Summer Magazine 2026
Find out what’s been happening at Court Fields, with round-ups from each of our subject areas, Head of Year messages and extra-curricular updates!
Message from Mrs Matthews
As we come to the end of another busy and successful year, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our Summer Magazine. This edition is a celebration of the many achievements, experiences and opportunities that have made this term such a memorable one for our students, staff and wider school community.
At Court Fields School, we are incredibly proud of all that our students accomplish, both inside and outside the classroom. Throughout this magazine, you will read about academic successes, sporting achievements, creative performances, educational visits, enrichment activities and the many ways in which our young people have demonstrated our values of Achieve, Belong and Participate. These moments reflect not only individual achievement but also the strong sense of community that makes Court Fields such a special place.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff for their commitment, enthusiasm and hard work throughout the year. Their passion for supporting our students ensures that every young person has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their potential.
I would also like to thank our parents and carers for their continued support and partnership. Working together enables us to provide the very best opportunities for our students and helps create a positive and successful learning environment.
Most importantly, I would like to congratulate our students. Whether they have made great progress, excelled academically, represented the school in sport, performed on stage, contributed to the local community or simply worked hard to overcome personal challenges, they should be immensely proud of their achievements. This edition of the Court Fields Magazine showcases their energy, talent and determination. Well done to all our students.
I hope you enjoy reading about the many highlights of this term and join me in celebrating all that has been achieved across our school community. As we look ahead to the new academic year, we do so with great pride in what we have accomplished together and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Wishing all our students, families and staff a happy, safe and restful summer break.
HEAD OF YEAR UPDATES
Year 7
As we reach the end of another fantastic school year, I would like to congratulate all of our Year 7 students on an outstanding first year of secondary school.
Starting a new school can be both exciting and challenging, and our Year 7 cohort has embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, resilience and determination. From settling into new routines and making new friendships to achieving success in the classroom, on the sports field and through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, they have much to be proud of.
Throughout the year, we have been continually impressed by the kindness, maturity and positive attitude shown by our students. They have represented the year group brilliantly and have contributed greatly to the school community. Whether taking part in trips, performances, competitions or everyday lessons, they have demonstrated the values that make our school such a special place.
We would also like to thank parents, carers and staff for their ongoing support. Working together, we have helped our students grow in confidence and independence during this important year.
We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable break and return refreshed and ready for the exciting opportunities that Year 8 will bring.
Well done, Year 7, and thank you for making this year such a success.
Year 8
As Head of Year 8 this year I have been extremely proud of what the year group have achieved.
One of the highlights this year was the school's PSHCE Enrichment Day, where Year 8 students took part in important workshops designed to help them develop valuable life skills. Students working with outside agencies to learn about community safety and the impact of anti-social behaviour. They also explored themes of respect and inclusion by creating thought-provoking posters that promoted positive relationships within the school and wider community.
Year 8 students have proudly represented Court Fields School in a variety of sporting events but having good success in Football making the District Cup Semi Final, Netball coming runners up in the area competition, Rounder Finishing first in the area. As well as the sports teams and community events, a special mention goes to those who took part in the Exmoor challenge which has taken a lot on commitment and determination from both staff and student to undertake this adventurous challenge.
We also have also had a number of students who participated within our 'Mary Poppins Jr.' production which was an extremely successful production which is a credit to all staff and student involved.
It has been such a privilege seeing the year group develop and I am looking forwards to the opportunities the student will have in Year 9 with they deciding their option through our 'Futures' Scheme which has been valuable in aiding student make the right decision moving up the school into Key Stage 4.
Thank you for a fantastic year, as a pastoral team we can't wait to see what you can achieve next!
Well done, Year 8 – you’ve been amazing!
Mr Seaton & The Year 8 Pastoral Team
Year 9
As we come to the end of Year 9 at Court Fields, we would like to congratulate students on another successful year. A particular highlight has been the excellent participation and achievement in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, where students have demonstrated resilience, teamwork and determination. A big thank you must also be given to the many staff who have happily given up their time to support students with this.
