A somewhat belated Happy New Year to you all from me, I hope that in spite of the recent cold and dreary spell this finds you and your family in good health and spirits.

A Special Invitation - Save the Date - Tuesday 28 January 2025 - 6.30pm to 7.15pm 
 
As mentioned in my last newsletter communication on Tuesday 28 January 2025 I will be hosting a special Foundation Parents’ Online Forum, along with all three Heads. I will be outlining a key new initiative that we will be launching to help prepare for the future and explaining how you can play a key role in supporting our schools’ continued growth and success. 
 
We would like as many Foundation parents as possible to attend and to give us feedback, so I would encourage you to add the event to your calendars. Of course there will be a recording should you be unable to attend on the evening and this will be sent out shortly afterwards.

I will reveal full details of this project at the Online Forum and explain how you can get involved.  The link for the Forum can be found here and it will be emailed to you nearer the date. We look forward to sharing this exciting new chapter with you! 

With all best wishes,

Ed Hester
Foundation Principal

May I begin by wishing you all a belated happy new year. In my start of term assembly, I highlighted to pupils that in literature and film, 2025 is very much portrayed as a dystopian future where people are trying to save the world, trying to stay alive as the only survivors, or fighting off some or other alien invasion. Luckily, that is not the case, and it is very much business as usual here at Princethorpe. I hope you have noticed the new look Flagpole which should be much more mobile friendly. 

Before the Christmas break, I shared some of the positive feedback we received following the Parental Questionnaire conducted during the Michaelmas Term. As explained, there were also important areas where you as parents felt we could do better. At the start of term INSET I shared these with my colleagues:

• As parents you requested we consider our communication between school and home. Ensuring we are timely, accurate, and consistent were all identified as specific improvements that would improve your experience as parents. This message was passed on to the various functions in school that are primarily responsible for communications home and I trust you will notice a difference from this term going forward. May I request you continue to feed back further improvements we can make regarding how we communicate? All suggestions will be considered.
• We received a range of comments on homework. It will come as no surprise that some parents felt there was too much, while other parents felt we didn’t set enough homework. During the INSET, staff were instructed to seriously consider the purpose, volume, and pressures of a busy Princethorpe week when setting homework. We have recently reviewed and updated our homework policy and will continue to refine how this valuable aspect of teaching is used. I feel it is important to mention that we expect all pupils to engage with work beyond the expected homework expectations. Our Challenge Curriculum, for example, is an excellent resource that stretches pupils in various academic areas. Homework is an integral part of learning, and we expect effort and engagement from our pupils when it is set. However, it is part of a bigger puzzle that all pupils must build.
• There were various concerns raised that all fall under our Pastoral umbrella. Mental Health challenges, respecting others, and unkind behaviour, for example, were raised by parents as issues that require more attention. When a young person is struggling, or when they face unkind behaviour, there is no doubt that it will be challenging for both them and you as parents. Unfortunately, teenagers do occasionally make poor decisions which lead to other pupils being on the receiving end of behaviour that causes upset. Please rest assured that we are as proactive as possible in looking after our pupils and we educate them about the impact of being unkind, as well as how to look after themselves if they are struggling. I believe the “safety net” at the College will catch any pupil who requires support. However, nothing replaces early communication from home if your child is suffering from poor mental health or unkind behaviour. We will continue to review and improve our tutor programme, support structures, external resources, behaviour systems, and culture that all influence our pastoral care – we are never complacent, and it is crucial that every pupil at Princethorpe is happy at school. Please keep communicating early when necessary and do let us know if we can improve.
• Parents raised specific topics for us to consider that do not necessarily cut across the whole school. However, they are things we are looking at and I hope you will notice change as we continue through the year. Some of these included careers provision lower down the school, more leadership opportunities for pupils, sustainability and recycling, late buses to enable pupils to attend clubs and activities, and our uniform. All of these have been discussed in the necessary forums, and we are actioning them accordingly. As ever, if there is a specific issue concerning your child, do reach out to their tutor so we can make start addressing it as soon as possible. The Parent Questionnaire was excellent at getting feedback, but it should never replace direct communication.

My request to staff further included that we continue to keep Teaching and Learning front and centre of what happens at the College. Parents identified this as a strength, and we are doing some really exciting things as a teaching body to ensure what happens in the classroom is as good as it can be. We are still focussed on Instruction, Feedback, and Response, as they form such a big part of the foundation of good Teaching and Learning. Teacher CPD is taking place in teaching trios with a focus on these areas, as well as IT and teacher training. Low level disruption, especially during lessons, also remains a priority and this is reflected in the high standards and expectations we have of our pupils when they step onto the school site. Behaviour at Princethorpe sets us apart and staff will continue to expect nothing but the very best from every pupil. Good manners, punctuality, uniform standards, adhering to the mobile phone policy, effort and kindness remain non-negotiables.

