The aims of the Trust are to:

• Promote female participation in STEM subjects.
• Support disadvantaged students in establishing careers in STEM.
• Offer financial support to students who may face challenges in continuing their sixth-form studies.
• Support qualifying students from The Purbeck School and help the school maintain its reputation as a centre of excellence for STEM education. 

The trust was set up last year, and these are the first Girls in STEM Awards, recognising students who have demonstrated enthusiasm, talent, determination and engagement in their chosen STEM subjects.

Awards were presented to students from Years 7–10 across all curriculum areas, including English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Languages, the Arts, PE, Computing and Technology. A special congratulations goes to our STEM award winners, who were recognised for their outstanding achievements in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Design Technology.

Among this year's award recipients were;

Year 7

Luke Gould (Maths), Sam Caudell (Geography), Beatrix Notley (Design Technology), Elias Barnes (PRE), Iona Hannant (French), Alexander Belviso (Spanish), Maya Haworth (Art), Jacob King and Maisie Biles (PE), Freya Matthew and Seren Morris (Science), Freya Matthew (History), Stanley Butt (Computing), Madison Russell (English), Oscar Sherlock (Drama), Stanley Butt (Music), Beatrix Notley (Music), Mia Lovell, Fia Davison, Cienna Powell, Thea Hewitt and Beatrix Notley (STEM).

Year 8

Felicity Schubert (Maths), Lucas Spiller (Geography), Neveah Lee (Design Technology), Ava Gray (PRE), Orla Anderson (French), Cobie Savage (Spanish), Darcy Blu Bryden (Art), Daniel Norman and Eva Gadenne (PE), Thorne Beesley (Science), Elijah Pike (History), Isabelle Allen (Computing), Oscar House (English), Isabelle Allen (Drama), Benjamin Brewster (Music), Sophie Starr (Library), Amelia Suttle, Ella Webster, Felicity Schubert, Daisy Margetts and Hannah Kent (STEM) and Lorelei (Swift House Leader Award).

Year 9

Aida Schulte (Maths), Aidan Bugler (Geography), Oliver Croucher (Design Technology), Oliver Croucher (PRE), Isla Whincop (French), Sophia Cooke (Spanish), Romany Harris (Art), Sonny Dutton-Davies and Hettie Poole (PE), James Hardy (Science), Isla Whincop (History), Liam Bulpitt (Computing), Hannah Budden (English), Alfie Hunt (Drama), Toby Debenham (Music), Evie Woolford, Hettie Poole, Aida Schulte, Hannah Budden and Isabella Deas (STEM).

Year 10

Grace Woolford (Maths), James Oakley (Geography), Ryan Knott (Product Design), Isaac Coppack (Food Technology), Maizie Pratten (Health & Social Care), George Ralls (PRE), Ana Smith-Morris (French), Alfie Joyce (Spanish), Ellie-Mae Baggs (Phoography), Thomas Warren (Art), Vincent Nickless and Seren Roberts (PE), Alayna Carter-Hobbs (Geology), Marcus Evans (Physics). Joe Bohane (Chemistry), James Oakley (Biology), Seren Roberts (Combined Science), Ezra Orgee (History), George Whitaker (Computing), Theo Burnett (Business Studies), Daniel England (English), Jacob Bissett (Drama), Rosie Kent (Music), Nola Downs (Media), Rosie Kent, Izzie Cutler, Nola Downs, Ana Smith-Morris and Maisie Kearley (STEM), Thomas Warren (Skylark House Leader Award), William Nix (Kingfisher House Leader Award), Jack Jervis (Kestrel House Leader Award) and Bertie Warren (Headteacher Award).

Their achievements reflect the hard work and determination shown by all students recognised during the evening.

The Purbeck School would like to congratulate every award winner and thank families, staff and governors who joined us to celebrate these successes. We are incredibly proud of our students and look forward to seeing their continued achievements in the year ahead.

This year was the fourth year taking students from The Purbeck School to an amazing work experience week at Lancia Consult Bristol office through an initiative set up by The Gateway Project.

The Gateway Project is dedicated to breaking down barriers to professional careers and improving social mobility, through offering opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Lancia Consult staff were so welcoming and amazing role models to the students throughout the week. Our time spent with them was so much fun and inspirational, all wrapped in one. The students developed confidence, strengthened employability skills and were able to create impactful and everlasting memories. 

Michelle Scott

Careers Adviser & UCAS Co-ordinator

The Purbeck School

Thorpe Park

What an amazing day at Thorpe Park for our 263 Year 9 and Year 10 students! Glorious (although slightly too hot!) sunshine and soaring temperatures, students made the most of every moment, enjoying the park's thrilling rides, attractions, and fantastic atmosphere. From adrenaline-filled roller-coasters to spending time with friends, it was an epic day filled with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories. The students represented the school brilliantly throughout the trip, and despite the heat, their energy and enthusiasm never wavered. A truly amazing day!

