Welcome to LWC News
The 1200 has experienced a magical mix of frost and snow for the start of Spring Term.
Alongside the excitement, there’s also a sense of anticipation at LWC for what’s to come over the coming weeks and months.
Below, you’ll find a glimpse of this, along with highlights from the holidays and this first week back.
Missing the useful links section of LWC News? You’ll now find all of the information you need at the bottom of the page.
As ever, keep your contributions to LWC News coming via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
News
Another Seal of Approval for LWC
It’s great to start the year with another strong review.
After last term’s glowing Good Schools Guide piece, Talk Education has released its take on life in the 1200.
Both reviews can now be found here.
Highlights include:
“A modern, forward-moving school buzzing with opportunity, optimism and a strong sense of togetherness. It’s hard not to notice the strong feeling of mutual support among both pupils and staff.”
“Pupils are stretched, encouraged to take risks and ask questions.”
and “Pupils feel supported yet pushed, with emotional intelligence and outward-looking values emphasised across the school.”
Ready to Follow the Yellow Brick Road?
The LWC musical is one of the highlights of the College year.
If you don’t yet have your tickets for this month’s production of The Wizard of Oz – time is running out!
The production premieres at The Haymarket in Basingstoke on Wednesday, 21st January and runs until Friday 23rd.
Director, Gemma Reeks explained, “It’s a colourful, fun show and with the Wicked movie recently released, it’s the perfect opportunity to understand where the story originated.”
Tickets are available to purchase online now at a cost of £15 for adults and £5 for under-18s.
For those buying tickets via The Haymarket Box Office in person or by phone, please quote the reference LWCWOO26 in order to access seats.
All LWC students have the opportunity to attend one of the performances with their Houses, for which there will not be a charge.
We’ll shine the spotlight on some of the stars in next week’s LWC News.
Page Turning Perfection
LWC’s inaugural Christmas Book Club took place on Tuesday, rubber-stamping the College’s commitment to the National Year of Reading in 2026.
Students, staff and parents across the Lord Wandsworth Family of Schools were encouraged to read something new over the festive period, from a selection of six books.
LWC teaching staff then led discussions in small groups on each of the books.
Peter McNeely, Assistant Deputy Head (Scholarship and Academic Enrichment) added, “Our first Book Club was a huge success, with parents, pupils and staff diving into one of six books they may not otherwise have tried. It was a great opportunity for the community to come together. Watch this space for another reading event running over Easter.”
Spring Term Surge
LWC’s three Heads of College are excited to continue shaping life in the 1200 this year.
Reflecting on his highlights from Autumn Term, William admitted, “It was a real honour to lay a wreath in front of the whole school for Remembrance.
“I truly love meeting and getting to know students of all ages in my role as Head of College. This term, I’m looking forward to seeing the return of some classic interhouse events which will give even more of our students the opportunity to represent their Houses.
“I’m also looking to bring volunteering back into our Saturday morning programme – with a big launch planned by the prefects.”
Competing in Another Hemisphere
1st Former, Jesse put in a stellar performance representing Team GB over the Christmas break.
He travelled to Mossel Bay, South Africa, for the UIPM 2025 Laser Run World Championships.
Jesse finished fifth in the Mixed Relay and 17th out of 35 in the Individual Event.
“The races were very competitive,” added Jesse’s mum, Hazel. “Our team did well and the event was very technical, but rewarding. There were new skills learnt in beach and hill running and friends made, with them all exchanging training kit with other countries at the end.
“Overall, Jesse had an amazing time.”
Thomas AIMEs High
Upper Sixth Former Thomas is one of only 90 students across Europe to qualify for the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME).
Thomas’ performance in the American Math Competition comfortably qualified him for this next stage, which will take place next month.
“I was very surprised when Mr Widdowson told me I was among only 90 across Europe,” Thomas admitted. “This feels very exciting and quite surreal.
“I know that the AIME will be even more challenging, but I’m looking forward to pushing myself and seeing how I perform. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of Mr Widdowson, Mr Kimber, Mr O’nions and Miss Bastiman.”
Eat, Meet and Greet!
We make no secret of the fact that incredible things happen in the kitchens at LWC.
