It has been wonderful to see the school come alive again over the first couple of weeks of term. There is something special about the start of a new academic year: new routines, new classrooms, new opportunities and, for some of our students, a completely new school to discover.
The weather has certainly done its bit to remind us that summer is behind us! The rain has arrived with some enthusiasm this week, giving us a very clear reminder that autumn is on its way. Despite the rather soggy start to September, there has been plenty of energy and enthusiasm around the school.
One of the things that has particularly struck me this week is the way in which our staff have welcomed students back into their classrooms. Walking around the school, it has been fantastic to see teachers enthusiastically reconnecting with their classes, establishing routines and getting straight down to the business of learning. Those first few lessons matter enormously in setting the tone for the year ahead, and our staff have approached them with real positivity and purpose.
For our Year 7 students, the settling-in period will continue next week with their Team Building Days on 15 and 16 September. These will provide a great opportunity for them to get to know each other, build confidence and develop the relationships that will be so important during their time at Mountbatten. I have been really impressed by how quickly our newest students have adapted to secondary school life, and I am looking forward to seeing them continue to grow in confidence.
For Year 8, things are changing too. They are no longer the youngest students in the school and, with that comes greater responsibility. We will be encouraging them to recognise the important role they now play in setting standards for younger students. Over the course of this year, we will also look for opportunities for Year 8 students to take on more responsibility and play a greater part in the life of our school.
Our Year 9 and Year 10 students have an exciting year ahead as they continue to engage in the subjects they chose through the options process. There is something particularly satisfying about seeing students engage with subjects that they have chosen for themselves. We hope that this sense of ownership will translate into enthusiasm, hard work and a growing understanding of where their education might take them in the future.
And then there is Year 11. For our oldest students, this really is the beginning of the final chapter of their Mountbatten journey. I was lucky enough to sit in on their assembly with Mr Waters, their Head of Year, this week. He put the importance of the year rather brilliantly into perspective by showing them just how many school days they have left. I believe the number was 153!
That may sound like a long time, but anyone who has been through Year 11 knows just how quickly those days disappear. Every lesson matters, every opportunity matters and the habits they establish now will make a real difference later in the year. We want our Year 11 students to leave Mountbatten proud of what they have achieved and confident that they have made the most of their final year with us.
Our expectations remain high because we know what our students are capable of achieving. The start of term has been hugely positive, and I would like to thank our students, staff, parents and carers for the part each of you plays in making Mountbatten such a purposeful and welcoming community.
Let's continue to work together to make every day count.
Message from Mr Cox - Headteacher
Mobile Phones
We are very pleased with the positive impact of our smartphone ban. We are already seeing clear benefits: children are talking to one another on their way to and from school, they are more alert to traffic when crossing the road, and we are seeing a noticeable reduction in online problems. Our primary school colleagues, with whom we have developed our approach, are equally pleased with the impact the changes are having in their schools.
For clarity, if a smartphone is seen, heard or otherwise detected in school, it will be treated as a prohibited item. It will be confiscated and returned only once the student has completed the relevant after-school detention. We have moved these detentions to Fridays (or the final day of term) so that phones can be returned before the weekend or school holiday. Our policy and procedures are lawful, and we will continue to enforce them consistently and fairly for the benefit of all children in our community.
Parents and carers were given eight months’ notice of the change to our smartphone policy. During this period, we repeatedly encouraged families to make the necessary preparations and, where appropriate, to make alternative arrangements for their child/children. I believe that the experience of introducing our smartphone ban illustrates something important about the wider impact of smartphones on our society. We are determined to create a school in which children can talk to one another, concentrate on their learning and enjoy being together without the constant distraction and pressure of the online world.
This progress is a real team effort and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the vast majority of parents and carers who have supported the policy and worked with us in a spirit of partnership. Your encouragement and consistency at home make a real difference. By working together, we can help our young people develop healthy habits and make the most of their time in school.
Thank you for your trust, encouragement and partnership. It is greatly appreciated.
Reminder for all parents and carers
As Headteacher I am very concerned that a very small number of parents/carers have expressed their disagreement with school policies through unacceptable abusive behaviour towards members of our staff. There can be no justification for staff being subjected to aggression, intimidation or abuse.
I am sorry to have to write in such firm terms. However, I have a duty of care to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all members of staff. We will take any such behaviour seriously. Where necessary, we will involve the police and provide relevant CCTV and audio evidence. I will also exercise the school's right to restrict or prohibit access to the school site where a parent's or carer's behaviour makes this necessary.
