Dear Parents and Carers,

A very big hello and welcome back to all our students and families, and a special welcome to those of you joining us for the very first time. It’s been wonderful to see so many smart and smiling faces back in the corridors and classrooms this week. It’s been fantastic to see our students walk through the gates looking so incredibly smart and ready to go.

This summer, we had a fantastic reminder of how much hard work, meeting school expectations and collective teamwork pays off when our Year 11 and 13 students received their exam results. They put in a huge amount of effort, and a third of Year 11 received top grades 9-7 (with 75.4% of all GCSEs at grade 4 or higher), and our A-Level students achieved a truly impressive 61% of A*-B grades. These successes weren’t magic – they were the result of a straightforward partnership between our students, our staff, and you, their families.

As we begin a new year, we want every student to have that same feeling of success. The path there isn’t a secret formula; it’s the simple things we can all do together:

• Being in school and on time. We know life happens, but every day and every minute in class is an opportunity to learn. Punctuality is key: just 10 minutes late a day adds up to almost a whole school week of lost learning over a year!
• Doing the homework. This is where you, as parents and carers, play a huge role. You don’t need to know all the answers, but simply showing an interest and helping your child get into a homework routine makes all the difference to their progress.
• Wearing the correct uniform. Our blazer is a key part of this. Our uniform helps create a sense of belonging and sets the right tone for a day of learning.

As we start a new year with lots of new faces, we know that getting to grips with all the different school systems can feel a bit confusing. This week’s newsletter is a handy guide to help with that. The next few articles will walk you through how our key software platforms work, how we communicate, and who to contact if you need help. It’s a great reminder for our returning families too! We hope this makes everything a little clearer as we get the new year underway.

Thank you all for your support. We’re really looking forward to a successful, rewarding, and hopefully, very fun school year together

Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher

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Upcoming Events

Tue 9th Sept – Year 7 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium
11-19th Sept – Year 11 Geography Field Trips
Tue 16th Sept – Year 9 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium
Thu 18th Sept – Year 11 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium
Mon 22nd Sept – Year 11 GCSE PE Moderation at Palmer Park
Thu 25th Sept – School closes at 12:20pm to prepare for Open Evening
Tue 30th Sept – Year 10 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium
Thu 2nd Oct – Year 13 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium

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Sixth Form and College Open Events for Year 11
It’s time for year 11 families to be thinking about and applying for Post 16 places. The Bulmershe Sixth Form Open Evening will be held on Thursday 6th November from 17:45. We hope to see many of you there. Other local open events are as follows:
The Emmbrook School Sixth Form – 17^th September
Henley College – 30^th September/16^th October
Farnborough College – 30^th September/1^st Oct/2^nd October
UTC – 30^th September/21^st October/9^th December
Reading College – 15^th October/8^th November
Bracknell and Wokingham College – 18^th October/19^th November
The Forest School Sixth form – 21^st October
(Other colleges/sixth forms have not yet published their dates)

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ClassCharts

ClassCharts is your go-to place for staying connected to your child’s daily school life. We encourage you to check it regularly. It is the best way to see your child’s homework tasks so you can support them, celebrate the Achievement Points they are earning, and be aware of any Behaviour Points or Detentions they may have received. The information on there makes a great conversation starter at the end of the day.

ClassCharts has a different interface for Parents and Students. New Year 7 families: You and your child will be sent unique access codes via email next week and you both will need to create logins. (Students can view their school email by going to https://outlook.office.com/mail/)

The easiest way to use ClassCharts is by downloading the free app on your phone. You can also log in on any computer at https://www.classcharts.com/account/login.

If you have any questions or need a new access code please email classcharts@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.

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Welcome New Staff

We’d like to give a big Bulmershe Welcome to the following members of staff who have joined us this term:

• Mr Ashworth – Music teacher
• Mrs Banks – PE teacher
• Miss Ilott – English teacher
• Mr Poll – History teacher
• Mrs Hayward – Receptionist
• Mrs Kemp – Lead Mentor (SIGNAL)
• Mrs Smith – Learning Support Assistant (OASIS)
• Miss Tyler – Lead Mentor (SIGNAL)

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Who to contact, when

If you have a general question or concern about your child in school, please contact their form tutor in the first instance. You are also welcome to contact their Head of Year and Engagement Manager. To find these email addresses, please visit your child’s dedicated year group page via the Pastoral & Mental Health tab on our website.

If you have a question regarding a specific subject, you can find each subject teacher’s email address via our Subject Information Page – found under the “Curriculum” tab. For help with systems and software packages, please refer to our website FAQs page or email reception@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk with specific questions.

If your child is unable to attend school, it is vital that you tell us as early as possible each morning. The email address for the Attendance Team is: attendance@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk or you call the absence line 0118 935 3353 and press option 1, leaving a clear message detailing your child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence.

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Homework

This year, ClassCharts is your main tool for tracking and supporting your child with their homework. We believe this new feature will make it much easier for you to see what has been set and when it is due.

How to find homework on ClassCharts

Once you have logged into the app or website, look for the Homework tab. Here you will see a list of all the homework tasks that have been assigned to your child.

