Friday 12th September
Co-headteachers’ welcome
We hope everyone had a wonderful summer break, a chance to rest, recuperate and spend valuable time with friends and family. The start of term is always a special moment, particularly as our Year 11 and Year 13 students joined us in August to collect their exam results. It was wonderful to share in the excitement of so many students, proud to celebrate their achievements with friends, teachers and loved ones, while also looking ahead with confidence to the next stage of their journey. Just before the summer, our fantastic Year 6 pupils also received excellent outcomes, giving them a strong foundation as they now begin their secondary education with us. These successes, from EYFS through to Sixth Form, highlight the strength of our all-through journey and how we live out our strapline of “creating tomorrow’s citizens today.”
As we begin the new academic year, we know that many students, and indeed staff, feel a mix of nerves and excitement about what lies ahead. We look forward to supporting one another, ensuring that the year ahead is successful, rewarding, and filled with opportunity. We are immensely proud to see the hard work and dedication of our students rewarded in this year’s formal examinations. Their achievements reflect not only individual perseverance but also the shared commitment of our school community to high expectations, resilience, and success.
Building on this success, we see our older students as shining examples of “creating tomorrow’s citizens today”, demonstrating both academic excellence and the wider values we strive to instill across the school. Our Sixth Form provision remains a significant strength, with outcomes continuing to exceed national averages. This year, 61% of A-Level grades were awarded at A*–B, with 41% at A*–A or Distinction*- Distinction. Impressively, 21% of students attained the highly valued benchmark of AAB or higher, with our average A-Level grade being a B and our vocational outcomes at Distinction-. Our value-added score of +0.49 demonstrates outstanding progress, equivalent to half a grade above national expectations. These results mark a three-year upward trajectory, underlining the ambition, consistency and quality of our Sixth Form. Destinations remain excellent, with 85% securing their first-choice university, 46% moving on to Russell Group institutions, three students gaining Oxbridge places and three embarking on degree apprenticeships.
Beyond exam results, we are committed to providing more than simply educational outcomes. Our Sixth Form enrichment programme continues to thrive, encouraging students to balance hard work with wider opportunities through sport, mentoring, community engagement and independent projects. EPQ results were particularly impressive, with 69% achieving A*- A grades, showcasing the depth of research, independence and aspiration our learners demonstrate. This year we have also created a new social area in the Sixth Form, helping to provide the right balance of study and down time as our students prepare to be “more than just great A levels.” For our current Year 11 families, a date for the diary is our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 8th October – a fantastic opportunity to explore how our provision can support the next stage of learning.
At Key Stage 4 (GCSE), outcomes this year are equally exceptional and reflect the strength and consistency of teaching and learning across the school. While there are no official Progress 8 scores nationally this year due to the absence of Key Stage 2 exams during Covid, our own calculations using baseline testing from Year 7 show that students made excellent progress. Attainment 8 has again risen and remains significantly above the national average, with a large proportion of students securing the very highest grades. We are so proud of these outstanding results, which not only reflect our historic standards but also demonstrate a clear three-year improving trend, reaffirming Simon Balle’s reputation for both high attainment and exceptional progress. Together, these achievements underline our deep commitment to supporting every learner and ensuring all students reach their full potential.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome prospective families to our Open Morning on Sat20th September, where future Reception and Year 7 students will be able to see first-hand the strength of our provision and the opportunities that lie ahead at Simon Balle. This event is always a great celebration of our school, as our whole community comes together to showcase the amazing learning, enrichment and culture that make Simon Balle so special.
So to conclude, it has been a joy to welcome students back this September. They have returned with high aspirations, smartly presented and ready to learn. Across our all-through school, we are proud to see students experiencing a rich, ambitious curriculum alongside an engaging enrichment offer – proof that academic excellence and a love of wider learning go hand in hand. Our staff INSET at the start of term focused on the 3Cs – Culture, Collaborate and Celebrate, which will guide us in the months ahead as we nurture a positive environment, work together to achieve the very best for our students, and take time to recognise success along the way. The year ahead promises to be busy and exciting, and we thank you, as always, for your continued support in ensuring our students thrive.
