Summer 2026
Toad-ally terrific
Climb aboard Mr Toad’s motorcar and enjoy the Year 2 pupils’ wonderful production of The Wind in the Willows.
Take a walk on the wild side with the Year 6 girls' showstopping production of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr.
Read about our celebrations for Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday!
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Summer Term edition of Warwick Prep Life.
Life at Warwick Prep is always wonderfully busy and our talented team of Year 6 Editors have once again done a superb job of capturing the spirit and energy that has characterised the final term of this academic year. As you read through the pages ahead, I hope you gain a sense of the excitement, creativity and sense of belonging that makes our school such a special place.
As always, there have been countless highlights. We were captivated by the Year 2 children’s brilliant production of The Wind in the Willows and thoroughly entertained by the Year 6 girl’s outstanding performance of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr. Across the school, pupils have embraced opportunities to perform, compete, create and explore, whether through concerts, sporting competitions, residential visits, community projects or the many memorable learning experiences that enrich life beyond the classroom.
This term has also reflected our growing commitment to nurturing curiosity about the wider world. From celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and exploring nature, to environmental initiatives led by members of our Eco Council and opportunities to contribute positively to our local community, our pupils have demonstrated genuine care for others and for the world around them. Their kindness, compassion and willingness to make a difference continue to make me enormously proud.
Sport, music and the performing arts have flourished once again this term. Our pupils have represented Warwick Prep with tremendous enthusiasm and success, from county and national sporting achievements to inspiring musical performances and festivals. Equally important are the countless quieter moments of perseverance and resilience that have enabled our children to grow in confidence and develop the Skills for Life that will serve them so well in the years ahead.
As the school year draws to a close, it just remains for me to thank you for sharing it with us. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, whose passion, expertise and care shape every aspect of school life, and to our parents, WPSA and our wider community for the support and encouragement you give so generously. Whether you are an existing family, preparing to join us in September or a longstanding friend of the school, thank you for being part of our Warwick Prep community – we are only ever as strong as the sum of our parts.
I wish you all a happy, restful and well-deserved summer holiday.
Mrs Hellen Dodsworth Headmistress
The Summer Term heralds both beginnings and endings. Each is a rite of passage.
The senior schools have welcomed next year’s new Year 7s for their Induction Day, drama productions marking the end of Key Stages have taken place, and, as I write, we are at the mid-way point in our series of Prize Givings. Add into the mix the Upper Sixth Graduations, and there is a real sense of bittersweetness as we mark the end of one stage of our pupils’ education and support them as they transition to the next.
Appropriately, this cyclical change comes at a time when our community has been reflecting on how we can ensure our schools remain as accessible as possible, both now and in the years ahead.
The centrepiece of this has been our first Giving Days. Some 240 donors from across our community contributed a grand total of almost £60,000 to our bursary and hardship funds. Thank you to everyone who supported the many events over the two days. Ending the academic year by focusing on community feels completely appropriate, as across our schools we aim to engender a sense of belonging as a key part of our Foundation educational experience. Thank you for all you do as parents to support us in this important mission.
Mr Richard Nicholson Foundation Principal
Introducing our Summer Term team of Editors who have been working hard behind the scenes on Warwick Prep Life magazine. Clara, Hema, India, Lois, Orla and Savannah, in Year 6, have interviewed members of staff and written a range of articles, including the fantastic Year 2 production and Year 6 residential. Let’s find out what they enjoyed most about their role as Editors.
Writing up our article was very enjoyable and rewarding.
Orla
I loved being an Editor because I’ve had an inside view of how Warwick Prep Life is created, planned and completed. It was a fantastic opportunity!
Clara
Writing questions and conducting our interview was my favourite part.
Savannah
I enjoyed interviewing Bronte and finding out more about her world.
India
I really liked working with everyone in my team and interviewing.
Lois
I liked working with other people and conducting the interview was fun. Hema
Editor: Naomi Burrows, Marketing Manager, Warwick Preparatory School
The Nutkins children have thoroughly enjoyed their Thursday morning stay-and-play sessions which have supported a happy and confident transition into The Squirrels Nursery. It has been lovely to see friendships beginning to blossom, with the children growing in confidence as they explore the Nursery and engage with the wide range of activities on offer.
One of the most exciting experiences this term was watching our ducklings hatch. The children were fascinated as they observed the changes, carefully held the ducklings and showed great care and gentleness. They particularly loved watching them swim!
Music has also been a highlight, with the children eagerly joining in during sessions with Miss Hollocks, our Early Years Music teacher. They have started to sing along with familiar songs and confidently explore different instruments, bringing lots of enthusiasm and joy to these sessions.
In the Nursery garden, the children loved challenging themselves on the climbing frame, developing their coordination as they pedalled bikes and whizzed around on scooters with big smiles and growing independence.
We ended the year with a special celebration party, marking the end of the children’s Nutkins journey. It has been wonderful to see how much the children have grown in confidence and independence, and they are now feeling happy, settled and ready to begin their adventure at The Squirrels Nursery in September.
This term, the children have been immersed in an exciting topic all about transport.
One of the highlights of their learning has been discovering different types of transport and how they move. The children talked about boats floating on water, trains travelling along tracks and aeroplanes flying high in the sky. Through the book ‘You Choose’, we have used our imaginations to explore different ways of travelling, from camels and rockets to hot air balloons, helping the children understand how transport allows people to explore the world around them.
The children were particularly inspired and excited by a special visit from a pilot. The children enjoyed taking part in a pretend plane journey where they became passengers, had their own passports stamped and travelled to imaginary destinations.
To further enrich their learning, the children also had the wonderful opportunity to visit the flight simulator at Warwick School. Here, they had a go at flying and landing an aeroplane, which brought their learning to life in a highly practical way.
The pupils enjoyed their investigation into floating and sinking. The children tested a range of objects to see whether they would float or sink, making predictions and describing what they observed. They especially enjoyed exploring which materials and shapes helped a boat stay afloat.
Following the children’s interest in spring and animals, we were lucky enough to arrange several experiences within The Squirrels Nursery. New life was in the air when our first duck egg hatched and the children enjoyed watching the ducklings grow, holding them carefully and were delighted by the ducklings diving underwater. The children were also thrilled by a very special visit from some lambs. This hands-on experience allowed them to observe the animals closely, talk about how they grow and are cared for and develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.
The children also enjoyed a visit from a beekeeper, who showed them the inside of a hive and explained how bees live and work together. The children observed the honeycomb and even watched as some honey was carefully scraped for them to see. This deepened their understanding of the natural world and where food comes from.
The children took part in a special music session with The Kingsley School where they explored rhythm, movement and sound together. They enjoyed singing, copying patterns and keeping a steady beat, linking their musical experiences to the theme of journeys and transport.
Well done to all the children in The Squirrels Nursery for a fantastic year of fun and learning!
The Summer Term in Reception began with classrooms full of a variety of vegetables as we learnt about ‘Supertato’! The children created their own ‘super veggies’ and wrote descriptions of them. The activity was part of our ‘People Who Help Us’ topic, in which we look at the different uniforms that people wear. The children were excited to welcome a variety of visitors into school to support our learning, including a dentist, a doctor, a vet and a police officer. They had great fun exploring equipment and trying on uniforms.
This half term, we welcomed Teach Rex into school as part of our ‘Dinosaurs’ topic. Teach Rex have been visiting us for several years with their friendly T.rex, Jam. The children took part in activities to test Jam’s sense of hearing and smell and they all enjoyed watching him pretend to eat Mrs Blunt! Ollie and Tom showed us how to use a green screen to create our own dinosaur films. They also brought some baby dinosaurs to visit us. Ollie talked to us about using descriptive language when writing about dinosaurs. This was helpful to the children when they created their own dinosaur fact files!
In June, we also welcomed special family visitors into school for our annual ‘Grandparents’ Afternoon’. Visitors were treated to a singing performance in the hall before being invited to look around classrooms and share a story with the class. The children enjoyed sharing their daily routines and favourite activities in school with their visitors and sang with great enthusiasm. It was a super way to end the term and the children’s first year of school!
This term, our ‘Amazon Rainforest’ topic has taken us on many exciting adventures. The children have explored what life might be like living in a rainforest tribe and enjoyed comparing it with their own daily lives in Warwick. These discussions sparked lots of thoughtful conversations and gave the children plenty of opportunities to use their thinking moves, challenge ideas and explain their reasoning with confidence.
The children have produced some impressive rainforest-themed writing and enjoyed creating colourful artwork inspired by the rainforest. Their hard work and creativity have transformed the classrooms into vibrant and engaging displays.
The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed tackling some tricky and imaginative questions together. “Would you rather have wings or 50 legs?”, “Which do we need more – the sun or the rain?”, “Would you choose to live in Warwick or deep within the Amazon rainforest?”. These debates encouraged us to listen carefully to one another and justify our opinions. The Imagination Station remains one of our favourite places to learn where the children use mind maps to organise their thoughts before sharing them with the class.
Learning about the artist Rousseau was a particular highlight, and his work encouraged the pupils to create their own striking collages featuring rainforest creatures such as toucans and jaguars. The children also loved experimenting with printmaking led by Mrs Love.
In Science, the children discovered how rain forms and enjoyed bringing the water cycle to life by creating a cloud in a jar. The children have become increasingly skilled at making predictions, carrying out enquiries, observing carefully, and drawing conclusions from what they find. Most importantly, they are growing in confidence when explaining and supporting their ideas.
Our visit to Brandon Marsh was one of the highlights of the term. The pupils immersed themselves in the world of minibeasts, explored pond habitats, took part in birdwatching activities and created artwork using natural materials. They also made seed balls and learnt more about the role we can all play in protecting the environment. The experience helped the children develop an even greater appreciation for the natural world.
Looking back over the year, we are incredibly proud of all that the children have achieved. Alongside developing new knowledge and skills, they have become more resilient, independent, responsible, focused and empathetic learners. They have embraced challenges, supported one another and grown in confidence throughout the year.
Year 1, you should be very proud of everything you have accomplished. It has been a privilege to watch you learn, grow and flourish. Thank you for bringing such enthusiasm, curiosity, kindness and joy to each day. We hope you have a wonderful summer and we look forward to hearing all about your experiences as you begin your exciting journey into Year 2.
Another busy term has flown right by, With learning, laughter and spirits high. The children have worked with courage and cheer, Showing creativity throughout the year.
In English lessons, poems took flight, With words and rhythms full of delight. A special highlight, a wonderful sight, Was performing their favourites with confidence and might. More recently, lighthouses guided our way, As stories and learning brightened each day.
The ‘Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’ brought laughter galore, While Grace Darling’s bravery left us wanting more.
In Mathematics, we measured and timed, Solved tricky problems and stretched our minds. During Money Sense Week we learnt with glee, How money works in our community.
In Science, materials were put to the test, Discovering which uses suit them best. We learnt about animals, living things too, And explored what all living creatures do. History and Geography took us seaside-bound, Where fascinating Victorian facts were found. We compared holidays from long ago days, And explored seaside towns in a variety of ways.
In Art, printing projects were great fun to create, Experimenting with techniques that looked simply first-rate. Inspired by beach huts, colourful and merry, We painted like the artist Lynette Merry.
Now ‘The Wind in the Willows’ has taken the stage, An exciting new chapter on every page. Rehearsals, backdrops, props – all done as a team, Using creativity, effort and collaboration supreme.
As you journey onwards to Key Stage Two, We send our very best wishes with each of you. So, as Pre-Prep days come to an end, We have a heartfelt message we’d like to send…
Thank you for sharing this wonderful year, Filled with achievement, growth and lots of cheer. We are proud of all that you’ve achieved and done, And the remarkable young people you have become.
Though we’ll miss you dearly, this much is true, We’ll look forward to hearing of the great things you do. Remember this always as you journey through: Believe in yourselves – we certainly do!
“I can’t believe that is mine! I’m really happy.”
To celebrate the end of their time in Pre-Prep, the Year 2 children put on a spectacular performance of The Wind in the Willows.
The play followed the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad. When Mr Toad is arrested for dangerous driving and Toad Hall is left unattended, a gang of stoats and weasels seize the opportunity to take over. With their friend’s home under threat, the woodland animals must work together to reclaim Toad Hall.
The children were amazing! We loved watching them act, sing and perform on stage. Everyone remembered their lines and spoke so clearly. The costumes, props and scenery looked fantastic and really brought the story to life.
It was a wonderful way for Year 2 to celebrate the end of their time in the Pre-Prep department. Congratulations to all the performers on a fantastic show!
The Year 3 girls have enjoyed a fantastic Summer Term filled with exciting learning opportunities.
A highlight was a visit to Compton Verney where the children explored ‘Sculpture in the Park’. Inspired by the artwork they encountered, they worked collaboratively to design and create their own golden trophies in the style of artist Hew Locke, showcasing their imagination and artistic talents.
The girls have also worked incredibly hard in preparation for their Speaking Verse and Prose LAMDA examinations, learning to recite two poems with confidence and expression before answering questions to demonstrate their understanding.
In Religious Education, the Year 3 girls visited St Nicholas’ Church in Warwick, completing a treasure hunt to deepen their understanding of signs and symbols before taking part in a mock baptism to explore the role of symbolism in celebrations. In English, ‘The Worst Witch’ inspired the children to create magical potions and write their own clear and imaginative instructional texts.
The term concluded with a cricket festival where the children demonstrated excellent teamwork, sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
It has been a wonderful year of learning and we are incredibly proud of everything the Year 3 girls have accomplished.
During the Summer Term, the Year 4 pupils have enjoyed a rich and memorable learning journey, filled with exciting opportunities both in and beyond the classroom.
In Art, the girls explored portraits in the style of Picasso as part of our ‘Art Around the World’ theme, producing bold and imaginative work that was proudly displayed at our exhibition in collaboration with Warwick Junior School.
A real highlight of the term was our visit to The Black Country Living Museum where pupils were fully immersed in life from the past. They explored historically recreated streets, stepped inside traditional shops and houses and experienced what school life would have been like many years ago. Interacting with costumed characters helped to bring history vividly to life, allowing pupils to make meaningful connections with their learning in an engaging and memorable way.
