The Flagpole

Following the March acceptance deadline and with the College looking forward to welcoming its new pupils to the school in September, the Admissions Team has now turned its attention to entry for 2024.

Entrance Examinations, for entry to the school in September 2024, will take place on Saturday 11 November 2023 and we are already busy accepting registrations.

For 2024 entry we have expanded the number of categories of scholarships available for particularly able or talented candidates.

The scholarships available range from Academic, Art and Performing Arts (Choral, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre including Dance) to Sport.

In addition, exceptional candidates who are both academically able and gifted and talented across a number of areas may be considered for an All-Rounder Scholarship, which would be awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster. Means-tested Bursaries are also available, along with The Thomas More Scholarship a means-tested scholarship for Catholic children, who attend a Catholic state primary school.

There are plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams take place; including our Summer Open Evening in June and Open Afternoon in September, as well as the Year 5 Taster Days in May and June.

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils will have plenty of time to prepare and opportunities to visit the College in the run up to the registration deadline on Friday 29 September."

Following the Entrance Exams, offer letters will be sent out on Thursday 30 November 2023 and the acceptance deadlines will be Monday 11 December 2023 for Years 8, 9 and 10 and Tuesday 5 March 2024 for Year 7. The acceptance deadline for Year 7 places is, by a nationally agreed code of practice, the same for all independent schools, allowing parents and children time to review all their options, including those from the maintained sector, before making a final decision.

To download a copy of our new 2024 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet click here.

Why not take a look at our Admissions Update e-newsletter. This publication is packed with news to give you a feel for College life, forthcoming events which are open to prospective pupils and their families and helpful advice about the admissions process.

To view our latest Admissions Newsletter please click here.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact the Registrar, Vanessa Rooney, on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Want to get a feel for school life? Why not follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Over 300 pupils, parents, invited guests and staff gathered together on Thursday 16 February for the College’s annual Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Celebration Evening. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on pupils’ achievements in Outdoor Education and in particular to celebrate those who have successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Will Bower, Head of Outdoor Education, began the evening by summarising the last year, speaking about the positive impact exposure to the outdoors has on us all. He spoke about the College’s commitment to Outdoor Education and the variety of activities pupils take part in. He talked about the commitment pupils make in undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the independence, perseverance, strength of character and sense of humour they show and how seeing their achievements in such a wide variety of activities is a great privilege.

Then the College was delighted to welcome special guest and Adventure Athlete, Darren Grigas. In a motivating speech Darren spoke about the challenges and joys of completing trips in the Namib Desert, Outer Mongolia and Panama, and his journey from desk bound job to world adventurer. He spoke about his motivation, goals and how ‘ordinary people’ can do great things when they commit to a challenge.

Across the evening, pupils were presented with their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Certificates to mark the completion of their Awards.

Also in attendance on the night were Richard Lea from our expedition partners, Peak Pursuits, Mike Fletcher, Trustee and Volunteer Leader on the Gold Programme and Assistant Head Co-curricular, Neil McCollin. We were delighted they were able to join us in celebrating pupils’ achievements.

Mr Bower, commented, “The Awards celebration was a superb opportunity to get together to celebrate the achievements of our young people. I am staggered by the breadth of their endeavour to do their Awards and do them well! I hope pupils have enjoyed the challenge and that their experiences will serve as a stepping stone to future endeavours.”

There is still time for anyone who has not quite completed their award to get it finished. Pupils are encouraged to attend the Tuesday lunchtime eDofE drop-in clinics for help.

The Politics Department took six Lower Sixth Form students to compete in the European Youth Parliament debates at Birmingham University on Wednesday 1 March. It was a great opportunity for the Sixth Formers to debate contemporary political issues with other schools while developing their public speaking and debating skills.

Connor Silvester summarised the day:

“We came to the European Youth Parliament well prepared, having spent classes ahead of time planning what we would say as representatives of the economic committee. Upon arrival, we took our seats and prepared ourselves for the first debate. To begin we had a mock debate to get used to the format. Toby West bravely nominated himself to speak on the spot for the team. The debates were assessed by three house speakers and two judges.

The first debate was not proposed by our committee, so we got to question the proposing committee on their resolution, and then vote for or against the legislation that had been put forward. Then it was our committee's turn to draft a resolution. George Wild delivered the opening speech, outlining in detail the steps we'd take to tackle the issue of the energy crisis and fuel poverty. After hearing the opposing committee's speech, we engaged in vigorous debate with the other groups, ultimately trying to succeed in getting our resolution passed. When it came time to vote, unfortunately, our proposition was rejected.

