Friday 27 February 2026

All Pupils & Parents: Years 7- Upper Sixth

Notices (Please click on the + sign to expand for full information)

  • We are delighted to announce the first two concerts in our new Pangbourne Arts series, both taking place in the beautiful Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel. These events promise inspiring live music and we warmly encourage you to come along and support them.

    The first concert takes place on Monday 2 March 2026 at 19:30 and is a lecture recital entitled The landscape of exile. This thought-provoking evening explores the experiences of composers who were forced to flee risk and persecution, and how exile shaped their music and creative lives. Through live performance and commentary, the recital brings together music, history, and personal stories in a way that is both moving and illuminating. The performers are Katy Thomson (soprano), Rustam Khanmurzin (piano), and Katy Hamilton (musicologist), whose combined expertise will offer the audience a rich and engaging introduction to the repertoire and its wider context.

    The second concert, on Monday 11 May 2026 at 19:30, welcomes the acclaimed all-female vocal ensemble Papagena with their programme Tomorrow is today, drawn from their fourth album of the same name. The concert explores themes of beauty, love, and the passing of time, with music ranging from early composers such as Hildegard of Bingen and Claudio Monteverdi to modern and contemporary figures including Kate Bush, Caroline Shaw, and James MacMillan.

    Tickets are now available to purchase online (reserved seating) until 19:00 on the day of the performance and details can be found by visiting the music pages of the College website (www.pangbourne.com/music).

    Whilst these are public concerts, Pangbourne pupils and families can get half price tickets using the code PANGBOURNE50 at checkout. We hope many members of the Pangbourne community will be able to join us to help make these inaugural concerts a great success. 

    Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music

  • Our first Saturday College Parade will take place on 7 March 2026. Please see the document here for more information including timings for the day.

  • On Thursday 12 March at 19:00 in chapel, we welcome James Cary's stand-up show, God, the Bible and Everything.

    James has been one of Britain's leading comedy writers for the last 20 years, writing for Miranda Hart, My Family and Citizen Khan, his own series, Bluestone 42, as well as other series and episodes on BBC TV and Radio 4. We have previously hosted his plays, A Monk's Tale and The God Particle. According to James, his new show "explains the whole Bible, in one hour, with jokes, a big screen and a few props. And maybe even a song."

    The event is open to students and staff, as well as parents and the wider community. Tickets will be £10 a head for parents and can be booked here.

    The Reverend Neil Jeffers, College Chaplain

  • The much anticipated Pangbournian Community Quiz is back on 20 March at 19:30 in Mess Hall. 

    With Quizmaster Don Gilthorpe at the helm, it promises to be a fantastic night in aid of two great causes: Transforming Futures, the College's programme providing life-changing Sixth Form bursaries for young people who might not otherwise benefit from a Pangbourne education, and the College's partnership with the Nabugabo Community Learning Centre in Uganda. 

    Book your tickets here.

    Mrs Lucinda Grafton, Director of Development

  • We would like to provide an update regarding bus services on the last day of Lent Term, Friday 27 March 2026.

    Due to the earlier finish of 16:45 on the final day of term and historically low pupil numbers using the evening bus services, our usual evening bus routes will not be operating on this date.

    We wil, however, continue to run the station minibus service that evening for pupils travelling via train. If you require your child to travel home by bus on the evening of 27 March, please let us know in advance by contacting bursaryadmin@pangbourne.com

    Should there be demand, we will arrange a bus (or buses) to accommodate those pupils. We kindly ask that parents contact us by 20 March to allow us to plan accordingly.

  • As we move through the Lent Term, the digital landscape continues to evolve at a breakneck pace. This month, we are focusing on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping our children’s online experience - from the way they consume news to the emerging risks of digital image abuse.

    AI and the Blurring Lines of Reality

    AI is no longer just for science fiction; it is integrated into the apps our children use daily. While it can be a tool for creativity, it also powers ‘deepfakes’ - highly realistic but entirely fabricated images, videos, and audio clips. This makes ‘fake news’ harder to spot than ever before.

    • Critical Thinking First: Teach your child to ask who created a piece of content and why. If a video of a celebrity or politician seems out of character, it may be AI-generated.

    • Verify with Multiple Sources: Encourage them to check reputable news outlets before sharing ‘viral’ information.

    • Media Literacy: Discuss how ‘filters’ have evolved into full-scale manipulation tools. Understanding the tech makes them less likely to be misled by it.

    The New Frontier of Abuse: ‘Nudifying’ Apps

    Perhaps the most concerning development in recent months is the rise of AI ‘nudifying or ‘undressing’ apps. These tools allow users to take an ordinary, clothed photo of someone - often sourced from social media or even a school photo - and use AI to create a non-consensual, sexually explicit version.