As this is the start of the term, you may feel like there is an overload of information in this Flagpole. However, could I please draw your attention to the following:

• The Foundation Principal's Message in today's edition of the Flagpole, I would encourage as many parents as possible to attend the Foundation Parent's Online Forum on Tuesday 28 January from 6.30pm to 7.15pm.  This is an important new initiative for the Foundation, which we believe will greatly benefit Princethorpe and all our pupils and I will personally be communicating with all parents following the Forum with more information
• The introduction to our new Chair of Trustees – John Fisher
• The request from our PTA to sign up to “EasyFundRaising”. Last term alone we received more income from the site than we did for all of the previous year. It is an easy and efficient way to support the PTA which directly supports the College
• The deadline for our Year 11 pupils to apply for scholarships for Sixth Form is on Monday. We are very excited about this group as a cohort and wish to see all of them join us in Lower Sixth. If you have any queries about the scholarships, do reach out to our Admissions Team
• There are some fantastic events on the horizon. The South Africa Ball and the school production of School of Rock are both worth looking forward to, given the time and effort spent on the planning and rehearsals
• I also want to promote the Careers Insight Event taking place later this term. It is an excellent opportunity for our older pupils to hear firsthand from current professionals working across a broad range of roles and sectors. Details are outlined in the article, and I encourage attendance!

It is hard to believe we are halfway through January already and the term will only pick up speed. However, there is a good atmosphere around school, and we are very much back into our rhythm and routine. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to catching up when the opportunity presents.

With my very best wishes,

Grove du Toit

Princethorpe has received its second review by the prestigious Good Schools Guide. The Guide, which selects schools to be included on merit alone, is famous for its unbiased and candid reviews of state and private schools and is trusted by families worldwide. Princethorpe is now one of just 1,300 schools currently reviewed by the Guide, out of over 30,000 schools in the UK.

An editor from the Guide visited the College in December 2024, interviewed the Headmaster, Grove du Toit, toured the campus, observed lessons and spoke to pupils, staff and parents.

The nearly 3,000-word review, which appears on the Good Schools Guide’s website and will be included in the next hard copy edition, includes a pen portrait of the Headmaster, plus insights into exam results, teaching and learning, co-curricular life, pastoral care and the College’s ethos and heritage.

Comments Grove du Toit, Headmaster, “After two years in post I was excited to welcome the Good Schools Guide back to Princethorpe to update their review. I am delighted with their findings, especially their recognition of our exceptionally strong pastoral care. Our ‘Spirit of Family’ approach shines through, along with the fact that while we are proud of our Catholic ethos and heritage, we are an inclusive community that welcomes all faiths and none. I am also heartened by the parental feedback on our positive and encouraging approach to teaching and learning, that engages creatively, sets high expectations and gently pushes pupils to achieve.” He continues, “It’s good to have our wonderful rural location and facilities highlighted, including our new Science Centre, and our commitment to developing our campus further, particularly in relation to improving and expanding our sporting facilities – we have very exciting projects planned. All in all, to me it feels a very fair picture of the school and I would encourage current and prospective families to read it.”

The very comprehensive and positive review concludes with a Last Word, which sums up the Guide’s findings:

"Scratch beneath the surface of Princethorpe’s majestic façade and landscaped beauty, and you’ll find pastoral care is its beating heart. Imbuing all disciplines and endeavours, it pumps pupils with confidence as they develop and learn. A picture-perfect pastoral idyll."

Thank you to all the parents, pupils and members of staff who kindly spoke to the Guide's editor about their experience of the school.

To read the Good School Guide’s review in full click here. 

We are delighted to welcome John Fisher as our new Chair of Trustees at The Princethorpe Foundation. John joined the Trustees back in 2020 bringing with him extensive experience, having spent his career in the housing and construction sectors, firstly in London and then in the Midlands. John is a director of a housing consultancy business working across the UK and chief executive of a procurement consortium. He also chairs a small rural charity.

John, who has played an active role in supporting and guiding The Princethorpe Foundation, most recently as Chair of the Finance Committee, took over from retiring Chair of Trustees, Liz Griffin, in December.

John is also a former Princethorpe parent whose three children were all educated at Princethorpe College, where they benefited from a great academic education as well positive support and guidance to pursue a range of extra-curricular activities. The ethos of the school helping to shape them, as it has so many others, for later success.

John comments, “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of Trustees and look forward to working with my fellow Trustees, Foundation Principal, Ed Hester, the Heads and their management teams to continue the excellent work of The Princethorpe Foundation in delivering an outstanding education for all our pupils. I am also very grateful to my fellow trustees, Sally Rosser and Richard Harcourt, who have agreed to take on the roles of Deputy Chairs; the three of us will be working closely together to support the Foundation.” 

We hope you like the new look Flagpole. Our school e-newsletter needed some essential updates, so we have taken the opportunity to make it more mobile friendly.

All the content in the newsletter remains as before, with sections such as the Headmaster’s Message, News, Events, Academic, Pastoral and Sixth Form etc. You will still receive a weekly email reminding you that the latest newsletter has just been published and can follow the link from it to the new newsletter to catch up with all our latest information, notices and news.

