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Please check the LOST PROPERTY PADLET for items that may belong to your child.

All unnamed lost property will be disposed off over the Christmas break.

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On Wednesday 26th November, the esteemed English Speaking Union competition first round took place. Six Chailey students from Year 9-11 participated in this head, battling three other schools for a place in round two. The competition requires students to take on a specific role: chair, questioner or speaker. Each student is marked for their effectiveness in role and our Chailey students had dedicated themselves to preparing extensively for the evening.

It was a tough competition, with all participating schools battling for dominance. From rigorous questions to thought-provoking speeches, Bill, Max, Cory, Will, Isaac and Henry all fulfilled their roles to the utmost; we were very proud of the effort they put into generating a positive atmosphere for the debating to take place.

After an agonising 45-minute wait for the judges to decide who would be going through to the next round, they finally announced the results. Tension was certainly surrounding the moment as it had been a hard-wrought competition and everyone could see it was close. We extend our congratulations to one of our Chailey teams (Bill, Max and Cory) who move forward to heat two, and to the other schools, Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar and Mayfield who join us there.

Very well done to all participants!

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After School Clubs not running week commencing 15/12/25

Girls Rugby Club

Girls Football Club

Aesthetics Club

Boys Football Club

Math's Past Paper Club

ALL OTHER CLUBS WILL RUN AS NORMAL

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Fitzjohns Community Food project is self-referral so people can turn up when they are open and register to become a member.

Although they do prefer it if people can email or call first so they can give them some information. Their opening times are Mondays (we will be closed on the 29th of December) from 12.30-2.30pm. They offer 6 weeks free support, then after that they ask for a £3.50 contribution per week. The contribution includes a food shop (worth between £25-£30), hot food and drinks from the community cafe and access to their Community Navigator who can work with people 1-2-1 to check they are receiving all the support they are entitled to.They are at Christ Church, Prince Edwards Road, Lewes BN7 1BL

If you contact Chailey School we may be able to refer for you and you may be allocated some extra support

Open Mondays 12.30-2.30pm Christ Church, Prince Edward’s Road, Lewes, BN7 1BL, East Sussex

fitzjohnsfoodbank@gmail.com | 07395 156873

Landport Foodbank - families from this area of Lewes can be referred by Chailey School.

A referral is not necessary to access Lewes Community Fridge. The Fridge is open to anyone and everyone- all are welcome.

They can be found in Lewes Town hall kitchen (access via Fisher St) on Saturday mornings between 10.30am and 12. There is usually a que. They will be open as usual over the Christmas period.

Find them on facebook- just search for Lewes Community Fridge .

Lewes Community Fridge Team. Lewes Town Hall Kitchen, Market Lane . lewescommunityfridge@gmail.com

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All East Sussex County Council provided transport will leave school at 12.30pm on Friday 19th December 2025.

For those students travelling on the Lewes 121, Chailey staff will accompany them to the bus stop on Mill Lane for the 12.50pm service.

Students travelling to Uckfield will need to make their own arrangements.

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Me & Mind - East Sussex Mental Health Support Team

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Me & Mind - East Sussex Mental Health Support Team

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Keep Children Safe Online: Information, advice, support

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Working with online experts, we’re here to provide parent, carers and professionals with advice and support to keep children safe online

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What a wonderful week it has been at Chailey School; a true celebration of creativity, community and the remarkable talents of our students.

On Tuesday, we were treated to an outstanding Battle of the Voices. The passion, confidence and musicality on display were exceptional, and it was inspiring to see students supporting one another so wholeheartedly. Events like this remind us how performing arts bring our school community together and give students the opportunity to shine.

That spirit continued into Thursday evening with our Christmas Concert, which was a real highlight of the festive season. From instrumental ensembles to solo performances and our ever-brilliant choir, the concert showcased the dedication and hard work our students have put in over the term. Thank you to everyone who attended, your support means so much to our young performers.

Finally, today our choir took their music beyond the school gates with a visit to Gradwell Park Retirement Village. Their performance was warmly received and brought festive cheer to residents and staff alike. I am immensely proud of how our students represented the school, not only through their singing but through their kindness and enthusiasm.

My deepest thanks to all staff involved in preparing students for these events, particularly Mr Baxter and Mr Rutter, and to families for helping nurture and encourage their involvement. These moments enrich our school life and remind us of the power of community and the importance of shared celebration.

Wishing you all a restful and happy weekend.

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We are looking for a Teaching Assistant to join our team at Chailey. Full information on the website.

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Chailey is a thriving, successful school set in rural Sussex, just north of Lewes, and within easy reach of Brighton and Haywards Heath. We are proud of our traditional values and innovative approaches to Teaching and Learning.

Staff are friendly, dedicated and supportive; our students are happy and proud to be part of the school. We have a very low level of staff turnover because we are kind and supportive to each other. Chailey is a school where teachers and students can thrive. Of course, working in a school is demanding and all of our staff are hard-working and go above and beyond to support our young people.

