At Harrow Way, we want every student to leave us with the confidence, knowledge and experience to make informed choices about their future. Our careers programme brings the world of work to life through guest speakers, visits, employer events, careers lessons and work experience, helping students discover new interests and explore the many possibilities open to them.
This year, we are building on this work with some exciting new opportunities.
|
|
|
|
Traditionally, our Year 8 students have spent a day supporting the school as student receptionists. This year, we have transformed the experience into a full day of work experience. Students not only support reception but other school staff during the busy first hour of the day, and even take on the challenge of interviewing members of staff about their roles. They have answered phones, prepared letters and distributed mail. It has already proved a hit!
|
|
|
|
|
We are encouraging all Year 9 families to take part in Take Your Child to Work Day on Friday 11 December 2026. This is a great opportunity for students to experience a workplace first-hand, discover different jobs and begin thinking about their own interests before undertaking a full week of work experience in Year 10. The date coincides with a staff training day, so students will not miss any timetabled lessons.
This week, our Year 11 students took part in a dedicated day to help them plan their next steps. Representatives from Andover College, Sparsholt College, Peter Symonds, Queen Mary's College and Basingstoke College of Technology supported students with applications and personal statements, helping them prepare for college, apprenticeships and other future opportunities. Students also attended the Andover Careers Fair, hosted by John Hanson School, where they could meet employers and explore post-16 options.
|
|
|
|
Hearing directly from people with different careers can open students' eyes to possibilities they may never have considered. Last week, Year 10 students heard from Vice Admiral Duncan Potts about his career in the Royal Navy and his advice for young people. In the coming months, we look forward to welcoming speakers from local companies, including SMI and Lionel Hitchens, as well as the Army. During our careers month next year, Lloyds TSB will also run its popular interview day for Year 9, continuing a successful partnership with the school.
Careers learning happens in many places, not just in the workplace. Visits and enrichment activities help students discover how different subjects connect to real jobs and industries. We have already worked with Andover College on a range of activities, with further STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) opportunities planned throughout the year. These include a careers day at the Army Flying Museum, sponsored by Stannah Stairlifts, and a visit to Chilbolton Observatory.
Our aim is to give students a broad range of experiences, helping them recognise their strengths, discover new possibilities and feel better prepared for life beyond Harrow Way.
Parents and carers have a valuable role to play in helping young people explore the world of work. If you or your employer could offer a work experience placement, share your professional expertise or support a careers event, we would love to hear from you. Please contact: careers@harroway.hants.sch.uk to find out how you could get involved.
It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the half term break already. This is the last E-News of this half term: as advertised, we have two INSET days next week on Thursday and Friday, followed by an INSET day on Monday 2nd November. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 3rd November.
|
|
|
|
I wish you all a restful and enjoyable half term.
Mrs Dawn German
|
|
|
|
| Tuesday 20th October 2026 |
Year 7/8 Halloween Disco |
| Wednesday 21st October 2026 |
Year 8 Royal Signal Museum Trip |
| 22nd & 23rd October 2026 |
INSET DAY 2 & 3 |
| w/c 26th October 2026 |
October half-term |
| Monday 2nd November 2026 |
INSET DAY 4 |
| 3rd - 6th November 2026 |
MFL Speaking PPE’s |
| Wednesday 4th November 2026 |
PTFA Fireworks Evening |
|
|
|
|
Assembly
This week, Mr Fluellen talked about how fictional characters show integrity and how it is important to combine that value with our other core values in school to prevent us all being seen as a villain rather than a hero.
Bayeux Tapestry Visit
This week, students in Year 8 got the chance to visit the Bayeux Tapestry which is currently on display at the British Museum. The tapestry is on display in England for the first time since it was made nearly 1000 years ago. The 70-metre embroidery depicts the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and the defeat of Harold Godwinson by William 'the Conqueror'.
|
|
|
|
Flu Vaccinations
The NHS immunisation service will be in school on Tuesday 24th November to give students their annual flu vaccination and would like your consent to vaccinate your child.