    Crucial Note for Parents: This is not just a ‘prank’. Creating or sharing these images is a criminal offence.

    • The Impact is Real: Even though the images are synthetic (fake), the emotional trauma for the victim is identical to traditional image-based abuse. It can lead to severe humiliation, social isolation, and long-term mental health struggles.

    • No Fault, No Shame: Ensure your child knows that if they are targeted by such an image, they are the victim of a crime. They should never feel ashamed to come to you or a teacher.

    • Consent and Respect: Remind your child that using these tools on a peer is a massive violation of consent and can have life-altering legal and school-based consequences for the creator.

    • Action Steps: If you discover such an image, do not share it further (even to ‘show’ others). Take a screenshot for evidence and report it immediately to the school's Safeguarding Lead or via the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). Here is a link to further advice from the IWF about protecting your child from online abuse.

    Protecting Our Children: Communication is Your Best Tool

    As technology changes, the best defence remains the same: an open, non-judgmental relationship with your child. Let them know they can talk to you about anything they see online, no matter how strange or upsetting it may be.

    Mr Mark Skidmore, Deputy Head Pastoral & DSL

  • Lions Sports Academy, one of the UK’s leading professional sports coaching academies, are hosting a 3 day rugby residential camp for boys aged 9-15 years old at Pangbourne College this Summer between Tuesday 18 - Thursday 20 August 2026.

    The residential camps are designed to immerse young players in the life of a professional player and they focus on skill development, technical and tactical drills, physical fitness, and mental resilience. For more information, please see here.

    Get 10% off by using the early bird code: Pangbourne10

  • To celebrate World Book Day, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are invited to dress up on Thursday 5 March. This is completely optional, and students do not have to dress up.

    If they would like to, students may come dressed as:

    • a book character (e.g. Harry Potter, Matilda, Katniss Everdeen), or

    • a book genre (e.g. fantasy, mystery, science fiction or horror).

    Costumes do not need to be elaborate – simple, low-cost ideas using everyday clothing are absolutely fine. Please ensure that all outfits are appropriate for a school setting and suitable for a normal school day.

    Students are also invited to visit the Library at morning break, where they can have their photo taken and receive a prize.

    We’re looking forward to seeing students celebrate their love of reading and creativity!

    Please view the poster here.

    Mrs Vanessa Saunders, Head of Digital Resources/ Librarian

Year 7 - 8 (Dunbar)

  • The second Year 9 Parents’ and Guardians’ meeting of the year will be taking place on Wednesday 4 March between 16:45-19:30. The online booking system opens at 18:00 tonight (Friday 27 February). This Parents’ and Guardians’ meeting follows a similar format to the first meeting, but the timing of the evening comes shortly before the final options deadline of Friday 13 March. Please note that the Parents’ Guardians’ Meeting takes place in Drake Hall.

    It is an ideal opportunity for you as parents to:

    • Receive an update on your child's progress to date in their subjects

    • Find out about their suitability to the demands of the GCSE course in options subjects

    • Have the opportunity to ask any questions about GCSE courses and the Year 9 curriculum

    I will be publishing the final options form to pupils on Monday 9 March, this is something they will be given time to complete independently in their tutor groups. After this, there is a process of us reviewing the demand for each subject and ensuring we can accommodate as many combinations as possible. The pupils are also asked to nominate a 'reserve' subject, as on rare occasions, the subject combination does not fit within the timetable constraints found in all schools. We will be writing to you as parents to confirm your child's final GCSE options choices as well. 

    Just a reminder that parents should only book appointments in the following subjects if they feel that it is a realistic GCSE option for their child:

    • Art (Miss Green)

    • Drama (Ms Nathan)

    • RS (Rev Jeffers)

    • PE (Mr Rogan/Mr Mills)

    I look forward to seeing many of you at the Parents’ and Guardians’ Meeting next week. Please follow the link on My School Portal to access the booking system.

    Mr Anthony Hammond, Head of KS3

  • To celebrate World Book Day, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are invited to dress up on Thursday 5 March. This is completely optional, and students do not have to dress up.

    If they would like to, students may come dressed as:

    • a book character (e.g. Harry Potter, Matilda, Katniss Everdeen), or

    • a book genre (e.g. fantasy, mystery, science fiction or horror).

    Costumes do not need to be elaborate – simple, low-cost ideas using everyday clothing are absolutely fine. Please ensure that all outfits are appropriate for a school setting and suitable for a normal school day.