Now, you can sample some of the regular dishes of offer in our Julyans Dining Hall as part of our second Eat, Meet and Greet event.
On Friday, 23rd January – just before the beginning of Exeat weekend – you can join us and try dishes ranging from mini fishcakes to grilled halloumi (with some of our famous rocky road thrown in for good measure).
LWC Catering Manager, Iain Hedley explained, “It’s an opportunity for parents to pop into Julyans, meet with the Catering and Senior Leadership Teams and ask any questions they may have.
“It’ll also allow them to find out about the lengths to which we go to keep the offer engaging, flavoursome, well-balanced and sustainable.”
Sign up and reserve your place here.
LWC Netballers Shine
LWC’s U14A Girls’ Netball Team put in a great performance at the Hampshire County Championships in Eastleigh on Wednesday – finishing as semi-finalists.
“They won their group and showed some brilliant play throughout the day,” explained Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Netball, Poppy Lake.
“The girls lost a close game in the semi-finals, but we’re extremely proud of them and their achievement. This is the best performance from LWC at the County Championships in recent years.”
LWC Sixth Former Hits the Broadsheets
Upper Sixth Former, Hector has been hitting the headlines.
He featured on page 2 of The Times last Saturday to extol the virtues of roda polo.
The sport involves polo players riding electric unicycles rather than horses and is something that Hector has been involved in since the age of 14.
“Roda polo is only played in the summer,” he explained. “I then do weekly training, with the matches running alongside the Gold Cup Polo at Cowdray.”
Going Dutch
Training at the home of the Dutch national team, touring the Ajax stadium and playing matches were just some of the highlights of our recent football tour to the Netherlands.
Students from LWC’s Senior Boys’ and U16 Girls’ and Boys’ teams made the trip, led by Head of Football, Georgia Bowers.
The aim of the tour was to allow students to play competitive football in another country, whilst soaking up the culture of the Dutch Republic.
The Gong of Destiny
The deadline for UCAS applications is next week, which means our Zanetas Sixth Form Centre has been ringing with the sound of a gong…
Confused? Allow us to explain.
Each time a student submits their UCAS application (or secures a degree apprenticeship), they are encouraged to sound ‘The Osborne Gong of Destiny’ in a tradition started by Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Laura Osborne.
“They ring the gong to celebrate the moment and support one another,” explained Head of Futures, Nicola Hirst.
UCAS applications are online forms used to apply to universities and higher education courses.
With around a hundred applications going in here at LWC…that’s a lot of gong.
The Three Peaks are Calling
Looking to challenge yourself in 2026?
Conquering the highest three peaks in the Yorkshire Dales this April could see you fulfilling some life goals, whilst raising money for our remarkable Lord Wandsworth Foundation at the same time.
From the 24th-27th April, LWC parents, staff and Sternians will be taking part in our first UK-based Challenge and a handful of places still remain.
Find out more here and contact Fundraising Manager, Fran Reid for details of how to sign up.
For those already taking part, another practice walk will be getting underway on Sunday, 18th January.
Buddying Up
LWC’s Lower Sixth Peer Mentors are looking forward to offering support to 1st and 2nd Formers on a regular basis this year.
Just before Christmas, they met their Bramley ‘buddies’ for a hot chocolate and chat. They will continue to provide a listening ear and peer support every fortnight throughout the school year.
“Peer mentoring is an important part of our whole-school wellbeing strategy,” explained LWC’s Head of Wellbeing, Kirsty Jackman. “It was fantastic to see how naturally the Sixth Form students engaged with the lower years and how genuinely interested they were in hearing how their buddies have settled into LWC so far.”
Pitch Perfect
An LWC contingent were back on the rugby field during the holidays.
5th Formers Oscar, Laurie, Harry C, Harry D, Digby and Bartie all turned out for the Bath U16s Academy when they played Harlequins.
Ralph and Toby represented the Bath U16 Player Development Group against Exeter Chiefs.
Meanwhile, 4th Formers Ewan, Seb and Alex made their debuts for the Bath U15s.
Finery in the Field
LWC’s CCF contingent has taken delivery of a replica 12-pound field gun and limber.
It was possible to purchase, thanks to a grant award from The Connaught Trust, following a successful application made by CCF Officer and Head of 4th Form, Rupert Davis.
