Regents Review - Summer 2026
REGENTS PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2026
Year 11 Prom See page 8
Transition Day
Student LT Announcement
Swim Gala
Science Club
Page 24
Page 17
Page 12
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
WELCOME Headteacher’s Welcome
As we reach the end of another successful year at Regents Park Community College, a year in which the school joined United Learning, it is time to celebrate our wonderful community. This year has been one of our best and I am extremely grateful to all the staff and students for their commitment to our improvement journey. Raising expectations can be very challenging, but we are determined to offer the very best education in the classroom and beyond. Our students deserve disruption free classrooms, they deserve a wide range of enrichment opportunities, they deserve supportive staff, they deserve high quality teaching and they deserve to feel safe and happy at school. Our students have shown great commitment across many activities this year. It has been inspiring to hear how well our Duke of Edinburgh participants have worked on their expeditions and community service. Once again, our students leaders did the most amazing job during Transition Day, welcoming and supporting our new Year 7 students. Celebrating student success is very important to us. This year we have continued our focus on our ethos badges and our blazers display these achievements every day. I have enjoyed many reward hot chocolates over the year with sport teams, student leaders and many students that have made a positive contribution to our school community. This year we are particularly proud of our students’ success in the poetry competition, where they impressed judges with their creative ideas. As we move into the new academic year, we have some staffing changes to share. We say goodbye to Mrs Cosford, who is looking forward to a well deserved retirement after almost 30 years at Regents Park Community College. Mrs Cosford has been an outstanding English teacher, teaching many students the art of
English language and opening up the wonderful world of English Literature with her passion for the subject. We wish her well and I know she will be thinking about us as she travels around the world. Mr Hearmon has been promoted to Assistant Headteacher and we wish him well in his new post. The Maths department will see Mr Faur and Mrs Becker leave to new posts, but we know that our new Curriculum Leader, Miss Booth will build on their work with the new members of her team. We will also see some changes in the Science team as Mr Maistry and Miss Vincent move onto new challenges. Several members of our wonderful support team are also leaving. Miss Ayres will return to her studies and we wish her well and Miss Staddon has an exciting new post, where we know she will continue to offer both staff and student support. As staff move on to new challenges, we are always pleased to welcome new staff members: Miss Crisell will be joining the Leadership Team as Deputy Headteacher. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge of pastoral leadership. Miss Self will be joining the Humanities department along with Mr Hauser. Miss Noakes will be joining the Social Sciences team. Miss Chen will be joining the Maths team. Miss Matthews will be joining the pastoral support team as Head of Year Support for Year 9. Miss Gibson will join our cover supervisor team. Finally a farewell to our therapy dog, Spencer, who will be retiring after almost nine years at the school. Since joining as a puppy, he has offered many staff and students a ‘Spencer moment’. I know he is going to miss all the attention he gets when he comes to work, as he puts his paws up and enjoys a slower pace of life. He joins me in wishing you all a wonderful and
safe summer. Mrs S Barnes Headteacher
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Spencer We are writing to share some bittersweet news. After 9 wonderful years of service to our school, our beloved school dog, Spencer, will be officially retiring from his duties at the end of the summer term. Since joining our school family when he was just 12 weeks old, Spencer has been an invaluable part of our community. He has helped countless children build confidence, provided emotional comfort during stressful times and taught our students the importance of compassion and care for animals. While we are incredibly sad to see him go, we know that he has more than earned a restful and happy retirement with his family.
Thank you for your continued support of Spencer, he will certainly miss the students and the fuss they make of him.
