Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back after what I hope has been a good October break.
Term 2 has started well with Year 11 beginning their mocks which they have approached with maturity and a positive attitude to show us what they have learnt. Thank you to the Year 11 and Exams Team for setting our young people up for success with this vital opportunity.
Successful Lives Day yesterday was a real success and lovely to see the young people engaging with some amazing cross-curricular experiences. Please see more details below. Thank you to all those members of our wider community who came in to support the day.
Please see here an opportunity to help our fundraising by entering the Wiltshire Lottery with a bonus opportunity to win a PS5 Pro Bundle:
A reminder that we are currently collecting prizes for our Christmas Raffle which is drawn at the Christmas Fayre. If you or the company that you work for would like to donate a prize, we would be very grateful – we already have some amazing prizes that have been donated! Equally, if you would like to help out at the Christmas Fayre on 11th December , we would be grateful of your help, please contact events@hardenhuish.wilts.sch.uk in the first instance.
You may have noticed that the barriers at both entrances have been installed over the break, these are being commissioned over the next couple of weeks, and we will provide further information as this happens. In the meantime, please can I remind you of a few things regarding dropping off and picking up young people :
- Unless agreed otherwise by the school, all pupils should be dropped off/collected at the drop off zone. Please be mindful when parking here to ensure that emergency services would be able to gain access if required.
- In order to keep our school community safe during busy times of the day, please do not drive through the school site.
- Please do not collect or drop off in the passing bays along the drive as this causes congestion, prevents cars from passing and increases the risk of accidents.
- Do not park on or by any of the crossings so that young people crossing can be clearly seen.
- If you do need to drive on to the site, please be respectful of the restricted speed limit.
Thank you for your support in keeping our site and community as safe as possible.
Further to requests from a number of parents, I can confirm that Year 7 and 12 Induction Day in the summer will take place on Friday 9 July.
A reminder that young people who are members of uniformed organisations can wear their uniform next Wednesday for Remembrance Day.
Have a restful weekend.
Lisa Percy
Headteacher
News Items
Focus on ..Hardenhuish Educational Trust
Hardenhuish Educational Trust is supported by donations and enables us to add to our normal offer with additional activities and resources. This year they have already supported our Counselling provision and prizes for the Reading Challenge and are keen to do more so any donations would be welcomed – even as little as 50p or £1 a month.
With over 1500 students on roll even if 25% of families donated £1 each month we could raise £4,800 each year which could benefit the students by supporting more projects. Donations can be made directly to the HET bank account by setting up a Standing Order or with one off payments through Just Giving or CAF Charitable giving. Details can be found on the HET page of the website. If you are making a donation please complete the gift aid form if you can so that we can claim the tax back as well!
The Trust meets three times a year and we are always interested in welcoming new parent trustees to help with bid decision making and fundraising.
Our Christmas Fayre is one of our main fundraising activities for HET and will take place this year on 11.12.26. If you are able to donate a prize for our Raffle or help on the evening, please contact events@hardenhuish.wilts.sch.uk.
Successful Lives day – November 2026:
On Thursday, we held the first Successful Lives Day of the school year. Pupils and students enjoyed a collapsed timetable and the opportunity to work within their tutor teams while exploring the Hardenhuish Language for Life themes of ambition, resilience, independence, reflectiveness and collaboration.
Each year group took part in a unique programme of activities designed to develop these qualities and provide experiences they may not encounter during a typical school day.
Year 7 worked in tutor groups to develop and market a new smoothie, focusing on ingredients, packaging and promotional campaigns.
Year 8 set out to solve a crime committed on the school site, working together to follow clues and unmask the culprit.
Year 9 focused on democracy, exploring areas of politics such as manifestos, leadership and campaigning. The day culminated in an election, allowing pupils to experience democracy in action.
Year 10 focused on work experience (WEX), taking part in activities designed to prepare them for the exciting opportunities that await them later in the year.
Year 12 took part in Enterprise Day, working in small teams to develop and pitch a business proposal for an exciting new venture.
The buzz and excitement around the school throughout the day were fantastic, and we hope pupils enjoyed the experience and gained an appreciation of the wider learning opportunities these events provide.
A huge thank you goes to the year teams who planned and developed the days, ensuring that each activity was both enriching and enjoyable.
We look forward to the next Successful Lives Day taking place in Term 6.
In Perspective – A Sixth Form Academic Blog:
In our latest edition of In Perspective, ‘To what extent should surveillance be justified within society?’ is explored – examining the balance between security, privacy and individual freedoms in an increasingly digital world.
The essay considers whether the benefits of surveillance outweigh the risks to personal liberty and data ownership. Thank you to Lara for this thoughtful and engaging piece. We look forward to the next edition.
To what extent should surveillance be justified within society
The Digital Download – A Focus On…..Online Gaming:
Online gaming has become an incredibly popular activity among children and young people, with platforms such as Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite and online multiplayer games allowing players to connect, compete and communicate with others around the world.
Gaming can offer many benefits, including opportunities to develop problem-solving skills, teamwork, creativity and friendships. However, as online gaming becomes increasingly social, it is important that young people understand some of the potential risks associated with interacting with others online.
According to Ofcom’s latest research, published in October 2026:
- 88% of children aged 3–17 play games on some form of device.
- 55% of children who game online say they sometimes play with people they have never met in person.
- 20% say they play with people they have never met in person all or most of the time.
- 64% of parents of children who game online are concerned about their child talking to strangers, yet only 43% have rules about who their child can play with online.
Although online gaming can be a positive experience, it can also expose young people to risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate language, contact with strangers and pressure to make in-game purchases. Many games also include messaging and voice chat features, meaning children may communicate with people they do not know outside the game.
Did you know that many online games allow players to communicate with strangers through text or voice chat? It is important to remember that someone a young person meets online may not always be who they claim to be, and that online friendships should be approached with the same care as other online interactions.
Ofcom has recently launched its ‘Parents: Power Up’ campaign, encouraging parents and carers to take three simple steps to support safer online gaming:
- Check – review the games your child plays, their account age, privacy settings and who can contact them.
- Chat – talk regularly about who they play with, what they enjoy and whether anything online has made them uncomfortable.
- Change – adjust parental controls, communication settings and spending limits where appropriate.
You can find Ofcom’s advice and practical guidance here:
Parents: Power Up – Helping Your Child Stay Safe While Gaming Online
Online gaming is likely to remain a significant part of young people’s social lives, and for many it is an enjoyable way to spend time with friends. Hopefully, this information will encourage conversations about online gaming at home and help young people enjoy these experiences safely, respectfully and responsibly.
Catering News
https://www.hardenhuish.wilts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Catering-News.pdf
Armistice Day
On Wednesday 11th November students who attend clubs such as Scouts/Guides/Cadets are welcome to attend school in their uniforms. They are also invited to participate in our whole school event of Poppy planting in our Remembrance celebrations marking Armistice Day.