Newsletters

Dear Parent or Guardian

I’m sure you will have heard from your child that the school is certainly not built to cope with the heat we have had recently. I am only too aware that some classes reach temperatures over 30 degrees, and whilst we have done our best to mitigate this, there is only so much that can be done in an old building without significant funding. Early on in the term, we allowed PE kits instead of uniform, moved classrooms known to get hot, purchased lots of fans, built in hydration breaks, prohibited outdoor exercise during the hottest periods, made sure blinds were down with windows open etc. However, if this remains the ‘new normal’ we know we will need to do more, so have started exploring reflective window surfaces amongst other more affordable solutions. If any of you have any expertise or contacts in this area, advice is always gratefully received…

On the note of a lack of funds, it’s important you remain fully apprised of the impact of the most recent announcement. The decision to grant a teacher pay rise of 6.5% over 2 years (3.5% this year) is, yet again, only partially funded with expectations that the school makes savings – this means cuts. In real terms, this means a school budget reduction of another 1%, which equates to more than a member of staff for each year for the next 2 years. Bluntly, we have already significantly cut staffing, budgets and other areas and the only way for us to avoid a deficit in 3 years time is to cut more staff. Amongst other impacts, this will necessarily result in larger class sizes and fewer subject options. This is all in the context of having some very costly things that need replacing in the near future; notably the MUGA surface (which needs replacing in the next 2 years and costs over £100 000) and the hockey pitch (which needs replacing in around 5 years and costs more). This is why other areas of fundraising have become so much more important. The voluntary fund, which many of you pay into at the start of the year, has been used for a variety of things that would otherwise be unfunded, i.e. rewards trips, football goals, basketball hoops, awards evenings; and anything remaining will go towards the ‘MUGA fund’. So, this is a genuine plea for you to pay into the voluntary fund if you haven’t already done so, knowing that it will be used to support things which we otherwise would not be able to afford to do.

On the subject of fundraising, I sent out a letter advertising the professional drama performance on the 10th October (you will see the advert for this further in this newsletter). This is an exceptional opportunity to see a highly commended performance that has toured internationally, at a very low price, whilst also supporting the school – with all proceeds again going towards our MUGA fund!

So much extra has taken place this term, it is hard to list it all. It was an amazing achievement for Daniel Hird to make the finals of the Grammar School Symposium held in Sevenoaks, but also for many in year 9 who gave standout presentations in the process. Many of you will have seen the amazing performances of “We Will Rock You” that took place this term – what a triumph! Whilst I have to acknowledge some bias in being part of the live band, the laughter, cheers, smiles and standing ovations said it all. The ‘buzz’ around the students and staff afterwards was electric. So, thank you to all those involved as it has truly been one of the main highlights of the year. You will also know that we have run an activities week last week. Part of the idea is to put as many activities into one week as possible to avoid the costs of teacher cover and reduce the impact of trips and visits impacting on the curriculum. However, it also allows things to take place that don’t naturally fit into the normal school day, particularly allowing the development of a different set of skills such as team building, reflection, careers work and group activities. This takes a huge amount of work to plan and organise, as well as real investment from staff and students to work. I can vouch for this, having spent over 17 hours supporting the trip to Boulogne, but it is also true for the Battlefields trips, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and many of the other great things that happen as a result of the dedication of staff and the support of you as parents. All of this helps to enrich the experience of school and create memories that will last a lifetime.

It's also that time of year when we say goodbye to staff. Mr Anani as a cover supervisor has left to start a career as a teacher. Ms Pickett has helped so many students develop their love of music and has a promotion to be a head of department at another school. Ms Searle will have supported many young people as a head of year in the 6th form and as a business or finance teacher, helping many achieve their next steps to success. Ms Rai has been a cleaner at the school for 17 years and will be taking well earned retirement. Ms Mendoza has been a chair of trustees for the school for 7 years and has helped lead the school with many improvements during turbulent times. Mr Reynolds has been teaching English at Borden for an amazing 26 years and has taught many of the staff who now also teach here along with thousands of others, whilst Ms Escribano Restoy has been a language assistant at the school for 27 years, helping develop a love of languages. All of these Borden staff have contributed so much to the school over such a long period of time and I am sure you will join us in wishing them the very best for their future.

Finally, you will know that our Ofsted report has now been published, link here - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/137800. I am very proud of so many things in the report, but most of all, we are all proud of how our students presented themselves throughout the visit. Without wanting to sound too soppy, that’s what you can sense as you read the report or walk through the school any day of the week – the fact that we are a real community that cares about each other.

