Dear Parents, Carers, and Students,

Welcome to Issue 29 of The Warbler, our first newsletter of the new academic year. As we reach the end of a busy and hugely rewarding first half term, I hope you are all looking forward to a well-deserved autumn break.

Looking back over the past few weeks, it has been wonderful to see our school community thriving with ambition, pride, and a real sense of belonging. We began the academic year still celebrating the historic achievements of our former Year 11 cohort, who secured the school’s best-ever GCSE results this summer, and above the national average for Staffordshire —setting a new benchmark for The Wilnecote School as they move on to sixth forms, colleges, and apprenticeships. Alongside celebrating those moving on, it has been an absolute pleasure to welcome the Class of 2031. Our new Year 7 students have made a brilliant start, overcoming those natural first-day nerves to settle quickly into routines, make new friends, and embrace life at secondary school.

Across every year group, our students have been demonstrating our school values both in and out of the classroom. Creativity was in full swing for the European Day of Languages, where thirty-eight spectacular entries in our European Bake Off wowed staff and Open Evening visitors alike—huge congratulations to our overall winner, Hannah T in Year 11. Learning has also extended far beyond the school gates, with Year 10 students gaining valuable hands-on insights into the construction industry at PCE Ltd, and our Year 11 historians travelling to Belgium for an unforgettable three-day residential across the Ypres Salient and the Menin Gate, earning glowing praise for the respect they showed throughout.

Just as inspiring is the kindness and community spirit our young people show every day. Whether raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support through our cake and handmade bead sale, brightening the school with a splash of yellow and paper chains of connection for World Mental Health Day, or making a tangible difference in the local community—like Year 9 student Aleasha, who has been kayaking along Tamworth’s waterways to clear plastic and debris—our students continually remind us what makes our school such a supportive and special place.

As you browse through these stories, I also encourage you to visit our official YouTube channel, where you can watch video highlights and student showcases that bring all of these wonderful events to life.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheWilnecoteSchool

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for their tireless commitment this half term, to our parents and carers for your ongoing support, and to our fantastic students who make us proud every single day. Wishing you all a safe, restful, and enjoyable half-term break!

Warmest regards,

Mr D. Foskett

Headteacher, The Wilnecote School

For our current Year 11 students, the months ahead are a vital time as they prepare for their upcoming PPEs and summer GCSE examinations. To help everyone feel organised, confident, and fully prepared, I strongly encourage both Year 11 students and their families to visit the dedicated Exams page on our website. There, you will find up-to-date exam timetables, subject-specific revision lists, and a wealth of useful links and revision guidance to support effective study at home.

You can find all the latest happenings, student successes, and a real peek into daily life at our school on The Wilnecote School’s YouTube channel!

It’s the perfect way to stay connected and see what makes our school so special. We’ve got everything from event highlights to student showcases, and we’re always adding new content.

So, don’t miss out! Like our videos to show your support, and hit that subscribe button so you’re always the first to know when we upload something new. It really helps us out and means you’ll never miss a moment of what’s happening at Wilnecote.