• Pupils will be expected in school as usual at normal times
• Pupils will wear either their adapted summer uniform or school P.E kit.
• Pupils will need to bring their equipment and Yondr pouch. They will be expected to pouch up their phones like they do on any other day.
• Pupils can bring packed lunches if they normally bring one but the canteen will also be open for pupils.
• Pupils will be assigned a computer room and will be asked to complete all outstanding homework and then will be given project work to do.

Please see the pdf upload below

The group made an initial stop at Woolbridge Manor, the setting for key scenes in the novel, before visiting the Hardy statue and Dorset Museum in Dorchester, where we were given a highly informative presentation by Alban O’Brien. After having some free time to explore the Hardy exhibition and other areas of the museum, we headed to Hardy’s birthplace in Higher Bockhampton, learning about his origins and family whilst standing in beautiful surroundings. After a pit stop at McHardy’s restaurant, the group headed to our final location, which was Max Gate, a grand and unusual house which Hardy had built as a space to work, surrounded by trees, a druid stone, and his pet cemetery.

The Purbeck School Ghana 26 Team has been active in classrooms already, teaching a range of subjects and experiencing life in Anloga Miss Acott reports, ‘We've been to the beach, went to church, went to the lighthouse had our ewe lesson and been to our partner school. It has been amazing and the students have been fully embracing the opportunity. To see some of them interacting with the children and having the confidence to get up and teach even on the first day was incredible!’.

Last week we were fortunate enough to take a selection of children over to Hethfelton House near Monkey World. This is a charity that has been providing enrichment days for schools/colleges to go and learn about the Primates in regard to many respects.

We were lucky enough to have a couple of talks by Cat Talbot which looked at being a Primate Keeper and all the jobs they have to do throughout the day. It would seem it involves a lot of cleaning and food preparation with monkeys being fed up to 8 times a day. The second talk was about the different types of communication primates use. There were a surprising number of different types of calls. Some of them were rather interesting and some very comical. It certainly kept the students interested and many went home and talked extensively about it to their parents. So a thoroughly worthwhile experience. 

Interspersed throughout the day, we were also fortunate enough to make some enrichment toys for the Primates. These ranged from preparing piñatas and then filling ones that a previous group had made with tasty snacks. We also had the opportunity to make willow snack baskets for Capuchin monkeys and Gibbons. Finally, we put together a multitude of lush boxes and cable tied these together once filled with treats for the Chimps and other primates.  

A huge thank you to Cat and the team at Hethfelton house. The students had a fabulous day, as did the staff. We hope the Primates enjoyed the toys, and we hope to see you again soon.

Thanks

 Miss Hamblin

With women currently making up less than 20% of the engineering sector, this RNLI event aimed to inspire students from the local area to make a difference in the world by pursuing a career in engineering.

Pupils had the opportunity to meet and quiz female engineers from the RNLI, who discussed the different roles they play in saving lives at sea. Alongside these RNLI engineers students were given many innovation engineering challenges and taken on a tour of the All-weather Lifeboat Centre where the RNLI builds and maintains its state-of-the-art 25 knot all-weather lifeboats.

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our pupils in the UKMT Junior Kangaroo competition, following their strong performances in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge.

Three of our pupils qualified to take part in this prestigious follow-on round — an excellent accomplishment in itself. We are especially pleased to highlight the success of Thorne Beesley in Year 8, who was awarded a Bronze certificate, a superb result at this level.

We are incredibly proud of all the pupils who took part. Their commitment, resilience, and enthusiasm for mathematics continue to shine through, and they are a credit to the school.

Mrs G Pike

Mathematics Teacher

The Purbeck School

Next week is expected to be exceptionally hot, with temperatures forecast to be around 30°C for the majority of the week. With this in mind, we have decided that students will be permitted to adapt their uniform to ensure they remain comfortable in these conditions. We will implement this change for at least one week and will keep the situation under review.

Students may adapt their uniform in the following ways:

1. Standard Uniform (Adapted):

• Students may continue to wear the normal school uniform; however, they will not be expected to wear a tie or blazer, nor are they required to bring these items into school.

2. PE Kit Option:

Students may choose to wear their school PE kit instead. This includes:

• The Purbeck School logo T-shirt (black with red trim)
• Black shorts, or black leggings, or black tracksuit bottoms, or black skorts
• (Please ensure all items are appropriate in length and fit. If clothing is deemed unsuitable, students will be required to change back into school uniform.)
• Trainers

We hope that these adjustments will help provide a more comfortable learning environment for all students during the period of hot weather.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Adam Darley

The Purbeck School

The boys started the day meeting with World Champion Boxer Chris Billam-Smith who spoke about his life as a boxer and what it means to be a man today. Chris is known as “The Gentleman” on the boxing circuit and instils respect and dignity in and out of the ring, throughout all aspect’s of his life. The boys then participated in public speaking workshops facilitated by The Speakers Trust.

They openly discussed topics about their likes, school life, social media today and their proudest moments. They participated in games and gave speeches where their confidence and voices grew throughout the day.

On Friday, she took questions from Year 10 historians and some of our Year 12 students. These included: ‘How do you feel about billionaire funding of political parties?’; ‘What is your opinion about the current arrangements for post-18 student funding?’; ‘How can politicians reach out to young people to balance the views of Reform?’ and various others related to political leadership, immigration and politics in general. It was wonderful, once more, to gain an insight into the world of politics, with Purbeck students demonstrating a genuine interest in, and sense of responsibility, for both our local and national communities.

One of our geographers, James, writes: “We went around Bournemouth, taking data from a range of tests we did. We learnt about the land use of Bournemouth and how it influences tourists and locals of the area. We ended the day at the pier where we asked members of the public about the area and if it caters for locals or tourists. It was an amazing day that gave us a wide understanding of the area.”

At Hengistbury Head, the students completed methods such as beach profiles, sediment analysis, longshore drift measurements and recorded wave conditions. We were lucky to have a sunny day and a lunch stop near the expensive beach huts.

Both days the geographers showed excellent effort and collaborative teamwork to complete all methods. We were pleased to be informed by members of the public how well the students presented themselves and represented the school in Bournemouth. Well done all the geographers!

Mrs Yenney, Geography Teacher.

The new Sixth Form Leadership Team met officially for the first time yesterday to discuss their plans for next half term and the academic year ahead. Their roles include Year Captains, Welfare, Wellbeing and Charity roles, as well as responsibilities for Student Voice, Publicity and Literacy. We will keep you up to date with their work over the coming months. The Purbeck Sixth Form offers many opportunities to develop leadership skills in addition to the chance to extend soft skills through our full, exciting, enrichment programme.

The group also extended their investigations into the wider Purbeck area, comparing rural and urban environments and deepening their understanding of spatial contrasts within the landscape. It was an excellent day all round, with students engaging enthusiastically and making the most of the hands-on learning opportunities.

A massive congratulations to Anna Talbot (yr8), Cara Thomas (yr8), Thorne Beesley (yr8), and Nia Morris (yr7) for qualifying for the next round called the Junior Kangeroo, which will take place later in the year.

This year, our pupils achieved 14 Silver awards and 29 Bronze awards — a testament to their commitment, effort and excellent mathematical thinking. 110 pupils were entered. We are delighted to celebrate their hard work, enthusiasm and impressive performance in such a demanding national competition.

As we approach the GCSE examination period that starts next week, we are pleased to offer GCSE Breakfast Revision Sessions to support students on the mornings of their exams.

These sessions will run from 08:00 to 08:30 on the day of each GCSE exam – see schedule and rooming above. They are designed to provide students with a calm, focused start to the day, including light, targeted revision and the opportunity to ask last‑minute questions in a supportive environment.

To help students feel settled and energised, the school canteen will be providing free tea and toast (or a suitable alternative) to all students who attend.

If you are unable to drop your child off before this time, then please don’t worry. Students using school transport should still join the sessions and will still benefit from the revision and refreshments available.

We strongly encourage students sitting GCSE examinations to take advantage of these sessions, as they can help boost confidence and readiness before exams begin.

If you have any questions about your child’s GCSE exams, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Carl Morris

Deputy Headteacher

The Purbeck School

Ever wondered what GCSE & A Level Art and Photography actually look like? 👀

This Thursday at lunch, come and explore real sketchbooks, digital portfolios, and creative projects from our Year 11, 12 & 13 students. Ask questions, get inspired, and see what you could create next…

📍 D12 & D13 (enter via D13)
🕛 Lunchtime

Whether you love art or you're just curious… come and have a look 👀🔥

The competition, which runs throughout the season, brings together reserve teams from across the UK, providing a highly competitive platform for emerging talent in the women’s game. It plays a crucial role in player development, giving young athletes the opportunity to perform at a national level while bridging the gap between youth and senior football.

After an impressive campaign marked by consistency, teamwork, and determination, AFC Bournemouth progressed through the rounds to reach the final. The showpiece event took place at St George’s Park—the home of England’s national teams and a venue synonymous with elite football development.

