Friday 4th September 2026
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We have had a wonderful return to school. It was a pleasure to walk around the school yesterday morning and welcome our students, all looking very smart in their new school uniform. There has been a real sense of positivity around the school, and it has been lovely to see students settling back into routines so quickly.
I was particularly delighted to welcome our new Year 7 students on Wednesday. What a lovely group they are! They have demonstrated lovely manners, enthusiasm and positive attitudes from the very start. As we always say, you only get one chance to make a good first impression, and they have certainly done just that. Parents, you can feel very proud of them. I would also like to commend our Year 7 tutor team, who have been outstanding this week under the guidance of Mr Nicholas Bulpitt (Year Leader), Mrs Louise Chappell (Assistant Year Leader) and Mrs Katy Wood (Deputy Headteacher).
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I am just as proud to introduce the excellent new colleagues who have joined our teaching and support staff this September. You may already have heard some of their names: Mrs Joanna Morrison (English teacher), Mrs Victoria Seren (Maths teacher), Miss Abigail Davis-Slack (English teacher), Miss Corrine King (Teacher of PE and PD), Miss Hannah Ferris (Teaching Assistant), Mrs Nicole McCague (Teaching Assistant), and Mrs Leighan McMullan (Science Technician). We are fortunate to have such highly qualified, enthusiastic and committed specialists joining our team, and I am confident they will make a significant contribution to school life.
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Results 2026
There is no better way to begin the new academic year than by celebrating the outstanding achievements of our outgoing Year 11 students. As you might have read in the local press and on social media, our students achieved our best GCSE results ever this summer. This is a remarkable achievement and one of which our whole school community can be immensely proud.
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Behind every grade is a huge amount of hard work, determination and resilience from our students, alongside the commitment of our teachers, support staff and families. We saw particularly strong improvements in a number of subjects with students achieving some exceptional individual results.
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While headlines focus on the highest grades, I am equally proud of every student who worked hard, overcame challenges and achieved their personal best. GCSE results are about much more than a collection of numbers; they represent years of effort, perseverance and personal growth.
These students have set a fantastic benchmark for those who follow them, and I hope their achievements will inspire our current students to believe in what they can achieve when they work hard, show resilience and aim high. We really do have much to celebrate.
Developments
Over the summer, we have continued to make a number of improvements to our school site. I am particularly pleased that we have finally received planning permission for our new covered area. Work to install this will begin just before the October half term and, hopefully, will be completed in time for the cooler autumn weather. We have also strengthened our approach to site security with the installation of Paxton locks, providing an additional security feature on all external doors. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our highest priority.
We had very much hoped that our new Resourced Provision, The Waypoint, would be ready to open next week. Unfortunately, unforeseen issues over the summer have significantly delayed the building work, and we will therefore not be able to open as planned.
Students will already have noticed the landscaping taking shape outside, which is looking very exciting. I have also been inside the building and was thrilled to see our vision beginning to become a reality. There is still work to be completed, including ceilings and lighting, painting, carpets and the installation of furniture, which is already on order. We are making good progress, and I look forward to being able to announce the opening of The Waypoint very soon.
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Finally, following our successful Ofsted inspection during the last full week of the summer term, we are eagerly awaiting publication of the report card. The HMI explained that Ofsted would normally expect to share the report within 30 working days of the inspection, although naturally the summer break affects this timescale. I am looking forward to receiving the final report and sharing it with you as soon as I am able to do so.
It has been a fantastic start to the new academic year, and there is much to look forward to. Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
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Here’s to a happy and successful year ahead for everyone.
Mrs Dawn German
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Harrow Way are grateful to the following local businesses for their sponsorship:
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| Wednesday 16th September 2026 |
Year 9 Sky Up Studio Trip |
| Wednesday 16th September 2026 |
School Photographer - Year 7 & 10 |
| Thursday 17th September 2026 |
Year 11 Information Evening |
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School Photographer - Years 7 & 10 ONLY
The school photographer will be visiting Harrow way Community School on Wednesday 16th September to take photographs of Year 7 and Year 10 students only. Please note: any students who have recently joined the school and have not yet had their photo taken will also be included.
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Sporting Success
We are delighted to share that outgoing Year 11 student, Molly Morrison, represented South Coast at the England Hockey Talent Academy Cup during the last weekend in July.
Elite players from across the country competed.
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She only conceded one goal the whole tournament which is a massive achievement in both personal skill and teamwork! She has been accepted to Clifton College on a scholarship deal so is going on to great things in September. We want to pass on our congratulations and best wishes to Molly. We are sure we will be hearing more about her in the future.