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The Best in Everyone Awards The Best in Everyone Awards are United Learning’s national celebration of the exceptional achievements, talents, and character of students and staff across all United Learning schools. First held in 2013, these awards highlight the accomplishments, commitment and resilience of individuals who truly represent the Trust’s ethos of bringing out “the best in everyone.” Each year, schools nominate outstanding students and staff who have excelled in a wide range of areas. While our student award winners are yet to be announced, staff have cast their votes for this year’s staff awards. We are delighted to share the following recipients: • Mrs Heath - Business Support Colleague of the Year Category • Miss Fitzsimmons - ECT of the Year Category • Ms Humby - Education Support Colleague of the Year • Mrs Stear - Education Support Colleague of the Year • Ms Hazova - Education Support Collegaue of the Year • Mrs Jarvis - Education Support Colleague of the Year
• Mr Brandford - Teacher of the Year • Mrs McCarthy - Teacher of the Year
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Year 7 As we approach the end of another successful academic year, both myself and Mrs Jarvis would like to express how incredibly proud we are of our Year 7 students. Starting secondary school is a significant milestone and our Year 7 cohort have risen to the challenge brilliantly. They have settled into the routines and expectations of Regents Park Community College exceptionally well and have shown tremendous maturity throughout their first year. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow, as they have become valued members of our school community. One particularly impressive achievement is that Year 7 currently has the best attendance across the school. This demonstrates their commitment to learning, positive attitude towards education and determination to make the most of every opportunity available to them. We know that learning and progress happen best when students are in school, benefiting from high-quality teaching and working alongside their peers. Whilst we are delighted with their attendance this year, the challenge for Year 8 will be to improve it even further and continue setting the standard for the rest of the school. Beyond the classroom, it has been fantastic to see so many students embracing the wide range of extracurricular activities on offer. Year 7 students have enthusiastically participated in clubs such as science, art, badminton, cricket and swimming clubs, while many have represented the school through sporting activities including football for both girls and boys. Their willingness to get involved has helped them develop new skills, make friendships and enrich their overall school experience. As they prepare to move into Year 8 in September, we are confident that they will continue to build on the excellent foundations they have established this year. We would also like to thank parents and guardians for their ongoing support, which has played a vital role in the success of our students.
Well done, Year 7 - we look forward to seeing all that you achieve in Year 8! Mr S Sinclair Head of Year 7
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Year 8 As we come to the end of Year 8, it is a great opportunity to reflect on everything our students have achieved over the past year. It has been a year of growth, resilience and increasing independence, with students continuing to develop both academically and personally. Throughout the year, Year 8 students have embraced new challenges, built stronger friendships and demonstrated greater maturity in the way they approach their learning and school life. They have learned from successes, overcome setbacks and shown an increasing willingness to take responsibility for their choices and actions. It has been wonderful to see their confidence flourish, as they have become positive role models within our school community. Whether representing the school in sporting events, participating in enrichment activities or striving for excellence in the classroom, our students have consistently shown determination, kindness and ambition. Their commitment to our school values has been evident in the way they support one another and contribute positively to school life.
As they prepare to move into Year 9, students are entering an exciting stage of their education. Year 9 marks the beginning of important decisions as they explore and select their GCSE option subjects. This is an opportunity for each student to consider their strengths, interests and aspirations, helping them shape a pathway that reflects their ambitions for the future. We are incredibly proud of how much our Year 8 students have matured this year and have every confidence that they are ready to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities that Year 9 will bring. We encourage them to continue working hard, remaining curious and making the most of every opportunity as they begin this exciting next chapter. Well done, Year 8 - you should all be incredibly proud of how far you have come. We wish you a restful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back as confident, motivated and ready Year 9 students. Mrs R Wales Head of Year 8
Year 9 As we approach the end of the academic year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly fantastic year for our Year 9 students. Having returned from maternity leave partway through the year, it has been such a pleasure to come back and see the year group thriving. The students have shown remarkable maturity, resilience and positivity and I have been incredibly proud of how they have conducted themselves
both in and out of lessons. Year 9 have embraced the challenges of this important transition year with enthusiasm. Whether through their hard work in lessons, their commitment to improving attendance and behaviour, or their willingness to get involved in wider school life, they have consistently demonstrated the values we are so proud of at Regents Park. I would also like to thank you, as parents and guardians, for your continued support. It makes a real difference and together
we have been able to help the students make excellent progress this year. As they move into Year 10, I have every confidence that they will continue to grow, take on new challenges and achieve great success, as they begin their GCSE courses. Thank you again for your support and I hope you all have a wonderful and restful summer. Mrs N Dahl Head of Year 9
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Year 10 As we reach the end of another successful school year, I would like to congratulate all of Year 10 on the maturity and commitment they have shown throughout their first year of GCSEs. Transitioning into GCSE courses is a significant step and it has been fantastic to see students settle so well into their chosen subjects and rise to the challenges that come with them. The recent mock examinations have provided an invaluable experience for our students, giving them a clear insight into what to expect next year and helping them understand the standards and expectations of the examination process. We have been pleased with the way students approached these assessments and hope they have taken away important lessons that will support them in their final GCSE year. As we move forward, our expectations for examinations remain clear: long hair tied up, silence from the double doors onwards, nothing on wrists or in pockets and, most importantly, bringing a positive attitude and determination to succeed. These simple expectations help create the best possible environment for everyone to perform at their best. Next year will be an exciting and important one, as
we begin to focus more closely on students’ next steps beyond school. Whether that involves further education, apprenticeships, training, or future career aspirations, we look forward to supporting every student as they start making these important decisions. I would also like to thank the many students who consistently uphold our school ethos of Respect, Pride, Creativity and Challenge . Their positive attitudes, politeness and willingness to contribute to our school community make a real difference every day and set an excellent example for others. Finally, a huge thank you to all the students who applied for our Head Ambassador roles. I was genuinely blown away by the quality of the applications and by the talent, dedication and commitment shown by so many of our students. The future of our school is certainly in safe hands. I am incredibly excited to work closely with our Head Ambassadors, Senior Ambassadors and the wider Ambassador Team next year and I look forward to seeing all that they will achieve. I wish all of Year 10 and their families a wonderful summer break and I look forward to welcoming everyone back for a successful and rewarding year.
