Friday 30 January 2026
Head’s Weekly Update
Academic Rigour
Without feeling like we are wishing the rest of the term away, it is hard not to start to think about the summer exam season, which will be upon us before we know it. In order to offer support for students and parents of children in Year 11 and Year 13, we are planning on opening up the College between Tuesday 7 and Friday 10 April. This will be a staffed programme of both subject intensives and supervised individual study. As I will be paying staff to give their time to deliver these sessions, and in order to secure commitment, we will be applying a £20 per day charge for any students that sign up. This is part of our drive to offer great value for money and support for exam cohorts whilst also ensuring that those who sign up actually do turn up. Mark Seccombe will be writing to all exam parents with further details and the sign-up form shortly. We hope this will reassure busy working parents that their children are actually revising!
It is also that time of year where the Upper Sixth are firming up their final destinations. I want to give a special shout out to Rory De H who has secured an offer from Cambridge University to read Engineering.
Along with Rory's success, our students have secured a broad range of offers, reflecting a diverse set of interests, which include in no particular order:
Joss W - Media
Fergus B - Classics
Ed D - Economics
Erika B - Mechanical Engineering
Tom M - Primary Education Teaching
Jazzy G - Media/Film
Miff D - Biomedical Sciences
Jack J - Photography
The breadth of offers received is very pleasing and supports the view that there is no hierarchy of offer, the most important thing is the right destination for every student. This is all part of our mission to ensure that students leave us and can live a life of choice and opportunity and for the College to be synonymous with success at every level.
I was delighted to hear about the performance of the four teams that entered the The Rotary Youth Speaks competition on Wednesday. Well done to Ida, Erika and Otto who will be competing in the next round in March. All the pupils who participated should be proud of themselves as the experience of public speaking is hugely valuable in building confidence and ambition.
Adventure
I am delighted to share that from 9 February we will be launching a Lower Sixth life skills programme with qualifications. These will take place on Monday afternoons and ensure that they are working towards meaningful skill development that will help them once they have left the College. We are also working hard behind the scenes to establish a programme for the Upper Sixth once they have finished their exams. This will focus on helping them develop skills and experiences to secure summer and/or gap year employment. More details will follow once the programme is finalised.
Community
I am looking forward to hosting the parents of all our new joiners in early March and the pupils themselves at an event in the Summer term. One of the stranger elements of the independent sector is that I have not yet met any of the prospective Year 9 students, given they signed up 3-4 years ago, prior to my arrival. So this will be a chance to help them and their families start the onboarding process of becoming a Pangbournian and being part of our College community.
We are also in the planning stage for several upcoming events and hope to welcome as many parents as possible to these:
Friday 27 February - An evening with Jess Rowe
Saturday 7 March - College Parade followed by sports fixtures
Sunday 19 April - Pangbournian Day
Saturday 30 May - Pangbourne College 9th Classic Car show
Friday 19 June - Pangbourne Proms
I’d also like to draw our Year 7 and 8 parents’ attention to the Dunbar Family Quiz which is taking place on Friday 6 February in the Mess Hall at 19:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your general knowledge prowess but also meet other families within our Junior House community. Please see the notice in the Dunbar section below and make sure you sign up before the deadline on Monday.
Leadership
Last Thursday evening, we were honoured to join Lord Mountevans at Guildhall for a drinks reception in support of the College. The event brought together his peers, Old Pangbournians who attended the College in the late 1950s and 1960s, for an evening of connection and to share the vision for the College's future. As you can imagine, some of their stories are unrepeatable but the one golden thread that linked them all together was the leadership skills and mindset they acquired during their time at the College. Whilst our understanding of leadership development and resilience has moved on in the subsequent half-century; there is a profound truth that great leaders have learnt through struggle, error and application. The path through life is never a straight line and we want to ensure we are staying true to our founding principles and history in the experiences we provide our young people today in order that they can grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
What also struck me from my time talking with the OPs that evening was just how many iterations of the College there have been over its lifetime. These OPs were all from pre-College days, when it was still The Nautical College. They pre-dated the first civilian headmaster and were very wedded to their version of Pangbourne. As I updated them on life at the College today, they could see how vastly different the student (cadet in their day) experience is but were equally delighted that the College was able to continually reinvent and reenergise itself to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Whilst the ceremonial traditions have changed markedly since 1963 - as you would expect - the essence of the College as a place where success is created through perseverance and a can-do attitude - remains unchanged.