Excitement continued with our three-day residential trip to Culmington Manor in Shropshire. This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop their independence and resilience while taking part in a wide range of outdoor activities including abseiling, climbing, orienteering and archery. One of the most talked-about experiences was navigating the underground maze which required both bravery and cooperation. The residential provided a wonderful setting for pupils to build confidence, strengthen friendships and create memories. Across the curriculum, pupils engaged in a wide range of subjects. In English, they studied the book, ‘Goth Girl’ where they enjoyed the humorous characters and the story line while in Maths they developed key skills in statistics and considered the value of money. In Science, they explored the fascinating topic of leaves, trees and flowers, deepening their understanding of the natural world. A highlight was dissecting flowers to identify their features. In Geography, pupils learnt about sustainability and how their actions can positively impact the environment after surveying the school site.
Later this term, Year 4 were invited to visit King’s High School, where they enjoyed having lunch in a new setting and experienced a taste of senior school life.
Throughout the term, the children developed our Skills for Life: Independence and Resilience, embracing every opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. It has been a truly successful and rewarding year for Year 4, and following a range of transition activities, we feel that they are ready for their step up to Upper School.
The wider curriculum offered many opportunities for creativity and practical learning. In Computing, pupils developed their online research skills, while in Design and Technology they designed and made their own mini treasure chests. French lessons brought language learning to life through conversational role play in a French shop. In Music, pupils explored music from around the world and composed their own holiday-inspired pieces, influenced by our celebration composer, Evelyn Glennie.
What an amazing term this has been for Year 5!
To start the final term of Year 5, we had an outstanding History Day led by Sergeant Parsons. The day included studying (and, in some cases, trying on) artefacts from the First World War, as well as three talks using virtual reality headsets. We learnt about soldiers’ uniforms, weapons, medical treatment and life in the trenches, alongside some mind-blowing facts about the First World War. To complete the day, King’s High School Cadets taught us the drill routines used by members of the armed forces.
Our residential trip to France was undoubtedly our “Highlight of the Year!” We began the week with a visit to Les Escargots de Bocage, where we had the chance to hold and even eat snails. We gave names to the ones we held! In the evenings, we enjoyed a range of activities at the château, including tracking and camouflage, a campfire complete with toasted marshmallows, and a quiz night.
The week was action-packed. We learnt more about the fallen soldiers of the First World War, sampled delicious local produce from the market in Le Touquet, and visited a boutique chocolate factory. One of the highlights of our residential was taking part in watersports. It was challenging but we all rose to the challenge. Overall, we had a très fantastique time in France!
Pupils who did not attend the residential also had a week of wonderful, memory-making activities. They made props for the Year 6 production of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr., created PowerPoint presentations on the participation of the Warwickians in World War One, watched Wonder (the book we have been studying in English), played boules and did some fun ‘Sun Art’ in the hot weather. They had lots of fun!
We also enjoyed an incredibly interesting talk from one of our school nurses, Mrs Forde. We learnt all about first aid, discussing and practising vital skills such as treating severe injuries, making emergency calls and administering an EpiPen in the event of a lifethreatening allergic reaction.
This term has been a brilliant end to Year 5 and we have all grown and progressed so much since last September!
The Summer Term for Year 6 has been both busy and enjoyable.
The girls completed their Skills for Life Portfolios with three additional modules. They particularly enjoyed the Critical Thinking module, as it allowed them to work independently, choose their own topics, and conduct research. The topics they explored included endangered species such as the Tasmanian devil, neurodiversity, the effects of war on humans, animals and wildlife and motor neurone disease. The girls were very proud to receive their certificates at the Prep Speech Day.
Our week away at the Cranedale Centre in North Yorkshire was a fantastic experience, despite the wet weather. It did not stop us from spending time outdoors each day, exploring the rock pools at Flamborough Head where one group even caught a lobster, following and studying a griff on the North Yorkshire Moors and sampling rivers to identify freshwater creatures. One of the girls’ favourite games was ‘Survival in the Wild’. The delicious breakfasts and three-course dinners were particular highlights of the trip.
The second half of the term began with the pupils putting the finishing touches to their production of ‘Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr.’ and performing at the Bridge House Theatre. The girls worked extremely hard, singing and dancing and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience of performing together on stage.
The final few weeks of term were a wonderful celebration of the girls’ time at Warwick Prep. They enjoyed their celebration Leavers’ Tea and end-of-year party and loved sharing memories through the Year 6 Yearbook. The girls’ final task was to organise and run our infamous Squirrels’ Market which they managed with confidence and aplomb.
We had a wonderful time on our Year 6 residential at the Cranedale Centre. We explored rock pools, hiked across the moors and, most importantly, learnt about the impact of our changing world, how to protect the environment and the animals that call it home.
After a three-hour journey, we arrived at Cranedale in North Yorkshire, ready to begin our residential adventure. Our first activity focused on teamwork as we tackled low ropes, obstacle courses, balance challenges and trust exercises. Although the obstacles were low, they still required problem-solving, communication and collaboration.
The following morning, we visited the RSPB Centre where we learnt about local bird species and the work being done to protect them. We even spotted a puffin! Afterwards, we headed to the rocky shore to explore the rock pools, discovering crabs, small fish and other fascinating sea creatures. We learnt how these animals fit into food chains and why each one plays an important role. We also investigated coastal erosion and how the landscape changes over time. We then ventured onto the moors, exploring the vast landscape and learning how this unique habitat supports wildlife. One girl commented, “The views were stunning; it was like looking at a priceless piece of art!” We also investigated a nearby river, measuring the flow and speed of the water and discovering what lives beneath the surface.
Back at the centre, we set humane traps to see what nocturnal animals we might find. The following morning, we checked them and, although most groups hadn’t caught anything, together we found a wood mouse and a vole, both of which were safely released afterwards.
Later, we took part in an exciting orienteering challenge, using maps and compasses to navigate through the woods. The activity tested our teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
On the final day, all of Year 6 enjoyed a game of ‘Survival in the Wild’, taking on the roles of herbivores, carnivores, top predators and even a natural disaster. After a busy morning, we had lunch, packed our bags and headed home.
Farewell, Cranedale or, as many of us now know it, “the best trip ever!”
We had so much fun performing Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr. It was an amazing experience to bring the characters to life.
India played Marty the Zebra while Lois took on the roles of a penguin and an Animal Control Officer. The rehearsals were great fun, especially when we wore our costumes for the first time and saw the incredible scenery and props in the Bridge House Theatre.
The production featured lots of energetic songs and dances which were so much fun to learn. We developed our teamwork skills by working together with the rest of the cast and laughed a lot! We were excited and a little nervous to perform in front of our families but everything went to plan.
We are so proud of everyone in Year 6. Madagascar was the perfect way to end our time at Warwick Prep.
The Summer Term has been another outstanding season of sport at Warwick Prep. The children have demonstrated enthusiasm, teamwork and determination across many sports including cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming and football.
Cricket has been the focus sport in Games lessons this term. Our U8 girls enjoyed fixtures against The Blue Coat School as well as a tournament at Warwick Junior School. The U9 teams competed against Fairfield Prep, Repton and Bablake. A highlight came at the Fairfield Cricket Festival where the girls secured an exciting one-run victory over Repton after a closely contested match. The U10 teams have enjoyed fixtures against Solihull and Bablake. Every member of Year 5 had the opportunity to represent the school, allowing the girls to showcase the skills they have developed throughout the term.
