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Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome to an end of year special newsletter edition. Junior Prizegiving provided an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements, efforts and character of our students. Thank you to all who joined us. From success in national competitions and international language challenges to outstanding participation in sport, the arts, charity work and enrichment activities, we were able to celebrate all our students who have embraced every opportunity available to them.
The end of the year often marks the need to say farewell to both students and staff who are moving on. Today we say goodbye to several valued colleagues and thanked them for their service: Mr McVey will be replaced by Mr Murdock in September; Mr Mitchinson leaves us having been extracurricular Music lead for 9 years, with Mrs Kasperczyk taking on more hours next year; and Mrs Martin, Head of Science for 18 years leaves us. She will be replaced by Mrs Cobb who we will introduce you to in September.
Looking ahead, there is much to be excited about. We will welcome our largest ever Year 7 cohort in September and look forward to welcoming your daughter back to school on either the 3 or 4 September - year group dependent.
Have a wonderful summer - with huge thanks for your ongoing support.
Mrs J Smith
Headteacher
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Headteacher Award Winners
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Year 7 students Georgina, Erin, Annabella, Holly and Roxanne with Mrs Smith and Miss Nutt
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Year 8 students Clare, Beatrix, Imogen, Evie, Imogen, Abi and Lara with Mrs Smith and Mrs Constantine
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Year 9 students Ellie, Lexi, Anna and Emily with Mr Hoyes, Chair of Governors and Mrs Smith
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Year 10 students Isabel, Xiaochu and Holly with Mrs Smith and Mrs Pankhurst
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
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This year has been another exceptional one for STEM across KSHS and Carre's Grammar School. Participation continues to grow, with hundreds of students engaging in a remarkable range of opportunities beyond the classroom, from national mathematics challenges involving almost 900 entries to engineering competitions, robotics projects, and visits to world-leading scientific institutions. Students represented the Trust at the National Space Centre, CERN in Geneva, Raytheon’s national quadcopter finals, and a host of STEM days delivered in partnership with industry leaders including Grunwald, Siemens Energy, SAFRAN and the RAF. We are particularly proud of achievements such as our regional-winning Year 9 Raytheon team, Jemima in Year 8 reaching the national final of the Rotary Young Chef competition and placing third in the country, and our growing programme of engineering, coding and robotics opportunities. These experiences are inspiring our students to think creatively, solve complex problems and develop the confidence and ambition that will help shape their futures.
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In Maths, it has been a fantastic year filled with achievements and memorable experiences. One of our standout successes has been in the UKMT Maths Challenges, with many students from across the school taking part. Their hard work and problem-solving skills earned an impressive number of certificates, while many students also achieved the outstanding accomplishment of qualifying for the follow-up rounds. Another highlight of the year was our trip to Bletchley Park, where students explored the fascinating history of Britain's famous code-breaking centre; they immersed themselves in the world of cryptography and wartime intelligence, also impressing the staff with their code-breaking prowess throughout the day.
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The English department has been thoroughly embracing the National Year of Reading. Alongside the wide-ranging texts students already study, the class reading hunts have revealed a staggering range of books– to the point where teachers have been stealing recommendations from the students! Year 8s were treated to an interactive performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with many students augmenting the performance with their own dancing and acting skills, and a visiting playwright provided feedback tutorials for members of the New Views play writing scheme - later watching the National Theatre’s most recent ‘Hamlet’ production. Young Journalists remain busy under Mr Trimble’s tutelage and have regularly contributed to the school newsletter.
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It’s been a busy year in the Languages department, beginning with another very successful European Day of Languages in September. Year 7 excelled themselves in The Great European Bake Off with some amazing cakes which were sold to raise £170 in aid of Lincolnshire First Responders. Other activities included European food tasting, a mystery language quiz and Year 10 postcard competition.
We’ve also had our annual trips abroad with the History department; Year 11 had a fantastic time exploring Berlin in October and Year 9 visited France and Belgium in June.
