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Head Student’s Welcome

Hello, my name is Qaisara and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Woodford.

Woodford is a place that helps students discover their ambitions and pushes them to reach their true potential. In my own experience, I have stumbled upon hobbies and interests, which I doubt I would have found elsewhere, and I constantly seek to improve and learn more.

The teachers show a genuine sense of enthusiasm for their subjects, which they effortlessly relay onto their students, and they cultivate an environment where critical thinking, intellectual discussion and confounding questions are all welcomed. One of my favourite teaching strategies employed at Woodford is encouraging us to realise the real-world applications of what we learn, which for me was notably crucial in Maths, helping us develop a desire to delve deeper, not purely for the sake of exams, but for the sake of seeking knowledge in and of itself.

However, I cannot emphasise enough that there is far more to Woodford than passionate teachers and outstanding academic successes. Our community is characterised by clubs and societies, and though these already cater to a wide range of talents and niche curiosities, students always have the opportunity to add to the selection and found clubs of their own, no matter what year group they may be in. In fact, my position as Head Girl today can be credited to exploring these very clubs and societies. They taught me how to manage my time, make speeches and interact with different age groups, transferrable skills which will undoubtedly serve me well for the rest of my life. Through inspiring a rich spirit of inquiry, many Woodford students are often happy, if not thrilled, by the idea of trying new things and strive to do the best in whatever they attempt. In this way, we are shaped into adaptable and inquisitive individuals.

House Drama season is a particularly special time of year when the student body truly comes alive. Year group boundaries are forgotten, house spirit is on the rise and our talents come together to create spectacular performances. It is entirely student-led, not only encouraging creativity but also a great deal of leadership and organisation.

This eagerness to participate in extracurricular, particularly sports and music, can be found in both teachers and students alike. Whilst students can hone their skills and make invaluable friendships through joining one of the many musical ensembles or sports teams, the teachers set perfect examples by participating in sport fundraisers for Haven House, Woodford’s annual charity, or performing in the staff choir. Bad Grammar, the staff band, is a particular crowd-pleaser, and they take to the stage several times a year.

Since events are frequented by teacher participation, there is an unrivalled sense of harmony between the teacher and student body. Naturally, this extends into the world of study, and makes students more comfortable with seeking help, or simply sharing their thoughts on a particular topic.

Upon entrance into the Sixth Form, students are provided with a plethora of leadership opportunities, from House Captains to the Head of School Council, and many become Form Prefects, helping them pass on their advice and Woodford spirit to the lower school. Opportunities beyond school are presented to us via our Teams channel, regularly updating us with the latest super-curricular activities or potential work experience. All of these opportunities enhance our positions as competitive applicants, to the point where we often struggle to fit it all into our personal statements.

The idea of leaving Woodford in the near future fills me with sadness, but I am grateful for the time I spent here, the lifelong skills I’ve gained and the friends and memories I’ve made. I can only hope that Woodford makes as great an impression on you, as it has on me.

  • Sunday Times London State School of the Year 2019
  • Woodford 100 Years
  • Healthy School
  • Investors in Careers
  • London School Music Excellence Award 2018
  • ASGS
  • Research Mark
  • The Parliamentary review
  • Top 100 Stem School
  • 360 degree Safe Award
  • TFL Award-Gold
  • The Leaders Council
  • School Leadership Programme
  • The English PTI
  • History PTI
  • The Two Subjects PTI
  • Internatiional Coalition for Girls School' s