Our U10 football squad competed a year above their age group against many of the strongest independent school teams in the at the ISFA x GSA U11 Football Festival. Results included victories over Berkhamsted School and St Mary’s School, Cambridge, and draws against Channing Junior School and Bedford Girls’ School. Our U11s made it through to the finals of the Central Warwickshire Schools’ Football League. Remarkably, both our U10 and U11 teams will face each other in the final of the U11 Warwickshire Schools Cup!
Our U11s have once again represented Warwick Prep superbly throughout the term. Nearly every girl in Year 6 has taken part in fixtures against Bilton Grange, RGS The Grange, Solihull, Crackley Hall, Bromsgrove and The Blue Coat School. A highlight was the IAPS Cricket Festival at The Elms, where the team finished unbeaten after winning all three of their matches. This term, many girls took their first steps into the world of hard ball cricket and enjoyed representing the school in this exciting version of the game.
Tennis teams across Year 5 and Year 6 enjoyed fixtures against Bromsgrove while our Year 6 girls produced excellent performances at the Fairfield Tennis Tournament. The annual Warwick Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament was another highlight of the sporting calendar. Partnering with boys from Warwick Junior School, our girls demonstrated excellent teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the morning.
At the IAPS National Tennis Competition held at Clifton College, Warwick Prep was represented by two pairs of players. Competing against some of the strongest independent schools in the country, both pairs played outstanding tennis throughout the day. Liberty and Laurel finished third in their group while Bronte and Suri secured runners-up in theirs.
Our swimmers have enjoyed galas against Bablake, The Blue Coat School, Warwick Junior School and Edgbaston High School for Girls. The standout swimming achievement came at the IAPS National Swimming Finals where our U10 freestyle relay team competed at the London Aquatics Centre after qualifying from hundreds of schools nationwide. Elizabeth, Kristjana, Lily and Stella produced a superb performance, improving their qualifying time by an impressive six seconds and finishing fifteenth in the country.
This term, we also celebrated a number of outstanding individual achievements. Bronte, in Year 6, was selected for the Warwickshire U13 County Hockey squad. Ivy, in Year 5, was selected to represent Warwickshire U13 County in cricket. We are also incredibly proud that an impressive seven Warwick Prep girls have been selected for the Warwickshire U12 County Netball programme next year.
Congratulations to:
• Nimi, in Year 4
• Annabel in Year 5
• Bronte in Year 6
• Mimi, in Year 6
• Amber, in Year 5
• Stella in Year 5
• Bea, in Year 6
It has been another exceptional term for Warwick Prep sport. Across every year group, our pupils have embraced opportunities to challenge themselves, support one another and represent the school with pride. We now look forward to another exciting year of sport and building on this term’s many successes.
Pupils enjoyed a programme of sporting Link Days this term, bringing children together from across the Foundation.
Year 3 pupils from Warwick Prep, Warwick Junior School, Bablake, Bilton Grange and The Croft came together for a Cricket Festival hosted by Warwick Junior School. Working in mixed teams, the children took part in a combination of Kwik Cricket and pairs matches, giving the Warwick Prep girls the opportunity to showcase the bowling, batting and fielding skills they have been developing this term. With more than 250 children taking part, the festival was a huge success and finished with a well-earned ice cream for everyone.
Year 4 pupils from Warwick Prep and Warwick Junior School enjoyed a tennis Link Day where they took part in a variety of activities designed to develop their skills and build confidence on the court. Throughout the day, the pupils demonstrated excellent teamwork, enthusiasm and determination while having lots of fun.
The Year 6 pupils joined children from Warwick Junior School and The Blue Coat School for an afternoon of cricket. Playing in mixed teams, they put their skills into practice while reconnecting with old friends.
The Summer Term has been full of memorable performances and exciting opportunities for our young musicians.
One of the term’s standout events was the King’s High School Percussion Horizons Concert where our Prep percussion clubs were invited to participate. Watching the senior pupils perform gave our younger musicians a taste of the musical opportunities they can look forward to in the future.
Our informal concerts continued to go from strength to strength, attracting a record number of performers. For many Year 2 pupils, this was their first opportunity to perform in front of an audience and they embraced the experience with confidence. Pupils from Years 3 to 6 also performed in a wide range of solo performances.
We were very proud of the many pupils who took music examinations during the week of the summer heatwave. Despite what was undoubtedly a tiring and demanding week, they demonstrated both commitment and resilience. Their efforts were richly rewarded, with an outstanding 90% achieving Merit or Distinction. These excellent results reflect the hard work, enthusiasm and musical progress they have shown throughout the year.
Beyond school, pupils participated successfully in the Leamington Music Festival and attended National Children’s Orchestra weekends.
As they prepared for the next stage of their education, our Year 6 musicians embraced opportunities to perform alongside senior ensembles. It was wonderful to see them contributing so confidently in the KS3 Concert and gaining valuable experience ahead of their transition to senior school.
The term concluded with our Summer Concert, a celebration of the musical talent across the school. From the opening performance by the Year 5 Percussion Club and Brass Ensemble to the orchestra’s finale, the evening showcased the dedication of our pupils. The Junior Choir, ensembles and soloists all performed with confidence while it was particularly lovely to see our youngest musicians in Year 2 taking part with such enjoyment.
The Summer term has been an exciting one for Drama at Warwick Prep. In their Drama lessons, Year 3 girls have been working on their movement skills, developing pace and control. They have used small puppets to explore the difference between their own vocal skills and character vocal skills.
Pupils have now completed their LAMDA examinations and we look forward to another set of results that will no doubt reflect their passion and hard work. Several pupils showcased their LAMDA pieces at the Foundation Adventure 2026 Festival Day, performing alongside their peers from the other Foundation schools. It was a tremendously enjoyable event and we are very proud of their participation.
Children in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 continue to pursue their passion for Drama further through our club provision, aided by a range of dedicated volunteers from Year 6 at Warwick Prep and Year 9 and Year 10 at King’s High School. We would particularly like to thank Lottie, in Year 6, for her dedicated long-term support of the clubs – the younger children have loved getting to know her and benefiting from her encouragement and experience.
The most exciting dramatic moments of the term have no doubt been the amazing Year 2 and Year 6 productions. Thanks to the commitment and support of the production team and the dedication and skill of our talented pupils, audiences were all up on their feet applauding. What a fantastic way to end the year!
At the start of the Summer Term, Year 4 pupils from Warwick Prep and Warwick Junior School showcased their creativity by creating abstract portraits for an art exhibition.
Inspired by the style and techniques of Pablo Picasso, the girls created mixed-media portraits. The boys, guided by the work of Yayoi Kusama, produced their own self-portrait pieces.
As we come to the end of another fantastic year at Warwick Prep, we would like to take a moment to celebrate something that makes our school truly special – our wonderful community spirit and our shared commitment to helping others.
This term, our House Captains, together with Mrs Sloan-Saunders, our WPSA Representative, had the pleasure of welcoming Hannah Lumb from Macmillan to school. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear first-hand about the difference our fundraising has made over the years through our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning. Seeing how our community’s generosity has supported such an important charity made everyone incredibly proud.
