18 September 2026

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 18th September 2026

Dear Parents

"Aiming High" has been our theme this week — and it goes right to the heart of who we are. Our purpose here at Dumpton is to help every child discover their own remarkable potential. But what we know is that they won't discover it on their own. So how do we help them?

Children won't flourish without the right conditions - like a small seed, they need the right nourishment, the right opportunities, and the right amount of challenge. That's what we try to build into our culture and curriculum here at Dumpton.

A wonderful example of this in action has been our Upper Prep outdoor education this week, from Y8 in Snowdonia to the Y7 hiking in the Dorset countryside, which has challenged our pupils the most memorable of ways. It has also been a highly successful week of success in sport, with our U10A Girls, U11A Boys and U12A Girls all thriving in competitive tournaments against some really strong opposition.

But aiming high isn't only found in dramatic moments up a mountain or on the sports pitch. It happens just as meaningfully in the quieter moments of an ordinary school day for every child: in a tricky maths problem, in the first notes of the Y2 instrumental scheme, in the courage it takes to speak up in class or sing a solo, or in the resilience of building a brick tower in Nursery. However pupils chose to aim high this week, it's these small, daily acts of courage and effort that build the foundations for the bigger challenges still to come.

Crucially, none of this happens in isolation. Our pupils aim high because they see it modelled all around them every single day, reinforced by our brilliant staff team. It's a culture of aiming high together, where everyone inspires everyone else to go a little further. It's this, more than any one factor alone, that we hope helps every child flourish: to try a little harder, to strive a little longer, and discover how amazing they really are.

Y8 Leadership Trip - Snowdonia
We want our Y7 and Y8 experience to be utterly unique in the way it prepares our pupils for their next steps. A big part of this is how outdoor education can help build resilience, confidence and leadership skills. Our Y8 spent the week at the Plas Gwynant outdoor centre in Snowdonia, challenging themselves in that stunning scenery, with many pupils discovering that they are capable of so much more than they realise.

Y7 Hike
For the first time, Y7 also began the year with an outdoor challenge – with Mr Amos leading an 11km hike in the Dorset countryside, with pupils having to navigate themselves and support the whole year group to the finish line.

Sporting Success
We were so proud of all the children who played hockey and football this week. Our U10 girls shone at the Canford tournament, with both the U10 girls, and our U12 girls, coming second overall (this despite competing against U13 teams!). Our boys U11As also came second at the Bryanston tournament, losing in the final to Heath Mount from Hertfordshire. And a big well done to all our boys and girls who competed so well in the block fixture against Walhampton!

Y2 Instrumental Scheme
There was lots of noise in the Performing Arts department on Thursday as Y2 kicked off their instrumental scheme! All children in Y2 will have free lessons with our brilliant music teachers on the 'cello, violin, clarinet or trumpet – we can't wait to hear the concert at the end of term!

September Stroll – Woodland Opening
We have over 100 signed up so far – but room for plenty more! Do come along to this special event, and the chance to celebrate the official opening of our woodland. There will be lots to see and do for children and adults alike, and a big thank you to the Dumpton Friends team for all their support.

Year 7 Science Trip to Kimmeridge Bay from Mrs Catton
Our Year 7 pupils had a fantastic, hands-on day with the Dorset Wildlife Trust at Kimmeridge Bay last Thursday! The visit began at the Wild Seas Centre, where students learned about the delicate rocky shore ecosystem protected within the Marine Conservation Zone. Exploring the shore first-hand, pupils discovered an impressive array of wildlife. Demonstrating excellent global citizenship, pupils followed the Seashore Code and carried out a beach clean. Collecting a shocking amount of plastic litter in a short time sparked inspiring discussions on how we can better protect our local marine environments.

Individual School Photographs
Fraser Portraits will be in school on Thursday to take individual school photographs of each of the pupils. They will endeavour to photograph sibling groups too. If you do not want your child to be included in this process, please do let the office know by Wednesday.

Flu Vaccinations (Reception to Y8)
We have reminded everyone again today that the deadline for completing the online consent form for your child to be immunised at school is midnight this evening (Friday 18 September). The immunisation team will visit Dumpton on Wednesday 23 September.

Parents - this is your community too!
It shouldn't just be your children that get to enjoy being at Dumpton! Alongside a range of lovely Dumpton Friends social events across the year, there are plenty of other ways to be involved in the Dumpton community. Ms Oakes has already announced the Dumpton Parents Choir which takes place on Tuesdays, and Musical Ducklings, our baby and toddler group, takes place on Thursdays. Do please sign in at the front office!

With best wishes