Best wishes,
Oliver Knight
Notices (Please click on the + sign to expand for full information)
All Pupils & Parents: Years 7- Upper Sixth
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Please see letter that was sent out to all students in Year 8 - Lower Sixth this week here.This letter contains detailed information including the trip itinerary and cost.
Mr Anthony Hammond, Teacher of History and Politics, Head of Key Stage 3
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Pupils selected to represent a College team on a Saturday are expected to honour this commitment. Late withdrawals or non-attendance can have a significant impact on teams and fixtures. We, therefore, ask parents to plan ahead where possible and to inform the Director of Sport and relevant coaches as early as possible if an unavoidable absence is anticipated. Any request for absence should continue to be submitted via the parent portal, in line with the usual process for school days.
Director of Sport email: Joe.Mills@Pangbourne.com
Mr Joe Mills, Director of Sport
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The Pangbourne Drama and Music departments are delighted to be performing The Addams Family as our College Production this year. There will be three showings taking place on Monday 9 February, Tuesday 10 February and Wednesday 11 February 2026.
Tickets are free and are available now. We politely ask for everyone to book a ticket before attending so we know how many people to expect on the night. There will be no walk-ins available.
Doors will open at 19:00 with the show starting at 19:30 and finishing at around 21:45. There will be a 15 minute interval and refreshments will be available to purchase.
Monday 9 February - Book your tickets here.
Tuesday 10 February - Book your tickets here.
Wednesday 11 February - Book your tickets here.
Ms Rebecca Atack, Head of Drama
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Students are excited to be running Flowers for Friends, a charity event that’s all about spreading kindness and appreciation across our community.
For just £1 (card only), students and staff can purchase a flower and card and write a heartfelt message to someone special – a friend, colleague, teacher, or anyone who deserves a smile.
How it works:
Cards will be available to purchase in Divisions from Monday
Write your message and return your card to your Pastoral Divisional Lead by Friday 6 February
Flowers and cards will then be delivered to recipients the week commencing 9 February
All proceeds will go to Transforming Futures and the Pangbourne Community Fund.
It’s a simple way to brighten someone’s day while supporting two fantastic causes. Let’s fill the school with flowers, kind words, and positivity.
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There will be a golf day for parents, pupils and staff on Friday 29 May at The Springs Golf Club. The day includes a light breakfast, 18 holes, and lunch with presentation and prizes for £65 per head. Proceeds will go to Transforming Futures. You will need to enter as a pair (a great opportunity for parent/child partnerships) and we have tee times booked for 20 pairs (40 players). Booking will open on this link on Monday 26 January at 18:00 . We expect spaces to go quickly!
If you would be interested in sponsoring elements of the day for charity, please get in touch with neil.jeffers@pangbourne.com
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Please can parents who drop off and collect their children by car take care when entering and driving across the Parade Ground - particularly at this time of year when visibility can be impaired by fading light or adverse weather. The speed limit from the Mess Hall onwards across the Parade Ground is 10 miles an hour. There is a marked pedestrian crossing at the entrance to the Parade Ground for pupils, parents and staff to cross safely, so please observe the crossing and stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Thank you in advance for your support.
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The recording of this week's webinar (The Challenges and Opportunities of AI in Education) is available on this page. This also includes links to all of the webinars which have taken place this year.
Mr Mark Seccombe, Senior Deputy Head Academic
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The Parent Ambassador role is a new opportunity for parents and guardians to become more involved in the wider life of the College. Parent Ambassadors will represent families across all year groups and Divisions and may also support key community events throughout the year.
