As we reach the end of another school year, I have been reflecting on what an exceptionally positive and fulfilling year it has been for our whole community. Every morning when I walk the school, it genuinely remains the highlight of my day. Those small moments on the corridor, where students warmly say hello, ask how our day is going and share a quick smile or story, mean more than they realise.

They capture the spirit of Willingdon: a school where kindness is instinctive, relationships matter and young people feel confident enough to connect with the adults around them. Seeing students engaged, purposeful and ready to take part in their learning is something I never take for granted, and it continues to inspire me.

I am profoundly grateful to my brilliant team of teachers, support staff and our leadership team. Their dedication, professionalism and care have shaped the rhythm of the year. They have supported students through challenges, celebrated their successes and created classrooms where young people feel safe, valued and inspired. Willingdon has an exciting year ahead as our new staffing model comes into place, and I am confident it will strengthen the experience we offer every child.

This week brought one of my favourite activities of the year: the Year 10 mock interviews. Meeting so many of our students and seeing them present themselves with maturity and confidence was a real joy. The feedback from the business employers who kindly gave up their time could not have been more complimentary. They described our students as eloquent, articulate, ambitious and courteous. That is not just praise for their interview performance, but a reflection of who they are becoming. I want to say a huge well done to Year 10. I am immensely proud of you all.

We also had the incredible Morfa Bay trip running again this week. It is one of those experiences that stays with students for years, and it only happens because staff willingly give up a full week of their time to make it possible.

My thanks go to every student and every member of staff involved. I am only sorry the football didn’t give you the celebration moment you were hoping for, but the memories made will last far longer than any result.

As we move into the final stretch of term, we have a wonderfully busy three days ahead. On Monday we host the renowned Phoenix Music Festival, which is always a highlight of the school calendar. We look forward to seeing many of you there and celebrating the talent and creativity of our students. Tuesday brings Activities Day, with a wide range of trips and experiences taking place across different year groups. Finally, we end the term with a half day of celebration and reflection, giving us all a chance to pause, acknowledge the year we have shared and look ahead to what comes next.

As we prepare to close the year, I want to wish every family the very best summer. Thank you for your ongoing support for our school and community.

Kind regards,

Mrs May
Headteacher

During the holidays, much of children's sports and physical activity shifts to informal, community and drop-in events, where things can feel more open, busy, flexible and fast moving. 

That’s where safeguarding can become unclear. Roles and responsibilities can blur and busy parents can be unaware of their responsibilities and concerns might not get shared.  

We know from recent NSPCC statistics that helpline contacts from adults with concerns in a sport setting increased by 10% in the last year. Adults contacting the Helpline expressed concerns about the conduct of sports professionals, as well as other parents, and how clubs lacked strong child protection procedures.

So ahead of the holidays,  we are encouraging schools to share the following video and questions parents should be asking, to keep children safe in sport and physical activity this summer. 

5 questions to ask your child's sports club

• Have the staff and volunteers been safely recruited and checked? 

• Does the club / group have a safeguarding policy?

• What happens if there is an accident?

• Who can you talk to if you have any concerns or worries? 

• What training do the staff have?

Please contact the Active Sussex Sport Welfare Officers (sportwelfare@activesussex.org) if you need any further support.

Kind regards,

David Taylor | Active Schools Officer

pastoral-10@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Well done to Year 10 for a strong final full week of the year. It has been a busy and productive few days, particularly with students completing their mock interviews on Tuesday 14th July. We have received excellent feedback from interviewers, who praised the year group’s professionalism, confidence and maturity throughout the process.

Students who were away at Morfa Bay this week also completed their mock interviews during their downtime and were equally impressive, well done to all involved.

We are pleased to see an improvement in attendance this week. As we approach the end of term, we would like to see a strong finish from the whole year group. Please support by ensuring your child is in school on Monday, attending their activity on Tuesday, and present for the last day of term on Wednesday next week, which will be an early finish at 12.25pm.

Year 10 have another exciting start to next week with our annual Phoenix Festival on Monday 20th July. Students may wear their own clothes, and we encourage them to dress in their house colours to support the event. There will be stalls and activities available, so students should bring money to the event if they wish to make purchases or take part in activities.

Well done to nine of our Year 10 students that have successfully completed The Girls’ Network Mentoring Programme. This was a great opportunity for the students who have embraced the opportunity and have been working closely with women from across a range of industries this year.

dscowen@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-9@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

As we reach the end of a very busy final full week of term, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the fantastic achievements and experiences our year group have contributed to and enjoyed.

pastoral-8@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

As we approach our final week of the summer term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support throughout the year. It has been a pleasure working with our Year 8 students, who have made tremendous progress both academically and personally. They have matured significantly, and it is wonderful to see the year group finishing the year so positively.

