Personal Development Week is always a very different week - 2 year groups out on res-ed and Y10 on Work experience, Y13 undertaking focused study and preparing for next steps and the rest of the school on a completely different timetable of PD; Careers, Arts, PSHE, House and external providers. It is amazing and rewarding but a mammoth undertaking, which needs the students to buy in which they did in abundance this week to their credit, and the collaboration of every single staff member. It really is appreciated the hard work staff put in from admin, theatre, support staff, estates, IT, canteen, Inclusion, cover supervisors through to Y12 helpers, teachers and SLT. A special mention to Miss Kennedy, Director of PSHE and Mrs Rickaby-Collins, Careers Leader and the Careers Team who have provided many of the resources and speakers.  And not to forget parents/carers who have to remember all sort of things when the routines go out the window - not least PE kit on a different day! I hope that students have had the time and energy to relay what they have been up to  - it is a lot!

There are just too many activities and too many amazing moments from this week to go into them all and convey just how productive this week have been. Hopefully you can get a flavour of the week from the photos but there was so much more. A theme that has run through some of the sessions has looked at "What it means to be a man in 2025" and looking at one's own moral compass. This culminated in a inspiring panel of 5 men from different generations who discussed their thoughts and conveyed advice and spoke of their own role models and was further supplemented by a Ted talk style session from Andre Arissol on The Power of One Choice - really though provoking and inspirational. 

 

Narrative Alchemy performed "Invictus" in relation to life moments, resilience and wellbeing as well as "Unacceptable" exploring sexism and misogyny.  Upfront Theatre performed In Harm's Way to Y11 about mental health and wellbeing and positive ways to approach situations when things go awry. There was an excellent trip out for our Year 8 remainers to Festo as well as visits to country parks. The Careers input was again top notch with Year 7 doing a whole day with The Inspirational Learning Group which had such a wonderful purposeful atmosphere and Bright Futures in for Year 9 and 11 plus Uni visits and the Apprenticeship Fair. And that hasn't even covered all the dedicated staff delivered lessons...I am out of breath just thinking about it!

Needless to say it has been a wonderful week that really benefits our students and ensures that they are thinking critically, questioning, discussing and debating and working collaboratively.  They are building their resilience, confidence and self-awareness, learning how to express themselves in a respectful manner, navigating outside of their comfort zone on occasions and consolidating on fundamental values and emotional intelligence.

We saw so much positivity this week and at the time of writing we still have our fabulous Year 9 Arts exhibition and performances to come focusing on "What it means to be human" - always a highlight of the week to see their collaborative efforts come together in such a thoughtful and creative way. 

I'll finish with a note on our visit from Ottilie Robinson-Shaw - 9 times World Champion - freestyle kayaker. She was awesome - an amazing role model; hardworking and determined yet humble and resilient. She had such a positive mindset - all year groups were in awe and asked amazing questions. One Year 9 put her on the spot by asking if she had a motto and she used a quote from Zig Ziglar;

It's attitude not aptitude which determines altitude!"

The students rose to the occasion, the right attitude on display, and they soared!

 

We have recently launched our first Termly Reading Newsletter of the year. Trust Director of Reading, Mrs Barlow reports:

After a busy first term, we are pleased to share the termly reading newsletter, which focuses on the announcement of the "National Year of Reading 2026", a UK-wide campaign led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust to boost reading for pleasure among children and adults. We will continue to disseminate more information and updates on Trust events throughout the year. In the spirit of promoting reading for pleasure, this term we are also pleased to explore  autumnal recommendations for a range of age groups. 

NSB: Northampton School for Boys - Reading

 

With so many students out it's been a relatively quiet week on the sporting front. The U14A footballers however did excel in a National Cup game on Wednesday with a glut of goals (15) away from home to move through very comfortably to the third round. We are looking forward to a blockbuster afternoon of school rugby on Sunday, November 2nd v top tier opposition in the shape of Sedbergh School. The U14s will face off against their Cumbrian counter-parts in  a curtain-raiser at 1pm on the First XV pitch before the U18s do battle from 2.15pm. There is a huge amount riding on the latter fixture with NSB currently top of the National Daily Mail League Table and Sedbergh in a close 3rd, looking to topple NSB off the top of the league. Additional silverware is also on the line in the form of The Schools Championship Shield - currently held by Sedbergh. It's such a big game that it is being live streamed with commentary by 'Next Gen' - spectators are very welcome for both games with a range of refreshments available for purchase on site. 

 

The school, alongside the rest of the nation, will soon be in Remembrance of all those who have given their lives in War. A reminder the 2025 NSB Remembrance badges are available from ParentPay and Reception at £3 per badge with all money donated to the Royal British Legion. The NSB Art Exhibition will be on Tuesday 4th November. Art and photography work will be on display from all year groups. Link to the event is below.

 

I hope all associated with the school have an enjoyable break and we look forward to seeing the students safely back on Monday, November 3rd.

 

Richard Bernard

Headteacher