On Monday 9 February at 08.15 in the Sixth Form Café there will be an informal session that will provide an opportunity to learn more about the Parent Ambassador role, to hear about the work of the Pangbournian Community Advisory Board and to ask any questions you may have. The session will last no longer than 30 minutes.
We would welcome your support. If you are interested in getting involved, please sign up here by midday on Thursday 5 February.
Mrs Lucinda Grafton, Director of Development & Community
All Parents:
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I would like to formally invite all Dunbar parents to join us for the Dunbar Family Quiz on Friday 6 February. The doors open at 19:00 and we will aim to start at around 19:30. There will be a number of rounds of questions, you can pre order cheeseboards via the google form below, and a cash bar will be open all evening. The sign-up form is HERE and do bring along any other members of your family who enjoy a good quiz. Grandads, aunties and siblings are most welcome.
Dr Ian Hart, Head of Junior House
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Next week is assessment week for Years 7, 8 and 9 and we hope this will be a valuable experience in building the resilience of our pupils in managing a set of assessments - across subjects - in quick succession. It is very important that the pupils follow the timetable that has been published in Google Classroom and ensure they arrive in College with the required equipment. Pupils will have the opportunity after each assessment to undertake independent revision, so it is vital that they come at the beginning of the day with a device fully charged. Full details for pupils are published in Google Classroom, in their group section, within the topic 'Important Events'.
Mr Anthony Hammond, Head of KS3
Year 7 - 8 (Dunbar)
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On Tuesday 17 March 17:00 - 18:00, we would like to invite Year 10 parents to an Introduction to Sixth Form. Mr Knight and Ms Kaur will be giving an introduction to life in Sixth Form at Pangbourne and you will also hear from pupils about their experiences in Sixth Form. Parents will also have an opportunity to visit the Sixth Form Centre.
Please fill out the form here to register your attendance for this event by Friday 13 March.
Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form
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On Wednesday 4 February at 18:30, Mrs Stephenson and Ms Kaur will be explaining how life changes for a pupil as they move from Year 11 into the Sixth Form at Pangbourne. They will consider the differences in academic study, leadership, independence and the other things that make the Sixth Form experience here so valuable. You can sign up for this webinar using this link.
These webinars are generally aimed at parents but pupils are welcome to join as well.
Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form
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Next week is assessment week for Years 7, 8 and 9 and we hope this will be a valuable experience in building the resilience of our pupils in managing a set of assessments - across subjects - in quick succession. It is very important that the pupils follow the timetable that has been published in Google Classroom and ensure they arrive in College with the required equipment. Pupils will have the opportunity after each assessment to undertake independent revision, so it is vital that they come at the beginning of the day with a device fully charged. Full details for pupils are published in Google Classroom, in their group section, within the topic 'Important Events'
Mr Anthony Hammond, Head of KS3
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Please see here the information sheet for the topics and papers which Year 11 will sit in Trials 2. Please print this out to go alongside the Trials 2 timetable which was included in the newsletter last week.
Over the course of next week we shall conclude the careers and future pathways interviews with your children. All of us on the interview panel have really enjoyed chatting to them and hearing about their hopes and aspirations for the future. Whether they have a clearly defined plan set out ahead of them, or no idea at all what they wish to do longer term, all of them seem very positive and excited for the next couple of years ahead.
Over the next two weeks your child will be making a revision plan for half term with their tutor so they know what they need to do. Please do contact your child's tutor if you have any queries or concerns.
Thank you and good luck!
Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4
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Year 10 pupils will begin writing their first English Language coursework piece next week. This will be completed in class under teacher supervision and must be entirely the pupil’s own work. Please ensure you read our English GCSE Coursework Guidance Sheet, which outlines how coursework is completed, supported, and assessed in line with Pearson Edexcel International GCSE regulations.
Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the guidance and talk through expectations with your child and complete this form by the end of the day.
Mrs Sarah Kiernan-Webb, Head of English
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We would like to remind parents to complete the consent form for the tetanus and meningitis vaccines by Sunday 1 February. This email was sent to all Year 9 parents on Tuesday 13 January. Please contact me at sue.smith@pangbourne.com if you did not receive the email. Thank you.
