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Welcome to our weekly News Bulletin: Friday 16 January 2026

 Upcoming school events over the next two weeks:

Date* Event
Monday 19 January Year 11 Music NEA

Year 10 & Year 13 PPEs continue
Thursday 22 January Year 8 Virtual Parents' Evening
Monday 26 January Year 10 Practical PPEs
Tuesday 27 January KS4 Parliament Tour
Wednesday 28 January Year 12 Geography Trip to Reading

Intermediate Maths Challenge
Thursday 29 January Year 8 Classics for All
Friday 30 January Year 12 Staying Safe at Night

Sixth Form Trip to Disneyland, Paris
*Dates may be subject to change. Correct at time of publication.

WHOLE SCHOOL Notices

 

IT’S TIME TO GET EXCITED!
Summer Musical Announcement

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s School Summer Musical will be the one, the only…SHREK! THE MUSICAL

Following initial auditions, those invited to the RECALL AUDITIONS have been contacted directly. All other students that auditioned will form our amazing character ensemble!!

This is an exciting next step in what promises to be a fantastic, fun-filled production to end the saummer term — we can’t wait to see these characters come to life on stage! 

Break a leg, everyone — it’s going to be AMAZING!

Mrs Jeremiah and Mrs Berkeley
Head of Drama and Head of Music

 

NEW ENGLISH CLUBS
Coming soon!

The English department is launching two new extra-curricular clubs which will take place in school at lunchtime for those interested in comics and those who would like space to read. They are open to all year groups. Details are below:

Stories and Snacks – Monday lunchtimes (start date TBC) in A18 (our new Book Swap Library will be open during this time too). This club is a quiet space for silent reading.

Comics and Cookies – Thursday lunchtimes (start date TBC) in A18. This club is for reading, discussing and creating comics!

 

5 WEEK ONLINE ANXIETY WORKSHOP
Mindful Brain – starts 26 February

Anxiety is something so many children are experiencing right now, and adults often tell us they want to help but feel unsure how to respond in a way that truly supports confidence, emotional regulation, and long-term wellbeing.

This short, practical course is designed for parents, carers, and professionals and focusses on:

  • Understanding what anxiety really is (and what it isn’t)

  • Recognising unhelpful responses that can unintentionally reinforce anxiety

  • Practical, compassionate strategies adults can use at home and in school

  • Helping children feel safe, capable, and supported rather than “fixed”

The approach is evidence-informed, child-centred, and highly accessible, with a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing and resilience. Feedback from previous attendees highlights how reassuring and empowering it feels for adults, and how quickly it translates into calmer, more confident children.

If you felt able to share this with parents and/or staff via your newsletter, noticeboard, or communication platform, it could make a real difference to families who are currently struggling and don’t know where to turn.

I've attached a flyer which shares more information: Big A Anxiety Workshop - 5 week online course and here is a website link for more information and to book a place: Events | Mindful Brain

Please note the course is not free. However, when 3 families sign up from your school, a teacher or TA is given a FREE space!

YEAR 7 Notices

 

SKI TRIP
February 2027

Following the success of previous ski trips, we are organising a ski trip for February 2027, during the half-term holiday, to Pamporovo, Bulgaria. This is for students currently in Years 7, 8 & 9.

The trip includes:

  • Return travel by coach and air
  • 5 nights of half-board accommodation
  • Hot lunches on the slope
  • Four-day lift pass
  • Four days' hire of skis, boots, poles and helmet
  • Four hours per day ski tuition
  • Snow tubing and Ten pin bowling evening
  • Comprehensive insurance

This is a very exciting opportunity for our pupils and previously this trip has been a great success. Only 40 places are available for this trip, so if your child would like a space, we will need an initial deposit of £460.00 by 28 February 2026. All payments should be made via ParentMail, and once your child’s place is confirmed, the payment plan will be set up via your ParentMail account.

For more details, have a look at the letter here, which was also emailed home this week: Ski Trip 2027 Information Letter

You can also watch this video from last year's trip here: https://youtu.be/hFo6xVOLOSE?si=pDB9PjfNmZt4HckL

YEAR 8 Notices

 

VIRTUAL PARENTS' EVENING BOOKING SYSTEM
Closes Monday 19 January

The Year 8 Virtual Parents’ Evening will be held on Thursday 22 January 2026 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Where possible, please only book appointments for non-core subjects if your child is considering taking them as one of their GCSE options next year, or if you have a particular concern that you would like to address.

