When I unexpectedly took on the role of Headteacher in October 2024, I made a promise to serve all our families and the wider community to the very best of my ability. I shared how much I was looking forward to seeing and speaking with parents over the course of the year.
I want to sincerely thank you for the warm welcome I’ve received—for trusting us with your children, for attending both academic and extra-curricular events, and for supporting the school so wholeheartedly. Your partnership helps ensure that our students continue to care, respect, and achieve.
Your children are a credit to you. They consistently demonstrate respect and compassion, and we see excellent behaviour from the vast majority of students in nearly every lesson. I am incredibly proud of them. Our community is truly special, and I am deeply grateful to every student, staff member, and family who contributes to making it so.
I’m especially proud of the commitment our students have shown to the wider community. This year, thousands of pounds have been raised to support Romsey Young Carers and Cardiac Risk in the Young—two local charities doing vital work.
As the summer break approaches, many of us are looking forward to some well-earned rest and time with our families and friends. On behalf of all trustees and all my colleagues, we wish you a lovely summer.
A few important reminders:
School finishes at 12.20pm on Tuesday 22 July.
Term begins for Year 7 on Tuesday 2 September at 10.00am and for all other students on Wednesday 3 September at 8.35am
Please also note that we will have a two-week October half-term break in the 2025–26 academic year.
Click here to see what's on next week (and in September):
Monday 21 July
Year 10 Celebration Trip to Paultons Park
Tuesday 22 July Last Day of Term - Students dismissed at 12.20pm, buses depart by 12.30pm
Wednesday 23 July
Summer Break
Thursday 24 July
Summer Break
Friday 25 July
Summer Break
Looking ahead to September...
Monday 1 September: INSET Day Tuesday 2 September: Year 7 only, 10.20am - 3.10pm Wednesday 3 September: All students return to school at 8.35am
Tutor Group Updates
We are pleased to announce the Heads of Year for the next academic year will be as follows:
Head of Year 7: Mr Rice
Head of Year 8: Mr Stonehill
Head of Year 9: Mr Purdy
Head of Year 10: Mr Waters
Head of Year 11: Miss Jupp
Associate Heads of Year: Mrs Herrick and Miss Gonin
Tutor group changes will be:
Year 8
7SCD become 8KKY (Mrs Kenworthy)
7CPE become 8HGR (Miss Gardiner)
7EHK become 8KSH (Miss Staniforth)
7EML become 8HSN (Miss Simpson)
Year 9
8TIS become 9RCS (Ms Collins)
8KGK become 9HST (Mrs Stonehill)
Year 10
9RLR/HMS become 10HMS/NKY (Mrs Mills and Mrs Kayley)
Year 11
10VGN become 11RAR/AWE (Mrs Armstrong and Miss Wardle)
10RMN become 11SBS/EGE (Mr Browes and Mr Gentle)
Year 11 Leavers' Award Evening
We are holding our Awards Evening for Year 11 Leavers on Thursday 25 September. Awards will be presented for excellence in each GCSE subject and for overall achievement and progress. If you are interested and able to sponsor these awards, please contact us at info@mountbatten.school and mark for the attention of Mr Dunn.
Summer Uniform Sale Update
Unfortunately, we will not be running a pre-loved uniform sale this summer. This is because we have been overwhelmed with requests for items during the school year, and our current stock levels are too low to hold a viable sale.
Donation Appeal
As we head into the summer holidays, we would ask parents/carers to please consider donating any uniform items that could be used by our students and families. We are particularly keen to receive:
Skirts – both styles, in any lengths over 20" long
Trousers – all large sizes. We are always in need of Year 10 and Year 11 male sizes
Blazers – any size. Please ensure all buttons are present and that there is no damage
Shirts – we can only accept new shirts or those in very good condition
Ties – any tie, including the older style
PE kit – any new style of PE uniform including jumpers and leggings
School woollen jumpers
How to Donate
If you have any items you wish to donate, please either:
Leave them at reception over the summer holidays, or
Bring them in to school in September
Looking Ahead
We hope that with an increase in donations over the summer, we will be able to hold a uniform sale during the October half-term.
Thank you once again for your continued support of the uniform pod. Your donations help to ensure that all of our students can access affordable uniform items throughout the school year and has been hugely successful so far.
Sports Review Evening
On Monday 7 July, we hosted our annual Sports Review Evening to celebrate team success over the last academic year.
We had over 170 students attend the evening and over 200 parents. Our guest speaker for the evening was Aaron Phipps, who joined us to talk about his journey in sport and how it has impacted his life.
