Newsletters

End of May Newsletter 2025 

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Dear Parent or Guardian

This is a shorter newsletter for what has been a much shorter term than usual. That hasn’t stopped it being jam packed full of Easter school, internal and external exams, highly attended parents evenings, rewards breakfasts, the Old Bordenians yearly event, sports fixtures, mentoring sessions, trustee meetings, all of year 10 on work experience, Duke of Edinburgh weekends, subject trips, interviews and all the other things that keep the school moving forward. A particular highlight was the year 10 work experience where we received numerous responses from those that hosted, saying how amazing our students were, and how well they represented the school. Well done to them all.

A few reminders; please remember that, with the introduction of summer uniform, students must wear their ties to and from school. Please remind them to be in school at 8.40am or earlier if they want a free bagel breakfast. As it gets hotter, remind them to hydrate regularly and to fill their water bottle in their social times.

This half term is always an intense and anxious one where we say goodbye and good luck to our year 11 and 13 students to prepare for their final exams. It does sometimes feel like society has become a little over obsessed with examining everything. Since students are now taking more exam papers than ever (around 30 per student at GCSE), this inevitably means they have to start much earlier in May to fit them in. It doesn't stop there either; my daughter is in the midst of her finals of an English degree at university and has six 8 hour exams - when did that become usual? Anyway, thank you to all parents of children taking exams, for your support of your child and the school at such a stressful time. Together we will hopefully help them all get the success they truly deserve.

To finish on a linked note, someone sent me a passage that has been circulating on social media which I used in my final assembly - also echoing the words I delivered to year 13 a couple of weeks earlier. It serves as a poignant reminder of all the challenges these young people have met to get to this point, so I thought it worth sharing with you.

When the world shut down in March 2020, you were just children in Year 6. You missed your leavers' parties, your final sports days, the transition days that were meant to ease your leap into secondary school. For some, education halted entirely--no online learning, no structure, just uncertainty. You began secondary school not with the usual excitement and nerves, but through screens and restrictions. Your Year 7 wasn't filled with team-building days, school trips, residential adventures or lunch break conversations. You learnt to work in bubbles, to avoid physical contact, to keep your heads down. Inter-school sports? Cancelled. Drama productions? Postponed. Group work? Discouraged. Yet here you are. Five years later. About to be assessed and judged by the same grade boundaries used in a pre-Covid world-as if it's been a level playing field all along. To every young person in Year 11 sitting their GCSEs this year: You've already overcome one of the greatest disruptions to education in living memory. You are resilient. You are capable. You are more than a number on a results slip. Pace yourselves. Do your best. Be kind to yourselves and each other. In just six weeks, these exams will be over. But your courage, your persistence, and your story-that will stay with you, and with us, for a lifetime.

It’s interesting how our Borden values are covered by these words; particularly courage and resilience. Ironically, these values were voted on by our year 11 and 13 students when they were in year 7 and 9 in answer to the question “what makes an ideal Borden student?”. The great thing is that I see them exhibited every day by so many of our students, not only those now taking exams. Well done and keep going!

Ashley Tomlin
Headteacher


Sixth form news

As we hasten towards the end of a short, yet industrious term, I am, as ever, unwaveringly proud of the accomplishments of our year 12 students, whose courage, resilience, camaraderie and creativity truly embodies the spirit of the Borden Values.

This term the new student leadership team was elected, comprising of: Fola Adeyeni (School Captain), Naomi Poku and James Goodwin (Vice Captains) and Skye McCulloch Martin, Ariane-Dannielle Forson, Iqra Begum, Ethan Barton, Gerard Akrong and Jacob Gasson as senior prefects.

The new team actively supported the year 8 parents’ evening on the 8th May 2025. They were instrumental in guiding parents around the school site, supporting parents in finding their sons’ teachers and ensuring that teaching staff were fuelled with sufficient tea and coffee for the evening. Feedback from the event was glowingly positive, and I am hugely proud of the dedication, commitment and drive that the new team has demonstrated.

Next term, the year 12s will complete their end of year exams before embarking on their work experience placements over the week of 30th June to 4th July 2025. This is an invaluable immersive experience into the world of work, allowing students a glimpse of life beyond Borden. I eagerly await the arrival of term 6 and the endless possibilities this will entail in relation to the celebration of academic and extra-curricular achievements, cultural diversity, inclusivity and equality within our school community.

This term we said a fond farewell to our amazing year 13 students.  We can not express how proud we are of them all; embracing the challenges of their A Level studies alongside the complexities of being a young adult in today’s society.  We wish you all the best in your summer public exams and look forward to seeing you on results day.

On the subject of new enterprises - a reminder of the LinkedIn page, started by a group of 6th form students and led by one of the former Vice School Captains, Amelia Bowker.  Please scan or click on the link and interact with the page, as the team are hoping that this new initiative will enable students and the wider community, including old Bordenians, to interact and become connected to the school. 

Here’s the link!

https://uk.linkedin.com/company/borden-grammar-school-trust            

Finally, we would like to wish you all a very restful half term, and we look forward to welcoming the year 12s back at the start of term 6.

Ms Das and Mrs Searle
Head of Year 12 and 13 

Second-hand uniform

We have a large quantity of used, good quality uniform which is available to families of Borden Grammar students.  Maybe your son has had a growth spurt and needs new trousers, or they've ripped their blazer. Just send us an email and we may be able to help: uniform@bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk 

All enquiries are handled in the strictest confidence.  


