Subject Leader of Physics

Heathside is a high achieving 11-18 co-educational converter academy with 7 forms of entry totalling 1264 students on roll, 202 of whom are in the sixth form. In 2019 91% of students achieved Grade 4 English and Mathematics.  At A level 71% of students gained A*/B and our 3 year Alps T score was 3.44. The school’s value added has risen year on year together with its GCSE average point score. Although we are pleased with this progress, which places us in the top 20% of schools nationally, (P8 0.41) we think we can do even better and our aim is to be one of the highest achieving schools not just in Surrey but nationally.

Our staff are extremely dedicated. Many began their teaching careers at Heathside and have grown and developed into both pastoral and curriculum leaders.  CPD is valued and tailored to meeting the needs of our staff and improving teaching and learning. We have a small team of Lead Practitioners, who work with the Assistant Principal, CPD, to offer a wide-ranging training programme to staff. 

Our students predominately come from Weybridge and travel to school by foot, bicycle or train, with the furthest catchment area distance being 1.6 miles from the school. Year on year the school is heavily over-subscribed.  The prior attainment of students at KS2 is above the National average and they make very good progress at expected and more than expected measures.  Like all schools though, we still feel that there is more that we could be doing to achieve even better outcomes.  We are a self- evaluating school and regularly look to see what we can do better to improve all areas of provision.

The school was graded as 'Good' in the last Ofsted inspection.  In the 2018 report, Leadership and management, Behaviour and safety and the Sixth Form were judged outstanding. Governance was also found to be a key strength. You can read all of the reports on our website.

The School is at an exciting phase of development, having become a converter Academy in September 2015 and a single multi-academy under the ElmWey Learning Trust. With the support of Surrey County Council the Trust has successfully bid to set up a 6 form entry free school in 2021. This is to fulfil a basic need for more school places within Elmbridge, where pupil numbers are set to rise markedly by this point in time.