Virtual appointments can be made online. Please visit littleheath.schoolcloud.co.uk to book your appointments. The system will close on Monday 19 January 2026 at 11:55pm. Unfortunately, appointments cannot be made after Monday 19 January 2026.

More details can be found here: Y8 Parents' Evening - January 2026 This information has also been emailed home.

 

SKI TRIP
February 2027

Following the success of previous ski trips, we are organising a ski trip for February 2027, during the half-term holiday, to Pamporovo, Bulgaria. This is for students currently in Years 7, 8 & 9.

The trip includes:

  • Return travel by coach and air
  • 5 nights of half-board accommodation
  • Hot lunches on the slope
  • Four-day lift pass
  • Four days' hire of skis, boots, poles and helmet
  • Four hours per day ski tuition
  • Snow tubing and Ten pin bowling evening
  • Comprehensive insurance

This is a very exciting opportunity for our pupils and previously this trip has been a great success. Only 40 places are available for this trip, so if your child would like a space, we will need an initial deposit of £460.00 by 28 February 2026. All payments should be made via ParentMail, and once your child’s place is confirmed, the payment plan will be set up via your ParentMail account.

For more details, have a look at the letter here, which was also emailed home this week: Ski Trip 2027 Information Letter

You can also watch this video from last year's trip here: https://youtu.be/hFo6xVOLOSE?si=pDB9PjfNmZt4HckL

YEAR 9 Notices

 

SKI TRIP
February 2027

Following the success of previous ski trips, we are organising a ski trip for February 2027, during the half-term holiday, to Pamporovo, Bulgaria. This is for students currently in Years 7, 8 & 9.

The trip includes:

  • Return travel by coach and air
  • 5 nights of half-board accommodation
  • Hot lunches on the slope
  • Four-day lift pass
  • Four days' hire of skis, boots, poles and helmet
  • Four hours per day ski tuition
  • Snow tubing and Ten pin bowling evening
  • Comprehensive insurance

This is a very exciting opportunity for our pupils and previously this trip has been a great success. Only 40 places are available for this trip, so if your child would like a space, we will need an initial deposit of £460.00 by 28 February 2026. All payments should be made via ParentMail, and once your child’s place is confirmed, the payment plan will be set up via your ParentMail account.

For more details, have a look at the letter here, which was also emailed home this week: Ski Trip 2027 Information Letter

You can also watch this video from last year's trip here: https://youtu.be/hFo6xVOLOSE?si=pDB9PjfNmZt4HckL

 

'RISKING IT ALL'
Interactive Play - Tuesday 3 February

On Tuesday 3 February (Period 1 & 2), we will be welcoming a theatre group into school to perform an interactive play called ‘Risking it All’.

‘Risking it All’ stages real stories from young people, their struggle with exploitation and the negative repercussions on their lives. Including mental and physical health, education, and relationships with family and peers. The performance highlights:

  • social network
  • substance misuse
  • inappropriate relationships
  • risk-taking behaviour
  • peer pressure
  • and child exploitation

A letter was sent home this week with more information, which can also be found here: Y9 'Risking it All' letter Feb 2026

If you have any concerns or questions about the topics we will be covering, please do get in touch with one of us to discuss this.

Mr T James - tjames@littleheath.org.uk 
Leader of Personal Social Health Education

Mr S Rayner - sryaner@littleheath.org.uk
Assistant Head

YEAR 10 Notices

 

No notices this week - please check whole school notices

YEAR 11 Notices

 

IMMUNISATIONS
Are they up to date?

Do you remember having your vaccinations in years 8 and 9?

As you get ready to leave school and meet new people, you might have a higher chance of catching preventable diseases if you haven’t finished all your childhood vaccinations.

If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their vaccinations, they can visit us at our next session at Little Heath School on Wednesday 11 March 2026, and we can discuss this with them.

Find out more here: NHS Year 11 Vaccination Reminder poster 2026

 

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS
£100 Incentive – KPMG Partnership

Cibyl are a leading student market research consultancy and are currently working with KPMG on an important research project exploring how parents and guardians support their children's post-school decisions.

