Jack Petchey Foundation

The school has been part of the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme since 2011.

The Process (or nomination)

What does the winner receive?

The winner receives: a framed certificate, a pin badge, and £200 to be spent on a school or community project of their choice. The other nominated students are given a small amount of money that they can spend within the school community.

Recent winners:

Wyshnavy - Year 7

I would like to nominate Wyshnavy for a Jack Petchey Achievement Award for her enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience in Computing. She is a keen and active member of Code Club, where she approaches her Scratch projects with creativity and determination.

Wyshnavy is not afraid to ask questions and uses trial and error confidently to solve problems and improve her work. Her positive attitude, persistence, and willingness to support others make her a fantastic role model in the classroom.

Bhavish - Year 8

Bhavish gives his all in English lessons, whether it is reading aloud, writing an analysis or thinking creatively. He is a pleasure to teach. Each lesson he builds on his existing knowledge with enthusiasm for the subject and an inquisitive desire to witness his own development. He also uses vivid imagination to think creatively and is fabulous at 'getting into character' when reading a role in a play or writing as a character. 

Bhavish is fully deserving of an award as he encapsulates the Cheam core values, meaning that he is more than his academic success; he is also kind, considerate and encouraging of others.   

Chloe - Year 9

I currently teach Chloe German and have taught her French in the past. I find her to be an impressive young woman, academically bright and committed, with a competitive edge that drives her interest and thirst for knowledge and understanding. She has consistently performed well in class in both languages, but far more important than that are her genuine interest in the world around her; her focus on what languages actually mean as tools of communication; and her alertness to their cultural meanings and richness.

Chloe is always keen to extend her actual use of the languages in class and she is alive to how they relate to the countries that use them. Any historical snippets that arise in class relating, for example, to Germany or France, she avidly pursues and she is often the catalyst for interesting class discussions. She is attuned to languages as living, changing entities and is more focused than many on how they interrelate, or on their etymologies and changes over time. It is my firm belief that her energy in class is inspiring to others around her and that she raises the level of interest for her classmates. She is also a lively, spirited presence in class, full of zest and even ready for a Taylor Swift routine at 4.00 when only our class remains and everyone is ready for home!
 
Chloe has a bright and promising future. I warmly recommend her for this award.

Annabel  - Year 10

Annabel is such a hard-working and conscientious student.  Not only does Annabel have a great work ethic, she is also able to work independently on tasks - always giving classwork and homework one hundred per cent.  I have had the pleasure of teaching Annabel for English since year 7 and she has been utterly delightful and a model student throughout. 
 
As a gifted gymnast, Annabel competes regularly in competitions over the country, putting on fantastic shows along with her display squad.  Annabel is looking forward to training to be an instructor so that she can coach younger gymnasts.  As a discipline, gymnastics takes dedication, determination and resilience; as well as fitness, flexibility and finesse.  Annabel showcases these qualities, not just in gymnastics but in her other sporting endeavours as well. 
 
Annabel has also been involved in the Scouts for many years.  Having been a dedicated Scout member herself, she is now a young leader for Beavers, helping to run an exciting and engaging programme for 6-8 year-olds.  Annabel loves the joy and impact this brings to the young people and is always full of energy after her weekly sessions.  
 
Annabel is a fantastic all-rounder - a kind, polite, dedicated student, a good friend to her peers, a fantastic sports woman and someone who gives back to others and helps her wider community.  I think she is a fantastic candidate for this year's Jack Petchey Award.

Jessie - Year 11

It's not just Jessie's consistent hard work and impressive French language skills that compel me to nominate her for the Jack Petchey Award; it's her extraordinary courage and determination. From our very first French lesson, Jessie expressed a deep concern of speaking in French. Despite this significant hurdle, Jessie demonstrated remarkable determination. She dedicated numerous lunch breaks to practising her speaking with me, and it was clear that her knowledge of French was excellent.

The true triumph, however, lies in Jessie's unwavering effort to confront a subject she was not confident in. Regardless of the final GCSE French speaking exam results, witnessing her genuine smile and the immense pride she felt simply for participating – and even feeling she performed well – was a truly inspiring achievement. It is this exceptional character, this resilience in the face of adversity, that I believe deserves the recognition of a Jack Petchey Award.

Ayesha - Year 13

I am delighted to nominate Ayesha for this award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and achievements in textiles. Ayesha is an exceptionally hardworking and passionate student who consistently demonstrates a deep love for her craft. Her creativity knows no bounds, and she brings a fresh, thoughtful approach to every project she undertakes.

One of Ayesha's most admirable qualities is her unwavering focus and dedication. She consistently goes above and beyond expectations, producing work that is not only beautifully crafted but also meticulously presented. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence set a standard for her peers and enrich the learning environment for everyone around her.

Beyond her technical skills, Ayesha exhibits an exemplary work ethic. She approaches every task with enthusiasm, patience, and resilience. She is polite, friendly, and an outstanding team player who supports and uplifts those around her. Whether working independently or collaboratively, she contributes positively to every group, creating a spirit of cooperation and shared success.

In every way, Ayesha embodies the qualities this award seeks to recognise. Her passion for textiles, coupled with her hard work, creativity, and admirable character, make her a truly deserving nominee. I wholeheartedly recommend Ayesha for this award and am confident she will continue to achieve great things in the future.