A friend once told me that all he wanted for his children was for them to grow up confident, kind, and curious. After spending time with Anish and Cassia, it’s clear that these qualities are not just encouraged but deeply embedded in the culture of the school and reflected in its teaching ethos, merit system, and what’s known as ‘The Hilden Grange Way’. Their curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and love of learning were self-evident – especially when describing their favourite teachers or sharing something new they’d discovered. Mr Davie’s history lessons got an enthusiastic mention from both pupils. “When he’s teaching us about a battle, he acts it out in a fun way, which makes it memorable,” Anish explained.

Mrs Henshaw also earned high praise for making Latin “really enjoyable by incorporating lots of storytelling,” while Cassia described Miss Houghton, the Girls’ Head of Games, as “so encouraging” and someone who “really helps when you’re struggling with a sport.” Even previously tricky subjects have become firm favourites. “I didn’t really like maths before Year 6,” Cassia confessed, “but now I find it really fun – and that’s all down to Mrs Brown.” When I asked them to teach me something I didn’t know, Anish patiently explained a recent science experiment on thermal decomposition. Cassia, meanwhile, beamed as she shared a first-class fun fact: “Elephants have 40,000 muscles in their trunk, compared to humans who only have about 600 in their whole body.” A fact that I’ve already enjoyed sharing with others.

We moved on to recent school celebrations – Earth Day being one of many. These events, often tied to global or charitable causes, help nurture a sense of social responsibility. Earth Day, for instance, raised funds for the Woodland Trust. Achievements – whether academic, sporting, or personal – are regularly celebrated in assemblies, with ‘Star of the Week’ recognising excellence both in and beyond the classroom. At Hilden Grange, character education is taken as seriously as academics. Emotional intelligence, kindness, and a sense of service are all nurtured, and it shows. Anish and Cassia, whip-smart and utterly charming, left me feeling extremely optimistic. If they and their peers are the ones who will shape and lead our future, then we’re in very good hands.
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