Miss Turner, Miss Harris and I have carried out a number of learning walks this week, and despite the exceptionally warm weather, we have been delighted by the levels of engagement, focus and enthusiasm shown by our students in lessons.

In response to the hot weather, we have relaxed our uniform expectations. Students may continue to attend school without blazers and ties or choose to wear their full school PE kit, provided it is the correct school-issued PE uniform.

pmuller@willingdonschool.org.uk

pastoral-7@willingdonschool.org.uk

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

We're nearly at the end of a long and busy term and have been so impressed with how Year 7 have continued to conduct themselves in the heat and as everyone is getting tired after their first year at secondary school! We have some exciting events coming up next week so here are a few reminders below;

On Monday we have our annual Phoenix Festival, where students show their wide range of talents in the performing arts. This is such a brilliant day with departments running different games and stalls alongside the performances. If students would like to buy anything or play games at the stalls they will need to bring cash in on the day. Monday is also a mufti day and we are asking students to wear house colours, there will be stalls led by students from each house, with a competition to see which house can raise the most money!

On Tuesday we have our Activity Day. You should have had a letter sent out with specific details of the activity your child is doing. Please can you check these details before Tuesday for things like timings, lunches and dress code.  Letters for all activities can be found on our website https://willingdonschool.org.uk/key-information/our-letters.

Wednesday is our last day of term and a half day so students who would usually get the bus home will need alternative arrangements. 

As we go into our final week with the Year 7s, we would like to take the chance to say how brilliant they have been this year. They have transitioned into Willingdon so well and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with them as their year team throughout the year.

We wish you all a lovely summer holiday and look forward to welcoming the students back in September as Year 8s!

 The Year 7 Team

Dear CWCF supporters.

We are looking for someone who can help us by handing out flyers at Antiques By The Sea in Victoria Place, Eastbourne, this weekend (July 18/19).

Your Eastbourne BID, which runs the antiques fair, has kindly given us permission to go to the event to distribute flyers to stallholders and shoppers advertising our October Antique Fair.

We are looking for one or two volunteers who would be willing to pop down to Victoria Place (Terminus Road/Grand Parade) on either Saturday 18th or Sunday 19th July, any time between 8am and 3pm, to give out some flyers.

If you are near Eastbourne town centre and have a spare hour or two this weekend during the above times, we would love to hear from you!

Please email community@childrenwithcancerfund.org.uk or us the button below to get in touch.

Many thanks!

Laura and the CWCF team

Please note that while we would love to include all submissions, this may not be possible; however, we will try our hardest to showcase a broad range of our students. Parents and guardians will also be required to provide photos, which will be displayed within the school and may therefore be seen by external visitors.

Below is a link for the Google form for parents and carers to complete for our students to potentially feature on next years Willingdon Sporting Hall of Fame to showcase sporting achievement.

https://forms.gle/riUcdCQw5jxfn2eC8

The deadline for completion of this form is September 11^th.

We have an exciting final week ahead.

On Monday, we will be hosting our Phoenix Festival, which will continue into the early evening. Students have been working incredibly hard preparing stalls and activities alongside various departments, and many will be performing throughout the event. It is particularly pleasing to see so many talented Year 8 musicians and singers showcasing their abilities, alongside performances from our drama students and visiting performers. Monday is also a mufti day and we are asking students to wear house colours, there will be stalls led by students from each house, with a competition to see which house can raise the most money!

On Tuesday 21st July, students will take part in our annual Activities Day. Students have already been informed of their allocated activity during coaching time. Full information, including meeting points, timings and equipment required for each trip, will be available through links within this bulletin and on the school website. Please take a few moments to read this information carefully.

For all activities, students must wear their full school PE kit. This is important both for comfort and to ensure staff can easily identify our students while off site. Please also ensure your child brings:

• Sunscreen

• A hat

• A packed lunch (where required)

• Plenty of drinking water

Further details regarding coach allocations and groups are included within this bulletin.

On our final day, we will hold our Year 8 Rewards Assembly at 8:30am, where we will celebrate another fantastic year of success. Students will receive their final achievement badges, including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards, alongside a range of other special recognitions for their efforts throughout the year.

The assembly will also give us the opportunity to say goodbye to two valued members of our Year 8 team, Mrs McCarthy and Miss Turner.