After a few minutes to chat over coffee, we gathered again to plot our next steps. In the two sessions that followed the break, we opposed one bill with Alex Leret delivering a powerful address against, whilst posing some difficult questions towards the other committees. After lunch, Zara Simpson, Grace Isaacs, and I developed a strategy for our final two debates and our final speech. After five hours of speeches and debate, we were all energised for Zara Simpson's last speech, which sparked a passionate discussion among all five groups.

When the final debate came up, since we weren't proposing any legislation, we had the simple job of just listening to their remarks and questioning and picking them apart. The day got better and better and as the day went on we grew in confidence.”

On Tuesday 7 March, the Economics and Business department took 62 Year 10 Business Studies pupils on a trip around the Cadbury Experience. Pupils enjoyed watching demonstrations of chocolate making, including using tempered chocolate. They had a visit to a 4D cinema and along the way managed to taste quite a lot of chocolate.

Pupils also attended a marketing presentation in the Education Centre which provided further information about the workings of Cadbury as a business. They were challenged to create their own Cadbury’s chocolate concept, considering target market, price, where they would sell it and how they would promote it.

Their trip finished off with a quick visit to stock up on essentials in the Cadbury World shop.

Six Warwickshire primary school teams took part in Princethorpe College’s High 5 Netball Tournament on Tuesday 7 March. Teams from Barford St Peter’s CofE Primary School, Bilton CofE Junior School, Dunchurch CofE Junior School, Grange Farm Primary School, Stratford Prep School and The Revel CofE Primary School came along to take part in all the fun.

The competition took place on the College’s outside netball courts and the teams had the chance to test their skills against all their opponents in a round robin of matches playing to High 5 Netball rules; a popular entry format of the traditional game that has players rotating positions and ensures the ball keeps moving. With vocal support from the side-lines, the children threw themselves enthusiastically into the matches clearly enjoying the competitive nature of the tournament.

Umpired by Princethorpe’s Netball Leaders, you could see the children’s skills developing game by game as they took on board feedback and suggestions. Each team played five 12-minute matches.

Tournament winners were Grange Farm Primary School who tied for first place with Dunchurch Junior School but took the trophy on goal difference.

Joint Head of Academic PE and Primary Schools Sports Liaison, Hannah Carminati, said, “It was great to welcome so many teams to Princethorpe and to be able to offer these young players the chance to play in a netball tournament. All the pupils were so enthusiastic; I saw great ball work, tremendous teamwork and plenty of energy on court today.”

Well done to all of the teams on a super afternoon of sport and thanks also to Princethorpe’s Sixth Form students Ruby Harris, Eve Farquharson, Millie Giffin and Charlotte Lewington for their help umpiring all the games.

The U15 Boys Rugby team took part in the ISA National Rugby Sevens at Market Bosworth Rugby Club in Leicestershire on Tuesday 7 March.

The boys got their tournament off to a good start winning all their games in the group stage. Their first match against Finborough School was a close affair but the boys just edged it 21-17, they then saw off the remaining schools easily, beating Alton School 31-0, Bowbrook House School 42-7 and St David’s College 24-0.

They went through to the Cup competition in the afternoon. In the semi-final they met Ditcham Park School, the team lost their skipper Max in the first half but still managed to hold their opponents to a 22-22 draw. The game was decided in a drop kick shoot-out with five kickers taking a kick each from the 22 line. Princethorpe won 1 -0 and went through to the final. In their last match off the day, the boys faced Finborough School again, but fortune went against them this time, and they went down 0-33. Their second place finished earned the team the Silver Medal.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, said, “It was an excellent day, and the boys were a credit to the College playing some outstanding rugby throughout the course of the day. Well done to them all.”

Playing for Princethorpe were: Max Black, Samuel Divers, Raef Dolly, Jesse Esler, William Gower, Zach Hawkins, Xzavier Hutchinson-Hayes, Thomas Leret, Max Phillips-Gore, Christian Proietti Tocca, Ned Roach and Charlie Wilcox

Staff and pupils have had a great time celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 2 March. One of the English department and Library highlights of the year, it is always a great opportunity to share the joy of books. At break time the Library ran a ‘Book And A Biscuit’ session where the Library team handed out books and a biscuit and there were plenty of enthusiastic readers willing to give new and different genres a try.

After a busy day of lessons, the whole school community took part in a ‘Drop Everything And Read Challenge’. Pupils pulled out their favourites and settled down to read.

