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Future Leaders Elected: Student Ambassador Sees Strong Turnout in Mock General Election

Pupils went to the polls on Thursday 13th November to elect their new Student Ambassador representatives, completing a campaign period that featured speeches in assemblies and a system designed to replicate a real-life general election. The ballot saw the election of one representative for KS3 and one for KS4/5, providing all pupils who chose to participate with valuable experience in the democratic process, including the requirement to use identification to cast their vote. 

The high engagement was noted, with a 49.4% turnout for KS3 and an impressive 59.2% for KS4/5. This electoral practice took on particular significance, given the potential for 16-year-olds (our current Year 8 and above pupils) to vote in the next General Election in 2029 if proposed legislation is passed. The candidates for the KS3 role were Inaya A, Betsy G, Oliver H, Rithvik N, Ishvaa S and Isaac W. Contesting the KS4/5 position were Jasmine C, Arjun D P, Blake S and Charlie W.

We extend congratulations to all candidates who participated, with Mrs. Brown, Head of Faculty for Political & Social Sciences, highlighting that it was "tough to stand in front of your peers and present," and emphasised that the candidates were "future leaders" whose participation was essential for a "democratic vote."

Following the final count, Betsy G (Year 7) was announced as the new KS3 representative, having secured 160 votes. The KS4/5 seat was won by Arjun D P (Year 11), who tallied 205 votes. Both winners now begin their terms as the voice of their peers on the Student Council.

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14th November

Alex H. Gains Recognition for Outstanding Chess Playing

The school community was filled with pride following the publication of a recent article by pupil Alexander H Chess.com blog. We were delighted to read Alex's insights and we are incredibly proud of his achievements so far. We will be eagerly anticipating where his promising chess journey will lead him next... Words by Alexander H My Chess and Arbiting Journey I first discovered chess when I was six years old, after my older brother introduced me to the game. To my surprise, I became completely fascinated by its depth and strategy. Every match felt like a new puzzle waiting to be solved. I soon joined Harrow Chess Club and later Hatch End Chess Club, where I began to compete regularly and make friends who shared the same excitement for the game. Chess quickly became a huge part of my life. I am now a proud member of the EPSCA England National Junior Squad, and I’ve had the privilege to go abroad for tournaments held in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with another one coming up soon in Amsterdam. Each event has taught me something new, not only about chess but also about focus, discipline, and teamwork. It might surprise some people to hear that there is a teamwork element in chess. Even though the games themselves are individual, when you play for your club or your country, every player’s result contributes to the team score. You learn to encourage each other, analyse positions together, and share in both the wins and the losses. It’s a great feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself. My interest in becoming an arbiter began when I noticed how calm and confident arbiters were during tournaments. They never seemed flustered, even when games became tense. I was really impressed by their composure and thought that if I could learn to be like that, it might help me elevate my own game to another level. When I started studying the laws of chess, I was amazed by how many more rules there were than I had ever realised! The more I learned, the more I discovered how little I had actually known — and that only made me want to learn even more. With encouragement and guidance from some wonderful mentors, I studied hard and eventually passed the exam to become an arbiter. I’m proud to be one of the youngest arbiters in England. I was thrilled—and a little nervous—when Robin and Rock Yu from Alpha Chess gave me my very first opportunity to serve as an arbiter at one of their tournaments. I’m truly grateful to them for trusting me at such a young age. That first tournament was exciting, but it also had its challenges. During one of the rounds, a player made two illegal moves, and I had to declare the game a loss. It was a tough moment because the players were older than me, and I felt quite nervous about making that decision. But I knew it was the right call, and afterwards, I realised how important it is for arbiters to stay fair and consistent, no matter who is playing. Not long after that, I was very fortunate to receive another opportunity from Adam Raoof, who invited me to help arbitrate at his Golders Green tournament. It was an incredible experience, and I learned a great deal from observing how experienced arbiters manage busy events with confidence and calm. One of the things I love most about being an arbiter is the variety. One moment I might be helping a young junior understand an illegal move, and the next I could be ensuring fair play in a game between titled players. Each experience helps me grow—not just as an arbiter, but as a chess player too. Although I’m only twelve, I’m determined to keep improving and to contribute to the chess community in every way I can. The minimum age to apply for a national arbiter licence is sixteen, and I’m already looking forward to reaching that milestone. Until then, I’ll keep learning, practising, and doing my best to uphold the standards of fair play that make chess such a wonderful game.