Blog week ending 25th February

We are, and will continue to do everything within our power to help and support our students as they prepare for their GCSE and A level examinations this summer.  We are acutely aware that the changes to the examinations might seem daunting but please be assured that we will work closely with students to ensure they are fully prepared and able to demonstrate just how amazing they are.  Further tailored information for each subject will be provided by our teachers based on the Department for Education’s guidance.   For reference, the Department for Education and Ofqual guidance can be read by clicking here

Students have taken part in workshops delivered by specialist trainers to prompt good revision habits as well as time management and exam confidence techniques.  The Department for Education has published a guide for students which can be read by clicking here

Mr Simmons' Year 9 Geographers have been discussing the global importance of the United Kingdom during times of conflict.  This module introduces students to the topical issue of conflict and explores how it can influence, and be influenced by, geography and natural resources.   Understandably, the discussion turned to Russia and Ukraine with students debating the political power of the UK in the context of the escalating situation and the potential impact of the sanctions currently under discussion.

Our Year 11 GCSE Geographers have been collecting data to support their study of noise pollution around our school site and surrounding area from the busy A2.   In groups, they set off to a range of sampling locations, capturing fieldwork data and recordings on a specialist App meaning recordings can be made, uploaded and shared securely on location.  Recordings were made in a variety of open, wooded and urban areas to measure and analyse the impact of different geographical areas and the proximity to the A2 have on noise pollution.

Year 10 Chemists have been studying exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions.  In this practical lesson students were investigating temperature changes in reacting solutions, classifying their results as either an exothermic or endothermic energy transfer.

Our Years 10 & 11 GCSE English students visited the National Theatre to see a production of Small Island based on the novel by Andrea Levy.  We are all so grateful to be able to return to immersive learning experiences away from the classroom! 

Whitecode Consulting and WG6 celebrate their long-term partnership. Mr Brooker, Head of DT at WGSB visited Whitecode Consulting, a local Building Services Engineering company, at their new premises in Northfleet. The DT department have been collaborating with Whitecode for the past 25 years.  The company currently have a staff of 47, with 12 staff being former students from WGSB.  Alex Hill, their Managing Director was a sixth form student in 1993 when Mr Brooker was completing his teacher training at WGSB.  The company has regularly employed Degree apprentices from the school. This year the company employed four students, Shaun, Mikolaj, Tilly and Ben, who are working four days a week for the company and completing a degree in building Services Engineering one day a week at London South Bank University. All the students' fees are covered by the company as well as receiving a salary. This is a unique opportunity for students and the company is looking to take on further apprentices this academic year.

Alex Hill, commented; “David Brooker was my engineering teacher in 1993, (pictured, far right)!” adding, “The latest intake of students from Wilmington already knew so much about construction and understood how buildings went together. It’s like they had already been here for two years the day they started!”

WG6 Alumni who commenced degree apprenticeships with Whitecode in September said;

“When you make a mistake, you have to fix it within the same time frame. Being Alex’s right-hand man is full on!” Mikolaj

“For me, it was the right move to start a degree apprenticeship rather than going to university full time as I can apply the theory I learn and put it straight into practice” Shaun

“Learning about utilities at WGSB in the Professional Construction Practice course was very useful and it is exciting designing for real using this knowledge” Tilly

“Using Revit CAD (Computer Aided Design) software when completing work in the PCP course allowed me to get off to a flying start at Whitecode.” Ben

Our Year 12 A Level Physics students are studying waves and in this practical lesson have been investigating the factors that affect the speed at which a water wave travels in a container.

Parking reminder.  Please do not park near the gates of Wilmington Primary School as it causes congestion for parents dropping off their children in the morning and also blocks access to the site.

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher