Preparing to take
the next steps in life
Preparing to take
the next steps in life
Preparing to take
the next steps in life
We are Willingdon
We are a united, vibrant community which demonstrates personal excellence in all that we do. Learning at Willingdon transforms lives by igniting curiosity and expecting the very best from staff and students alike. We value opportunities, aiming for success today to prepare for challenges and opportunities tomorrow. We are respectful, honest and courteous to empower each other on our unique learning journeys. We look after ourselves and each other, and show empathy, respect and compassion to all people and our environment along the way. We encourage tolerance, resilience and reflection, which in turn allows everyone to make progress every lesson. We work together as a harmonious community to be the very best versions of ourselves.
This makes us Willingdon
We are looking forward to our Transition events including our Open Evening and Open Mornings.
We are Willingdon.
Trailer - We are Willingdon - Technology & Enterprise
Values and Ethos
At Willingdon Community School, we aim to develop, in all our students, key values which we consider contribute to the achievement of what we refer to as, Personal Excellence.
Ambition
Respect
Compassion
Courtesy
Honesty
Our GCSE Exam Results
For a third year running, we have sustained the high attainment that Willingdon Community School is renowned for.
70% of students leave with a grade 4 or above in English and Maths. This is a achievement, particularly given the recent educational changes which have led to more rigorous assessment in all subject areas.
Our Senior Leadership Team
Emily Beer
Headteacher
Nadene Townsend-Smith
Assistant Headteacher
Charly Dryer
Acting Assistant Headteacher
Sam Rogers
Headteachers PA
Emily Beer
Headteacher
I achieved a History Degree from Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey and completed my PGCE in History at Christchurch University.
I have worked in a number of Kent and London schools from a top performing outstanding grammar school to schools in special measures and requiring improvement. I enjoyed being a Head of History and Director of Key Stage Five for many years followed by a Deputy Headteacher.
I believe that we are all life long learners and I embrace CPD at all levels to ensure that we are providing the very best for each and every child. I really enjoy having the chance to teach a History Year Nine group this year.
Finally, I believe in talent managing my staff to provide them with similar opportunities that I was afforded throughout my career by fantastic colleagues who invested in my personal development. I hope I can pay that forward to my staff and students.
Nadene Townsend-Smith
Assistant Headteacher
Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral Leadership and Inclusion. This role includes; responsibility for whole school behaviour and attendance strategy, admissions and transition, pastoral leadership of all 5 year groups and Inclusion, including Special Educational Needs. Furthermore, I line manage the staff responsible for managing cover, organising the school calendar and overseeing trips and activities.
I have worked at Willingdon for 20 years and initially came here as a full time science teacher. I enjoyed the role of tutoring for 5 years which led to me becoming a Director of Students Progress for Year 7 and Transition. I was appointed to join the senior leadership team 4 years ago.
Teaching is my second career having spent enjoyable years in Forest Management, Conservation and Recreation; this was a natural progression from studying for a Batchelor of Science (Hons) degree at Trinity College. I was privileged to work as a ranger in the beautiful South Wales Valleys Forest and South East England Forest District. I enjoyed working and developing Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest before leaving to pursue my teaching career, studying for a PGCE, Science at Sussex University as an adult student.
Charly Dryer
Acting Assistant Headteacher
I completed a Fine Art degree at Southampton and then went onto complete a Master’s degree in History of Art at Sussex university. I spent a few years running a nightclub and bar before completing my PGCE, where my second teaching placement was here at Willingdon, 16 years ago. I have been very lucky to have been mentored by Mrs Rodgers who has encouraged me to challenge myself and go from teacher of art to Leader of Learning to Director of the arts faculty, Associate Assistant Headteacher and now to Assistant Headteacher. I love this school, the staff and students are fantastic and I believe that we promote a real love of learning.
Sam Rogers
Headteachers PA
Sam has been at Willingdon for the last 6 years as the Headteacher’s PA and has been the Clerk to Governors for 5 years.
She moved from London to Eastbourne with her 4 children 6 years ago and has worked previously in a large London primary school and with the NHS.
What People Are Saying
"Please can I just let you and the rest of the SLT know what E said today, whilst listening to the forum audio? "I love that our teachers are so human...I mean, some are just so (pulled face of looking down nose), but ours talk about what it's really like, and share what it's like for them as people." I think that's pretty high praise."
"Thank you so much for the extremely well organised, and smooth running of covid testing in school. You have prepared for everything, including putting anxious minds at rest with information and videos. My son was really quite anxious about it, but came home relieved, and just glad he had actually been to school! Your staff are a credit to the school, and really have given fantastic support to all pupils and parents."
"I would like to take this opportunity to say how very impressed I have been with Willingdon Community School, not just with the testing, which is clearly extremely well organised, but throughout the last year. Live lessons have worked brilliantly and the ongoing communication and support is outstanding."
"Thank you and the Willingdon staff so much for arranging such a professionally delivered parents evening. What has been such a difficult year I am so entirely grateful that I can be kept up to date with A’s progress. At a time when we are all dealing with so much to know my son is getting the best care, education and compassion from all at Willingdon really does mean so much. Thank you again."
"Firstly thank you for a lovely parents evening. It was a real moment for F to shine and l am so impressed with him. He made the choice to come into school over Easter to complete art which is just so mature and l am blown away by how each teacher had the same positive message. None of this that I see in him would happen if he had not been supported and nurtured by staff. Thank you."
"Thank you to all the staff at Willingdon – you are all marvellous! Not only through all this madness when your support has been fantastic but also before this. We thank god every day that we chose Willingdon for J. It could easily have gone either way with – he wasn’t the brightest student at primary school but from the minute he joined Willingdon he has been pushed, challenged and encouraged."
"I would also like to say thank you for your continued support at Willingdon. My Son is in his last year with you and you’ve been a great Head Teacher throughout his journey within the school and especially keeping us informed during the COVID pandemic. So a big thank you from me and the family."