“Training on the gun is to begin this year and will be used to allow all cadets the opportunity to build on teamwork and leadership skills,” explained Ian Rockett, CCF School Staff Instructor.
“Watch this space for an opportunity for students, staff and parents to witness a field gun display.”
The Art of French Filmmaking
LWC’s Upper Sixth French students took part in an interactive online seminar about the film La Haine this week, run by the British Film Institute.
The movie, directed by Mathieu Kassovitz is claimed to have changed the cultural landscape of French cinema when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995.
Thirty years later, our A-level students are studying it.
“The seminar was in French and they were able to learn from Muriel Huet, an expert in French film,” explained Teacher of French and Spanish, Kate Henley.
“It allowed them to better understand the film and to share their own knowledge. It will be very helpful when it comes to writing their essays based on La Haine.”
LWC Remembers Anthony
Anthony Murray left LWC in 1985 and just months later was tragically killed in a farming accident.
At the time, a tree was planted alongside Sutton House in his memory.
40 years later, his friends and family are returning to LWC for a celebration of his life, after reaching out to our Alumni Manager, Clare Faherty.
“The idea was first mentioned by family friend, Justin Bowman-Shaw,” explained Tony’s mum, Anna who will be among 100 attendees for the event on Sunday.
There will be a celebration service, a visit to Tony’s tree and a game of table tennis (a table was also purchased in his memory).
“Tony was a cricketer and really hoped to play for England,” continued Anna. “He is remembered for his cricket. I have kept his cricket bat in its case at home for the last 40 years. I gave it to him for his 15th birthday and have only recently opened it again.”
LWC is honoured to host this special group to remember one of our own.
Charity Committee’s Christmas Bonanza
The LWC Charity Committee has helped to raise a staggering £1366 for its chosen organisations over Christmas.
The total was raised through proceeds from our gingerbread sleigh raffle and the Christmas Tombola at our Carols and Christmas Market.
The money will be split between World Child Cancer and CCLL The Helping Hand for Ukraine.
Congratulations to all involved.
On the Horizon and Beyond
There’s much to be excited about at LWC in 2026.
But our vision for the 1200 stretches way beyond the next 12 months.
Come along and hear about our plans from Head, Adam Williams as he continues his LWC Strategy 2030 – Widening Worlds conversations.
Book here to reserve your place in our small group sessions, designed to get your input and give you an insight into what we hope to achieve.
The sessions resume tomorrow and run on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings between now and June.
Getting into Good Habits
How does learning happen in the brain? How can you avoid this process from being hindered? and how can you help your child to develop positive learning habits?
All of these questions will be tackled in the next session of our Academic Parental Engagement Programme next Saturday (17th January) at 10am in Gavin Hall.
Richard Wheadon has two decades of teaching experience and his new book Learning Habits: How to Develop Independent and Successful Learners will be published next month.
Places will be prioritised for parents and carers of students in their exam years, but any available tickets will be allocated to interested families in 3rd Form and above.
Please register here.
LWC Lifesavers
We actively encourage our post-16 students to train as lifeguards at LWC.
This involves supporting them in gaining their RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).
The internationally recognised award also carries eight UCAS points, widening the opportunities on offer beyond LWC.
“Once qualified, pupils are offered the opportunity to work alongside our professional staff in the school pool, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the smooth running of our facilities,” explained Head of Swimming, Jeni Loud.
Our young lifeguards take part in regular staff training sessions (pictured) to keep skill levels high.
LWC Life
The key to a great January is looking after yourself and making exciting plans for the months ahead.
Right now on our LWC Life benefits platform, you’ll find a selection of carefully curated offers to tick both boxes.
You can also win an Echo Hydrogen Water Bottle worth £300 by entering a free prize draw.
The Echo bottle infuses molecular hydrogen into your water within minutes to help support recovery.
You can enter here by tapping claim to confirm.
LWC Life is our free benefits scheme for parents, staff and Sternians. You can sign up at any time to start claiming offers.
Raising Money with Recycling
Still too much leftover Christmas chocolate in the house?
You can at least find a grateful home for your increasingly empty sweets containers at LWC.
Until Friday, 13th February, we’re collecting for Greene King’s Tub2Pub initiative.
