Hillcrest Secondary School

Hillcrest is built on a philosophy of inclusion, cooperation, and mutual respect, aiming to foster confidence and social responsibility in its students. The school employs a personalised approach to learning, allowing teachers to stretch individual students of all levels. It emphasises a collaborative effort between students, staff, and parents to achieve exemplary academic results.

The school follows the British National Curriculum, with the Preparatory School incorporating the Common Entrance syllabus for Years 7–8. The Secondary School offers IGCSEs for Years 9–11, and A-Levels and BTECs for Years 12–13, primarily using the Cambridge International Examinations syllabus. Early Years education utilises thematic units across subjects such as art, music, science, and math. The school integrates technology through a 1-to-1 device programme for Secondary students and utilizes a virtual learning environment to support academic organisation and communication.

The school employs a permanent staff of specialist learning support teachers in Maths, English, and English as an Additional Language (EAL). All students are screened upon entry and monitored throughout their education to identify those who may require specialist help, including Gifted and Talented learners. Students identified with specific learning difficulties may be referred to an Educational Psychologist for a comprehensive assessment of their learning styles.

Prospective families are encouraged to contact the Registrar to arrange a school tour and meet with the Head Teacher. While the majority of students join at the start of the academic year in September, the school accepts new students at any stage throughout the year. Nursery registrations are accepted up to one year in advance of the intended entry date.

The school operates on a three-term academic year. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Term 1 runs from 25th August to 4th December 2026, Term 2 from 5th January to 25th March 2027, and Term 3 from 20th April to 2nd July 2027. Each term includes a scheduled half-term break.

The campus features extensive facilities, including multiple IT suites with Wi-Fi, five specialist science laboratories, and two well-stocked libraries. Sports amenities include lush playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, a fully equipped gym, an aerobics/dance studio, and an indoor swimming pool. Additionally, the school provides a design technology suite, a drama studio, an examination hall, a dedicated Sixth Form unit, two dining rooms, and a fleet of school buses.

The school offers a range of activities beyond the classroom to support student development. Facilities are available for various team sports, and the school maintains a dedicated co-curriculum coordinator to manage these programmes.