Of course, the book fun doesn’t stop there, as the College has a regular pupils’ book club that meets to swap stories and share news of their favourite authors alongside a custard cream. Then there is the Library’s Book of the Month, providing a regular insight into different authors for readers across the school community. Parents can even get in on the act by coming along to, Head of English, Mr Kerrigan’s Parents Reading Group that meets monthly in the library, you can find out more here.

We know reading matters and we hope everyone enjoyed World Book Day.

This year we were delighted to be able to introduce recent leavers to an OP Friendly Face during the Michaelmas Term. In universities across the UK, as far afield as Bristol, Bath, Loughborough, Cambridge, Southampton and Liverpool to name just a few, the students enjoyed the benefits of a welcoming friendly face whilst settling into their first year.

The scheme links past pupils established at university with Upper Sixth Leavers as they start their first year. Providing a friendly, familiar face to meet up with over a coffee (compliments of the OPs) or having someone to call in their new university town or city, does, we know, make for a smoother experience in those first few weeks away from home.

Many of the current Upper Sixth are receiving their university offers and will soon be choosing their first and second choice destinations. Before they go on study leave in May we will be contacting them to introduce them to the OP Friendly Faces scheme and to the benefits of joining the Old Princethorpians Association.

OPs Lauren Mason (Class of 2021) and Caitlin Mason (Class of 2022) were the first pair to meet up as part of this year's OP Friendly Faces Campaign. With Lauren now in her second year at Cambridge University, she was on hand to provide Caitlin with all the top tips about starting university life there.

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "We now have OP Friendly Faces in many university towns and cities and are hoping to expand on that again this year so we can get more of our leavers matched up for the new academic year. Understanding where our current Upper Sixth hope to study will help us plan for next year's scheme."

All leavers and their parents are automatically given free membership of the OP Association and are welcome at all of our events. They can also sign up to join PC Connect our online alumni community to stay in touch with the school. More information will be shared with students and parents after Easter.

For more information, please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

Last Friday 3 March, Princethorpe’s BTEC Sport students and Academy girl players supported Foundation Prep School, Crackley Hall School’s Girls’ Football Festival. The friendly tournament involved 13 teams from 11 schools and nearly 100 girls, who were all delighted to put on their boots and show of their footballing prowess. The boys were kept busy refereeing all the mini matches while the girls provided coaching and support to the Crackley Hall teams.

It was a super opportunity for the BTEC Sport students to gain experience of the organisation of a tournament prior to planning, delivering and reviewing their own sports event as part of their course units next year.

Many thanks to Matthew Baker, Tom Bates, Mary-Ellen Boyle, Darcey Heritage, Faith Katanda, Will Robertson, Akaash Verma and Molly Wincott-Thomas, for all their hard work on the day.

Huge congratulations to the U14 Boys Hockey team who won the Tier 2 Regional Finals which took place at Rugby School on Monday 6 March.

The boys now go on to represent the Midlands at the National Finals in two weeks time.

After an excellent afternoon of hockey with great games and great competition from all the schools, Princethorpe’s boys came from a goal down in the final to win on penalty shuffles.

Well done to all the players and to team coach, Dr Phelps. Playing for Princethorpe were: Connor Darcy, Archie Dowling, Henry Fox, Harry Gallagher, Josh Gorbutt, Sam Grindal, Conor Horan, Toby Iley, Elliot Lewington, Daniel Ovens Gibbs, Marco Rodriguez-Hernandez, Lucas Summers, Soren Wasley, Noah Windley and James Wright.  

12 Princethorpe College runners competed in National ISA Cross Country Championships at Worksop College in Nottinghamshire on Saturday 4 March. They were on excellent form with five pupils finishing in the top ten and two earning themselves prized positions on the podium.

In the U16 Boys race, Year 11, Ben Smith ran superbly and was first across the line taking a well-deserved Gold Medal, while in the U18 Girls race, Lower Sixth Former, Grace Darcy ran determinedly to finish third claiming herself a Bronze Medal. Year 10, Evie Marston just missed a medal in the U16 Girls race after finishing in fourth place.

All Princethorpe’s pupils put in fantastic performances. In the U18 Boys race, Lower Sixth Former, Guy Dawkins finished 8th, in the U16 Boys race, Year 10, Jesse Esler was 6th while in the U14 Boys race, Year 8, William Smith was 12th, Year 9, Charlie Atkins 15th and, Year 9,  Mark Message 223rd. In the U16 Girls, Year 11, Ava Farren was 12th, and, Year 11, Kate Pomerleau 13th while in the U14 Girls race, Year 8, Rosa Davis was 22nd and, Year 8, Anabel Davis 30th.