All students underwent a rigorous process and have carefully chosen their options. Thank you to all tutors/parents/carers and of course Charity for your support with this. Groups of our students have travelled to local colleges and learned as a part of Insights into Apprenticeships and BTC links. This has been an incredibly positive experience for these students. Not to mention our successful programme with Exeter Chiefs where many students will be gaining an extra qualification.
Looking ahead, we are excited to support students as they start their Key Stage 4 option choices and prepare for future work experience opportunities. We have also celebrated some fantastic sporting successes across a range of activities, with students representing the school with pride, showing excellent attitude and achieving impressive results throughout the year.
The recent spell of hot weather has certainly brought a summer feel to the end of term; however, it unfortunately meant that we had to cancel our planned Awards Ceremony. This will now take place in the new academic year. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable summer break and look forward to welcoming our Year 9 students back as confident and ambitious Year 10s in September.
Mr Nicholls
Year 10
As the summer term approaches its conclusion, we need to take the time to celebrate the opportunities and achievements our students have experienced during this academic year. The journey has been a wonderful mix of brand new experiences. Along with the consistent application of hard work and dedication to their learning routines and subject studies. A Year 10 group that were the first to take part in Court Fields School work experience, during the autumn term. What a fantastic experience it proved to be! An unmitigated success all round, with returning students reporting and explaining fantastic experiences. Parents openly describing children who found true focus in response to their chosen future career paths. Not to mention the development of resilience in many students, valuable insights were gained by all who fully committed to the work placement and in response for their efforts received great praise from their lead contact in businesses across Somerset.
The challenge of mock college entry interviews facilitated by the staff of local provider colleges, was met with positive curiosity and impressive preparation, to ensure the most could be achieved from this superb opportunity. In addition, the year group handled the PPE schedule with efficient planning and careful yet effective revision. The full GCSE experience of the core subject being examined in the sport hall, has helped to prepare our students for the exciting challenges of the final year.
Finally, I would like to congratulate those individuals who have put themselves forward to be student leaders. The quality of the cohort has been simply incredible, I am so proud of how the students spoke and performed in the working groups, I was lucky enough to be allowed to manage during the selection process.
Mr Williams
Year 11 - Mr Reed
It feels quite surreal to be writing this, knowing that your time at Court Fields has come to an end. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of watching you grow—not just academically, but as individuals finding your place, your confidence, and your direction.
You arrived as a group full of potential, and you leave as a group full of character. Each year has brought its own moments—challenges, successes, and everything in between—and you have handled them in your own unique way. What has been most impressive is how you have supported each other along the journey, creating a strong sense of identity as a year group.
Your final year has demanded a great deal from you. Preparing for GCSEs is never easy, and yet you approached it with focus and commitment. The long hours, the revision, and the determination you have shown have not gone unnoticed. Whatever your results, you should take real pride in the effort you have put in to reach this point.
What I will remember most, however, is not just the academic side of things, but the way you have contributed to school life. From those who have taken on leadership roles, to those who have quietly made a difference through kindness, humour, or simply turning up every day with the right attitude—you have all played a part in shaping this year group.
As you move on, you will each take very different paths, and that is exactly as it should be. The important thing is that you keep pushing yourselves, stay open to new opportunities, and continue to grow. There will be challenges ahead, but I have no doubt that you are ready for them.
Thank you for the memories, the conversations, and the moments that have made these five years so rewarding. It has been an absolute privilege to be your Head of Year, and I feel very lucky to have been part of your journey.
I wish you all the very best for whatever comes next—go forward with confidence and make the most of every opportunity.
