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Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

It has been another busy and successful week across the school. Our GCSE Modern Foreign Languages speaking exams took place, alongside the IT and Travel and Tourism exams, with students demonstrating strong preparation and focus.

On Tuesday, 45 Year 9 students attended the Big Futures Show at Eastbourne Sports Park, gaining valuable insight into future pathways and opportunities.

Year 10 students took part in their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, with two groups completing their journeys over two days. Well done to all involved for their resilience and teamwork.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 students who represented Willingdon and the local partnership at Town Sports. Those who qualified as finalists progressed to the Sussex Sports Hall Athletics County Final in Bognor Regis. All students performed exceptionally well, with a special congratulations to our Year 8 boys’ team, who finished 1st overall and even broke county records, an outstanding achievement.

Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed an inspiring author event with Breis on Wednesday. We also held a productive Beach School meeting on Friday afternoon.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Arnold and Mr Cain as Assistant Headteachers. Their specific roles will be shared after half term. We will also be advertising for a Head of English shortly and will keep parents informed once the recruitment process has been completed.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Plumpton College ahead of their open day next Saturday. I was extremely impressed by the breadth and quality of post sixteen courses now on offer. Plumpton provides a diverse range of pathways that will be of interest to many of our students and families, and I would encourage you to explore what is available by visiting their website.

Please note that Monday is a bank holiday and the school will be closed. GCSE exams continue next week, including Art, Psychology, Sociology, Latin and Drama. Year 10 will continue their Duke of Edinburgh programme, with three groups heading out for their expedition and assessment on Wednesday.

Thank you to all students and staff for another fantastic week and have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Warm regards,

Mrs May
Headteacher

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A landmark moment for every child in England

Dear colleagues,

Today marks Royal Assent for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. Now we need to make sure it delivers where it matters.

This legislation is rooted in a simple but urgent belief: that every child should be safe, supported, and able to succeed. Fragmentation and missed opportunities for early help have allowed vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. This Act is designed to change that – building a more joined-up system where safeguarding, education, and family support work together around the needs of every child.

For schools, the Act brings greater consistency and clarity. The government has been clear that phones have no place in schools. Now guidance is clear that schools are expected to implement and consistently enforce policies, supporting teachers to maintain calm, focused classrooms. Multi-academy trusts will receive dedicated inspections for the first time, and all schools will follow both the national curriculum and at least the national minimum pay levels. All new teachers in state schools will be required to have, or be working towards, Qualified Teacher Status. These are not changes for their own sake. They are about fairness and a shared commitment to high standards for every child, in every classroom, in every school – to make sure that every student can benefit from focused teaching and better outcomes.

For families, the changes are tangible and immediate. Free breakfast clubs will be rolled out to every primary school, free school meals extended to all families on Universal Credit, and new limits on branded uniform items could save eligible families up to £1,000 a year. Because we know children who are present, well-fed, and ready to learn are children who can thrive.

This is also the most ambitious child safeguarding legislation in a generation. The long-called-for new Single Unique Identifier, being piloted now, will ensure that children are always visible to local services. The measures will bring services together, improve information-sharing, and create registers for children not in school – making sure no child is overlooked. The Act builds on the vital role schools already play on the front line, providing you with wider resources in continuing to support children and families.

Please see the parliament.uk page for a final version of the Act and the policy summary notes for more information, which will be updated next week.

These reforms will only work if we make them work together. We will share further guidance as the measures come into force. In the meantime, I want to say thank you for your professionalism, your dedication, and everything you do for the children and families in your care.

Bridget Phillipson

Secretary of State for Education

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Parent Tours during the school day 2026

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On Wednesday students in Year 9 and Year 10 were treated to an author visit as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.

Breis – a rapper, lyricist and author – shared the history of hip-hop and some of his tracks with students. Fantastic engagement from all involved.

Congratulations to the lyricists who joined the workshop in the afternoon. Looking forward to hearing more of your work soon.

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This Wednesday’s session focused on visualising: using quick sketches to help picture the figurative language in a text. Challenge yourself: When could you use visualising in maths or geography this week?

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95 students have started reading Macbeth on Sparx Reader this term. A great way to boost their understanding of Macbeth ready for their class assessments this term. The challenge is open to all Year 9 students.

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This term’s #inmyshoesWCS reading challenge is focusing on the theme of moments of sadness. Students are supported by termly reading conversations in their weekly reading for pleasure lessons. See Edulink for further details.