Head of Outdoor Education, and PE Teacher, Will Bower, said, "It was good to see the College so well represented at the ISA National Championships. Well done to all of our competitors, we saw some excellent personal performances in tough races. I am delighted with the results."

Back in February pupils from Princethorpe College took part in the 2023 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Intermediate Challenge, a prestigious national problem-solving competition that recognises the best young mathematicians in the country. The Challenge involves answering multiple choice questions and is sat under normal school exam conditions. The papers are then marked by UKMT and the best pupils in the country are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold Certificates.

The competition is aimed at pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 and 84 Princethorpe pupils were selected to take part. It is a demanding exercise designed to stretch and test pupils’ mathematical skills, so the College is delighted that this year, Princethorpe’s mathematicians achieved exceptional results.

Congratulations to Olivia Monk in Year 10, who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing pupil in school.

Silver certificate: Oliver Hutton, Jesse Esler, William Gower, Zach Hawkins, Jack Dando, Edward Twyman, Anjola Okusanya, Kathryn Flegg, Daniel Ovens Gibbs, Thomas Leret, Louise Gambling, Mia Samra, Thomas Smith, Abigail Mandava, Jack Fleming, Dean Birtley, David Ikuomola and Samuel Divers.

Bronze certificate: Amelia Chard, Oliver Baker, Bessie McCann, Ariana Gray, Abbas Hazra-Omer, Amaanya Bose, Timothé Peyret, Anna Johnson, Daniel Taylor, Eden Chaplow, Henry Fox, Keshav Gupta, Jessica Sarkies, Samantha Borland, Roman Thearia, Luchia Oatridge, Olivia Wilde, Jonjo Boyle, Matthew Crawford, Lily Hunter, Alexander Sykes, Sophie Nicolle and Glenys Chapman.

Well done all and many thanks to all the pupils who took part, we hope you enjoyed the challenge.

Theo Scoutas
Post 16 Mathematics Co-ordinator

The Cross Country Squad had a super afternoon out at a new event for the College, Shrewsbury School’s Spring Relays, on Wednesday 1 March. The sport of cross country running originated at Shrewsbury School, so it was a wonderful opportunity for our College runners to compete against some serious opposition.

The event took place on the parkland at Attingham Park and Mr Bower took a team of 21 runners to compete in the Junior Boys, Open Girls and Mixed relay races. The Junior Boys and Mixed races comprised of six 2km legs while the Open Girls was four 2km legs. The College entered two teams in the Junior Boys and Open Girls races and one in the Mixed event, with a number of runners competing twice.

The Junior Boys A team of Eddie Arkesden, Jamie Capelett, Oscar Civzelis, Jesse Esler, Will Gower and Ned Roach ran brilliantly against quality opposition completing the course in 47.59 minutes to take the Bronze Medal. The Junior Boys B team of Charlie Atkins, Sam Grindal, Toby Iley, Mark Message, Will Smith and Soren Wasley were hot on their heels finishing just behind them in fifth place in 50.47 minutes.

The Mixed A team claimed a second Bronze for Princethorpe against a talented field with Eddie Arkesden, Jesse Esler, Ava Farren, Evie Marston, Kate Pomerleau and Ben Smith finishing in third place overall in a time of 48.08 minutes.

Princethorpe’s Girls also ran well, with the A team finishing fourth after Ava Farren, Lily Hunter, Evie Marston and Kate Pomerleau completed the course in 34.45 minutes in the Open Girls race and the B team seventh, Jess Evans, Emma Sarkies, Delilah Teeton and Natasha Thomas ran the course in 39.34 minutes.

It was a fantastic afternoon’s effort by all, congratulations to all the runners.

14 pupils from Year 9 to the Lower Sixth, with an interest in maths, science, technology and engineering, enjoyed a half term work experience opportunity at Warwick University. Organised through Dr Mathias Foo, who visited the College recently to deliver a lecture on the use of engineering, technology, computer modelling and simulation to improve agricultural practices, along with Dr Alexander Darlington, the pupils spent two days experiencing life as a student scientist at the University.

