Well things are moving very fast. The data about the applications was handed to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) back in January. They have been applying the Pan London Admissions arrangement for all local students in year 6. The first students received their letters of admission to Hammersmith Academy on the 1st March. We now know who is coming to Hammersmith Academy as we receive the letters of acceptance. They will be the trailblazers for our creative and digital media vision. Students will interchange with different technologies in order to achieve the highest academic standards. Our journey begins together and we are now planning your induction into the Hammersmith Academy Way.
We are also very busy preparing for the interviews and observations of the prospective subject leaders who will be teaching the courses for Year 7 and Year 12s. This is quite a logistical feat as we are conducting these interviews in schools across London due to the Academy not being ready to open until June. I would like to extend my thanks to the head teachers, their staff and students in supporting this process.
Welcome to Claire Pringle who is the new Director of Finance and Resources and John Neeson, who is the IT Systems Director. They will be ensuring the technical and IT operations of the academy are in place and ready for use from day one. Quite a challenge but they are more than capable of achieving this. We have also employed a number of Assistant Headteachers who will support the preparations and developing curriculum and pastoral processes.
The team is very excited by the interest in our new 6th Form. We have over 270 applications so far and still rising. Students from a vast range of schools are making a wide range of choices from traditional A level subjects to various performance and creative specialist subjects that we are offering. They are a fantastically varied group of students with different skills and ambitions but all with a huge motivation to want to succeed and be part of the Hammersmith Academy vision. We hope they are working hard in order to attain the high standards required to study with us. Our high professional standards, expectations and professional attitude is inspiring more students to want to come and join us. Letters of confirmation are being posted. If you are in Year 11 and have not applied yet, go to our website, download and email your application.
We are looking forward to our Media event at the Lyric on the 10th March at 5pm. This is a ‘first come, first served’ registered event. We have industry insiders, Kevin Trehy from Warner Brothers and Mat Appleton from Envy Productions, talking to the select audience about the different careers, opportunities and the media business from an insider’s viewpoint. The Media industry is still growing and a great British export of talent and skill even in these times of austerity. If you are in Year 11, interested in Media and have not registered yet, then get on to our website www.Hamsix.com immediately. Places are going fast!
The building looms large with its fantastic curves. The helical stairway in the entrance is a metaphor of the journey to the top for our students. Rising four floors it creates an image of the smooth and steady path to that our students must tread in order to attain the highest standards and achieve their potential. Look at our The Building page on the website to see the architect’s drawings in more detail; see each of the different floors and specialist rooms contained within them.
I will keep you posted, next month, of any new additions and new developments. Good luck to all students especially Year 6 with their upcoming SATs or school tests and to Year 11 preparing for their GCSEs . Be bold and confident.
Onwards and upwards without fear or trepidation.