It's important to inform if you do or do not consent to your child having the vaccination. Please respond using the link below, it should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete:
|
You need to respond by 9am Friday 20th November. Please enter the year group that your child is currently in. If you cannot use the online form, you can call: 02382 318318 or email: hiowh.nwimms@nhs.net
ADHD Information Evening
|
|
|
|
An experienced educator and qualified ADHD coach Kate Locke is holding an informative and supportive evening on Wednesday 11th November, 6.30pm - 8pm at Thornden Hall. Tickets are £10 and available here.
Kate works with students, parents, and teachers, helping them to understand ADHD, develop strategies to overcome challenges, and to recognise and celebrate strengths. Whether your child has a formal ADHD diagnosis, is on a waiting list, or you simply have questions about ADHD, this evening is for you.
During the session, you'll:
|
- Gain a better understanding of how the ADHD brain works
- Feel welcomed in non-judgemental environment.
- Receive a take-home resource summarising the key information from the evening.
|
|
|
|
Trips and Educational Visits
|
|
|
|
Educational Trips and Visits – Weekly Update
|
Ski Trip: Please pay your deposit via Scopay as soon as possible to confirm your child’s place. If your child no longer wishes to attend, please let us know promptly so we can offer their place to a student on the waiting list.
|
| Dance Live!: Letters have been sent out this week, please make payment via Scopay. The event takes place on Wednesday 10 February 2027. |
| Year 9 Harold Hillier Light Up Trail Trip: 7 places remain on the Harold Hillier light up trial trip, please pay via scopay to secure your place, deadline to pay is 12th November. The event takes place on 10th December 2026. |
|
Zanzibar Trip - July 2027
If anyone would like to contribute to the GoFundMe page we have set up to help us raise money to take important items out there to help our partner school get some essential supplies, please click on this LINK, every penny is appreciated!
|
|
|
|
Ways Forward - our weekly newsletter for Careers, Apprenticeship, College, Work and Work Experience.
This week find out more about becoming a railway engineer, an author, and learn how to search and apply for apprenticeships. We highlight a special webinar for female students interested in a career in finance, and Basingstoke Town FC Academy are running an open event for those interested in developing football skills.
|
|
|
|
|
There is a virtual Harrogate Open Events for anyone interested in joining the British Army straight after school and this week's LMI spotlight is on green careers.
|
|
|
|
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE UPDATE
|
|
|
|
This week our 4 Halloween themed displays got a lot of attention - especially from Year 7, some of whom also enjoyed creating spooky artwork on the floor standing tall chalkboards. They can also enter the Pumpkin as a Book Character competition and bring their entry in by 4.00pm on 3rd November for judging. Year 7 can also get involved in the 7 For 7 Challenge before 15/12 26 - 50 house points and 10 extra stamps per activity completed. No need to complete all of them but there is a bonus 50 for all 7 being finished.
After the half-term break, we will be launching two new reading promotions - 13 Before 13 (years old) and 16 Before 16 (years old). The latter will only be available to Years 9, 10 and 11 as we age restrict some titles based on content. Students have helped pick which titles were chosen for the lists. These loans will be incentivised with house points and extra stamps when a short book review is uploaded to Reading Cloud to show it has been read. There is no need to read them all.
|
|
|
|
Girls Rugby Taster Session
On Monday 12th of October, 10 girls from Year 7 - 10 went to a rugby taster session at Winton school. There was a wide range of experience levels amongst the girls from total beginners to members of local rugby teams. The girls got to have a go at tackling, kicking, handling and positioning in game situations. Every one of them committed excellently and we were praised by the staff running the event. Look forward to more similar events in the future.
Year 11 Netball - Harrow Way V John Hanson
Harrow Way secured a fantastic 32–15 victory against John Hanson after a strong start in the first quarter. The team found their feet quickly and showed great movement around the court, working brilliantly together throughout the match.
Dotty and Lucy linked up really well in the circle, creating opportunities and scoring some brilliant goals. The team’s communication and teamwork were key to maintaining the momentum, while some great interceptions from Ishana helped to turn over possession and keep the pressure on John Hanson.