Mrs L Mouland Head of Year 10
Year 11 As the Year 11s final academic year comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity to say what an absolute privilege it has been to be Head of Year for such an exceptional group of young people. Over the past three years, I have had the pleasure of watching our Year 11 students grow
into mature, determined and compassionate individuals. They have faced challenges with resilience, celebrated successes with humility and supported one another along the way. Seeing the confidence they have developed and the people they have become has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
lasting impression. Whether through their dedication in the classroom, their achievements in sport, music, drama and the arts, or the positive contribution they have made to the wider school community, they have represented our school with pride and integrity. They have been outstanding role models for younger students and have left a legacy they should be incredibly proud of.
Throughout their time at school, Year 11 has made a
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As they now embark on the next chapter of their lives - whether that be sixth form, college, apprenticeships or employment - I wish every one of them every success and happiness. I have no doubt they will continue to achieve wonderful things and I look forward to hearing about all they accomplish in the years ahead. Although saying goodbye is never easy, I will always look back on our time together with great fondness. Thank you, Year 11, for the laughter, the memories, your
determination and for making my role so rewarding. You have made me immensely proud and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of your journey. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Miss Moore, the dedicated Year 11 tutor team and every member of staff who has supported this year group throughout their journey. Their unwavering commitment, encouragement and care have played a huge part in helping our students grow and succeed.
Finally, I would like to wish you all the very best for Results Day. I hope your hard work and commitment are rewarded and whatever your results, remember that they are just one step on your journey. Be proud of everything you have achieved, celebrate your successes and look ahead with confidence and ambition. I wish you every happiness and success for the future.
Mr M McIntyre Head of Year 11
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Destination Station Since launching on 6th July, our new Destination Station lunch trial has been a great success so far! Students are enjoying the increased choice and flexibility across our three dining locations. • Hot Food Station – Main Dining Room • Sandwiches – Park Café • Grab & Go – Small Kitchen Thank you to all our students and staff for embracing the new format and sharing your positive feedback. We’re delighted to see so many of you making the most of the different dining options available.
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Library National Year of Reading We are continuing to celebrate the National Year of Reading, a UK wide campaign to help more people rediscover the joy of reading. Students have been enjoying some of the events we have planned throughout the year to celebrate reading and books.
Share a Story Month It was National ‘Share a Story Month’ in May, which seemed a good time to launch our Secret Story Club. Students have been joining us on Fridays in the Library after school to share stories and take part in book-themed craft activities. Our ‘Paired Reading Group’ continues to meet on Friday mornings during tutor time and the students are making great progress with their reading skills. We had some lovely craft activities for students to join in with during Mental Health Awareness Week, growing cress seeds was a particular favourite. We have also been sewing and decorating suncatchers in beautiful colours, as well as making friendship bracelets for Pride Month. We took part in the #ReadwithPride relay along with 60 other schools across the UK, where we promoted LGBTQ books on social media.
Library Clubs Our chess and board games club continues to meet for some very competitive games on Thursdays after school and students have been attending homework club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to get a head start on their home learning. Students are welcome to attend these clubs, just turn up in the Library or pop in and see the Librarian for more information. The Dyslexia Support Group hosted our first parent drop in session. The students did a fantastic job of demonstrating the resources and parents were able to find out more about the support available to them and their child. We are hoping to run more sessions in the future. ReadEasy Scheme If you, or someone you know is struggling with reading, you can get help from the ReadEasy scheme. You can also help others with their reading journey by volunteering with them. Find out more here: readeasy.org.uk/how can-we-help-you/ Free Online Resources We have some fantastic online resources which are FREE for students to borrow via Google Classroom. Please do make use of these. There are over 3000 e-books on the e-platform, which includes audio books and the text can be changed to help students with visual impairments. The books can also be read to you or be translated into many other languages so that families can
School Library Association Conference Our Librarian attended the School Library Association Conference in Winchester, where she was asked to speak about the SEND and wellbeing provision in school libraries and how we can make our spaces inclusive and welcoming for everyone. This was a fantastic event with over a hundred school librarians, as well as some inspirational speakers, including Dame Jacqueline Wilson and the incredible Michael Rosen.
