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Amery Hill School Announces New Headteacher

Posted on: June 26th 2023

RobpotraitAmery Hill School in Alton is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Headteacher, Mr Rob Jeckells, who will take up the position, in September 2023, after the summer holidays.

Mr Jeckells is a highly experienced Deputy Headteacher from Kings’ School in Winchester. The comprehensive recruitment process included seeking external independent advice as well as involving a broad cross-section of Trustees, staff and students in the school. One of our objectives was to find a Headteacher who understands and shares our outlook, which is rooted in strong values. Throughout our discussions it was clear that Mr Jeckells, not only shares our focus on academic excellence and high achievement for all, but will continue to develop our ethos and vision in the future.

We would like to congratulate Mr Mann, our current Headteacher, who has been appointed as CEO of Wildern Academy Trust and will take up his new position in September.

Rob Jeckells said: ‘It will be my honour and privilege to lead Amery Hill School. I am a strong believer in the power of education to transform lives, and I’m ambitious to build upon the work of the current Headteacher and staff. The opportunity to lead Amery Hill School and serve the whole community is hugely exciting for me and I’m looking forward to leading the school into the next phase of its history.’

Lorna Vickery, Chair of Trustees, said ‘We are very sad to see Mr Mann depart and thank him for all the hard work and dedication he has shown to ensure the very best for the students at Amery Hill School. Mr Mann has worked tirelessly with the Senior Leadership Team, staff and Trustees over the last five years to strengthen the academic excellence of our school and maintain our caring ethos, whilst steering the school through the Covid pandemic. We look forward to a bright future for the school with Mr Jeckells, whilst wishing Mr Mann every success, health and happiness with his future career.’

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Remembering the Fallen
Posted on: 23/10/2025

Remembering the Fallen

Just before half term a group of students led by Mrs Pretsell, Assistant Headteacher at Amery Hill School, joined former Curtis Museum Curator, and a retired staff member of Amery Hill School, Mr Tony Cross in the cemetery opposite the rear of the school. For many of the past 25 years a small group of volunteers from the school have helped the local historian give the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) headstones a scrub in advance of Remembrance Day and place a small Cross of Remembrance by them. But why there are war graves in Alton? Despite the fighting taking place mostly overseas in both conflicts of the 20th century, the CWGC looks after 160,000 headstones around the UK, including a few in Alton. There were many training areas and military hospitals in the UK during both wars. Training accidents and medical issues also took their toll. UK hospitals also cared for the wounded after their evacuation from European battlefields. Those that passed away during their hospital stay would be buried nearby. Interestingly, there was a Red Cross Hospital in the Assembly Rooms during The Great War. Britain in WW2 was well known for the battles played out above its skies. Airfields were dotted around the country to protect against enemy air raids and provide bases for missions over Europe. Some casualties were able to be returned to their next of kin for burial locally. Within both sections of Alton Cemetery there are eight burials relating to WWI and 14 associated with WW2. In addition, there is a private memorial chosen by one WW2 family and several family headstones of both wars that include family members lost overseas. Three family headstones included the small bronze memorial plaque issued to families who had lost members after WW1, although only one is still in place. Mounted on the low wall of the Crematorium Memorial area at the top of the cemetery are two small plaques. One commemorates two women from the town who died in SE Asia during WW2, whilst the other remembers the four civilians who died due to enemy bombs falling on Alton in March 1941. View Article
Wild Inspiration: Year 9 Artists Sketch at Marwell Zoo
Posted on: 29/09/2025

Wild Inspiration: Year 9 Artists Sketch at Marwell Zoo

Today, our Year 9 Art students enjoyed a fantastic and highly educational school trip to Marwell Zoo. The aim was to gather some first-hand inspiration for their ongoing ‘Wild Animals’ project. This excursion provided a brilliant opportunity to take their observational skills out of the classroom and into a dynamic, natural environment. The day kicked off with a specialist observational drawing workshop led by the zoo's excellent education team. Students were given privileged, close-up access to a fascinating range of artefacts, including animal furs, skins, and skeletons. This tactile session allowed them to study the unique textures, intricate structures, and anatomy of wild creatures. It provided a solid, academic foundation for their subsequent live sketching out in the park. Later, surrounded by incredible wildlife, students explored the zoo, making the most of the opportunity to sketch animals in their naturalistic habitats. This demanding exercise helped them refine their skills in capturing form and movement quickly and accurately. Watching the animals allowed them to develop the spontaneous and confident approach necessary for effective field sketching. It was a truly memorable and inspiring day of creativity. The students returned with sketchbooks full of fantastic ideas and detailed studies, which will now directly inform and elevate the quality of their 'Wild Animals' project work back in the studio. We are very much looking forward to seeing the final pieces they produce!    View Article