Tuesday 5th May | Head of School Letter
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I hope you managed to enjoy some sunshine despite the mixed weather over the Bank Holiday weekend. This week, GCSE written exams begin for students studying Health and Social Care, Drama, German, and Sports Studies. A-Level Art students undertake their 15-hour final exam too. Looking ahead to next week, the written A-Level examinations begin, and for the rest of Year 11, from 11th May.
During our exam assembly last Friday with Year 11 and Year 13, I compared the examination period to running a marathon. I shared with the students that their preparation for these exams is like the months of training marathon runners do - full of ups and downs, with moments where progress feels fantastic, and times when it is easy to doubt whether they will make it to the finish line. The exam itself is like the race, serving as their victory lap, showcasing their brilliance that they’ve spent so long developing. I told them how incredibly proud we are of them all, absolutely believe in all of them, and know they are going to smash these exams. We wish our families the very best for the coming weeks. We know how challenging it can be to maintain a calm home environment and manage the rest of everyday life alongside supporting a young person through their exams. Thank you for all you’re doing to keep them on track and well-supported during this time.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Over the past couple of weeks, students completing the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) have been presenting their findings to their peers and Mrs Kokuti, who supports our EPQ cohort each year. Typically, students at The Cottesloe School complete the EPQ during Year 12. As a Level 3 independent research project, it allows students to choose their own topic and dive deep into an area of personal interest outside of their A-Level studies. The year-long project requires students to produce either a 5,000-word essay or an artefact with a 1,000-word report. The qualification is highly valued by universities for developing academic skills, critical thinking, and time management. Completing the EPQ also carries valuable UCAS points - being worth half an A-Level (up to 28 points) - which can strengthen university applications and lead to reduced grade offers.
I had the privilege of attending the presentation by Amalie H, who spoke so clearly about her project about how young people can develop their financial knowledge to be able to safely invest in stocks and shares. It was a complex subject handled with real maturity and insight. Seeing our students develop such expertise in their chosen fields is indicative of the independent thinkers they are becoming. Congratulations to all the EPQ students this academic year; I am confident the grades will reflect the quality of work they have developed this year.
U13 and U15 Girls’ Football National Finals
We are incredibly proud of our U13 and U15 girls' football teams as they head to Lilleshall, Shropshire, this Thursday to play in the Sisters n Sport U13 Shield and U15 Bowl National Finals Day. It is a fantastic achievement to have two teams reach the national finals this year, and Miss Keveren and Miss Felton will be taking the teams to the event. Lilleshall is one of the UK’s National Sports Centres, providing world-class sporting facilities for the country’s leading sportsmen and women, so the girls are going to have such an incredible day. We wish both teams the very best of luck!
Safeguarding Newsletter
The latest edition of our Safeguarding Newsletter has been published: TCS Safeguarding Newsletter April 2026. At The Cottesloe School, the safety, well-being, and welfare of our students remain our highest priority. This edition contains important updates, guidance, and practical advice to help us work together to keep our young people safe, both in and out of school, including useful tips on supporting student well-being and online safety. If you have any questions or concerns regarding safeguarding, please do get in touch with our Safeguarding Team, visit the safeguarding section of the school website or get in touch via the Share A Concern button on the website.
Canteen Prices
Our catering provider, HCL, has announced adjustments to their canteen prices due to rising food costs and the recent increase to the National Minimum Wage. We will share the updated price list with you as soon as it becomes available. Thank you for your understanding.
Sparx
There’s no data to share this week, but please keep encouraging your young person to stay focused in completing both Sparx Maths and Sparx Science.
Sports Report
As we move into summer fixtures, this week's update is slightly shorter than usual as our cricket season gets underway. We had two fixtures this Wednesday, with both teams showing great effort and commitment on the pitch. Well done to all the students who represented the school with pride!
U15 Girls' Cricket: The girls' team faced a tough opening fixture against Ousedale. Despite the result, the squad showed excellent determination and sportsmanship throughout the game.
