On Friday, a group of pupils in Y13 Law and a selection of Community Champions had the privilege to attend a question-and-answer session with MP for Nuneaton, Jodie Gosling. The talk was extremely interesting as the pupils had the chance to prepare high quality questions to further understand both the legislative process and the role of the MP.

Our pupils’ questions were both topical and practical and ranged from viewpoints on current debates and wider reaching mechanisms of the Houses of Parliament. Throughout the session Jodie was impressed by the level of respect and professionalism from our pupils as she shared that they shone through for the school and really made Etone proud.

“It was lovely to get a chance to see the pupils again, we have a really good relationship with Etone and it is always nice to get out and see what schools are up to. Etone is such a wonderful community, we always feel so welcome when we come here.”

Our pupils were equally so appreciative of the time and found it extremely useful for their courses and as a life experience. A big thank you to Jodie for the chance to meet and discuss our pupils thoughts.

In the summer of 2024 one of our Year 11’s completed their Etone College with an outstanding 100% attendance form the first day of Y7 all the way to the last day of Y11. This was even more impressive as it included a 100% attendance record for each and every lesson during the period of remote learning in the Covid pandemic.

Sophie had shown all of the resilience and other Employability Skills along with our Etone Values and with this has done so achieving amazing grades and being a wide part of the additional activities Etone College affords including; Etone Elect, Community Champion and the of course our Performing Arts department.

To reward this outstanding achievement, we were very pleased to have our Trust CEO – Lynsey Draycott and MP for Nuneaton Jodie Gosling who were able to present the award and gift to Sophie and share some important messages of thanks. Both Jodie and Lynsey were blown away by the commitment to learning Sophie has shown and are extremely proud to have been part of the ceremony.

As part of their enrichment programme, Year 12 and 13 students took part in a three-week carousel of online workshops, delivered by external speakers. Each week focused on a different theme, giving students the opportunity to develop practical life skills, deepen their understanding of others, and build resilience to support their wellbeing and personal development.

First Aid
In this interactive youth workshop, students learned essential first aid skills and how to respond confidently in an emergency. Using everyday objects, learners explored practical ways to help others, while also gaining a clear understanding of where and how to seek support for their own injury or illness. The session focused on building confidence, awareness and a willingness to act when it matters most.

Empathy and Migration
This workshop explored the experiences of migration and the reasons why people may be forced to leave their homes. Through stories and reflective activities, students were encouraged to put themselves in the shoes of others, helping them to develop empathy and understanding. The session supported learners in challenging common assumptions about migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, promoting thoughtful discussion and greater social awareness.

Coping with Challenges and Building Resilience
This resilience-building workshop used experiential learning to help students develop skills to better manage the challenges they face. Learners explored the four pillars of resilience, examined the link between strong connections and wellbeing, and built confidence in applying these strategies to real-life situations. The session aimed to equip students with practical tools to support their mental and emotional resilience beyond the classroom.

I will get some pictures this week for this that can go alongside the write up 

On Monday 8th and 15th January we had the privilege of hosting informative and engaging road safety talks for our Year 12 and Year 13 students. These sessions were designed to raise awareness of the risks associated with driving, with a particular focus on the impact of drugs, alcohol, fatigue, and other factors that can significantly affect reaction speed, judgement, and overall safety on the road.

Students were encouraged to take part in discussions and interactive activities, making the sessions both educational and thought-provoking. Pupils found the talks rewarding and highly relevant, particularly as many are preparing to drive independently. We are delighted with the positive feedback and look forward to welcoming the team back again for future sessions

On Friday 12th December, our Sixth Form students organised a festive Christmas Fayre for Year 7 students, raising money for their chosen charity, Nuneaton Food Bank.
All Year 7 forms came along to show their support, and thanks to their enthusiasm and generosity, the event raised an impressive £293.
Pupils enjoyed visiting a wide range of stalls, including Guess the Teddy, Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar, a raffle for a McDonald’s voucher, Knock the Tins, Hook a Bauble, and a popular hot chocolate stand. There was something for everyone, and the atmosphere was full of festive cheer.
The event gave all Year 7 forms the opportunity to participate, have fun, and contribute to a fantastic cause that supports people in need over the Christmas period. Well done to our Sixth Form students for organising such a successful and meaningful event, and thank you to everyone who took part.

On 21^st November, Year 12 English Literature pupils visited Derby University for a masterclass exploring ‘Frankenstein in Context’. 

The group is studying Mary Shelley’s iconic novel ‘Frankenstein’ alongside Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ as part of the prose element of their A Level.  The focus of this unit is ‘Science and Society’, and, with Frankenstein, the historical and social context is central.  Pupils have already explored the clashes between Enlightenment and Romanic ideals during their lessons, and this Masterclass reinforced and developed their understanding even further. 

Through an exploration of Shelley’s family background, influences of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution they were able to understand more about influences in Shelley’s writing.  Through the ‘dynamic lecture’, favoured by tutors at the University of Derby they were engrossed in discussion of these influences connecting them to pertinent excerpts from the novel.

Following the lecture, they were taken for a tour of the University, seeing a wide range of the resources available to students who choose to study at Derby; marine biology labs, forensic labs, a 3-floor library with fantastic loanable laptops and resources, not to mention the open-plan atrium housing both Starbucks and Subway as well as a delicious looking brownie pop up stall and plenty of seating to catch up with friends between lectures.

All were impressed by the facilities on offer and the welcome received from staff at the University.  No surprise that it is ranked 31 out of 104 universities in the UK and has won awards in 2025 for top student well-being, top student accommodation and was shortlisted for best customer service.  

Year 12 had a great day at Clare College, Cambridge University today. They attended key sessions focused on making a competitive application, the Oxbridge structure, and an introduction to ‘supervisions’ alongside a tour. It was fantastic to see students connecting with university life and raising their aspirations.