Headteacher's Bulletin - Friday, October 9th 2026
As Headteacher, I am acutely aware that NSB’s success and reputation have not been created by any one generation. The levels of achievement have been built over many years by students, staff, families and supporters who have cared deeply about the school and its future. It is therefore always a great privilege to be invited to reunion events, and this week has brought something of a double-header. Last Saturday, the first Vice President’s Lunch of the 2026/27 season at the ONs united members of the School’s First XV (1967–69), while later this evening there is a further reunion at the ONs for the 1966–73 school cohort.
On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome the family of former NSB Art Teacher and renowned British painter David Gommon, who very kindly donated one of David’s pictures to the school. Miss Clarke reports:
We were delighted to welcome Kate, Peter and Moira, the daughter, son and daughter-in-law of David Gommon, a former Art Teacher at Northampton Grammar School from 1946 to 1971. Alongside his teaching career, David was a prolific artist, creating a diverse body of work ranging from landscapes of the local area to portraits. Kate and Peter generously donated a self-portrait painted by David in 1952 to the school, offering our students a unique and tangible connection to the school’s artistic heritage. A selection of students also took part in a Q&A session, learning more about David’s life, his work and his time as an artist in Northampton. It was an enriching insight into both his life and legacy, and provided our students with an inspiring opportunity to connect with an artist who played such an important role in the history of our school.
Following the First XV’s success last week, the U14s and U15s were in early-round National Rugby Cup action on Tuesday and Wednesday. The younger age group defeated NS in a Trust derby, while the U15s continued their exhilarating form with an emphatic 50–0 victory over Aylesbury Grammar. Across their last four full games, the Year 10s have now amassed 213 points (reaching the 50-point gap cut-off before full time in each) while conceding just seven — remarkable form as they set their sights on defending NSB's St Joseph’s Festival U15 title next weekend. There were also excellent victories in the various National Cups for the U14, U17 and U18 basketball teams and the U12 and U13 football teams.
Finally, we are very much looking forward to our first music concert of the year, Hollywood in Harmony, next Thursday and our annual Visual Arts Exhibition on 3rd November. Tickets are available via the links below.
film CONCERT TICKETS
PURCHASE HERE
visual ARTS exhibition
FREE TICKETS HERE
Richard Bernard MBE
Headteacher
Key Dates:
| Year 6 Technology Aptitude Test | 10th October |
| Film Music Concert | 15th October |
| Wear it Red - Show racism the red card | 16th October |
| Year 12 residential trip | 18th October - 22nd October |
| Year 8 Residential trip | 19th October - 22nd October |
| Training Day (Y7, Y9, Y11, Y13) | 19th October |
| Personal Development Week | 20th October - 23rd October |
| Apprenticeship Fair | 23rd October |
| Training Day Y8, & Y12 | 23rd October |
| End of Term 1 | 23rd October |
| Malcom Arnold Festival | 24th October |
| Term 2 starts | 2nd November |