    Students are also invited to visit the library at morning break, where they can have their photo taken and receive a prize.

    We’re looking forward to seeing students celebrate their love of reading and creativity!

    Please view the poster here.

    Mrs Vanessa Saunders, Head of Digital Resources/ Librarian

  • Please be aware that on Thursday 5 March it is the CCF Field Day - all Year 10 will be off timetable for the day.

    Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4

  • We are delighted to share details of an exciting opportunity for our Year 10 pupils to support their GCSE English Literature studies.

    The Macbeth Revision Tour will be visiting Woking on 13 April. This performance is specially designed to support students in their understanding of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which is a key component of the Year 11 Literature course and an important part of their GCSE coursework.

    The production focuses on key themes, characters, and relevant scenes, helping to deepen students’ knowledge and boost confidence ahead of their coursework. Seeing the play performed live can greatly enhance understanding of character motivations, dramatic techniques, and Shakespeare’s language.

    We strongly encourage families to consider taking advantage of this valuable revision opportunity in preparation for the upcoming coursework during the Easter holidays.

    Tickets can be purchased here.

    Mrs Sarah Kiernan-Webb, Head of English

  • Well done to Year 11 who have conducted themselves sensibly this week during their Trial exams. The final ones are on Monday thank goodness and then the most important part of the whole process starts: learning where gaps are, what skills need practice and getting timing right for the real things! 

    Next week on Tuesday 3 March, all DT students will be off timetable for the day in order to work on completing as much of their coursework as possible.  

    Two other key dates which are coming up:

    • Thursday 5 March is a CCF Field Day and also DofE day walk for all students who do those activities

    • Friday 13 March is the Year 11 Parents' and Guardians’ meeting. This is a vital part of the Trials learning process so it is essential that parents and students attend. 

    Post GCSEs

    Most of year 11 finish their GCSE exams with Physics on Monday 15 June. There are a couple of other option subject exams which end on Wednesday 17 June. After that time, students are free until they return to school on 29 June (for silver DofE) or Thursday 2 July for those not doing DofE. In between those times the GCSE contingency day is Wednesday 24 June (in case of a national disaster during the exams themselves) but there is no expectation for students to be in school that day. This 10 or so day window provides a great opportunity to rest, relax and do work experience if at all possible.  Further details on an afternoon celebration for Year 11s will follow soon when a date has been confirmed. 

    Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4

  • All Year 9 pupils have embarked upon the Devitt & Moore Award which will culminate in a presentation conference at the end of Summer Term.

    The D&M Award is project-based learning where pupils have the autonomy and independence to pursue an area of interest and create their own outcome. Their initial choice is guided by a title and they will be allocated a staff mentor and offered support by Senior Academic Scholars. You can find further information in the presentation shown to pupils here.

    The aims of the Devitt and Moore Programme are to:

    • Promote procedural thinking and deeper disciplinary knowledge of a subject of curiosity and enquiry

    • Help pupils determine where their interests lie whilst developing key skills

    The project outcome is assessed through a Viva and can take the form of an essay, an artefact, film, piece of creative writing or composition. 

    Last year's projects were truly outstanding: The winner of the Devitt & Moore Award, Tom’s creation of an entire website to discuss the question Was Maths Invented or Discovered? was so impressive that it resulted in Tom receiving an Academic Scholarship in Year 10. Other notable projects were: Otto's interpretation of Nature, Self and Landscape in a triptych of art creation imitating three chosen artists he admired; Poppy chose to research and present on Banned music of the Third Reich, presenting her information audibly and visually. 

    The list of titles that pupils can select from can be found in the presentation on slides 9 & 10 and Google forms with their choice need to be completed by Monday 2 March.

    Mrs Elly Hayward, Assistant Head Pupil Expertise

Year 9 - 11

Sixth Form

  • We have been really proud of how the Upper Sixth have conducted themselves during Trials week. It is hoped that they will take the experience and feedback from teachers to help them prepare for their final exams. 

    With just over 10 weeks until the summer series of exams start, students need to ensure that they have a revision plan, are consolidating content, practising past papers and attending clinics.

    Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form

  • This is an excellent opportunity for our students to network with a range of professionals working in the STEM field.  Students have been told to express their interest in attending via a form on Google Classroom.

    Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form

  • An opportunity to meet industry professionals in areas such as medicine, law, banking and engineering in a series of online workshops style sessions.

    See workshop details here.

  • This is a 90 minute session, from 16.30 - 18.00, looking at the benefits of studying Psychology at Southampton.   

    See registration details here.

  • This is a series of 5 informative webinars on a range of topics including student life and personal statements.

    Please sign up to the webinars here.