I hope you all have a safe, restful and enjoyable summer break and look forward to starting all over again in September!

Mr A Tomlin, Headteacher

Careers Update: Term 6

Never complacent, Careers continues to grow at Borden. We are constantly looking for new ways to ‘bring the outside in’ and stride forward together with the help of our local community and our amazing alumni. The past three years have seen huge changes in our Careers offer, and we were delighted that Ofsted recently recognised our Careers programme as ‘a strength of the school.’

Parent and Carer Drop-in
Our third and final Careers drop-in of the year was our most popular yet! Attendees heard from two of our former students who have just graduated from university. They shared their differing pathways, application and recruitment experiences, and offered invaluable advice to current Borden students and their families.
We were also fortunate to have a presentation prepared by Ms. Bowker’s daughter, sharing their experiences as a graduate and a parent, alongside Mr. Lindo, who kindly shared his own insights on supporting his children through this journey.

Activities Week
Activities Week was jam-packed with career opportunities for students across all year groups. Whether it was exploring the job market of the future, developing leadership and teamwork skills, visiting a university, or Year 12 participating in work experience, there was truly something for everyone. A special thanks to Tommy from R&A Education for running our engaging CV workshop!

How can you support your child over the summer?
We know that many of our students in Years 10 and above have already arranged additional work experience and volunteering opportunities during the summer break.
- In-Person Opportunities: If your son or daughter hasn't arranged anything yet, do encourage them to seek out these opportunities, either for this summer or with the extended October break in mind.
- Virtual Work Experience (VWEX): There are fantastic virtual placements they can sign up for, either through Unifrog or via the links on our BGS Careers Student Page

Date for your diary
Our annual Futures Fair will take place on Tuesday 15th September from 3:30 PM – 6:15 PM. We will once again be welcoming a range of representatives from local businesses, colleges, and universities. All students in Years 9–13 are welcome to attend alongside their families. Further details and confirmed exhibitors will follow in September.

How Can You Help Us?
Our program thrives on the support of our parent and alumni community. Every time we share this appeal, someone reaches out and helps us make a tangible difference. If you or your employer could support our students, we would love to hear from you.
We are currently looking for volunteers to:
-Speak to a class or year group about your industry.
-Host a school visit or workplace tour.
-Offer future placements for Year 10 or Year 12 Work Experience.
-Exhibit at our Futures Fair on Tuesday 15th September.
-Host an informal, small-group ‘Careers Lunch’ session.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at kcameron@bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk if you can help inspire the next generation of Bordenians.

Thank you for your continued support, and have a wonderful summer break!

Mrs K Cameron
Head of Personal Development and Careers

As the summer term comes to an end, and with it another successful academic year, the student leadership team and I have been busy supporting a range of events and beginning to plan ahead for next year. We started the term with the Year 5 Open Evening, which was a fantastic opportunity to welcome so many families into the school and allow them to experience our values and community. To end the year, myself and two other members of the student leadership team helped out on the Year 12 induction day, giving advice and information about our time in the sixth form and what to do to make the most out of the taster sessions ongoing throughout the day. 
I also want to take this opportunity to reflect on the successful year the school has had with many school events, trips and learning which has taken place. It has produced such a positive environment and one in which I am proud to look forward to the many opportunities that Year 13 will bring for me. 
I hope you all have a restful summer in preparation for starting the new year in September. 

Lewis Darby, School Captain

Year 7

This school year has gone so fast, it feels like only yesterday Year 7 were anxiously walking through our school gates in their brand new uniform, excited and quite nervous for the start of a new adventure. This year group have achieved so much, from a record amount of money raised during our winter charity fair, to an abundance of house points and fantastic audit results. You've all shown great determination and resilience during a busy and most definitely tiring transition to secondary school. This term you got to enjoy your first ever sports day and really witness the beauty of our house system as many of our older students chanted your name as you ran your races. It has been an absolute pleasure to be your head of year during your first year at Borden and I hope that your years to come at our school will be even better than the last!

To our soon to be 2026 Year 7 cohort..I hope you enjoyed your transition day a few weeks a go, it was lovely to meet you all and we are really looking forward to the year ahead, please do check out the school website to learn more about Borden, ensure you've looked through the welcome booklets and if you have any questions then let us know!