Below are the Sports Review 2025 Winners. Congratulations!
Year 7 sportsman of the year – James H 7CPE/HGR
Year 7 sportswoman of the year – Eden N 7TDN
Year 8 sportsman of the year – Charlie M 8DCR/ESY
Year 8 sportswoman of the year – Arla D 8ADY
Year 9 sportsman of the year – Alejandro C 9DDY
Year 9 sportswoman of the year – Jess P 9CBN
Year 10 sportsman of the year – Ollie M 10JBY
Year 10 sportswoman of the year – Daisy S 10RGY/SNN
Year 11 sportsman of the year – Noah B 11RCS
Year 11 sportswoman of the year – Beth T 11HCS
Nicola Farrell Trust Award (highest achieving student in sport) – Olivia B 7LAD/AGN
Sports Leader of the Year – Ella B 10JBY
Boys’ Team of the Year – Year 7 TKO Squad
Girls’ Team of the Year – U13 girls’ football
Music Tuition at The Mountbatten School
Thank you to those parents/carers whose children are having music tuition in school.
If your child has an instrument at school, please remind them to take it home at the end of this term and practice over the summer!
If your child is not taking part in extra-curricular Music ensembles and choirs, please encourage them to do so. There will be a new extra-curricular timetable in September.
Please note that we require a term’s notice at half-term or end of term if your child will be stopping lessons. Please inform the Finance Office and Music Office in writing (this may be by email). We assume all students will continue lessons in September unless we have received notice to stop.
If you would like your child to begin music tuition at school (brass, woodwind, string instruments, orchestral percussion, piano or voice), please request this on the Google Form, thank you.
Mental Health Focus Week: 8–12 September 2025
Please click the button below for more information on a week of training days for parents/carers, provided by Hampshire CAMHS on a variety of subjects.
They are also running a week of bite-sized workshops, running alongside the training days.
Support & Resources for Parents: Self-harm Reduction and Suicide Prevention
Hampshire County Council's Public Health team would like to make you aware of a number of resources and opportunities to support parents, carers, or professionals working with children and young people who may be experiencing mental wellbeing difficulties, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.
1. The Self-harm Support Hub
A dedicated space for anyone who is supporting young people who self-harm or who may be at risk of self-harm in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
3. Quick access resource for parents and carers over the summer holidays
We’ve created a one-page digital resource you can easily save to your phone or computer. It includes quick links to a range of local and national services that support children and young people who may be experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties over the summer holidays.
This includes guidance and support around self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other wellbeing concerns. It’s designed to help you find the right help, when you need it.
Please click the button below for your first issue of the SEND Snapshot.
The Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability team is excited to offer a range of cycling courses at various venues across Hampshire during the summer holidays. These include Learn to Ride, as well as Bikeability Levels 1, 2, and 3. Hampshire Outdoors are offering Learn to Ride sessions for children in Year 3 and above and is just £10.00! Hampshire Outdoors is passionate about helping children learn to ride.
They also have a Level 3 Bikeability course available for £10.00 for those children who have already completed Level 2!
Congratulations to the following students for levelling up on Sparx Maths!
Jess G 7SGY - Level 20
Lucy M 7SGY - Level 20
James C 8KGK - Level 35
Finn T 8KGK - Level 35
Joelle M 10JGO/DDN - Level 40
Maddy M 10LJS - Level 45
Fleur G 10RLE - Level 45
Louise J 9BCY - Level 45
Sean F 9MJS/CEE - Level 45
Maisie K 9MJS/CEE - Level 45
Evan S 9SDN/SWT - Level 45
Megan S 9LHK/EBT - Level 50
Geography Department
Geography Stars
Lucy M 7SGY
Lana D 7VTE
Lucie T 7LAD/AGN
Luca P 7LAD/AGN
Belle B 8TIS
Taran V 8MAZ
Lucas V 9EGY
Jesse C 9LHK/EBT
Elliot W 10JGO/DDN
Abhishek R 10LJS
English Department
English Stars
Harry C 8JAD
Maisie G 8KGK
Jess S 8JWS
Joseph K 8ERL
Robyn G-M 8JAD
Media Department
Media Stars
Liam C 10IHS
Jack C 10VGN
Alana B 10RMN
Lilly-May O 10JFR
Louie P 10VGN
Science Department
Super Scientists
Wynne G 7OWS
Bella R 7OWS
Martha A 9MJS/CEE
Lilia M 9CBN
Ethan R 9TLS
Evie W 9LHK/EBT
James L 10LJS
Charley R 10IHS
Priyana G J 10LJS
Music Department
Swanage Jazz Festival
Congratulations to our fabulous Mountbatten Big Band for their outstanding performance at the Swanage Jazz Festival last Sunday.
