5th March 2019 — Thanks to a monumental effort by the pupil-led Single-Use Plastics Free Alternatives (SUPA) Committee, Upton House School is proud to be the first school in Berkshire to receive official Plastic Free School Status accreditation by the national Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) organisation – and all within a remarkably short time.

Comprising a team of dedicated young pupils from years 4 to 6, who have worked tirelessly to achieve their aim of a plastics-free school environment, Upton’s SUPA Committee began as part of the school’s enrichment programme for more-able pupils whose research revealed the devastating effects of plastic in our environment. It has rapidly gathered pace as other pupils and members of staff have felt compelled to join the all-encompassing, highly charged campaign. Joining forces with the highly valued Plastic Free Windsor group has also been a tremendous boost to the children’s work in achieving SUP status.

Form 6 pupil Emily Nicholas of the SUPA Committee explains: “We began by forming an action plan to cut use of Single-Use Plastic in school. We’ve replaced plastic snack bags in the school kitchens with hessian nets and reusable boxes - saving an incredible 6,220 bags per year! We have pledged to remove one item of SUP a month which so far includes SUP water bottles, cartons and carrier bags. We’re aiming to reduce plastic use in pens and plastic wallets and are working with Plastic Free Windsor to set up a School’s Forum so we can encourage other schools to join us and share ideas. We’ve also written to the Education Secretary, Mr Hind, and the Environment Minister, Mr Gove and are presently writing to supermarkets and other local businesses to ask them to take action against SUP. We have brainstormed ideas, created posters and presentations, and held an assembly for parents and local visitors explaining the problems with plastic.”

“Next on our list is an information video for all to see, including other schools – as well as an information stall in Windsor town centre to inform people of the plastic problems in the World. The work is never-ending – every time we finish a project, we get more great ideas! We don’t mind … we feel we are making history!”

Upton’s SUPA Committee’s achievements come in direct response to SAS’s groundbreaking schools programme which aims to equip and empower young activists in Key Stages 1-3 to create positive and lasting environmental change as they free our living spaces from single-use plastic such as plastic drinks bottles, disposable coffee cups, excessive food packaging and cling film. In order to achieve Plastic Free Status, pupils must demonstrate and provide evidence that their school has achieved all five of SAS’s rigorous objectives. Emily van de Geer from SAS Education department commented: “Surfers Against Sewage are delighted that Upton House School have completed all of the objectives in our pupil-led programme to achieve Plastic Free Schools Status. A huge well done to everyone for all their hard work – power to the pupils!”

Mrs Min Ward, More Able Co-ordinator at Upton House School adds: “The Department for Education released a statement last December urging all schools to eliminate their use of single-use plastics by 2022. Our pupils decided they weren’t going to wait that long and set to work immediately, with the aim to make us all stop in our tracks and think! Their passion for this cause has been incredible from the start and academically is highly beneficial for our children.”

Mrs Rhian Thornton, Headmistress at Upton agrees. “This innovative campaign is the perfect example of the inspirational teaching at Upton where we encourage critical thinking, complex problem solving, co-ordination with others, negotiation and effective communication – all essential life skills we value so highly at Upton. To have reached our goal so quickly is an amazing testament to their hard work and dedication, and as always we are extremely proud of their efforts and achievements.”

- ends -

Information : UPTON HOUSE SCHOOL, WINDSOR

Upton House School is a provider of excellent academic standards within a warm and nurturing environment. Individual talent is developed, and a wide and progressive curriculum offers a well-rounded education where boys and girls age 2-11 are prepared with confidence for the very best Senior schools.

Little Upton Nursery is a very special environment where children begin their Upton journey from as young as age 2. Staff are highly qualified, experienced practitioners and children benefit from learning within a whole school setting.

For more information please contact

Sarah Walker, Marketing Manager

sarahwalker@uptonhouseschool.org.uk

31st January 2019 —

PRESS RELEASE

Upton House to welcome boys

Mrs Rhian Thornton, Headmistress of Upton House in central Windsor has today announced the School will extend its provision for boys from age 7 through to age 11. Upton House is currently Co-ed in the Early Years to the end of Year 2, with only the girls continuing to Year 6. Upton now extends this provision to provide the same excellence in education for boys as girls right through the school. The announcement comes following increasing parent requests and after a full consultation and planning process.

