EXPLOSIONS in Science with Jon Tickle; the new sixth-form building; the Bohunt Little Big Band; tales of expeditions; meerkats and a religious-studies teacher bathing in the “Ganges”, drew the largest-ever crowds to a Bohunt School open evening.

More than 500 families flocked to the school to enjoy its Festival of Learning.

The atmosphere was electric with prospective students and their families immersing themselves in a range of exciting activities and experiences, guided and encouraged by current year-seven and eight pupils.

The evening was a chance for parents to learn about the opportunities offered at the school, from outstanding academic provision to expeditions to Mongolia and Greenland, as well as learn about how the house system allows individual students to be known, nurtured and challenged.

They heard about how results were rising - despite a declining national picture - due to the teaching that has led to Bohunt’s Teaching School designation.

It was a superb opportunity for students to bring their talents to the local community, including the Big Band, who recently played the Haslemere Fringe; the iPad Band who performed to thousands in London; the winner of the HSBC Mandarin speaking competition; the students who presented on the main stage of the Royal Geographical Society; Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award holders, and the national semi-finalists of the Schools Basketball Cup.

The science department once again put on a fantastic display of learning, ably assisted by Jon Tickle who performed a fascinating show of experiments and demonstrations.

Visitors could interact with robots in IT; exercise their deductive powers in solving the English department’s murder mystery, and test their arithmetic and problem-solving skills in maths’ number-based fairground games.

Other highlights included a chance to explore the globe interactively in humanities; debate global affairs with the student politics group, and get stuck into the outdoors with demonstrations and talks by both staff and students involved in the varied outdoor education programmes.

Headteacher Neil Strowger told the Herald: “Our outstanding examination success, TES Award and featuring in Tatler’s 2016 Top State Schools list has come about for a number of reasons, but in large part it is due to a culture of innovation; the provision of fantastic learning environments, and a wealth of opportunities that develop leadership, ambition and self- esteem, as well as outstanding attainment. The level of interest in Bohunt during the open evening, and the superb summer results, are testament to the hard work of our students and staff in making our ambitious educational vision reality.”

There was a further opportunity to experience Bohunt’s ethos of “enjoy, respect, achieve” in action, when the school welcomed prospective A-level students and their families to an open evening at the new Bohunt sixth form, which opened this term.

Bohunt boasts it will offer both outstanding teaching and exceptional enrichment opportunities to students from all schools in the area.

In a new bespoke building, the school says it is offering an inspiring range of courses at key stage five.

For more details on the new Bohunt sixth form, visit bohuntsixth.org.