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tcain@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-11@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

I just wanted to take a moment to say a huge well done to all of our Year 11 students for what has been a fantastic week.

We’ve had language speaking exams taking place throughout the week, and both the French and Spanish teachers have shared how mature and well the students conducted themselves. They were prompt and punctual for their exam times, applied themselves brilliantly, and can now tick one exam off their list. A great achievement and start to their exams.

This afternoon, students also sat their IT and Travel and Tourism exams. We hope these have gone well for everyone involved and that students feel positive about their efforts.

Looking ahead, you’ll find below a table outlining the exams scheduled for next week. Please note that there are no exams on Monday due to the bank holiday:

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On Friday morning, we also held our “Good Luck Year 11” assembly. This included a letter from staff, some video messages, cupcakes, and most importantly, your surprise letters of encouragement and well wishes. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all parents and carers who contributed messages and helped keep them a surprise too. Many students were genuinely touched and emotional reading them, and we know these messages will continue to motivate them as they move forward with their exams.

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The Grade-Up intervention schedule will continue as normal and is included below for your reference. In addition, school will be open again this Saturday from 10:00am–12:00pm for students who wish to come in and revise or work independently:

Thank you, as always, for your continued support as it really does make a difference. We hope this support continues as students prepare for the upcoming exams over the next few weeks.

The Year 11 Team

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Year 11 Yearbook 2026 - Google Forms

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lgordon@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-10@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Well done to Year 10 for a positive first full week back in lessons following two weeks of mock exams. It has been great to see so many students demonstrating a strong focus as they return to their normal timetable routines.

It has been a busy and engaging week, with students taking part in a variety of activities. During coaching time, the focus has been on Deaf Awareness and Work Experience. Students have continued preparing for their Work Experience week, which takes place from 18th–22nd May. This has included ensuring all necessary pre-placement tasks are completed, confirming contact with employers, and understanding key details such as arrival times, dress code expectations, and completion of their work experience agreements.

Students have also taken part in both an assembly and a coaching session aimed at increasing their understanding of the diverse experiences of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. These sessions have been thoughtful and informative, helping to build awareness of all.

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This week, the entire year group had the exciting opportunity to attend a session in the hall with the poet Breis. It was a fantastic experience, some Year 10 students were selected to participate in a smaller follow-up workshop. We were very impressed with how well students engaged and conducted themselves throughout these sessions with our guest author.

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A huge congratulations to our Duke of Edinburgh students, who successfully completed their two-day expedition. This involved hiking across the South Downs and camping overnight at school. The students showed resilience, teamwork, and determination, and should be very proud of completing this important part of their Bronze Award.

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Well done to the six students who were awarded “Treats with the Team” this week. These students were recognised for their continued hard work, focus, and dedication to their learning.

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A reminder for all Year 10 students before they start their Work Experience placements 18th–22nd May, to complete their Work Experience placement agreement, and make telephone or email contact with their employer for the week to introduce themselves and discuss expectations for their week.

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Well done to 10AME coaching group for winning this week’s Sparx Maths homework competition this week with 10GEL close behind in 2nd and 10ARA in 3rd place! 52% of the 10AME coaching group achieving 100% with their Maths homework and won this week’s biscuits.

We look forward to another successful week next week which is a Green Week A for students on their timetables.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Year 10 Team

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Dear Parents & Carers,

Year 10 work experience / 18th – 22nd May 2026

I hope your child is looking forward to their upcoming work experience placement, where they will have the chance to develop a range of valuable employability skills.

By this stage, students should have contacted their placement to confirm key details such as working hours and dress code and should have received a response. If you or your child requires any support with making contact, or if you have not heard back from the employer, please feel free to get in touch with me.

If your child is unwell at any point during the placement week, please ensure that the following steps are taken.

·         You notify the employer directly

·         The absence is recorded on Edulink

If you have any safeguarding concerns during the week, please contact me using the details below. You can also email talk2us@willingdonschool.org.uk.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Kind regards,

Sarah Rooney

Careers Adviser

Tel: 01323 485254 ext 281

Email: srooney@willingdonschool.org.uk

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April 2026

Dear Parents, Carers and Year 10 Students,

Year 10 Taster Days at Seaford Head School Sixth Form – September 2027 Entry

As part of our Post-16 programme and introduction to further education at Seaford Head School Sixth Form, we are delighted to invite Year 10 students to attend one of our Taster Days at our Sixth Form Centre on either Wednesday 17th June or Thursday 18th June 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to experience a full day in the Sixth Form and take part in four lessons from subjects they are interested in exploring further.

