13 March 2026

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 13th March 2026

Dear Parents

Aristotle, one of the most influential thinkers in history, believed that developing good character is the key to helping people live happy and fulfilling lives. He argued that a strong society is not simply made up of successful individuals, but of people who act with good character and contribute positively to their community.

It’s on days like today that I think Aristotle would have been rather fond of Dumpton! 300 Dumpton pupils have been engaged in Global Citizenship activities that support others, or our environment. From beach cleans, to second hand clothes sales, to planting fruit and veg, to brilliant debating at the Model UN Climate Crisis. Activities like this benefit society, of course, but we would argue the children benefit so much themselves too. A big thank you to Mrs Hutton for all her efforts in organising the afternoon.

Of course, character education is about more than one afternoon of activities; at Dumpton, we try to ensure it is embedded into every day life. One of my favourite moments each week takes place in assembly. Teachers award postcards to pupils who have demonstrated one of our virtues - empathy, resilience, courage, collaboration, enthusiasm, creativity or global citizenship. These postcards allow us to narrate the behaviours we want to see and celebrate the small acts that shape character: a child showing kindness to a friend, persisting when learning is difficult, or taking initiative to help others.

Recently, something special has begun to happen. Pupils have started writing postcards themselves - not only about their own efforts to grow in character, but about their peers and even about members of staff. Watching a chid stand up and thank a teacher for demonstrating empathy, or recognising a friend for showing courage, has been profoundly moving. It shows that the language and values of character are no longer simply something we teach; they are something our pupils truly understand and live.

Letter and 2030 Conversation Survey
I wrote to all parents this morning about some exciting developments at Dumpton, and also offered the chance for you to shape our future through a survey. Thank you so much for taking part – we really want your voice to be heard as we reflect on the school as it is now, and where we want it to be.

Head’s Lunch
We welcomed a number of Prep and Pre-Prep parents to lunch this week. I greatly enjoyed the company, and it was a lovely chance for them to witness first hand not only the lovely food on offer, but the lovely atmosphere in the dining room, the manners of the pupils, and the efforts of the staff. One parent asked: ‘Do the staff not get a lunch break?!’ The answer is, not really – we pride ourselves on eating with the children, sharing that meal together as a community. And we count ourselves very fortunate to be able to do so!

Y8 'The Poe Plays' - Friday 27 March at 3:30pm
A reminder that Year 8 have been working hard on their performance before the end of term, all are welcome to attend, but priority will be given to Y8 parents (siblings of Y8s will be watching an earlier performance so will not need to attend this one). The performance will end by 4.15pm.

From Mrs Catton – British Science Week
We have had a fantastic week celebrating British Science Week, with pupils across the school exploring science with great curiosity and enthusiasm. Years 3 and 4 were treated to an exciting Science Show by Mr Shaw, Head of Chemistry at Canford, featuring some truly spectacular demonstrations. Keep an eye out for pictures on the social platforms. The seniors also enjoyed a 'banging' science assembly to start their day. A huge thank you to Mr Shaw for inspiring both pupils and staff.

In lessons, pupils have taken part in a wide range of practical activities, including pond dipping, yeast races, investigating the absorbency of materials, separating substances using Bunsen burners, and chromatography. With more to follow next week (it really is Science week every week at Dumpton!).

A particular highlight has been using our new digital screen microscopes. Pupils were amazed by the clarity as they explored pond life and flowers in incredible detail. These wonderful resources were made possible thanks to a very generous parent donation.

The excitement continues next week as Year 5 pupils look forward to their trip to the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium for a day of space exploration.

Canford Schools Group
It has been a busy and exciting few months since the merger announcement, and I am delighted to share an important milestone for the Canford Schools Group. The Board has formally appointed Chris Wheeler to act as CEO, alongside his position as Headmaster of Canford, and Mr Wheeler is currently shaping the Group’s Executive Leadership Team. This marks a significant step forward for the Canford Schools Group, and with new appointments like a Director of Engagement and Director of Digital, we are creating a scalable leadership structure to deliver outstanding education, develop our staff, and grow sustainably for the future.

With best wishes