The best way to read the newsletter and to ensure you don’t miss important content, is to start with the Foundation Principal's and Headmaster’s Message and then just use the next button to quickly run through the content, stopping to read relevant articles along the way.

Moving around the new newsletter is easy, just use the menu button (three horizontal lines) to access the menu, select a section and then scroll down to choose an article to read. From this same menu button, you can also access previous editions of the newsletter and see any key dates.

You can still read the newsletter on your laptop if you prefer, with the menu button working in just the same way.

The Flagpole is a key communication tool for our school and we hope its new look makes it easier for you to use. If you have any questions on it at all, please just email post@princethorpe.co.uk.

A reminder to all Year 11 pupils and parents of the Sixth Form Scholarship process for September 2025 for internal candidates, the deadline for which is fast approaching.

All of our Year 11s are encouraged to apply for Sixth Form Scholarships - Academic, Art, Music, Organ, Drama and Sport. In addition this year it is possible to apply for a Dance Scholarship. To do so they must complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form and write a 'personal statement' outlining their achievements to date and why they feel they would make an excellent candidate for the scholarship (maximum 500 words).

Those pupils who currently have a scholarship, will normally retain their award for Sixth Form, but must also complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form to re-apply for the scholarship.

The deadline for this application is Monday 20 January 2025. Applications should be marked for the attention of the Registrar, Mrs Catherine Rogers.

Depending on the scholarship, prospective award holders may be interviewed and/or take part in a scholarship assessment in February or March.

Details of any awards will be confirmed when the Sixth Form Offer letters are sent out in writing during week commencing Monday 31 March 2025. Some awards may be dependent on final GCSE grades.

The criteria for each of the scholarships can be found on our website here and in the Sixth Form Admissions Information Booklet 2025, which has been emailed to parents, but can also be found on My School Portal. It is essential that pupils and parents look through these in detail before making an application. The Sixth Form Application Form for current Princethorpe Year 11 pupils can be found here. The form can be filled in electronically and returned via email to admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Princethorpe is an 11 to 18 school, and the expectation is that pupils will continue with us through to Sixth Form, providing they meet the academic requirements and embrace the College’s ethos. Princethorpe Year 11s are not required to reapply for Sixth Form, however notice in writing is required to the Headmaster (copying in the Registrar at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk) by Wednesday 30 April 2025 should a pupil not be intending to return.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Princethorpe Weddings!  

Want a truly exceptional venue for your dream wedding? Then look no further, as our beautiful College is now available to help create unforgettable memories for a couple's special day.

Our website and social media channels are now live, so please give us a follow to stay updated on all things Princethorpe Weddings. You'll find stunning photos, inspiring wedding ideas, and all the information you need to plan your dream wedding with us.

Venue Highlights:

• Nun's Library: Perfect for intimate gatherings of up to 50 people
• The Atrium and Sixth Form Lawn: Ideal for larger celebrations, accommodating up to 120 guests
• The Quad: A charming spot for drinks receptions and blessings
• Chapel Ceremonies: Catholic services in our stunning chapel for up to 120 guests
• The Orchard: For those really big weddings, featuring a marquee for up to 500 people

Plus, our experienced wedding coordinator will be with you every step of the way to ensure everything goes smoothly. Tours are available to book online for any couples wanting to start their wedding planning.

Visit our website at Princethorpe Weddings to download the brochure and follow us on social media @princethorpeweddings for the latest updates and inspiration.

The Princethorpe Weddings Team

Preparations for the College's biennial Careers event 'Careers Insights', on Saturday 29 March 2025 from 9.00am to 1.00pm, are moving apace.

The Careers Department supported by the Alumni and Development Team have been busy contacting OPs and parents in order to secure a wealth of speakers who can provide personal insights into a wide range of careers and professions. Sectors already covered include Business, Medicine, Law, Marketing, Psychology, Renewables, Product Design and Film and Photography. In addition, there will be university-related talks on a variety of subjects.

The event is aimed at pupils and parents in Year 10 through to Sixth Form. Over the course of the morning, attendees will be able to go to four Career Insight sessions, which they choose in advance, as well as attend a special Keynote Speech (exciting speaker soon to be announced).

Registrations will go live on Friday 14 February.

Comments, Jacqui Quinney, Head of Careers, "We have ambitious plans for this year's event. We have listened to feedback and are focusing on the Insight sessions with hopefully more speakers, and careers and professions represented, than ever before."

She continues, "It is a really valuable opportunity for our students and we would encourage all Year 10 through to Sixth Form to put the date in their diaries; more information will be released later this term to help pupils choose their sessions."

