26 September 2025

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 26th September 2025

Dear Parents

We have had a very positive and supportive reaction to Monday’s announcement of our merger with Canford to form the Canford Schools Group. It was lovely to engage with so many parents about the many benefits and the rationale behind the move across the week, and especially this morning when we were joined by Chris Wheeler, new Headmaster of Canford, for coffee after drop-off. We have also had some excellent questions, and we’re in the process of collating and answering these after which we plan to share them more widely.

A highlight of this week was announcing the merger to the Prep School children on Monday. They asked some fabulous questions. “Why isn’t it called ‘The Dumpford Group’?” probably being my favourite.

However, from their questions, and some of yours, a really crucial message to reinforce has come through. Unlike in some other Senior and Prep School merger situations, this is a merger between two very successful and strong schools, coming together so that they can continue to do what they already do, even better.

Dumpton’s purpose as a genuine prep school will not change: we are here to support every single family and child with finding the right future school, and all routes through to senior school, independent or state, will remain equally valued here.

This is not just our view, but Canford’s too, and this has been a foundation of the merger agreement. Canford’s broad and varied intake from over 50 Prep Schools is a strength they wish to maintain, and as an over-subscribed school, a desire to further increase the significant feed from Dumpton has in no way been a motivation for this merger. Admissions processes will remain exactly the same as they have been.

I hope every Dumpton family know that their personal journey and destination, wherever it may be, is so important to us, and our support, advice and preparation for a range of destinations will continue with gusto and commitment. Our mission remains the same: that every child fulfils their academic and personal potential – and our current and future pupils have been at the heart of our Board’s decision making throughout.

Finally, on the topic of our Board, I would like to personally thank our Governors, who often don't get the praise they deserve. They are all volunteers, yet they have given up so much time over the past 12 months, and expertly guided a very thorough and carefully thought out decision making process, with their financial, legal, property, communications and strategic acumen and expertise coming to the fore. I would particularly like to thank Governor and current parent Anthony Swift, who has led and advised the board throughout the process, working tirelessly on behalf of the whole Dumpton community.

Site Investment – Community Consultation
One of the many benefits of our merger with Canford is the ability to invest more significantly in our school site. Whilst major capital investment will be available in the future through the Canford Schools Group should it be required, Dumpton’s existing cash reserves can now be released and ringfenced for investment in the children’s education on our wonderful site. There are a range of exciting possibilities and priorities to explore, and we have begun consulting with pupils and staff about areas in the school that we’d like to improve or develop. I already had a very jolly school council meeting – the children were not short on ideas! I plan to host a session with any interested parents in the coming weeks, and look forward to your views being able to shape our exciting site development plans.

Celebrating our Differences
A big thank you to 7T for their lovely assembly on Monday on European Day of Languages. I told the children about my own heritage, and when I asked others to raise their hands if they had family members who spoke other native languages, it was an overwhelming reminder of the diversity in our own community. It was a chance to reinforce to the children, in the face of tricky headlines and political challenges at present, that our differences are always something we should seek to embrace, not fear.

Y8 Leaders and Prefects
Congratulations to our super Y8 Leaders who were awarded their badges in assembly this week. They are all undertaking a range of leadership duties, with this being a key pillar of the Dumpton Diploma. They are such excellent role models to the younger pupils. A special well done however to the 6 pupils nominated as prefects this year, after a vote by their peers and staff. Bethany W, Jack B, Jacob W, Emeli H, Flynn B and Alexander N were all chosen for how well they live our values of Being Kind and Aiming High.

Y7 Kimmeridge Science Trip - from Mrs Catton
We had a fantastic day with Dorset Wildlife Trust at Kimmeridge Bay on Thursday, with much enthusiasm throughout the day. The Y7 pupils enjoyed a talk by the Dorset Wild Trust staff at the Wild Seas Centre. They learned about the rocky shore ecosystem, which lies within the protected Marine Conservation Zone. We also explored the rocky shore and found Shore crabs, limpets, prawns, Peacock's tail, Gem and Beadlet anemones, Cushion stars, and an eel! Pupils also thought about their role as global citizens, observed the Seashore Code, and carried out a beach clean. We collected a shocking amount of litter, that was largely plastic, in a short space of time. The pupils had lots of ideas about how we should better protect our amazing local ecosystems, and beyond. I wanted to share with you a Dorset Wildlife Trust event happening at Kimmeridge on Saturday 11 October called The Great Global Nurdle Hunt at Kimmeridge.

Sporting Success
It has been a super start to the sports season, and that continued this week. As well as some fantastic performances against Port Regis, our U13As came home with the winning trophy from the Moyles Court tournament. We also had our first Cross Country race of the season, and well done to the whole team, but especially Ira W who came 2nd in the U11 girls race on her debut running for Dumpton.

Reading for Pleasure
One of our educational priorities this year is further improving reading outcomes across the school, and reading for pleasure is such a key part of this! We have plenty planned to help us encourage and incentivise reading for pleasure, to help even more of our pupils form positive reading habits. In a world with so many distractions (and screens!) this is a harder job, but an even more important one too. Thank you for the help you provide as parents – whatever the age of your child, developing positive reading habits is definitely a big team effort.

Open Week and Early Years Experience Morning
We will be welcoming prospective parents to Dumpton next week throughout the week, and on Friday we are holding an Early Years Experience morning for children starting school in September 2026 or 27. If you know anyone interested in exploring Dumpton for their child, do encourage them to get in touch!

Individual School Photographs
A reminder that the deadline for placing orders for photographs is this Tuesday (30 September).

From Dumpton Friends
We are looking forward to the Senior Disco, taking place next Friday (3 October).

With best wishes