Miss S Irinoye & Mr C Holley, Head of Year 7

Year 8

Term 6 has ended with a flurry of activity for Year 8.  In form time this term, we have been focusing on the theme of creativity in a variety of ways, alongside assemblies and visits to form time by the Anti-bullying Ambassadors and the team behind "We will rock you".  We were proud to see George P and George M taking leading roles in the school's first musical for many years, as well as a number of Year 8 students amongst the cast – well done to all!  A highlight of the term was Activities Week, where 88 students spent the day in Boulogne enjoying both the aquarium and the fascinating chocolate production process.  Other memorable events included the trip to Lower Grange Farm and the short film produced by Year 8 "Death comes to Borden".  Sports Day took on a new dimension this year as Year 8 forms competed for their houses – we have a number of talented athletes in the year group.  It only remains for me to thank parents and carers for their support and communication this term.  I look forward to seeing students in Year 9 – as ever, smartly dressed, fully equipped and ready to start thinking about GCSE Options.  

Mrs A Edwards, Head of Year 8

Year 9

Since taking over as head of year 9 at the beginning of term 6, we have tried to instil a culture which prepares the pupils to begin their GCSE courses at the beginning of year 10 as positively as possible. Pupils have received their option choices, made any final changes to these if needed and have started to use tutor time sessions to build independent study. One aspect we have worked really hard to improve is punctuality to lessons, with a real drive on reducing the lateness is the year group. I have been astonished at how positive the attitude from the year group has been, they have done absolutely everything asked of them, and I am delighted to be taking them through to the end of their time at Borden in key stage 4.

Mr J Weller, Head of Year 9

Year 10

Year 10 have had a busy time in term 6. Twenty-five students have successfully completed their Silver DofE expedition this term. Many year 10 students also had a starring role in the musical. During activities week, year 10 students had the opportunity to take part in A-level taster sessions to gain some insights into what subjects they may wish to continue with. They also took part in a range of team building and careers activities. 

Over the summer break, it is important that students have a rest before the start of year 11, which will be a very busy year. Many subjects will have set summer work, which is important to complete to retain and develop knowledge over the summer. We would also recommend students use this time to work on revision for their GCSE subjects in preparation for the summer exams.  

Miss A Phillips, Head of Year 10

Year 12

Wow, what a year it has been and how quickly it has flown by!

It seems like only yesterday the current year 12’s were collecting their GCSE grades and enroling on to their chosen A-Level courses. For many, the transition from KS4 to KS5 was challenging , but due to the resilience, ambition and maturity shown by the students, they soon adapted to life in the Sixth Form.

This term has been exceptionally busy for Year 12 students with both mock examinations and work experience happening, but they approached their mock exams with maturity, dedication and commitment, and we are thoroughly impressed with their positive attitude and the tenacity shown.

One of the highlights of this term was work experience with students completing their placements across a variety of fields such as medicine, dentistry, engineering and finance. Employers were extremely complimentary of our students, often commenting on how they applied themselves to tasks independently and intuitively, their maturity within the workplace and their ambition and will to succeed.

I am extremely proud to be their Head of Year 12 and I look forward to the new challenges and journey we will go on together in Year 13.

Ms V Wrighton, Head of Year 12

Year 8 and 9 Business & Enterprise - Activities Week

Students began the day in the Hall, learning about Entrepreneurship.  They were then presented with their first problem, the ‘Tower Challenge’. Wow, just Wow! Everyone worked so well in their teams, really thinking out of the box to create the ‘tallest, strongest and most beautiful tower’, which was judged by Mr Tomlin (see photos below).  Then in teams, students reflected on their entrepreneurial skills and allocated themselves roles; becoming Finance, Marketing, Production and Human Resource Directors.

Now for the ultimate challenge; working on social problems; Homelessness, Packaging, Food Waste, Recycling, Pollution and Resource Depletion each team had just 2 ½ hrs to research and put together their presentation pitch.  They had to develop a product or service that would help the social problem, decide on a business name and create a suitable logo.  From here, students researched their competition, target market, marketing strategies and created a three month cashflow forecast; before they presented within their class groups where voting took place to select the winning team that would then go into a year group head to head.

The atmosphere in the Auditorium was so positive and welcoming; five teams competed for the ultimate title of Business & Enterprise Champions.  The ideas were innovative and well thought out, making the teachers decision even more difficult, but there had to be a winner!

On the Wednesday, a smaller group of year 8 students took part in a similar programme, whilst fully embracing the spirit of the challenge.  Their enthusiasm for the day was heart warming; they worked so well together, and developed some fantastic ideas within their teams.