They’re looking for parents/guardians of Year 11–13 students to participate in virtual focus groups during the week commencing 9 February 2026 (various timeslots available). Participants will receive £100 for a 90-minute session.

The session is to explore how parents influence thinking around university, apprenticeships, and other pathways.

They are looking for 12 parents/guardians of students in Years 11, 12, or 13 who are living in or near Reading.

For more information, see the flyer here: Cibyl/KPMG Poster or click on this link to register your interest: Cibyl/KPMG Focus Group

YEAR 12 Notices

 

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
Net Zero Education Research Project with the University of Oxford

The University of Oxford's Department of Education is recruiting for a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to advise their Net Zero Education research project. YAB members will participate in four online meetings between March and June 2026 (5:00-7:00pm), helping shape research into how climate change and sustainability are taught in secondary schools.

You'll collaborate with university researchers, contribute to outputs like an accessible climate glossary, and gain valuable experience for your UCAS application.

Each participant receives £30 compensation per meeting attended, plus optional workshops on writing about the experience for university applications and exploring academic career pathways.

If you're at least 16 years old and want to help improve climate education while developing research skills, apply online here by Sunday 1 February: Net Zero Education Youth Advisory Board Application

 

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS
£100 Incentive – KPMG Partnership

Cibyl are a leading student market research consultancy and are currently working with KPMG on an important research project exploring how parents and guardians support their children's post-school decisions.

They’re looking for parents/guardians of Year 11–13 students to participate in virtual focus groups during the week commencing 9 February 2026 (various timeslots available). Participants will receive £100 for a 90-minute session.

The session is to explore how parents influence thinking around university, apprenticeships, and other pathways.

They are looking for 12 parents/guardians of students in Years 11, 12, or 13 who are living in or near Reading.

For more information, see the flyer here: Cibyl/KPMG Poster or click on this link to register your interest: Cibyl/KPMG Focus Group

YEAR 13 Notices

 

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
Net Zero Education Research Project with the University of Oxford

The University of Oxford's Department of Education is recruiting for a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to advise their Net Zero Education research project. YAB members will participate in four online meetings between March and June 2026 (5:00-7:00pm), helping shape research into how climate change and sustainability are taught in secondary schools.

You'll collaborate with university researchers, contribute to outputs like an accessible climate glossary, and gain valuable experience for your UCAS application.

Each participant receives £30 compensation per meeting attended, plus optional workshops on writing about the experience for university applications and exploring academic career pathways.

If you're at least 16 years old and want to help improve climate education while developing research skills, apply online here by Sunday 1 February: Net Zero Education Youth Advisory Board Application

 

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS
£100 Incentive – KPMG Partnership

Cibyl are a leading student market research consultancy and are currently working with KPMG on an important research project exploring how parents and guardians support their children's post-school decisions.

They’re looking for parents/guardians of Year 11–13 students to participate in virtual focus groups during the week commencing 9 February 2026 (various timeslots available). Participants will receive £100 for a 90-minute session.

The session is to explore how parents influence thinking around university, apprenticeships, and other pathways.

They are looking for 12 parents/guardians of students in Years 11, 12, or 13 who are living in or near Reading.

For more information, see the flyer here: Cibyl/KPMG Poster or click on this link to register your interest: Cibyl/KPMG Focus Group

16 Jan 2026
Careers Bulletin 16 January
Events This Term200126 – KPMG Assembly Presentation - Y12210126 – Tigers Training Centre Workshop – Y12 Early Childhood Development300126 – Staying Safe at Night & CPR Workshop delivered by Healthreach – Y12020226 - Staying Safe at Night & CPR Wo...
Read more

USEFUL SCHOOL INFORMATION
Links to the LHS Website

Looking for support? Visit our Wellbeing pages for students, parents and carers here: Little Heath School - Student Wellbeing | Little Heath School - Parents/Carers Wellbeing

Need to report an Absence? Go to: Little Heath School - Report an Absence

Want to see what clubs or activities we have this term? Check out: Little Heath School - Extra Curricular Activities and Trips

For any other queries, have a browse through our website, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here: Little Heath School - FAQs

Telephone: 0118 9427337

Email: office@littleheath.org.uk

Website: littleheath.org.uk

Facebook @LHSReading

Instagram @LHSReading

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