LWC News 58

Welcome to LWC News

Spring is finally here and the campus has been buzzing all week.

The 1200 has hosted a myriad of events, from sporting semi-finals to celebrations of great pastoral care– a small snapshot of the breadth of life at LWC – and the expansive outlook created from all kinds of opportunities.

You can read more below (hopefully whilst enjoying a glimpse of some more springtime sunshine).

News

LWC Girls Make ISFA Shield Final

LWC’s U15A Girls’ Football Team have qualified for the national final of the ISFA Shield.

They faced two nationwide semi-finals in the space of 24 hours and shortly after defeat in the ISFA Cup against a strong Surbiton High side, they displayed the character they’ve become famous for.

The girls beat West Yorkshire’s Woodhouse Grove School to make it to their first national final.

They now face Hertfordshire’s Queenswood School as they bid for the title on Friday, 1st May.

LWC’s Head of Football, Georgia Bowers added, “The girls have gone through every emotion with their game this week, have remained resilient and claimed the result in the ISFA Shield that they deserved. This team have shown skill, dedication and togetherness this season and have a rightful place in the final.”

U14As Crowned Champions

The U14A Boys’ Hockey Team have qualified for the Tier 2 England Hockey National Finals, having been crowned Hampshire and South Regional Champions last Friday.

They remained unbeaten throughout the day at the South Regional Tournament at Reading Hockey Club.

LWC’s Director of Sport and Head of Hockey, Soma Singh added, “This is a fitting reward for a hard-working U14 side who continue to show development as the season progresses. I know they’ll be pushing to finish as high as they can at the nationals.”

Meanwhile, the U16A Boys’ Hockey Team narrowly missed out on the nationals by one point, having qualified for the south regionals.

Art with a Message

It may be International Women’s Day on Sunday, but the encouragement of our young women is a year-round pursuit at LWC.

Haygate House is creating a mural to inspire its girls to embrace life with passion and confidence. The final design was developed by Assistant Houseparent, Molly Smyth, following discussions and drafts with 4^th Form Art Scholar, Holly.

“The mural was designed to represent a confident, strong young woman depicted in a bold pop art style,” explained Mrs Smyth. “The girl looks up and outward, her gaze fixed on possibility,” added Haygate Houseparent Josie-Waskett-Long. “She represents resilience and the strength to keep going when things are hard.”

Haygate girls are being encouraged to contribute to different sections of the mural as it evolves. We’re excited to see it develop!

Celebrating LWC Boarding Staff

Monday’s World Boarding Staff Day (created by the Institute of Boarding) recognised the hard work, commitment and contribution made by boarding staff around the world.

LWC’s Head of Boarding, David Beven is well aware of the team’s dedication, here in the 1200.

“The boarding staff (comprising Matrons, Houseparents, and Assistant Houseparents) work diligently behind the scenes to ensure an environment in which students feel safe, supported, and able to grow as individuals,” he explained.

“We aim to cultivate a home from home where students can be themselves and build meaningful relationships. One of the most rewarding aspects of working within the boarding team is building great relationships with students and ensuring we’re at the centre of their pastoral network.”

Evening Song

LWC has an array of talented vocalists…

Last Friday, it was their chance to shine, with just under 40 performers taking part in An Evening of Song in the Nadine Uppal Theatre.

The annual vocal showcase featured singers from across the year groups, tackling a range of genres – from opera to pop.

Peripatetic singing teacher, Gill Prescott, organised the evening and added, “This gave us all a chance to show parents just how much the students have achieved. By including all abilities in the event, singers can enjoy listening to their peers and be inspired some of the more experienced among them. My highlight is always when a particularly nervous singer gives a fantastic performance, realising they can do it and would like to do it again!”

World Championships on the Horizon

LWC Head, Adam Williams will represent British Speedgolf on the world stage later this year.

Mr Williams retained his Senior Men’s Champion title at the British Speedgolf Championships in September. This followed a bronze medal at the British Speedgolf Pairs last May, when he teamed up with School Houseparent, Jack Malden.

He’s now been named in the British squad travelling to the 2026 Toro Speedgolf World Championships in New Zealand.

The event is expected to welcome a field of more than 100 players from 20 nations in November.

Sharing Best Practice in Pastoral Care

Delegates from across the independent and state education sectors joined us for LWC’s Pastoral and PSHEE Conference on Wednesday.

The day offered an opportunity to celebrate good pastoral care, whilst offering practical strategies to support a range of different wellbeing goals.

Expert speakers included David Walker, Executive Director of the Boarding Schools’ Association and The Institute of Boarding and Jayne Lowe, OBE – DfE Attendance and Behaviour Ambassador.