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 14 September
Nothing advised
Tuesday 15 September
Year 7 Team Building Day (X Band: 7JGN, 7ILN, 7EML/AWE, 7LJS/JLR & 7DDY/JGO)
Wednesday 16 September
Year 7 Team Building Day (Y Band: 7OWE, 7IHS/MJN, 7ONL, 7SBS/NWS & 7CBY)
Thursday 17 September
Year 10 & 11 Careers Fair, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 18 September
Nothing advised
INSET Days for 2026/27
Monday 19 October 2026*
Tuesday 20 October 2026*
Wednesday 21 October 2026*
Friday 12 February 2027
Friday 2 July 2027
*adjoining October half-term
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
Post Looked After Children (PLAC)
If you are the parent or carer of a child who was previously looked after (this is anyone who has been in the care system and now resides with you under an adoption process or similar) there is support available in school to help ensure your child has the maximum opportunity to reach their full educational potential.
Please email Natalie.Harper@mountbatten.school if you would like to know more about what we can do to support your child's educational progress and achievement.
This is voluntary information sharing and will be handled with sensitivity; we would request documentation of the adoption order or similar, which would be kept securely and confidentially.
Music Extra-Curricular Rehearsals 2026-27
Click the button below to view the Music Academy Extra-Curricular Rehearsals.
Harriet N 8JFR has passed Trinity College Grade 3 Piano with Merit
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 10 & 11 Careers Fair
We look forward to welcoming you to next week’s Careers Fair on Thursday 17 September, 6.00pm - 8.00pm.
Year 10 & 11 Upcoming College Open Events
Please click here to view a list of upcoming college open events. All events need to be booked online.
Year 11 – Insight into Business, Accounting & Finance - limited spaces (online)
Accounting and finance are one of the widest doors into business.
Young Professionals are bringing together PwC, UBS, BDO, CIMA and S&W (with more to be announced) to talk about what the work really involves: audit, advisory, tax, investment banking, wealth management, corporate finance and consulting. The event is a direct line to the people who decide who gets in.
At the end of the session, students will gain:
An honest picture of what accountants, bankers and finance professionals actually do all day, from people doing it.
The routes in explained properly: school leaver programmes, degree apprenticeships, ACA/CIMA qualifications and graduate schemes, including the ones that don't need a finance degree.
Hands-on breakout rooms: smaller, interactive workshops with individual firms: commercial awareness, application and interview practice, and real case-study exercises.
Live Q&A: bring every question you have to our panel of industry experts.
A certificate of attendance to add straight to your CV.
Suitable for those chasing School leaver programmes, Degree Apprenticeships, Spring weeks, Internships, Graduate schemes. Places are limited, to sign up, please click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YP_Business_Sept
Date: Friday 18 September 2026, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Year 9, 10 &11 Careers in maritime – save the date
Please see flyer for an upcoming event in November.
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 Dates
Year 7
This term, Year 7 will be looking at how to deal with starting secondary school, dealing with change and how to grow self-confidence. They will also explore how friendships may change, form and develop as well as how communication is a valuable tool to manage friendships. This progresses on to looking at what it means to show empathy, compassion and care. How to have a healthy lifestyle and making good choices regarding diet, energy drinks and other substances is discussed, as well as the importance of good sleep hygiene and links to positive wellbeing.
Year 8
Year 8 start the term by identifying their personal strengths and achievements. They will then explore personal safety and move on to looking at the meaning of discrimination and prejudice, including misogyny and misandry, and what protective characteristics are. October will bring discussions about Black History Month and the impact of stereotypes on individuals and communities. This leads into exploring what healthy relationships look like, how to recognise unhealthy relationships and establishing healthy boundaries and consent.
Year 9
Year 9 will be looking at what a healthy relationship is and how to recognise the features of them. They will explore the meaning of commitment within a range of different relationships and dynamics including exploring families, marriage and changes within relationships and families. Healthy lifestyles, positive mental health and wellbeing and positive self-esteem will be discussed and the impact of the digital world on these factors will finish the term. Students will also participate in an emergency aid workshop.
Year 10
Year 10 will be discussing the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing and the actions that can support this including how to reframe negative thinking and have a mindful outlook. Discussions will then focus on healthy lifestyles and changes that occur during adolescence.
Year 11
Year 11 will be exploring the importance of sleep and managing pressure and emotions, including in exams. This leads into a unit on healthy lifestyles, medical choices, substance abuse and body adjustments. Challenging stereotypes and discussing the changes in the voting system and politics will prepare students for the future as well as a practical workshop in emergency aid to give up to date first aid experience.
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.
Austin J 7OWE
Alba B C 7EML/AWE
Dylan D 8WJS
Nieve A 8JFR
Penny D 7ILN
