As the summer holidays approach, we want to share some important updates and changes we're making at Wildern School for the upcoming academic year. We want to ensure a calm and orderly environment where all students can focus on learning and achieve their full potential. These expectations are in place to support your child's success, and we believe that by working together, we can achieve the best outcomes.

There are updates focussing on the student planner and equipment should should bring to school with them, uniform, nose pericings, mobile phones, promoting punctuality and detentions. Please see more in the spotlight section here. 

 

We really value your support in upholding these expectations. By working together, we can ensure that Wildern School remains a calm, orderly, and focused learning environment where your child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership.

'Wonderful words' will be showcased in Reception as well as here on the Wildern Weekly. You can recognise staff by scanning the QR code or clicking the link to our new staff recognition form.

Whole School

Monday 7 July Week B

Thursday 10 July HPV Catch up Vaccinations (Yr 8 - 10)

Monday 14 July Week A

Monday 21 July Week B

Tuesday 22 July - Last Day of Term - School Closes at 12.30pm

Year 7 + Year 8

          Wednesday 16 July - Paultons Park Trip

          Thursday 17 July - Sports Day

Year 9 + Year 10

Wednesday 16 July - Sports Day

Thursday 17 July - Paultons Park Trip

Thursday 25 September - Open Evening

5.30pm - 7.30pm

For information & to book your space click here

Friday 3 October - Open Morning

9.45am - 10.45am

For information & to book your space click here

Monday 13 October - Open Morning

9.45am - 10.45am

For information & to book your space click here

End of Term Letter from Mrs Oakley

The school year is quickly drawing to a close, and it's remarkable how fast the time

has passed. Our students have once again demonstrated commitment, energy, enthusiasm, and a positive approach to their studies, actively engaging in the many opportunities available to them. The school is looking forward to our end of term activities, filled with happy students such as the Day to Create, Paultons Park, and Sports Day, all made possible by our dedicated staff.

Music Lessons - September 2025

If your child is interested in learning an instrument or in having singing lessons in September 2025, please see this google form for information and to sign up. 

No letters for Year 7, 8 or 9

English

As soon as students start September of Year 11 in English, they will be beginning their study of ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ - a Victorian novel that appears in the English Literature GCSE. All students will need a copy of the text - and any version of the text is fine - an example would be this version linked HERE - which is available for just £3.00. If a student qualifies for Pupil Premium, the text will be provided for them

Results Day

The link below is a copy of The Parents Guide to Results Day 2025. It is designed to help you feel informed, calm and confident on Results Day.   The Parent's Guide to GCSE results

Year Books

Please click here should you wish to order a Year Book.  When the Yearbook company have 10 orders the books will be printed and delivered to school. As such the delivery date cannot be confirmed.

Planners and equipment: Essential for daily learning

Your child's Wildern planner is a vital piece of equipment. All students receive a new planner at the start of each academic year, and it is essential that they bring it to school every day. Students receive an after school detention if they do not have their planner. 

We have noticed a rise in damaged and graffitied planners this year and this needs to change. From September, if a student's planner is not in good condition due to a lack of care (e.g. missing pages, ripped cover) or has been graffitied, they will need to purchase a new planner and will spend a day in Inclusion. We want students to take pride in their belongings and equipment, and we believe this measure will encourage them to do so. We have previously shared our expectations regarding essential equipment, which is:

• 3 black or blue pens
• 2 green pens
• 2 pencils
• Ruler
• Protractor
• Compass
• Calculator
• Rubber

To ensure all students are prepared for learning, tutors will conduct a weekly equipment check. Students who do not have their basic equipment will be required to attend an after school detention. This is to ensure a consistent learning environment for everyone and that students take responsibility for their learning.

 

Promoting punctuality: Same day late detentions

While most of our students are punctual, a core group are consistently arriving late to school and lessons throughout the day. To ensure all students are in lessons and learning, we are introducing same day late detentions. From September, if a student accrues 15 minutes or more of late time across the school day (8.30am - 3.00pm), they will sit a same day late detention. Students and parents will be informed during Period 5.  The detention will run from 3.00pm - 3.30pm.

Mobile Phones, Headphones, and Electronic Devices: 'See It, Hear It, Lose It'

There is a big focus in the media about the impact of mobile phones and social media on children, and we observe many school behaviours influenced by their use. We will not be introducing phone pouches or docking stations at this time, we will continue to trust our students to turn off their devices and store them in their bags at the start of each day. Teachers may allow phone use for specific lessons, after which devices must be switched off and returned to bags.

 

Our new motto for electronic devices is 'See It, Hear It, Lose It'. Our process for dealing with devices seen during the school day has been refined and streamlined to ensure consistency and reduce distractions. If a student's phone, headphones, or any other electronic device is seen at any time (unless a teacher has explicitly instructed its use in a lesson), it will be confiscated immediately. Devices should be in bags, switched off, and not in pockets, hands, or anywhere else.

 

If a device is confiscated:

• Parents/Carers will be contacted and asked to collect the device from school. It will not be returned unless collected by a parent or carer.
• The student will spend a day in Inclusion.
• The phone will be handed in for a period of 2 weeks.

 

Detentions: Ensuring accountability

Detentions are an important part of our school's behaviour system and can be given during break times or after school. This year we have seen an increase in students not attending after school detentions. From September, if a student does not attend their after school detention, they will spend a day in Inclusion. It is crucial that students attend detentions when given, as they are a key part of addressing and improving behaviour.

