As you may be aware, from September 2026, our school will become a smartphone-free environment in line with the national statutory guidance that states Schools are to be Mobile Phone Free. This positive step is designed to support learning, wellbeing and safety for all students. We have been updating students in assemblies this week to prepare them for the new academic year.
Research continues to show that reducing smartphone use during the school day improves concentration, behaviour and social interaction. Schools that have introduced smartphone-free policies have reported calmer corridors, improved focus in lessons and stronger face-to-face friendships among students. By encouraging students to disconnect from social media and constant notifications during the day, we are helping them to build healthy habits that extend beyond school hours.
From September, smartphones, smartwatches and all internet-enabled devices will not be permitted on the school site and will be classified as prohibited items. Our behaviour policy has been updated accordingly.
Students who need a phone for travel arrangements may bring one of the three approved “brick phones” listed on our website. These simple devices are not internet-enabled and do not include cameras, making them a much safer option for young people. Brick phones allow parents and carers to stay in contact with their children on the commute to and from school, while significantly lowering safeguarding risks linked to social media, online bullying, inappropriate content and distraction from learning.
Brick phones should be switched off and stored securely in school bags during the day, not carried in pockets or blazers. Standalone trackers can be placed in students' bags to give parental reassurance if required.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a safer, calmer and more focused learning environment for every student.
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 6 July
Nothing advised
Tuesday 7 July
Year 10 City College Taster Day
Sports Review Evening in the Olympic Hall, 6.15pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday 8 July
Year 10 Barton Peveril Taster Day
Year 10 Eastleigh College Taster Day
Thursday 9 July
Year 9 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Friday 10 July
Year 9 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
Keeping children and young people safe around water
With more hot weather likely in the weeks ahead, many families and young people may be choosing to cool off in the water. While rivers, lakes and the sea can seem tempting in the heat, open water can be dangerous – even for strong swimmers. For parents and carers with teens and young people who might be heading for a dip with friends, please remind them to:
Stick to lifeguarded areas
Don't swim alone or under the influence of alcohol
Take it slow when entering cold water to avoid shock
For those of you with younger children and babies, you might be using a swimming or paddling pool at home. Here are some top tips to stay safe:
Choose bright, contrasting swimwear so your child is easy to see in the water. Avoid colours that blend in with water or pool floors, such as blue, grey, pastel green or white.
Empty paddling pools after use and turn them over, so they can’t unexpectedly fill up with water if it rains.
Lock doors and gates to outdoor areas so children can’t sneak out unsupervised and be aware that children can wander into neighbouring gardens.
Avoid other distractions while children are playing in water.
Keep young children within an arm’s reach.
Remember that babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight throughout the day, and babies over 6 months should stay in the shade between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
For more information and advice, check out Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Water Safety Toolkit.
Remember – in an emergency, always call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard if appropriate.
By taking a few simple precautions, we can all enjoy the water safely this summer.
We will be holding a pre-loved school uniform sale on Tuesday 21 July 2026, from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.
Items available:
Blazers - £4.00
Trousers - £2.00
Skirts - £2.00
PE tops - £2.00
Blazers are limited to one per person.
Cash and card payments accepted.
Are your contact details up to date?
Have you moved house recently, or perhaps changed your mobile number?
Please kindly remember to inform the school if any of your contact or personal details have changed, so we can keep our records up to date.
You can email info@mountbatten.school to notify us of any changes. Please always include your child's full name and tutor group in the email.
Maths Department
Maths Stars
Harrison S 8OWS
Emily W 8KKY
Ava P 10PSN
Harry W 10DDY
English Department
English Stars
Aradhya J 7DMS
Poppy M 7DMS
Imogen M 7AOR
Remi S 8HSN
Annie G 7HSN
Noah D 8HGR
Giulio S 9LHG
Ibraheem G 10LHK/EBT
Rhys M 10BCY
MFL Department
MFL Stars
Frances M 7PLM/CPE
Irianna K 7AOR
Sam C 7ESY/AWY
Arianna L 8KKY
Nick C 8HGR
Florence R 9ERL
Harrison B 9ERL
Sofie M 10TLS
Drama Department
Drama Stars
Taran M 9MAZ
Poppy M 9DCR/JLE
Tamara K 9LHG
Poppy H 9GWT/CFT
Sam H 9JAD
Gulliver H 9LHG
Emily W 9ERL
History Department
History Stars
Lucas W-H 7ESY/AWY
Adelaide A 7KMN/KRL
Dexter J 7LPO
Scarlett E 7ONL
Stanley A 7PLM/CPE
George C 7PLM/CPE
Samuel C 8BPY
Leila R 8KSH
Penny W 8HSN
Design Technology Department
DT Stars
Congratulations to Thomas B 7ILN, who has been selected as 'Designer of the Week'!