Mrs Thornton said, “Upton exists to educate children to the highest levels and to equip them with all the life skills they need for their important next steps. It is a very special, vibrant school and overwhelmingly successful and popular with parents. In recent years many of our parents have expressed genuine sadness that their boys could not stay through to Year 6. This is, without doubt the most common request I have received since joining Upton. We are delighted to address this need and proud to be able to offer the same excellence in education and preparation for Senior school entry for all children. While our proven track record in preparing girls for Senior schools is exceptional, we also have incredibly strong relationships with Senior schools for both boys and girls, and now look forward to extending our expertise to include boys.

“Our focus here at Upton is always on the individual, whether boy or girl. Our small, nurturing priority and strong family ethos and values will continue, alongside our commitment to class sizes not rising above twenty. Small class sizes as well as smaller tailored teaching groups and high staff to child ratios are extremely important to us.”

Mr Thomas Brown, Head of Upton’s Prep Department said, “Our staff have a proven track record in preparation for girls but also share a wealth of experience in teaching boys. We fully understand the demands and requirements in educating boys and are delighted to be able to welcome them as we move forward. We have exciting plans for boys and know Upton will remain as successful as always in the academics, sport, IT, music and performing arts - continuing to go from strength to strength.”

The new model will be implemented on a smooth and gradual basis with the boys currently in the Pre-Prep department moving through the school into the Prep department by September 2020. The announcement is made as the school plans further investment in IT and continues to develop its provision for sport, art and design technology facilities.

Personal tours of the school are welcomed to view our facilities including Gymnasium, Arts block, Media room, Drama studio and IT suite.

Information : UPTON HOUSE SCHOOL, WINDSOR

Upton House School is a provider of excellent academic standards within a warm and nurturing environment. Individual talent is developed, and a wide and varied curriculum offers a well-rounded education where girls and boys age 2-11 are prepared with confidence for the very best Senior schools.

Little Upton Nursery is a very special environment where children begin their Upton journey from as young as age 2. Staff are highly qualified, experienced practitioners and children benefit from learning within a whole school setting.

For more information please contact

Sarah Walker, Marketing Manager

sarahwalker@uptonhouseschool.org.uk

01753 862610

14th December 2018 — Four budding mathematicians from Upton House School, Windsor have flown through a series of demanding challenges to become regional winners of Round Two of the prestigious National Young Mathematicians’ Award 2019 - run in conjunction with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge. Around 1,300 schools entrants from across the UK have been whittled down to just 140 teams of four, with the Explore Learning Centre in Slough voting the Upton House Maths Team as their top entrant for the region. All regional finalists’ work will now be considered at Explore Learning’s Head Office before a total of 10 teams are selected to take part in the National Final at Cambridge University in January.

The National Young Mathematicians’ Award is open to secondary and primary schools and seeks to feed a passion for learning while inspiring children to aim high - encouraging them to work in a team to tackle a unique mathematical problem.

Mrs Melinda Ward, More Able Co-ordinator at Upton House School says: “Form 6 pupils, Emily, Naia, Emma and Paris have worked incredibly hard and shone in terms of their team spirit, perseverance and high ability levels in tackling the mathematical challenges presented at every stage. In Round Two, the girls were presented with a particularly complex ‘never-seen-before’ challenge and faced it with enthusiasm, solving all three parts of the challenge within the allotted time and successfully feeding back their results to the judging panel. Explore Learning has had nothing but praise for the girls so far, complimenting their team work, confidence, presentation and, of course, maths skills.”

Mrs Rhian Thornton, Headmistress at Upton House School adds: “We are incredibly proud of the girls’ outstanding achievements to date in reaching such a high level of attainment in this national competition. Their efforts and enthusiasm are an inspiring showcase of our aim to nurture resilience and Higher Order Thinking throughout every school year group - and we wish them the best for securing a place in the National Final.”