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read together, which is a lovely activity. regents-park.wheelers. co/ Students have also been given access to The Day, which is a fantastic online newspaper. It can be found on the student landing page and it is a great way to keep up with current events, enabling students to gain a wider view of the world they live in and understand the issues being discussed. This is also a FREE resource for students. theday.co.uk/?id=3B348D80 2CF0-4B11-8589-E6CC55028AB2 Summer Reading Challenge We have a ‘Summer Reading Challenge’ for students to get involved with over the holidays. Students can collect a sheet from the library and when students
return with the completed sheet in the autumn term, they will be able to pick up prizes. Keep reading and have a great summer! Poetry Workshops Matt West from Artfulscribe joined us to run Poetry workshops with some of our Year 9 students. They worked really hard to create some beautiful poems and some students had the chance to perform these in the Poetry Slam Grand Final at the MAST theatre in July, where they competed against other Hampshire schools. Year 7 had a visit from Matt Oldfield, author of the Ultimate Football Heroes books, as part of the National Year of Reading and World Cup celebrations.
Student Leadership Announcement
Alongside an exciting Sports Day, our Year 10 students who applied to become Student Ambassadors for next year received news of their appointments. Congratulations to our new Head Ambassadors, Andriana and Freya and our Deputy Head Ambassadors, Testimony, Kamalpreet, Johnny and Ash. All candidates showed outstanding commitment and leadership throughout the selection process. We are incredibly proud of our new Student Ambassador team and look forward to the positive impact they will make in the year ahead.
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HOT 50 It has been fantastic to see the continued success of our Hot 50 reward days, with so many students involved in these celebrations. These rewards recognise students who consistently demonstrate: • Strong attendance • High achievement points • Excellent attitude to learning We are proud of the positive culture this is helping to build across the school, with students striving to meet high expectations and celebrate success together. We are already planning new and exciting rewards for next year, so keep up the great work and look out for what’s to come!
Attendance Matters At Regents Park, attendance continues to be a key priority. Every day in school matters - missing lessons means missing essential learning, experiences and opportunities to succeed. There is a very clear link between attendance and academic outcomes: - Students with 95%+ attendance are almost twice as likely to achieve strong GCSE passes compared to those with lower attendance - Missing just 10 days of school can halve the chances of achieving a grade 5 in English and Maths We would like to say a huge well done to all students who have maintained attendance above 95% this term - this is a fantastic achievement. Looking ahead, we will be raising expectations even further next year, as we continue to support every student in achieving their best. We ask families to work in partnership with us by: - Ensuring students attend every day - Letting us know as early as possible if there are any concerns or barriers to attendance If your child is unable to attend school, please let us know as soon as possible on the day of their absence. You can report an absence by: - Calling our dedicated absence line on 023 8072 5712 - Emailing attendance@regentspark.org.uk Prompt reporting helps us ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and supports accurate attendance records. Thank you for your continued support.
