About Hillcrest
An 11 to 18 school for the north side of Springfield, open to every family in its catchment area (sample).
A local school, on purpose
Hillcrest opened in 1962 (sample) to serve the new streets around Orchard Lane. Most students still walk or cycle in, and many of their parents sat in the same classrooms.
We teach a broad curriculum to every student, keep tutor groups together for five years, and run a sixth form so students can stay on with teachers who know them.
- 1,100 students in Years 7 to 13 (sample)
- Six form groups in each year, about 28 students each
- A sixth form of 220 students on the same site
Who looks after your child
Every student has a form tutor they see every morning. If something is wrong, start with the tutor; they know who to bring in.
Form tutor
First contact for parents, by email or the planner
Every morning
Head of year
Behaviour, attendance and anything bigger
Each year group
Student support centre
A quiet room, a mentor and help with work
8:15–16:30
School nurse
Medicines, care plans and health questions
Mon, Wed, Fri
Safeguarding lead
Any worry about a child’s safety, from anyone
Every school day
Leadership team
The people who run the school day to day. Governors oversee the budget, the curriculum and the headteacher.
Helen Brook
Headteacher (sample)
Marcus Reid
Deputy head, curriculum (sample)
Priya Shah
Deputy head, pastoral (sample)
Tom Okafor
Head of sixth form (sample)
Laura Finch
Special needs coordinator (sample)
David Ames
Chair of governors (sample)
Term dates
School is closed to students on the five training days; we post them on the calendar a year ahead.
Autumn term
Half term 27 – 31 October
3 Sep – 19 Dec
Spring term
Half term 16 – 20 February
5 Jan – 27 Mar
Summer term
Half term 25 – 29 May
13 Apr – 21 Jul
Training days
2 Sep, 3 Nov, 5 Jan, 13 Apr, 22 Jul
Dates for this school year (sample).
Reports and policies
Our admissions arrangements, the behaviour and safeguarding policies, the special needs report, the curriculum plan for each year, the pupil premium statement and the governors’ annual report are available from the school office.
Ask for any document by email and we will send it the same week, or a paper copy if you prefer.
Come and see a school day
Tours run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in term time. Book a slot and we will meet you at Gate A.