Recent talks from sports stars and bestselling authors have encouraged pupils to strive for excellence.

Dunmow Broadcast: Students from Helena Romanes secondary school in Great Dunmow visiting Magdalene College to find out about studying at Cambridge University.Students from Helena Romanes secondary school in Great Dunmow visiting Magdalene College to find out about studying at Cambridge University. (Image: Archant)

As well as a great education, pupils at Helena Romanes secondary school benefit from regular visits by inspirational speakers. Of late these have included cricketer Jason Gallian and Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon.

Headteacher Simon Knight said: “Students really engage in these visits and are truly motivated by the achievements of these individuals.

“In turn, the school is producing public speakers of immense calibre itself. During the autumn term we hosted the annual Youth Speaks competition, sponsored by the Dunmow Rotary Club.

“The Year 10 team stole the show by beating the team from Felsted Preparatory School, speaking on the topic of women’s rights.”

Located in the heart of Great Dunmow, Helena Romanes takes pupils aged 11-18. The school has an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’, in recognition of its strong track record in helping pupils achieve their academic and social potential.

Dunmow Broadcast: Year 11 pupils at Helena Romanes taking part in the school's drama performances.Year 11 pupils at Helena Romanes taking part in the school's drama performances. (Image: Archant)

The school’s sixth form is a vibrant centre for learning, producing well rounded individuals who have gone on to study at some of the top universities in the country including Oxford, LSE, Warwick and Loughborough.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2016/17

- English GCSE Grades 9-4 results of 85 per cent

- 99.5 per cent pass rate at A Level

- Progress 8 figure of -0.14

Dunmow Broadcast: Students from Helena Romanes secondary school in Great Dunmow on a World Challenge hike.Students from Helena Romanes secondary school in Great Dunmow on a World Challenge hike. (Image: Archant)

- Significantly closing the gap for disadvantaged students

As the only secondary school in the locality, Helena Romanes takes its commitment to being part of the community seriously.

Students engage in such activities as providing Christmas gifts and cards for the residents of Redbond Lodge, running a successful campaign for donations to the community food bank, and being part of a campaign to get sixth form students involved in visiting the elderly living with dementia.

Every two years the school sends groups of students on a World Challenge to countries such as India and Peru, in order to bring people together to create positive change.

The students (and accompanying adults) work on community projects such as the construction of new classrooms, creating working spaces for women’s cooperatives, and restorative environmental activity like mangrove plantations and reforestation.

Dunmow Broadcast: The Great Dunmow secondary school regularly sends students on World Challenge Expeditions to help build schools in developing countries.The Great Dunmow secondary school regularly sends students on World Challenge Expeditions to help build schools in developing countries. (Image: Archant)

Helena Romanes also encourages students to participate in charity fundraising events, all of which are their own ideas.

Last year almost £1,500 was raised for Comic Relief from cake sales, penalty shootouts and wearing something red.

For more information on what Helena Romanes can offer your child, call 01371 872 560 or visit their website.