Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Many thanks to those of you who contributed to the process of refreshing our ‘Mission, Vision, and Values’ at the parent forum before the half-term break. Just as with the sessions we held with pupils and staff, I found the discussions refreshing, inspiring, and informative. The text below is the outcome of those discussions. I hope that when you read the new words, you recognise your school and feel that between us, we’ve managed to clearly (and concisely) communicate the essence of a Wellingborough education.
| Purpose To develop confident, rounded, and grounded young people, equipped with the empathy and energy to make a positive difference to the world. |
| Vision We deliver a first-class all-round education – nurturing intellectual curiosity, confidence, and ambition. Through this, we cultivate scholarship and inspire leadership, whilst fostering a strong sense of community within The School and beyond. |
| Values These are key elements of a Wellingborough School education, lived out every day in School: Resilience, Responsibility, Respect |
And finally – I couldn’t write to parents today without noting how much I’m looking forward to this evening’s main event: Friday Night Lights! I’ve hardly had a conversation with a pupil this week that hasn’t involved me being asked if I’ll be there, which suggests that we can expect feverish levels of enthusiastic support for both the Hockey and Rugby teams – Come On Wellingborough!
Best wishes.
Pupil, Charlie’s, Barcelona Baseball Tour, October 2025
Charlie, a Year 9 pupil, has been training with Great Britain’s U15 baseball squad for the past two years. Last month, he was chosen by the Great Britain U15 coach to compete for the London Monarchs in the U15 Catalunya 4-day baseball event in Barcelona.
Reflecting on his experience, Charlie said:
“I played for the London Monarchs in the International Catalunya U15 Baseball Cup, which involved elite clubs from Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, Switzerland, and Great Britain. These competed over 5 days, and the London Monarchs beat the Italian and Spanish teams but lost against the Czech Republic and narrowly to the Swiss National team by one run. The Monarchs ended sixth from the ten contenders after torrential rain, thunder, and lightning cut the tournament short.”
Art & Photography A Level Galleries Trip to London – Imogen, Year 12 Pupil
The art and photography trip last term was one of the highlights of the year, giving me a wider perspective and appreciation for timeless, modern, and local art.
We took the train to St Pancras early Friday morning from Wellingborough station, then took the tube to Battersea station, where we walked to the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park. Whilst we were there, we got to see modern art from around the world, each piece being unique and holding its own backstory. One of my favourite pieces was a string portrait by Leandro Solomons, where he perfectly layered the coloured string to create a beautiful portrait. Some of the artists themselves were walking around the exhibition talking to us about their art and giving us advice on how we could improve our own work going forward. The Art Fair was filled with spectacular pieces, including minimalist portraits, maximalist still lifes of colourful flowers, photos of planes and people and even glass sculptures.
After lunch at the Art Fair’s cafe, we walked to Tate Britain, stopping to photograph pictures of the Thames and the countryside along the way.
At the Tate Britain, we had the opportunity to view the exhibitions, which included works by Lee Miller, Edward Burra, and Ithell Colquhoun. Lee Miller was a model during the 1920s and became a war photographer during the Second World War. Edward Burra painted depictions of the urban underground and global scenes during the 1930s. Ithell Colquhoun was not only a painter but also a poet and author; her paintings are in a similar style to Georgia O’Keeffe with her portrayal of colourful surrealism.
I really enjoyed the exhibitions; they all showed me how three individuals could have completely different perspectives of the world at that time, and their art and photography showed how they viewed life. Out of the three, Lee Miller was by far the most insightful to me with her early modelling work; this included a photograph of Pablo Picasso.
In between shows, we explored Tate Britain’s permanent collection of early to contemporary art. My favourite painting from their main collection was Pablo Bronstein’s Molly House, which combines the Baroque and Stuart art along with factory architecture during the Industrial Revolution.
When our time at the Tate Britain had come to an end, we then walked to the Coal Drops Yard and Central Saint Martins, just behind St Pancras Station, where we could grab food for our supper. There was a wide variety of food stalls and restaurants, my favourite being a Japanese chicken stall where many of us decided to grab some food. We finished the day by walking to St Pancras, where we got on our train to go home.
Year 11 Mock Exams: A Crucial Step in the Journey – Samuel Medley
As Year 11 pupils prepare to sit their first set of mock exams next week, they do so equipped with a wealth of guidance and resources on how to revise effectively. Before half-term, an assembly focused specifically on making the most of the mock exam process — not just during the exams themselves, but in the lead-up and the reflection afterwards. A huge thank you goes to the seven Year 12 students who presented as part of this session, sharing thoughtful reflections and practical advice drawn from their own GCSE experiences. Their subject-specific tips and revision strategies were invaluable.