Mr Reed
Pictures courtesy of Around Wellington - more images here: https://www.aroundwellington.co.uk/court-fields-celebrates-the-end-of-year-with-a-prom
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Year 7: Relationships
Year 7 finished their exploration of the theme of relationships with ‘The Bone Sparrow’ – a novel set in an Australian Immigration Detention Centre. This enabled students to engage in some thoughtful discussions about identity and human rights and develop their analytical skills further. As a Rights Respecting School, and linked to Refugee Week, students were encouraged to explore the experiences of refugees like the protagonist of the novel – Subhi - being held in immigration detention centres around the world and to look at aspects of activism to affect change. Students impressed with their sensitive responses to some challenging topics – well done year 7!
Year 8: Inequality
Year 8’s theme of the year -inequality - was concluded by their exploration a range of poetry from other cultures to look at racial injustice and the experiences of displaced people. We were incredibly impressed by students’ maturity when discussing some challenging topics, including their own cultural identity. Finally, students utilised their knowledge of rhetoric to engage in the Great Gender Debate – a spoken language unit exploring attitudes to traditional gender roles and challenging harmful stereotypes. Some lively debates were held in the English classrooms!
Year 9: Conflict
Year 9’s exploration of ‘conflict’ reached its conclusion with a creative writing unit in which students had the opportunity to write in forms such as monologue and short stories about issues linked to conflict. They then ended the year by introducing themselves to the world of Victorian England and the conflict between rich and poor as they began their study of ‘A Christmas Carol’ which is the first of their GCSE set texts. Many students have given themselves the best start to their GCSE course and we look forward to exploring the text in more detail with them next year!
Year 10:
Year 10 have finished their initial GCSE year and have impressed us by embracing the challenge of their first exams in Language and Literature, showing their understanding of ‘Macbeth’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. Lessons have included close analysis of texts, exploring the techniques used by writers to convey their message and the effect of these on readers.
Sparx Reader:
Well done to all KS3 students who have regularly completed Sparx Reader homework throughout the year.
A special mention to the following students who top the leaderboard for Sparx Reader across the whole school:
George L (over 50,000 SRP)
Aaron W (over 45,000 SRP)
Maria G, Edward C, Arya C, Jessica M (over 30,000 SRP)
Faith S, Mollie M, Keren S-A (over 25,000 SRP)
There is lots of evidence of the benefits of regular reading including how reading helps to:
· Improve vocabulary.
· Reduce stress levels.
· Improve writing skills.
· Help mental health.
· Develop empathy.
· Improve memory.
· Boost knowledge and brainpower.
· Improve focus and concentration.
We encourage all students to get reading over the Summer break and look forward to hearing all about the books they read when we see them again in September!
Enrichment:
This year, we enjoyed a performance of ‘Macbeth’ for year 10 and 11 students and look forward to welcoming the same theatre company back again next year for performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in December and ‘Macbeth’ in February – more details to follow in September.
We have also had lots of success through our enrichment clubs – creative writing and debate club – as mentioned on the enrichment page.
ART DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Year 7 have been looking at the cardboard sculpture work of Chris Gilmore and responded by making their very own cyborg inspired masks. Their imaginations ran wild and we had a lot of fun.
Year 8 Hyper-Realism. Yr 8 explored the amazing work of Sarah Graham and honed their painting skills to create their very own hyper-real paintings. We think they did absolutely brilliantly!
Year 9 have had a year of following the Arts Award Bronze programme resulting in 60 Year 9 students teaching a ceramic lesson over 2 days to our very own Year 7 and Beech Grove’s Year 5 students. Year 9 had to write lesson plans and share their knowledge of coiling. We think you will agree they did a fantastic job.
Year 11 have been amazing and whilst we are sad to say goodbye, they have left us with so many lovely memories, and mess 🙂 These are just a couple of examples of exam pieces completed by these guys in April. We will share more soon.
GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Year 7:
Year 7 have had a fantastic year in Geography, they have shown a curiosity for the world around them and encountered lots of new knowledge about different environments around the world. They started the year looking at the features of Africa and developed an understanding of the challenges faced in other parts of the world. New to this year, they also did a unit of work looking at climate change – including the evidence for changing climate, as well as human causes and effect this will have on our planet. They have ended their year putting their map skills to the test, possibly some future Exmoor challenge stars in the making? We have loved seeing their confidence grow this year and they have shown resilience and determination throughout; we look forward to welcoming them back in year 8!
Year 8:
Year 8 kick started the year looking at local settlements and contrasting this with the challenges faced in our largest urban environments, megacities! Our personal highlight of the year being the Wellington Enquiry project, where they were commended on their professional and respectful attitudes when conducting questionnaires in Wellington. Year 8 have shown a keen interest in our changing world, having looked at the impacts of more extreme weather, and the impacts our river landscapes have on the environment and how people affect them. We look forward to continuing this hard work with them in September.
Year 9:
The geography department have been really impressed with the attitude year 9 have shown in Geography this year! From the beginning of the year, they have been developing their knowledge of complex phenomena such as globalisation, interdependence and sustainability. Year 9 have developed their critical thinking when considering some of the physical and human challenges facing the world. They showed critical thinking when looking at the impact of TNCs in developing countries, and the extent to which they cause more harm or benefit to the development of nations around the world. With many year 9s continuing onto GCSE Geography in year 10, they have aimed to develop their evaluation skills and extended their knowledge of key terminology.
Year 10:
Year 10 have had a busy year in Geography, and have shown a focused start to their GCSE. Having recently finished their end of year exams, many have shown an impressive attitude to their studies and presented some brilliant work and revision. To finish off this academic year, students will begin preparation or their GCSE fieldwork at Dawlish Warren, which will be carried out in the first half of the Autumn term, where they will put their independent enquiry skills to the test. It has been amazing to watch year 10 flourish this year, and adapt to the demands of a GCSE, they have faced it all with grit and determination and we look forward to continuing our work with them into year 11!
Year 11:
Our year 11 Geographers rounded off a superb 5 years of Geography by focusing in on their GCSE exams. Whilst finding this stressful, they have all taken in their stride and approached this with resilience and a can-do attitude. The hard work for their time at Court Fields is about to pay off, with many joining us for final revision sessions, supporting them to enter their exams with confidence. We wish them all the luck for results day, and all the best for their futures!
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Year 7 Bird House and Pewter Casting
Year 8 Sweet Dispenser Project
Year 9 Storage Project and Upcycled Can Light Project
FOOD TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
This year our students have once again been getting creative in the kitchen.
Year 7 started in the Autumn term by covering basic skills, with a focus on health and safety, in preparation for their first enrichment experience with UCS (formally BTC) . We were lucky enough to have a day of master class instruction from UCS Taunton in November. We had 200 students all making Mille Feuille in one day. They learned how to prepare some more exotic unusual fruits such as dragon fruit and papaya as well as piping creme diplomat and decorating. A fantastic experience enjoyed immensely by every student and staff member, not to mention the yummy eating element!
This was then followed by the Falafel, flat bread, tzatziki and seasonal salad again delivered by UCS. This was a thoroughly enjoyable longer session where students got to be hands on again in the kitchen.
Year 9 have had a new Scheme of Learning this year, which has been delivered in rotations - Love Your Food. They have been working together for the group projects, including own pasta making and rolling and sauce reduction making. They have been creating family classics such as lasagne, elevated pizza and own made puff pastry. They have also been creating technically challenging dishes, with the ever-popular Star Bread featuring as well as some delightfully precise mini stacking cakes.
Year 10 early in the year have been looking at Macro and Micronutrients and special diets and have been preparing food related to the topic. A variety of high-quality dishes have been produced from healthy soups with brioche rolls, to technical Lattice pies with other dishes being more organisationally challenging in nature such as mini roast dinners with own choice of accompaniments.
Year 10 were then treated to a professional fish filleting masterclass in the early summer term. Delivered by the wonderful chefs from UCS.