Mrs Sue Smith, Senior Nurse
Year 9 - 11
Sixth Form
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Following the assessments earlier this term, there will be a meeting for Lower Sixth parents and your child's teachers on Friday 13 February from 16:45. This is an opportunity to discuss progress in the first part of the course and is also a good time to consider suitability of degree courses.
The appointment booking will be opening at 18:00 next Friday, 6 February. A link and details will be included in the Newsletter next week. If you have not yet viewed the Assessment Feedback reports in MySchoolPortal, it would be a good idea to have looked at them before the meetings. You can access the reports by going into the 'My Child's Documents' section of the Portal.
Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form
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The second set of Upper Sixth trial exams will be taking place in the week after half term (w/c 23 February). The timetable is here.
Mr Mark Seccombe, Senior Deputy Head Academic
Monday 2 February - Friday 6 February, All Day
KS3 Assessment Week
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Academic, Pupil
Tuesday 3 February, 16:40 - 17:10
Senior Divisional Quiz - FINAL
Chapel, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Sixth Form, Co-Curricular
Thursday 5 February, 19:00 - 20:00
Recital: Advanced Musicians
Music
Friday 6 February, 08:00 - 17:00
College Production Full Cast Technical Rehearsal
Drama, Drake Hall
Friday 6 February, 19:00 - 22:30
Dunbar Family Quiz
Mess Hall, Year 7, Year 8, Community, Parent/Guardian
Sunday 8 February, 10:30 - 18:00
College Production - Full Cast Rehearsal
Drake Hall, Drama
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK
Future Pathways: Charlotte Drake Women’s Networking Event
On Monday evening at the Charlotte Drake Society, girls from Years 10 to Upper Sixth were able to talk to a range of women about career pathways and opportunities. With delegates spanning Banking, Engineering, Medicine, Communications, HR, Design and many more, the girls moved around the room, chatting and asking thought provoking questions and taking the opportunity to see their possible future pathways.
As ever, we are hugely grateful to the delegates from our Pangbourne community giving up their time to talk to our students; this was an excellent opportunity for them. Well done to Student Chair, Margot and Vice-Chairs Camilla and Niamh for hosting the evening.
Mrs Elly Hayward, Assistant Head Pupil Expertise
Senior Divisional Quiz Semi-Final
The second semi-final of the senior Divisional quiz took place in the Chapel on Tuesday afternoon. In this competition we saw Macquarie go against Harbinger. Both teams did a great job especially considering the difficulty level of some of the questions, however, the winners who scored 275 points and are now through to the final are Macquarie. Well done to Harbinger for scoring 230 points. The final will see Macquarie go up against Illawarra on Tuesday 3 February.
Rotary Speaks Competition
On Wednesday 28 January, we took four teams to compete in the Rotary Club Youth Speaks Competition that was hosted at Queen Anne’s School in Caversham.
Youth Speaks is a public speaking competition where the pupils are in teams of three and they adopt the roles of Chairperson, Proposer and Opposer with 15 minutes to introduce, present and rebut a chosen topic as a team. Participants can select a topic that is important to them, allowing them to delve deep into research, formulate ideas, and expand their knowledge. Our teams chose to speak on the following topics: ‘Should social media be banned for under 16s?’, ‘Was Maths invented or discovered?’, ‘Video games are good for young people’ and - the winning debate - ‘Is neutrality in the face of injustice immoral?’
The Youth Speaks Competition is an excellent opportunity for pupils to challenge their debating abilities and build confidence in public speaking as they perform, persuade, and entertain the audience with a display of knowledge on a topic they are interested in and passionate about.
