy brain, the impact of brain damage, the links between neuroscience and criminal behaviour, and exciting future developments in brain research. A particular highlight was the opportunity to take part in a brain dissection, providing a unique hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of brain structure and function. The event offered a fascinating insight into the field of neuroscience and enriched students' understanding of topics studied in psychology.
STUDENT FUTURES
YEAR 7 AND 8 SKILLS WORKSHOP - WITH LEGO! As part of the Year 7 and 8 PSHEE curriculum and the Student Futures Programme, all pupils participated in a LEGO-based workshop delivered by Finding Power in Purpose. The aim of the workshop was to encourage pupils to reflect on the skills required in the modern workplace. During the session, pupils took part in a team-based challenge to design and construct the tallest earthquake-resistant structure using LEGO. Working in groups, they developed key employability skills such as communication and collaboration, while also demonstrating adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances.
30 MINS FREE AT LUNCHTIME? YOUR 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 three-year GCSE programme giving pupils more time for 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.
DO YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING CAREER PATH, A ROLE YOU LOVE OR LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY, WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO GET INVOLVED. EMAIL: LWIGLEY@CLAREMONT.SURREY.SCH.UK.
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FROM NURSERY TO UNIVERSITY REFLECTIONS ON MY CLAREMONT JOURNEY BY JAMES WILSON, YEAR 13 SCHOOL CAPTAIN HELLO, MY NAME IS JAMES WILSON. IN 2011, AS A CURIOUS THREE-YEAROLD, I JOINED CLAREMONT NURSERY. TODAY, WITH A MIXTURE OF ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT, I AM PREPARING TO LEAVE SIXTH FORM AS A SCHOOL CAPTAIN. AS I PREPARE FOR AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY, I WANTED TO REFLECT ON MY TIME AT CLAREMONT.
Fifteen years! That's when my journey began with my first (much smaller) foot steps into Claremont’s nursery, aged just 3. As I look back, my experience has given me far more than my education. This school: the people, the teachers, the opportunities and the values have shaped the person I am today. Do not underestimate the impact a school experience like Claremont will have on you! I have grown from a little boy to a young man on these grounds... And I truly believe I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have had that experience.
THE SCHOOL HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, AND I HAVE CHANGED WITH IT.
Over my time at Claremont, the school has changed enormously, from the teachers to the buildings. I have been fortunate to see the school undergo its most rapid transformation, including the opening of the Sir Sydney Camm science and technology building, the Orchard maths classrooms, the garden rooms, the new music studios, the new dining room... And of course, our expanding sixth form centre, which has grown with the sixth form students to become a standout success. When I joined nursery, there were 12 students studying to Year 13 at Claremont. Today, I am one of over 200 students studying towards higher education and our professional pathways. This expansion has wholly benefited my education from my first lesson experimenting with a Bunsen burner for the first time, through to the celebration of air conditioning arriving in the Orchard classrooms, it has been clear to see during my time at Claremont that it has benefited from the growth, change and evolution.
THE MEMORIES, MOMENTS AND MILESTONES WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON ME. I have a lifetime of memories to look back on from my years at Claremont, but a few certainly stand out. In October, I was fortunate enough to be part of the school’s expedition to Morocco. Over our 13 days there, we visited indigenous towns, hiked through the Atlas Mountains, rode camels through the Sahara and explored the Souks in Marrakesh. It was an unbelievable experience of a completely different landscape
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Click here to view all photos from the exhibition
and culture, whilst I certainly won’t look back at the two days I spent feeling like a corpse after getting food poisoning very fondly, the entire experience is something I am truly grateful for. Another standout moment would certainly be GCSE results day. I think there is something very powerful in seeing that all your years and years of effort in your education have finally amounted to something tangible. That sense of achievement and pride in what you have accomplished is something I hope every student experiences at one point or another.
OPPORTUNITIES HERE HAVE HELPED TO SHAPE ME, MY INTERESTS AND AMBITIONS. The vast array of different opportunities at Claremont is something I have probably taken for granted over my time here, as it was all I knew. But even still, there was so much to get involved in. Starting with the Minecraft club in Year 7 (which I remember being particularly excited about), football training, personal 4 statement workshops, and so
much more. The Inspire lectures have also been a welcome addition to the educational opportunities, and I think a talk by Rick Findler, a photojournalist, was a particular highlight, as his ability to capture the emotion in live war zones was a powerful story that you would not usually get in a classroom.
