This week, the Department for Education released the Attendance Summary Report for September 2025 up to the October half-term. This report allows secondary schools across the country to compare their attendance rates at both the national and local levels. The report also provides a separate comparison of schools with similar demographics, offering us a clear view of how we are performing within our specific context.
As a school, we know that good attendance is one of the key factors that contributes to a student’s success and feeling of belonging. It ensures that students are engaged, learning, and receiving the full benefits of their education.
I would like to thank all our parents and carersfor the vital role you play in helping students attend regularly and arrive to school ready to learn each day. Your encouragement and communication with school really does make a huge difference.
If you have any questions about attendance, please do not hesitate to get in contact with your child’s tutor.
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 17 November
English Department - Year 11 English Speaking Exams
Tuesday 18 November
English Department - Year 11 English Speaking Exams
Computer Science Department - Year 9 Trip to the National Museum of Computing, 7.30am-6.00pm
Wednesday 19 November
English Department - Year 11 English Speaking Exams
Thursday 20 November
English Department - Year 11 English Speaking Exams
Whole School Nasal Flu Vaccinations
Friday 21 November
English Department - Year 11 English Speaking Exams
INSET Days for 2025/26
Monday 23 February 2026
Thursday 2 July 2026
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
The 7th Phil Standing Memorial Cardiac Screening Clinic
The 7th Phil Standing Memorial Cardiac Screening Clinic is to be held at The Mountbatten School in November 2026.
The Biennial Cardiac Screening Day here at Mountbatten has been funded for over a decade by donations from staff, students, families and friends of Mountbatten School and many others who knew Phil. It costs £7000 to screen 100 young people.
The week commencing 8November 2025 is Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) National Awareness Week. During this week, Sue Fisher, Phil’s Mum, has been taking part in the CRY 12-a-week Challenge, completing 12 classes at Romsey Rapids Leisure Centre.
Scan her QR code to donate:
On Saturday 15 November Sue will be at the Romsey’s Charities Christmas Fair to raise awareness of the work she does for CRY in the Romsey area. Sue will be supported by Year 10 students selling Christmas gifts and other fund-raising activities.
The Mountbatten School is grateful that Sue chooses our youngsters to be the benefactors of her generous fund-raising. To support Sue’s tremendous efforts, CRY is Year 10’s charity of the year.
Phil died suddenly whilst playing cricket at Lord’s. He left a wife and twin boys who were then 22 months old (now 14 years old). He was a student at our school and achieved success both academically and in sport.
CRY were there to support Phil’s family. It was their doctors who identified his undiagnosed heart condition and continue to provide high standard research to prevent this happening to others. At least 12 young people in the United Kingdom die of undiagnosed heart conditions every week.
30.83 hours per week, Monday to Friday – 39 weeks per annum
Actual Salary: Grade B £17,673 to £17,909/Grade C £17,951 to £18,705 (depending on experience)
We are seeking a Teaching Assistant to work in and outside the classroom supporting students with a range of...
Very well-deserved congratulations to Ryan C, Martha P and Dylan J who performed the last post for the Remembrance Services at Wellow and Awbridge, representing the school on such prestigious occasions for our local community.
Also, massive congratulations to our trumpeters (Ryan C, Isaac C, Sophie C, Dylan J, Martha P, Alice C & Daisy L) who performed the Last Post on Remembrance Day.
Click the drop-down menus below to find out more about updates in the Careers Department and different careers opportunities coming up for our students.
Year 7 - Year 11 Behind the scenes – Life in the British Army
Behind the Camo is a four-part virtual event series that gives a real, honest look at life in the British Army. Each episode features serving soldiers answering questions people don’t usually ask - covering different topics like career options, daily life, and common myths. It’s a great opportunity to hear personal stories, explore the wide range of roles available, and see how Army life can be more supportive and rewarding than you might expect. Get insider knowledge, hear directly from those living Army life, and have your unanswered questions tackled.
In our first episode, we explore the Army’s core roles in defence, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions, brought to life through personal stories from serving soldiers. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions live during the event, with our team on hand to respond in real time, giving you direct access to honest answers and real experiences from Army life.
Episode 1 – Behind the CAMO – What does the Army do?
Year 9 – Year 11 Oxford University: St John’s Inspire Programme – Critical Thinking Series
Inspire Critical Thinking is a free online programme open to all pupils in Year 9 - 11 who attend a non-selective state school in the UK.
It's designed to help pupils explore super-curricular materials including articles and challenges created by academics at the University of Oxford.