Home learning
At Simon Balle All-through School, we are proud to guide students on a continuous journey from age four through to eighteen. We believe education is transformational – equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and character to thrive and make a positive contribution to society.
Our broad and progressive curriculum reflects this vision, and home learning plays an important role in supporting it. Home learning extends learning beyond the classroom, helping students to develop focus, self-discipline and resilience. It encourages them to think critically, embrace challenges with a growth mindset and build the persistence needed to succeed both at school and in the future.
Most importantly, home learning directly supports academic progress by consolidating knowledge, deepening understanding and fostering independent study skills.
With this in mind, we wanted to draw parents’ attention to our recently updated Home Learning Policy which has been amended to ensure it continues to reflect our values and to provide students with the best possible foundation for success.
Open Morning
We are looking forward to holding our annual open day on Saturday 20th September. We expect all secondary students to attend school on the morning to act as guides or helpers in departments. We also invite all Year 5 students to be on site. Students will either be conducting parent tours in the Larch, or helping in Larch classrooms. Some children will additionally be involved in music or sport – we will write to you separately if this is the case.
- Saturday 20th September 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning
- Wednesday 8th October 1730-1930 – Sixth Form Open Evening
- Wednesday 26th November 0900-1015- Primary Open Morning
Simon Balle All-through School Mini Farm
Over the summer holidays, the mini farm underwent a huge transformation. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing site team, Miss Ponder, Mrs Kirk, and all the parent volunteers and students who joined our working party. Your hard work has helped create a truly special space for our school community.
As part of these changes, our beloved chickens have been rehomed to create a new calming space that is accessible for all. While we will certainly miss them, we’re pleased to share that they are thriving in their new home, and we look forward to receiving regular updates on how they’re doing.
The area that once housed the chickens has been thoughtfully refreshed — now featuring a new green space, purpose-built enclosures, and a layout that supports the wellbeing of all our animals and students. This redesign also allows for a safe and enriching space for Pippin and paves the way for some exciting additions, including a delivery of new outdoor furniture.
With the new school year underway and so many exciting changes to the farm, we’re delighted to welcome our new Year 5 Farm Leaders: Suguna, Grace, Rebecca, Iris, Skylar, Rosa, Toby, Ben, George and Izaak. They have already shown fantastic dedication, helping to settle in our new animals while demonstrating many of our school values, including responsibility and kindness. We are so proud of the way they’ve stepped into their new roles with such enthusiasm and care.
Perhaps the most exciting news for our students is the arrival of our newest farm friends: two adorable lop rabbits and two curious guinea pigs. The children are eager to get to know them, and we look forward to seeing this revitalised space bring joy, learning, and connection to all.
Stay tuned for more farm news throughout the term!
Simon Balle’s Careers Programme is more than just guidance – it’s a journey. From early curriculum integration to tailored post-18 support, our comprehensive CEIAG framework equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to pursue meaningful futures. We’re proud holders of the Quality in Careers Standard and committed to meeting the highest benchmarks in career education. Discover how this transformative programme supports each year group and shapes tomorrow’s citizens today.
Learn more at: Simon Balle Careers
Explore year-by-year activities: Careers Programme by Year Group
SEND
If you would like to speak to a member of the SEND team, you can book a virtual appointment of up to 15 minutes with a member of the SEND team, please use the following Booking link.
The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire and who can access them.
Information and signposting is also available via DSPL3. Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL) 3 – Families and they have a Facebook page which is updated with information on events locally.