  • Students are advised to wait until they have their recent trial results & BTEC Results (in March) along with any Offer Holder Day visits before deciding on their 'firm' and 'insurance' choices on UCAS.  This will enable them to make an informed decision. 

    Thank you.

    Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form

Friday 27 February, 17:45-19:00
An Evening with Record-Breaking Ocean Rower, Jess Rowe
Chapel, Community, Rowing

Monday 2 March, 08:30-14:00
Year 9 2026 Academic Scholarship Assessment Day
Internal, External, Admissions

Tuesday 3 March,14:00-17:00
Reading at Calcot Primary - World Book Day
Year 10, Lower Sixth, Academic, Trip

Monday 2 March, 19:30-21:30
Pangbourne Arts Professional Concert Series: The Landscape of Exile
Chapel, External, Community, Music

Wednesday 4 March, All Day
A Level History Day Trip
Hampton Court Palace, Sixth Form, Academic

Wednesday 4 March, 16:45-18:30
Year 9 Parents’ & Guardians’ Meeting
Drake Hall, Year 9, Parents’/Guardians’, Academic

Thursday 5 March, All Day
CCF Field Day
MOD Training Estate, Year 10 - Upper Sixth, Co-Curricular

Thursday 5 March, All Day
World Book Day: KS3 Dress-Up Day
KS3, Community

Thursday 5 March, All Day
A Level RS Trip to British Museum
London, Sixth Form, Academic, Trip

Thursday 5 March, 18:00-21:00
Future Pathways: Science, Technology and Engineering Careers Networking Event
DDR, Community

Saturday 7 March, 08:30-09:30
Class of 2026 Upper Sixth Parents’ Celebration Breakfast
Mess Hall, Upper Sixth

Saturday 7 March, 09:00-11:40
Fifth College Parade of the Year
Chapel, Parade Ground

UPCOMING EVENTS

COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK

Dunbar Inter-Watch Music Competition

On Thursday 26 February, our Year 7 and 8 pupils produced a wonderful evening of music at the annual Dunbar Inter-Watch Music Competition. Modelled on the format of the senior Divisional competition, the event brought together all four Watches (Port, Starboard, Aft and For’ard) to compete across three classes: solo singer, solo instrumentalist and the Watch song.

The performances gave pupils an opportunity to demonstrate not only musical ability, but also growing confidence, stage presence and strong teamwork within their Watches; congratulations to all who took part. Particular commendation goes to Port Watch, who achieved first place in every category and were deservedly named overall winners.

We were especially delighted to welcome back George Picker, former Assistant Director of Music at Pangbourne, as our adjudicator. Our thanks go to Mr Picker for giving his time so generously and for providing thoughtful and encouraging feedback to the pupils. Please see the results below:

Solo song

1st: Ruby H. (Port)

2nd: Yaz P. (Starboard)

3rd: Jess D. (Aft)

4th: Freddie W. (For’ard)

 

Solo instrumental

1st: Xander R. – drums (Port)

2nd: James L. - drums (Starboard)

3rd: Ralph M. – alto saxophone (For’ard)

4th: Luke M. – piano (Aft)

 

Watch song

1st: Port – Hakuna Matata from The Lion King

2nd: Starboard – Friend Like Me from Aladdin

3rd: Aft – Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast

4th: For’ard – Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid

Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music

Marching Band Rehearsal Evening

The Music School was a hive of activity on Tuesday as our Marching Band came together for an extended evening rehearsal.

The rehearsal began outdoors on the astro with focused drill practice, giving pupils the opportunity to refine their movement and coordination. The band then moved indoors for detailed sectional rehearsals, before ending the evening playing together as a full ensemble. Bringing the musical and visual elements together in this way was both rewarding and impressive to witness.

It is brilliant to see the band’s hard work and dedication continuing to pay off. Our thanks go to all the pupils and staff who contributed to such a successful evening, with particular thanks to our Bandmaster, Mr Nicholls for organising and leading the event.

Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music

 

Lower Sixth Geography Fieldwork in London

The Lower Sixth Geographers enjoyed the early spring sunshine on a trip to the capital. At Parliament Square they discussed London's role as a World City, democracy and transatlantic relations. Then from Westminster Pier they took a boat down river to Greenwich exploring London's trading history and the regeneration of the riverfront. At Greenwich we checked in on Pangbourne's maritime past, discussing the role of the Merchant Navy and saw the Cutty Sark, a tea clipper that is not dissimilar to the namesake ships of our Divisions. On to the DLR we travelled across the Isle of Dogs, observing the new ‘edge city’ of Canary Wharf and inner city socio-economic challenges in Shadwell. Our final stop was at Shoreditch where we walked the length of Brick Lane and discussed gentrification and ethnic diasporal change in Whitechapel. An informative and worthwhile day spent situating our learning in real world examples!

