Foundation

Apple

This term in Apple class we have been learning about Antarctica. They have listened to stories about the first people who journeyed to the South Pole and all the different animals you might find living there.  In Design and Technology, they had a go at building their own igloos. The students made igloos out of Lego, paper mache, marshmallows and even the equipment from construction.

  

On their first trip of the school year to Chessington World of Adventures, Apple Class visited the zoo and sea life section of the park. All the students really enjoyed seeing the different animals and ticking them off on their checklists. They even managed to squeeze in a go on a few of the rides!  All the students were brilliant and really enjoyed themselves.

Cherry

This term in Cherry Class, as part of our topic "It's All About Me," students have been exploring our five senses in fun and interactive ways. They tasted a variety of fruits and shared their likes and dislikes, made super glasses to help them observe the world around them, and crafted listening ears for a special listening walk, where they tuned in to the sounds around them. They also used their noses to guess different smells from smell pots. It’s been an exciting journey discovering just how amazing our senses are!

Primary

Pine

Pine class had fun this term learning about our world and animal habitats. We designed and created bug hotels, working with our friends to make a suitable habitat. We also had a brilliant trip to Chessington World of Adventures where we saw lots of different animals and went on plenty of rides!

Willow

To round off Willow class's Project of 'Continents and Oceans' and to celebrate Halloween, students have been painting pumpkins and turning them into globes.  Adding in the Continents, Oceans and Equator.  All the students thoroughly enjoyed this, especially creating all the different shades of blue for the water!  They will be all ready for Halloween!

Elm

This term Elm has been learning all about mountains. The class explored how height can be shown on maps using layer shading, spot heights and contour lines. The class demonstrated this by using potatoes to draw on spot heights and contour lines!

Beech

In PE Beech students have been developing their ball skills and learning about invasion games, and in Geography they are learning about volcanoes.  In Science, the students are learning about forces.

  

Oak

Oak went out on a trip to Longacres garden centre.  Students were buying supplies to grow some plants in the classroom and even had time for a drink in the café!​ ​

Secondary

Earth

In Earth class, students had a fantastic time making pizza from scratch.  They researched the recipe, selected their preferred ingredients, and followed health and safety guidelines.  From preparing fresh vegetables to crafting their pizzas, they showcased their culinary skills and creativity.  The results were delicious!

English

This term in English, Mercury students have been exploring different cultures through poetry, gaining a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. Neptune and Saturn classes are delving into World War II through the novel Once, while Jupiter and Pluto have been engaging with Shakespeare’s most infamous villains. Mars students are focused on preparing for their GCSE Paper 1, honing their reading and writing skills.

For National Poetry Day on 3rd October, students participated in a creative writing task on the theme "My Life As," and we'd love to share Abdul’s inspiring poem with you, which reflects his personal journey of growth and self-discovery at Heathermount.

My life used to be as a menace in school, 

The teachers sent me away cause it wasn't cool.

It was then that I found I was autistic,

So my parents knew the right school to pick.

The school that was chosen was called Heathermount,

And I would soon learn what it's about.

It's purpose was to educate kids with autism,

So they would stop with bullying and racism.

I was being supported when I settled in,

My behaviour soon became a proper win.

I would soon move up into Secondary,

And understand that things are done fairly.

Soon I would make new better friends,

My new mates being there for the better ends.

I knew soon that there was nothing to fear,

I had matured, no mask to wear.

I can control it pretty well,

There was no doubt, easy to tell.

Here I am now writing it here,

There's another one like me somewhere.

Maths

This has been a busy term in Maths!

Mars have been continuing their work on the GCSE Curriculum, learning about box plots, constructions with a ruler and pair of compasses, volume of various shapes and probability.  They have just started a topic on algebra where they will be factoring quadratic expressions, including completing the square, solving and graphing quadratic equations, and changing the subject of a formula.

Here is a sample for you to try for yourself.

Jupiter and Pluto have been solving equations, forming and rearranging equations and formulae.  This required them to work really hard on their algebraic skills.  Next they will be testing conjectures - they may come home with some interesting ideas to ask you about.

Saturn and Neptune learnt about ratio and scale by reading maps, increasing or decreasing recipe sizes and learning how to divvy items between groups.  They then worked on multiplicative change with values, scales, costs and percentages. They are just starting the block on Multiplying and Dividing fractions.  Sometimes they all talk about pie, pizza and cake a bit too much!

Mercury have just started their secondary maths learning. They have learnt about sequences with pictures and numbers, and also linear and geometric sequences. Then they began to focus on Algebraic Notation. This topic they found particularly difficult as some hadn’t been introduced to algebra yet. They have grasped the basics though, and we will be building on that throughout the year.  They are now learning about equality and equivalence… get ready for the triple equal sign.  ≡  (identical to)

Science

Mercury has made a flying start to their Science lessons and have enjoyed learning about cells and how to use microscopes.

They collected a soil sample from the grounds and made a solution out of this. Then, the following lesson, they had a fantastic time building their own microscope slides to view their soil sample under the microscope!

Jupiter and Pluto have been exploring acids and alkalis. Today, they completed a neutralisation reaction where they were exploring which indigestion remedy would work the best.

Computer Science

Students really enjoyed a visit from a lead software engineer who has worked for several large companies, including Facebook.

We are so grateful that Eduardo came to school to talk to the students about the interview process in relation to programming jobs at larger companies like Facebook and Amazon.

Students gained valuable insight into potential programming opportunities.