The aim of the day is to give students the opportunity to:

·         Sample a range of four A Level/BTEC lessons

·         Visit our Sixth Form Centre and access facilities in Seaford

·         Meet our inspiring Sixth Form staff and teachers

The Taster Day will run from 8:45am to 3:00pm.

Our current prospectus can be viewed here:

Prospectus-2027-2028.pdf

Also attached is a list of A-Level and BTEC courses which will be running from September 2027 - it would be a good starting place for your child to review these pages before making a decision about subjects to study on the Taster Day.

Since reopening in 2014, our Sixth Form has gone from strength to strength. We are committed to supporting all students in achieving their long-term aspirations, whether that be employment, apprenticeships, university, or entrepreneurship. Our success is built on experienced subject specialists, dedicated pastoral support, and high-quality careers guidance from our Level 6 Careers Advisor.

We are particularly pleased that increasing numbers of students from outside Seaford are choosing to join us. This year, applications from external students have more than doubled, and we continue to welcome applications from students who are motivated, enthusiastic, and keen to contribute to our inclusive learning community.

Students should arrive at the Sixth Form Centre by 8:45am for registration and a short tour before lessons begin. Taster sessions will run throughout the day, and students are expected to attend all sessions and remain on site until the end of the day.

Booking a Year 10 Taster Day:

Students can sign up using the link below:

https://outlook.office.com/book/TasterDays2026@seafordheadschool.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled

Booking Instructions:

1.      Click the link to the bookings page

2.      Select Taster Day One or Two (choose your preferred date)

3.      In the calendar, select the date of your chosen Taster Day

4.      Enter your contact information

5.      Select the four taster sessions you would like to attend

The deadline for registration is Friday 15th May 2026. After this date, we will confirm students’ subject choices.

Students should select one subject from each of the four option blocks and ensure they are on track to meet the entry requirements outlined in the prospectus. For example, students should only select A Level Maths if they are predicted at least a grade 7 at GCSE. Please note that subject choices cannot be changed on the day, so students should choose carefully.

Refreshments will be provided at break time; however, students should bring their own lunch.

If you have any questions regarding the Taster Days or our Sixth Form courses, please do not hesitate to contact us at: clarecallard@seafordhead.org

We look forward to welcoming you to our Sixth Form.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Alvarez

Head of Sixth Form

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Mr Keast and Ms Johnson - Joint Head of Year 9

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lkeast@willingdonschool.org.uk

cjohnson@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-9@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

It has been another busy and enriching week for our Year 9 students, and I wanted to take a moment to share some of the highlights with you.

On Tuesday, a group of our Year 9 students attended the Big Futures Show at Eastbourne Park. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to engage with a wide range of further and higher education providers, as well as employers from a variety of industries. From all accounts, our students represented the school brilliantly, showing maturity and curiosity throughout. Many commented on how much they enjoyed exploring the different stands and learning about future pathways.

In school, students have been engaging thoughtfully with important topics. In coaching time this week, they have been learning about what it means to be deaf aware in preparation for Deaf Awareness Week. This was followed up with a whole year group assembly on Wednesday led by Mrs Wakefield. I was incredibly proud of the compassion and respect shown by our students during these discussions.

Also on Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome rap artist, author and poet BREIS, who delivered a truly memorable assembly on the history and development of hip hop music. Students were fully engaged and asked some very insightful questions, particularly around the use of language. A number of students were also fortunate enough to take part in a workshop with him later in the day, where they began writing their own lyrics, a fantastic experience for all involved.

A big well done to 9BMA, who won this week’s attendance challenge with an impressive 97.04%. They enjoyed some well-deserved treats in coaching time on Tuesday, a great reward for their commitment.

Finally, a reminder that the ParentPay portal opens today (Friday 1st May) for Activities Day. Please do ensure that bookings are made as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, as places can fill up quickly.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We hope you and your families enjoy a lovely three-day weekend, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed after the bank holiday on Tuesday!

Warm regards,

The Year 9 Team

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aroche@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-8@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome back to another week. I am pleased to say that Year 8 continues to make great progress as a year group, and I have been very impressed with students’ behaviour and achievements in lessons.