Well done to the teams for putting in the time and effort to prepare ahead of the competition and for the experience they have gained from this opportunity. The following pupils represented Pangbourne:
Year 8: Jessica D, Ruth D, Alexa A, Noah M
Year 9: Freddie H, Leo O
Year 10: Otto T, Jack S, Tom C
Sixth Form: Erika B, James H, Ida R
Our Intermediate teams were pipped to the win by a single point by the Queen Anne’s team but our Senior team progresses to the next round in March. Congratulations to Ida, Erika and Otto. We look forward to hearing about your performance.
I also received many positive comments from both parents and other school staff about how smart the Pangbourne pupils' appearances were and how lovely it was to see them interacting with ease to their competitors and engaging with the Rotarians running the competition. Well done!
Mrs Elly Hayward, Assistant Head, Pupil Expertise
Live Lounge Café Recital
Our first Live Lounge Recital on Thursday 29 January proved to be a memorable and highly successful evening of music, held in the relaxed setting of the Sixth Form Café. With a large and appreciative audience in attendance, pupils from Years 8 to 13 showcased their musical talents in a varied programme of solo and ensemble performances which moved effortlessly between classical-inspired piano, pop, musical theatre and contemporary favourites.
The Sixth Form Café proved to be an excellent venue, creating an intimate atmosphere perfectly suited to the occasion. Following the success of this event, we are already looking at how we can make these a regular feature of the calendar. Watch this space!
Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music
Boys’ 1st XI Football
Football can be a cruel game, and Saturday’s result was a bitter pill to swallow for the 1st XI. While the scoreboard reads a 2-0 victory for the visitors, it fails to tell the story of a tightly contested match where Pangbourne dominated large periods of play but ultimately lacked the killer instinct in the final third.
We were guilty of starting slowly in both halves, taking 10 or 15 minutes to find our rhythm. However, once we settled, we controlled the tempo and territory. For long stretches, we looked the more likely side to break the deadlock, moving the ball well through the lines and pinning Blue Coat back. However, credit must be given to the opposition; they defended resolutely, and their goalkeeper was in inspired form, producing two top-drawer saves to keep us at bay.
The turning point came with just 20 minutes remaining. After a period of sustained pressure from us, a Reading Blue Coat corner resulted in a chaotic goal-line scramble. We couldn't clear our lines, and they bundled it home to make it 1-0 against the run of play.
Despite the setback, the response from the lads was excellent. We threw everything forward in search of an equalizer that, in all honesty, we should have had much earlier in the game. Unfortunately, as we committed bodies forward in the dying moments to salvage a result, we were caught on the break, and Blue Coat nicked a second to seal the 2-0 win.
Despite the result, there are massive positives to take, particularly regarding the future of the squad. A special mention must go to Year 10 students Archie S and Max C, who made their 1st Team debuts off the bench. Both impacted the game superbly. Max showed maturity beyond his years, controlling the midfield and dictating play, while Archie looked dangerous immediately, forcing a super stop from their keeper down low to his left-hand side while the game was still 0-0. On another day, that goes in, and it’s a different game.
The boys did everything superbly regarding effort and build-up; we just have to be more clinical putting the ball in the net.
We move on to the next one with heads held high.
Mr James Purdue, Head of Football
Girls’ 1st XI Football
Although there were no competitive fixtures on the calendar this week, the intensity remained high across the Girls’ Football programme. We utilised the time to hold a comprehensive training session for all students, splitting the focus between full-pitch 11v11 match practice and sharper, high-tempo 7-a-side drills to prepare for a massive weekend of tournament football.
The Girls' 1st XI is looking forward to the first of three major tournaments scheduled for this term, taking place this weekend at Bradfield College. Confidence within the squad is sky-high following the superb 8-3 victory against Lord Wandsworth College in our last outing. That result showed exactly what this group is capable of, and the 1st Team heads to Bradfield with strong ambitions and a genuine belief that they can challenge for the trophy.
Mr Frankie Rogan, Football Coach
Boys’ U15A Football
The U15s secured another hard-fought win this weekend in a match defined by second half clinical finishing. While the first half was well contested, Pangbourne dominated the play and created numerous chances that they simply couldn't convert before the break. The deadlock finally broke in the second half as the home side’s persistence paid off and the goals began to flow. Jack P managed to secure a hat trick to put the game out of reach. Reading Blue Coat remained resilient throughout, battling until the final whistle and making the hosts work for every opportunity. It was a fantastic display of patience and skill, proving that this U15 squad has the resilience to get the result.
