Hundreds of prospective West Hatch High School students and their families visited the Chigwell school for the annual Year 7 Open Evening.

Visitors could tour the school's facilities - and view plans for the new buildings which will accommodate additional students from next September.

Displays and exhibitions were put on in all departments with staff and students on hand to answer questions.

Talks were given to packed audiences in the school hall by headteacher Daniel Leonard, Year 7 students Jack Clark-Ellen and Alexandra White, Year 8 student Ethan Haywood, Year 9 student Talia Panayi, Joshua Martin (Year 10), Reme Grazette (Year 11), Head Girl Gemma Peckham and Head Boy Kane Philips.

Mr Leonard said: "Our Open Evening gives us an opportunity to open our doors and allow parents to get a sense of what it feels like to be a student at West Hatch. 

"We were absolutely delighted to see the unprecedented number of families join us for the evening and are grateful that so many are considering our school for their children."

Mr Leonard added: "Our students are our greatest selling point and I was so proud to receive so many wonderful comments about how helpful and articulate they all were.

"It is an extremely exciting time for West Hatch with outstanding results this year at GCSE and A-Level as well as the planned expansion meaning we will be taking an extra 60 pupils into Year 7 next September. 

"We hope this extra capacity will allow more parents the confidence to make our school one of their preferences and join our school community."

Anyone interested in visiting the school and seeing it in action should contact the school office to book a place on a tour. For more information, ring the school on 020 8504 8216 or email admin@westhatch.essex.sch.uk

West Hatch High School in holding its Sixth Form open evening on Wednesday, November 9.

Below is a copy of the Headteachers talk from the Open Evening: