Monique Macintosh - Year 11

The opportunities on offer to students at Blackheath High never cease to amaze me. From the Venice choir tour to participating in Model United Nations competitions; and taking part in world record attempts to exploring fascinating countries like Cambodia and Peru. I love the wide and diverse range of co-curricular clubs and societies available for us to participate in and the dedicated time in our timetable to participate. We can join Samba Band, Debating Society or the 3D printing club, to name just a few. Not only do they allow us to try something new each term, but it also means that we get to know students in different year groups as well as provide a balance to the challenging curriculum we follow. My favourite subject is drama as it has built my confidence greatly, not just in performing but socially and academically too. My teachers are incredibly supportive and I always feel that I can ask for help in any of my subjects. My aspiration is to study Law at university with a view to becoming a barrister – an ambition I know my school will support me with, particularly as I move into the Sixth Form.

Grace Miller - Year 10

Sport is my passion and the PE department have always encouraged me to participate in competitive events, including GDST competitions. I want to compete in triathlons for Team GB and I have performed really well in the school’s cross-country events and for Greenwich borough. As I have been helped by physiotherapy myself, I’d like to train as a physiotherapist, helping to improve people’s lives and their sporting performances. My experience with Sport at Blackheath High has certainly put me on a path to achieving this. I love the fact that our school is small and you genuinely feel a real sense of community. Our teachers are really supportive and encourage us to reach for the top grades; I feel that they treat us as valued individuals. My most memorable experience was the trip to Sorrento as it was so much fun being away with my friends, particularly the challenging climb up Vesuvius.

Lara Atkinson - Year 11

At Blackheath High, teachers actively encourage us to become independent learners by challenging us and pushing us outside of our comfort zones. In my favourite lessons, Maths and Science, we are given really challenging problems to solve and encouraged to find a solution on our own. Teachers will guide us but don’t just give us the answers! This supports my future plans to study Mechanical Engineering as I enjoy finding out how things work and why. All of my teachers have time for every student and go the ‘extra mile.’ They are so passionate about their subjects and know all students individually. I also love Design and Technology lessons; the classrooms have lots of fantastic equipment including 3D printers and laser cutters, which provides an exciting environment for us to study in. The teachers really do inspire us.

Lacey Reid - Year 11

I love the freedom that our school gives students to try new things and achieve both creatively and academically. Our teachers know us so well and really do help us reach our goals. I’m looking forward to starting Sixth Form next year and then would love to study Musical Theatre at university. I’ve performed in many school productions, with my favourite being playing "Fizzy" in "Bugsy Malone" at Greenwich theatre.

Hana Khan - Year 11

Alongside the normal curriculum, I have been lucky enough to take two additional GCSEs early, in Year 10. I achieved an A* in Spanish as well as an A in Astronomy which I studied for with some of my classmates through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. As a keen scientist, I thoroughly enjoyed studying this fascinating subject, and where better to do it?! As I move into the Sixth form at Blackheath High, I am thinking about my future career in either Medicine or Engineering so this has definitely helped to fuel my passion for Science. I enjoy learning here because we are very often given the opportunity to develop our own ideas instead of being ‘spoon-fed’ information. For example, I have recently enjoyed taking part in discussions surrounding controversial issues in Biology such as genetics and cloning. I also enjoy looking at wider issues like in Geography where we consider the effects social and economic effects of earthquakes as well as environmental ones, extending our thinking as we do so. As well as enjoying the academic aspects of school, I am a keen musician. I balance studying by attending many music clubs such as Samba band, Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Folk Club and Vocalise, as well as working at Grade 7 on Piano, and playing Clarinet and the Irish Whistle.