Mr Ben Sainsbury, Football Coach
Girls’ U14A & U15A Football
U14/15 Preview It is also a huge weekend for our U14/15 squad, who are heading back to Lord Wandsworth College for a 7-a-side tournament of their own. We have selected a very strong squad for this fixture, and the girls are eager to make their mark on Saturday. Given the depth of talent in this group, we are excited to see how they perform in tournament conditions.
It has been a productive week on the training pitch, and both squads are ready to go. Good luck to all the girls representing Pangbourne this Saturday!
Dr Ian Hart, Football Coach
Boys’ U14A Football
After a very competitive first half, which saw Pangbourne lead by 2-0, the second half turned out to be a one sided match with Pangbourne adding 6 goals to the scoreboard. Despite a late rally, Blue Coat School were never really able to break through our back four. A good performance by the team with some stern defending and a couple of good moves going forward. Captain Otto was man of the match thanks to his hat trick. Final score 8-0.
Mr Werner Nel, Football Coach
Rowing Update
The winter stream conditions have not hindered excellent progress being made by all squads. The new land facility and gym have seen improved attention to the quality of training. There is a very strong sense that PCBC athletes are improving themselves in readiness for more effective training and racing when the Thames returns to safe levels.
Mr Ed Green, Director of Rowing
SPORT
BOARDING UPDATES
Adelaide:
Adelaide's busy start to the term has continued these last couple of weeks. Whilst assessments have been and gone for many, there remains a sense of purpose in the work all of the boys are doing, and I have been pleased by the focus and concentration exhibited in all year groups.
But boarding isn't just about work - there must also be play.
As such, last Tuesday, the boys took part in a Taskmaster-style event in their House Families, challenged with recreating a famous piece of art, building the tallest free-standing tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti, and filming a video that would look good in reverse. There were varying degrees of success but fun was had by all nonetheless. For the remainder of the week, several of the boys were gripped by The Traitors final few episodes, whilst others gathered on Friday to watch the Gloucester vs. Bath rugby game.
This week, we attended the Andrew Simpson Society meeting en masse, and went to see our very own Ted M and Charlie S perform in the Café Live Lounge event on Thursday evening - congratulations to everyone that took part in the concert, although we know who our favourites were...!
Mr Olly Metcalfe, Head of Adelaide
Port Jackson:
It’s been another busy and positive few week's in boarding at Port Jackson. The boys have settled well into routines, balancing academic commitments with plenty of co-curricular activity and downtime with friends. Weeknight study sessions have been focused and productive, and it’s been great to see strong peer support across all year groups.
Outside the classroom, the boys enjoyed shared meals, fitness activities, and relaxed common-room time, helping to strengthen friendships and build House spirit. Boarding staff continue to prioritise student wellbeing, checking in regularly and supporting healthy sleep, organisation and time-management habits.
We’re proud of how the boys are representing the boarding community and look forward to more fantastic weeks ahead.
Mr Paul Radford, Head of Port Jackson
St George:
In St George this past week, the girls have enjoyed celebrating the 20th anniversary of High School Musical with a karaoke-based viewing party. They have also enjoyed baking brownies and a Victoria sponge cake, as well as visiting the Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Café in Arborfield. Love Island has become an essential part of the boarding experience at St George, and it is wonderful to see so many of our girls coming together to watch it every evening, along with the edge-of-the-seat excitement of The Traitors last week! We look forward to the week ahead, where we plan to host dodgeball, benchball, a pamper evening and various game nights!
Ms Shannon Flynn, Head of St George
DIVISIONAL UPDATES
The next Divisional update will be on Friday 6 February.
Boarding House Email Addresses
stgeorge@pangbourne.com
portjackson@pangbourne.com
adelaide@pangbourne.com