Miss Turner has been an outstanding Pastoral Support Leader throughout the year, providing unwavering care and support to our students and families. I would also like to personally thank Miss McCarthy. Having worked alongside her for many years, including trips to Uganda and through three year group rotations together, I know just how much she has contributed to our school community. Both colleagues will be greatly missed, and we wish them every success for the future.

Looking ahead, a reminder that there are two INSET days at the beginning of September. Students will therefore return to school on Monday 7th September.

Please keep an eye on Arbor over the summer holiday. Timetables are currently being finalised and will be available closer to the start of term, allowing students to view their classes and teachers for Year 9.

As you prepare for September, we would appreciate your support in ensuring your child returns in full, correct school uniform. In particular, please ensure that:

• Shoes are plain black, leather or leather look school shoes (not sports trainers or shoes displaying sports logos).

• Students have the correct school blazer and tie.

• Facial piercings are not worn including retainers.

• A maximum of two small stud earrings may be worn in each ear, in line with our uniform policy.

Further information can be found on the school website if you are unsure about any aspect of the uniform expectations.

Year 9 is an incredibly important year as students begin preparing for their GCSE options and the next stage of their education. We are excited to continue working with this fantastic year group and look forward to seeing everyone return in September, ready to make another successful start.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the final week of term and have a safe and restful summer break.

The Year 8 Team

We were fortunate to be supported by several local employers who generously gave up their time to meet our students, offer feedback, and provide constructive guidance to help them prepare for future interviews. Their involvement makes a huge difference, and we are so grateful for their continued partnership.

A huge well done, Year 10 – you should be incredibly proud!

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are writing to make you aware of some important changes to Free School Meal eligibility from September 2026.

From 1 September 2026, eligibility for Free School Meals is expanding, meaning that more families will be able access support. If your child is not currently eligible and your household receives Universal Credit, you may now qualify.

If you think you may be eligible, please apply as soon as possible.

Please note that applications are made directly through East Sussex County Council and not through the School.

You can check your eligibility and submit an application online using the following link:

East Sussex County Council Free School Meals Application Form

If your child is already receiving Free School Meals, there is no need to reapply.

East Sussex County Council will carry out eligibility reviews automatically before the start of the new school year.

If you believe you may be eligible, we would strongly encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible.

This achievement is a brilliant addition to their personal statements and CVs, giving them strong, real‑world examples to draw on in future job or college interviews.

Our recent lesson walkthroughs have also been incredibly inspiring. Students have been fully engaged in learning that is increasingly aligned with GCSE expectations, helping to prepare them for the transition into Year 10. I had the pleasure of being involved in an English lesson where students articulated their views on a quote and engaged in a very mature discussion justifying those views.  I have been extremely impressed by the focus, maturity and determination shown across the year group as they begin to take their first steps towards their GCSE studies.

Students should be very pleased with everything this year group has achieved throughout the year. Their positive attitude, resilience and commitment to learning have been a pleasure to see, and I am looking forward to supporting them as they continue their journey into GCSE studies in Year 10.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Year 9 Team

As we approach the end of the academic year, we would like to remind all members of the school community of our expectations for equipment, uniform, and jewellery ready for our return in September. This information is included in the daily coaching time bulletin shared with all students at the start of each day. Please refer to this information to ensure your child is fully prepared and ready to start the new academic year. A reminder that a school bag is listed as a compulsory item and that mobile phones are not permitted and must be kept in a YONDR pouch or not brought into school. Our uniform policy can be found on our website should you require confirmation when purchasing any new items - https://willingdonschool.org.uk/assets/Uniform-Policy-September-2025-1777449173.pdf

Thank you and have a great summer!

https://willingdonschool.org.uk/key-information/our-letters

We look forward to a positive and enjoyable final few days of term for Year 10.

The Year 10 Team

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Year 10 Work Experience:  17^th - 21^st May 2027

I am writing to share information about Year 10 work experience, which will take place during the week of 17th–21st May 2027. We are asking students to source their own work experience placement by Friday 11^th September 2026.

Work experience is a valuable part of a young person’s education. It helps students explore career ideas, develop confidence and employability skills, and prepare for future pathways including further education, higher education, apprenticeships and the workplace.

Finding a Work Experience Placement

We ask that students find their own placement, with your support. This could be:

• A placement with a parent or other family member

• A placement through friends or personal connections

• An employer approached directly by the student

Sourcing their own placement allows students to choose something meaningful and relevant to their interests. It also helps them develop communication skills, initiative and independence, and gives them access to a wider range of employers.

If a student is unable to find their own placement, we do have a database of employers and will support them in securing a suitable option. However, please be aware that it can sometimes be challenging to match students to highly aspirational or specialist placements.

Please note:

• Placements cannot take place outside the UK.

