Welcome to this week’s message from The Hamble School. This edition is arriving slightly earlier than usual to give Parents/Carers and students the chance to get organised for the week ahead.
We hope everyone has had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break. A special welcome home to the staff and students who have returned from their incredible trip to Zanzibar — it looked like an amazing opportunity and we can’t wait to hear more about it.
Year 11 have done brilliantly over the holiday, balancing some well‑earned rest with productive revision. It has been fantastic to see so many students attending the in‑school revision sessions.
We are looking forward to welcoming all students back at 8:30am on Monday 13 April as we begin what promises to be a busy and productive summer term. A reminder that we have our Parent Forum on Monday 13 April at 6pm and Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 16 April.
Next week is WEEK 1
Events w/b Monday 13 April
Year 7 Exam Week
Monday 13 April
Parent Forum on T&L at 6pm in the Conference Room
Tuesday 14 April
Year 7 English Exam – P1&2
Year 6 Transition Welcome Evening – 6pm
Wednesday 15 April
Year 7 Maths Exam – P1&2
Thursday 16 April
Year 7 Science Exam – P1&2
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Saturday 18 April
Year 11 Business Studies Intervention – 9:30am
Year 11 Business Studies and Computer Science Intervention – 12:30pm
Future Dates W/B 20 April 2026
Year 8 Exams
Year 11 MFL Speaking Exams
Letters
Please read the letters sent home and available on our letters page: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/letters-to-parents/
Our latest newsletter is available to download here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/THS-Newsletter-2025-2026-Issue-4-web.pdf
Assembly: Welcome Back & House Standings:
To kick things off, next week’s assembly will begin with a formal “Welcome Back” introduction from the Headteacher. It’s a chance to refocus our community on the goals for the term ahead.
Following the introduction, we move to the Spring Term House Competition Update. After a fiercely contested Spring term filled with inter-house events, we will finally reveal the updated leaderboard. Students will see how their collective efforts—from academic achievements to sporting prowess—have shifted the standings. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as we find out which House is currently leading the charge for the trophy!
Personal Development: Keeping Safe
In our Tutor Personal Development (PD) sessions, the focus shifts to critical safeguarding and community awareness. This week, students will explore:
- Safety within the community: Navigating local spaces confidently and responsibly.
- Criminal Coercion & County Lines: Understanding the realities of exploitation and how to recognize the signs of “County Lines” activity.
- Prevention: Empowering students with the tools to stay safe and identifying clear pathways to report concerns.
These are serious topics, but we believe that providing students with high-quality, age-appropriate information is the best way to ensure their safety outside the school gates. We encourage you to use these sessions as a springboard for conversations at home.
Year 11 Update – Exam Check and Parents’/Carers’ Evening
As we move into the final stage of preparation for the summer exam season, we would like to remind all families that it is the responsibility of Parents/Carers to check their child’s exam entries carefully. This is an essential part of ensuring that every student is entered for the correct subjects, tiers and components.
All exam entry information was sent out during the last week of term. Please take the time to review these details thoroughly with your child. If anything appears incorrect or you have any questions, it is important to contact us as soon as possible so that any amendments can be made.
To confirm that you have checked the entries, all Year 11 Parents and Carers must complete the following link by Monday 13 April: Year 11 Exams – Summer 2026 – Fill in form
Your support with this process helps us ensure a smooth and successful exam period for every student.
It is essential that all Parents/Carers attend our Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 16 April 2026. This is a key opportunity to discuss your child’s mock performance, receive personalised subject feedback and agree next steps for revision.
Please ensure you sign up using the link below: https://hamblecollege.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Your support at this stage makes a huge difference in preparing students for success.
Preferences
Personalised Preference Information Sheets were sent to Parents/Carers of all students in Years 8 and 9 on Friday 27 March. If you have not yet received the email, please complete the link below.
Preferences Information Sheet – not received – Fill in form
Please ensure you use the information on our Preferences web page to support your child in making their choices.
