Welcome to this week's newsletter
As we move through another busy examination season, I would like to begin by thanking our PE department for the brilliant way they have adapted to the challenges presented by both the examination timetable in the sports hall and the frequent showers we have experienced this week. Their flexibility, positivity and willingness to adjust plans at short notice have ensured that students have continued to benefit from high-quality provision despite the disruption. We are very grateful for their adaptability and commitment. It has also been pleasing to welcome our Year 11 and Year 13 students back following the term break. They have returned with real determination and enthusiasm, continuing to work incredibly hard as they prepare for and complete their examinations. Their resilience, focus and dedication have been impressive to see, and we are proud of the way they are approaching this important period. This week, I had the pleasure of covering a Year 8 science lesson. It was a delightful lesson to be part of, with students demonstrating excellent attitudes to learning throughout. They were hardworking, diligent and fully engaged, providing a wonderful example of our REACH values in action. It was a privilege to spend time with them and see the quality of learning taking place first-hand. Finally, I am delighted to share that the science department has secured additional funding from the University of Northampton for a new set of microscopes. This investment will further enhance the learning experiences available to our students and provide exciting opportunities for practical scientific investigation. We are very grateful for this support and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in our classrooms. Thank you, as always, for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy reading about the many successes and opportunities featured in this week's newsletter.
Adam Crawte, Principal
Year 11 exam timetable
We will be sharing a copy of the following week's Year 11 timetable in each edition of the newsletter during the course of the exam period. From Monday 8 June, students are able to study at home and only come to school if they have an exam (orange) - optional booster sessions (blue) will still be taking place for subjects which have not yet been completed. Students can check their individual timetable on Arbor.
Opportunities in school
Attending school regularly allows students to take full advantage of everything school life has to offer beyond the classroom. This includes clubs, sports teams, educational trips, performances, and opportunities to take on leadership roles within the school community. These experiences play an important part in a child’s overall development, helping them to build confidence, discover new interests, and develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and independence. We would like to thank parents and carers for your continued support in encouraging excellent attendance. By ensuring your child attends school every day, you are helping them to access a wide range of opportunities that support both their academic and personal growth.
Year 7 Consultation Evening
Thursday 18 June, from 4pm Bookings for meetings with teaching staff must be made using the Arbor app or online portal by following the link to the Consultation Evening on the dashboard. You will be able to start making the appointments at 8:00am on 9 June and the system will close to new appointments at 12:00pm on Wednesday 17 June. If you have not already done so, the simplest way to register is to sign into the parent portal - please visit https://login.arbor.sc/ and select 'Forgotten password'. You will then be sent an email containing further instructions. Once you have registered, you can download the app from Google Play or the App Store and log in with your details. If you have any queries or concerns regarding this event, please email mdupille@manor.school
Archery sessions
Archers of Raunds are a club that use the Manor Sports Centre as their hub, and they are looking to encourage more young people to take up archery and potentially join their club. They are running two taster sessions this month to give students the opportunity to have a go and see what it is like. The sessions will take place from 3:15pm on Tuesday 16 and Tuesday 23 June, with the coaches staying on site until 5pm. These sessions will take place on the sports field (weather permitting). Interested students should sign up on the PE notice board or let one of the PE team know.
Summer concert
Tickets for our summer concert taking place on Wednesday 24 June are now on sale. The evening will provide an opportunity to see the range of brilliant musicians within our school performing a range of musical styles from classical to pop as soloists or within ensembles. Click the link below to book tickets.
Prom limousine giveaway
Our Year 11 Prom is just a few weeks away and we know that many students like to arrive in style. John Drage Funeral Directors are offering their fleet of Mercedes limousines to school leavers in the local area for free by entering their giveaway. In order to qualify for a chance to win the use of one of their limousines, visit their Facebook page and follow the simple instructions. The offer will run until Thursday 25 June, with the winners being announced on Friday 26 June.
Instrumental lessons
We are pleased to offer your child the opportunity to either continue their instrumental music lessons next year or to begin to receive instrumental music lessons in the next academic year. Music lessons are provided by specialist teachers from Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust. Details of the lessons available and how much they cost can be found as part of the application form. Many of our musicians are members of school music groups which rehearse weekly and perform regularly at school events. In previous years some musicians have also performed at a variety of prestigious venues including The Royal and Derngate Theatre, Spinney Hill Theatre, The Castle Theatre and have enjoyed success in the Rotary Young Musician Competition. We have also experienced international music concert tours, where musicians embraced the opportunity to perform in completely new environments. This is a thriving music department and we encourage all students to take part in the extra activities and clubs that are available to them. Their lessons provide them with the individual support and guidance they need to develop, whilst the school groups provide the opportunity for enjoying their music with peers and showcasing their talents in public concerts. Please find below an application form for you to complete if your child would like to continue or start lessons during the forthcoming academic year. Please note that if your child is pupil premium eligible, then we can support with the costing for the instrumental lessons. Please return the reply slip via email to mjarvis@manor.school, no later than Friday 19 June.
The music department at Manor School, together with staff from Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust, look forward to helping develop your child’s musical skills and enjoyment of the subject next academic year.
Geography competition
Take part in the Geographical Association’s 2026 Geographical Model Making Competition and bring geography to life through creativity and model making. This year’s exciting theme is “Fragile Environments” – places such as coral reefs, rainforests, sand dunes, woodlands, deserts, or even a local pond that can be easily affected by natural changes or human activity. Using mainly recycled cardboard and other reused materials, design and build a 3D model that shows the environment’s key features, why it is vulnerable, and at least two threats it faces. Entrants can also include ideas for how it can be protected and add labels, colours, and creative details to make their model stand out. The competition is open to KS3 students (Years 7–9). To enter, students need to take two photographs of their model, complete a short written explanation, and submit their entry before 31 July 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity, environmental awareness, and geographical knowledge while showcasing their ideas and demonstrating their understanding of an important geographical issue. For full competition details and entry information, visit the Geographical Model Making Competition 2026 page. For more information, please speak to Mr Andrews (jandrews@manor.school).
Extra-curricular timetable
Careers and further education
College assemblies Year 10 students will be attending assemblies next month hosted by local colleges. Parents/carers may wish to visit their websites to discover what they offer ahead of these assemblies taking place.
- Thursday 9 July - Northampton College
- Tuesday 14 July - Moulton College
- Thursday 16 July - The Bedford College Group