Year 10 and 11

Welcome to Year 10

I am delighted to be continuing my journey at Slough and Eton School as the Head of Year 10. I joined the school in 2023 as the KS3 Curriculum Leader for Religious Education, and I have loved working with our students and supporting them to achieve their very best. I am particularly excited to now work closely with our Year 10 students as they begin one of the most important stages of their secondary education.

Year 10 marks the beginning of the two-year GCSE journey. This is an exciting time, but I recognise that it can also feel daunting. GCSEs are an important foundation for students' future choices, but they are also an opportunity to develop confidence, resilience, independence and a strong sense of what they are capable of achieving.

My role as Head of Year 10 is to support students throughout this journey, ensuring they feel challenged, supported and prepared for the opportunities ahead. Alongside the Year 10 team and our dedicated form tutors, I will encourage students to take responsibility for their learning, set ambitious goals and develop the habits they need to succeed.

For me, success in Year 10 comes down to four key qualities: Attitude, Resilience, Effort and Ambition. If you develop the right attitude, show resilience, put in the effort and have ambition, you will give yourself the best possible chance of being proud of what you achieve.

This links closely to our school mantra: “Work hard, Be nice, No excuses.” For Year 10, this means arriving at school on time every day, maintaining excellent attendance, giving your best effort in lessons, completing homework and independent study, and asking for support when you need it. Small, consistent actions make a significant difference over time, and the habits students develop this year will have a lasting impact on their GCSE success.

We also want our students to look beyond their examinations. Year 10 is a chance to start thinking seriously about their future aspirations and the pathways they may wish to take after Year 11. Through opportunities such as Work Experience in June, students will begin to develop a greater understanding of the world of work and how their interests and strengths can shape their future.

However, success is not only about academic achievement. We want our students to enjoy their time at school, maintain positive relationships, pursue their interests and look after their wellbeing. Finding the right balance between study, rest, friendships and hobbies is essential.

Strong communication between home and school will be an important part of the year. We encourage parents and carers to regularly check WEDUC notices and school emails for important information, deadlines and opportunities. Form tutors are the first point of contact for students and families, and I am always keen to work alongside them to ensure our students receive the support they need.

I am incredibly excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring. I want every student to leave Year 10 feeling more confident, more resilient and more ambitious than when they started.

This is their GCSE journey, and I look forward to working with our students, parents and staff to make it a successful one. With the right attitude, resilience, effort and ambition, I believe every student has the potential to achieve something they can be genuinely proud of.

 

 

To our Year 11 students of 2026/2027,

This is a very special year. I have had the privilege of working with many of you since Year 7, and I have watched you grow, develop and overcome challenges along the way. Now, as you begin your final year at Slough and Eton, you have the opportunity to show just how far you have come.

Year 11 is an important year. The effort you put in now will open doors and create opportunities for your future. I want every one of you to achieve your very best, and I know that with determination, resilience and the right attitude, you can be successful.

Our mantra this year is the same as before:

Work hard. Be nice. No excuses.

Work hard in every lesson, every homework task and every revision session. Be kind, respectful and supportive of one another. Take responsibility for your actions and choices, and never let excuses stand in the way of your potential.

We are a school community that values academic challenge, inclusion and kindness. Challenge yourself to aim higher than you thought possible. Support those around you and celebrate each other's successes. Remember that everyone belongs, everyone matters and everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Believe in yourselves. Stay focused on your goals. Make the most of every opportunity. Most importantly, be proud of the journey you have taken since Year 7 and the young adults you are becoming.

Let's make Year 11 2026/2027 a year of hard work, determination, success and unforgettable achievements.