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Guitar Donation Two extremely lucky Regents Park music students were delighted to receive their very own instruments due to an extremely generous donation from ‘The Guitar Store’, in Southampton. Both the students are members of the school band and neither of them had their own instruments. The donation included a complete gig pack including an electric
guitar, a practice amplifier, guitar picks, a jack lead and a gig bag. The Year 7 and 8 students also received a personalised letter from the store owner encouraging their passion for music to which each of them promptly replied with their own thank you message. As a department and on behalf on the school, I would like to personally offer my own thanks for this lovely altruistic gift from
the local business owner. In addition, I praise the stores passion to encourage our young people’s development within music. Thank you so much. Mr G Barron Music Teacher
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Duke of Edinburgh Award The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) has been a huge success so far this year, with students from Year 9 and 10 set to complete their awards soon. It is always a huge challenge, balancing school work with extra-curriculars and DofE requires them to volunteer, build skills and get involved in physical activity every week - a big ask for secondary school students! But they are keeping up with it; across the current cohort, we are seeing more students prepared to complete their awards by the end of the year than we have before, a testament to their commitment and dedication. Some of you may not know what the DofE is (or parents/ guardians may remember their own… positively or negatively) and be wondering if your child can sign up. No doubt they may well have heard about it from the older years and be excited to get involved – or maybe a bit
nervous about what it entails. Rest assured: DofE has changed a lot over the past few years and the days of mindlessly trudging through bogs in the rain, needing to hit ten miles or more are long, long gone. DofE as an organisation is committed to making their award accessible for all and we try especially hard to embody this in our approach at RPCC. DofE is available to all students, of all abilities. The award involves the following four sections: learning a new skill outside of school; getting involved with sport or fitness; volunteering in the local community; and two “expeditions” where students have to work as a team to navigate their own routes, with a night’s camping (Year 9) or two nights (Year 10) in the middle. Their final assessed expeditions are the ultimate test of their communication, teamwork and motivation with minimal input from staff as they trek across the New Forest (Year 9) or the Isle of Wight (Year 10). Of course: this is after weeks of preparation and training, provided by the DofE team here at RPCC and we
make sure that they are prepared and that everyone’s needs are adapted for, ahead of these multiple-day hikes. It is a lot of work, but it is immensely rewarding. So a big, big “well done” to our current DofE students – they are truly inspiring and have showed me time and time again that they are capable of working together and passing their assessed expeditions. It has been amazing working with these young people to build skills that we do not always get to teach in a classroom environment and seeing them excel in all areas of the award. If your child wishes to get involved, there will be information going out to Year 8 and Year 9 students shortly. Even if they did not sign up for their “Bronze” DofE in Year 9 they are welcome to sign up for “Silver” in Year 10. As I said before, anyone can sign up! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate
to email me. Mr J Walker
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Teaching & Learning As another busy and successful year comes to a close, it is a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic learning habits, perseverance and achievements of our students. One of the standout highlights this year has been the incredible commitment shown by our Year 11 students. Whether attending revision sessions before school, after school or during holidays, they have embraced every opportunity to prepare for their GCSE examinations. Classrooms and the library have been full of students determined to squeeze every last mark from their exams. Their positive attitude, resilience and hard work have been a real credit to themselves and their families. Across the school, we have also seen a noticeable increase in independent learning. Students are becoming more confident in taking responsibility for their own progress, regularly revisiting previous learning, completing additional practice and asking thoughtful questions to deepen their understanding. It has been wonderful to see so many students developing the study habits that will support them not only in school, but in their future education and careers. “ All of my teachers are focused on my progress, so I know I can go and get help whenever I need it. ” - Year 11 student This comment perfectly captures the supportive learning environment we strive to create at Regents Park, where students know that staff are invested in their success and always willing to help them achieve their very best. Home learning has been another success story this year. More students than ever have engaged positively with homework and independent tasks, recognising that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. The support of parents and carers has played an important part in helping students establish routines and maintain high expectations and we are extremely grateful for this partnership.
We are especially proud of our Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) students, who successfully completed their projects this year. From researching fascinating topics to drafting their report findings with confidence, these students demonstrated impressive curiosity, independence and determination. Completing an extended project alongside their other studies is no small achievement and they should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished. Looking ahead, our Year 10 students have already shown that they are ready to rise to the challenge. This year’s internal examinations were approached with maturity and determination, with many students making an excellent start to their GCSE preparation. There has been a real sense of purpose around the year group, as they begin to recognise that they are now the next cohort heading towards their final examinations. “ Year 10 have made a great start to their exams and are preparing well for the move into Year 11. They are beginning to realise that the next set of GCSEs at RPCC are theirs, and they have responded with maturity and a real determination to succeed. ” - Year 10 tutor What has been most pleasing this year, is seeing students grow in confidence as learners. Whether mastering a difficult concept, improving their revision techniques, completing an extended project or simply finding the courage to tackle a new challenge, our students have shown that success comes through consistent effort, a positive mindset and a willingness to keep learning. As we head into the summer break, we would like to thank our students for their hard work, our staff for their dedication and expertise, and our families for their continued support. Together, we have created a culture where achievement is celebrated, progress is valued and every student is encouraged to be the very best version of themselves. Have a wonderful summer and, as always, keep learning, keep reading and keep aiming high!
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Transition Day On Wednesday 1st July, RPCC was thrilled to welcome our future Year 7 students for Transition Day. The day was all about giving them a taste of life at RPCC - and what a day it was! From the moment they arrived, the excitement was clear, as they took part in a fun-filled schedule of activities designed to introduce them to our school community. Throughout the day, students enjoyed a range of exciting taster lessons including; PE, Art, Geography and Science, giving them a flavour of the subjects and opportunities available at our school. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and to witness the enthusiasm and energy these young people brought with them. We can’t wait to see them again in September, as they officially begin their RPCC journey as Year 7s!