While the grades from these mocks are not the final word, the exams play a vital role in several ways:
- Develop revision habits and strategies.
- Embed content into long-term memories.
- Help pupils and their teachers see where they are and what they need to improve on
- Rehearse the physical exam conditions (such as what it feels like to write solidly for 2 hours sat at an exam desk).
- Rehearse the mental exam conditions.
Some pupils will be delighted with their results; others may feel disappointed — but the most important takeaway for everyone should be the same: What can I do to improve next time? Teachers will be ready with plenty of wise and practical advice to support that next step.
This is also a good moment to remind all pupils — and parents — of the wide range of general revision resources available on Firefly. There’s a dedicated section for parents too, including the slides from last term’s Helping Your Child Succeed in Their GCSEs workshop.
The revision hub on Firefly includes the starting points, active revision strategies, creating a revision timetable, managing exam stress, and more. In addition, pupils can access three excellent platforms via the Firefly dashboard: GCSEPod, Seneca Learning, and Carousel Learning—all of which offer high-quality content across a broad range of subjects and exam boards.
We wish all of Year 11 the very best as they tackle their mock exams over the next week.
Nevill House Update – Carlie Woodard, Housemistress of Nevill
It’s been a vibrant and eventful start to the year for Nevill House. From the echoes of house singing still ringing in our ears to the warm memories of the Macmillan breakfast and our delightful house afternoon tea, all before the half-term break! Now that we’re back into the rhythm of school life, I’m thrilled to share more fantastic news. The Nevill girls have excelled in the House Hockey competitions, claiming victories in the senior, inter, and junior categories. Their teamwork, spirit, and determination across all age groups were truly inspiring.
Earlier in the term, I was delighted to see our Year 12 students stepping forward with enthusiasm to become peer mentors. Their commitment to supporting younger pupils is commendable, and they are looking forward to working closely with our Year 7 and 8 students. This not only fosters a strong sense of community but also provides valuable opportunities for leadership and personal growth.
Looking ahead, Nevill will be hosting a Christmas Film Night in December. This festive event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for pupils to come together and celebrate the season. Further details will be shared shortly.
I am so proud of the energy, kindness, and commitment our pupils bring to everything they do, and I look forward to another term filled with achievement, collaboration, and celebration.
PE Update – Kelly Rendall, Head of PE
It has been a busy and exciting start to the term, with all students showing great positivity and enthusiasm in their PE lessons.
As many Year 7 students are new to Wellingborough, we took the opportunity to ask a few of them how they are finding PE so far.
Isla said, “I like PE because I have been able to experience and try sports that I have never done before. I am learning the rules of different games and key skills like working as a team. We get to do all of this whilst having fun.”
Owen said, “I am really enjoying PE at Wellingborough, it is a really enjoyable lesson. I am looking forward to badminton and have really enjoyed handball, as I had never done it before.”
Parker said, “Since starting at Wellingborough, I have been playing handball, which I have really enjoyed. I’ve never played handball before this, so it’s been fun to learn a new sport. This term we are going to be playing badminton, which I can’t wait for. I’ve found PE great fun so far and look forward to it every week, it’s definitely one of my favourite subjects.
Finally, we would like to wish our Year 11 students the very best of luck as they prepare for their mock exams next week! Good luck!!
Year 9 History Trip to the First World War Battlefields of Ypres and The Somme – Jane Selby, Head of History
Year 9 were an absolute pleasure and excelled themselves on their visit to the Battlefields just before half term. It continues to be a privilege to lead this trip and help pupils absorb the enormity of the loss of those who answered their country’s call a century ago.
Year 9’s thoughtful reflection was best demonstrated when the headmaster this week shared a letter from a member of the public, who was visiting Hooge Cemetery at the same time as us, congratulating our pupils on their exemplary behaviour.
During the pupils’ visit at the Missing of the Somme, pupil Eleanor laid a wreath on behalf of the group. Tributing to the 12 OWs and her great-great-grandfather who are commemorated there.
Thank you to Year 9 and Miss Amos, Mr Grady, Mrs Lawson, Miss Livingstone and Miss Patyn for being unceasingly cheerful and humorous, despite very early starts and busy days.