• Sorting Homework: You can sort the list by the date the homework was set (Issue Date) or by when it is due (Due Date). You can also use the filters at the top to see tasks that are due this week, what has been completed, or what still needs to be done.
• Viewing Details: Click on a homework task to see a full description. This is where you will find the teacher’s instructions and any links to websites or resources your child needs to use.
• To do Category – these are the set tasks that have not been ticked as completed by your child in their ClassCharts app

By checking ClassCharts regularly, you will have a clear overview of your child’s workload and can help them stay on top of their tasks. This partnership between home and school is key to helping our students succeed.

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Google Classroom

Google Classroom is the central online platform where our teachers communicate with students, set homework and share classroom resources. It is the best place for your child to find all of their work, and we encourage them to check it regularly. Most homework is set and submitted on Google Classroom so it is important that you are also able to access it.

As a parent or carer you can receive a weekly email summary which shows you all of your child’s Google Classroom work. This is a great way for you to stay on top of their tasks and to see what they have been up to in class.

Year 7 parents: Your child will be given a school Google account and email address in their first few weeks of school. This is what they will use to log in to Google Classroom, their email and Sparx. Our Year 7 students will have lessons on how to use it so they feel confident from the start.

If your child is having any problems logging in or has forgotten their details, they should speak to their tutor or teacher. For all other queries you can visit the Google Classroom help page on our website or email reception.

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Sparx

At Bulmershe, three of our departments use the Sparx platform to set homework for students: Maths, Science and Literacy. This helps to make homework consistent and easier for everyone to manage.

For all three subjects, homework is set on a Wednesday and is due a week later. The homework is personalised for each student’s ability level and is linked directly to what they have been learning in class. Sparx also provides support videos to help if your child gets stuck. You will receive a weekly email summary to keep you updated on their homework progress.

Your child will use their school Google login details to access the Sparx website at https://app.sparx-learning.com/. They just need to click on the ‘Login with Google’ button on the homepage to get started.

If your child is having any problems logging in, they should speak to their subject teacher who can help them with any issues.

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SIMS Parent

SIMS Parent is a separate tool we use to keep all of your essential contact information up to date. It is a very important system as it helps us communicate with you and ensures we have the correct details for your child in an emergency. We encourage all families to use the app to check on your child’s attendance, view their latest school reports and see important messages from the school.

You can access SIMS using a web browser at https://sims-parent.co.uk or download the SIMS Parent app for your phone.

How to check and update your information

We ask all parents to take a moment at the start of the year to check their details. Log in to the website or app and tap on your child’s name. Select Data Collection and then check each heading to make sure the information is correct. If you make any changes, please remember to click Save and then Finish and Submit to send the updates to us.

If you have any issues getting on, please email reception@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.

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IRIS ParentMail Payments

IRIS ParentMail is our cashless payment system for school meals, trips and other expenses. For students, this makes buying food in the canteen faster and easier as they use a biometric (thumbprint) system. For families, it means you don’t need to worry about sending cash to school with your child.

You can top up their account online or through the app and can even set up automatic top ups for peace of mind. The system also allows you to view your child’s canteen transactions so you can see what they are spending money on.

You can manage your account using the IRIS ParentMail app on your phone or by logging in online. If you need a new invitation or have any trouble getting set up, please contact reception@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.

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School Communication: Staying Up to Date

We believe that strong communication between the school and our families is a key part of our partnership. Our primary way of communicating important information and key dates is through this weekly newsletter, which is sent to your email address and via the SIMS Parent app. It’s a great way to stay informed about everything that’s happening at Bulmershe. We also recommend that you always check the school website first if you have a question. We work hard to keep it updated with all the latest information, including key dates on the school calendar and details about things like uniform and our termly Curriculum Information and Parents’ Evenings. You can also subscribe to our calendar so that it appears in your phone’s calendar. For instructions look for the words “Subscribe to full calendar” on our school calendar page.

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A Warm Welcome from #TeamOasis

As we begin this exciting new school year, we would like to extend a heartfelt welcome from #TeamOasis, our dedicated learning support team here at The Bulmershe School. Our mission is to support your child’s unique learning journey with care, understanding, and compassion. We believe that collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

The team is led by Keeley Toms, our SENDCo, who brings over 10 years of experience in both independent and state sectors, as well as a wealth of expertise in writing EHC plans for the Local Authority. Keeley is supported by Siân Potter, our Deputy SENDCo, and Christine Raoult, our SEND Manager. We’re also excited to introduce Louisa Gillon, our in-school EBSA support worker, and Helen Paternoster, our nurture assistant. Together with our dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), we ensure that each student has a strong support network around them to help them succeed.

Of course, we can’t forget the real star of the show, Buddy, our therapy dog. Buddy has loved making so many new friends this week, and he continues to bring comfort, joy and a calming presence to our Oasis Centre. His friendly presence plays an important role in creating a warm, welcoming environment for all our students.

The Oasis Learning Support Centre is a special space where students can find peace and focus away from the activities of the school day. It’s here that we offer tailored interventions and personalised support to meet the individual needs of each student, whether it’s academic help, emotional well-being support, or simply a quiet place to recharge. Our LSAs work closely with students both in class and through individual sessions in the Oasis Centre, empowering them to feel confident and supported in their learning.

