Autumn Term 2023

Our first term of the 2023-24 academic year began with the introduction of an exciting new digital initiative that has pupils in Years 7 to 10 locking their mobile in a Yondr phone pouch during the school day. Yondr’s unique technology means the pouch can only be opened via an unlocking stations, so boys have no access to their phone until the end of the day.

Ms Pheiffer, Deputy Head: Pastoral and Wellbeing, explains: “At Wetherby Senior, we prepare our young people for further study and work in the twenty-first century, so appreciate that mobile phones, computers and the internet are an integral part of daily life. In addition, with boys traveling into central London, we understand the benefits and convenience for both parents and pupils in having a mobile. However, phones are a distraction and heavy usage can impact negatively on academic performance, social interaction and overall wellbeing. We believe limiting access during the day, through Yondr, will help boys focus on their studies and enjoy more face-to-face interaction.”

Wetherby Senior’s partnership with Yondr was featured in The Telegraph, as it supports academic study (less distractions from notifications or social media enables pupils to concentrate in lessons and actively participate in classroom discussions) and forms part of our School’s plan to further improve pupil wellbeing. A video of Ms Pheiffer, discussing Yondr, is also available on our School’s YouTube channel.

The start of the new academic year saw our new Head Boy and prefect team settle into their roles, with our new Head Boy, Paul, featuring in a short video about his experience in our Sixth Form on our School’s YouTube channel.

Our annual prize-giving ceremony took place in nearby St Marylebone Parish Church in September, reflecting on the previous year with awards ranging from academic achievement and most improved for Years 7 and 8, to subject-specific prizes for Years 9 to 13. In addition our School named a finalist for London Independent School of the Year 2023, part of a prestigious awards ceremony by Independent School Parent magazine. The London Independent School of the Year category applauds institutions, like Wetherby Senior, that fully use their London location to add value to the experience of pupils.

Mr Silvester, Headmaster, said: “Being a finalist for London Independent School of the Year 2023 was a fantastic recognition of how, since opening in Marylebone in 2015, Wetherby Senior has worked hard to ensure our central London location enhances the education of our boys.”

The arts have continued to be a large part of life at Wetherby Senior. Our Music Department provided a successful Autumn Recital and ended the term with a festive Christmas Concert. Our Upper School production – A Christmas Carol Showcase – also helped ensure everyone embraced the spirit of the season in December. The Barometer, with two issues published again this term, ensured boys got to see their work in print.

Individual triumphs within the arts this autumn included Max, in Year 13, winning the Outstanding Student Short Film award at the Surrey Short Film Festival in October, and Ivo, in Year 8, starring in an acclaimed and gripping production of Jephtha at the Royal Opera House.

Sport success this term meant Wetherby Senior was named national ski champions, after pupils from Years 8 to 13 took part in the annual ISA National Indoor Ski Championship Competition. Mr Underwood, from our Sport Department, said: “Congratulations to our fantastic young skiers! All our boys performed brilliantly, shredding the slopes and achieving valuable points for Wetherby Senior.”

Staying with winter sports, Thomas (Year 9) made it through to the final stages for the England U14 ice hockey team, and has now been invited to play ice hockey for the cantonal team, Valais, due his Swiss residency. In addition, our School’s football team won the annual Friday Nights Light fixture in early December and rugby returned to Wetherby Senior, with our 1st XV team enjoying a competitive fixture against UCS.

As befits our School’s status as finalists for London Independent School of the Year, pupils have continued to reap the benefits of our Marylebone location, enjoying trips, lectures and other opportunities this term. For example, boys researched the romance and radicalism of the famous Rossetti family at Tate Britain; GCSE Drama pupils combined their love of football and theatre by watching the smash-hit, Red Pitch, at the Bush Theatre; sixth formers were transported back to the Second World War at the award-winning Churchill War Rooms in Westminster; a group from Year 12 examined the heart of UK politics, via a visit to the Houses of Parliament; pupils have undertaken geography fieldwork in Stratford and science fieldwork in Hyde Park; and our Geography Department trip to Crete saw boys explore dramatic landscapes and experience a rich and fascinating culture over half-term.

Charitable giving has continued at Wetherby Senior this term, with our most successful non-uniform day raising an incredible £1131 to support relief efforts following the recent disasters in Morocco and Libya. Throughout November, a number of sixth formers and members of staff from our Sport Department put aside their razors and grew moustaches as part of Movember, a global campaign raising awareness of men’s health issues. Now, as we near the end of term, our School community is enthusiastically and generously supporting our annual shoebox collection for West London Mission, a Christmas raffle and a Staff Pantomime, to raise further funds for charity.

Looking back on Wetherby Senior’s Autumn Term 2023, our Headmaster said: “After another busy and successful term, I’m delighted to see our boys taking part in a host of opportunities, alongside their academic studies, that allow them to develop and thrive, further enriching their educational experience while at Wetherby Senior.”