Atom Learning

Borden Grammar School has partnered with Atom Learning, the leading 11+ preparation and Key Stage 2 learning website, to provide free KS2 learning and 11+ support to primary school children who are eligible for Pupil Premium. Eligible students will receive access to Atom Home for free (normally £575.90 a year).

If you know someone whose child is preparing for the 11+, or is in need of extra Key Stage 2 learning support, please share this link with them:

https://www.bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk/information/admissions-and-borden-test-application

Student Work Experience at The Narwhal Tusk 

Whilst on work experience, Lex C from Year 10, wrote an informative piece of writing that has been published on the museum website where he carried out his work experience. 

https://canterburymuseums.co.uk/the-narwhal-tusk-by-lex/

 

 


Duke of Edinburgh Award

The 9th - 10th May saw 91 year 9’s completing their Duke of Edinburgh practice exhibition. They spent the first part of Day One with their group instructors going through their routes and being trained so that they were ready to be set off on their first six hours of walking. They would be using the skills they learnt during their training day in March, and were sent into the wilds of Meopham to follow directed routes on maps, learn how to use a route card and try not to get lost.

After a couple of wrong turns and a little rescuing, all thirteen  groups made it back to the campsite where they put their tent building and cooking skills to the test. We even had a visit from Mr Tomlin to see them in action. All of the students were excellent over the night, with their behaviour being commented on by several outside members of staff. For Day Two, they were back out walking different routes and encountering different challenges. They were out for a minimum of six hours each day and have all been cleared to go on to assessed expeditions. Well done them! By the end of the day on Saturday, we had all 91 of our very tired, Year 9’s back with us and ready to go for the best sleep of their lives.

All in all, they were fantastic representatives of the school, and they really did us proud.

Students already participating from a previous year can still complete their award by uploading their evidence to the eDofE app and asking their assessor to complete the end-of-section report. Please ask if you have forgotten your password!

 

Miss Savage
Co-Leader Duke of Edinburgh Award

Religious Studies

Year 7 have spent the term immersed in the study of Christianity. They've explored key stories, teachings, and traditions, and we were particularly excited to utilise our fantastic new Easter artefacts. Looking ahead, we can't wait to see their creativity shine as they embark on their stained-glass window projects over the holidays – we anticipate some truly beautiful and insightful designs! Year 8 have delved into the core beliefs of Sikhism. They've gained a greater appreciation for the principles of equality, service (SEWA) and the symbolism behind the five K's. 

Meanwhile, Year 9 have been broadening their perspectives by examining the core beliefs of Buddhism. They've explored concepts such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, considering how these ancient teachings offer guidance for a meaningful life. Finally, Year 10 students have been working diligently as they prepare for their first set of mock examinations. We wish them the very best of luck in these important assessments and encourage them to use the upcoming break for some focused revision.

Mr Sherwood Farnfield
Lead teacher for Religious Studies 


Winning the final for Swale Schools District

We are very proud of our Year 8 students Finley G, Max M, Jack D and Noah S, who have been part of the Swale School FA football team this season. They have just become county champions of the cup competition, beating Tonbridge and Malling at Herne Bay Football Club on 3rd May.

Match report from Finley G

"It was a really good game and we played really well. Ollie H scored three screamers from outside the box. Charlie H came on and made a massive impact on the game. We won the game 5-1 and they crumbled after half time".

Anti-Bullying

We take bullying seriously at Borden, and we are taking part in the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s United Against Bullying Plus Programme. We have summarised our policy, in both a parent and student-friendly manner, which are outlined below. Any concerns about bullying can be reported to your child’s Head of Year, or via our anti-bullying email address:


anti-bullying@bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk

Parent-Friendly Anti-Bullying Policy Summary

Student-Friendly Anti- Bullying Policy Summary


Latest news 

21 May 2025
Open Evening and Open Morning
Open Evening 4th June 5:30-7:30pm:Headteacher talks will take place at 5:40pm, 6:20pm and 7:00pm. You will be directed as you come into the school for an appropriate talk time dependent on your arrival time due to capacity restrictions. This event is walk-ins and no booking is required...
Read more

Dates for your diary 

Term 6 starts
All Day
02
June
HPV Vaccinations
8:30am – 3:00pm
03
June
Early Closure - 2:15pm
2:15pm – 3:15pm
04
June
Year 5 Open Evening
5:30pm – 7:30pm
04
June
D of E Silver Qualifying
8:30am – 7:30pm
from 05 Jun until 07 Jun
05
June
Year 5 Open Morning
9:15am – 11:00am
06
June
Performing Arts Trip
9:00am – 5:00pm
11
June
D of E Bronze Qualifing
9:00am – 6:00pm
from 13 Jun until 14 Jun
13
June
Welcome Evening for Year 6
5:00pm – 6:00pm
25
June
History Trip - Battlefields Somme
5:00am – 10:45pm
26
June
Year 6 Transition Day
9:00am – 3:00pm
26
June
Year 12 Work Experience
9:00am – 4:00pm
from 30 Jun until 04 Jul
30
June
History/Geography Trip - Dover Castle
9:00am – 3:00pm
30
June
History/Geography Trip - Dover Castle
9:00am – 3:00pm
01
July
Sports Day
9:00am – 3:00pm
04
July