We then moved on to food science and safety finally moving on to food provenance. Pictured are Chelsea buns, Cornish pasties, BBQ chicken wings with dip and slaw. With the days finale challenge to design and decorate a cake of your choice.
IKB food taster day – We welcomed in July IKB Year 5s for a food taster day, completely new event for us. They created a pasta bolognaise dish themselves which they then ate and enjoyed together for lunch. After a busy lunch preparation session, we finished the afternoon with them making delicious homemade shortbread which (some of it, but not much left) was taken home. Fabulous experience for us and the students.
Our final food tech endeavour will be the food enrichment experience which is new to Court fields for 2026. Photos to follow in the winter magazine.
Have a fabulous fun and food-filled sunny summer
The food tech team
MFL UPDATE
WORLD VIEWS UPDATE
RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOLS AWARD
It is wonderful to share with our School community that we have been awarded the Silver Right's Respecting School Award by UNICEF!
Achieving the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Silver Award reflects a whole-school commitment to placing children’s rights at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the journey, CFS school has embedded the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into daily learning, behaviour, and decision-making, empowering pupils to understand their rights while also respecting the rights of others. By fostering a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment, we have strengthened pupils’ confidence, wellbeing, and sense of responsibility as active global citizens. Staff and students have worked collaboratively to promote equality, dignity, and respect, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. This achievement is not just a recognition of our progress, but a continued commitment to creating a positive, rights-based culture where every child can thrive.
A YEAR OF STEM EXPLORATION
This year has been packed with exciting STEM enrichment opportunities, giving students the chance to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics beyond the classroom. Through themed lessons, educational visits and the ever popular STEM Club, students from across the year groups have enjoyed a variety of hands-on experiences designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills.
One of the highlights of the year was Space Week, when Year 7 students were challenged to think like future space explorers. During a special themed session, they designed and built habitats that could support human life on Mars. Students considered the challenges of living on a distant planet, including shelter, food production, energy sources and protection from the harsh Martian environment. The activity encouraged innovative thinking and gave students a real insight into the work of scientists and engineers involved in space exploration.
The excitement continued during Astronomy Week, where Year 8 students stepped into the shoes of astronauts. Through a series of engaging activities and challenges, students tested a range of skills that astronauts rely on during missions, including teamwork, communication, precision and problem-solving.
Environmental science took centre stage on Earth Day, when Year 9 students were tasked with designing and creating their own water filtration systems. Using a range of materials, students worked to transform dirty water into clean water, learning about filtration processes and the importance of access to safe drinking water around the world. The challenge highlighted how STEM plays a crucial role in solving global environmental issues and inspired students to think about sustainable solutions for the future.
Learning was not limited to the classroom this year. Students were also given the opportunity to take part in several educational visits that brought STEM careers and concepts to life. A visit to Hinkley Point C allowed students to see one of the largest engineering and construction projects in Europe. Another memorable experience was the joint STEM Club and Eco Club trip to Plymouth Aquarium. Students explored a wide range of marine habitats, discovered fascinating underwater species and learned about conservation efforts to protect our oceans.
Alongside these special events and trips, STEM Club has continued to provide a rich programme of enrichment activities throughout the year. Students have enthusiastically embraced a huge variety of practical investigations and engineering challenges. From carrying out fingerprint analysis like forensic scientists to constructing paper plate marble runs that tested engineering principles, each session has encouraged students to think critically and solve problems creatively.
There have been plenty of exciting science experiments too. Students have enjoyed creating colourful chromatography trolls, extracting DNA from strawberries, making their own red cabbage indicator to investigate acids and alkalis, and even setting off balloon rockets to explore forces and motion. One particularly memorable activity involved combusting "love heart" snakes, demonstrating chemical reactions in a safe and engaging way.