We truly believe that working together with you – our parents – is key to ensuring the best outcomes for your child. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to connect with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out at oasis@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk We are always here to listen, support, and collaborate with you to ensure your child feels cared for and confident every step of the way.

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OASIS Talk to Us Tuesdays

At OASIS, we understand the importance of collaboration and the role of early intervention in supporting your child’s journey. We know that sometimes, questions and concerns can’t wait for the end of the month – which is why we’re now making it easier for you to connect with us whenever you need to.

Starting from Tuesday 9th September 2025, we are introducing Talk to Us Tuesdays – a weekly opportunity for you to meet with a member of the OASIS team. Whether you have questions, need support, or simply want to discuss anything on your mind, we are here for you. This will replace the monthly SEND drop-ins afterschool.

You’re welcome to drop by anytime between 8:30am and 3:30pm each Tuesday. Just check in at reception, and one of our friendly team members will come to meet you and listen to your concerns. We believe that working together is key to the best outcomes for your child, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with you!

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Exam Access Arrangements

This term, #TeamOASIS will be working closely with students and teachers to finalise Exam Access Arrangements for our SEND learners. These arrangements are in place to make sure that the way a child usually works in the classroom—such as using a computer, reader software, or taking rest breaks—is carried through into their exams, so they can show their true potential.

If your child regularly uses a particular support in lessons and you feel this should be reflected in exams, please speak to their teacher and ask for a referral before 1st December 2025. After this date, our focus will be on preparing Year 11 and Year 13 students for their upcoming exams.

We really appreciate your support in helping us meet this deadline—it makes a big difference to ensuring every student has the fairest chance to succeed.

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Addams Family Auditions

This year’s school production is the musical comedy The Addams Family, and auditions for all students will begin next week. If your child is interested in being part of the show, either on stage or backstage, please encourage them to attend the first meeting.

Ensemble auditions will take place on Monday 8 September from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. Students will be required to sing a short song of their choice – they can do this solo or in a small group. Students who need to leave quickly should let the production team know, otherwise auditions will start with Year 7s first.

The team wants to make sure auditions are a fun and enjoyable process for everyone. Students should bring a snack and be prepared to wait as there are many people to see. There will also be a short dance routine taught as part of the audition process. This is just for fun and to help the staff identify potential dancers, so there is no need to worry about being a great dancer!

To get all the latest information about the production, your child needs to join The Addams Family Google Classroom using the code: hptx7c32. All important details and updates will be shared there.

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Year 11 Geographers!
The year 11 geography fieldwork trips start next week. Your child will be attending TWO separate days, one to Reading Town Centre and one to Rushall farm. Please check that you know which days your child will be attending, ensure you have given consent for your child to go, and that you ahve updated their medical details. Any issues please email Mrs Garrard on sgarrard@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

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Year 10 Work Experience & Unifrog

As part of our commitment to preparing students for the world of work, we would like to remind parents that all Year 10 students should be using Unifrog to record their work experience placements. The platform’s placement tool allows students to log details of their placement and keep track of their experiences.

Please note that all placements must be recorded on Unifrog by Monday 1st December.

To support parents, we are holding Year 10 Work Experience Parent Drop-In Sessions on the following dates:

• Wednesday 17th September, 8:30–9:30am
• Wednesday 8th October, 8:30–9:30am

These sessions will give you the chance to ask questions, learn more about the process, and see how you can best support your child in arranging their placement.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to help our Year 10 students make the most of this important opportunity.

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Cucina Main Meals – w/c 8th September

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Shout Outs

On a Friday we like to shine a spotlight on those who deserve a thank you or have done well over the past week. If you would like to nominate your child, or a member of staff, please use our nomination email address: HeadsPA@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.

Student Shout Outs

Miss Harris and the Transition Team would like to give a huge shout out to our Year 10 Peer Mentor Team who came in over their summer holiday to support with our Year 7 Summer school and also on Wednesday for their first day. You are all amazing!

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What’s On

Dinton Pastures Jousting Weekend

Dinton Pastures is hosting a weekend of jousting shows, birds of prey, archery, a food village and more over the 13th and 14th September, from 10am – 4pm. Tickets start at £8 for adults and £3 for children.

Police community events

Thames Valley Police is running a series of events across the borough to help residents and talk to local offers.

Bike marking sessions to protect your bicycles, have your say sessions where you can raise issues and community coffee mornings are planned throughout September.

• Bike Marking, Twyford at Waitrose on 5 September, from 5pm to 7pm
• Have Your Say, Woodley at Southlake Play Park on 5 September, from 6pm to 7pm
• Have Your Say, Finchampstead at Finchampstead Baptist Church on 18 September, from 10am to 12noon 
• Have Your Say, Wokingham at Wokingham Town Hall on 18th September, from 10am to 12noon
• Coffee Morning, Earley at Salvation Army on 20 September, from 9am to 11am

Have Your Say at Dinton Pastures Main Car Park (off David Street) on 20 September, from 11am to 12noon

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