LWC was founded on the premise of providing an education for orphaned children and has gone on to win multiple awards for its pastoral provision.

We were delighted to host another of these important events in the 1200.

For the Love of Reading

LWC marked World Book Day yesterday (Thursday), with a series of activities.

Students were invited to chat to published authors from the College’s staff team, including Senior Deputy Head Tom Hicks, Head of English Chris Radmann and Head of Modern Foreign Languages Zoe Wheddon, as part of a Lunchtime Library event in Julyans Dining Hall.

Tutor groups took part in a Whose Line Was it Anyway audio quiz, featuring staff reading excerpts from books.

All students and staff were also asked to stop what they were doing for ten minutes at the start of period five, as part of Drop Everything and Read (DEAR).

Badger Cam is Back!

Having set it up weeks ago with LWC Farmer, Paul Sigley, Upper Sixth Formers, Abi, Eddie and Hector have been able to review the latest findings from our wildlife camera.

Footage clearly shows badgers gathering bedding material for their set, along with rabbits and even a photobombing deer getting in on the act.

“It was great to see the active set and the badgers preparing their sets for kits,” explained Esther Haydock, Head of Environmental Science.

“The kits will be arriving anytime and so we plan to put out the camera again in the hope of catching them coming out to play. Being able to observe wildlife in its natural habitat like this is of huge benefit to our A-level Environmental Scientists.”

Cotterill Cup Returns

Monday sees the return of LWC’s much-loved Cotterill Cup Music Festival.

An array of performances will take place across singing, instrumental and ensemble categories in just eight hours.

You’re welcome to our Prizewinners’ Concert on Tuesday (10^th March) from 7pm, whilst on Monday, 23^rd March, the festival’s Open Section Recitals will take place from 7.30pm. Both events will take place in the Nadine Uppal Theatre and tickets are available via the LWC Box Office.

You can also now reserve your place for the annual LWC Dance Show on Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th March from 7pm.

An Evening of Song

Meanwhile, rehearsals continue ahead of LWC’s collaboration with Esprimo Consort and The Hanover Band in a fortnight’s time.

15 singers and six instrumentalists from the College will be joining forces with the two ensembles for a breathtaking performance of Handel’s Messiah at Winchester’s Church of St Cross on Saturday, 21^st March.

“This is a shared artistic experience,” explained Artistic Director Issy Pott. “It’s about raising musical standards, yes – but just as importantly, it is about mentorship, aspiration and showing young people what is possible when talent is nurtured seriously and kindly.”

Tickets are priced from £10 and are available via Esprimo’s website. There’ll be more in next week’s LWC News.

Upper Sixth Spotlight

We continue our focus on the LWC Upper Sixth Form journey this week with Hector.

He’s received a full house of offers from Exeter, Leeds, York, Nottingham and Oxford Brookes for a range of courses based around Film and Media Studies, with his preferred option being Exeter.

“Photography has always been a passion of mine, but I’m open to the future and wanted to try something new with film,” he revealed.

“Mrs Hirst (LWC’s Head of Futures) has supported me in finding the right course and perfecting my personal statement. I definitely recommend going to look at the universities and courses before applying, just to make sure they’re right for you.”

In total, 35 members of the 100-strong Upper Sixth received a full house of offers from the universities they applied to.

How to Engage as Parents

How do you motivate your teen?

There may be days when this appears an impossible feat, but have faith..

Next Saturday (14^th March), award-winning former GP, mental health expert and author, Dr Dominique Thompson is back in the 1200 to reveal how.

You can book now for her Parental Engagement Programme session, Motivating Your Teen (Whilst Channeling Your Inner Ted Lasso) in Gavin Hall between 9.30 and 11am.

She’ll offer tips on how to steady their path, whether they’re preparing for exams this summer or not.

Days later, writer and broadcaster, Natasha Devon will be delivering a Parental Engagement Programme Webinar on Helping Your Child Prepare for Exams on Thursday, 19^th March, between 7 and 8pm. You can sign up now.

LWC Canoeists Shape up for DW

LWC’s Marathon Canoe Teams took to the water last weekend in one of their final challenges before the Devizes to Westminster Race on Easter Weekend.

They paddled for their longest stint yet – 22 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal, between Hungerford and Theale.

Head of Marathon Canoeing, Adam Reid explained, “It was a hugely successful day both for the paddlers and their support crews, with significant improvements in technique and stamina.”

The teams will take to the Kennet & Avon again tomorrow for another lengthy paddle, before camping overnight on the banks and then racing 25 miles from Pewsey to Newbury on Sunday in their final push before DW.