History

This week, our history class stepped back into the year 1066, when the Battle of Hastings changed English history. Instead of just reading about it, they got a real feel for medieval warfare by lifting shields and bags to represent the heavy swords and armour soldiers used.

They learnt that knights and soldiers had to carry very heavy equipment. During the activity, students tried lifting shields that weighed up to 10 kilograms, just like the large shields Anglo-Saxon soldiers used.  They also lifted bags to feel the weight of swords, which would weigh about 5 kilograms. This showed how tough and tiring it must have been to fight in battles like Hastings, giving us a better understanding of life on the battlefield.

After this task, students commented:

Isaac - 'So I think the 5kg weight was easy and this history lesson was fun.'

Tom - 'We were trying to hold up a European sword (it was a 5 kilogram pillow) and it wasn't easy at all '

Drama

Primary students have been working on movement this term, creating animal masks and practising control over their movements to represent animals, objects and even letters!

Secondary students have covered a wide range of topics. Saturn and Neptune presented their Forbidden forest stage set-ups to their classes for their Harry Potter scheme, and Pluto have been exploring Romeo and Juliet. ​

Music

In music, some students who show musical talent are invited to receive one-to-one music lessons. This term, one-to-one students have chosen to learn a range of musical instruments, including the drums, the ukulele and the piano. Some have also chosen to learn to sing and explore new genres of music.  One student has also decided to explore composition using an online tool called Yustudio.

Art

Jupiter students are learning about the artist Wayne Thiebaud in art sessions this term.

Wayne Thiebaud was an American artist known for his still lifes of edible treats. His most popular subject matter includes colourful cakes, pies and candy pieces.

The students enjoyed how bright and colourful the pictures were and that they were able to show their own talents when doing their designs.

You can read more about Art at Hethermount this term and see lots of photos in our Inspirational Art news article.

​PE

This term in PE students have been focusing on football and badminton. They have been showcasing their skills in both sports and have enjoyed all the challenges these sports entail. We have been thoroughly impressed by the students' engagement and determination to improve in all areas.

This year, PE concepts have been introduced into our curriculum to help students not only develop their understanding of different sports and games, but to help show them how PE can help them in their day-to-day life.  The concepts focus on a particular area such as, communication, teamwork, literacy and leadership and how these skills from PE can help them outside the sports hall. Each term the classes will have a specific area to focus on within lessons and how this can help them in other areas both in school and outside of school.

Fixtures: Heathermount were very pleased to have a football team participate in a tournament at Woodley this term. The students all did fantastically well and finished in a very respectable 3rd place.  A big shout-out to Lowen who made his tournament debut for Heathermount and thoroughly earned player of the day as voted by his peers.  The manager's player of the day went to Isaac M who displayed some excellent goalkeeping skills over a number of games. Well done to all those who took part in the tournament. As always, watch this space for more upcoming fixtures.

PSHE

The main focus of PSHE this term has been mental health.  Students have been helped to get back into being at school after the summer holidays and helped to prepare for the year ahead, especially those who will be doing exams and transitioning to the next stage of their education at the end of the year.  Ways to help self-regulate have been discussed as well as who students can talk to if they need to.  This topic has supported students' personal development, as it aids them to understand their own emotions and feelings, as well as those of others.  It has also worked on building self-esteem and resilience. Students have been learning that it is just as important to look after their mental health as it is their physical health.

Business Admin

The current Year 11 Mars Young Enterprise group have conducted their first directors meeting with their Managing director leading the team meeting.

Here they are brainstorming their product idea and how to plan their milestone journeys.

Catering

As we start a new term, Pine class are coming to room 9 for catering. They have foraged for some damsons and made a variety of products as the term has progressed. They have also learnt about the Eatwell plate, health, safety and hygiene.

Pluto class baked bread and enjoyed making and decorating cupcakes in their own designs for the Halloween celebrations.

Construction

The construction students have been wrapping up the practical and written elements of the plumbing unit in their qualification.  Learning how to solder copper pipes was a big hit with the group!  The next unit will be the electrical unit where they will learn how to install a ring main in a household.  The students are also looking forward to the annual SATRO Constructionfest in November (communication has been sent out via Arbor).

Horticulture & Forest School

In forest school this term, students have taken part in cooking activities.  They have been using a Trangia and the fire pit to cook a range of items. 

In Horticulture, students have been very busy moving lots of wood chips, learning how to scarify an area and filing up planters and hanging baskets with new plants ready for the winter.

Girls Hair and Beauty Club

Here are some pictures of the wonderful work the secondary girls club has completed this term. They completed their face masks and their hairstyles to go with the masks.

    

Reward Trips

This term, students took part in the Gold and Silver reward trips that they have been very patient in waiting for. The Gold students had an action-packed day at Thorpe Park and were lucky enough to have some fantastic October sunshine. The day was filled full of excitement and nerves as some had never even seen a roller coaster, let alone been on one before. The students all had a brilliant time and supported one another exceptionally well. The highlight of the trip was Alex, who didn't slowly build up to his first time on a roller coaster but went from zero to 100 - the first ride he went on was Stealth, which consisted of hitting 80mph in the space of 1.8 seconds.

The Silver reward was a very demanding trampoline park in Slough. The park consisted of a number of activities such as the balance beam, total wipeout, drop slides, football and dodgeball. The students had a brilliant time and the 90-minute session definitely wore them out. Paul displayed some exceptional gladiator skills and was almost unbeatable wiping out everyone in his path. Cian would still be bouncing on the trampolines now if he had the choice.  It was brilliant to see all the students interacting well and having a fun afternoon.

The students are now working towards their next reward trips which will take place at the start of 2025.