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Student Leadership Programme
exceptional. • Holocaust Memorial Leadership: Pupils contributed to the planning and delivery of Holocaust Memorial assemblies, showing maturity, sensitivity and respect while developing research and presentation skills. • PE Champions & Event Leadership: PE leaders completed a substantial programme including Champion Week, the Swimming Gala, charity events and Sports Awards planning. Their organisational skills and ability to lead large scale events have been outstanding. • Digital Leaders – Online Safety & Safer Internet Day: Digital Leaders delivered assemblies, supported Safer Internet Day and contributed to Open Evening. Their work continues to be a cornerstone of our digital safeguarding education. • Cultural Leaders – Culture Day & Celebrations: Cultural Leaders have planned Culture Day, assemblies and Diwali celebrations, working closely with the library to promote cultural understanding and inclusion. • Library Leaders – Peer Support & Session Leadership: Leaders from Years 7–10 have supported reading sessions, organised the library and mentored younger pupils, demonstrating reliability and a passion for literacy. • Personal Development – Anti Bullying Ambassadors: Ambassadors have led campaigns, peer mentoring and group support, contributing significantly to a positive and respectful school culture. • Teaching & Learning Leaders – EFA & Classroom Support: Pupils have supported formative assessment strategies, resource development and classroom practice, strengthened their understanding of teaching and learning processes and gave regular constructive feedback to teacher training. Looking Ahead As pupils complete their final qualification applications, we are incredibly proud of the leadership attributes they have developed - confidence, empathy, initiative, communication, teamwork and resilience. Their projects have enriched our school community and demonstrated
As we approach the end of the academic year, our Student Leadership Programme has reached an exciting milestone. The vast majority of projects are now completed, with the remaining few progressing well. Across the school, pupils have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities - showing respect, responsibility, creativity and a genuine commitment to contributing positively to our community. Throughout the year, pupils have been trained and supported by our interns, developing a wide range of leadership attributes including communication, teamwork, independence and resilience. They are now completing their final applications for the Student Leadership Qualification, reflecting thoughtfully on the skills they have gained and the impact of their work. One of the most powerful successes of the programme is its inclusivity. Leadership has been embraced by pupils, reinforcing our belief that leadership is an entitlement for all, not a selective opportunity. Engagement has been consistently strong, with pupils attending sessions regularly, leading activities independently and contributing to whole school events with maturity and pride. Curriculum & Pastoral Highlights Across subjects, pupils have taken on meaningful leadership roles that have strengthened both curriculum learning and wider character development. A few broad highlights include: • English – Paired Reading Leadership: Leaders have supported Year 8 reluctant readers through the Paired Reading Programme, modelling positive reading habits and building confidence in younger pupils. This project has been described as a “huge success”, with clear gains in communication and mentoring skills. • Science – British Science Week & Lesson Delivery: Science leaders demonstrated experiments, designed promotional materials, and even delivered lessons. Their confidence, communication and teamwork have been
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what student leadership looks like when it is inclusive, purposeful and rooted in character. This year’s cohort has set a high standard. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work, but also their willingness to step forward, take Examinations and End of Year Assessments As we reach the end of another busy and purposeful term, our students have once again shown what it means to bring their very best to school life. Across all year groups, the examination season has highlighted not only academic commitment, but also the respect, pride, creativity and resilience Year 11 approached their GCSE examinations with maturity, determination and exemplary behaviour. Every student walked into the exam hall ready to demonstrate their best, rising to the challenge with calm focus and genuine pride in their efforts. Their conduct throughout the exam period has been outstanding and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented themselves and the school. GCSE Results Day will take place on 20th August 2026 and we will be sending further information to families closer to the date. These results will mark an important milestone in each student’s journey and we look forward to celebrating their achievements. Year 10 Mock Examinations Year 10 also completed their mock examinations this term, showing impressive commitment and a strong work ethic. They approached each paper with seriousness and respect for exam conditions, demonstrating that they are already developing the habits needed for success next year. Mock exam data will be shared with families in the end of year reports. These outcomes play a vital role in helping teachers identify strengths, spot gaps in knowledge and shape planning for September. This ensures that every student receives the support, challenge and routines they need to thrive in Year 11. that define our school community. Year 11 GCSE Examinations
responsibility and make a difference. We look forward to celebrating their success, as they move toward qualification and continue their leadership journey next year.