Uniform: Upholding our standards

Over the past two years, we have focused on maintaining our key standards to ensure all students wear their Wildern uniform with pride and are ready for learning. Our uniform expectations are:

• Green Wildern jumper
• White shirt
• Wildern tie
• Black trousers, black tailored shorts or Wildern skirt
• Black school shoes (polishable)

If a student arrives at school not meeting these minimum expectations, they will be placed out of circulation until the correct uniform items can be brought to school for them to change into.

 

Nose Piercings: Clear retainers only

If your child has a nose piercing, they are only permitted to wear a clear plastic retainer to keep the piercing open. No other jewellery is allowed. From September, we will provide one retainer free of charge, and subsequent retainers will be charged to parent pay accounts.

Please ensure your child does not get a nose piercing during term time. If they do, they will remain out of circulation until the piercing is removed or a clear retainer is worn.

We are pleased to share an article from an employer, who recently hosted one of our students for a work experience placement.  The piece highlights the success of the placement, detailing the student's contributions and the mutual benefits realised by both parties.

 

As part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation, One Horton Heath welcomed Thomas, a Year 10 student from Wildern Secondary School, for a two-day work experience placement.

 

Thomas has a keen interest in Maths and Design Education, particularly enjoying the creative elements of design and working with wood. His love of geometry made One Horton Heath an exciting place to explore how design and measurements translate into real-world housebuilding. Outside of school, Thomas is a keen tennis player, artist, and an active volunteer for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

This was his first formal work experience, and he came with a clear goal: to understand what happens behind the scenes in large-scale developments and how ideas on paper (or screen) become real, liveable spaces. Over his two days with the OHH team, Thomas explored a range of departments, including communications, health and safety, planning, and technical, attended a work meeting, and went on a guided site tour. His placement concluded with a short presentation summarising his key learnings to members of the team.

Reflecting on his time with us, Thomas said: “The two days were very different. Day one felt more like a theory day, and day two was more hands-on. It was quite nice to experience both sides.” When asked about the highlights, Thomas noted how much he learned from shadowing different team members. He was particularly surprised to learn about the importance of infrastructure, from drainage systems to utility setups being put in place before houses are built: “It was surprising to see how much has to happen before a home even starts being built. I hadn’t thought about things like drainage and groundworks happening so early.”

 

Thomas shared that the experience gave him a much deeper understanding of the construction and build industry, and he is still very much interested in pursuing a career in architecture. Looking ahead, Thomas is now planning his A-level choices, with a strong focus on Maths and Physics. He’s taking what he’s learned at OHH into account as he considers his future path.

His advice to other students thinking about work experience?
“You’ll see a lot - there’s a lot to take in. Take notes and be prepared to work hard. But it’s really rewarding. You get to see how things move from paper to reality. I’m really glad I did this. It gave me a great insight, and I had fun.”  We were delighted to have Thomas join us and wish him the very best with his next steps!

Today we had to activate school lockdown procedures as a precaution following some information received about an individual acting suspiciously around the Shamblehurst and Wildern school gates.

 

We decided to operate our emergency procedures whilst checks could be carried out to ensure the individual was not on the school site. We also contacted the police and took advice and guidance from them in collaboration with Shamblehurst.

 

Our students were a real credit and behaved impeccably throughout the procedure.

 

We will ask you to speak with your child to remind them to report anything suspicious to you or us at school, and if they are concerned to speak with their tutor.

We are pleased to announce that booking is now open for our Year 10 & Year 11 September Open Events.

 

Join us on Wednesday 24 or Thursday 25 September, 16:30 - 20:30 at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College for an exciting opportunity to:

• Explore our facilities
• Research all courses on offer and QXTRAs!
• Speak to our current students and teachers
• Enjoy the College's vibrant and energetic atmosphere

To Secure Your Ticket: www.ticketsource.co.uk/barton-peveril-college-events. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for you and your student to explore an outstanding sixth form college.

• One ticket per family. We encourage you to arrive at the start time on your ticket. Your time slot is limited to 45 minutes.
• Parking will be provided on the field. Please be wary of the type and size of vehicle you bring. Accessible vehicles must display their blue badge at all times. Please email marketing@barton.ac.uk if you need support with accessible parking.

This event is targeted at students joining Year 10 and Year 11 in the next academic year. 

Please see the menu for our hot food options for next week.

 

The main school meal deals are £3.20 which is in line with all Hampshire schools. In a meal deal, students can get one of the meal choices below with a bottle of plain water and a cookie or piece of fruit.

• either of the hot meal options,
• a jacket potato,
• a pasta pot,
• a chicken or beef burger,
• a salad pot (from the salad bar)

We encourage all families to use the free school meals eligibility checker, which can be found here, to determine if they qualify for this entitlement. 

 

Please remember, we can adapt the majority of meals to any dietary needs if we know in advance (your child can speak to kitchen staff by visiting the kitchen before 8:30am that day). Main A/B vegetarian options are always available - just ask Dan and his team.

 

* correct at time of sending, but may be subject to change

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Nintendo Switch 2

 

Nintendo’s long-awaited Switch 2 has finally arrived, blending fresh hardware with fan-favourite franchises. From Mario to Pikachu, the familiar mascots are back – but so too are evolving online features, in-game purchases, and potential exposure to mature content. As ever, it’s essential that parents and educators understand the risks to young players. 

 

Among these are GameChat voice communication, camera-based gaming, and potential access to mature-rated titles.

 

This guide outlines what to watch out for and how to keep children safe, engaged and having fun.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern