Open Evening

Welcoming prospective families to campus is always a highlight of the school year, and last week was no exception. Warm, sunny weather set a brilliant tone for our annual Open Evening, perfectly complemented by our talented Year 10 samba band greeting guests as they arrived. We were delighted to welcome nearly 2,000 visitors to our campus, marking our biggest turnout ever and creating a bustling atmosphere across every department.

For families exploring secondary schools in Woodley and Reading, Open Evening provides an honest, behind-the-scenes look at daily life within The Bulmershe School community. It gives parents of primary school children the chance to see our facilities, meet our dedicated teaching staff and discover how we support every child through their secondary school journey.

Hands-On Learning Across Every Department

Classrooms across the campus were packed with interactive activities designed to give visiting pupils a taste of secondary school subjects. In the Design and Technology department, visitors enjoyed screen printing their own tote bags, while the aroma of freshly baked cookies drew big crowds to Food Technology.

Our Science laboratories hosted hands-on experiments throughout the night, and the Media suite gave young guests the chance to get behind professional camera equipment. Meanwhile, our canteen team provided food samples that were completely cleared by the end of the evening, a minor tragedy for staff hoping to sweep up leftovers, but a clear sign of how many guests came through our doors.

Student Ambassadors Leading the Way

While our facilities and academic subjects were on full display, the real stars of the night were our young people. A remarkable 480 students, representing over a third of our entire school, gave up their evening to act as tour guides or department helpers.

From answering questions about homework to navigating the hallways, our guides showed incredible warmth and maturity. The feedback from visiting families was overwhelming, with many taking the time to send messages of thanks afterwards:

"My student tour guide, Idris, did a fantastic job, and I was very impressed by the Headteacher's address, particularly the focus on supporting smooth transitions and easing anxiety for both children and parents."

A special mention must go to our student speakers: Lydia and Ryan from Year 7, alongside Wojtek and Heidi in Year 13. Addressing a packed hall of 400 unfamiliar faces is a daunting task, yet all four spoke eloquently, sharing their personal experiences with sincerity. Seeing a confident Year 7 pupil speak alongside a Sixth Form student captured the growth that happens during a child's time with us.

Supporting Every Step of the Transition Journey

Choosing the right school is a major decision for any family. We know that moving from primary to secondary school can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety for children and parents alike. That is why we place such a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and pastoral care right from the start.

Events like Open Evening are just the first step in our comprehensive secondary school transition programme. Through regular primary school visits, taster days and dedicated induction mornings, we work closely with local families to ensure every child feels safe, settled and confident long before their first day in September.

Feedback from current parents reminds us why this supportive environment matters so much:

"For a number of reasons, Bulmershe was not our first choice of school for our older son, but I am so glad he was placed here. It was absolutely the right school for him and he has had a fantastic 5 years in your care. We will definitely be putting Bulmershe as our first choice this time!"

A Sincere Thank You to Our Community

An event of this scale only succeeds because of the incredible teamwork within our school community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the student helpers who represented us so brilliantly, our dedicated teaching and support staff, and our hardworking site team who made the campus look spotless. Finally, thank you to our parents and carers who faced local evening traffic to drop off and collect students. Your continued support makes events like this possible.

Next Steps for Prospective Families

If you missed our Open Evening or would like to experience our school during a normal learning day, we would love to welcome you back to campus.

Visiting us during one of our Open Morning Tours gives you the best sense of our calm, focused classrooms and friendly atmosphere.