Congratulations to Jude K 9DCR/JLE, who has been selected as 'Chef of the Week'!
Music Department
Percussion Academy Drum Kit
Ethan H 8LAD/DDN has passed Percussion Academy Drum Kit Debut Grade with Distinction.
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 9 – 11 Career insight: Army training college Harrogate
Please see letters below to remind you of the taster day details.
Eastleigh and City College: the colleges require students to wear school uniform. Due to the expected heat next week, students can wear their official PE kit.
Barton Peveril: students are not required to wear their school uniform
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 Summer Term Dates
Year 7
This term Year 7 will be exploring what living in a diverse society means and celebrating differences, whether those differences are cultural, ethnic, religious, or personal. They will learn that positive relationships are based on respect, communication, empathy, and support, and they help us build a sense of community. We will explore how to challenge prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination and consider that the media often presents stereotypes that can shape our perceptions, but we can actively challenge and question these portrayals to promote a more inclusive society. Relationships and safety are about building healthy connections with others, making responsible decisions, and taking care of yourself and others. In relationships, it's important to demonstrate respect, communication, and empathy. Year 7 end the term looking at the management of their own and others’ safety, both in real life and online, considering how to make informed choices, recognise risks, and knowing when to seek help.
Year 8
Year 8 will consider the different types of friendships and relationships, including romantic relationships. It's important to learn about contraception and safe practices in an age-appropriate setting, as well as how to form and maintain healthy relationships based on respect and mutual care. Year 8 will explore how to manage emotions, develop self-worth, and identify positive social norms to help build confidence and navigate the challenges of adolescence. Towards the end of the term, Year 8 will develop their understanding of how drugs can affect their health and wellbeing. Whether it’s understanding the risks of alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes, or learning how to manage peer pressure, they will learn how to make informed and healthy decisions. They will explore how substances like energy drinks and medication can impact your physical and mental health. By developing a sense of self-awareness and understanding, they can make choices that promote a healthy lifestyle, respect for others, and a positive approach to wellbeing.
Year 9
In Year 9, students will learn about the risks of addiction and dependence related to substances like drugs, vaping, and gambling. Understanding the legal and health consequences of these behaviours is essential for making informed choices. They will also explore and consider the risk of developing unhealthy habits and how to manage influences, both online and offline. By developing positive social norms and attitudes, they can make healthier decisions for themselves and support others in doing the same. They will finish the term by exploring the dangers of gang involvement, knife crime, and the concept of ‘groupthink.’ Understanding how group pressures can influence decisions, and how to assess risks in different situations, is key to staying safe. They will learn about the legal and physical consequences of carrying a knife, the risks of getting involved with gangs, and how to resist negative influences.
Year 10
Year 10 will consider the influence of role models and the impact of the media on perceptions of gangs and risky behaviours. They will understand how to evaluate the impact of role models, manage peer pressure, and make independent decisions in increasingly complex social situations. They will look at how to recognise and respond to pressure, coercion, and exploitation, and how to access appropriate support when needed. Students will go on to explore the complexities of healthy relationships, including understanding and challenging assumptions and misconceptions about sex and relationships. They will learn how to navigate media influences, understand the importance of consent, and develop strategies to handle unwanted attention or harassment. Communication skills, including assertiveness, setting boundaries, and managing relationships online, will be key focus areas. This knowledge will help students build healthy, respectful, and mutually fulfilling relationships based on clear communication and shared values.
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. They will then spend some time refining their revision skills and independent organisational skills.
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.
HAF Programme - July & August
Personal Best Education is delighted to be running a Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for teenagers this July and August. The programme is available for young people aged 11-16 years who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals.
Join us this July and August for an action-packed programme of exciting trips, activities and plenty of fun! From meeting amazing animals at Marwell Zoo and taking on the treetop challenges at Go Ape to enjoying a day at the water park, there's something for everyone. It's a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, try new experiences and make the most of the summer holidays.
Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!
Pre-Loved Uniform Sale
Are your contact details up to date?
Harrison S 8OWS
Aradhya J 7DMS
Frances M 7PLM/CPE
Taran M 9MAZ
Lucas W-H 7ESY/AWY
Congratulations to Thomas B 7ILN, who has been selected as 'Designer of the Week'!