Visitors to Chailey School often comment on the calm teaching environment and fantastic relationships between students and teachers.

We had our last Ofsted visit in January 2022 which we were very pleased with.

The Ofsted report contained comments such as:

'This is a kind school. The school's values of kindness, resilience, independence and creativity permeate everything.'

'Welfare and wellbeing are high priorities in this small rural community school.'

'Pupils are knowledgeable about diversity including Black history and gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity. Pupils respect different ethnicities and cultures. They value the different contributions that everyone makes.'

'The curriculum is designed well to meet the needs and aspirations of all pupils including the most able.'

'Leaders and governors are ambitious for what pupils can achieve. Parents and guardians speak enthusiastically about the school.'

We believe that this is a very strong foundation from which to aspire to excellence in everything we do.

Current Vacancies
Student Support Manager
We are looking to recruit an additional Student Support Manager to increase capacity in this area of the school. This is an important role in the school and you will be able to make a real difference to the welfare and wellbeing of our students. Our Student Support Managers work under the direction of a Head of Year, to offer support and care for one year group of our students. At Chailey School we value our staff. We know that we are can only look after the youngsters in our care if we look after ourselves and each other too. By joining our staff, you will be part of a supportive network of colleagues that value each other. We have four other Student Support Manager in school and all of them will support and help you.

Full details on this role can be found in the application pack.

We would be very happy to offer an informal chat and tour to any prospective applicants. Just contact us by emailing Serena Rodd, PA to the Head Teacher srodd@chaileyschool.org

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Chailey School is a mixed, non-selective, community secondary school located in the village of South Chailey, Chailey, just outside Lewes in East Sussex, UK. Chailey School offers a wide range of aca..

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Copies of communications sent to our families can be found on the website.

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Chailey School is a mixed, non-selective, community secondary school located in the village of South Chailey, Chailey, just outside Lewes in East Sussex, UK. Chailey School offers a wide range of aca…

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School Calendar (What’s On) - Chailey School

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Chailey School is a mixed, non-selective, community secondary school located in the village of South Chailey, Chailey, just outside Lewes in East Sussex, UK. Chailey School offers a wide range of aca…

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TO REPORT YOUR CHILD ABSENT DUE TO ILLNESS OR A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT

·         Log into Arbor

·         Navigate to 'Quick Actions' and click - this is usually in the top left of the screen

·         Click 'Attendance'

·         Click 'Log Absence'

·         Enter the reason for absence

·         Click 'Log Absence'

FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES

office@chaileyschool.org

01273 890407

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE SEND SURGERY

(Friday Mornings)

srodd@chaileyschool.org

01273 890407

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE SLT SURGERY

(Friday after school)

srodd@chaileyschool.org

01273 890407

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Add new guardians and contacts for your child on the Parent Portal and Parent App

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This article explains how primary guardians can add new guardians and contacts for their child using the Parent Portal or Parent App. It details the steps to view the child’s profile, add new conta…

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Christmas Carols at Newick Church - 6pm Tuesday 16th December

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Christmas Carols at Newick Church - 6pm Tuesday 16th December

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Friends of Chailey School End of Term Tuck Shop - Friday 19th December

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Friends of Chailey School End of Term Tuck Shop - Friday 19th December

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Friday 19th December @ break time. Students can bring in money to purchase treats

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Sign up on Parentpay

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We are looking at the opportunity to host a weekly dance club at Chailey School. If you have any interest please complete the attached form.

Contemporary/Jazz Dance Club – Fill out form

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Congratulations to our U13 Boys who finished runners up in the Wealden District Competition. They showed huge fight to come back from 2-0 but couldn’t quite overcome a Heathfield side that eventually won 3-2. Strong performance from Jack R and some outragous double saves from Alfie H in goal were some of the highlights

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Parental Consultation Regarding our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy

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Parental Consultation Regarding our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy

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Dear Chailey families

Relationships and Sex Education is compulsory in all secondary schools. As part of our commitment to providing a comprehensive and balanced curriculum that meets these new requirements and the needs of our pupils, we are updating our RSE policy and curriculum.

We are now consulting with all stakeholders, including parents, staff, and governors, on our proposed approach. This process is vital to ensuring that our RSE provision is age-appropriate, relevant to our school community's values, and reflects what pupils need to know to be healthy and safe in their relationships and the wider world, now and in the future.

While the content we must teach is largely determined by statutory guidance, the consultation allows you to share your views on when and how certain topics are covered, and your feedback will be genuinely reflected upon.

Consultation Details

We invite you to participate in the following way:

Review the Draft Policy and Curriculum: The draft RSE policy and our curriculum plan (indicating topics and age groups) is available on our school website at https://www.chaileyschool.org/chailey-life/subjects/pshe

Resources: Some of these are identified in the curriculum documents; others are largely protected from sharing here by copyright arrangements. Please do contact the PSHE Subject Leads, Mrs Lowe and Ms Bray, via email at jlowe@chaileyschool.org or mbray@chaileyschool.org if you wish to discuss these further.