We are still looking for speakers from the Armed Forces, Civil Service Fast Stream, Music and Physiotherapy. If you or anyone you know is able to help, please email jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Our Catering team, Holroyd Howe, have introduced three new meal deals that have been going down a storm. They include a Hot Lunch Meal Deal for £4.60, a Sandwich Bar Meal Deal for £3.95 and a Breakfast Protein Pot for £2.95. The meal deals offer pupils a choice of freshly prepared, nutritious and delicious food. The Hot Lunch and Sandwich Bar deals, which allow pupils to mix and match a main, a side and a drink, can be purchased every lunch time while the Protein Pot deal is available at break time from The Bourse on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Foundation Director of Business Services, Rebecca Iley, comments, “The new meal deals have been created to broaden the choice and competitiveness of our catering and offer something to suit everyone’s taste. Pupils have been quick to purchase them and it is good to see them enjoying their food. I am also planning to review the snack choices on offer and will be working with the School Council to investigate a wider variety of options.”
 

14 pupils signed up for a free week’s trial of the College’s bus services and have been making their way to and from school on the buses this week. Daily travel accounts for around 70% of our carbon footprint so reducing the cars coming onto site is a key part of our ongoing drive to reduce it. The free trial was designed to encourage pupils who do not currently use the buses to get out of their cars and onto a bus to experience what it was like and whether if it would work for them.

Our school buses run in to Princethorpe from all directions and you can find out more about the routes and the closest stop to your home here. The routes are operated by Foundation approved bus companies with drivers who are DBS checked. All the vehicles used have seatbelts fitted and are maintained to a high standard. As well as regular single or return passes, parents can also purchase tickets for ad hoc journeys where space is available.

We were delighted with the interest the free trial generated and hope to see more pupils adopting bus travel as their preferred way to get to school.
 

Princethorpe’s PTA are joining forces with the Foundation’s Commercial Enterprises Team to host a new exciting event –  Princethorpe Summer Fest.

Building on the success of our established Summer Fête and Motoring Festival, the new event will take place on Sunday 29 June from 11.00am to 7.00pm and will include live music, a theatre show, a vintage car display, literary talks, art exhibition, activities, games and crafts and lots more, as well as lots of food, drink and artisan products for all to purchase and enjoy.

Get the date in your diary now, as everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy lots of summer fun in the glorious grounds of Princethorpe College.

Would you like to get involved, share your wares, showcase your skills, or perform at the event? Then get in touch here.

Tickets will be available to book after February half term. Watch out for more exciting details as we head towards the summer!

This week, pupils have been taking part in House services to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, the feast that marks the arrival of the three wise men to pay homage to the new-born king. The journey of the wise men, or Magi as they were originally known, was one of hope. For the Catholic Church 2025 is a Jubilee Year with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew their hopes.

In the services, Father Alan Whelan MSC encouraged pupils, as they settled back down to daily school life, to reflect on their hopes for the term and how they hope to achieve them.

Our thanks go to Father Alan for leading the services and for reminding us all of the importance of hope.

Year 8 were treated to an informative and insightful talk on Sustainability and Fast Fashion by Princethorpe parent Michelle Carvell on Wednesday 8 January. Michelle has plenty of experience in sustainability through her business, Lorax EPI, an organisation that helps companies navigate and comply with extended producer responsibilities.

Michelle spoke about the environmental and social issues of fast fashion, the problem of the volume of clothes produced, as well as the many challenges of recycling them. She highlighted issues including intensive production processes, the social impacts on developing countries, how hard it is to recycle, the issue of micro plastics in textiles and the growth of the fast fashion industry.

She stressed the importance of moving from a linear economy to a circular economy and left pupils with the message that there is no such thing as ‘away’. When you throw something away it must go somewhere.

It was a very engaging and interesting session and excellent enrichment for Year 8’s study of sustainability, a key topic in their Geography curriculum.
 

There are just a few 2025 College Calendars remaining, so if you didn't receive one as a Christmas present then you can still buy one now.

Featuring 12 superb images of the College and its grounds and complete with term and key dates, it is sure to be a handy addition for any kitchen or office.

The calendars are now priced at £5.00 and purchases can be made easily via our online shop here or directly from the College's Uniform Shop.

Friday 24 January 2025 – 4.15pm to 6.00pm

The Admissions Team is now turning its attention to Year 7 entry to the College in September 2026. 

The first opportunity for Year 5 prospective candidates to visit is on Friday 24 January, when there is an afternoon of free tag rugby training for boys and girls on our astro, learning new skills and making friends before a mini tournament. Beginners welcome. Light refreshments will be available for spectators.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

Please click here to book a place by Tuesday 21 January. 

We would like to remind parents and families that we have still got some spaces left at the South Africa Tour 2025 Fundraising Ball on Saturday 25 January. 

The evening begins at 7.00pm in the Sixth Form Centre with carriages at midnight. Dress code is black tie and cocktail dresses. Tickets are £60 each and payment details are included on the booking form. Tables of up to 10 people can be booked. 

There is a paying bar, auction and raffle, with several great prizes including a signed England rugby ball, Netball Super League tickets, Six Nations tickets, and Premier League football tickets with hotel accommodation. We can accept cash and cards on the night. 

Please click the link here to book tickets.  We will be in touch next week to confirm bookings as availability is limited. 

Lee Cassell
Foundation Director of Sport

Based on the hit film, this hilarious musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into an amazing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but straight-laced headmistress.

Performances:
Thursday 6 February, 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Friday 7 February, 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Saturday 8 February, 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Saturday 8 February, 7.00pm to 9.30pm

Tickets for performances may be booked here via Eventbrite. 

The Clarkson Theatre has a limited number of seats, so if you can no longer make the performance you have booked, please cancel your booking through Eventbrite so that other families are able to book.

Accessible seating is available, please book this directly with our main Reception by calling 01926 634200 or email post@princethorpe.co.uk.

Friday 14 February 2025 - 6.30pm to 9.30pm

Following the resounding success of last year's gathering, we're thrilled to announce the return of this vibrant event, the third annual Farmers' Networking Supper.

Join us for an evening filled with insightful discussions, engaging speakers, and an opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and those working in agriculture.

The Farming community has a long-standing association with the Princethorpe Foundation. Over the years, we have had the privilege to welcome, support and educate many farming families in the surrounding area and beyond. The Princethorpe Foundation is committed to preserving and strengthening this association in order to forge lasting relationships with the members of this community.

This forum is designed to celebrate the accomplishments and endeavours of the agricultural community, while exploring innovative solutions for the challenges ahead. It is a relaxed occasion and a chance to socialise over drinks and a delicious meal with friends and partners in farming and agriculture.

The event will take place in the Sixth Form Centre at Princethorpe College, and the dress code is smart-casual.

Secure your spot here by Friday 7 February 2025.

Team Super Sports are back this February half-term for an action-packed week for children aged 5 to 16 years. From Monday 17 February to Friday 21 February, our Holiday Camps will run from 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Children aged 7 to 16 can choose from a variety of sports to create their own personalised sports camp! For our younger campers (ages 5 to 7), along with sport we’ve got arts, crafts, and dance activities to keep them engaged and having a blast!

Why Team Super Sports? They’re experts in sport and multi-activity holiday camps, providing top-level coaching for all abilities.

Click here to visit the Team Super Sports website to secure your child’s spot.

Camps are priced at £38 per day. Book before Sunday 2 February to receive an extra 10% off for early booking!

Sibling discounts and flexible booking options available!

Friday 7 March 2025 - 6.00pm to 10.30pm

The OPs annual Local Meet takes place on Friday 7 March 2025. We are returning to Leamington Spa, but to a new venue, the downstairs function room of The Micro Pug, 66-68 Clemens Street, CV31 2DN.

Our Old Princethorpian Local Meets are always popular, with former pupils, parents and staff from all of our Foundation schools enjoying a catch up over drinks and delicious food. We are expectant for a really good turnout of OPs from across the decades and an evening filled with laughter and reminiscence.

There will be the customary Welcome Drink or two, courtesy of the OPs Committee, and we will be laying on a tasty buffet included in the price to suit a range of dietary requirements.

For full details and to sign up for this special occasion, please visit the event page by clicking here, and sign up by Friday 28 February to help us cater accordingly.

Alumni of all our Foundation schools are most welcome, as are partners and friends. We look forward to seeing you there!

Full reports for Year 7 will be published today, Friday 17 January, and will be available to view on My School Portal. 

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Progress Reports for Year 8 will be published on Friday 24 January, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head – Academic

Wednesday 29 January 2025 – 5.00pm-8.30pm

The Year 8 Subject Progress Evening will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2025 from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. The evening will be conducted online using SchoolCloud. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed week commencing 20 January 2025.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head – Academic

Progress Reports for Year 9 will be published on Friday 7 February, and will be available to view on My School Portal.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

The Year 9 Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Tuesday 11 February from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed week commencing Monday 3 February.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head – Academic

Welcome to 2025 everyone! 

Here is the Challenge Calendar for January, which is also published in the Whole School Team, Challenge Channel.  

This month includes a new feature with the Friday Prefects Challenges. These have been set by the subject prefects and are either a recommendation to watch/read or a challenge to do. If you want to enter the Art Challenge, please submit a photo of your work to me by the end of the month. Outstanding entries may be published in the next edition of the Pinnacle. 

A copy of the January Challenge Calendar can be accessed here.

Julia Lindsay
Challenge Curriculum Co-ordinator (KS3 and KS4)

We hope that you found the recent Year 9 GCSE Options Evening useful. The main presentation can be viewed here and a copy of the Options booklet here. 

We will send out the form to make subject choices in due course, but please be in touch with any queries you may have. 

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

We hope that you found the recent Year 8 Options Evening useful. The presentation can be viewed here.

We will send out more curriculum information and the form to make subject choices in due course, but please be in touch with any queries you may have. 

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head – Academic

Friday 20 June 2025

The Year 11 End of Year Celebration will be held on Friday 20 June 2025 at Walton Hall near Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.

Please save the date.

Further information will be sent out to all Year 11 parents over the next few weeks.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Can I ask parents to read and fully appraise themselves of the uniform expectations for our pupils and Sixth Form students please. A copy can be found here under Parents' Documentation - 2024-2025 Key Documents.

Our uniform expectations do continue to be enforced throughout the school year. If we do have any concerns with a pupil's uniform we will contact you directly to resolve any arising matters.

Should you need to replace any items of uniform then please contact the school shop by emailing uniform@princethorpe.co.uk with your request.

Thank you for your continued support. 

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

We will be celebrating Year Group Eucharist for Years 7 to 10 in the Lent Term 2025.

• Thursday 6 February - Year 8 - 9.40am-10.30am
• Friday 7 February - Year 9 - 9.40am-10.30am
• Tuesday 11 February - Year 7 - 11.20am-12.10pm
• Friday 14 February - Year 10 - 9.40am-10.30am

Family members are invited to join the relevant groups in the College Chapel and to stay afterwards for light refreshments.

Please use the main exterior Chapel entrance. Car parking will be clearly indicated.

If you would like to attend, please click on the relevant year group above to confirm your attendance.

If have any queries, please email Mrs Mary Benham, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator at marybenham@princethorpe.co.uk. 

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Please can you remind your child of the mobile phone expectations in school as outlined below:

Mobile phones must be put away as soon as a pupil arrives on site.

• Year 7 – Year 9 must put their mobile phones in their locker and are not allowed to have them on their person.
• Year 10 – Year 11 are allowed phones on their person, but they must be on silent, out of sight, and only used with permission from a member of staff.
• Sixth Form are allowed to use their phones in the Sixth Form Centre, however, as soon as they move into the rest of the site, their phones must be on silent, out of sight, and only used with permission from a member of staff.
• No earphones are allowed unless required for educational purposes and with permission from staff. Sixth Form pupils may use earphones in the Sixth Form Centre.
• Pupils are allowed to access their phones freely at the end of the school day. In Prep, phones will be put away at 4.20pm.
• Phones are allowed on trips and visits, but their use will be determined by the member of staff leading the activity.

Thank you for your continued support.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

We kindly remind you of the importance of adhering to the set parking arrangements during drop-off and pick-up times.

Recently, we have received concerns from parents, staff, and pupils regarding parking practices, including reports of parental aggression.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone:

• Drop-off and pick-up must only take place in the designated playground area. The staff car park is not to be used for this purpose until after 4.10pm and then it is reserved for collection from Prep
• The speed limit is 10 miles per hour within the school grounds. This is crucial to protect the safety of all children and staff. Please do not exceed this limit
• We expect all interactions to be conducted respectfully. Aggressive or rude behaviour will not be tolerated
• Could we ask that your consideration is also extended to the residents of Princethorpe when you drive through Princethorpe village

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation in fostering a safe and respectful school environment for everyone.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Can I please advise parents of the two dates for Saturday Detention in the Lent Term 2025.

These detentions will be held on 

Saturday 8 February 2025 and

Saturday 22 March 2025

Should you be notified that your child is to attend a Saturday detention then these commence at 8.30am and continue until 11.30am. 

Pupils must arrive in full school uniform and go to G22 where they will be supervised by a senior member of school staff.

It is expected that pupils bring sufficient work with them to complete. This can either be homework or private study.

At 11.30am pupils can be collected from the pupil entrance to the main school . 

Thank you for your support with this matter.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

As we begin a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year. I hope you and your families had a restful and enjoyable Christmas holiday, filled with joy and precious moments together.

The new term marks an important time for our Sixth Form students. With mock exams and deadlines approaching, it's a key period for preparation and focus. We appreciate your ongoing support in encouraging good study habits and a balanced approach to learning and well-being. It's also a great time to revisit goals and maintain motivation as students work toward their future aspirations.

We are proud of the dedication and resilience our students have shown so far and remain committed to supporting them every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns as we progress through the term, please do not hesitate to contact the Sixth Form team.

Adverse Weather and Driving Conditions

At this time of year the weather and driving conditions can become quite challenging and dangerous. To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and the wider community, we kindly ask you to keep the following in mind:

1. Plan Extra Time: Allow for additional travel time to account for slower speeds and potential delays

2. Drive Cautiously: Reduce speed, increase the distance between vehicles, and remain vigilant for sudden changes in road conditions

3. Use Lights Appropriately:  Ensure headlights and fog lights are used as needed to improve visibility

4. Keep Vehicles Well-Maintained: Check that tires, brakes, and windshield wipers are in good condition, and that vehicles are properly de-iced before departure

5. Avoid Unnecessary Journeys: If conditions are exceptionally hazardous,  please consider alternative arrangements or consult the school regarding attendance

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated in keeping everyone safe during challenging weather conditions. If you have any concerns or require additional information, please contact us. Thank you for your continued support with this.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming events and opportunities that await our students this term. From career workshops and university preparation sessions, there is much to look forward to. These activities are designed to not only enhance their academic experience but also to support their personal and professional growth.

We are committed to providing a nurturing environment where each student can thrive and achieve their full potential. As we welcome 2025, we remain dedicated to fostering a community of learning, curiosity and resilience.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) - Saturday 18 and 25 January 2025

An accredited course offering students the chance to travel the world and gain new experiences by teaching in schools, universities, businesses, Non-Governmental Organisations or private tuition. For further details please visit the TEFL website here.

Interview Skills Morning - Tuesday 28 January 2025

An opportunity for our Lower Sixth students to submit their CVs and be interviewed by external interviewers from local companies and businesses. Please can you ensure your child has created a CV and this has been handed in to the resource centre by Friday 24 January.

Freshers Fair - Monday 10 February 2025

An opportunity for the Sixth Form to promote their subjects to our Year 11 pupils.

Blue Day - Friday 14 February 2025

Dress in blue to support prostrate cancer awareness.

Valentines Day - Friday 14 February 2025

In the run up to this event students will be allowed to purchase a red rose and attach a message for a friend or loved one, this will be delivered by hand on the day.

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful guide for pupils and parents for the Lent Term 2025 which includes further information about: 

• Team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Sports homepage and team sheets
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Sports kit expectations
• Postcodes for away fixtures 

Please click the link here to view the guide.

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email myself at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk.

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

We would like to remind parents that when pupils have a suspected head injury and need a referral they must do this via Return2play.  No pupil will be allowed to participate in sport until they have been cleared by the Return2Play staff.    

We would like to follow up on the previous information sent out regarding Return2Play last term. If you are an existing parent, your account will remain the same.  

If you are a new Princethorpe parent or have yet to use your account, an account has been set up using the email address that the school has on file for you. You do not need to register but you are able to login using your email address as a username.  

  To access your accounts, please follow the below steps:  

-             Go to www.return2play.org.uk  

-             Select ‘login’  

-             From the login page, select ‘forgot password’ and enter your email address (case sensitive).    

-             You will receive a temporary password which can then be used to login. You will be asked to set a new password of your choosing during this process.  

-             If you are unable to login or have any queries please email support@return2play.org.uk    

Also, attached below is some further information for parents as well as details of our recently updated e-learning modules that you are able to complete free of charge.  

Information for Parents 

E-Modules 

Thank you.  

Lee Cassell
Foundation Director of Sport 

The process of organising the return visit of our Dutch hosts from October 2024 is now well under way. We are looking forward to reciprocating the fantastic experience our pupils received during our four night stay with the players from Hopbel Hockey Club. 

The return dates are from Saturday 26 April through to Wednesday 30 April 2025. These dates are at the start of the Trinity Term to allow all year groups to host if they wish. 

The girls and boys are a variety of ages, between 13 and 16. This may be of interest if your child would like to participate in the Holland visit in October 2025 (current Year 9 boys and girls), however this invitation is open to all families. In order to help, we are looking for families who can offer to host a pair (or more) of Dutch visitors and are willing to entertain and involve them in your family life for either all, or some, of the four nights, we can look at visitors moving between families and are happy to discuss this further.

We will organise an itinerary of fixtures and activities during the school days and a BBQ for our guests with their host families on Sunday 27 April.  Please see the following provisional draft itinerary. We will let you know who the other host families are so that you can organise other events together if you wish. We will supply bus tickets for the Dutch visitors should these be required but they will need to be picked up after fixtures each day from College.

Due to the requisite safeguarding checks, all adults (members of the family over 18-years-old) within the household must hold an enhanced DBS certificate, to be sent for by the Princethorpe Foundation, even if they currently have a DBS certificate from another employer. If you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service, please do let us know. 

Please use our online system here to book an appointment. The DBS check has to be done within the three months prior to the visit. It will only take 15 minutes per person to apply for the DBS certificates, and one person from the household can bring the documentation on behalf of everyone in the household. 

One booking is usually long enough for two applications, if there are more people within  the household requiring checks, please book multiple slots.

If you have any questions, or cannot make any of the allocated appointment slots please do contact Claire Wildsmith or Suz Jeffery on 01926 634269 or by email here.  

Bringing the correct documentation is critical to the application process, please see the attached document entitled 'Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks’ for the ID documentation required.

Many thanks for your continued support of Princethorpe Sport and we hope that you can continue this by hosting some Dutch guests in April.

Bronze, Silver and Gold 23-24 participants should now all be completing their awards and we are excited to invite them and their families to the certificate evening on Wednesday 12 February 6.30pm - 8.00pm. Invitations will be sent via email for those whose awards have been verified. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our young people. The Princethorpe DofE staff team are working hard to contact all participants that are close to finishing their awards to ensure they are verified in time to receive an invite. Please ask your participant to check their Teams messages for updates on their progress.

Bronze, Silver, and Gold 24-25 participants are reminded to check their MS Team for messages. Please check in with your participant to ensure they are making full use of the support on offer. There is lots of information under the 'Files' tab including a document with links to free online courses that would count towards the Skill or Volunteering sections. 

Participants are encouraged to use Teams chats with their Young Leader or individually with Tamsin Frost, Natalie Hardy or Sion Murphy for any extra help.

Silver 24-25 participants are reminded they have their mandatory training in The Limes at the weekend, Saturday 25 January 9.00am - 4.00pm and Sunday 26 January 9.00am-1.00pm.