THERE ARE LIFE LESSONS I WILL TAKE WITH ME BEYOND CLAREMONT. After so many years at Claremont, I realise that many of my values and life lessons have been shaped on the school grounds. Reflecting back now, there are certainly a couple that stand out. First, it is confidence in yourself, the people around you, in your work and what you can achieve. As you grow and move comfortably in an environment, I think it's inevitable that you become more confident, but life at school is not forever. Confidence is so key, it’s one of the first traits new people who meet you will pick up on, and can open endless doors to new friendships, relationships and opportunities – the challenge is to take that strength with you once your school days are over. Second, is the importance of the people you choose to be around. My time at Claremont was only so incredible because of the close friendships and relationships I had built with people in my years and with the teachers; that is what makes going to school every day a choice, not a chore.
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BEING SCHOOL CAPTAIN IN MY FINAL YEAR AT CLAREMONT HAS BEEN AN HONOUR. It has been a dream of mine since I was in Year 3, when I saw the School Captain giving a speech. In my earlier school years, up until Year 9 or 10, I was a fairly introverted guy, still finding my confidence. Being chosen for the role was a crucial part in changing that, as whilst at the start of the year it was certainly demanding, the ability to actually influence decisions in the school, establish new traditions like the sixth form Winner Dinner and raise thousands of pounds for charity through the revival of Charity Week, was a big part of making the role and contribution feel significant. But undoubtedly, the greatest skill I will take away from it all is public speaking. It was something I had done very little of before becoming School Captain, but the numerous speeches I have delivered at sixth form open evenings, open mornings, assemblies, Gala Day and Graduation Dinner have been among the most rewarding experiences of my time at school. I believe the ability to communicate effectively and confidently to a large group of people is such an important life skill – and I would encourage every pupil and student to take an opportunity they can to practice it.
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Click here to view UNIVERSITY IS A NEW JOURNEY all photos from I CAN’T WAIT TO EMBARK ON. The future after school the isexhibition intimidating for many. But I won’t claim it isn’t slightly daunting, but the overriding emotion is just excitement. The careers support at Claremont was indispensable in me achieving two interviews at the University of Oxford, and offers from Manchester, Bristol and Leeds. Whilst having the breadth of options was comforting, it also posed a very daunting question of what to choose. Still, I believe I have made the right decision by accepting my offer to study Law at the University of Nottingham in September, as it’s a new journey I can’t wait to embark on.
SCHOOL AND LIFE ARE NOT THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, IT’S THE HAPPINESS OF THE PURSUIT. My advice to younger pupils as they begin their Claremont journey is simply to enjoy it. I don’t want to be the one to tell you to work hard and behave yourself, since everyone already does. But what I think is easy to do, as I know I certainly did it, is to be unappreciative and constantly wish your school life away. Regardless of how little you want to wake up at 7 in the morning and go straight into an English lesson, you have to realise one day that you will miss it, as at no other point in your life will you see your friends every day and have as little responsibility as you have now. I do believe that it is the very nature of education, the deadlines and final exams, that you can spend so much time rushing to the finish line that you can miss the journey. There is one quote that articulates this point and is something I try to remind myself of every day: that school and life are not the pursuit of happiness, 5 it’s the happiness of the pursuit. 5
MRS ROBERTS
recommends... MRS ROBERTS, SENIOR SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
WHY READING FICTION IS SO IMPORTANT IT’S SUMMER HOLIDAY TIME, THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A GREAT STORY. HERE I EXPLORE WHY FICTION IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN AN ENJOYABLE READ, DRAWING ON EXAMPLES FROM SOME OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS.
Reading challenges your point of view... Think about Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. He is cruel, vindictive, abusive, and obsessed with revenge. Yet generations of readers have viewed him as tragic because Brontë makes his emotional wounds and longing tangible. That’s the power of storytelling.
