Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It was wonderful to see so many of our Senior School pupils acting as hosts at the busy and popular World Book Day event in Prep yesterday. We had 200 visiting Year 2s from local Primary Schools joining our own Prep pupils for a day of readings, workshops, and fancy-dress fun focused on the wonderful book ‘What Shape is a Home?’, produced to raise funds for the Northampton Hope Centre. The children were excited to meet the author and illustrator of the book, and our senior pupils were excellent ambassadors, as you would expect.
More of the same will be required from those helping out at tomorrow’s Open Morning event, where we will all enjoy showing off our wonderful School to families with children of all ages. As I said last week, we are very grateful to those of you bringing your children into School to act as guides or hosts in departments.
I’m pleased to say that the Open Morning event doesn’t get in the way of Saturday’s sport fixtures, and we look forward to a number of Football fixtures against Kings Ely tomorrow, both at home and away. This comes hot on the heels of the U14 Rugby 7s team enjoying success at a tournament in Leicester (placing a respectable third from twelve teams) and girls in Year 9 and 10 competing in the Netball County Cup competition at Oundle, where the U15 team finished the day in a creditable second place.
I do hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
Best wishes.
Sociology Update – Nigel Corrigan, Head of Sociology
Wellingborough School Sociologists in Year 13 were warmly enlightened and academically invigorated by a recent visit from Neil Goosey, from Northamptonshire Police. Neil spoke fondly with students about the wealth of his career experience in the police force trying to keep communities safe and national and local strategies created to try and reduce crime. His breadth of experience fascinated our students, and he was incredibly resourceful for their educational unit on Crime and Deviance which is one of our three exam papers. As I write this entry, our students will be beavering away prepping for their 2nd round of mock exams, which they will sit the same day this entry is published, assessing competency and skill in Crime and Deviance. Whilst they cannot necessarily quote verbatim from him, in any exam, I would hope his visit has challenged their thinking in the ways in which society is challenged by the extent of crime and a state’s responsibility to tackle and handle it, conserving the safety of the majority. I wish all of our outgoing cohort the very best of luck for their summer exams. I hope the wider dimension of studying an A Level in a human science ring comes through in terms of not only that letter of the alphabet deserved by way of a grade but more than that, allowing us all, as one of eight billion, to question and challenge our existence and place now and in the years ahead within whatever kind of society we arrive at, thrive and survive.
Meanwhile in Year 12, Sociology students were encapsulated on a chilled January morning as we headed down to London, jointly with our Psychology colleagues. Visiting the iconic Royal Courts of Justice for the third year in a row now was even better than the year previous. Steeped in British history and a true landmark in legal history, it is a great opportunity for Wellingborough to engage with and in. Our guide led us through the various routes to professions of law, and we were truly informed on our tour about the impacts of various political changes that had occurred over the decades, always bidding for a fairer, more just society. Perhaps though, what brings all of this trip to life is our hope that we were able to observe true and real crime cases in the public galleries of The Old Bailey, a landmark a little further down the road by St Paul’s Cathedral. To observe any teenager, see and live through by observation, a live crime trial is incredible. Observations and experiences by students witnessed anything from criminal charges relating to terrorism to murder on our visit. I have no doubt that students will reflect back and hopefully return to see more of the same in the not-too-distant future.
Finally, Sociology as an A-level remains high on the agenda for our Sixth Form offer as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, which can only ever be a great thing. What, though, is without question essential is for a Wellingborough School student to challenge and question the status quo. Why accept and stand still in a world where critical challenge and questioning human interaction in society are necessary? Perhaps more recent world news only demands us all to do that, given the uncertainty and fragility of decisions, power and morality.
Careers Weekly
This week’s newsletter spotlights British Science Week, along with an invite to our Wellingborough School Apprenticeships Evening, which takes place on Thursday, 19th March, 6pm – 8pm.
This event is for Years 10-13 and their parents/guardians. We are fortunate to have 20+ employers to speak to and hear from.
Click here for more information or to sign up.
Netball Results – Jess Costello, Head of Netball
Results from last week are as follows:
Monday vs Kimbolton
- 13as loss 21-9
- 13bs loss 26-2
- 12as loss 28-9
- 12bs loss 18-6
Tuesday vs Pitsford
- 2nds/3rds Loss 22-10
Thursday vs Pitsford
- 15bs won 27 -18
- 14bs won 29 – 4
Saturday vs Kings Ely
- 1sts loss 26-20
- 2nds loss 19-20
- 15as loss 43-24
- 14as drew 32-32
- 14bs loss 19-8
Thank you all for your support this week, it has been a very busy first week back.
U14 Rugby 7s Tournament Highlights – Lester Williams, Head of Rugby
The U14 rugby 7s team took part in the annual Leicester Grammar School tournament this week. Following some intense training earlier this term, the boys played exceptionally well to win their group – beating NSB, Leicester Grammar and Wellan Park School on the way.
This qualified them for the Cup, where they faced the winners of the other 2 groups. These two matches proved a step too far, and although we pushed Samuel Whitbread Academy and Oakham close, we ultimately couldn’t cross the line. An excellent afternoon from all the boys, and thanks to all the parents for their support.
Safeguarding Newsletter
This month’s newsletter spotlights two key safeguarding themes affecting young people today, covering the new UK law that criminalises the creation of AI‑generated indecent or harmful images and offering practical guidance for families supporting children who may feel pressured to carry knives.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Whole School Open Day – Tomorrow
Join us this 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.
If you haven’t confirmed your place yet, click here to do so.
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.
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/