Other highlights included the Language Nut competitions, where as a school we came 5th in the world – 8MAP definitely helped here with millions of points! Our KS3 Languages Club was very popular and Year 9 enjoyed their new film studies in both French and German. Finally, some of our Year 10 students have taken GCSEs early in Polish, Russian and Japanese, so we are looking forward to finding out their results in August.
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Art has had another inspiring year, with students enjoying a range of creative experiences beyond the classroom. Year 7 visited Skegness Aquarium to explore marine life and pollution, informing their recycled-material sculptures inspired by Vincent Scarpace. Year 10 gained invaluable insight into design, branding and film production during a visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Our Year 12 students also embraced exciting opportunities through analogue photography workshops, stop-motion animation and an inspiring London gallery visit, further enriching their artistic practice and inspiring their final major projects.
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Throughout the year, the Geography department has enriched the curriculum through a diverse programme of fieldwork and enrichment opportunities.
Year 7 students participated in a joint Art and Geography visit to Skegness Aquarium, where they explored marine conservation while refining their observational drawing techniques.
Year 8 students investigated urban regeneration through a visit to a local brownfield site, the Bass Maltings which is a derelict brewery in Sleaford before applying their understanding by developing and presenting sustainable redevelopment proposals. Year 9 students undertook fieldwork examining the Geography of Crime, collecting and analysing primary data to evaluate patterns of crime and crime prevention within Sleaford.
Year 11 students travelled to Hunstanton, North Norfolk, to undertake essential fieldwork for their GCSE geographical enquiries, gaining invaluable first-hand experience of coastal processes and data collection.
The department also welcomed a representative from the Crown Estate, Phil Smith who delivered an insightful presentation to Year 10 and Year 12 students on the organisation's stewardship of land, coasts and property, and the seabed across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Six Year 11 students also represented the school in the annual Geographical Association Worldwide Quiz, demonstrating excellent geographical knowledge and teamwork, with one team securing an excellent third-place finish.
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The 2025–2026 academic year has been another fantastic year for our historians!
Throughout the year, students have explored history beyond the classroom, from experiencing the Viking show at Warwick Castle and discovering the Victorian Gaol at Lincoln Castle, to visiting Bishop Grosseteste University for practical guidance on creating their A-Level NEA. They also attended the War of the Roses Conference, where they heard from a range of experts sharing their passion and expertise, and took part in unforgettable residential trips to Berlin and to France and Belgium.
Back in the classroom, our students have continued to produce exceptional work, from creative Year 8 witchcraft projects to outstanding Year 10 essays. Their curiosity, enthusiasm and dedication to understanding the past have been evident throughout the year.
Our historians continue to flourish, developing the critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical and judgement skills that are so important in today's world. We could not be prouder of everything they have achieved this year!
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Our annual London Residential took place in December for Year 11 and Sixth Form students. Students enjoyed two incredible West End productions – Hadestown and The Play That Goes Wrong – alongside practical workshops at Pineapple Studios with professional West End performers.
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Just before the Christmas break, the whole of Year 7 travelled to Lincoln Arts Centre to watch their imaginative production of Alice in Wonderland. The annual theatre visit continues to be a real highlight of the curriculum, giving students the opportunity to experience live performance in a professional venue.
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The biggest event of the year was undoubtedly our whole-school pantomime, Much Ado About Panto. Preparations began back in July, with months of rehearsals, designing, building and perfecting every detail before the production took to the stage in February. Over 70 students were involved both onstage and behind the scenes, demonstrating fantastic teamwork, creativity and commitment throughout the process. Packed full of laughs, music, dancing and plenty of terrible (or perhaps brilliant!) puns, the production was a huge success. Our local Year 5 pupils particularly enjoyed the performance, with one commenting that it was "truly amazing as it included everything from humour, puns, and dancing... the band was unbelievable!" Feedback like this reminds us exactly why we love welcoming future KSHS students into our theatre.
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In March, our Year 12 Drama students visited Nottingham Playhouse to watch James Graham's powerful production of Punch. As part of their A Level studies, the performance provided an excellent opportunity to analyse live theatre while exploring challenging themes of violence, redemption and restorative justice.
Our Year 10 GCSE students also benefited from an inspiring practical workshop led by Stage-ed. Throughout the day, students explored a range of devising techniques and performance skills that will support the development of their GCSE coursework. When they return in September as Year 11, they'll have just a few weeks to polish their performances ahead of their practical examination.
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So, what will next year bring? Our annual theatre visits are already in the diary, Year 13 will watch The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, which their summer exam will be on. The London Residential and Year 7 Lincoln Arts Centre trip will return once again and there are also some exciting plans for plenty of performance opportunities too…
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Music has continued to thrive this year, with students participating in a wide range of performance opportunities. In lessons, students have developed confidence as performers, composers and listeners, an exciting addition to our scheme of learning enabled students to create original music in BandLab using keyboards, microphones and live instruments. Beyond the classroom, pupils have engaged enthusiastically in instrumental lessons, with many achieving practical and music theory grades. Extra-curricular highlights have included the Christmas and Summer Concerts, joint performances with Carre’s, the Giant Orchestra Day and contributions to the Much Ado About Panto production. Throughout the year, our musicians have demonstrated creativity, commitment, resilience and excellent teamwork.
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It’s been another busy year in the PE department; with competitions and fixtures, clubs, and leadership events there has always been something to get involved in. The Year 11 and Year 8 Netball teams did particularly well in the KSSA competitions, with the first narrowly missing out to Stamford for the County Competition place. The football team’s participation in a variety of age groups meant students from Years 7-11 were able to challenge for County and National cups as well as having some friendly matches against other schools around the Sleaford area. Having purchased the new Volleyball net, thanks to the PTA’s support, we have seen a huge rise in the number of students coming to club and enjoying this new sport. As a result, we have had more success in competitions and have been able to offer more opportunities for inter-school fixtures. Our leaders are a credit to the department and the school; working so well with primary students in our community, they have hosted, led and supported numerous events this year, fostering a love of PE in others as they did. Cross Country and Athletics competitions enabled individual students to progress beyond our district, with representation at the County and Anglian competitions – English schools is within reach for our most talented here. Introductions to Rugby, Cricket and Golf this year have meant more beginners have had the opportunity to develop their skills and for some this gave them the first taste of competition in these sports. As we look forward to next year, we’re hoping for more of the same commitment from the students in these sports and are hoping for lots of interest and excitement from the Dancers and Gymnasts as we look to present our first Gym and Dance Display in 2027.
Our regular ‘Spotlight on Sport’ newsletter feature has hopefully kept you up to date with all the successes of our teams as well as individual sporting successes this year. 2025-2026 culminated in our annual Sports Day last Friday with a festival feel to the morning with the whole school cheering competitors on in a range of sports, competing for the coveted House Sports day cup. The afternoon saw the competitive track events with special congratulations to Subject Leader for Maths, Mr Sheppard, who debuted and convincingly won the staff 100m!
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Year 12 A-Level Psychology students recently conducted a project to bring the topic of research methods alive! The students were given the brief of planning and collecting their own primary data about a psychological topic of their choice. Some explored the link between age and emotional regulation. Others investigated the effect of certain conditions on memory. And one group even performed an experiment to see if they could persuade a majority to change their opinion to their point of view! The students were asked to report their findings in the format of an academic poster, which they then presented to the rest of their class. I am incredibly proud of their mature and professional approach to this project, and the quality of work that they produced. Well done!
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Students from Years 7-11 have given their time and energy to help the community in a variety of ways by being members of Interact this year. Our activities have included organising a Christmas Party for local senior citizens, with food and drink, music, bingo, a quiz and a raffle. They organised the Christmas Shoebox Appeal, providing Christmas gifts to children and families in Ukraine. On top of that we have organised a food bank collection, a teacher rounders match and a mini summer fair for sports day. All of this has raised hundreds of pounds for local charities, including the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance and Lincolnshire Blood Bikes.
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