Each year group has a different theme to explore, split into 4 smaller workshops. The resources are live between January and April 2026 and pupils can engage with them at their own pace. It's a chance to not only discover new and exciting topics, but to see how arguments are constructed and to reflect on their own ideas about the issues presented.
Each workshop also focusses on a different critical thinking skill, with materials to support pupils with their understanding and practise of these key skills. Pupils have the opportunity to submit responses to prize-winning workshop challenges, in addition to sharing their opinions in our forum and casting their vote on key debates.
Following the workshops, all registered pupils will be invited to attend our Inspire Virtual Summer School.
When? The resources are live between January and April 2026 and pupils can engage with them at their own pace.
Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) programme is delivered by form tutors who know their students well, creating a safe and supportive environment for exploring sensitive topics. This familiar relationship enables open dialogue and builds trust, allowing students to engage more confidently with challenging subject matter.
At the heart of our programme is an oracy-based methodology that prioritises discussion, debate and collaborative exploration. Rather than simply receiving information, students are encouraged to express their thoughts and questions in a supportive environment while listening respectfully to diverse viewpoints and experiences. They engage in meaningful dialogue with peers and their form tutor, developing confidence in articulating their ideas and concerns whilst practising essential communication skills that will serve them throughout life.
Our approach fosters critical thinking skills by encouraging students to question assumptions and examine different perspectives. They learn to analyse information from multiple sources and viewpoints, considering the complexity of real-world situations and relationships. Students develop skills in evaluating the consequences of different choices and behaviours while reflecting thoughtfully on their own values and beliefs.
Through structured discussions and collaborative activities, students develop respect for diversity in all its forms, including different backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles. Students learn to disagree respectfully while maintaining positive relationships and become aware of their own biases, recognising the importance of remaining open-minded.
Our five-year programme follows a progressive and spiral curriculum structure from Year 7 to Year 11, with topics revisited at increasing levels of complexity and maturity. This approach ensures that students build upon prior learning while developing deeper understanding as they mature.
This comprehensive approach ensures our students develop not only knowledge and understanding, but also the communication skills, emotional intelligence and respect for others that will serve them well as they navigate their relationships and make important life decisions.
RSHE Autumn Term Dates
Year 7
This term in RSHE, Year 7 students are focusing on developing the skills and understanding they need to make a positive start to secondary school life. The curriculum begins with work on starting secondary school and dealing with change, helping students explore strategies for managing transition, building resilience, and adapting to new routines and expectations. Lessons then move on to growing confidence and friendship, encouraging self-belief, developing supportive relationships, and recognising the importance of respect and kindness.
Students also spend time developing empathy, compassion and communication, learning how to listen effectively, understand others’ feelings, and communicate in positive and constructive ways. Alongside this, they explore the importance of healthy living, looking at balance in diet, exercise, rest and routines to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
Later in the term, they consider external influences such as the risks associated with energy drinks, and they take part in the Beewell mental health surveys, which give young people a voice in shaping support for their wellbeing. The curriculum also addresses the growing concern around vaping, helping students understand the health risks, myths and social pressures so that they can make informed choices.
Through these lessons, students are encouraged to reflect, share their views, and develop the confidence to make safe, healthy and respectful decisions both in and out of school.
Year 8
This term in RSHE, Year 8 students are developing their understanding of how personal choices, social influences and wider cultural issues shape their wellbeing and relationships. They begin by focusing on building standards and healthier lifestyles, looking at how personal routines and decision-making can help to maintain good physical health and balance in daily life.
Students then explore themes of discrimination and prejudice, including lessons linked to Black History Month, to help them recognise inequality, challenge stereotypes, and value diversity. They also spend time considering gender identity, with an emphasis on respect, inclusion and understanding different perspectives.
As part of their mental health education, students discuss attitudes to mental health and the importance of reducing stigma, alongside practical ways to care for their own wellbeing. This links closely with their learning about the influence of social media, the impact of online stress, and the importance of developing healthy digital habits.
Finally, the curriculum introduces critical thinking around bias and media sources, encouraging students to question information, understand how bias operates, and make informed decisions about what they read and share.
Throughout the term, lessons are designed to help Year 8 students build resilience, empathy and responsibility, while equipping them with the skills to make positive, healthy and respectful choices both online and offline.
Year 9
This term in RSHE, Year 9 students are focusing on relationships, consent and digital safety, helping them to develop the knowledge and confidence to make respectful and informed choices. Lessons begin with positive relationships, where students explore the qualities that build trust, respect and equality between people. They are introduced to the concept of consent and then build on this by looking at the importance of avoiding assumptions, as well as understanding the principles of freedom and capacity in giving or receiving consent.