“My favourite part of the trip was definitely the chocolate shop because they were talking about how long Wellingborough School had been coming to the chocolate shop. This was the most educational and interesting trip I’ve been on so far, and I would love to go again. I loved looking at Lochnagar Crater, caused by underground explosives laid by British miners, and imagining how far up the debris would have gone.” – Jessica
“My favourite part was the Wellington tunnels because they reflected the great logistical capacity of the Allied forces of WW1.” – George
“Isla and I are really proud that we got the opportunity to lay the wreath at the Menin Gate, representing Wellingborough School, with Ollie and Aaron standing beside us. We all felt honoured to take part in such an important ceremony. When laying the wreath, I thought about all the people who lost their lives in WW1 and how grateful we are to be here today. It really made me realise how brave those soldiers were and how fortunate we are because of their sacrifice. I did feel quite emotional. A ceremony has been held there every day since WW1. People lay wreaths, the trumpeters play the Last Post, and everyone stands in silence to show respect, and because we were in uniform, we were the first school to lay the wreath, as the director was impressed that we took the trouble.” – By Romeo
“I really enjoyed the trip, and some of my favourite parts were the Menin Gate ceremony, as it was really interesting to see my friends doing it. The Thiepval Memorial was an amazing sight, as the massive amount of graves showed me how impactful the war was. I also really enjoyed the chocolate shop because Hans, the owner, was very enthusiastic, and I got loads of chocolate.” – Barnaby
“My favourite part about the trip was going to the German cemetery to see the difference between the Germans and the British and how the layout of the cemetery changed.” – Isla
“I enjoyed going down the Wellington quarry tunnels in Arras and learning about how the soldiers lived and survived underground. I also enjoyed seeing the many cemeteries and graves of the fallen soldiers of World War One and going around the trenches and exploring Ypres.” – Max
Computer Science Update – Mark Gamble, Head of Computer Science
During the October half-term, Mr Whitmore accompanied computer science students from Years 10, 11, and 13 who were part of the group that embarked on an unforgettable trip to the USA, visiting the tech hubs of San Francisco and Las Vegas. Highlights included exploring the heart of Silicon Valley, marvelling at the engineering feat of the Hoover Dam, and experiencing the dazzling digital displays of the Las Vegas Strip – all of which brought their classroom learning to life and showcased real-world applications of computing and technology.
Year 7 began the academic year with My Digital World, an e-safety unit focused on the safe, responsible, and respectful use of technology. Alongside this, students familiarised themselves with key school systems and developed confidence using Office365 apps to support their learning. They are now exploring the core principles of computational thinking, learning how to break down problems (decomposition), identify patterns, focus on relevant details (abstraction), and design algorithms. These foundational skills have empowered them to tackle their first programming challenges using Blockly Turtle, where they have applied their creativity and logic to produce increasingly intricate designs through code.
Year 8 embarked on an Introduction to Python unit, where they began learning the fundamentals of text-based programming. Pupils have focused on key concepts such as inputs, outputs, variables, sequence, and selection, laying the groundwork for more advanced coding skills. Building on this foundation, pupils will be applying their knowledge through Python Turtle, using code to draw shapes and patterns. They will explore event-driven programming, creating interactive programs where their virtual turtle responds to user inputs—such as key presses—to control movement and behaviour.
Year 9 pupils have made excellent progress as they begin their Entry Level Certificate in Computer Science. They have been developing a solid understanding of computer systems, building the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in their upcoming exams later this half-term. Their engagement and enthusiasm have been fantastic to see, and they are well on track for a successful year ahead.
Year 10 have made a confident start to their GCSE studies, covering key topics from both components of the course. In Component 1, they have explored Systems Architecture and Memory and Storage, while in Component 2, they have begun developing their understanding of Algorithms and Programming Fundamentals.
Meanwhile, Year 11 students have been focused on preparing for their upcoming mock examination, and we wish them the very best of luck next week.
In addition to their core studies, Year 11 students who are enrolled in Computing Enrichment also have access to a wide range of opportunities through the Cisco Networking Academy. They have already completed the AI Fundamentals course, and further pathways in networking, cyber security, and programming are available. Completion of these courses is recognised with digital badges and certificates, helping students build a portfolio of achievements that support both their academic and future career aspirations.
Our Year 12 and Year 13 students are working hard on the International A Level, with exams taking place in both years. We will have 14 students sitting A Level exams in May next year. We have also continued to offer the Cyber Security Extended Project Qualification. The CyberEPQ is worth up to 28 UCAS points and was developed by an expert group including the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec).
Beyond the curriculum, there are a number of national and international competitions to mention. We have teams of pupils from Year 8 to Year 13 participating in the National Cypher Challenge. Run by the University of Southampton Mathematics Department since 2002, competitors are tasked with solving progressively more complex cyphers week-by-week, putting their mathematical and computing skills to the test.
We are also getting ready for the Bebras International Computational Thinking Challenge, which this year runs from 10th to 21st November. Over 2.5 million students across 85 countries took part in Bebras 2024, with over 460,000 in the UK. Wellingborough School has fielded Bebras competitors every year from 2019, and we look forward to another great haul of Distinctions and Merits from our Year 7 to Year 13 pupils.
