If you could wave a magic wand and create the perfect pre-prep for little ones, how would it look?
The school would be designed to make those first steps on the learning journey packed full of wonder, excitement, challenge, and variety.

Inside, there’d be purpose-built spaces, some cosy, some high tech.
Outside, children would have the space to explore, learn, relax – or just let off steam. And the staff, of course, would have the expert knowledge, enthusiasm, and – just as important – understanding of what makes younger pupils tick, knowing when to challenge them to go that little bit further and when to hold back.
The Walled Gardens’ Head, Polly Holbrook, says that this stage is all about giving children skills for the future: ‘It’s about the skill sets they need, about emotional intelligence, working as a group, creativity, adaptability, and having a growth mindset. All those skills are more important than ever,’ Polly explains. ‘We’re equipping them with skills, so that if something unexpected comes along, they’re not going to be knocked sideways. They’re going to be all right, cope, and be successful.’
To find out more about Sandroyd’s nursery and pre-prep The Walled Garden please visit
www.sandroyd.org/Pre-Prep/The-Very-Best-Start/

Sunninghill Prep School in Dorchester is celebrating the start of an exciting new era under the Headship of David Newberry.

David joined the school at the start of the Autumn Term and brings a wealth of experience – originally a Dorset man, David grew up on Portland before moving to London in his early twenties.
David said of his new appointment, ‘The minute I set foot in the school I felt the warmth from pupils and staff and knew this was where I wanted to be. Dorchester is an area that I know and love, and I am thrilled to have ‘come home’.
‘I want our pupils to pursue excellence and follow their passions both in the classroom and beyond. This can be achieved alongside the adventurous spirit that the school is renowned for. Our extra-curricular activities, such as sailing and windsurfing with our partners at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, really stretch and challenge our pupils in a safe environment.
‘I’m also placing creativity at the heart of our curriculum as it’s so important for our pupils’ personal growth and academic development.
‘When I’m asked what I want of our pupils, I always answer that I want them to be grounded but with a sense of adventure. I want them to be creative and able to adapt to our ever-changing world. I want them to be good citizens who know how to look after themselves and others. Our staff are proud to be part of the Sunninghill team and of the positive impact they have within our school and our wider community.’
Sunninghill’s Chair of Governors, Jean Walker, said that David Newberry’s ethos and values are well suited to Sunninghill Prep’s most senior role; ‘David places the pupils at the centre of every decision. His experience, ability to inspire pupils, parents and staff and his ambitious vision for our school makes him the ideal person to lead us.’
David concluded by saying, ‘I would love the opportunity to show you what’s behind our Dorchester walls! Not only will you find some impressive learning and well-behaved children, but we also have beautiful grounds, an outdoor heated pool, a low ropes course, forest school, an all-weather sports pitch and so much more. If you would like to know more about us, please phone us or make contact via email. We would be delighted to welcome you to see our lovely school.’

Nine GCSE Computer Science pupils from Bryanston School took part in the Army STEM Cyber Challenge run by the 11th (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment at Blandford Camp at the end of September.

The pupils completed activities including open-source intelligence gathering, Wi-Fi password cracking, deploying exploits to gain control of remote computers and using military tracking systems.
In the afternoon, pupils competed against schools from Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire in an escape room style challenge involving code breaking, accessing a locked laptop and gaining control of a wireless router.

Bryanston fielded two teams in a close-run contest against the clock. Jade B, Will J, Joe S-H, Jack W and Steven Z set a blistering pace, but in a late charge Harry B, Christabel C-J, Helena G and Angus M came in just a couple of minutes ahead, giving Bryanston first and second place overall.
Well done to everyone that took part!

On Friday the 16th of September, Whitesheet CofE Primary had a whole-school trip to Longleat for a day. There were so many fantastic animals that we saw. At the start, we went on a boat where we got to see sea lions, monkeys, gorillas and hippos. It was so exciting seeing the hippos as they are normally under the water. Barking loudly, the sea lions were clamouring for attention.

After the boat, we split off into our groups and went to see different and spectacular animals. My favourite part of the trip was seeing the sloths move and eat. They were two-toed sloths and I was ecstatic that I could see the sloths. Also we went through the safari and we saw all kinds of phenomenal creatures such as tigers, lions, giraffes, flamingos, rhinos and camels. We all had such a magnificent and wonderful experience at Longleat!
Written by 10 year old
Hollie S in Year 6

Parents, carers and children really pulled out the stops and gathered an amazing array of harvest fresh produce, pasta, rice, tinned food and toiletries in a collection for Stower Provost Primary School’s harvest festival. Fresh produce was boxed up and raffled, while dried, tinned food and toiletries were all donated to the Gillingham Food Bank.
‘Our afternoon of celebrations included a gathering to recognise the MacMillan Coffee Morning events running nationwide –however ours was an ‘afternoon cuppa’ instead!’ said headteacher Ailsa Boardman-Hirst. ‘This was followed by a special harvest assembly including, songs, poems and stories all linked to harvest and amazing food facts.’

Sherborne Abbey played host to a magnificent evening celebrating student success as The Gryphon School held its annual prize giving ceremony for last year’s Year 11 and Year 13 students.
More than 100 students received awards during the evening, and the Abbey was full to capacity as parents and family joined the students to celebrate their achievements.
The awards were presented by Colin Sinclair, CEO of the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust, of which The Gryphon is a founding member. Students performed a number of musical interludes, including Josie W. who sang a solo, Holly M. who played a flute solo, and Esme E. on piano.

Not just academic excellence
A huge range of achievements were recognised in the ceremony, including awards for subjects, academic achievement, contribution to school life, and personal achievement where students have excelled despite difficult circumstances.
The Year 13 students have now left The Gryphon to take their next steps and Head of Sixth Form Paul O’Donnell said ‘It was fantastic to see all our amazing Year 13 students again – they performed utterly superbly in their A levels and BTECs and this was just a small way for us to say well done. It is fantastic to see students going on to such a wide variety of courses and locations at university, apprenticeships in really varied fields, or taking a gap year before progressing onto further study. The results were superb across the board, but the fact that so many students achieved straight A* and A grades was unprecedented. Aidan Hoggan, Bella Whitmore, Lucy Jones, Oliver Barrett and Katie Copp even went a stage further and achieved three A* grades. All our Year 13s have been a credit to the school and I look forward to hearing about their many successes in the future’.

Special atmosphere
Headteacher Nicki Edwards said ‘Our annual prize giving is a true celebration of our Gryphon ethos of living life in all its fullness. The atmosphere in the Abbey is so special, and we were delighted that so many students joined us as we recognised their academic achievements and personal progress. We would like to thank Sherborne Abbey for their support in delivering this truly memorable event for our students.’

Open Evening is a special night for any school. It’s an opportunity for prospective students to take a peek at their future, and for our current cohort to showcase their skills and passions, both academic and extra-curricular.
This year, on Thursday 22nd of September, this was no different for The Blandford School (TBS). With a great turnout and plenty on display, we hope that Year 5 and Year 6 students, along with their families, had an enjoyable, insightful evening – and will choose us as their future secondary school.
‘I was delighted at the number of potential parents/carers present. Our admission numbers are very healthy and we are currently oversubscribed, so I encourage all parents/carers to apply as soon as possible!’ said Mrs Sally Wilson, Headteacher.