Engineering challenges have also proved incredibly popular. Students put their design skills to the test in the Paper Sky Tower Challenge, competing to build the tallest structure possible using only limited materials. The equally challenging Paper Chair Challenge required students to create a chair capable of supporting weight while using only paper and simple resources. These activities encouraged teamwork, resilience and innovative thinking, showing that great engineering often begins with simple ideas.
These are just some of the many exciting opportunities that students have enjoyed this year. We look forward to seeing what exciting STEM adventures await next year.
LIBRARY UPDATE
This year, our school has proudly taken part in the National Year of Reading, with each month bringing something new to enjoy. From dressing up as favourite book characters to joining story clubs and taking part in creative activities our students have had plenty of opportunities to celebrate the joy of reading.
It has been wonderful to see Year 7 pupils enjoying their BookBuzz books and spending time reading in the library. We look forward to participating in the BookBuzz scheme again in September.
We were also delighted to welcome local author Emma Bettridge, who led lunchtime and after-school story book clubs. Students thoroughly enjoyed sharing their ideas and creating their own stories, and Emma’s sessions proved truly inspiring.
Wider Reading has continued to be a favourite, with students enthusiastically submitting book reviews each month. Well done to all those who earned certificates for their efforts, and special congratulations to the students whose reviews were selected as Book Review of the Month.
Thank you to our library volunteers, Luca and Beatrice, for all their hard work this year. Your commitment has been crucial to maintaining a tidy and friendly environment.
If you’re searching for some great additions to your summer reading list, look no further ...
Recommended Websites
Have a look at the following websites for lots of book reviews and activities
Loads of authors are on YouTube reading their books and on their websites. Search your favourite author to find out more!
Don’t forget courtfields.net has lots of links including to Reading Cloud.
REMEMBER your username for Reading Cloud is your school email address, and your password is your date of birth.
Happy Summer!
ELSA UPDATE
We have had an enjoyable year supporting our students with our ELSA sessions this year.
ELSA is a child-centered holistic intervention that links to social and emotional aspects of learning. This supports students within school to raise attendance and attainment as their emotional needs are met through a personalized program.
We have been helping with Emotional regulation, understanding our thoughts and feelings and learning to improve our communication skills.
Anxiety can be a problem for some students, so we learn how to use positive self-talk,
helping with the “What if” thinking and generally boosting self-esteem and self-confidence.
As the students develop a greater emotional understanding, this results in greater motivation and resilience, enabling the students to maintain healthy relationships with others and to enjoy life more.
We also use Art therapy and here are some photos of their amazing creations.
DEBATE CLUB HIGHLIGHTS
This term, our Debate Club had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Poetry by Heart competition, celebrating the art of spoken word and the power of performance. Students demonstrated not only their ability to learn and interpret poetry, but also their confidence and flair in delivering it to an audience.
We are delighted to share that Aimee and Oluwanifemi were both awarded Highly Commended for their outstanding recitals. Their performances were captivating, thoughtful, and delivered with impressive control, showing a deep understanding of both language and emotion.
In addition, our group entry—Reiniel, Oscar, Olivia, and Nicole—also achieved success, receiving a Commended award. Their collaborative performance was energetic and well-coordinated, highlighting their teamwork as well as their shared enthusiasm for poetry.
This term has also seen our preparation for the Model United Nations competition, where our Year 10 and Year 9 teams will represent their allocated countries, Somalia and Russia, on Saturday 27th June. Students have been working hard to develop their research, diplomacy, and public speaking skills, and we are excited to see them put these into practice.
We are incredibly proud of all students who have taken part this term. Their dedication, courage, and passion truly embody the spirit of Debate Club, where voice, expression, and confidence are at the heart of everything we do.
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB UPDATE
The Creative Writing Club has had a fantastic term, with students enthusiastically exploring their creativity and developing their own unique flair and style. Sessions have focused on writing for pleasure, encouraging everyone to experiment with ideas, voices, and forms in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Looking ahead, the club is preparing to take part in some exciting opportunities. Students will be entering both the ‘Everyday Epic’ creative writing competition, inspired by the upcoming Odyssey film, and the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Awards. In preparation, members have been working hard on a range of poems and creative pieces, refining their work and building confidence in their writing.
