Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week’s spring-like weather has given everyone a boost as we return for the second half of term. It was a pleasure to see so many of you enjoying a tour of the Gateway building on Tuesday evening – everyone I spoke to was suitably impressed by the scale and ambition of the new teaching spaces and excited about the possibilities they offer for the future. It was also lovely that a good number stayed on for the inaugural Parents’ Curry Night, which offered an opportunity for some informal mingling and a chance for our catering team to demonstrate the range and breadth of their talent.
We are, of course, right in the middle of mock exam season, as parents of Year 11 and Year 13 pupils will be only too aware. Inevitably (and rightly), this is an important focus for those with public exams looming, but for the rest of the pupils, life continues with the usual pace and energy. Last night I had the pleasure of dining with OW Oxbridge Club members past, present, and future at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and this evening it’s the annual CCF Dinner here at school.
You will all be aware of the Open Day next Saturday, 7th March. This is an important day for the school, so if your son or daughter has been asked to attend, I am grateful for your help and support.
Finally, there is an opportunity on Tuesday next week at 4.30 pm for parents of pupils currently in Years 7-10 to come in for an informal chat with me and other senior staff. Please do let us know if you’d like to come along by clicking here.
Best wishes.
Sixth Form Update – Sarah Baxby, Head of Sixth Form
As I write this week’s update, our Year 13 students are working extremely hard in preparation for their second set of mock examinations in March. These mocks play an important role in getting them ready for their final exams, which will help them secure places at university, apprenticeships, or positions in the workplace.
Despite their busy schedules, many of them took time away from their studies to visit the Lower Prep classes and share their plans for the future. Wonderful connections were made, along with a little bit of fun nostalgia! I wish all of our Year 13 students the very best of luck as they continue revising for these important assessments.
Meanwhile, Year 12 students are beginning to think more deeply about their next steps. This journey starts with our UCAS Information Evening on 5th March, followed shortly afterwards by our Apprenticeship Evening and our Early Entry Evening. We strongly encourage students to keep an open mind and gather as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Our ongoing Careers Lunches form an essential part of this support. Our most recent session featured three parents working in different areas of the legal profession, and our next event will focus on careers in finance.
Next week, it is Year 12’s turn to share their favourite children’s books with the Lower Prep students. We might even see them getting into character by dressing for the occasion, and why not!
I look forward to welcoming Year 12 parents and students to our upcoming events.
Weymouth House Update – Joanne James, House Mistress of Weymouth
All a relatively short half-term, Lent 1 has felt quite long due to the cold and darkness. That said, this hasn’t stopped enthusiasm and liveliness in Weymouth. Each week in assembly, a year group will contribute to the assembly and prepare their own presentation, and we’ve been lucky to be exposed to some interesting facts and, as a result, get to know the girls better. Year 12 made our brains work hard with a challenging quiz, Year 13 shared their favourite books with us, and Year 8 let us in on their individual music tastes. It’s really pleasing to see how confident girls become within the House when they present to their peers.
Alongside the Pancake Race, House Music was undoubtedly a highlight this half-term; the coveted House Music Shield returned to Weymouth. Year 12 must be commended on their organisation and efforts in preparing for this competition. Compliments to the choir and the excellent performances from Freya W and Miraya S, Charlotte R and Isabelle A, Ivory H and Eve D, and Felicity H. The girls then performed to the House, and they blew us away with their talent; they are setting an excellent example for the younger girls. Coming back to Year 12, they really stepped up at the Gala Dinner; photographer, chefs, waitresses and offering a speech were all part of their skills on display. They’ve also been busy this week with interviews for the Head of House role in Weymouth as well as individual presentations to the House. Having seen them step up this half-term with peer mentoring and dining hall duty, amongst several other things, I’m excited to see what this Year 12 group will bring to the table as they take over the reins in Weymouth after Easter.
A mention must also go to Ivory H, Miraya S and Isabelle A for their performances at the Rock, Pop n Blues concert; it takes a lot of courage to do what they did, and they were superb. Weymouth has also been well-represented at Cross Country recently with Eve D and Lauren R making it to the Anglian Schools Cross Country Championships at Abington Park. Freya W, Martha D and Martha B have been making great progress also; with rain, cold and lots of mud, these girls have shown true resilience.
We said goodbye to Mrs Hayes this half-term and have had Miss Costello step up to be the Year 8 Tutor for the remainder of this year. Year 11 have just completed their second set of mocks today, and we wish them a relaxing, calm weekend; they’ve worked incredibly hard, and fingers crossed the fruits of their labour will be rewarded. Next up will be Year 13 next week; with all aspects of school life, they work hard, and their maturity in dealing with pressure is admirable.
Politics Update – Peter Low, Head of Religious Studies
News from the Politics Department
Year 12 are now fully established scholars of Politics and are gaining a much deeper understanding of the UK political system. With Mr Grady they have been exploring the legislative process and the role of different institutions within this. The current assisted dying bill, whatever your views on the rights and wrongs of it, has served as a good example of the complexity of this process and the potential challenges to getting a bill passed. With Mrs Patyn they are looking at the election process by reviewing key elections and the factors that led to specific results.
Year 13 are now feeling very close to the end of their journey with us, preparing for mock exams next week, and with the real thing on the horizon. They have been looking at the US political system, the role and power of the president and limits to that power, so again, current events have provided plenty of material to illustrate this. As a way of revising their Year 12 content alongside this, they have been comparing the US and UK systems through several lenses. This ability to highlight similarities and contrasts and to then articulate an evaluative judgement of better, worse, more efficient or less democratic is a key skill for their exam.