Year 8 & Year 9 End of Year Assessments Year 8 and 9 completed their end of year assessments for English, Maths and Science in the main exam hall. This experience gave them a valuable taste of formal exam conditions, helping them build confidence, resilience and familiarity with the routines they will encounter in future years. Their behaviour was excellent and they showed real respect for the exam environment. They rose to the challenge with maturity, demonstrating creativity in their responses and pride in their progress. Year 7 End of Year Assessments Year 7 completed their end of year assessments within lessons, showing enthusiasm, focus and a strong commitment to doing their best. They approached each subject with curiosity and energy and their teachers have been impressed by the way they embraced new challenges and demonstrated their learning. Looking Ahead Across all year groups, these assessments provide teachers with valuable insights that will shape planning for next year. By understanding each student’s strengths and areas for development, we can design routines, lessons and interventions that ensure every learner continues to grow. Most importantly, this exam season has shown that our students are not only developing academically- they are building character. Their respect for the process, pride in their work, creativity in their thinking and willingness to face challenges head on make us incredibly proud. We look forward to seeing their continued progress as they move into the next stage of their learning journey.
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
Mathematics DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Maths at RPCC This term has been another exciting one in Mathematics, with students across all year groups continuing to build confidence, develop problem solving skills and achieve fantastic progress. It has been great to see such positive engagement in lessons. Think you’ve got what it takes? Have a go at our Maths Challenge. Hand a copy of your submission to Miss Booth in room 32 for the chance to win a fantastic prize and certificate of entry. Deadline is Friday 11th September 2026. (Open to current RPCC students only at time of deadline). Fill in the hexagonal grid using the numbers 1 to 19 so every row and diagonal adds up to the same number. Summer Maths Challenge
make the ball smoother and rounder, so it moves more accurately in the air and wobbles less. Who knew so much maths went into designing something as simple as a football? Maths Reading Corner Reading about mathematics can help you see it in a new way and foster an interest in the subject. There are plenty of books out there on the history of maths, recreational maths and thinking mathematically. Here are our recommendations: Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D’Agnese (Recommended for ages 8+) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Recommended for ages 11+) Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos (Recommended for ages 13+) How Many Socks Make a Pair? by Rob Eastaway (Recommended for ages 13+) The Great Mathematical Problems by Ian Stewart (Recommended for ages 16+) Sparx Success Students across the school continue to make excellent use of Sparx Maths, building independent study habits and strengthening their understanding through regular practice. Throughout June and July, staff have been highlighting the impact of regular engagement with their classes and demonstrating the new features included. Flash cards is a new feature of Sparx, that RPCC has early access to. They are designed to be focused, meaningful and quick, supporting deeper understanding. We hope all students will enjoy using the new and improved Sparx platform.
Maths in Real Life Think about a football. You might picture a sphere made from lots of shapes, like pentagons and hexagons stitched together. This iconic design is made up of 32 panels of material and called the telstar ball. The FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball, called the trionda, is designed very differently. It is made from just four panels – the fewest ever used in a World Cup ball. In the previous tournament, footballs had 20 panels. Mathematicians designed the trionda ball shape to
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
English Matt West Slam Poetry This term our wonderful 9GX students took part in an exciting city-wide slam poetry event led by Southampton’s Poet Laureate, Matt West of Artful Scribe! On 21st May and Thursday 4th June, students enjoyed interactive Slam Poetry workshops designed to facilitate the writing of their poems. The grand final, where selected students performed their poems alongside students from other Southampton and Hampshire schools, took place at the Mast Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 1st July, with family and friends cheering them on. Regents Park were represented by Alex, Poppy, Kean and Zander. All four students were a credit to our school, demonstrating impressive composure, courage, creativity and resilience. A special mention must go to Alex, who performed second and brought the house down with his stunning poem on the theme of ‘time’. It was so good that Matt West chose Alex’s as one of his two favourite poems of the night, out of around 35; it was a real magic moment.
A huge congratulations to all four of our performance poets – you were amazing!
United Learning End of Year Tests Regents Park students from Year 7 to 10 have reached a major milestone this summer: completing their first United Learning end of year tests, a moment that marks both achievement and ambition across the school community.
For our students, this was their first experience sitting formal United Learning assessments. The tests are designed to give a clear, national picture of progress, helping teachers understand how students are learning compared with peers across the country. At Regents Park, the experience became more than just a set of exams: it became a shared journey of preparation, resilience, and pride.
Across Year 7 to Year 10, students approached the tests with determination. Teachers reported a noticeable sense of maturity in the way pupils organised revision, supported one another and engaged with practice materials. For younger students, especially Year 7, the tests offered a first taste of structured academic challenge. For older year groups, they became an opportunity to demonstrate how far they’ve come.
