Handsworth Secondary School

Since 2017, Rupi Samra-Gynane BSc (biological sciences, UBC) BEd (secondary biological sciences, UBC) MEd (educational leadership, Uni of Calgary). Canadian born and bred, her educational journey started some 25 years ago in Surrey Schools, Britis

Different entry requirements for the English and French sections.

No entrance exam for those joining the English programme up to grade 9, thereafter students must show they are competent in English (to join the English section of the school

Prior to graduation after grade 10, one-third of students leave - normally either due to relocation, some because they want to take the IB diploma.

Those graduating from the French section are certified bilingual French English upon graduat

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With over 1500 students, Handsworth is both the largest secondary school on the North Shore, and the only school in North Vancouver offering students (from grades 8-12) a bilingual education, and the opportunity to be taught in either English or F

Two large welcoming, sensory designed classrooms rooms are dedicated to learning support and SEN, both with colourful chairs and bean bags, and specialist teachers are on hand. It’s not exclusive to students with identified learning needs either,

The school offers excellent language support for any students whose first language is not English irrelevant of which stream they are in, with extra classes provided weekly for those assessed as needing support.

The drama department with its new (‘state of the art’ say parents) 270-seater theatre – complete with a dressing room fit for Broadway - plays host to annual productions such as Sole Street. Students can choose to participate in any way: on stage,

The ‘piece de resistance’ of the whole school (say the Royals – school’s sports teams) is the Olympic-sized gym, with separate weights room and disabled friendly changing rooms with vented lockers - no smelly kit in this building. And thanks to th

A huge amount of effort is placed on ensuring that each year the incoming grade 8s get the opportunity to bond with one another, with group trips away from school as well as a BBQ at the start of term. Pastoral councillors are on hand to guide stu

‘Parents are a sociable bunch’ we’re told, with an active Parents Association committee meeting every month. Pupils are engaging and relaxed - a healthy mix of academic, creative and sporty types. Mainly local Vancouverites. A few international st

State-funded and no fees for local families but fundraising campaigns (eg for the music department or learning commons library) are continuous. The latest (‘Take your seat’) is raising money for the school theatre.

A state-of-the art school with amazing facilities; a place where every child has the opportunity to excel, whatever their passions are. Handsworth’s reputation is flourishing, and it looks like this is just the beginning.