The presentation, expedition dates and other useful information including the links to online courses is still live on My School Portal under the Co-curricular - Princethorpe page. Link here.

For any Duke of Edinburgh's enquires please use the dedicated email dofe@princethorpe.co.uk with the subject DofE-B, S or G-Surname.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head (Co-curricular and Operations)

I am pleased to share with you the Lent 2025 Calendar and Co-curricular Clubs and Clinics Calendar. We hope this will be a useful guide when planning for this term. 

Please click on the links below to view. 

Lent Term Calendar 2025

Lent Term Clubs and Clinics 2025

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head (Co- curricular and Operations)

Educational and co-curricular visits have always been a major part of life at Princethorpe. These experiences for pupils enrich their lives, enhance their learning and develop their understanding and appreciation of the world around them. 

We would like to update you with the provisional major trips plan as it currently stands (this does not include academic department day trips or Duke of Edinburgh's Award). Please click here for the planned school trips.

Please also ensure that you read the information about individual trips with care when they are released, in particular in relation to consent, cancellation and insurance.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head, Co-Curricular

Did you know you can support the Princethorpe PTA online?

Follow, like, and share our social media posts to help us reach a wider audience. The more people who are aware of our fundraising events, the greater impact we can make for the school community! Please see below the links to our social media pages:

Facebook: PTA Princethorpe

Instagram: @princethorpepta

Thank you for your support. 

Princethorpe PTA

Please don’t forget that Princethorpe College PTA is registered with easyfundraising. 

When you shop via the easyfundraising website or app, with over 4,100 of your favourite retailers, including John Lewis & Partners, eBay, Amazon and many more, you will raise FREE donations for the school.  

If you’re not already registered, please visit our easyfundraising page here.

This will really make a difference to our school! Thank you for your support.

Please find below the Term Dates for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

2024-2025 (two page document) - revised Sixth Form Open Evening and Christmas Fair dates. Updated June 2024

2025-2026 (two page document) - revised Sixth Form Open Evening and Christmas Fair dates. Updated December 2024

Cyber-crime – please be extra vigilant

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation. You can protect yourselves by only making payments to us in line with our normal, published methods. Any email offering a large discount on fees for the coming academic year if paid immediately is fraudulent.

There has been no change to the bank details of Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent Schools and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent. Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and in the Information Booklet for each school, and only those details should be used.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleagues in the Finance team if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Claire Alcock
Foundation Director of Finance

Please see below our current vacancies:

Crescent School

• Head of Music

Full details and how to apply are available via the following link: Join Us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in this post, please do share this information with them.

The College's new cashless catering payment system, +Pay, has been live since the start of term, allowing parents to pay via mobile app and also via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Parents can also see an itemised breakdown of all their child's purchases in +Pay, helping them to track spending and support their child with making healthy choices.

If you want to see what your child has purchased each day, follow the below instructions.

1. Log into +Pay
2. Open 'Accounts'
3. Click on Dinner Topup
4. Click on 'Statements' (at the bottom of the screen)
5. Click on the month to see how much has been spent each day
6. Click on a specific date to see the items purchased on that date

Did you know you can also setup Automatic Top-up, so that +Pay automatically takes a payment when the balance drops below a certain value, saving you the time and effort of logging in and topping up the account? More information on this can be found here:  Automatic Top-ups

Should you have any further questions regarding +Pay, or require any assistance, please email cashless@princethorpe.co.uk.

Andy Compton
Foundation Director of Digital Strategy

Princethorpe College holds core data on pupils and parents to ensure we can communicate effectively, provide services and meet our statutory obligations.

To ensure the data we hold is correct, over the next few weeks we will be sending an email to all Princethorpe College parents with the current core data we hold about you and your child or children. We would ask parents to please ensure this data is correct. If the information in the email is correct, then no action needs to be taken. If there have been any changes to the information or it is incorrect in any way, we would ask you to please complete the form on the link within the email and provide us with the updated or correct information.

Andy Compton
Foundation Director of Digital Strategy

We would like to remind parents of some useful contact details.

To report a pupil absence please do so on My School Portal.

For other enquiries please use the email addresses below:

Bus related queries - princethorpe@vectare.co.uk

School Shop - uniform@princethorpe.co.uk

Medical Centre - pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk

School fees -  accounts@princethorpe.co.uk

General enquiries - post@princethorpe.co.uk

Lost property - lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk

+Pay catering - cashless@princethorpe.co.uk

Email addresses for members of teaching staff can be found on My School Portal.

We are pleased to advise there is an opportunity for a self-employed Brass teacher to deliver private tuition within the school day at Princethorpe College from April. 

We anticipate this will initially be for approximately half a day’s teaching per week but could be extended as and when pupil numbers increase.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in this opportunity, please contact recruitment@princethorpe.co.uk for further information and an application form, or to arrange an informal conversation with either our Peripatetic Coordinator or Director of Music.

Enquiries by: Monday 24 February 2025 at 9.00am.