It has been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and creativity, and we are looking forward to celebrating our students’ work in the months ahead.
ECO CLUB UPDATE
Over this academic year Eco Club has had the opportunity to take part in lots of brilliant events. Amongst other things, members have completed the RSPB Big School Birdwatch, visited the National Marine Aquarium and presented at the Somerset Sustainable Futures Event.
After our aquarium visit, Eco Club have been working on a mural made from hard-to-recycle plastics to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution on the ocean. We also launched an interhouse competition to collect and recycle crisp packets which diverted 2,966 crisp packets out of landfill in just two weeks.
Thanks to our students’ hard work and to our sponsors, the Wellington Town Council and the Rotary Club, we submitted our application to Eco Schools and have successfully been awarded our Green Flag! Well done all.
Looking forward to next academic year, we would like to thank the Nineveh Charitable Trust for accepting our grant proposal, which will allow us to convert the C Block courtyard into a kitchen garden highlighting sustainable gardening practices.
Exeter Chiefs Intervention Programme Success
A small group of Year 9 boys have been fortunate enough to take part in an exciting intervention programme in partnership with Exeter Chiefs, while also working towards their Level 1 BTEC Sports Diploma.
The programme has provided the boys with a fantastic opportunity to develop their teamwork, communication and leadership skills both in and out of the classroom. Throughout the year, they have taken part in a wide range of activities designed to build confidence, encourage healthy lifestyles and create memorable experiences.
Highlights have included learning valuable cooking skills, exploring the outdoors with visits to Haldon Forest and the beach, touring the Exeter Chiefs stadium, and enjoying training sessions led by former professional players. The group have also had the opportunity to take part in activities such as go-karting, helping to strengthen friendships and reward their commitment to the programme.
The boys have represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating enthusiasm, resilience and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. Their involvement has not only supported their progress towards their BTEC qualification but has also helped them develop important life skills that will benefit them in the future.
The programme has been a fantastic success, and the boys should be extremely proud of everything they have achieved.
Conquest Alternative Provision
Students have had the opportunity to learn and develop through hands-on experiences with horses and a variety of other animals.
Working closely with the animals has helped students build confidence, responsibility and resilience, while developing valuable communication and teamwork skills. The calm and supportive environment has enabled them to grow in confidence and engage positively with new challenges.
Alongside animal care, students have also taken part in a range of enrichment activities, including bowling and cooking sessions. These experiences have provided opportunities to develop practical life skills, strengthen friendships and celebrate success outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Fishing Trip
During our fishing trip to Summerhayes, the boys demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout the day. Despite facing challenging weather conditions, long periods of waiting, and the occasional disappointment of fish not biting, they remained positive, patient, and focused. They encouraged one another, adapted to setbacks, and continued trying different techniques without giving up. Their perseverance paid off as they celebrated each catch with enthusiasm and pride. The trip not only developed their fishing skills but also highlighted their ability to stay motivated, work together, and overcome challenges with a positive attitude.
Mary Poppins Jr
We were so proud of our production of Mary Poppins Jr. back in April! Please see more images and a full write up here!
Sports Day 2026
We had a fantastic Sports Day in the last week of term.
A huge thank you to 1st Taunton Wilton Scout Group and Friends of Wellington Park for letting us borrow their gazebos for the day.
Well done to all the students and staff for participating and making it such a success, and of course a huge congratulations to Monument House who were this year’s winners!
Activities Days
Our three activity days in the last week of term were a huge success! With children taking part in in-school activities and trips going to Butlins, Alton Towers, the Theatre, Noah’s Ark Zoo and Crealy to name a few. We hope all the children had an enjoyable time.
Wellington Town Council's Family & Youth Summer Programme 2026