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Trips and Educational Visits
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| Forthcoming trips and visits |
Expressions of interests being sought for: |
| Year 9 - Sky up September Wednesday 16th Sept |
Year 7 - Christmas panto trip taking place in December. The payment deadline to secure places is 30th September. |
| Year 8 - Manor Adventure France residential 12th - 16th October 2026 |
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| Year 8 - The Bayeux Tapestry trip Tuesday 13th October 2026 |
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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!
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Year 7 - September 2026 Section
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A Wonderful Welcome for our New Year 7 Students
We are delighted to have welcomed our new Year 7 cohort this week - the Class of 2031! They are already proving to be a delightful group of young people: smiley, polite, enthusiastic, and wonderfully eager to get involved in school life.
We began on Wednesday with an early morning assembly, followed by time with their Tutors who explained our school expectations and how they could be successful. They were lucky to have a free run of the school site, without the other year groups, to get their bearings.
Later in the day there was a mix of activities organised by our fantastic PE department including orienteering, taskmaster, capture the flag and also some dedicated time to login and set up their details on the school IT system. Last of all, we practiced a full evacuation to the tennis courts so students know where to go in an emergency. All in all, a great day and the students have started brilliantly. My thanks to all of the tutors, staff and in particular the PE department for giving up their time.
We look forward to working with and supporting them over the coming years, to see them make the most of all the amazing opportunities available to them at Harrow Way.
Mr Bulpitt & Mrs Law
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Year 7 Information Evening
Thank you to everyone who attended our Year 7 Information Evening event. We were grateful for the opportunity to share essential information with you about our systems and procedures so you may support your child at home.
We hope you enjoyed meeting your child’s tutor at our Welcome Fayre last July? Tutors oversee the safety and wellbeing of your child throughout their time at Harrow Way so are your first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns.
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Ways Forward - our weekly newsletter for Careers, Apprenticeship, College, Work and Work Experience.
This week we've included lots of information for Year 11 students to help them with planning for life after GCSEs - find out about the new post-16 qualifications, and local open events coming up soon.
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We also highlight two online events that students might like to attend - Unifrog's University Fair, and CreaTech Careers Fest. You can also find out more about medicine and dentistry careers in our labour market information spotlight.
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Sparsholt Open Days for students in Years 10 & 11
Sparsholt College is holding a series of Foundation Open Events for young people with Special Educational Needs who may be interested in their Foundation Learning Study Programmes.
The events are open to Year 10 and Year 11 students and provide an opportunity to explore the college in a calm and welcoming environment, meet staff, find out about available programmes and discuss individual support needs.
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Upcoming dates:
Saturday 19 September 2026
Saturday 6 December 2026
Thursday 22 April 2027
Parents and students can register their interest in the September event using the Sparsholt College Foundation Open Events Booking Form. Those who register will be contacted when bookings open.
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LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE UPDATE
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Year 7 can access the Library (between Student Reception and the Maths block) at break, lunch and after school for books, audio books, Manga, comics, magazines, chess, card games, homework and more! You are expected to have a Library book and there are 4,200 to choose from. The first 10 students borrowing during the week of 7th September will receive a sweet treat and be entered into a whole school draw for a small prize at the end of September. All Year 7 loans will receive triple house points and stamps during September so we look forward to seeing you.
Year 8 and 9 students will earn triple house points and stamps during September when they borrow from the new look Library. In addition, the first 5 from each group to borrow a book will receive a sweet treat and be entered into a draw for a small prize at the end of September.
We look forward to being reunited with overdue books next week please.
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PE Extra Curricular Timetable - September 2026 - Starts w/c 07/09/2026
No need to sign up, just turn up!
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As the weather warms up, children and young people are more likely to be around water – whether at home, on days out or on holiday. Almost half of drownings occur during the summer months when temperatures are higher. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children in the UK, but most incidents are preventable. Babies and young children are most at risk at home, while older children and teenagers are more likely to encounter dangers in open water such as rivers, lakes and the sea. Research shows that teenagers and young adults are at increased risk during very warm weather, particularly when temperatures reach or exceed 25°C.
Most drowning incidents can be prevented with the right knowledge, supervision and preparation. The Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) Water Safety Toolkit for parents and carers offers simple, practical advice to help families stay safe.
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Attendance Fact of the Week
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External Clubs and Events
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For local community events and information, please click the button below:
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Copyright © 2026, Harrow Way Community School, All rights reserved.
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Harrow Way Community School,
Harrow Way,
Andover,
Hampshire.
SP10 3RH
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