Their visit started with a tour of the University and the STEM departments, and the pupils enjoyed meeting the professors and their students and finding out about the research they are currently working on. Princethorpe’s pupils then participated in three modelling workshops using MATLAB and Simulink, some of the leading computer modelling and simulation tools used by STEM professionals. The workshops provided an introduction to using the modelling tools and a taste of how they could be applied in real world engineering applications. In their workshops pupils built a simple computer model of a mass and damper system similar to that used in vehicle suspension and analysed circadian rhythm in living organisms.

Lower Sixth Former, Amy Hogg, commented, “During the work experience we were shown around the STEM facilities they have at the University of Warwick. It was interesting looking at the larger pieces of equipment within the School of Engineering. It made me consider how different pieces of technology can be used to simulate different environments.”

Lower Sixth Former, Alex Flegg, said, “The work experience at Warwick University was a lot of fun, because we got to learn how to use the leading softwares in the science industry. It would be a useful event for any student that wants to study a science at university.”

Year 11, Jemima Teeton, added, “I learnt about the fascinating research being done at Warwick University and had the opportunity to meet many inspirational people who shared their passion for science, educating me on the incredible discoveries and research that they do.”

All of the participants agreed that it was a fascinating insight into the world of scientific learning.

Over half term, our equestrian team were busy once again competing in the next round of the Bloxham Schools Eventer Challenge at Washbrook Farm in Aston-le-Walls.

A fantastic effort from all the girls saw Princethorpe’s team finish as overall winners of the 90cm class, congratulations to Lower Sixth Former, Claudia Newman, Year 11s Sammy Borland and Harriet Boyd and Year 9, Rosie Moreton, on an excellent performance. In the event Claudia claimed individual 1st place and Rosie individual 2nd place. The team now go forward to the Championship finals which take place on Sunday 19 March.

Many thanks to the parents for getting ponies, pupils and kit to the venues and spending many hours supporting from the ground.

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Nicola Treadwell and I have joined Princethorpe College as Head Librarian. I have many years’ experience working in school libraries and am very excited to be working with and supporting our pupils to develop a love for reading and all things books!

Following on from our celebrations of World Book Day on Friday 3 March, I have attached here the QR code that will take you to your World Book Day £1.00 voucher.

This can be exchanged at retailers for a free special edition World Book Day Book (subject to availability) or used to get £1.00 off any other book. Terms and conditions apply. Participating retailers are Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, The Works, Waterstones, WHSmith and some local independent booksellers.

‘Integrity is having that gold medal on the inside.’

Last week, Princethorpe’s Bookbuzz competition winner, Eve Tilley, sat down with Mr du Toit to discuss all things Lu by Jason Reynolds. Bookbuzz is a nation-wide reading programme from the Book Trust that aims to help schools inspire a love of reading in 11 to 13-year-olds, which the College fondly supports annually. Year 7, Eve won the College’s internal competition by recommending the most apt read for our new headmaster based on facts he shared with the pupils before joining Princethorpe.

After recommending the read before the Christmas break and setting him his reading homework, during their interview, Eve posed several questions to Mr du Toit, including: his most and least favourite parts of the novel, which age group he would recommend it to, and, if given the opportunity, which part of it he would change. At the end, Mr du Toit even asked Eve a few questions of his own – demonstrating the power a good book can have in terms of cultivating discussion!

Whilst Mr du Toit observed the vulnerability of the beginning of Lu and praised Reynold’s portrayal of sensitive topics, such as Albinism and substance misuse, through Reynold’s use of father-son perspective, Eve complimented the novel’s heart-warming ending, during which the team’s coach cuts his medal into winning strips to show his athletes how proud he is of them, and that they are all connected.

Both agreed that they would have enjoyed learning more about Kelvin, Lu’s bully, specifically, what sparked the development of his character from unpleasant to agreeable, remarking that the novel felt unfinished as a result.

Finally, upon being asked why he would recommend Lu to a friend, Mr du Toit commended Reynold’s inclusion of the theme of integrity, relating the novel to the real world upon drawing attention to the fact that doing the right thing is not always the easiest: integrity is about having that gold medal on the inside.

The latest issue of The Pinnacle has just been published, showcasing yet more of our pupils' excellent work. First published back in 2010, across the years The Pinnacle has always celebrated our pupils at their best. This bumper edition includes plenty more examples of their outstanding efforts, from Year 7 Geography mapwork, to A-level Product Design and so much more.

A double-sided Minnacle is included too, with equally impressive work by Crackley Hall pupils from Nursery to Junior 6 and Crescent pupils from Reception to Year 6. It's wonderful to celebrate their talents too!

Printed copies have been sent home with pupils or you can read a copy of The Pinnacle on our school website here.