Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 7th November 2025
Head’s Blog
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle.
Aristotle’s words capture a truth that still resonates today. Education must be about more than facts, grades and examinations; it should help shape the kind of people our children grow up to be. As I have mentioned before in my blogs, in an increasingly complex world, young people need more than knowledge. They need a moral compass, empathy, confidence, self-belief and the resilience to face challenges.
It is encouraging to see that recent government plans to reform education are beginning to place greater emphasis on the wider skills children need to thrive beyond the classroom. That is why character education sits at the heart of life at Beachborough.
To support this, we focus on four foundations that help children flourish. We begin by helping pupils understand that success is often the result of effort and perseverance. Whether they are learning an instrument, preparing for a fixture, performing on stage or tackling a challenging maths problem, they begin to see the connection between hard work now and progress over time.
Character is also shaped through the values we model every day. Kindness, collaboration and honesty are not just posters on a wall, they are lived behaviours: holding a door, offering help, admitting a mistake or stepping forward to try something new. Over time, these small, consistent actions become habits that define who they are.
Social confidence plays an equally important role. Children learn to speak clearly, listen thoughtfully and treat others with respect. Assemblies, class discussions, performances and the School Council provide regular opportunities for pupils to practise these skills in everyday situations.
Equally important is an appreciation of commitment and contribution. Team sports, club events, community projects such as the Pumpkin Hunt and charity work show pupils what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves, and the responsibility that comes with it.
Our character education is not a single lesson or programme; it runs through school life. It is reflected in our expectations for behaviour, in how pupils support one another, and in the way they carry themselves in and out of school. It is shaped through the curriculum, where children take risks and learn from mistakes, and through co-curricular activities that build resilience and confidence. It is reinforced through reflection and charity and helping pupils understand the impact of their actions on others.
When children leave Beachborough, we want them to take more than strong academic results with them. We want them to be curious, grounded, confident and ready to contribute. Educating the mind and the character gives them a foundation not just for school, but for life.
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Simone
On Wednesday 5th November, we celebrated our annual Fireworks Night, brilliantly organised by our wonderful parent committee, the Beachborough Friends.
On the 12th October, our eldest equestrian team members — Kitty, Sam, Arabella, and Max — took part in their first Bloxham Eventer Challenge at Aston Le Walls.
Over half term, we climbed up Mount Snowdon, which stands at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) tall. This makes it the tallest mountain in Wales and is the highest in the UK outside of Scotland. It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach the summit and 2 hours to get back down, so nearly 5 hours of walking in total! We set up a page online so that family members and friends could sponsor us, and we raised £360 for Mary’s Meals. Before climbing, Ana was unsure about going, but Zac was very excited. We did enjoy our journey up the mountain in the end!
Thom (FVII) and Benji (FIV) recently sold lots of poppies in their local supermarket. They enjoy doing this every year through their scout group, and they will also be attending a local Remembrance Day parade and service on Sunday. 
Before half term, we announced that Isla R (FVII) would be taking part in an 8km sponsored swim for Great Ormond Street Hospital. We’re thrilled to share that Isla raised an outstanding £792 for her chosen charity! Congratulations, Isla, what an amazing achievement.
Over the half term, Elsie (FVIII) received the fabulous news that she was awarded a distinction in her most recent ABRSM Grade 5 theory music exam. Well done, Elsie; all of your hard work certainly paid off.
The U8 team put in a fantastic performance at the Akeley Wood Tag Rugby Festival on Tuesday 4th November, showing brilliant teamwork, determination, and skill across all their matches. The players took part in seven exciting games, winning six and drawing one – an outstanding record that highlights just how well they played together as a team.
The U8A girls enjoyed participating in the Akeley Wood Festival on Tuesday. They played against six local schools, finishing with four wins and two narrow losses. A great afternoon of hockey – well done, girls! 
Orla E (FVI) recently competed in the Northamptonshire County Gymnastics Championships. Despite late adjustments due to injury, she placed on all apparatus and has been selected to represent the East Midlands team at the end of November. Well done, Orla – we’re all wishing you the best of luck for your upcoming competition!