Our House Captains were also honoured to be invited to celebrate Jubilee Care Home’s third birthday. The pupils enjoyed chatting with residents, meeting the Mayor of Warwick, and even helping to serve refreshments to residents and guests. It was a lovely afternoon that highlighted the importance of kindness, community connections and bringing generations together.
Of course, no Summer Term would be complete without our muchloved Squirrels’ Market which is one of the biggest and most popular charity events of the year! A huge thank you to everyone who donated items and then returned to buy them back (or perhaps someone else’s treasures instead!). It truly showed that one person’s pre-loved item can become another person’s new favourite find.
A special mention must go to our amazing Year 6 pupils who threw themselves into running the stalls with enthusiasm and confidence. They became expert shopkeepers, persuasive salespeople and enthusiastic bargain hunters all at once!
Squirrels’ Market teaches our children valuable lessons about generosity, sustainability and supporting those around us. Every purchase helped raise money for The Alfie Nick Foundation, a charity that aims to educate young people about personal safety and making positive choices.
We are incredibly proud of everything our school community has accomplished this year. Together, we have not only raised an amazing £10,411.62 for worthwhile causes but have also helped our children develop compassion, empathy and a lifelong understanding of the importance of giving back.
Thank you for every donation. Your generosity has made a real difference and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together next year.
In their Art lessons, the Year 3 girls created beautiful floral cards to send to patients at Warwick Hospital.
BY INDIA AND LOIS
Editors, India and Lois, met with Bronte, Sports Captain, to find out more about her role and her love of Sport.
Q. What’s your favourite part about your role as Sports Captain?
A. I like being Sports Captain because I like helping people find their favourite sport.
Q. What does your role involve?
A. My role includes going up in assembly to collect trophies and organising sports events.
Q. If you weren’t Sports Captain which other role would you have liked to have taken?
A. I would have liked to have been Vice Sports Captain. I love sport!
Q. What is your favourite sport?
A. I like all sports but if I had to pick one it would be hockey.
Q. What was the first sport you played?
A. My first sport was hockey which I started when I was two years old.
Q. If you were any ice cream topping, which would you be?
A. I would be a strawberry because I love strawberries.
As patients are not able to receive flowers, the girls painted delicate watercolour flowers onto cards. Their beautiful cards helped bring smiles to patients, demonstrating how even a small gesture can make a meaningful difference.
After the Easter break, children in The Squirrels Nursery planted onion sets, carrots (which unfortunately didn’t grow despite plenty of watering) and potatoes in recyclable sacks. Each child also planted a sunflower seed which was transferred to the greenhouse to grow alongside pumpkins grown from seeds saved during our autumn pumpkin carving.
At the beginning of June, the sunflowers and pumpkins were transferred to our raised beds where we have been avidly watching and measuring the sunflowers’ growth. In late June, we harvested our potatoes. After digging through the compost, the children counted and weighed their harvest.
Alongside their ‘Minibeast’ topic, children in The Squirrels Nursery made fir cone bees by wrapping yellow wool around fir cones and adding wings. We even had a few much larger queen bees! We often see the school beekeepers who have shown the children honeycomb from the hives.
As part of World Earth Day, children in The Squirrels Nursery went on a litter pick around the school grounds where they found an array of discarded snack wrappers, plastic bottles and cups. The Reception children then sorted the items to decide what could be recycled. Fortunately, much of the litter they collected could be recycled. We also opened up the pond so that all the children could take turns pond dipping. Some groups were more successful than others but everyone discovered that fish are very fast swimmers and can be quite elusive to catch. We found lots of pond snails, pond skaters and even a newt or two.
The Reception children used four of their senses during a scavenger hunt. The rainy weather made it tricky to hear birdsong and spot flying insects. We then used our fifth sense of taste, gathering around the fire to make toast. Thankfully, Mrs Lees has perfected the art, so none of it was burnt, and we also enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate.
To accompany their ‘Dinosaur’ topic, the Reception children made egg nests and dinosaur habitats, hunting for natural materials to create their own Jurassic landscapes. They were also very creative, making dinosaur eyes using marbles and clay, shaping them into ovals before printing patterns with pinecones, sticks and leaves.
The Year 1 children enjoyed pond dipping at the beginning of the term, followed by Japanese Hapa Zome art during their second session. Using a variety of colourful petals, flowers and leaves pressed between sheets of paper, the children gently tapped them until the natural pigments transferred onto the paper.
Children attending Year 1 Forest School Club made magic wands from sticks by wrapping them in coloured wool and adding feathers to personalise them. They also created dragonflies using sycamore seed pods for the wings and threaded coloured beads to make the bodies. The results were beautiful and wonderfully individual. Using rolled-out clay slabs and leaves, the children created leaf prints before carefully cutting around each leaf. They then inverted the clay leaves over balls and left them to dry, creating leaf bowls. Once dry, the children painted them.
We have been nurturing the fruit trees by watering them, adding mulch, attaching sticky barriers to stop ants and placing eco-friendly sheep’s wool and coir mats around the bases to retain moisture and suppress grass growth.
The children have enjoyed a very busy term, and the mixed weather has certainly not dampened their eagerness or enthusiasm. They also understand the importance of caring for Forest School and protecting everything that lives and grows in the garden.
During the Summer Term, members of the Eco Council worked hard behind the scenes to think about ways we can make our school even more environmentally friendly. During our meetings, Eco Council members shared ideas about reducing waste, saving energy and encouraging everyone to take care of our school environment.
We discussed how small actions, such as recycling correctly and reducing litter, can make a big difference when everyone works together. Eco Council representatives also collected suggestions from their classmates about how we can improve our school’s green practices.
In addition, some members of the Eco Council had the opportunity to revisit the wildflowers they planted in the Autumn Term to see how much they had grown. They were delighted to observe lots of bees pollinating the flowers and identified a range of habitats that have been supported by planting them.
Please do keep sending in your photos of all the amazing work you do at home so we can display them on our noticeboard. The Eco Council members have worked incredibly hard this year, and we are looking forward to continuing our work in September!
For the past year, Warwick Town Council have been collecting plastic bottles from their fish recycling sculpture in Pageant Garden and working with a talented local artist, the bottles were transformed into bears.
We were bear-y excited to be asked to decorate one of the bears which formed part of the Warwick Eco Bear Trail. The girls in Year 3 loved decorating our bear which they fondly named ‘Barbara’.
The trail was extremely well received across the town, attracting lots of attention and lovely feedback from visitors and local businesses who enjoyed displaying the bears in their windows.
The Wellbeing and Charity Teams worked together to make our Little Acts of Kindness Week a huge success! This year, we supported Myton Hospice, collecting trolley-loads of much needed items for the families, staff and patients supported by the charity. A huge thank you to everyone for your generous donations.
We were delighted to welcome Louise Careless from Myton Hospice, who joined our Wellbeing Team for the launch assembly. Throughout the week, the Wellbeing Team led a wonderful range of activities to encourage acts of kindness during playtime. The playground was filled with colourful chalk messages, beach balls proved a huge hit, kindness hands soon covered an entire roll of paper, kindness bingo challenged children to spread kindness in lots of different ways and everyone enjoyed dancing and a host of other fun activities.
Thank you to our Wellbeing Team, Charity Team and the whole school community for showing that kindness really does matter and that even the smallest acts can make the biggest difference.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day was celebrated on Tuesday 7 July. Inspired by the classic “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” song, it was a lovely summer event that brought the whole school community together for some fun in our House groups.
