Headteacher's Weekly Update
Dear Families,
What a wonderful start to the summer term it has been. It has been a real pleasure welcoming students back and hearing all about their Easter break adventures, from competitions they have taken part in, to dance performances at the Principality Stadium, alongside day trips and opportunities for well earned rest and relaxation. It has certainly been a positive and energetic return to school.
A particular mention must go to our Year 11 students, who have worked incredibly hard over the Easter break. Many have attended school based revision sessions in addition to completing focused revision at home. Their commitment and determination have been exemplary, and they are well prepared as we move into the exam season. We are very proud of their efforts.
This week I had the privilege of attending the Didcot Powerhouse Fund event on Tuesday evening, which was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the wonderful community we live in. I am delighted to share that the Didcot Powerhouse Fund has generously donated funding to our school to purchase a SPINVR chair, which will be used as a regulation tool to support students with sensory needs. Attending events such as this is always a powerful reminder of the strength of our local community, where funds are raised through local donors and then allocated with such care and consideration to support people across the town. We are extremely grateful for this meaningful support.
This term has already been packed with exciting opportunities. On Tuesday, students attended the Women’s International Football match, which proved to be an unforgettable experience. Students represented the school brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a significant sporting event.
On Wednesday, a group of students took part in sailing activities, pushing themselves well beyond their comfort zones. It was wonderful to hear how their confidence built throughout the session, and with only two students ending up in the water this week, it was certainly a success! I look forward to hearing how they continue to develop their skills and resilience over the coming weeks.
Thursday saw our catering students enjoy a truly inspiring visit to the Marriott Hotel. Students were welcomed with refreshments before meeting heads of department, who shared valuable insights into how a large hospitality business operates. Students rotated through different departments, learning firstâhand about daily operations while working alongside experienced staff buddies. The visit concluded with lunch hosted by the Food and Beverage team, followed by an engaging talk on career pathways in hospitality, encouraging students to see themselves as the future of the industry. It was a fantastic and memorable experience for all involved.
As always, it has been a pleasure to see our students embracing every opportunity available to them. I look forward to another busy and successful week ahead.
Kind regards,
Kirsty Rogers
Headteacher
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Sailing Trip | 20th & 29th April 2026 |
| Bletchley Park Trip - Year 9 | 23/04/26 |
| D of E | 24th & 25th April 2026 |
| Maths Challenge - Year 8 | 29/04/26 |
| Year 9 Vaccinations - TDP/MenACWY | 29/04/26 |
| May Bank Holiday - School Closed | 04/05/26 |
| Sailing Trip | 6th, 13th & 20th May 2026 |
| D of E | 7th & 9th May 2026 |
| Open Morning | 11/05/26 |
| Open Morning | 15/05/26 |
| Year 7 Progress Evening | 21/05/26 |
| Summer Half Term Holiday | 22/05/26 |
Term dates up to 2028 can be found on our school website.
Current Personal Development Time Clubs
| Clubs | Year Groups | Teacher | Day and Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Club | All Years | Miss Ellaway - Canteen | Weekdays 08:00 |
| Morning Basketball | All Years | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Weekdays 08:00 |
| Basketball | All Years | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Monday after school |
| Football | Year 7 & 8 | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Tuesday after school |
| Netball | All Years | Mrs Adams - SH2 | Tuesday after school |
| Street Dance | All years | Ms King - DH | Tuesday after school |
| Keyboard Club | All Years | Mrs Burbage - SG04 | Tuesday after school |
| Magic: The Gathering | All Years | Mr Baker - E209 | Tuesday after school |
| Football | Year 9 & 10 | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Wednesday after school |
| Girls Football | All Years | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Wednesday after school |
| Science Club | All Years | Mrs Poulton - E204 | Wednesday after school |
| Mock Magistrates | All Years | Mrs Nicholls - S107 | Wednesday after school |
| KS4 Dance Rehearsals | Year 10 & 11 | Ms king - DH | Wednesday after school |
| Cornerstone Rehearsals | All Years | Ms King - DH | Thursday after school |
| Badminton | All Years | Mr Hayden - SH1 | Friday after school |
| Contemporary Dance | All Years | Ms King - DH | Monday 13:05 |
| Brass Group | Year 7 & 8 | Mrs Burbage - SG04 | Monday at 13:05 |
| DT | All Years | Mr Butler - NG04 | Monday and Tuesday at 13:05 |
| Eco School | All Years | Mr Rayner - S106 | Monday at 13:05 |
| Crochet Club | All Years | Miss Cockburn - Bridge Room | Monday at 13:05 |
| Orchestra | All Years | Mrs Burbage - SG04 | Tuesday at 13:05 |
| Craft Club | All Years | Mrs Cockburn - Bridge Room | Tuesday at 13:05 |
| Axiom Maths | Year 7 | Mr Gunputhram - N207 | Tuesday at 13:05 |
| Dance | Year 9 | Ms King - DH | Tuesday at 13:05 |
| Homework Club | All Years | Miss Elkin - N202 | Wednesday at 13:05 |
| Boys Dance | All Years | Miss King - DH | Wednesday at 13:05 |
| World Challenge | All Years | Mr Wilkinson - E207 | Wednesday at 13:05 |
| Sparx Homework | All Years | Mrs Kaur - N202 | Wednesday & Thursday at 13:05 |
| Axiom Maths | Year 8 | Mr Gunputhram - N207 | Thursday at 13:05 |
| Homework Club | All Years | Miss Elkin - N202 | Thursday at 13:05 |
| Voices of Musical Theatre | All Years | Mrs Powell - SG04 | Thursday at 13:05 |
| Cornerstone Rehearsals | All Years | Ms King - DH | Thursday at 13:05 |
| Dance Club | Year 10 | Ms King - DH | Thursday 13:05 |
| Jazz Dance Club | All Years | Ms King - DH | Friday at 13:05 |
Current House Competitions
In response to families asking to see things students can get involved in, please see below the current house competitions:
| Faculty | Competition | When |
|---|---|---|
| History | Decorate an egg to represent a historical figure | End of term |
| Dance | Dance competition - compete in house groups, max 4 in a group. | 06/05/26 |
| Performing Arts | Collect a monologue from Ms Powell, learn it and then perform it | 22/05/26 |
| House Games | Last week of every full term | Termly |