Performing the Bard in Basingstoke

4^th Form GCSE Drama students will take to the stage at Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre next Wednesday for the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival.

Their entry for this year’s event is a performance from the Bard’s great work, Macbeth.

Teacher of Drama, Matt McGrath added, “It’s always an incredible event and we are super excited to bring LWC’s version of Macbeth to the stage!”

LWC has previously earned a gold certificate for participation in the largest Shakespeare festival in the UK.

Tickets are available via the Anvil Arts website.

LWC Competes at Junior Cross-Country

Seven LWC students represented the Aldershot District in Tuesday’s Junior Cross-Country Championships at Basingstoke’s Down Grange.

2^nd Former, Florence and 1^st Former, Alex were our top finishing runners, with Florence selected to represent Hampshire at the Junior Inter-Counties Championships on Saturday, 21^st March.

Indoor Sprint Season Underway

Meanwhile, ten LWC athletes got their indoor sprint season underway last week.

They competed in an indoor 60 metre sprint race event at Brunel University.

“They had to complete two 60 metre sprints,” explained LWC’s Head of Athletics, Ben Hazell. “1^st Formers Blake and Honore, 2^nd Formers Florence and Robyn and 3^rd Former, Tobi all ran personal bests.

“Everyone involved will now have a Power of 10 national ranking.”

U13s Launch LWC Tournaments

Netball teams from across a variety of local schools joined us for LWC’s U13 Netball Tournament on Wednesday.

LWC 2^nd Former, Freya was voted Player of the Tournament by the opposition teams.

This was the first of four LWC netball tournaments to be held this month.

The U15s event will take place on Wednesday, 18^th March, with two U18 tournaments planned for Wednesday, 11^th and Saturday, 21^st March.

Spring Open Morning

We all know that the 1200 is a special place…

And on Saturday, 21^st March we’ll be revealing why to those interested in beginning an LWC education, at the LWC Spring Open Morning.

If you know someone who would benefit from having their world widened in our expansive setting, share the sign-up link and encourage them to join us.

The event begins at 9.15am and offers an opportunity to explore, along with meeting staff and students as our varied Saturday morning programme unfolds.

Elevating Research Skills

Lower Sixth EPQ students were given a taste of academic research in higher education with a trip to the University of Southampton last week.

“It helped them to understand how independent inquiry is conducted at this level,” explained LWC’s Head of the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), Helen Shedden.

“They attended research masterclasses, engaged with researchers and developed skills such as critical thinking, source evaluation and academic referencing that are central to the EPQ.”

Students were also granted full access to the university’s academic databases and Hartley Library – allowing them to download and view a wide range of journals, articles and materials relating to their chosen EPQ topics.

“Overall, the trip was designed to raise aspirations and strengthen research confidence to support students’ EPQs”, Mrs Shedden added.

Explore LWC’s Spring Colour

Last spring, hundreds of visitors descended on the 1200 for the National Garden Scheme’s Open Garden Event.

This April, we hope to beat the £1500 we raised for the NGS by opening our gates to the public once again.

On Saturday, 18^th and Sunday, 19^th April, you can wander through the stunning gardens of LWC between 11am and 3pm for a small donation to the NGS.

Refreshments will be available, with proceeds going to the Lord Wandsworth Foundation.

You can book in advance via the LWC website.

Academic Focus – Physics

It may be a few years since they last used Play-Doh..

But LWC’s Lower Sixth Form physicists have been experimenting with conducting putty as part of their recent lesson investigating the factors that affect resistance.

If only they had been this neat and tidy all those years ago…

Beautiful Bookmarks

LWC’s new-look library is keen to encourage a love of literature, in whatever form it takes.

Not only can students peruse the well-stocked shelves that look out over the treetops, but they can also leave with a little something to encourage them to read further.

A selection of bookmarks, designed by 3^rdFormers, are now available for students – with eye-catching designs on one side and space to review what they’re reading on the reverse.

2026 is the National Year of Reading after all…not that we needed any encouragement here.

LWC Life

We all need a treat every now and then.

Fortuitously, if you’re an LWC Life member you can take advantage of a free hot drink at The Folly in Odiham right now.

The offer is available all day, every day while stocks last (limited to one hot drink per customer, per day).

Simply claim via the LWC Life portal and receive a digital voucher or present your digital member ID to staff.

LWC Life is a carefully curated benefits scheme for LWC parents, staff and Sternians and is free to join at any time.

Tub Total

Thank you if you were one of the many to donate your ‘empties’ to this year’s Tub2Pub collection.

LWC has been collecting plastic chocolate and sweet containers since Christmas to help support the Greene King initiative.