The band played for an hour and a half, thrilling the large audience with a mixture of tunes ranging from classics by the likes of Glen Miller to contemporary composers and modern classics such as “Valerie”, made famous by Amy Winehouse. The band has become a regular fixture at the jazz festival, and will return there in 2026. Well done to all.
Singing Exam
Congratulations to Emme H 11HCS for achieving a Distinction in her grade 8 singing exam. This is an outstanding achievement for an outstanding young musician. Emme has also won a scholarship to study composition at the Royal College of Music in September. Well done Emme!
ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre Exams
The following students have passed ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre exams:
River M 7EML – Grade 2 with Merit
Anna G 7CPE/HGR - Grade 2
Charlotte H 8JAD – Grade 3 with Merit
Leo W 8ERL – Grade 3
Phoebe A 8TIS – Grade 3 with Merit
Anabelle B 9TLS – Grade 4
Theoni M 10VGN – Grade 4 with Merit
Isabella S 10LJS - Grade 4 with Distinction
Emmeline H 11HCS – Grade 8 with Distinction
Sebastien K 11AOR – Grade 5 with Merit
Ella M 11JLR/MSD – Grade 5 with Distinction
Oskar W 11JLR/MSD – Grade 5
ABRSM Piano Exams
The following students have passed ABRSM Piano exams:
Ellie V 10VGN - Grade 1 with Merit
Lucas R 9SDN/SWT - Initial Grade with Distinction
Georgie M 8LHG - Initial Grade with Distinction
Rosie G 7OWS - Initial Grade with Merit
Trinity College Rock & Pop Guitar
Gillan B 8DCR/ESY has passed Trinity College Rock & Pop Guitar Grade 1 with Distinction.
PE Department
Hockey Competition
Arla D 8ADY was selected for the Team Solent regional hockey squad earlier this year. They competed in the UK Lions Girls' Regional Hockey Championship in Nottingham last weekend. Facing squads from all over the UK, the team were fantastic throughout, only conceding just 1 goal in 7 games, coming from behind to win their semi-final and then winning in the final, 1-0, to win the tournament! Congratulations, Arla!
Trip to Utilita Bowl
Mr Oliver and Ms Collins took 15 students to watch England Womens vs India Women at the Utilitia Bowl on Wednesday.
Click the drop-down menus below to find out more about different careers opportunities coming up for our students.
Year 11 GCSE Results Day - Hampshire Futures
Hampshire’s careers service, Hampshire Futures, will operate a dedicated GCSE results helpline in case students do not receive the grades they require for their chosen courses. Please see flyer for more information.
Year 7 - 10 Parents/Carers - Your Views Matter
A letter has been sent home asking for your feedback regarding the school’s careers programme.
Year 10/11 Law Work Experience (Virtual)
Young Professionals are teaming up with the University of Law to bring a fantastic Careers in Law Work Experience event on Thursday 31st July and Friday 1st August! Students will take part in mock legal lectures, work on projects and exciting legal tasks, and have the opportunity to ask questions and network with professionals. To sign up to this virtual experience, please click here.
Lloyds Banking Group is also offering a virtual law work experience on 29-30 July with their in-house legal team. The sessions will cover topics such as career pathways, advice on CVs and interviews, discussions around ethics and the future of law. To sign up, please click here.
Year 10/11 – Parent Guide to Apprenticeships and Technical Qualifications
This copy contains topics such as:
Using the summer to prepare for apprenticeships
Year11 – getting ready for results day
Career pathways in the automotive industry – and many more!
Further information regarding upcoming open events will be sent at the beginning of September. If you wish to get a head-start, you can register for the Barton Peveril open evening (24 & 25 September) here.
All year groups – Sea Cadets
Romsey Sea Cadets is holding an open evening on Monday 8 September. Please see flyer for more information.
Celebrating the Winner of The Mountbatten Reading Challenge!
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s time to announce the winner of The Mountbatten Reading Challenge 2024-2025. The challenge takes place throughout the entire academic year and encourages students to read as many books as they can and keep track of their progress using a reading journal. At the end of each term, the points are totted up and kept on record ready to reveal the student who has read the most books by the end of the year.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that Eleanor K7EML has officially read the most books in the entire school! With an incredible total of 66 books recorded, Eleanor has shown dedication, curiosity, and a genuine passion for reading that deserves huge recognition. From all the books she has read this year, her favourites were ‘The Naturals’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins.