Overall, it was a brilliant team performance, with Harrow Way showing great determination, teamwork and confidence to secure a well-deserved win!
Player of the match - Dotty.
|
Year 10 Rugby v John Hanson
The Year 10 rugby team produced a determined performance in an entertaining fixture against JH, showing great character, resilience and teamwork throughout.
Harrow Way found themselves 15–0 down at half-time, but the team came out fighting in the second half. Ethan Brown got the scoreboard moving early after the break, providing a much-needed boost and giving HW renewed confidence. Lucas Owen then crossed the line for HW’s second try as the team continued to battle hard and build momentum.
John Hanson refused to back down and continued to add to their own try tally, ensuring the game remained competitive right until the final whistle. However, Harrow Way kept pushing, and there was a fantastic moment in the final play of the game when Mitchell Anoma marked his debut with a try — a brilliant way to finish the match!
The final score was 30–15, but the result was only part of the story. It was a great game of rugby, full of effort, determination and some excellent moments from both sides. It was particularly pleasing to see so many new players take to the field, gain valuable match experience and contribute to the team.
Well done to all the players for their effort, attitude and commitment. A great team performance to build on, with plenty of positives to take into the next fixture!
|
|
|
|
Year 7 Football
The Year 7 football team continued their impressive start to the season with a first round County Cup victory against Springfield School. A strong opening from the visitors gave them the lead early with Harrow Way showing what would prove to be characteristic resilience by firing back late in the first half through Man of the Match Jake Dickerson, with an excellent solo run and finish. In the second period, the game swung again with two more goals for each side, Aleksander Greszta adding two more to an impressive streak of goals. At 3-3 and despite pushing for a winner late on, Harrow Way couldn’t get the job done in the second half. With penalty kicks on the horizon the sense of camaraderie was high as the boys cheered on their teammates. Penalties went into sudden death with neither side able to find daylight, then up stepped Theo Thomas-Colwell with the “toe-poke heard around the world”. His spot kick beat the keeper high into the roof of the net for a 5-4 Harrow Way win on penalties. Memories made as these players march on to the second round of the cup.
|
|
|
|
Year 8 Football
Five Year 8 footballers went to showcase their talents at the development tournament on Tuesday night. With a threadbare squad to pick from they fought hard and competed well in each fixture. Ultimately, outdoing expectations and finishing in a very respectable 6th out of 11 sides on the night.
|
|
|
|
|
Well done to those who played, your performances are giving the selectors hard decisions to make for a competitive year 8 squad.
|
|
|
|
Changes in Family Circumstances
|
We understand that family circumstances can change and that even temporary changes at home can sometimes have an impact on a young person. If there is a significant change in your family circumstances — for example, a parent having an operation, illness, bereavement, separation or another change at home — please consider letting your child’s tutor know. You do not need to share more information than you are comfortable with, but making us aware allows staff to discreetly check in with your child, offer additional support where needed and better understand any changes we may notice in their behaviour, emotions or engagement at school.
Keeping Us Updated
If you are going away and your child will be staying at home or being cared for by another family member or trusted adult, please let the school know. We ask that you provide the name and contact details of the adult responsible for your child while you are away. This ensures that, should an emergency arise, we have the correct information and can quickly contact the appropriate person. Thank you for helping us keep our records up to date and our students safe.
|
|
|
|
|
External Clubs and Events
|
For local community events and information, please click the button below:
|
|
|
|
SCHOOL OF ROCK – THE MUSICAL
AMTC Starlights Youth Theatre is bringing School of Rock to Harrow Way School from 23–25 October 2026!
Featuring a talented local young cast, a brilliant live show and all the energy, humour and fantastic music of School of Rock, it promises to be a great night out for the whole family.
Tickets are just £12 plus booking fee.
You can book tickets here : https://www.andovermusicaltheatre.co.uk/school-of-rock.html
(4 shows in total, including 2 matinees)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2026, Harrow Way Community School, All rights reserved.
|
Harrow Way Community School,
Harrow Way,
Andover,
Hampshire.
SP10 3RH
|
|
|
|
|