Achieving Excellence Programme
We launched our new “Achieving Excellence Programme”, supporting all students to make progress inside and outside the classroom, in the final week of last Half Term.
Key Stage 3 students took part in a range of activities during tutor time, lessons and at our Achieving Excellence Evening, that support all learners to make the best possible progress in their final End of year Exams, commencing this week for our Year 7 students.
Here are a few reminders and tips to help your child be successful in their End of Year Exams:
- Use a revision timetable to stay organised and keep on top of revision
- Managing myself as a learner (reflecting on what you can do well and what topics you need to work on)
- Use Study Skill techniques to help improve your revision such as Mind Maps, Dual Coding, Retrieval Practice and Concrete Examples.
There will also be a Study Skills Focus Week and Achieving Excellence Evening in the Summer Term to support our Year 10 students with their Summer PPEs (Mocks). More information to follow.
Year 7 Exams Next Week – Following Exam Regulations
Next week, Year 7 students will be sitting their formal exams. These assessments are an important opportunity to show what they have learned this year and to begin practising the routines and expectations they will follow in future exam years. To help students feel confident and ready, it is important that they understand the exam regulations and know exactly what to expect.
Students have all listened to a virtual assembly explaining this before Easter, but it would be worth going through the information below with your son/ daughter before Monday.
Know the Arrangements Before Exam Day
Make sure Year 7 students know the date and time of each exam. English, Maths and Science are listed above. All other subjects are in normal lessons and teachers have informed their students.
What You Need to Bring
Students must bring the correct equipment to every exam. We follow the JCQ checklist and students should have:
- a clear pencil case or plastic wallet
- at least two black pens (blue pens are not allowed)
- a calculator for relevant exams
- a clear water bottle with no label if they want to bring water.
What You Cannot Bring
There are strict rules about items that are not allowed in the exam room. The JCQ guidance states that you must not bring:
- any type of phone – This must be put in bags as normal
- any type of watch (analogue, digital or smart) – These can be put in bags
- smart devices such as AirPods, smart glasses or tablets
- revision notes – These can be stored in bags.
Bringing any of these items into the exam room — even by accident — will lead to sanctions, so students must check your pockets and bags before entering. They will be reminded to do this at the exam line up.
All students will go through the Exam Container for English, Maths and Science and line up in the ‘line up area’. Bags will need to be stored in the container. For all other exams in normal lessons, bags will be stored under desks.
During the Exam
To make sure the exam is fair for everyone, students must follow the rules carefully:
- Listen closely to the invigilator’s instructions
- Fill in your details on the front of your answer booklet
- Raise your hand if you need help, feel unwell or need to use the toilet
- Stay completely silent.
These rules help create a calm and focused environment for all students.
How to Prepare
To help students prepare and feel confident, we have created a helpful video and guidance page. You can find it here:
https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/revision/
Final Reminder
These Year 7 exams are a great chance to practise good habits early. Being organised, following the rules and preparing properly will help you do your best next week and build strong foundations for the future.
Uniform Check for the Start of the Summer Term
As we prepare to welcome students back for the start of the summer term, we would like to remind all Parents/Carers of the importance of ensuring that your child returns to school in full, correct uniform. A student’s sense of belonging begins with their uniform, and The Hamble School places great value on students presenting a positive image of the school in both the local and wider community.
Our uniform expectations are clear and consistent for all year groups. Please take a moment over the coming days to check that your child’s uniform meets the school’s requirements, including appropriate footwear, correct PE kit and all compulsory items. This is especially important after the Easter break, when students may have outgrown items or need replacements.
You can find the full uniform policy, shoe guidance and approved suppliers on our website:
https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/uniform/
We ask that all students wear their full uniform to and from school every day and that families support us in maintaining high standards. Ensuring your child is correctly dressed helps them start the term confidently and ready to learn.
Thank you for your continued support in upholding our school values and expectations.