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
With the tests now complete, Regents Park students can head into the summer break knowing they have achieved something meaningful. The experience has given them valuable insight into
formal assessments, strengthened their study skills and set a strong foundation for future academic success. As the school looks toward
September, the results will help shape teaching plans — but the real achievement lies in the confidence, resilience and pride students gained along the way.
More Team Up Success for Year 7s! 16 enthusiastic Year 7 students at Regents Park have this term, completed their English tuition programme with the educational charity Team Up - marking the end of a transformative journey that has strengthened their skills and confidence in reading and writing A second cohort that showed commitment and growth This is the school’s second cohort to take part in Team Up’s English tuition and the impact has been clear from the start. Over the course of the programme, students worked closely with trained tutors who helped them develop key reading and writing skills, tackle challenging texts and build confidence in expressing their ideas. The sixteen pupils embraced the weekly sessions with energy and curiosity. Many arrived eager to share what they had learned and teachers noted a growing sense of independence in how students approached reading tasks and written work. For Year 7 (a year of big transitions), the programme offered a supportive space to stretch their abilities and discover new strengths.
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
A Fresh Start for Readers Regents Park is turning a new page this September with the launch of an exciting school book club, led by the ever enthusiastic Miss Davie. It will be a space designed to spark imagination, build community and celebrate the joy of reading. The new book club will open its doors at the start of the autumn term, welcoming students who love stories, enjoy discussing ideas or simply want to discover books they might never have picked up before. Miss Davie, known for her passion for literature and her talent for bringing texts to life, will guide the group through a vibrant mix of genres, from gripping mysteries to thought-provoking contemporary fiction. Science Space Week In April, our students had an ‘out of this world’ experience with Space Week! As part of this week, we were lucky enough to ‘borrow the moon’! We were sent genuine lunar samples collected during the Apollo Moon missions of the 1970s, along with meteorites, which have travelled to Earth from space. Students had the opportunity to get hands on with real pieces of space history, carefully examining the samples up close and comparing them with rocks found on Earth. Being able to say that they had held a real piece of the moon was the highlight of an unforgettable experience! We were also lucky enough to welcome Explorer Dome, a mobile planetarium, who delivered some exciting live, interactive space science shows. Students explored the wonders of space, from our own planet and moon to the wider solar system and beyond! It was a truly awe-inspiring experience that inspired wonder and curiosity.
The book club will offer a range of engaging activities that go beyond simply reading a chapter each week: • Monthly book picks - curated by Miss Davie, featuring accessible yet exciting titles. • Creative discussions - encouraging students to debate themes, characters and ideas. • Fun reading challenges - designed to motivate and inspire. • Opportunities to recommend books - giving pupils a voice in shaping the club’s reading list. • Special themed sessions - from mystery week to poetry month. Miss Davie hopes the club will become a lively hub for conversation, creativity and connection; a place where students can unwind, explore and enjoy reading without pressure.
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The Regents Review Summer 2026
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
Science Club This term in science club has been packed with hands-on experiments and colourful discoveries! We explored the fascinating world of microbiology by swabbing everyday objects and growing the samples on agar plates. It was amazing to see just how many microbes live on the surfaces we touch daily, sparking lots of discussion about hygiene and invisible life all around us. To celebrate Pride Month, we embraced all things rainbow in science. We created stunning rainbow density columns to demonstrate differences in liquid
density and made vibrant colour gradients in test tubes using acids, alkalis and indicators. We also investigated how light works by using prisms to split white light and explore the visible spectrum, helping us understand how rainbows form in nature. With the recent heatwave, we turned our attention to sun safety by making our own sunscreen! Students then tested their creations against commercial samples to estimate their SPF, combining chemistry skills with real-world applications. It’s been a brilliant term full of curiosity, creativity and colourful science!
Visiting Scientists from the University of Southampton We were delighted to welcome visitors from the University of Southampton to Science Club this term. Dr Stephanie Gauthier and her engineering students, Ammaar and Samuel ran an engaging workshop on offshore wind power. Students learned how wind turbines generate renewable energy before building their own working models to explore the science behind them. The session culminated in a particularly tricky engineering challenge: designing and constructing
Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough! This term, we also marked the incredible milestone of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, celebrating his lifelong dedication to science, conservation and inspiring curiosity about the natural world. To honour the occasion, Mrs Stear decorated the Science prep room door with a vibrant display, showcasing his achievements and love for our planet. It was important to recognise a true scientific icon who continues to inspire generations of young scientists.
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