Children and staff enjoyed a teddy bear biscuit during an extended break time out on the playing fields in the glorious sunshine! Thank you to our fabulous Catering Team! The Wellbeing Team did a wonderful job organising their Houses and leading some joyful conversations about summer holiday plans and highlights from another busy year at Warwick Prep!
We were proud to play a small part in the inaugural Warwick Festival of Peacebuilding – a new two-day community event bringing together schools, local organisations and residents in a shared celebration of peace, diversity and collective action.
The festival was intentionally designed as a hopeful response to global challenges, inviting communities to reflect on how we can each contribute to a more compassionate and peaceful world. In that context, it was a privilege for our pupils to contribute both artistically and reflectively.
Our Senior Choir sang beautifully within the magnificent setting of St Mary’s, and many of the people present were visibly moved by the choir’s rendition of ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth.’ Alongside this, girls from Year 5 created our Peace Tree, joining a wider display of Peace Trees made by local schools. Each carefully crafted circle expressed what peace means to them – kindness, listening, friendship and respect – resulting in a vibrant, collective symbol of hope for the future.
My Money Week gave pupils the opportunity to develop valuable money management skills in a fun, practical and engaging way. Through a range of activities and challenges, children explored topics such as budgeting, saving, spending wisely and making informed financial decisions, helping them build confidence and understand the value of money from an early age.
In the Pre-Prep department, the children developed their understanding of money by recognising and totalling coins while also learning the importance of saving and avoiding waste. Thoughtful discussions encouraged them to consider how looking after their belongings and reducing food waste can help save money.
Across the Prep department, pupils took part in a variety of engaging activities designed to build essential financial literacy skills. They explored where money comes from, considered different careers and employment opportunities, and discussed the difference between wants and needs. As their understanding grew, they learnt about budgeting, setting priorities and the different methods of payment used in everyday life. Older pupils were also introduced to more advanced financial concepts, including mortgages and the responsibilities that come with managing money as an adult.
Throughout the week, pupils strengthened their understanding of UK currency by identifying and handling coins and notes, before putting their knowledge into practice through role play activities. Budding shopkeepers and customers enjoyed buying, selling, budgeting and handling money in realistic scenarios. The week equipped pupils with valuable life skills and helped prepare them to make informed financial decisions in the future.
Congratulations to all the pupils who represented Warwick Prep in this year’s maths competitions, demonstrating excellent mathematical thinking, perseverance and problem-solving skills.
Pupils across Year 3 and Year 4 took part in the First Maths Challenge in June, with a special congratulations to Wanqing, in 3LW, who achieved full marks.
Well done also to our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils who were awarded Certificates of Success in the UK Mathematics Trust Primary Kangaroo. This invitation-only challenge is a 45-minute, 20-question multiple-choice competition for pupils aged 9-11, designed to reward mathematical reasoning and problem-solving rather than calculation alone.
The Year 5 girls enjoyed an exciting visit to King’s High School for a chemistry lesson led by Dr Mather, Head of Science.
The girls learnt how to safely use a Bunsen burner before carrying out flame tests, observing how different metals produce distinctive, colourful flames. They then investigated gases using simple tests, including the characteristic “squeaky pop” of hydrogen with a lit splint and the relighting of a glowing splint to indicate oxygen. The lesson concluded with a series of demonstrations, including the famous elephant’s toothpaste reaction and the dramatic “whoosh bottle” experiment which illustrated combustion producing carbon dioxide
A special congratulations goes to Izzy, in 6CM, who achieved a Silver Award in the Primary Mathematics Challenge Bonus Round 2026. This outstanding achievement places her among the top primary mathematicians in the country!
Well done to everyone who took part and represented the school so brilliantly.
We celebrated the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough with a wonderful day of learning inspired by the natural world.
The children were invited to bring in a favourite toy animal and research it, creating fact files exploring habitats, diets, adaptations and amazing facts. The school was filled with a variety of animals, from lions, monkeys and crocodiles to lobsters, squirrels and swans. The celebration encouraged the pupils to embrace the same spirit of exploration and wonder that Sir David Attenborough has inspired in generations around the world.
We were pleased to welcome Mr Earl to assembly, a lepidopterist who studies butterflies and moths, who spoke to the children about the fascinating world of these insects.
Our Critical Thinking Champions challenged the whole school to formulate their own species and then explain their characteristics and how they have adapted to thrive in their environment.
As part of the celebrations, the Reception children discovered more about the life and work of Sir David Attenborough before embarking on their own expeditions to collect natural resources to create bug hotels. Gathering twigs, fir cones and bark, the children created habitats for insects before setting off on a bug hunt. The Year 2 pupils also visited Forest School to go on bug hunt.
The children were excited to find lots of bugs, including woodlice, millipedes, centipedes, ants and ladybirds hiding under logs and stones. They also found a newt and a frog!
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children had a fantastic time celebrating their ‘Adventure Day’.
Children in The Squirrels Nursery and Reception worked together on a range of exciting activities including baking biscuits and
decorating pebbles. They enjoyed watching Mrs Lees, Forest School Leader, cook popcorn over the campfire and worked really well in teams on a treasure hunt around the Headmaster’s Garden.
The Year 2 children were excited to take part in a Scooter Safety session as part of their PSHEE curriculum, bringing their own scooters and helmets into school!
Led by Warwickshire County Council, the practical session taught the children how to stay safe while scootering. They put their new skills into practice on the playground, scootering sensibly and confidently.
As the academic year drew to a close, pupils across the school took part in a range of activities designed to help them feel confident and excited about the next stage of their educational journey.
In preparation for moving into Year 3, the Year 2 girls were paired with Year 3 buddies, who made them feel incredibly welcome during a special lunch together. The buddies will continue to support the girls as they settle into the Prep department in September. They also enjoyed exploring the Art and Design Technology studios. Meanwhile, the Year 2 boys prepared for their move to Warwick Junior School by spending time together across classes, making new friends and taking part in teamwork challenges. Through board games, jigsaw puzzles and Lego building activities, they developed new friendships ahead of September. They also enjoyed a special lunch with their new Year 3 buddies at Warwick Junior School.
Girls in Year 4 and Year 5 visited King’s High School where they spent time with current pupils, took part in lessons and even enjoyed a silent disco. The visits offered an valuable insight into life at senior school.
Throughout the year, Year 6 pupils also enjoyed a variety of transition opportunities at King’s High School, including taster mornings, Golden Ticket events, lunches and time with current students. These experiences have helped them feel well-prepared and excited as they look ahead to beginning Year 7 in September.
BY HEMA AND SAVANNAH
Editors, Hema and Savannah, met with Miss Murphy to find out more about her role as Year 3 teacher and how she prepares the Year 2 girls for their move up into the Prep department.
Q. How long have you been teaching and how long have you been teaching at Warwick Prep?
A. I have been teaching for seventeen years. I started at Warwick Prep in 2013 so it’s coming up to fourteen years here.
Q. How do you support the girls as they move from the Pre-Prep department into the Prep department?
A. Before they even begin in September, the Year 2 girls meet lots of the staff in the Prep department. They are ‘buddied’ up with a Year 3 pupil who shows them how lunchtimes change and they meet their new form teacher at Move-up Morning. The Year 3 teachers visit the Year 2 girls during their Golden Time too.