U15 Boys' Cricket: The boys' team played a highly competitive match against Buckingham. Despite a strong performance from our side with both bat and ball, Buckingham ultimately took the win by 38 runs.
Year 9 Sporting Success
We are delighted to celebrate the fantastic achievements of three of our Year 9 students in their sporting pursuits outside of school recently. A huge well done to Poppy, Romeo, and Jack, who will all be awarded a Gold Thumbs Up for their efforts.
Boxing – Romeo C Huge congratulations to Romeo, who trains at the Leighton Buzzard Boxing Club and won his match on the Spartans show at the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth this weekend! He is incredibly dedicated to his training, and it is fantastic to see all that hard work pay off with a brilliant win in the ring. Well done, Romeo!
Cheerleading – Poppy O Poppy travelled to Florida last week to compete in the 2026 Summit Championship in Orlando with her team from Crush Cheer, Milton Keynes. Although they didn't make it through to the finals, they had an incredible experience and delivered an energetic performance in the Semi-Finals, receiving high praise for their routine.
Karate – Jack F Congratulations to Jack, who has recently achieved his Black Belt in Karate! On top of this incredible milestone, he also won two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Midlands Regional Championships.
Summer 2026 Remote Work Experience Opportunities
The summer break will be here soon, and we know that finding productive and engaging ways for students to spend their time can be a rewarding challenge. To help them make the most of the holidays, we are pleased to share a comprehensive schedule of remote work experience placements curated by Futures for All. These virtual placements offer a fantastic opportunity for students to explore exciting career paths, develop new skills, and enhance their CVs - all from the comfort of home.
The available sectors span a wide range of industries, including NHS Healthcare, Technology, Law, and Hospitality. The opportunities are listed in a live document, which is updated regularly as new placements become available: Summer 2026 Work Experience Schedule Have a look at the range of different opportunities and dates with your young person, and help them apply early, as many of these spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Vacancies
We are currently advertising for the following posts:
- Caretaker including Lettings duties (closing date 8th May 2026)
- Head of PE (closing date: 11th May 2026)
- Assistant Head of Year (closing date: 15th May 2026)
We’d be very grateful if you could share the adverts within your networks, do you know someone who would be the right fit for The Cottesloe School? Join Our Team
May Half-Term Soccer School
Looking for a way to keep the kids active and entertained this May half-term? We are excited to announce that MK Dons SET Soccer Schools are coming to The Cottesloe School!
Running from May 26th to May 29th, these camps are a fantastic opportunity for children of all playing abilities to learn new skills and make new friends in a fun, safe environment. Whether they are a future star or just starting out, everyone is welcome.
What to Expect:
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Elite Coaching: Sessions are delivered by MK Dons Community Trust UEFA coaches, alongside Boys and Girls Pathway Leads.
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Inclusive Fun: Open to boys and girls aged 5 – 14 of all playing abilities.
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The Experience: A safe, inclusive, and high-energy environment where children can learn new skills, make friends, and compete in a fun "international" format.
Spaces fill up fast, so head over to the website to secure your child’s place today: Book Your Space Here
Events This Week
Assemblies This week, assemblies are being taken by Heads of Year.
Tuesday 5th May
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Year 8 Assembly
Wednesday 6th May
- Year 9 Assembly
- Sixth Form Assembly
- Year 13 A-Level Art Exam Day 1
- After School Detention (3pm – 4pm)
- Supporting Your Child with Anxiety and School Attendance: Invite Only (3pm – 4pm)
- U13 Girls Cricket vs Lord Grey (Away, 3.30 – 5.30pm)
- Year 10 Devised Drama Showcase (4pm – 6pm)
Thursday 7th May
- Year 10 Assembly
- Year 13 A-Level Art Exam Day 2
- U13 & U15 Girls Football Cup Final (All day)
- Year 12 English Trip to Buckingham University (Period 4 & 5)
Friday 8th May
- Year 13 A-Level Art Exam Day 3
- Year 9 Bronze DofE Wave 2 Training Day (All day)
Have a super week, whatever it holds for you and thank you for your ongoing support.
Best wishes,
Louise Baldwin
Head of School