Congratulations to:

Year 8 Tower Challenge Winners:

• Nicholas Shaw

• Stanley Barrett

• Sahil Sahran

• Ed Savage

• Toby Thistlethwaite

Year 8 Enterprise Challenge Winners:

• Jason Akinlagun

• Toyin Bolade

• Tim Hughes

Year 9 Tower Challenge Winners:

• Alex Excell

• Hunter Jiggens

• Tate Peters

• Isaac Webb

Year 9 Enterprise Challenge Winners:

• Elijah Bajulaiye

• Bradley Dobner

• Matthew Jacobs

• Max Murphy

• Arham Shiraz

A truly fabulous day was had by all! 

Mrs Searle & Mr Lindo

On Friday 10th July, 32 students from years 7, 8 and 10 were invited to a screening of ‘Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ to say well done for their hard work and progress in English this year. Based on part one of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure, the fantasy film explores themes of friendship and courage. Congratulations to all who attended!

As part of Activities Week, year 7 took part in a School Song Writing Competition in the English department. Congratulations to Archie Hicks 7S who was chosen as the overall winner!
The song can be heard here:
https://www.mureka.ai/song-detail/148723527188481?source=switch 

Looking for something to good read over the summer?

For KS3:
People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence
Three 13-year-old strangers are connected by one big secret.
Nervous Ayrton was stolen away from his mum as a baby. He was returned safely, but now Mum won't let him out of her sight. Curious Stanley has a Forbidden Grandmother. His mum won't even talk about her. Homeless Sen has finally found a place to live, but she'll be out on the street if she upsets her secretive landlady. What happens when their paths cross...?
Stunning storytelling – by turns powerful and witty – from an exceptional writer for young people. A page-turning mystery with real depth.

For KS4:
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Dancing is the one thing that can solve Stephen's problems. At Church with his family, the shimmer of Black hands raised in praise. With his band, making music, speaking not just to their hardships, but their joys. Grooving with his best friend, so close their heads might touch. Stephen has only ever known himself in song. But what becomes of him when the music fades? Set over the course of three summers, from South London to Ghana and back again, Small Worlds is a novel about the worlds we build for ourselves. The worlds we live, dance and love within.

For older readers:
A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr
A damaged survivor of the First World War, Tom Birkin finds refuge in the quiet village church of Oxgodby where he is to spend the summer uncovering a huge medieval wall-painting. Immersed in the peace and beauty of the countryside and the unchanging rhythms of village life he experiences a sense of renewal and belief in the future. 

Year 10 Drama GCSE Exam

Year 10 Drama students had their first practical GCSE exam on the 6th and 7th July. They performed devised pieces that they had created themselves from scratch over the last few months. The performances ranged from comic to tragic, with themes such as fate, mental health, trauma, dreams and corruption all explored with creativity and confidence. The pieces were acted superbly in front of a group of Year 9 students who have all opted for Drama as a GCSE option next year, giving them valuable insight into the expectations for the first year of study. Well done to everyone involved. 

Sports Day - 3rd July 2026

The annual Sports Day was held on Friday 3rd July in a similar format to previous years. Pupils in year 7 - 10 took part in athletics track events, athletics field events, hockey and handball with pupils opting into a level of competitiveness which suited them. The inclusive nature of Borden's Sports Day allowed for an amazing participation rate, clear sense of sportsmanship and some fantastic sporting performances across all three categories (A,B and C). However, this year was the first year that the new house system was embedded in the organisation of the day, with pupils coming into school wearing a t shirt the same as their house colour, spiking an extra special feeling of community, balanced with rivalry. Thank you to all staff and students who put in an amazing shift, conducted themselves with outstanding effort and maturity to make the day a huge success. Results below:

Euan Girt - 7H

Euan travelled to Seville in Spain with EMC Academy Under 12s to compete in a 2-day football tournament. He played against 7 teams from across Europe competing for the Junior European Cup. Conditions were tough for the team in the extreme Spanish heat. On the first day EMC won 2 games, drew 1 and lost 1. The second day of matches they won 2 games, drew 1 and lost 2 meaning they secured 3rd place overall. Despite playing in defence for the majority of the games, when an opportunity arose to score a goal, he took his chance and buried it in the back of the net.

An incredible achievement and experience!

Daniel Cooper - 7H

Daniel is an aspiring ice hockey professional and is on the Elite Player pathway.