Reading makes you more able to empathise with those around you and teaches you about different cultures... Khaled Hosseini’s books The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns are good examples. Readers who know little about Afghan society or Islam, come away with a much more nuanced understanding of how faith, family, social expectations, and political upheaval shape the lives of the characters.
Reading helps you understand and make better sense of the complex world we live in... At first glance George Eliot’s Middlemarch is a novel about life in a small English town. But Eliot uses that setting to show how individual lives are interconnected with larger forces: politics, economics, social expectations, religion, education, marriage, and ambition. Rather than presenting heroes and villains, she portrays people with mixed motives who affect one another in ways they often don't fully understand.
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Reading improves your memory, concentration, vocabulary, communication skills, creativity, imagination and your mental health... To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, told through the eyes of a child, is full of rich, accessible vocabulary. Readers need to remember details, conversations, and events that become important later in the story. They need to follow the plot, courtroom scenes, and character relationships requires sustained concentration. The novel provides examples of persuasive speaking, careful listening, and understanding different viewpoints, all solid communication skills. The novel encourages reflection on fairness, courage, and compassion.
Reading can push you outside of your comfort zone and encourage you to try new things and travel to new places... If there was ever an advert for exploring, travelling and searching for something beyond ordinary life then The Beach by Alex Garland is surely it. Until it flips and becomes a cautionary tale about the dark side of searching for a utopia that doesn’t exist.
WISHING YOU A SUMMER FULL OF STORIES, SUNSHINE AND SMILES. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
And of course, reading is entertainment... Freida McFadden’s novel The Housemaid has sold somewhere between 4.5 and 5 million copies worldwide. It may not be a literary masterpiece, but you can’t say that it isn’t entertaining
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HOUSE NEWS MR WALKER, DEPUTY HEAD OF HOUSE END OF YEAR WINNERS!
LONGCROSS WINS THE 2026 HOUSE CUP! We have rounded off the year with a fantastic run of house events, full of competition, creativity and community spirit. The recent tennis tournaments for both Years 7/8 and 9/10 were hotly contested, with Norwood taking the Year 7/8 title and Radnor winning the Year 9/10 competition. The Newspaper Fashion Competition once again impressed, with outfits more elaborate and stylish than ever before, but with Esher emerging as welldeserved winners. Many pupils also took part in a creative writing competition, where judging proved particularly challenging due to the high standard and number of impressive entries. The House Stalls at Gala Day was another real highlight, led brilliantly by our Year 10 House Captains, who organised a range of stalls including a tombola, splat the rat, penalty shootout, hook a duck, tin can alley and ring toss. Thanks to the generosity of the school community, an incredible £4000 was raised, and combined with £2000 from the Christmas Fair, a total of £6000 will be donated equally to Rentstart, Macmillan and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. We are very grateful for all the donations and support that made this possible. Sports day provided a fitting finale to the competitive calendar, with pupils giving their all in every event to earn valuable points for their houses on the final day of the year. The competition was fierce throughout the day, and congratulations go to Longcross, who were crowned Sports Day champions. Congratulations to Longcross, who secured the House Championship with 2197 points. The final overall standings were: 1st Longcross (2197), 2nd Stanmore (2153), 3rd Norwood (2095), 4th Banstead (2086), 5th Esher (2079) and 6th Radnor (2018). Well done to every pupil who contributed points for their house during the year every event and every point truly mattered. We look forward to another busy, exciting and highly contested year of house competitions ahead!
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO OUR NEWLY APPOINTED YEAR 11 HOUSE CAPTAINS AND PEER MENTORS Year 11 house captains, vice house captains and peer mentors play a vital leadership role at Claremont, supporting younger pupils in vertical tutor groups and helping to organise house activities. They take special care to support Year 6 pupils transitioning into senior school, ensuring they feel welcomed and listened to. Peer mentors also assist younger pupils in accessing clubs and activities and work closely with pastoral staff and heads of house. All peer mentors are well prepared for their role, completing a mentoring certificate and receiving safeguarding training, empowering them to confidently raise any concerns, an essential life skill. They take great pride in their responsibilities, developing valuable skills like communication, responsibility, and teamwork that go far beyond academic achievements and prepare them well for sixth form and beyond. We extend a huge thank you to our outgoing peer mentors for their dedication and leadership. They have been a true inspiration and many are moving on to further leadership roles as captains, vicecaptains, and prefects in the sixth form. Looking ahead, we warmly welcome our new peer mentors starting in September. We are excited to see the enthusiasm, commitment, and talents they will bring to this important role.