Q. What are the key differences between Pre-Prep and Prep?
A. The biggest differences are the girls become more independent, they are taught by lots of different specialist teachers in various classrooms and they can bring in their own pencil case!
Q. What the girls most excited about when they move into Year 3?
A. Their new classmates, being taught by different teachers and bringing in their own pencil case.
BY CLARA AND ORLA
Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching Year 3?
A. One of the best things about teaching Year 3 is the confidence and enthusiasm they show for learning across a wide range of subjects.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A. I would love to go back to India – the people were incredibly friendly and the food in Kerala was my favourite. The country is very diverse; every region has its own traditions, landscapes and cuisine.
Together with Spirit, Clara and Orla interviewed Year 2 boys, William C and William M, about their time at Warwick Prep and how they are feeling about moving over to Warwick Junior School in September.
Q. What has been the best part about being at Warwick Prep?
A. WC: I really enjoyed the trip to Mary Arden’s Farm as the activities were fun.
A. WM: In Science when we took part in a car experiment in Year 2.
Q. What will you miss most about Warwick Prep?
A. WC: The clubs and the teachers!
A. WM: Our school trips. I liked the Cotswold Farm Park and Brandon Marsh.
Q. What are you most excited about moving over to Warwick Junior School?
A. WC: The residentials as they sound really exciting!
A. WM: Definitely the lunch because we get to play on the big climbing frame and go in a line for lunch.
Q. Which transition activities have you taken part in to prepare you for the move to Warwick Junior School?
A. WC: We played with Year 2 boys from the other classes and made a Lego football field. We watched the Year 4 boys’ production and the Year 3 boys came to watch our production.
A. WM: We went for lunch and played in the playground. We wrote questions for Miss Mellor and we went to the hall for assembly.
Q. If you could give a piece of advice to the younger boys who will make the move in future, what would it be?
A. WC: Keep trying with your work and don’t give up. If you are feeling anxious, go with it and be brave!
A. WM: Have fun when you go for your lunch visit.
Q. Where would be your dream holiday destination and why?
A. WC: Africa, specifically Kenya because I like animals and I want to see a giraffe or elephant. We learnt about Kenya in Year 2.
A. WM: Spain because William C and I love football and they play lots of football!
With the end of the Summer Term approaching, all current pupils met their new teachers and spent time in their new classrooms during our Move-up Morning. We also welcomed new pupils who will start at Warwick Prep in September 2026.
CELEBRATION
These sessions help pupils prepare for the next school year or for starting school, with informal ‘getting to know you’ activities. This builds a positive relationship with the new teacher and allows children to ask any questions they may have. Most children leave feeling very excited about September!
Our Year 2 Leavers’ Assembly and Speech Day provided a fitting celebration of our pupils’ achievements, marking the end of another academic year and looking ahead to new beginnings.
The Year 2 Leavers’ Assembly celebrated the children’s time in the Pre-Prep department before the majority of boys move on to Warwick Junior School and the girls continue their journey into Year 3 in the Prep department. Mrs Dodsworth, Headmistress, addressed the school community before presenting the children with their Skills for Life scrolls, while Clare Harding, Chair of WPSA, presented each child with a special ‘Class of 2026’ Spirit the Squirrel.
The children also performed as part of the Year 2 Strings Project before bringing the assembly to a close with a rousing rendition of our school song, “I Am a Small Part of the World.”
Later in the day, the school community gathered for Speech Day where we were delighted to welcome Miss Rose Agnew, an Old King’s High School pupil and former Deputy Head Girl, as our guest of honour. Now a passionate advocate for antibullying, she inspired pupils with her experiences.
The ceremony was opened by Mr Nicholson, Foundation Principal, followed by reports from the School Officials and performances from both the Junior and Senior Choirs. Mrs Dodsworth then presented the Year 6 pupils with their Skills for Life scrolls, recognising their personal growth, achievements and contribution to Warwick Prep throughout their time at the school.
The celebration concluded with a moving performance of “I Am a Small Part of the World”.
We are delighted to share that Warwick Preparatory School has been commended in the Independent School of the Year Awards and shortlisted for Independent Prep School of the Year.
Being recognised among the country’s leading independent schools is a significant achievement and a reflection of the dedication and commitment shown every day by our staff, pupils and school community.
While the winners will be announced later this year, we are incredibly proud to have reached this stage. Thank you to everyone who contributes to making Warwick Prep such a vibrant, ambitious and nurturing place to learn.
In Warwick Prep Life – Spring 2026, Henry had been continuing to learn more skills as part of his guide dog training including going on trips around England in a motorhome and spending time in different environments such as the vets and an office.
Henry has moved from the home of his Puppy Raiser, Jo, to a busy training school which is a big change. Polly, Henry’s new trainer, has been looking after Henry. He’s taken the transition in his stride, showing the same calm, easy-going nature that has carried him so well through puppy raising.
His new trainer, Polly, has been helping Henry settle into his new surroundings by focusing on building a strong bond through plenty of cuddles, playtime and positive experiences. Before introducing more advanced training, Polly wants Henry to feel relaxed and confident in his new routine.
Henry has also been enjoying time with the other trainee guide dogs and has quickly made new friends. He has already become a firm favourite with Polly’s colleagues thanks to one of his most endearing habits – when he’s pleased to see someone, his tail doesn’t simply wag; it spins in a full circle like a little windmill, accompanied by an enthusiastic whole-body wiggle!
Over the coming months, Henry will continue to build on these strong foundations as he is gradually introduced to the brown training harness and experiences an even wider variety of environments. It is still early days, but Henry is already proving himself to be a relaxed, confident and enthusiastic young dog, and we look forward to following the next stage of his remarkable journey.
In Art, the Year 3 girls explored ‘Time for Tea’ and created ceramic teacups and saucers inspired by the traditional Willow Pattern china. They also created mixed-media doughnuts inspired by Jaeyong Kim. In DT, the pupils have been practising their sewing skills. They made mini mixed-media tote bags, upon which their quarter fruit artwork pieces were placed as handy pockets.
In Art, the Year 4 children have explored Aboriginal art and created animal silhouette paintings and relief-layered boomerangs. In DT, the girls were inspired by ‘Treasure Island’ to made mini treasure boxes from three types of wood. There were lots of opportunities for measuring, checking, filing, sanding and problem-solving.
In Art, the Year 5 girls started the term by completing artist-inspired tree paintings in mixed media. Inspired by Marion McConaghie, they created ink-and-wash artworks and layered paintings of bugs and insects. In DT, the pupils explored the theme of ‘Art Deco’ to produce their own unique clockfaces. They learnt how to prime their clockfaces before using acrylic paint markers to create their own designs.
In Art, the Year 6 girls have been working on portraiture, initially focusing on the realistic use of proportion and shading before moving on to abstracting the face through mixed-media, inspired by artists such as Luke Dixon and Loui Jover. In DT, the girls made their own fabric by a process called wet felting. They then made their own one-of-a-kind purses.
BY ABIGAIL SLOAN-SAUNDERS, FUTURE WPSA CHAIR
A Fond Farewell, a Huge Thank You and a Warm Hello
As another wonderful year draws to a close, Warwick Preparatory School Association (WPSA) finds itself at something of a turning point. This year, we say goodbye to several long-serving committee members whose dedication and enthusiasm have helped shape WPSA over many years.