December will see the return of the Codementum International Coding Competition, which runs during the Hour of Code Computer Science Education Week. Last year’s 9A-Cs class placed 5th in the global rankings and was the highest-placed UK team in their category, so we hope to build on that success this year.
Early in 2026, our Bebras competitors will get the opportunity to enter the Bebras Coding Competition, and later in the Lent term, we plan to take part in the European AstroPi Challenge, which gives pupils the chance to have their code run on the International Space Station. We look forward to sharing news of students’ successes throughout the year.
Cripps’ House Pays Tribute to OWs Lost in War
A very big thank you to the 13 Cripps’ who gave up their time this week to place outside the Chapel the poppies with the names of the 181 OWs killed in action in World War One, the crosses with the names of the 91 OWs lost in World War Two and the single loss in more recent conflicts.
They have also taken the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal box around school during their breaks and lunches.
Careers Weekly
This week, we welcomed The University Guys and their International Universities Roadshow to speak to students in Y11-13 on Tuesday and then on Thursday, Year 12 visited the UK University and Apprenticeship Fair at the University of Northampton.
Read this week’s Careers newsletter here.
Hockey Results – George Houghton, Teacher of PE and Games
The hockey season got back underway with immediate effect on Monday of this week with the final set of House matches for 2025; this time it was the turn of the juniors (years 7 & 8). Like with the previous competitions, it was a combined A and B team event, meaning that every girl was able to represent their house. Nevill House dominated from the first whistle in both competitions, winning all four matches in style! Congratulations to Nevill for not only winning the junior event but also making it a clean sweep across all three age groups this year!
On Wednesday, our 1st XI squad travelled to Nottingham for the U18 England Hockey T3 Midland’s Finals. Playing shorter matches (25 minutes one way), the day started with a controlled 2-0 victory over New and Staffs College. Next up was Worksop College, and an end-to-end battle saw very little between the two sides; however, with 7 minutes to go, Worksop College edged ahead, and the score remained 1-0, a frustrating defeat. The team picked themselves up admirably and in the next match against King Edward’s High School, recorded an astonishing 10-0 victory in just 25 minutes, with seven different goal scorers! The squad went into the last group match against Ellesmere College knowing that a victory would seal top spot in the pool and a place in the semi-final. Despite going behind early on, the team rallied and pulled level with two minutes to go. Knowing that only a victory would do, the team pushed forward in the last 90 seconds, leaving themselves exposed to the counterattack, and unfortunately, we conceded with one of the last plays of the game to bow out of the competition. So close, but that is the ruthless nature of tournament hockey! However, the day was a great way to restart the season after the half-term break and ideal preparation for tonight’s Friday Night Lights showdown against King’s Ely School, where we hope to receive as much partisan support as possible!
Helping Young People Think Critically and Stay Safe at Parties – Safeguarding Newsletter
Today’s young people are growing up in a world where news, opinions and videos appear instantly – often before they’ve had time to think them through. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and X (Twitter) are now where many children get their information about the world.
As children move through secondary school, their social life becomes a huge part of growing up. Parties, gatherings and sleepovers are where friendships deepen and independence grows, but they can also bring new challenges, especially when adults aren’t around.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Sixth Form Open Evening – Discuss Ambitions and Options with Our Subject Experts
Starting at 6pm on Thursday, November 20th, we are hosting our annual 6th Form Open Evening. We strongly encourage all Year 11 pupils to come along and explore the opportunities open to them at A level with our subject experts.
Please arrive at 5.45 for a 6pm start.
Booking is required for any pupil not already at Wellingborough School. To secure your place, click here.
Introducing the Young Artist Show
One of our Year 12 pupils, Olivia, has organised an exciting art exhibition and competition for pupils in Years 7 to 13 from local schools. The event invites young artists to showcase their creativity across a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and digital design.
To enter, pupils should submit a photograph of their artwork by Sunday, 16th November to exhibition@wellingboroughschool.org.
Click here to more about our Young Artist Show.
Senior Christmas Concert
We are excited to be holding our annual Senior Christmas Concert at All Hallows Church this year, on Saturday 29th November at 6.30pm. All our larger music ensembles will be performing (including Orchestra, Concert Band, String Group, Big Band, Blues Band and Senior Choir). There will be afternoon rehearsals for performers, beginning at 3.30pm, but parents will be sent more details nearer the time. In the meantime, please save the date!
If you aren’t currently a parents at Wellingborough School, please RSPV your space to admissions@wellingboroughschool.org.
Stay Connected
To see more of what’s happening at Wellingborough School, follow us on social media HERE.
You can also explore upcoming events and activities on our Events Page HERE.
Wellingborough School Business Directory
Please find the Business Directory at the following link: https://wellingboroughschool.org/community/business-directory/