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“OUR YEAR 11 HOUSE CAPTAINS AND PEER MENTORS ARE STEPPING INTO THEIR ROLES WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP. AS THEY SUPPORT YOUNGER PUPILS THROUGHOUT SENIOR SCHOOL, THEIR CONFIDENCE CONTINUES TO GROW ALONGSIDE THOSE THEY GUIDE. THEY MAKE A TRUELY MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THEM THRIVE IN THEIR NEW ROLES DURING THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR” RACHEL HEARD: ASSISTANT HEAD, PUPIL WELFARE & DDSL
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HOUSE SPIRIT SHINES
AT SPORTS DAY
Sports Day was a wonderful celebration of talent, teamwork and determination, truly capturing the spirit of having a go, doing your best and celebrating success together. Although slightly delayed due to the recent hot weather, the extra time only added to the excitement and gave pupils the chance for a little extra practice. Every pupil took part in a range of track and field events, approaching each challenge with enthusiasm, resilience and encouragement for one another. There was an incredible display of house spirit as pupils proudly wore their house colours and cheered on their teammates. It was a memorable day filled with energy, camaraderie and pride, creating special moments on the last day of term. Congratulations to our podium houses: Longcross in 1st place, Banstead in 2nd, and Esher in 3rd.
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HALF TERM HIGHLIGHTS NEWSPAPER FASHION HOUSE COMPETITION
YEAR 7 TRAVEL SHOW On Tuesday 30th June parents and staff were invited to an unforgettable adventure with Year 7 pupils who brought the wonders of the United Kingdom to life at the annual Travel Show. The sports hall was transformed into a vibrant collection of posters, leaflets, display boards, local delicacies to sample, and costumes. We had Mary Anning’s fossil collection, a Northern Irish leprechaun, a live dinosaur, a traditional Highland dress, and an interactive tour the Jurassic Coast, just to mention a few of the highlights! The range of food (most of it homemade) varied from fat rascals to scones with jam and clotted cream, Glamorgan sausages, Fifteens, and the infamous Dorset knobs.
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THE ART AND DESIGN CELEBRATION OF EXHIBITION AGCSE & A LEVEL CREATIVITY
Click here to view all photos from the exhibition
This year, the art and design department proudly showcased the exceptional work of our Year 11 and Year 13 exam students across art, photography and textiles. The exhibition was held in the Mansion’s Great Room, Drawing Room and Henry Holland - spaces that provide a stunning backdrop with natural light from our high ceilings and Georgian windows perfectly showcasing the pupils excellent creative work on display. The exhibition featured an impressive variety of media, reflecting the personal journeys and artistic outcomes of each student. From expressive paintings, intricate printmaking, detailed drawings and experimental mixed media pieces, to striking photographic compositions, sculptural textile works and entirely handmade garments, the range and quality of the work was truly inspiring.
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ENRICHMENT WEEK
CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY, ACADEMIC DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE
Enrichment Week is a highlight of the Claremont calendar, giving pupils the chance to step outside the classroom and take part in exciting, hands-on experiences both on campus and beyond. This year’s programme offered a brilliant mix of creativity, exploration and adventure.
ENRICHMENT WEEK ACTIVITES 2026 407
PUPILS TOOK PART IN 4 RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
176
PUPILS COMPLETED D OF E EXPEDITIONS
200
VOLUNTEER HOURS GIVEN TO LOCAL CHARITIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
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THURSDAY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING 7 OFF-SITE OPPORTUNITIES
126
DEDICATED STAFF
“THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR MAKING THE WEEK SO MEMORABLE — ESPECIALLY OUR AMAZING TEACHERS AND STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND FLEXIBILITY.”
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Rachel Heard: Assistant Head, Pupil Welfare and DDSL
ENRICHMENT WEEK 2026 During an unusually warm Enrichment Week, pupils embraced a rich programme of experiences beyond the classroom, showing a real spirit of adventure. Residential trips for Year 7 and 8, alongside Duke of Edinburgh silver and bronze expeditions were adapted to meet the heat and provided opportunities to challenge themselves, build independence and strengthen friendships. More locally, pupils enjoyed everything from Harry Potter Studio Tour and Guildford Lido to indoor climbing and paddlesports. They also made a real difference, completing more than 200 hours of volunteering in the local community. Creative highlights such as Field to Fork and Claremont does Traitors brought teamwork (and a little drama). Another memorable enrichment week!
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GALA DAY 2026 A CELEBRATION OF FUN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY We were delighted to welcome pupils, families, staff, and alumni for this year’s Gala Day, a much-loved celebration of everything that makes our community so special. From the moment the gates opened, the school was filled with energy, with families enjoying a fantastic range of activities, performances and experiences across the site. Our pupils took centre stage with musical performances, junior school singing and talent shows, while visitors also enjoyed exploring our senior and junior school art exhibitions, taking part in house activities and discovering more about the history of our beautiful surroundings. There was plenty of opportunity for fun and friendly competition too, with house stalls, sporting activities, the inflatable zone, a Fan Court Fun area and our first ever Claremont Dog Show bringing smiles and laughs throughout the morning. A huge thank you goes to all of the pupils, staff, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the day such a success. Events like Gala Day are a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community and the shared experiences that bring us together.
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2026 DOG SHOW GALA DAY
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YEAR 13 GRADUATION DINNER
2026
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PRIDE MONTH Throughout June, Claremont proudly celebrated Pride Month with a range of activities recognising and celebrating our diverse school community. Pupils also organised a successful bake sale to raise money for charity, showing their commitment to supporting others. We were especially delighted to welcome Frankie from Just Like Us, who visited the school to present our Equality Alliance group with national Runner-up and Winner awards. This is an outstanding achievement, and we are incredibly proud of our pupils and teacher, Mr Marquez, for receiving this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication to promoting equality, inclusion, and acceptance is an inspiration to our whole school community.
CAKE AT BREAK WINNERS The Claremont Cake is awarded weekly in recognition of pupils who go the extra mile, both in the classroom and beyond. Congratulations to those who have been celebrated this half term including: National Psychology Competition: Year 12 Psychology students impressed judges and academics by producing a short video and presenting their work as part of a national psychology competition. Although they were not victorious, they gained invaluable experience and insight into university-level study and presentation skills. KS3 Chill 'n' Chat Club: Year 12 students have volunteered every Tuesday lunchtime since January to support the KS3 Chill 'n' Chat Club. They have been exceptional role models, consistently demonstrating kindness, empathy, enthusiasm and a genuine commitment to supporting younger pupils. Esher Heritage Art Project: Pupils represented the school brilliantly by painting a flower planter on Esher High Street with artwork inspired by Claremont's heritage. The project was supported by the Esher Planters' Club as part of the Esher in Bloom initiative. John Muir Club: Members of the John Muir Club are recognised for their outstanding efforts in clearing West Acre and building bug hotels. Their commitment to environmental conservation and improving the school grounds has been exceptional throughout the year. High School Musical Cast and Crew: Congratulations to the cast and crew of High School Musical for their dedication, teamwork and hard work in delivering a fantastic production. Their commitment both on stage and behind the scenes helped make the show a great success.
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SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
U14A CRICKET TEAM DEFEND REMARKABLE TOTAL The U14A cricket team produced an outstanding display of resilience and teamwork to secure a thrilling victory over Wimbledon College. After being bowled out for just 71, Claremont responded with exceptional bowling and fielding to restrict Wimbledon to 66-9. Harrison (2-8) led the attack, supported by Brodie (1-4), Max (2-5) and the rest of the bowling unit. George was named Player of the Match for his excellent wicket keeping in a memorable team performance.
FENCING SUCCESS AT SURREY YOUTH TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS Our fencers achieved outstanding results at the Surrey Youth Team Championships on 14 June, with every team winning a medal. Claremont fielded teams across the U10, U12, U14 and U18 age groups, securing a total of eight medals, including three championship titles. We are particularly pleased to celebrate the success of our U12 team, whose winning fencers will be joining the Senior School in September. Congratulations also to Comet P, LJ P, Ben H and Ella G-F, who took on the challenge of competing in the Senior Surrey Championships, showing great determination, resilience and enthusiasm against far more experienced opponents.