We would like to thank our outgoing Chair, Clare whose incredible ten years of service to WPSA have left an enduring legacy. For a decade, Clare has been at the heart of countless events, fundraising initiatives, meetings and projects. She has led WPSA with professionalism, determination and an unwavering sense of purpose.
Clare possesses that rare ability to combine exceptional efficiency with a wonderfully dry (occasionally sarcastic) sense of humour. Many a meeting has been accompanied by a perfectly timed raised eyebrow, capable of communicating an entire paragraph without a single word being spoken.
She also has a remarkable talent for recruiting volunteers. Many of us have arrived at a meeting intending simply to listen, only to leave having agreed to organise a stall, coordinate an event or take on an entirely new role. Somehow, Clare could persuade people to step forward without them quite realising it was happening. It was never through pressure but rather because her clarity of purpose and belief in what WPSA could achieve were genuinely infectious. We would also like to extend our thanks to Julie, another former Chair, who has devoted nine years to WPSA. Julie has been a constant source of encouragement and friendship over the years. Known for her infectious sense of humour and ability to make everyone feel welcome, she has brought warmth to every committee she has been part of.
A special thank you must also go to Jennie and Charlotte, who joined WPSA and almost immediately threw themselves into committee life. Together, they organised the now-legendary, Colour Run, delivering a spectacularly successful event after only a few weeks on the committee. It quickly became one of the highlights of past few years.
Jennie has brought fresh ideas to everything she has touched. Not only was she the driving force behind the successful Book Swap but her seemingly endless Canva expertise has transformed countless event materials.
Charlotte has been a fantastic Class Representative Officer, bringing calmness and efficiency to a role that requires exceptional organisation. She has built strong relationships with Class Representatives and has helped ensure information flows smoothly between parents, class reps and the committee.
I would also like to personally thank Kamal, with whom I partnered with on a previous Summer Fayre but most regularly, on the disco events. Kamal somehow combines endless kindness with exceptional organisation. She is always willing to help, always calm under pressure and has earned legendary status as my unofficial “rota queen”.
We would also like to thank Lily. Over the years, she has supported a number of WPSA events including the Summer Fayre and helping to secure raffle prizes from local businesses.
As for me, I now find myself taking on the role of Chair.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Abi – usually recognisable by my messy ginger hair and the fact that I’m often seen sprinting between Warwick Prep and Warwick Junior School. If you’ve spotted me with smudged lipstick, too many bags, a coffee and a rapidly expanding to-do list, then you’ve almost certainly caught me in my natural habitat. Bonus points if I’m wearing my garish Dryrobe (hey, no judgement, I spend a lot of time in fields, in the rain).
Like many parents, I know exactly what it’s like to juggle family life, work commitments, school diaries and the never-ending logistics of raising children. I joined WPSA because there is something incredibly special about watching children experience the excitement of a school event. I also love the fact that my daughter, Ember, sees me helping at school.
Over the past year, I’ve also been reminded of something else: there is real power in women supporting one another. While Warwick Prep welcomes both boys and girls in the younger years, our girls spend much of their school journey surrounded by strong female role models. One of the things I have loved most about WPSA is seeing women from different backgrounds, professions and stages of life come together, share ideas, support one another and work towards a common goal.
That said, we would absolutely love to welcome more fathers and male guardians too. WPSA is for everyone.
Volunteering isn’t always glamorous! There are spreadsheets, lastminute emails, raffle prizes to chase, weather forecasts that refuse to cooperate and occasional moments when you wonder whose bright idea it all was in the first place. Yet there is also a genuine thrill when an event comes together.
One of the unexpected joys of joining WPSA has been meeting parents I may never otherwise have spoken to. It has also given me the chance to get to know so many of the wonderful staff who give up their own time to support our events. Working alongside them has been one of the real privileges of being involved.
As we look ahead to next year, we would love to welcome new members. You don’t need endless free time, special experience or a particular skill set. Whether you can help occasionally, take on a specific role, share an idea or simply come along to find out more, there is a place for you.
Please do come and say hello. I promise there is no secret initiation ceremony, no requirement to bake two-hundred cupcakes overnight and absolutely no obligation to volunteer for anything at your first meeting. Although, after spending a few years working alongside Clare, I can’t entirely promise I haven’t picked up one or two of her recruitment techniques…
Across the two Giving Days, students, parents, alumni, governors and the wider community joined in with various challenges to help raise funds to increase the number of bursaries we can offer and increase our hardship fund.
It is a testament to the generosity of our community that 235 donors have collectively raised more than £57,183 so we can be a safety net for more families in need at these challenging times.
It was a brilliant and truly memorable couple of days, with our whole Foundation community coming together to take part in a variety of events and activities. Including a riverside rally, traditional sports day, MCC cricket match and much more! At Warwick Prep, parents were invited to a Community Coffee Morning.
We are very grateful to those who helped spread the word by sharing with friends and engaging with our posts on social media.
After 10 years as a Governor and 5 years as Foundation Chair, Mrs Sally Austin announced earlier this year that she will be stepping
Sally has overseen significant changes during this time. These include a revised governance structure, the completion of Project One Campus, the introduction of girls’ boarding, an international school strategy and the establishment of WSF MAT.
Mrs Jane Mackenzie-Lawrie will become Foundation Chair. Mrs Mackenzie-Lawrie joined our Governing Body in 2022 and is currently Chair of our Resources & Estates Committee. In addition, she is NonExecutive Director at Express Medicals plc. During her executive career, she held roles across sales, operations and marketing in global B2B and pharmaceutical sectors. Jane is a former Foundation parent as her two sons previously attended Warwick School.
We are delighted to share further updates about changes to our school bus service.
We know how much of a priority your child’s safe journey to and from school is. Our seamless home-to-school transport provision ensures that you will have total peace of mind as you wave them off in the morning.
From September 2026, our partnership with Vectare, alongside our dedicated in-house transport team, is central to our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and convenient solution to home-toschool transport. Together, we aim to provide a smooth experience in booking, managing and organising your child’s journey to school.
In June, booking for September 2026 opened via the new Vectare portal and it was great to see families begin to use the service to book upcoming journeys.
To find out more, visit the Transport page on the website for each school.
Over the last weekend before half term, Warwick Schools Foundation was proud to be the host venue of the Music Teachers’ Association Conference.
From Friday 15 – Sunday 17 May, more than 200 attendees from around the country gathered across various locations on the Myton Road campus, for the annual conference which inspires musical excellence amongst educators.
To be chosen as a host venue demonstrates Warwick Schools Foundation’s commitment to providing outstanding music education and we are proud that this has been recognised by such a highly regarded organisation.
Sir John Rutter led an incredible opportunity for our Foundation Symphony Orchestra, King Henry VIII Consort, St Mary’s, staff and the attendees from the conference to take part in a ‘Come and Sing/ Play’ session which ended with a spectacular musical showcase.
Term Commences: Monday 7 September
Half Term: Monday 19 – Friday 30 October
Term Ends: Wednesday 16 December
2026
Open Morning: Saturday 19 September Open Afternoon: Tuesday 10 November For more information about our events,