Nathan Davidson

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Oathall pond restoration works completed

2nd March 2026Nathan Davidson

It was a busy week on the Farm last week, with Pete the Pond’s team completing the pond restoration on time despite some challenges including the discovery of a brick wall in the foundations and continued abject weather most of the week!

Tuesday’s and Thursday’s Farm Club groups enjoyed listening to Pete and meeting his parrot Mango. They learnt about the animals that enjoy this habitat – including dragon and damselflies and also got hands on building a hibernaculum for amphibians.

The local wildlife has already started settling into the renovated habitat, with a couple of smooth newts spotted in the hibernaculum piles established earlier in the week.

Oathall pond restoration works completed, before

Oathall pond restoration works completed, after

The pond has been transformed and is another unique asset for the school which many students will enjoy learning from for many years to come.

World Book Day celebrations all next week

27th February 2026Nathan Davidson

World Book Day (WBD) – Thursday 5th March – will be celebrated at lunchtime events in the library all through next week.

Students are being encouraged to get involved in the Second Hand Book Swap. All they need to do is bring in a book from home and drop it off at the library. In return they’ll receive a ticket which they can exchange for a book from those donated. This forms part of the Helping Other People and the Planet initiative, in the same way as the Clothes Swap did earlier this term.

And that’s not all. On Monday lunchtime students will be invited to make origami bookmarks. Tuesday and Wednesday the library will host book debates which are expected to be keenly contested!

On WBD itself, we have the popular Open Mic event. Students are encouraged to sign up at the desk to book their spot to talk about, or read from one of their favourite books or series of books. They might decide to talk about their favourite author or explain why they love reading so much. It’s up to them! Each student that takes the spotlight will receive a credit for getting involved.

And finally on Friday lunchtime, the library will host the Book Quiz! This is always a popular event. Once again, students need to book a place for their team – groups no larger than 4 please – at the library desk.

Throughout the week students can collect a £1 book token from the library or their English teacher which they can exchange for one of the WBD books being promoted in participating bookshops nationwide – just head to the WBD website to see what books are available.

We look forward to a busy week celebrating reading.

Former students drop in to talk music careers and give impromptu performance

25th February 2026Nathan Davidson

The Oathall music department were delighted to welcome back former students Quinn Humphreys, Fraser Blanchflower and Kelly Northorpe yesterday. They gave up some time in their business schedules – being in the band Sweet Loretta – to talk music careers with current Oathall students, and fielded questions in a lively Q&A session.

Quinn and Fraser – pupils at Oathall circa 2014 – formed Sweet Loretta back in 2023 and released their breakthrough EP No Small Parts the following year. They also toured Europe and United States supporting Kishi Bashi in 2024, playing huge venues and festivals. They are looking to put out their first album later this year.

They were joined by their manager Kelly – again an ex-student – who as well as managing the band, looks after their publishing rights, having carved out a successful career in that area of the music business.

Their talk was well attended by Year 10 and 11 music students, who were treated to a rendition of one of their new songs, and were inspired listening to their stories.

Austrian ski trip was a resounding success

25th February 2026Nathan Davidson

As you may have seen, if you follow our Facebook channel, Oathall teachers and students enjoyed a hugely successful ski trip to Wagrain in Austria over the half term.

Two coach loads of lucky students enjoyed near perfect conditions for skiing, fantastic accommodation and evening entertainment throughout the week – which included a night of high-octane drama at an ice hockey game.

Oathall staff were very impressed with the resilience students displayed on the long coach journey there and back – and their courage and determination on the slopes.

It was a spectacular week and a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Oathall pond rejuvenation work begins

24th February 2026Nathan Davidson

Meet Pete. Pete the Pond.

Pete and his team will be working here for the rest of the week on the pond at Oathall. As part of the schools biodiversity work, his team will be renovating the pond which will involve a huge clear out and replanting project. Also they’ll build new fencing and a dipping platform so our students can enjoy exploring what species have made it their home over the years.

Pete is a qualified amphibian surveyor and holds a Great Crested Newt license. The pond renovation is taking place before the breeding season is in full swing to prevent disturbing any breeding newts.

It’s an exciting development for the school and we’ll keep you posted as to how they’re getting on throughout the week.

His obedient parrot is called Mango by the way. Where Pete goes, Mango goes.

Library newsletter, Spring Term 2026, issue 4

13th February 2026Nathan Davidson

Is the book you’re reading considered appropriate for your eyes? Bestselling author Freida McFadden considers this question, which is covered amongst other literary topics, in our latest Library newsletter.

Oathall students join the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street for National Apprenticeship Week

12th February 2026Nathan Davidson

Oathall was thrilled to be one of four schools in the country invited to attend an Opportunities for All: A National Apprenticeship Week Reception at 10, Downing Street on Monday to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

: Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

A group of 15 Y11 students spent the evening talking to apprentices from a range of employers, including McLaren, Channel 4, British Airways and the NHS. They also had the opportunity to speak to Baroness Jacqui Smith, whose ministerial brief includes apprenticeships, and tell her about their future plans and ambitions. Our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also attended to speak to visitors about apprenticeships and opportunities available to our young learners.

The visit included refreshments in the State Dining Room, a turn in the BA flight simulator, and a chance to see some of the incredible artwork and artefacts at Downing Street, including moon rock brought back from the Apollo 11 mission and gifted to Harold Wilson by Richard Nixon.

When the event finished there was even time for selfies outside the famous front door, and a quick glimpse of Larry the Cat as he went out to investigate what was going on outside.

It was an incredible experience and our fantastic students made us very proud.

Ms Lazell and Mrs Isley

Year 9s get thrifty at Pre-loved Clothes Swap event

11th February 2026Nathan Davidson

Some Year 9 students bagged a bargain at their Pre-loved Clothes Swap event at lunchtime today – and we wanted to let you know that it’s not too late to get involved!

There are still two events being held this week – tomorrow (Thursday 12th) is the Year 8 event, and Friday is for Year 7s.

All students need to do is bring in up to three items of clothing, which they can exchange for tokens to use at the event. They just need to see their Wellbeing reps in tutor time.

These events are a key part of the Helping Other People and the Planet initiative in school.

Year 9s visit Gatwick Apprenticeships Fair

11th February 2026Nathan Davidson

A large group of Year 9 students visited the STEM Centre at Gatwick for the Gatwick Apprenticeships Fair yesterday. This was a great opportunity to talk to a range of employers about apprenticeships and possible future pathways, and was perfectly timed as they think about their GCSE options.

They spoke confidently, listened carefully, and came away with lots of great ideas.

Find out more about National Apprenticeship Week 2026.

Year 9 Options Evening

10th February 2026Nathan Davidson

A reminder that parents are invited to attend the Year 9 Options Evening on Thursday 26th February from 6pm.

The evening will provide you and your child with information on the options process, the timeline and give you an opportunity to explore the vast array of subjects on offer at Key Stage 4 and to speak with staff.

You can find out more about all of this on the Key Stage 4 options page on this website, which we would encourage you to take a look at with your child prior to the evening.

As for the evening itself, the itinerary is as below.

Tutor groups: PRC, VLP, DDRM, ELMS, EMP
6pm… Parents and students from all tutor groups arrive
Presentation in the Hall.
7pm… Visit Key Stage 4 courses and speak with teaching staff.
8pm… End of KS4 information evening

Tutor groups: DJA, PAR, CEE, VRBL, VABA
6pm… Parents and students from all tutor groups arrive
Visit Key Stage 4 courses and speak with teaching staff.
7pm… Presentation in the Hall.
8pm… End of KS4 information evening

We look forward to seeing you then.