Good Schools Guide
Friday 24th April 2026
Welcome to the Barrow Hills Bulletin, your weekly newsletter with a snapshot of life at School.
Message From the Head
Dear Parents,
We were greeted by some lovely sunshine to start the Summer Term, made even more enjoyable by our third annual Art Exhibition, which was a stunner. Thank you for your support in coming to celebrate such a breadth of artistic expression. This year, I was particularly impressed by how many children worked purposefully to link knowledge and skills across subjects – for example, translating plant cell structure in science into large-scale painting and printmaking.
We have also started strongly with the Rotary Young Writers’ Competition, achieving 42 commended entries and five section wins. Well done to Isobel, Leonidas, Mathilda, Delilah and Tom, who now progress to the District Finals.
We recently had 15 children taking their ballet exams, gaining high marks across the board, with an unprecedented three candidates receiving a ‘distinction’. Additionally, Hermione in Year 7 became the first Barrow Hills pupil to take a major ballet exam in London. Thank you, as always, to Miss Anna for her support.
Year 8 pupils to be congratulated this week include Charlie, Delilah, Tom and Josh, who bravely and articulately addressed the District Chair of Governors’ Forum last night, sharing their work on digital innovation and inclusion – leaders of the future, dealing impressively with a room full of Surrey grandees.
In this area, we are pleased to be partnering for a second year with Surrey and Royal Holloway universities, who kindly provide pro bono support for our work on digital innovation. Their research team will begin next week, working with Years 6, 7 and 8 over the next half term to further develop the learning tools we are using to support academic progress.
There is also some support for parents via an expert seminar hosted at King Edward’s School, Witley, on 7 May at 6pm: ‘Food, Feelings, and Growing Up’. We will share a full invitation next week.
Do check the diary; we have a great deal ahead, from residential trips to Snowdonia, Sayers Croft and the Costa Brava, to the usual cornucopia of sports days, summer proms and prize giving.
Final word to Arthur in Year 2, who climbed Helvellyn with his older brother Toby (Year 6) over the holidays – impressive grit.
Mr Towers, Head
We’re thrilled to invite little ones into our Nursery and Forest School for a our weekly toddler class – Tree Tots @ Barrow Hills!