Drop off your empties to Grab & Go inside our Julyans Dining Hall and we’ll make sure they help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by being recycled.
Co-Curricular Focus
With over 100 co-curricular activities on offer at LWC, there’s something for everyone – whatever your passion.
Our GCSE Astronomy Group meets each Monday evening at 5pm – with an option to study for the qualification or to just come along for fun.
And of course, the 1200 has plenty of opportunities for stargazing…
Wintry Scenes
It’s been a bitterly cold start to the Spring Term.
But as ever, the 1200 has looked beautiful throughout the harsh frost and spontaneous snowfall.
Have a great picture of LWC? We’d love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
100 Terms of Mr Kimber
When LWC’s Senior Master, Richard Kimber first looked around the 1200, he didn’t imagine it would lead to a job offer.
But as he embarks upon his 101st term at the College, we can probably all agree that it was just meant to be.
“I finished my engineering degree and wanted to join the Royal Navy,” he explains. “I spent a year preparing for the interview board and passed it. I thought I was all set for the Navy, until my medical, when I failed an eyesight test.”
Having begun his teacher training at the University of Bristol as an alternative, he arranged to be shown around LWC after missing the application deadline for a Maths teaching post.
“When I arrived here, I saw a portrait of the headmaster and thought he looked familiar. When I walked into his office, we started talking about how I interviewed for the Royal Navy on the day we went to war in the Gulf. He revealed that he was on the Admiralty Interview Board that day and had interviewed me.”
Later that day, Mr Kimber was offered the job he believed he’d missed out on and the rest is history.
During his three decades at LWC, Richard has performed a variety of roles, from Houseparent to Head of Careers. He also cites some of his biggest highlights coming courtesy of his co-curricular involvement. “For 15 years, I ran cycle tours, raising money for the Foundation along the way. I enjoyed getting people to buy into the culture of it being hard work, but that together, we’d do it for the Foundation or whatever it may be.”
He has also been instrumental in 20 CCF winter camps to Snowdonia and 54 week-long residentials. “You see the children in a completely different light doing these things,” he reveals. “Any child finding their passion is the key to their success at school. It’s really rewarding to see that transformation.”
As Senior Master, Richard is now responsible for the logistical day-to-day running of LWC, when it comes to staffing and transport. But in his 33 years here, he has sampled much of College life from being a Houseparent to Head of Careers.
The recent rousing reception by staff to mark his 1000th game of Friday Night Football is a testament to how highly he’s regarded at LWC, even if his humility prevents him from really appreciating quite how much of a difference he makes.
“It has genuinely never felt like work,” he reflects. A bold statement after 100 terms in the 1200 and proof were it needed, that it was definitely meant to be.
Read more of Richard’s story here.
Key Dates
Academic Parental Engagement Programme: Learning, Thinking & Habit Formation with Richard Wheadon, Gavin Hall
10am, Saturday 17th January
LWC Presents The Wizard of Oz, The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Wednesday, 21st to Friday, 23rd January
Non-Uniform Day
Friday, 23rd January
Eat, Meet & Greet, Julyans Dining Hall
3-4pm, Friday, 23rd January
Exeat Weekend
4pm, Friday, 23rd January
EPQ Marketplace, Gavin Hall
7-8.30pm, Friday, 30th January
Sixth Form Open Morning
9.30-11.30am, Monday 2nd February
Music Scholars’ Recital, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Monday, 2nd February
LWC Connect Networking Breakfast, Zanetas
7-9am, Thursday, 5th February
Interhouse Dance, Sutton Hall
7pm, Friday, 6th February
Parental Engagement Programme Seminar: Online Safety, Gavin Hall
9.30-11am, Saturday, 7th February
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday, 10th February
Drama Scholars’ Evening, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Thursday, 12th February
Half Term Begins
4pm, Friday, 13th February
Spring Term Resumes
Monday, 23rd February
Useful Links
The school calendar can be viewed using the link below:
LWC CalendarThe school sports calendar can be viewed using the link below:
LWC Sports CalendarPlease view the Sports Weekly Schedule here:
Sports Weekly ScheduleHere’s a guide to required kit per sport:
LWC SPORTS KIT LIST