Please see the attached flyer for Super 1s cricket – a weekly offering of free of charge cricket session for young people with special educational needs and disabilities giving them the chance to be active, meet new people and learn new skills. We also run lifestyle workshops throughout the year. Super 1s All Hubs WINTER
Safeguarding
Two important updates from #WakeupWednesday: What Parents & Educators Need to Know about VPNs and Top Tips for Recognising and Managing Stress
PE at Simon Balle – 2025/26
We are really excited about the year ahead in PE at Simon Balle. One of our main aims is to inspire every student to enjoy the benefits of being active. Regular physical activity has so many positives: it helps to improve physical health and fitness, supports good mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and builds confidence. Just as importantly, PE is about enjoyment, teamwork and having the chance to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment. This year, we encourage all students to get involved – whether it’s through lessons, clubs, or simply being more active day to day.
Alongside promoting healthy, active lifestyles, we are also committed to supporting performance sport. Our new sports hall, which has recently been completed, provides an excellent venue for both training and competition. This facility will allow us to host more fixtures than ever before and give our students the chance to test themselves against other schools. We are proud to provide pathways for those who want to push their performance further, whilst continuing to welcome everyone to participate, no matter their level of experience.
A special welcome goes to our new Year 7 students. This is the perfect time to get involved and try out something new. Our wide range of clubs will begin in the week commencing Monday 8th September, and we would love to see as many students as possible taking part. The sport extra curricular timetable can be found via this link: https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/sport/secondary-sport/
Enrichment
We are proud to offer a wide range of clubs and activities to suit every age group, from Key Stage 1 right through to Sixth Form. Whether pupils are interested in sports, music, drama, art, STEM, drama, or exploring new hobbies, there is something for everyone to enjoy. These clubs provide fantastic opportunities for students to develop new skills, build friendships, and pursue their passions outside the classroom. By taking part, students can grow in confidence, discover hidden talents, and make the most of their time at school.
The range of clubs we offer across the all-through are available to view here:
https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/whats-on/extra-curricular-provision/
Library news
There’s lots happening in the library this month. Please click on the links below to find out more.
Absences
All holiday requests must be sent through Leave of absence request
Absences or lateness for the Larch Centre – notify or call at L Simon Balle
Absences or lateness for the secondary – notify or call S Admin
Privacy notices
Please take the time to read our privacy notices for parents/carers and students.
Catering
It has been a brilliant start to this autumn term and academic year for our catering partners, Accent, with whom we are proud to work. During the summer holidays, Accent invested in making fantastic improvements to all areas of our all-through school: from the Little Kitchen in the Larch to the main canteen in the secondary phase and to the sixth form and staff cafe. Not only have all areas had brilliant makeovers so that food continues to be presented in highly appetising ways, but the newly installed screens in each area ensure that menu choices are clear and that allergen information is easily accessible. Please visit our website here to view all new menus, including our popular meal deals.
Exciting times continue in the next fortnight as a brand new pod is being installed in the main secondary phase playground, providing further choice and reducing queues for all. We continue to receive highly positive feedback from our students of all ages in relation to Accent meals, and we were struck by this particularly last week with the return to school and with so many new students joining us in Reception, Year 7 and Year 12.
We continue to value student voice, and our all-through parliament will have an important focus on reviewing these changes and improvements in the coming weeks. Thank you to Accent – we are looking forward to the term and year ahead.
Involve – new tool for booking student consultation evening appointments
Families that have been with us for some time will be aware that we have experimented with a number of online platforms over the years. There is a continual need to balance user-friendliness and effectiveness with the financial cost of the services offered. Involve, the system currently used by the Music department for parents and students to keep track of performances and instrumental lessons will soon be expanded to include PE department fixtures and clubs. Involve will also be used for booking appointment slots for student consultation evenings. Those of you who have not used Involve for either Music or PE will receive login details and instructions ahead of the student consultation evening for your year group (you will log in with the same email address you currently use for logging into Arbor).
Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank
We will be partnering with Hertford, ware & District Foodbank to support their Harvest Festival Appeal. The wishlist is attached below.
The number of people facing crisis within our local community is still high. During the last year, the Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank provided over 3110 emergency food parcels to people who couldn’t afford the essentials, over 1100 of these went to children.