Bournemouth secured victory to lift the trophy, crowning them champions of the national competition. Dani’s involvement in such a successful squad highlights both her dedication and not only reflects her individual talent but also the strength of pathways within women’s football in England. With the continued growth of the sport and increased visibility at all levels, competitions like the Reserve Cup are becoming ever more important in shaping the future of the game.

Well done to Dani and the entire AFC Bournemouth team on this fantastic achievement—an inspiring success story and a proud moment for the school community.

A group of talented female Year 12 mathematicians recently took part in an inspiring Maths Enrichment Day at University of Southampton, designed to challenge and extend their understanding beyond the classroom.

The event brought together students from across the region to explore a range of advanced mathematical topics, offering a taste of university-level study. Throughout the day, participants engaged in interactive lectures and problem-solving workshops led by experienced academics, covering areas such as cryptography, mathematical modelling, and real-world applications of pure mathematics.

Students were encouraged to think creatively and collaboratively, tackling complex problems and developing strategies that required both logical reasoning and innovation. The sessions not only deepened their subject knowledge but also highlighted the diverse pathways and careers that mathematics can lead to.

We are lucky to have the support of the Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust who sponsored our attendance to this event, enabling the trip to be free of charge to our students. Events like this play an important role in supporting young women pursuing STEM subjects, helping to build confidence and ambition in a field where female representation continues to grow.

The group returned motivated and inspired, having gained new skills and perspectives that will support them in their A-level studies and beyond.

Purple Up Day is a national awareness initiative that recognises and celebrates children from Armed Forces families. These children often experience unique challenges, such as parental deployment, frequent moves, and transitions between schools.

The day provides an opportunity for schools to acknowledge their resilience and to show visible support for Service children within our community.

To mark Purple Up Day, students are invited to wear a small item of purple alongside their normal school uniform on Friday 24 April. This may include, for example, a purple jumper, ribbon, socks, or other subtle accessory. There is no expectation for full non-uniform, and participation is optional.

Every student performed magnificently in front of an audience of more than 250 people, demonstrating confidence, passion, and dedication. It was a fabulous evening from start to finish, and we could not be prouder of everyone who stepped onto the stage.

A huge thank you to all who came along to support the event. Thanks to your generosity, the showcase raised over £800 for the Music Department — an amazing achievement!

Finally, an extra‑special thank you goes to the wonderful Mr Burns for organising this memorable evening. His hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment made the event the success it was.

Well done to all involved — we can’t wait for the next showcase! 🎶 more photos to follow after Easter!

The year 7s took part in a Climate Change workshop, a card-based game where each group had to find ways of boosting the economy of their country while ensuring biodiversity was maintained. We reached the point of no return several times, thankfully being able to start again to put right our wrongs!

Owen said, ‘This was my favourite part of the day as I liked being in charge of a country’.

They also visited the Planetarium. Isaac and Reuben said, ‘It was so cool seeing all the planets through the 3D goggles’.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the two exhibition floors; creating Aardman style animations, powering the water wheel to create sand from rock, and experimenting with green screen technology amongst a host of other activities.

Year 13 spent the day in a lab-based workshop. An unusual human trait was explored through DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis. Using these methods students identified if they had the form of the gene to enable them to taste the bitter chemical PTC. The broader social, medical and ethical implications of gene technology were also debated.

It was a long day out but packed with stimulating educational opportunity.

Out of more than 1,000 applicants, Year 12 student Theo has made it to the final of Future Apprentice of The Year 2026.

He successfully completed three rounds of assessments in which judges evaluated key qualities such as ambition and motivation, curiosity and problem-solving ability, as well as teamwork and leadership potential.

At the end of March, Theo has been invited to London to attend an exclusive lunch with senior leaders from Howden Group Holdings, including the Chief People Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Group Chief Risk Officer and will attend the final awards ceremony later in the year.

Over the course of the last 6 weeks, our students have been working hard for this event from finalising their CVs and working on developing their interview skills. 

Throughout the morning of the 6th, each year 10 student had a 20 minute interview, discussion on their CV and then received personalised feedback from the employers. It was a fantastic morning and our students were a real credit to both themselves and the school.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the employers who gave up their time to support us with this event.

Students had the opportunity to hear about the speaker’s journey from their time at school to their current career. Student’s learned that it’s perfectly normal if you do not have a clear plan for the future and that many career pathways include twists and turns. The key messages shared were to dream big, develop strong values, put yourself forward for opportunities and pursue your interests with confidence.

We are very thankful for the support given by the wider community, to make this an engaging and motivating week, helping students to explore the wide range of opportunities available to them in the future.

It also highlights the power of social connection – recommending books, reading together and meeting authors – alongside the importance of modelling reading ourselves. With expert insight from literacy specialist Carl Pattison, this edition provides supportive, achievable ideas to help young people reconnect with reading and see it as a meaningful part of everyday life.