He has recently taken part in the biggest youth ice hockey tournament in Europe, the Riga Cup, during the Easter holidays. Last year, just before starting at Borden, he had travelled to Finland for a tournament. He has been involved in the England Draft Showcase this year, and he is also due to take part in the Lions Cup in Czechia during the Christmas holidays at the end of 2026.

Most recently, towards the end of May, Daniel participated in an ice hockey tournament, the Devil's Cup in Valenciennes, France with his team XLR8. The team came 2nd place overall, amazing!

Religious Studies Department End of Year Review

As we reach the conclusion of another academic year, it is a pleasure to reflect on the progress, our students have demonstrated in Religious Studies. 

Year 7:
Year 7  concluded the year with an insightful enquiry into Humanism. They investigated the core values of non-religious world-views, exploring how humanists put their principles into action, mark significant life milestones through non-religious rites of passage, and find meaning in life within modern Britain. In addition, a particular highlight of the term occurred during Activities Week, where Year 7 took part in a brilliant, hands-on workshop creating intricate mandalas out of rice. It has been wonderful to teach this cohort throughout their first year at secondary school, and we look forward to seeing them push on with equal enthusiasm in Year 8.

Year 8:
Year 8 have continued their study of Sikhism, focusing on how faith intersects with practical global citizenship. Students explored the foundational concept of Meeri-Peeri—the close relationship between temporal and spiritual responsibility—and examined how the principle of Sewa (selfless service) manifests today. 
By analysing a real-world case study of a Sikh-run boxing gym in Walsall, students gained a deeper understanding of how faith communities actively serve local areas. The term concluded with an exploration of how Sikh’s approach complex ethical decisions and moral choices when facing modern challenges.

Year 9:
Year 9 students deepened their understanding of Buddhism through an analytical exploration of cinema, using the film ‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)  to deconstruct complex philosophical ideas. Through the narrative of the film, students successfully identified and evaluated core Buddhist themes, including Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha ( suffering), the importance of perseverance, and the ultimate path toward enlightenment. 

Year 10:
Year 10 Our Year 10 GCSE students have successfully transitioned into the core moral issues components of their syllabus. Alongside tackling these complex ethical debates, they have worked diligently to refine the advanced written and evaluative skills necessary for their upcoming exam papers. A significant highlight for the cohort was their local pilgrimage during Activity Week, where they visited neighbouring places of worship, including Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne Mosque and the Net Church.  This trip allowed students to see first-hand how these distinct faith communities serve and are deeply embedded within the Swale area. We were incredibly well hosted, and our students were absolutely magnificent, showing exemplary respect and engagement throughout the day.

Finally, the Religious Studies department would like to extend its sincere thanks to all students for their hard work and dedication this year. We wish all of our pupils and their families a peaceful, safe, and deeply restful summer break. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to learn in September.

Grammar Schools Symposium

This year, for the first time, we ran a speaking competition across the whole of Year 9. Students began by planning their speeches in tutor time, then performed them to their classes in English lessons. The winning speech from each House was then performed to the year group.

From there, two students went on to take part in the regional finals of the Kent and Medway Grammar School Symposium. One student, Daniel, made it through to the final in Sevenoaks on the 16th June. We are immensely proud of all the students who participated at every level of the competition. Daniel has written about his experience of the Symposium below.

“My experience with the speaking symposium has been amazing, from winning in my form to speaking at the final. The final covered a broad range of topics, from Sparx Maths to Black Lives Matter. I have learned so much about successful speech writing, presenting, and public speaking. These skills are very good to know because, in Year 10, we do a GCSE speech, and public speaking is a very useful skill for future life. The fun and support I had along the way were spectacular too, from taking ten friends and family to the final to the help I had from the staff. I would recommend this competition to anyone because of the skills you learn, the support you get, and the experience as a whole.”

Year 8 Outdoor Adventurous Activities Trip

Y8 pupils travelled to Lower Grange Farm Scouts Centre in Maidstone on Wednesday 8th July as part of their activities' week. Pupils were mixed up into 6 groups and rotated around a series of activities, all designed to develop teamwork skills, leadership, cooperation, communication, trust as well as give an adrenaline rush. Pupils were lucky enough to scale the challenging walls in the rock climbing centre, navigate around an orienteering course, guide others through a blindfolded obstacle course, sprint around a mountain bike course in individual time trials, shoot targets using an air rifle and attempt to knock over their peers using the inflatable body zorbs. It was amazing to see the students sometimes quite literally throw themselves into activities which they have had little if no experience of, overcome fears and self-doubt and push themselves to their limits at times. The PE department would like to thank all students for their fantastic attitude throughout the day and for the clear enjoyment that they had on the trip. 

