06 March 2026

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 6th March 2026

Dear Parents

I have just watched the House Singing Competition. It’s such a shame that parents can’t join – it really does capture something very special, with Y2 to Y8 children, as well as teachers, singing and dancing together with such enthusiasm, joy, and sense of fun. Having worked in 6 schools in my career, I have never seen a school that loves to sing as much as this one – and kudos to our Y7 and Y8 pupils, who far from becoming ‘too cool for school’, are the role models who lead the way in this regard and set the tone so well for their younger peers. This year the staff really stepped up too!

The Performing Arts is such a vital part of Dumpton life. In a world where creativity, confidence and courage are going to be such important commodities, you can make a strong case for saying the performing arts have never been more valuable. I do think what our brilliant team achieve here at Dumpton is rather special. From over 300 pupils performing across the afternoon at the Spring Spectacular – including our very brave and courageous Nursery pupils – to the ‘Play for Points’ competition across the week, there are so many opportunities for pupils to contribute and take the stage and in such inclusive fashion too.

It’s also noticeable how many pupils are ‘aiming high’. Music isn’t always an easy pathway – it requires grit, graft, patience and commitment to make progress. It’s easy to shy away from hard things – but hard things also bring with them the greatest rewards! It is brilliant seeing pupils really commit to their instruments; our school band and symphony orchestra have never sounded so tight and strong.

With some exciting opportunities in the pipeline from our partnership with Canford, the future of music and the performing arts at Dumpton is very bright indeed!

World Book Day
Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so colourful and fun. What was most lovely was the number of children who attended reading sessions around the school, with teachers reading from their favourite books. We’re delighted to see so many children reading voraciously at Dumpton right now – we’ve really noticed a positive change in the last 12 months, so thanks for all you do to continue to encourage this at home!

Sporting Highlights
Another week of pupils racing across the region for matches, tournaments and sporting opportunities. Particular mention to Zach L for winning the Milton Abbey Cross Country, to the U13A Boys Hockey who beat Millfield Prep School at the Regional Hockey Finals today (always a real scalp!), the U11 Boys Hockey who won the Plate at the Canford tournament, and our Netballers who continue to shine and did us very proud in the county finals.

Scholarship Success
We have some more fantastic scholarship news to share, this time from Y6. Firstly, Elizabeth X has secured a Music Scholarship to Wycombe Abbey - an exceptional achievement! Isabelle H has also earned both a Performing Arts and a Sports Scholarship to BCS, also a fantastic achievement. We have also just received another superb batch of scholarships awarded from Canford – more on that next week!

Y8 'The Poe Plays' - Friday 27 March
Y8 have been working hard on their performance before the end of term, all are welcome to attend. 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 Dumpton Friends
Tickets for our Mothers Day gift event are still available on classlist. Your child will make a lovely gift for a special female in their life, brought home in time for Mothering Sunday. Last chance to purchase a ticket is Sunday 8th at 5pm.

We hope your children are enjoying the sponsored readathon. We look forward to hearing about the books they have read on the 16th March.

Gulliver’s Book Fayre
We are delighted to welcome Gulliver’s Book Fayre to Dumpton from Tuesday to Thursday next week (10th to 12th). Every pupil from Reception upwards will have the opportunity to visit the Fayre and, if they wish, choose a book to buy. There is a fantastic selection available, including many titles from our Dumpton Suggested Reading Lists.

All children will also have their World Book Day £1 book token, which can be used as a £1 discount on any other book they choose.

During their visit, children who bring cash may purchase their chosen book straight away. If they do not have cash with them, Gulliver’s will provide a ticket to take home, detailing the book title and the cost. If you would like to go ahead with the purchase, you can either send the money in with your child the following day or pop into the library at morning drop-off to pay by card.

Prep School pupils may visit the Fayre during morning break each day. Lesson-time visit schedule is as follows:

Tuesday – Pre-Prep
Wednesday – Year 5, Year 7, Year 8
Thursday – Year 3, Year 4, Year 6

The 2030 Conversation Survey
Next week I will be writing to all parents with an update on a few matters here at Dumpton, including the latest news from our merger and the Canford Schools Group, some positive educational developments, as well as an update on our plans for investing in the site. It will also include a link to our 2030 Conversation Survey – and I do hope all of you will take a few minutes to take part. We’re really excited about the future, but we want your voice to play a big role in shaping it.

With best wishes,

Christian Saenger
Headmaster