Last Friday, we welcomed a guest speaker as part of our growing focus on careers education and future opportunities. A pharmacist visited and spoke to students about their career journey, the qualifications required, and the many pathways available within healthcare. Although careers can seem like a long way off for Year 8 students, we feel it is important to begin raising awareness early. As students move into Year 9 and beyond, there will be increasing opportunities to take part in work related learning, career talks, conferences, and eventually work experience placements. Our aim is to broaden students’ horizons and ensure they are aware of the many exciting opportunities available to them as they progress towards college and future careers.

There have been lots of reasons to celebrate this week.

Firstly, congratulations to our Year 8 students who represented Willingdon and the local partnership at Town Sports. Students who qualified as finalists went on to compete in the Sussex Sports Hall Athletics County Final in Bognor Regis. All students represented the school brilliantly, but a special mention must go to our Year 8 boys’ team, who finished in 1st place overall and even broke some county records! A fantastic achievement, well done, boys! Rewards and recognition will be coming your way.

A big congratulations also goes to our highest achievers this week, who have each earned over 33 reward points:

Calista S

Abigail C

Joshua F

Finn W

Last weeks winners of hot chocolate with the head.  Such an amazing set on students with such high ambitions who have had a book published

- Alfie G

- Ashley G

- Damien T

- Lenny P

- Oscar S

Excellent work, keep it up!

A special attendance shout out goes to 8SMI, who achieved an outstanding 97.8% attendance last week. Well done for setting the standard. As a year group, we are still maintaining attendance above 95% for the term, which is fantastic to report. Long may this continue.

The beautiful weather has certainly been welcomed by students, who have been making the most of the outdoor spaces during break and lunchtime. Whether playing football, socialising, or simply enjoying some fresh air overlooking the South Downs, it has been lovely to see students enjoying our fantastic school environment.

Students may also have mentioned an exciting opportunity that was briefly introduced last week, a proposed Thailand trip for the current Year 8 cohort. This trip is planned for March 2028, when students will be in Year 10, and promises to be a truly unique educational experience. The trip will last just under two weeks and will focus on marine conservation and cultural exploration.

Highlights of the trip will include:

Learning about marine conservation and sustainability

Travelling to Koh Tao, Thailand, where students will complete a scuba diving qualification and gain certification

Taking part in marine conservation projects, including planting artificial reefs

Visiting elephant sanctuaries

Exploring Bangkok, including cultural landmarks, temples, and shopping opportunities

Experiencing Thailand’s incredible food and culture

This is a genuinely exciting opportunity that we believe could create lifelong memories and provide students with skills and experiences they will carry into adulthood.

At this stage, I wanted to make Year 8 families aware first before offering places more widely to other year groups.

In addition, we are currently exploring the possibility of offering interested students a taster scuba diving session ahead of the trip. I am currently liaising with Eastbourne Scuba Diving Club regarding arrangements, so please watch this space for further updates.

Please see below a draft itinerary of the trip together with a link to a 'gauge of interest' Google form. Please complete this and submit at your earliest convenience. We will be holding an information evening where parents can ask questions and discuss the finer details of the trip.

Wishing you all a fantastic bank holiday weekend. Enjoy the extended break, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for another positive week.

Kind regards,

The Year 8 Team

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Thailand - March 2028 Gauge of Interest Google Form

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Mrs Naylor & Mrs Muller - Joint Head of Year 7

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lnaylor@willingdonschool.org.uk

pmuller@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-7@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

This Wednesday, 55 Year 7s took part in the Junior Maths Challenge. This is a national challenge focusing on problem solving skills, and encourages students to really apply the skills and knowledge that they are learning in class.

Certificates and results will be shared in a future assembly.

Following on from the huge success of the maths challenge, we have also seen lots of excellent green learning walks this week for Year 7. A green learning walk happens when a class is working above and beyond in an activity and a member of the call out team is invited to go along and witness the excellent work in progress.

Finally, last term the Year 7s took part in a survey looking at various aspects of school life. The results were brilliant, however, one area we would like to develop further is a precise understanding of where students can go for help and support if needed in the school day . Please could you have a chat with your young person over the weekend, and find out who they would turn to if a problem arose. Possible answers would be: their coach as a first point of call, the year team, student support, ARCCH, or any other member of staff that they have built a trusting relationship with in the school. Anyone who wears a pink lanyard would be the person to go to if there was a safeguarding concern.

Many thanks and have a lovely long weekend.

The Year 7 Team

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