Submit Feedback: Please share your views, suggestions, or questions regarding the proposed RSE policy and curriculum. You can provide feedback via the online feedback form at RSE Parent Consultation – Fill out form

Time-frame: This parental consultation is open from Friday 12th December and will close at 3pm on Friday 9tth January 2026.

If you have any immediate queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Holt

Headteacher

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Year 7 students and tutors came together for a fun-filled Christmas lunch that brought plenty of festive cheer to the school canteen.

The room was buzzing with excitement as everyone enjoyed tasty food, pulled colourful Christmas crackers, and wore the traditional paper crowns. Christmas music played throughout, adding to the warm and joyful atmosphere.

With lots of laughs, great company, and plenty of holiday spirit, the Year 7 Christmas lunch was a wonderful celebration that everyone enjoyed.

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Well done to our mixed group who attended the inter-school bouldering competition at Boulder Brighton this week! Our 3rd visit to this high quality centre with excellent friendly staff! Fingers crossed we make the finals again this year!

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Well done to Felicia (Year 9) and Meriya (Year 7) on their incredible performances in the South Coast Ballet's Nutcracker at The Congress Theatre in Eastbourne

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The annual school concert drew a full house last night, delivering an evening packed with music, energy, and memorable moments. This year’s showcase was especially remarkable, featuring several new bands, first-time performers, and a wave of emerging talent that left audiences cheering for more.

From the opening number to the grand finale, students impressed with polished musicianship and confident stage presence. Long-time music program participants delivered crowd-pleasing performances, while newcomers stunned audiences with fresh voices and bold creativity. Many of the debut performers said the concert was their first time in front of such a large audience, and their enthusiasm was evident in every note.

Behind the curtain, weeks of dedicated rehearsals and preparation paid off. Staff, student volunteers, and technical crews worked tirelessly to perfect lighting cues, balance sound levels, and ensure everything ran smoothly from act to act. Their commitment created a professional and supportive atmosphere that allowed performers to shine.

A special thanks went out to FOCS, whose generous refreshments kept attendees energized throughout the evening and contributed greatly to the warm, community-focused spirit of the event.

With rising stars already drawing attention, this year’s concert not only celebrated musical achievement but also hinted at an exciting future for the school’s performing arts scene.

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Chailey Art Department are thrilled to share that Year 11 artwork and photography has been selected to feature in an upcoming Art Exhibition at the Marine Workshops, Newhaven from Tuesday 6th January to Thursday 8th January. This is a public art exhibition and  a wonderful recognition of their creativity and effort, and we are excited to celebrate this achievement.

To mark this occasion, we have arranged a trip for Year 11 students to visit the Marine Workshops, where they will view their own work displayed as part of the exhibition.  As part of the event on 8th January, there will be a Prize-Giving Ceremony attended by local dignitaries, celebrating the outstanding work of our students.  There will also be an opportunity to vote online or in person for your favourite student artwork.  Follow @chaileyartdepartment for more news on how to vote.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and look forward to sharing this special day with them on 8th January.

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Thank you to all or amazing Chailey families who have raised £900.00 so far. Donations can still be made and all proceeds will be split between Save the Children and the Connor Saunders Foundation

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Blue & Cream Christmas Jumper Snowflake Instagram Story (1)

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The annual Battle of the Voices took the stage by storm this week, delivering an evening packed with talent, surprises, and more than a few unforgettable costumes. Staff and students went head-to-head, each determined to claim vocal victory—and the audience loved every minute of it.

For some performers, it was their very first time under the spotlight, but you’d never have known it. New talents emerged with confident vocals, creative performances, and enough enthusiasm to light up the whole hall. They were joined by seasoned performers who returned with flair, proving once again why they’re fan favourites.

Guiding the whole evening with charm, quick wit, and impeccable timing was Mr Rutter, who compered the event brilliantly and kept the crowd entertained between performances.

Adding to the fun were the lively judges: staff duo Mr Dudgeon and Mr Baxter, alongside student judges May and Katie, who brought plenty of humour, enthusiasm, and good-natured commentary to each act. Meanwhile, Hannah handled the scoring with admirable precision—despite the judges’ playful antics.

The staff team came ready for battle, complete with fun costumes and an impressive level of commitment that had the crowd roaring. For most of the night, they held a narrow lead—each performance pushing them ahead as the students fought to catch up.

But the final twist came right at the end. In a dramatic finish worthy of a talent-show finale, Jacob stepped up with a last performance that electrified the room, earning just enough points to pip Miss McGuinness at the post. The audience erupted as the students claimed a hard-fought victory.

From first-time stars to show-stopping veterans, Battle of the Voices proved to be an evening full of fun, friendly competition, and outstanding talent. The only question now: who will take the crown next year?

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Our Year 7 Charity Reps were delighted to give the donations to Liz Laybourne from the Burgess Hill Pantry.

Thank you to our Chailey Community.

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Please sign up to receive a tour of our school with Head Teacher Paul Holt