Alongside this, students consider the role of families, including marriage, and how family life may change over time. They also learn about the emotional impact of relationship changes, loss and change, and how to seek support when facing difficult circumstances.
The curriculum places a strong emphasis on online safety. Students revisit key principles of internet and digital safety, focusing on the challenges and risks they may encounter online. They also learn about safer internet use, including strategies to protect themselves and others, manage their digital footprint and make responsible choices in the online world.
Together, these lessons are designed to give Year 9 students the skills to build healthy, respectful relationships, recognise their rights and responsibilities, and stay safe both in their personal lives and online.
Year 10
This term in RSHE, Year 10 students are exploring deeper aspects of relationships, mental health and wellbeing, building on their previous knowledge to develop greater emotional resilience and self-awareness. The curriculum is designed to support students as they navigate increasingly complex personal and social situations.
Students begin by examining relationship values, exploring what they personally value in relationships and how these values guide their choices and interactions with others. This foundation leads into learning about asexuality, abstinence and celibacy, helping students understand the full spectrum of relationship choices and that all approaches to intimacy and relationships are valid and worthy of respect.
The programme addresses the evolving nature of modern relationships through lessons on online relationships, where students learn to navigate digital connections safely and meaningfully. They explore how to build genuine connections online while recognising the unique challenges and limitations of digital communication.
A significant focus is placed on recognising and responding to pressure and coercion in all forms of relationships. Students develop skills to identify manipulative behaviour, understand their right to say no, and learn strategies for maintaining their boundaries in challenging situations.
Mental health and emotional wellbeing form a core component of the curriculum. Students learn to reframe negative thinking patterns, developing cognitive strategies to support their mental health. They explore the importance of emotional wellbeing and learn practical techniques for maintaining good mental health, including mindfulness practices that help them manage stress and develop greater self-awareness.
The term also includes participation in Beewell surveys, which provide valuable data to support student wellbeing across the school community while giving students insight into wider patterns of young people's mental health and wellbeing.
These lessons work together to equip Year 10 students with the emotional intelligence, self-advocacy skills and mental health strategies they need to thrive in their relationships and personal development, while fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
Year 11
This term in RSHE, Year 11 students are engaging with crucial topics around identity, personal development and risk management as they prepare for the next stage of their lives. The curriculum focuses on building self-awareness, resilience and practical life skills that will support them through their transition to adulthood.
Students explore gender identity and stereotypes, developing a deeper understanding of how gender expectations can impact personal choices and opportunities. They examine how stereotypes can limit potential and learn to challenge assumptions, fostering respect for diverse identities and expressions while reflecting on their own sense of self.
The programme emphasises personal growth through lessons on ambition and core values. Students are encouraged to identify their own aspirations and the values that will guide their decision-making. They explore how to set meaningful goals and develop the determination and strategies needed to achieve them, preparing them for post-16 education, training and career pathways.
Recognising the pressures facing Year 11 students, the curriculum addresses practical wellbeing strategies including sleep hygiene and dealing with emotions effectively. Students learn about the vital role sleep plays in mental and physical health, alongside developing healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and emotional challenges during this demanding period.
A significant focus is placed on understanding pressure and making informed choices about risky behaviour. Students examine the factors that influence decision-making and learn to recognise when they might be under pressure to engage in activities that could harm their wellbeing or future prospects.
The curriculum includes comprehensive education about substance abuse, covering the physical, mental and social consequences of drug and alcohol misuse. Students develop skills to resist peer pressure, understand the legal implications of substance use, and learn how to seek help if they or others are struggling with these issues.
Additionally, students receive training in emergency aid, equipping them with potentially life-saving first aid skills and the confidence to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
These lessons are designed to prepare Year 11 students for greater independence, helping them develop the self-knowledge, resilience and practical skills necessary to make positive choices as they move towards adulthood while maintaining their safety and wellbeing.
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.
Please note all calls both to and from the school are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
🎄 Christmas Holiday Activity Camp at The Mountbatten School
Personal Best Education is back again to host a Christmas Multi-Activity Camp at The Mountbatten School, packed with festive fun, sports, games and creative activities to keep children active and smiling this holiday!
Elsie M 7AGN/BHT
Ellia S 7AGN/BHT
Arianna H 7DMS
Jasmine B 10HMS/NKY
Max P 7ILN
Lana D 8VTE
Elsa R 7DMS
Olivia B 7DVA
Ellia S 7AGN/BHT
Sebastian B 7PLM/CPE