The containers are recycled, with money raised going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

“148 tubs and lids ended up winging their way to The Waterwitch in Odiham during half-term,” LWC Catering Manager, Iain Hedley explained.

“This is a really great effort from the LWC community and will assist Greene King in raising much-needed monies for Macmillan. I think we can beat this figure when we take part again next year.”

The Nights are Drawing Out

We’re finally into spring and being treated to lighter evenings.

With this comes the return of some spectacular sunsets, such as this beauty captured by LWC Admissions Manager, Tory on Wednesday.

The blinking lights of Bramley House sit below an amber sky, with the promise of another blissful day of sunshine to follow.

If you have a photo of the 1200 that you’d be happy to share, we’d love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org.

During the Holidays at LWC…

Next Level returns to the 1200 with its Easter Revision Camps, designed to support those preparing for GCSEs and A-levels this summer.

On selected dates between Tuesday, 31^st March and Friday, 3^rd April, Next Level is offering revision sessions in English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography.

Sessions will be led by Next Level subject specialists, aligned with LWC exam boards and can be booked here.

Activate Camps

Activate Camps are back at LWC this Easter with their Cricket Academy (for 5-7 and 8-14-year-olds).

Sessions take place between Monday, 30^th March and Wednesday, 1^st April before returning in the summer for selected August dates.

Activate will also be running their JDH Next Level Hockey sessions during the summer holidays.

Details on both can be found on their website.

The Gosden Girls

Sunday is International Women’s Day – an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, along with calling for continued equality.

To mark it, we’re shining the light on just one of our fantastic female boarding houses and exploring the experience of leading a House full of teenage girls in 2026.

Gosden Houseparent, Lesley Radmann, is now in her sixth year at helm of the House. It’s a role that she finds rewarding to reflect upon.

“You basically have 81 girls in your head all of the time,” she reveals. “It’s wonderful having an insight into all of these lives, even if you sometimes feel as though your head is going to explode!”

When asked about the biggest challenge of leading a group of girls during such formative years, Lesley is quick to respond.

“I think building resilience in girls is the biggest challenge. In a girls’ boarding house, it’s about talking. Talking things through, listening, cajoling, preventing them from catastrophising and keeping things on an even keel with friendships.” But it’s clear that the mix of year groups across LWC’s senior Houses is something of a blessing in this regard.

“When they come into the kitchen and make toasties together, you have 3^rd Form chatting to Upper Sixth and there’s a lovely feel in the House,” she continues. “If I have a 3^rd Former struggling with a friendship problem, I’ll have a chat to them and then ask one of my Sixth Form girls to talk to her about what she remembers from moments like that. They help one another. We’re all a family in that sense.”

Whilst Lesley and her fellow Houseparents are pivotal to the pastoral experience of students and their families at LWC, it’s clear that watching students arrive, thrive and eventually leave the 1200 is part of the thrill of leading a House.

“The joy for me is watching a group of girls move through 3^rd Form all the way to Upper Sixth,” Lesley admits. “You see them grow from nervous 3^rd Formers who may be new to the school, to dancing with them at the Leavers’ Ball when they are absolutely gorgeous and ready to head out to do great things. It’s wonderful to see them develop like that.

“This job keeps you young. Being with these young people keeps you excited about what’s out there in the future for them.”

Read more of Lesley’s story on our website.

Key Dates

Cotterill Cup Music Festival Begins

Monday, 9th March

Cotterill Cup Prizewinners’ Concert, Nadine Uppal Theatre

7-9.3pm, Tuesday, 10th March

Futures Fair, Sutton Hall

Friday, 13th March

Dance Show, Nadine Uppal Theatre

7pm, Wednesday, 18th & Thursday, 19th March

LWC Spring Open Morning

9am, Saturday, 21st March

LWC performs Handel’s Messiah with Esprimo & The Hanover Band, Church of St Cross, Winchester

7pm, Saturday, 21st March

Foundation Day Appeal Online Auction

Sunday, 22nd March – Sunday, 29th March

Cotterill Cup: Open Section Recital, Nadine Uppal Theatre

7.30pm, Monday, 23rd March

Foundation Day & Appeal

Thursday, 26th March

End of Spring Term

Noon, Friday, 27th March

National Garden Scheme Open Garden Event

11am-3pm, Saturday, 18th & Sunday, 19th April

Start of Summer Term

Monday, 20th April

GCSE & A-level Exams Begin

Monday, 27th April

Useful Links

The school calendar can be viewed using the link below:

LWC Calendar

The school sports calendar can be viewed using the link below:

LWC Sports Calendar

Please view the Sports Weekly Schedule here:

Sports Weekly Schedule

Here’s a guide to required kit per sport:

LWC SPORTS KIT LIST