For more information please contact Sarah Walker, Marketing Manager at Upton House School SarahWalker@uptonhouseschool.org.uk 01753 862610 x229 http://www.uptonhouse.org.uk

23rd October 2018 — The week began in space with the Wonder Dome planetarium which filled the school hall. Astronauts told stories and experiences from the depths of space while the children gazed at the wonders of the universe above them.
Outside learning trips included a visit to the Forest School, the Natural History museum for some dinosaur explorations and the Brooklands motor museum for hands-on engineering fun. Back at school, children welcomed reptile expert, Steve Elkington for an opportunity to learn about and hold some of our planet’s most wonderful creatures. Snakes, bearded dragons, tarantulas and tree frogs delighted the pupils.

Later in the week children and parents stayed at school for an interactive family Science evening. The school was transformed into a giant science laboratory as each classroom offered hands-on practical science activities and experiments. The black-out UV room delighted young and old, while magnets, electricity, parts of the body and food experiments captivated Upton explorers on a mission to collect their mission and collect science stickers in each room.

“Science week is all about engaging children and captivating their imaginations in order to bring the science curriculum to life. Our staff have worked incredibly hard this week have certainly achieved incredible results and inspired our pupils!” said Mrs Rhian Thornton, Headmistress.

The week concluded with 'Scientific Dress-up Day' and a visit from the Science Boffins for children from Nursery to Year 6. Workshops were held with magical gases, potions and experiments galore.

Mrs Lesley Webb, Head of Science said, “The children are still talking about how fun and exciting science is and which of them will be first into space!”

Information : UPTON HOUSE SCHOOL, WINDSOR
Upton House School provides excellent academic standards within a warm and nurturing environment. Individual talent is developed, and a wide and varied curriculum offers a well-rounded education where children age 2-11 are prepared with confidence for the very best Senior schools.
Little Upton Nursery is a very special environment where children begin their Upton journey from as young as age 2. Staff are highly qualified, experienced practitioners and children benefit from learning within a whole school setting.
For more information please contact
Sarah Walker, Marketing Manager
sarahwalker@uptonhouseschool.org.uk
www.uptonhouse.org.uk
01753 862610

 

8th October 2018 — Upton House school children were thrilled to discover their school appearing as a landmark on the Royal Windsor MONOPOLY board recently launched.
Boys and girls aged 2-11 from the IAPS Nursery to Prep school, located in the heart of Windsor, were visited by Mr Monopoly himself who brought the exciting news to school along with a giant monopoly board for the children to celebrate.
The school has long standing history in Windsor and has long been an integral part of the Windsor community since it was founded in 1936. Upton House school has provided a nurturing and high achieving education for local families for over 80 years, including royal princesses Beatrice and Eugenie who started their education at the school in 1994. The school has grown from a traditional Victorian Windsor house built in 1830s to now comprise a blend of modern state-of-the art buildings and facilities.

Rhian Thornton Headmistress Upton House School said: “We are so excited delighted to have been selected to appear on the Royal Windsor MONOPOLY board and incredibly proud of our Windsor heritage.
“MONOPOLY is a fantastic educational game which develops children’s mathematical, entrepreneurial and social skills. This supports all that is taught in the classroom. To appear on the Windsor board alongside some of our town’s other landmarks and wonderful local charities is a privilege.
I’m looking forward to playing with my own family. Board games are a so beneficial and I’m sure a welcome alternative to screen time for so many Windsor parents.”

Jennifer Lau who is Custom Games Executive at the game maker Winning Moves commented, “Congratulations to Upton House School, their imaginative campaign so brilliantly prepared by the children at the school was what won me over! It’s going to be a spectacular launch and with Upton’s unique uniform being so well-recognised around Windsor, we had to include it on a green space. It’s a school that we feel is an integral part of the Windsor community.”

Windsor joins the likes of London, Oxford, Milan and Berlin in having its own version of Monopoly.

Information : UPTON HOUSE SCHOOL, WINDSOR
Upton House School provides excellent academic standards within a warm and nurturing environment. Individual talent is developed, and a wide and varied curriculum offers a well-rounded education where children age 2-11 are prepared with confidence for the very best Senior schools.
Little Upton Nursery is a very special environment where children begin their Upton journey from as young as age 2. Staff are highly qualified, experienced practitioners and children benefit from learning within a whole school setting.
uptonhouse.org.uk
For more information please contact
Sarah Walker, Marketing Manager

sarahwalker@uptonhouseschool.org.uk
01753 862610 X 229

Photos to accompany: School children with Mr Monopoly, box and board.