ARCHERY- MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIPS At the Middlesex Championships at Osterley on 24 May 2026, our archers competed in extreme heat of 32°C and showed excellent resilience and sportsmanship throughout. Comet produced a standout performance in the York round to win gold and set a Surrey County record (pending confirmation), while Rosie secured gold in the Bristol II round with a strong, consistent shoot. Isabelle impressed in the Bristol IV round, earning the Lady Paramount’s Prize for her performance and conduct, and former pupil Max also achieved gold in the Bristol II category. Despite the demanding conditions, all archers performed with great determination and represented the school exceptionally well.
ELISE - REFEREEING & OFFICIATING I’ve had the opportunity to referee and assist on several high-level fixtures across both grassroots and academy football. Highlights include officiating the U16 Girls County Cup Final between Inspire Girls and London City Lionesses, as well as refereeing academy fixtures involving both Chelsea F.C. Academy and Fulham F.C. Academy. I have also run the line as Assistant Referee for the Capital Cup Final between Fulham Women First Team and AFC Wimbledon Women First Team. In addition, I have officiated fixtures at professional stadiums including Gtech Community Stadium (Brentford FC) and Craven Cottage (Fulham FC).
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BEN - REFEREEING RUGBY Huge congratulations to Ben M on an incredible first full season refereeing rugby! This season, Ben has refereed fixtures including the U16 Quinn’s Cup Final at The Stoop, an U18 Colts Final on Finals Day, and Surrey U17 vs Middlesex. A brilliant achievement and an inspiring example of getting involved in sport beyond playing.
SPORTS AWARDS CEREMONY The recent sports awards evening was a fantastic celebration of the dedication, talent and commitment shown across Fan Court, Stable Court, and the Senior School in Sport. It was a truly memorable occasion, bringing together pupils, staff and parents in a positive and uplifting atmosphere that reflected the ethos of sport within our school. Throughout the evening, a wide range of awards highlighted performers of the year, most promising players and pupils who have contributed to school sport. Each sports awards event showcased not only success on the field or court, but highlighted the dedication, teamwork and resilience that underpin all participation in sport. We would also like to extend our thanks to our guest speaker and Claremont alumni, Kate Staples, who was very inspiring and a great role model for pupils. Her speech and questions added great value to both events and certainly left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. Another mention should go to sixth form students Ethan G and Emily I for the fantastic words to our Fan Court pupils who loved hearing about their Claremont journey through sport. Overall, the sports awards evening was a great success celebrating achievement, recognising effort, and inspiring continued participation and excellence in the year ahead.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS WE HAVE BEEN BUSY CONNECTING WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY - THERE IS SO MUCH WE CAN SHARE, LEARN AND ENJOY TOGETHER. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS! ART IN BLOOM: CLAREMONT PUPILS TRANSFORM AN ESHER HIGH STREET PLANT BOX Next time you are in Esher High Street, see if you can spot the newly Claremont decorated planter box! Building on our collaboration with the Esher Planters Club, the planter was designed and painted by our talented art pupils. In keeping with a ‘Esher famous faces and places’ theme, the artwork celebrates some of Claremont's extraordinary heritage, featuring Claremont’s royal roots and Queen Victoria’s holidays here, along with the estate's rich architectural legacy, shaped by visionaries including Capability Brown and Sir John Vanbrugh. It is a wonderful splash of colour, creativity and local history - we hope you like it!