Mrs Cowley and the English department are especially proud of Eleanor’s achievement. For her amazing accomplishment, she received a certificate, a brand-new kindle so she can carry on reading lots of wonderful books, and will have her name added to our Mountbatten Reading Challenge wall of fame. Well done, Eleanor!
Also, a special mention goes to our two runners up, Daisy L 7EML in and Grace H 7EML who have also read determinedly throughout the year and have racked up some very impressive reading scores. They also enjoyed ‘The Naturals.’ Well done to both of you!
A huge congratulations to all our students who took part in the challenge: you should be so proud of your achievements - keep turning those pages and don’t forget to enter the competition again next year. You never know where the next book might take you!
Happy reading!
RSHE lessons have continued to be taught each week in tutor groups. Do ask your child what they have been learning about and encourage them to ask further questions.
In lesson, teachers use a range of oracy-based strategies, including a Philosophy for Children approach. This is where students are encouraged to think more deeply through critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking skills. Below are links to more information regarding RSHE.
Students have been discussing what a diverse society looks like and what the protected characteristics of the equalities act are. This has led to identifying and challenging stereotypes and what discrimination is. Students are also exploring what prejudice and bias looks like within the media and how they can research and find their own facts. Students are also identifying who their role models are and what influences they have upon them, as well as how to manage peer pressure. This leads on to exploring how to keep safe within society and within relationships.
Year 8
Students have been busy identifying what constitutes a healthy relationship and discussing how to form positive and healthy new friendships. This moves onto exploring their online activity and behaviours with the aim to reduce online risks and develop their digital resilience. Students also explore the importance of human rights and responsibilities within society, the school environment and the workplace and how to challenge discrimination. They will also discuss lifestyle choices by considering the risks and effects of alcohol, smoking and vaping.
Year 9
Students are exploring the risks associated with gangs, crime and violence. The influences of peers and the pressures that may come with that, how to support a friend who may find themselves in negative relationships and why some people may be drawn into risky behaviours are discussed as well as being supported by an assembly from an outside speaker. Lifestyle choices and drugs and vaping are specifically explored to support students’ health and wellbeing.
Year 10
Students have been reflecting on their work experience placements by sharing their experiences and feedback with one another. They have also been completing their workbooks and evidence in preparation for their World of Work certification. They will then move on to considering role models and aspirations before revisiting online safety and appropriate online material.
Year 11
Students complete their RSHE program this term ahead of their exams after they spend some time reflecting on their RSHE journey throughout their time at Mountbatten from Year 7 to Year 11. They will discuss some sensitive topics around pregnancy, miscarriage and abortion as well as positive relationships and consent. We hope that our RSHE curriculum will help our students stay healthy and happy during and long after their exams.
Should your child wish to seek support related to any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support Team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
Visit www.absolutetennis.uk if you or any of your family would like to join us. We run a large program of classes all year round from the school & Knightwood Leisure Centre.
Please note all calls both to and from the school are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
Summer at The Mountbatten School
Looking for ways to keep children and teens active, engaged and inspired this summer? We’ve got three great options. Read on for the details and how to book.
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Summer Holiday Camp – Book Early & Save
Our popular Multi-Activity Camp returns from 28 July to 29 August (weekdays only) for children aged 5–12 years (Year 1 to Year 7).
Activities include sports, creative play, cooking, laser tag and inflatables. Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm | Cost: £30/day
Childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare accepted.
Early Bird Offer: Save 10% with code EARLYBIRD10 – valid until Sunday 23 June.
Can be combined with sibling and full-week discounts.
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Emily W 7OWS
Lucy M 7SGY
Harry C 8JAD
Liam C 10IHS
Wynne G 7OWS
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s time to announce the winner of The Mountbatten Reading Challenge 2024-2025. The challenge takes place throughout the entire academic year and encourages students to read as many books as they can and keep track of their progress using a reading journal. At the end of each term, the points are totted up and kept on record ready to reveal the student who has read the most books by the end of the year. 
Also, a special mention goes to our two runners up, Daisy L 7EML in and Grace H 7EML who have also read determinedly throughout the year and have racked up some very impressive reading scores. They also enjoyed ‘The Naturals.’ Well done to both of you! 
Summer Holiday Camp – Book Early & Save
VR Gaming Sessions – Book Now
Hampshire Teen Project – Free Holiday Programme