During the first week of October, Ponteland High School was delighted to welcome prospective Year 7 students and their families as part of a series of open events designed to showcase the school’s vibrant learning community.
Throughout the week, we hosted a number of open mornings, offering parents the opportunity to experience the school in action during a typical working day. Over 40 families attended these sessions, beginning with a welcome and address from the Headteacher, Mr McElwee, before embarking on guided tours of our excellent facilities. Visitors were able to observe lessons across various subjects and gain an authentic insight into the school’s ethos and daily life. The morning concluded with a Q&A session led by our current Year 7 students, who impressed attendees with their maturity, eloquence and enthusiasm. Many parents commented on the calm, purposeful atmosphere throughout the school, as well as the confidence and articulate nature of the students.
The week culminated in our spectacular Open Evening on Thursday 2nd October, which welcomed over 400 families. Visitors enjoyed a formal presentation by Mr McElwee before exploring all curriculum areas, each offering a range of engaging and interactive activities. In Mathematics, guests sampled a taste of Key Stage 3 through creative activities such as “pick ‘n’ mix” puzzles and mocktail-themed challenges. The Science department captivated audiences with hands-on flame tests and a dramatic demonstration of the ‘whoosh bottle’. Meanwhile, in Computing, families enjoyed a lively selection of tech-based experiences, including a photo booth, avatar generator, and interactive stations featuring microbots and robots.
A large number of current students from all year groups generously volunteered to support the evening. Their enthusiasm and articulate explanations of their learning journey left a lasting impression on our visitors. The feedback from prospective parents and students was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the warm welcome, inspiring learning environment, and the outstanding conduct of our student ambassadors.
We extend our thanks to all who attended and to the dedicated staff and students who made the week such a success. We look forward to welcoming our next cohort of students in September.