• Students must not be placed somewhere that legally requires them to be over 16 (e.g. tattoo parlours).

• Employers must have Employers’ Liability Insurance, unless the placement is with a parent.

Approaching an Employer Directly — What Students Should Consider

• What are your interests?

• What careers appeal to you?

• Discuss ideas with family and friends.

• Think about a placement that will be beneficial and rewarding.

• Contact the employer (email, phone, visit or letter) to introduce yourself and ask if they would consider offering you a placement.

  • Emails must be sent from a personal email address, as employers cannot reply to school email accounts.

• Explain why you would like to work with them and what you hope to gain from the experience.

• Share any relevant information that may support your application (e.g. experience, predicted grades, clubs or activities).

Example Phone Call

“Hello, my name is ……… and I am a student at Willingdon Community School. I will be completing my work experience from 17^th to 21^st May 2027, and I am keen to gain experience with your company if possible. Is there someone I could speak to about this please?”

Example Email

Dear Sir/Madam (or use the contact name if known),

I hope you are well.

I am a student at Willingdon Community School and will be taking part in work experience from 17^th – 21^st May 2027. I have a strong interest in the IT sector (or alternative sector) and would be grateful if you would consider me for a placement.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

(Enter your name)

What Happens Next?

Students and parents/carers are encouraged to explore placement options over the summer holidays. We must receive confirmation of any placement by Friday 11th September 2026, as East Sussex County Council will need to complete suitability, risk assessment and health and safety checks.

Once a placement is confirmed, please email the following information to

srooney@willingdonschool.org.uk:

• Name and address of the company

• Contact name and email address for the employer

• Your child’s name and tutor group

Students who are unable to find their own placement will receive support in school to help them secure a suitable option.

If you have any questions, please contact me via the email above or on 01323 485254 ext 281.

Kindest regards,

Sarah Rooney

Careers Adviser

Private Counselling Service for Students

We are pleased to announce that our private counselling service will be available to our students again from September 2026. This is aimed at supporting their emotional wellbeing and mental health. This service will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The counselling will consist of six sessions designed to provide support tailored to individual needs. Sessions will take place after school hours to ensure students are not missing out on education in their important final years. This service will be provided by Miss Lauren Clarke, who is a trained person-centred counsellor alongside working as Pastoral Support Leader with us at Willingdon Community School.

Please see the link for further guidance on what person-centred counselling entails: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/person-centred-counselling/

Details of the Service:

• Number of sessions: 6

• Cost per session: £50

• School subsidy: £10 per session (reducing the cost to £40 per session for parents)

• Total cost for six sessions: £240 (payable upfront)

• Availability: First come, first served (subject to interest)

• Timing: Sessions are 50 minutes, starting at 15:00

Please note that full payment for all six sessions will be required upfront to secure a place in the programme.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact Miss Clarke on the below email address to ensure we can arrange the necessary support.

We believe this service will be a valuable resource for our students, helping them to navigate any challenges they may face.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Lauren Clarke lclarke@willingdonschool.org.uk. 

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs E May

Mr A Webb

Miss L Clarke

Activity Day is almost here! Please take a moment to check the information below to ensure your child arrives at the correct meeting point and time.

Students attending trips outside of school will be permitted to use their mobile phones on the coach/minibus and throughout the trip. Therefore there is no need for these students to use their Yondr pouches on the day, as they also might need access to their phones in case of an emergency or any delay for example.

We do ask that all students use their phones responsibly. No photos or videos should be taken of staff members at all or other students without their consent. Any misuse of mobile phones may result in the device being confiscated in line with the school's behaviour policy.

Parking on Broad Road

We are expecting Tuesday morning to be very busy as we have 10 coaches departing to three different locations for an action packed day. We have done our best to control traffic outside the school by staggering their arrival and departure times, but to help prevent further traffic and potential delays, please could we ask parents / carers to support us by not parking or dropping off their children on Broad Road outside the school on the morning of Tuesday 21st July (particularly between 07:15 - 08:15)

📄 Trip Information

Please ensure you have read your child's trip letter, which contains important information about what to bring, timings, clothing, lunch arrangements and any other trip-specific details. All trip letters are available on our website:

https://willingdonschool.org.uk/key-information/our-letters

Thank you for your support. We look forward to a fantastic Activity Day and hope all students have an enjoyable and memorable experience!

Our first student has reached Gold Reader status! Certificates will be given out on Monday. If you are a student in Gold Reader Club, please register and go straight to the library.

Please ensure all Year 7 students are up-to-date with their careful reading homework.

https://gofund.me/944ecd100