If you are able to donate any of the items on the list, there will be collection points at the main reception desk (Elm Sports Centre), the Student Services area (secondary) and the Larch office.
Get Your Old Bikes Rolling Again!
Community Bike Drop Returns to Hertford Rugby Club on Sunday 14th September.
Nearly three years ago, something amazing happened at Hertford Rugby Club. Our brilliant local community came together and donated a whopping 165 bikes. Thanks to the fantastic team at Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF), those bikes were lovingly refurbished and rehomed across Hertfordshire.
Some became a child’s very first taste of cycling freedom. Others helped adults commute to work, reducing car use and giving our planet a well-deserved break. The impact? Healthier people, a greener environment, and a stronger, more connected community.
Now, we’re doing it again and we need you. Got an old bike gathering dust in your shed, garage or garden? Don’t let it rust away, let it ride again. Join us on Sunday 14th September, from 9am to 1pm, at Hertford Rugby Club, Hoe Lane, Ware SG12 9NZ for our second Big Community Bike Drop. Every bike donated will be refurbished and given a second life – whether it’s helping a child learn to pedal or helping someone get to work.
So dust off those wheels, pump up those tyres (if you can), and bring them along. Let’s make this another two-wheeled triumph!
For further information please contact Lucy Hunter: lucy_hunter38@yahoo.co.uk
Together, let’s keep our community rolling.
Parent Staff Association
Volunteer Register and Class/Year group Reps
Simon Balle PSA can not function without a good number of helpers from both phases of the school, to support our all-through events. Please consider registering to be an occasional volunteer and we will reach out when help is needed.
We value each and every volunteer and are always grateful for any help.
We are looking for a number of people to help us share information with classes and yeargroups. This role is suitable to all, but especially to those who wish to offer support but can not necessarily commit to volunteering at events.
If you are interested in becoming a Representative, we would love to hear from you.
Visit our Reps sign up link and we will be in touch.
Happy’s Circus – 4th October
We are very excited to share that Happy’s Circus will be visiting Simon Balle on Saturday 4th October. Tickets will soon be made available to the wider community and with over half sold already, we encourage Simon Balle families to secure theirs as soon as they can.
Gates will open at midday and visitors are invited to browse the external stallholder offering, grab something from the bar and BBQ then soak up the pre-show atmosphere.
More information can be found on our website, click on the link below.
Volunteers needed, sign up here!
Joules Outlet Sale – 7th November
Save the date! On Friday 7th November, the Joules Outlet team will set up a pop up shop at Simon Balle. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your Christmas shopping, all at bargain prices with up to 70% off high street prices. Sale preview tickets are £8 and will allow early entry at 6pm into the sale room. General sale tickets are just £5, doors open at 6.30pm.
Watch this space for more information.
Volunteers needed, sign up here!
John Williams Candlelight Concert – 18th October
Join us at All Saints Church, Hertford, on Saturday 18th October for an enchanting candlelit evening of John Williams favourites, performed by a string trio. Music includes: Jurassic Park movie theme, hits from Star Wars including Cantina Band and Imperial March, E.T theme, Indiana Jones theme and more!
1st Sitting: Doors open at 4.15pm, concert starts at 5pm. 2nd Sitting: Doors open at 6.30pm, concert starts at 7pm.
Book via our link and £2 of each ticket sold will generate us commission.
Dates for your diary
A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.
- Mon 15th Sep: Y8 expectations evening
- Wed 17th Sep: Y1 Y3 Y5 curriculum meetings
- Wed 17th Sep: Y9 expectations and Battlefields trip information evening
- Thurs 18th Sep: Y13 expectations evening
- Fri 19th Sep: Early finish (secondary) for those helping on open morning
- Sat 20th Sep 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning
- Wed 24th Sep: Y7 welcome evening
- Wed 24th and Thurs 25th Sep: Y11 performance clinics
- Thurs 25th Sep: NCY trip information evening
Wishing you all the best for the week ahead
Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)