Mr James Capel, Head of Geography

SPORT

Congratulations to Harry in Lower Sixth who was one of 13 to get selected to represent the U18 UR7s National Rugby team in Portugal over half term.

We have some exciting fixtures happening this weekend. Please see SOCS for the most up to date information on these.

DIVISIONAL UPDATES

Harbinger

This week has been an incredibly busy and productive one in Harbinger. Our Year 11 and Upper Sixth students have been fully focussed on their Trial examinations, showing true dedication and commitment in the lead up to their final assessments. On Tuesday afternoon, the Division came together to discuss the week's orders: taking responsibility and preparing ourselves for the next Parade and the standards required. Many of our Harbinger students have proudly been representing the 1st teams in Football, demonstrating the elite levels of talent and sportsmanship. We have also had a few of our Year 11 students selected to represent the school at an upcoming Rugby 7s tournament - congratulations to Nabil and Archie for this achievement. We are grateful for Harbinger’s dedication this week.

Emilie, Chief Cadet Captain of Harbinger

Hesperus

Hesperus Division continues to make strong progress on Parade through consistent practice, higher standards and clear expectations. The College has witnessed improved student participation across all year groups while students continue to put forth their best efforts. House culture is developing well, with stronger teamwork, discipline and pride in presentation. Our Flag Values are now represented more clearly in behaviour, attitude and commitment, both on and off Parade. We are dedicated to winning the Divisional Sport Trophy this term and we are training effectively for our upcoming contests. We are excited for our upcoming participation in Divisional sports which will include Football and we aim to achieve excellent results. We are excited to deliver an impressive performance during the upcoming Parade.

Izzy and Alex, Chief Cadet Captains of Hesperus

Illawarra

The new Half Term has got off to a busy and positive start across the Division after what was a well earned break. There’s been a real sense of momentum this week with plenty already happening both in and out of Illawarra.

This week, Year 11 and Upper Sixth have begun their mock exams, marking an important point in the term. Mocks are always a good chance to see where things stand, practise exam technique, and build confidence ahead of the months to come. It’s been encouraging to see our Illawarra students display focus and determination as the exams get underway.

In this week's muster, the focus has been on learning about Ramadan and exploring different cultures and traditions. This session has been a great opportunity to broaden understanding, reflect on the diversity within the wider community and remind our students to be curious about other cultures.

It is also an exciting week for sport, with a packed fixture list ahead including the Girls 7-aside Charterhouse Football Tournament and the Boys XI Football team facing St Edward’s. With many Illawarriors representing in these and other teams, there is plenty to look forward to, and we wish everyone competing the very best of luck.

Our main focus is preparing for our first College Parade on Saturday 7 March, practising our marching and polishing our shoes to make the most of the rest of the Parades this year.

Erika, Chief Cadet Captain of Illawarra

Macquarie

It has been so lovely to come back after a well-earned Half Term break feeling properly rested and ready to go again. The students have stepped back into their routines brilliantly, and there’s a really positive, purposeful buzz around the Division at the moment.

A special well done to Year 11 and Upper Sixth, who have coped incredibly well with their Trial exams this week. They’ve approached everything with real maturity and resilience, and it’s been fantastic to see the calm and focused way they’ve conducted themselves throughout.

The sunshine has certainly helped too! It’s amazing what a bit of blue sky can do. Students have been making the most of the brighter weather, heading outside at break and lunchtime, which has definitely added to the cheerful atmosphere across the Division.

We’re really looking forward to next Saturday and our first College Parade on a Saturday — I’m hoping I’ll be able to catch up with some of you there. Next week, we’ll focus on making sure uniforms are parade-ready and shoes are super shiny so that the whole Division shows itself at its very best.

As ever, thank you for your continued support — it really does make a difference.

Mrs Stephanie Kingsland, Pastoral Divisional Lead (Macquarie)

Date for your Diaries 

The Divisional Dinners will be held on the below dates next term. Please do add these to your diaries. The booking form links will be sent out after half term to book your tickets. Parents from all year groups are welcome to attend. 

Friday 17 April - Macquarie

Friday 5 June - Hesperus

Saturday 6 June - Harbinger 

Friday 12 June - Illawarra

BOARDING UPDATES

The next boarding update will be on Friday 6 March.

Boarding House Email Addresses

stgeorge@pangbourne.com

portjackson@pangbourne.com

adelaide@pangbourne.com