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL It was brilliant to see Claremont develop a community link with Hersham FC this past academic year. From pitch-side branding at their Desborough Island grounds, to Claremont proudly featuring on their U10 and U11 girls’ training kits, and our pupils volunteering as match-day photographers. There are also some exciting opportunities for pupils coming this summer: Hersham FC’s pre-season training runs throughout August for all age groups from U8 to U18, boys and girls. Whether your child is brand new to football or looking to develop their skills further, the club offers a fun, inclusive and community-driven environment for all abilities. Hersham FC is also on the lookout for aspiring coaches across all age groups. A great opportunity for young people keen to get involved in grassroots sport and start their coaching journey. Find out more and register your interest via: db@hershamfc.com
VISIT THE NEW CLAREMONT DEN SITE AT PAINSHILL, COBHAM If you're looking for a fun family day out this summer, why not visit the brand-new den site at Painshill, Cobham, proudly sponsored by Claremont? This wonderful woodland space invites children to explore, create and play freely in nature. As two historic sites with a shared passion for outdoor learning, we're delighted to be partnering with Painshill to support this exciting new area. Our junior school pupils have already enjoyed visiting as part of their enrichment programme, with Reception children walking like minibeasts, discovering wildlife and wildflowers and building their own dens. A huge thank you to the team at Painshill for such a warm welcome. We hope many Claremont families will enjoy discovering this fantastic new space. A NEW LEASE OF LIFE IN AFRICA FOR PRE-LOVED SPORTS KIT WITH DBA AFRICA! A huge thank you to Storm and Alison from the amazing charity DBA Africa for visiting Claremont to collect and rescue our old sports kit. DBA Africa works to support communities in Africa by providing educational and sporting opportunities, including access to donated equipment and resources that help children learn, play and thrive. The kit is now on its way to Africa! We’re proud to support this initiative and delighted that our pre-loved kit is helping others through such a positive and meaningful project.
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THE DOWNLOAD PODCAST: NEW EPISODES OUT NOW! Don’t miss the latest episodes of The Download, the brilliant weekly podcast from our junior school Digital Explorers Club. This term’s special guests include Esher resident and dog behaviourist Aftab, plus a fascinating conversation where the pupils interview Mr Brierly. Tune in now to hear what our young podcasters have been up to! LISTEN TO THE DOWNLOAD HERE...
SEE YOU AT THE CLAYGATE SHOW!
Community notice board
Make sure you visit the Claremont stall at the Claygate Flower & Village Show on Saturday 11 July. We’ll be making CLAREMONT HERITAGE OPEN DAY, fairy crowns,selling our delicious SATURDAY 19 SEPT, 10AM - 5PM Claremont honey and hiding our little Join us for Claremont’s annual Heritage Open Claremont crochet ‘random acts of Day, together with our neighbours at National kindness’ bees to be found and taken Trust Claremont Landscape Garden. It will be a home, plus pupils are entering the junior fun family day with something for all ages. art competition categories. Tour the historic mansion, follow our pupils’ heritage trail and join our grounds team for an On Saturday 29 August it’s immersive outdoor tree tour, while children Esher’s West End Village Fair enjoy an adventure trail with prizes. Free entry Look out for the Winterdown and open to Claremont families as well as the Coffee van, who will be serving wider community. For info email: a special edition panini, CLAREMONT FAMILIES DRINKS AT kbradford@claremont.surrey.sch.uk featuring Claremont honey. GET 10% OFF
WINTERDOWN COFFEE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
ENJOY A FAMILY WALK & VISIT WINTERDOWN COFFEE ON THE RIVER IN WEST END, ESHER.
OPEN DAILY 8AM - 4PM DOG FRIENDLY!
WEST END LANE. KT10 8LA
10% OFF
DRINKS FOR CLAREMONT FAMILIES AT WINTERDOWN COFFEE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Claremont Fan Court School
The Winterdown Coffee van returns to Claremont in September, serving takeaway hot drinks and pastries: Weekdays during drop-off and pick-up, located in the Fan Court car park / Saturday sports fixtures, located in the top car park, Portsmouth Road.
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Dates for your diary 13 AUG
A level results day
20 AUG
GCSE results day
10 SEPT
Prize giving - approx 4:30pm Parents/pupils will be notified in advance if they are required to attend this event.
13 SEPT
Open morning 9am - 1pm
16 SEPT
Year 9 and 12 information evenings
22 SEPT
19 SEPT
Sixth form options evening
Details and timings will be sent in due course.
Heritage open day 10am - 5pm
Wishing you a lovely summer 22
The Chronicle | summer term 2 | 2026
The Chronicle | Summer term 1 | 2026
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SCAN TO VIEW THE PARENT PORTAL
www.claremont.net
SCAN TO VIEW THE PARENT PORTAL
www.claremont.net
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