Politics Supporting Y12 Enrichment
Earlier this year, a team of Politics students, alongside colleagues from economics, sociology and psychology, took part in an enrichment day exploring the crisis in our prison system and strategies to address this. The aim was to create an opportunity for the students to work across several disciplines and to work independently of teachers and collaboratively with peers from other schools. They were challenged to engage with a current and complex social and political issue, learn from experts in the field, and then produce, present and defend their policy strategy to address it.
Unfortunately, one of our principal panel members, the Director of HMP Five Wells, had to withdraw on the day due to operational demands, but fortunately we still had Dr Manos Daskalou, senior lecturer in criminology and former prison psychologist, who brought his substantial experience and expertise, along with his skill in engaging students and encouraging them to think.
Our Year 13 Politics students acted as facilitators and did an excellent job of allowing the Year 12s to take ownership while offering their subject knowledge and critical thinking. The four teams of Year 12s, combining Wellingborough students with those from Wrenn and Southfields, impressed throughout. They engaged with the guest speaker, asking insightful questions and asserting their own thoughts. They engaged with challenging source material that required combined expertise from politics, economics and sociology. In the final stages, they had to create a policy proposal, present this to the conference and defend it against questions and challenges from the other team. The final presentations were excellent, and it was hard to have to close the debate that could have developed even further. This certainly validated the place of these events in our enrichment offering and the capacity of our students to thrive in this type of activity.
Careers Weekly
This week’s newsletter focuses on National Careers Week, which runs from the 2nd to 6th of March. This year, the theme is “Own Your Future”, the newsletter provides you with useful information for you to explore your future options, measure and develop your skills, or try something new.
Read this week’s Careers newsletter here.
Rock, Pop and Blues Thank You – WSSPA
Wellingborough Senior School Parents Association (WSSPA) would like to thank parents, pupils, staff and friends who supported us at the fantastic Rock, Pop and Blues concert before half term. As a result of selling wine, G&T, beer and a selection of soft drinks, we raised £128!
WSSPA raises money to donate to the Houses and Year 7 Group area for ‘extras’ chosen by the pupils to enhance their House or Year Group areas.
Thank you for your ongoing support. If you would like to view some of the performances seen on the night, click here.
Netball Results – Jess Costello, Head of Netball
Please see the results from Tuesday’s netball fixtures against Bedford Modern:
- 1st Team – Lost 21–13 (POM: Freya N)
- 2nd Team – Lost 17–12
- 14A – Won 20–4 (POM: Emily)
- 14B – Lost 7–4
Well done to all teams for their effort and commitment over this half term.
I would also like to say a big thank you for your continued support and hard work throughout the first half term — it is truly appreciated.
Football Results – Jonathan Dean, Head of Football
Please see below an update with some football results from this evening and prior to half term:
Bedford Modern (Saturday 7/2)
- 13A drew 1-1 (MAF)
- 12A lost 2-9 (APA & MTW)
Bedford Modern (Monday 9/2)
- 13A v BMS 13B won 10-0 (MAF)
- 13B v BMS 13C won 4-0
- 12A v BMS 12B won 4-2 (APA)
- 12B v BMS 12C won 7-5
Bedford School (Tuesday 10/2 & Thursday 12/2)
- 1st XI won 3-0 (JAD & MTW)
- 2nd XI drew 3-3 (GEH)
- U15A drew 1-1 (LW & MTW)
- U15B lost 0-2 (ARE & MAF)
Bedford Prep School (Monday 23/2)
- 13A won 3-2 (MAF)
- 13B won 3-1 (NPI)
- 12A drew 0-0 (APA)
- 12B won 3-0 (CJH)
We are looking forward to our rearranged fixtures this week against Stamford and Oundle along with our block fixture this Saturday against Princethorpe College.
Safeguarding Newsletter
This month’s newsletter celebrates Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes place from 9th to 15th February, and Safer Internet Day on 10th February.
It explores ways parents and carers can support their children if they are struggling, as well as how to keep your child safe online when using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Whole School Open Day – Book Now
Join us on Saturday, 7th March, from 9am, to explore Wellingborough Prep, Senior and Sixth Form.
You will be able to meet with our specialist subject teachers and explore our facilities and nurturing environment. While gaining a better understanding of what makes a Wellingborough education so special.
Click here for more information and to book your place.
Additionally, if you are aware of families looking for school places in September, please share with them this link.
Summer Ball 2026 – Tickets Still Available!
Dear Parents, Governors, OWs, staff, friends and family
We have had a fantastic response to this year’s Wellingborough School Summer Ball being held on Saturday, 4th July 2026. There are still tickets available, so book now as they are selling fast!
The Summer Ball ticket price covers the costs of the marquee, band, DJ, catering, portaloos, security, first aid and more. We only make a small profit from the auction, raffle and some of the wine sales. This profit is donated back to the Senior School Houses and Year 7 common area to buy ‘extras’ that the students request. We have tried extremely hard this year to keep costs as low as possible, despite ever-increasing costs from all suppliers. Consequently, we have ensured the tickets are the same price as last year for both Leavers and adults.
The Wellingborough School Summer Ball is open to all parents across the whole school, former parents, OWs, staff, governors, friends, family and Year 13 Leavers. Year 13 Leaver parents are particularly encouraged to attend with their Leaver to celebrate the end of their time at Wellingborough School together.
Click here to purchase your tickets.
Sporty Scholars Championship Week Camp – Book Now!
Sporty Scholars will be running their February Half-Term Holiday Camp here at Wellingborough School from Monday 16th February until Friday 20th February, for children aged from 4 to 14.
Your child will participate in 5 days of sports, wellness, and activities that will help them gain confidence and face new challenges.
Places cost £23.50 per day.
For more information, click HERE.
To book your place please visit: Sporty Scholars at Wellingborough School
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/