We Will Rock You

On July 1st and 2nd, twenty-seven supremely talented students took part in our summer musical, We Will Rock You. Twenty-four students sang, danced and acted their socks off on stage, two were part of the incredible live band, and one student was operating our professional stage lighting. The show was a huge success and really showcased the skill, passion and dedication of our students here at Borden. This was the culmination of many months of hard work, and it was amazing to see how the performance developed each week, with everyone's confidence peaking at the absolute crucial time. Not only were the cast excellent performers, they also demonstrated impressive leadership skills throughout the process: planning and teaching choreography, testing each other on their lines, and generally showing care and support throughout. This was certainly an experience I'm certain they will remember for many years. Well done to everyone involved and huge thanks to all who participated, watched and supported us - we couldn't do it without you. 

Year 12 Psychology Zoo Trip

On Wednesday 10th June, Year 12 Psychology students visited Howletts Wild Animal Park for an exciting day of learning beyond the classroom. The visit gave students the opportunity to apply their newly acquired psychological knowledge and research methods skills by using psychological theories to explain animal behaviour.
Before the trip, students worked in small groups to design their own observational research studies. During the visit, they conducted their investigations, collected and after the trip they analysed their data, and drew psychological conclusions based on the behaviours they observed.
Students also took part in a fascinating Animal Behaviour and Psychology workshop led by the Head Park Rangers. The session inspired both students and staff, prompting plenty of thoughtful questions and leaving everyone with new knowledge, fresh insights, and exciting ideas for further research.
It was fantastic to see our Year 12 students confidently applying their psychology knowledge and research skills throughout the day. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and engagement—particularly during and after the workshop—made a real impression, with the Howletts team praising them for their interest, conduct, and thoughtful participation.

Year 9 University Trip

On the Monday of Activities Week, the entire Year 9 cohort enjoyed an inspiring STEM enrichment day at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich's Medway Campus.

Throughout the day, all students attended engaging presentations on 'The University Experience' and 'Do We Need AI When We Have Maths?', giving them an insight into university life and the continuing importance of mathematics in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Students also had the opportunity to explore the campus on a guided tour, including a visit to the impressive Drill Hall Library, widely recognised as the longest library in Europe. They were able to take part in a range of hands-on activities in the Puzzle Room, where a variety of drop-in challenges encouraged teamwork and problem-solving.

In addition, some groups also attended an interactive session entitled 'Dangerous Engineering: Maths Preventing Mayhem', which brought engineering principles to life through exciting demonstrations and showed how mathematics plays a vital role in keeping people safe through effective engineering design.

The day provided students with an excellent opportunity to experience university life, explore future STEM pathways, and appreciate the real-world applications of mathematics and engineering.

Smart Glasses

As technology continues to evolve, new devices are reshaping the way we connect, learn and share information. One of the latest innovations is Smart Glasses - eyewear that looks like ordinary spectacles but can include built-in cameras, microphones, and internet connectivity. Products such as Ray-Ban Meta glasses highlight how accessible and affordable this technology has now become.

Whilst these developments are exciting, they also raise important questions about privacy and safety in a school environment. Smart glasses can discreetly record, live-stream, or share content instantly and therefore this can pose risks to pupils, staff and visitors, raising privacy, safeguarding and data protection issues.

As a response to this, and to ensure our community remains a safe and secure palace, the use of smart glasses will not be permitted on school grounds by pupils, parents, visitors or staff.

We kindly ask for your support in this measure, and thank you for working with us to embrace technology responsibly whilst protecting the privacy and wellbeing of all pupils.

Mrs M Brooker - Designated Safeguarding Lead & Assistant Headteacher for Safeguarding, Inclusion and Wellbeing

It’s been a busy term for the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors (ABAs), planning and delivering sessions on LGBTQ+ bullying to every Y7 - 10 form group, for which they received excellent feedback from both staff and students. There has also been a change to the structure of the Anti-Bullying Ambassador programme, with Jay Sharma and Rafael Devibar (both Y12) taking over as leads. They have done a brilliant job of organising and supporting the ABAs this term, ensuring that their form time sessions were well-prepared and effectively delivered. Well done to Jay, Rafael and all the ABAs!