Please find below some helpful reminders regarding our well-established uniform expectations. You can also refer to our uniform policy, which can be found on our website on the Parents & Carers / Uniform page, within the Uniform Policy / Dressing for Excellence link.

Our college uniform policy exists to encourage “a sense of equality and cohesion where clothing is not used to highlight levels of family income, create social hierarchies or label students as members of identity groups (other than religious) since this is at odds with the culture of the college.”

Considering this, we would like to highlight the following expectations:

1. School Shoes

Plain black flat leather (or faux leather) shoes of a formal and traditional style (no boots, trainers/sports shoes, canvas shoes or other footwear such as vans/converse/plimsolls or similar). Shoes must not display flashings or logos of any kind. Students with a medical note may be allowed to wear suitable alternatives (for a short period of time), but they will also need to be black and discreet. This should be agreed with the student’s pastoral lead or                     Mrs Verhofstadt, Director of Achievement & Behaviour, in advance of the college day.

2. School Skirt

Smart, pleated, grey skirt of knee length; not rolled or altered in anyway.

3. School Trousers

Smart, tailored, plain black trousers only. Plain style belts with small buckles are allowed.

4. School Jumpers

While the blazer is compulsory, an optional plain black V neck jumper (no logo) can be worn under the blazer but not instead of during colder seasons. Jumpers must not be worn during the summer term and the college will let students know each year when jumpers can and can’t be worn – this is at the Principal’s discretion.

5. School Socks

Socks must be black, in line with uniform expectations. Socks should be ankle or knee length. Students should bring spare socks on the days they have PE if they wish to wear white socks with their sports trainers.

6. School Bags

All bags should be sensible and practical and have the capacity to hold textbooks, folders and equipment. Fashion bags or designer bags / handbags are not permitted. Separate PE bags are encouraged to be used.

7. Hairstyles

Hair or hair extensions must be a natural colour. Haircuts must not be shorter than number 2. No extreme hairstyles or colours are permitted.

8. Overcoats/Jackets

A plain style in a single dark colour free of markings. No fashion jackets. Hooded sweatshirts/tops should not be brought into college. Students must wear their college blazers or carry it with them during warmer weather (announcements will be made when this will come into effect).

9. Make up

No makeup, nail polish or false nails/eyelashes.

10. Jewellery / Piercings

Students are allowed to wear a single small stud in each ear. The only jewellery that is allowed is a wristwatch, which must be an analogue watch and not a smartwatch.  Facial piercings are not permitted and will need to be removed.

Dressing in a smart and professional way prepares students for success in the wider world of further education and work. We work within the ‘St Bens sharp’ principle; ‘sharp tie’, ‘top button done up’, ‘Blazers on’, ‘skirts unrolled’, ‘shirts tucked in’.

We would like to thank you for your continued support in maintaining the high standards we expect in our college.

Yours faithfully

Mr G Muttock

Assistant Principal

As part of your child’s curriculum experience this year, certain aspects of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) will be taught in RE, Science and PSHE lessons in all year groups.

RSE Policy

Our Relationships and Sex Education policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons on these topics. Please find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Curriculum Guidelines

The programmes of study for RE and PSHE have been designed in accordance with the Curriculum Directory issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE Association and are appropriate for students’ age and maturity. We have followed closely the guidance given by the Brentwood Diocese in constructing our schemes of work. The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church informs our Sex Education programme in line with the college policy regarding such matters.

Parental Rights

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from some Sex Education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here: Electronic Form.

Response

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish your child to receive Relationships and Sex Education.

Dear Parents/Carers

We would like to remind you of our ongoing expectation that all students come to College fully equipped for effective learning.

Having the right tools for the job is essential for maximising learning time and improving academic performance. When students bring their own equipment lessons can start promptly without delays allowing for a more focused and efficient learning environment. Research shows that students who are fully prepared with their own equipment are more likely to stay engaged, participate actively and achieve higher grades.

To support your child in being fully prepared we ask that they bring the following items to College every day which is shown on the PDF attachment.

Equipment List

Starting today we encourage you to revisit expectations with your child and ensure they have all the necessary equipment for College. During the Easter break, please take the opportunity to restock on any needed items. In the first week back, we will conduct daily equipment checks to reinforce the importance of being prepared. Throughout the summer term we will implement a stepped approach to address any lack of equipment ensuring that all students are consistently prepared for effective learning.

We believe that being ready and well-organised not only boosts confidence but also reduces anxiety making students more likely to participate and contribute in class. Your support in ensuring your child has the correct equipment will greatly enhance their learning experience and help them develop valuable organisational skills.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education. Together we can empower our students to achieve their best!

Yours faithfully

Mr P Cretu

Assistant Principal

Dear parents and carers

Online Safety

As children all over the country return to school, it is important to ensure that they are safe online as they will be using apps and information from the internet on a regular basis.

We hope that you will find the information detailed below useful, and should you have any concerns about interactions that your child is engaging in online, please contact a member of our safeguarding team, and we will be happy to advise you.

Our safeguarding team is:

Mrs M Davis – Assistant Principal

Mrs S Pavey – Pastoral Lead

Miss R Wilson – Pastoral Lead

Monitoring your child online and advice for parents:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a child’s email on a Google account can be found at: https://support.google.com/families/answer/7103338?hl=en

Advice for parents regarding online risks can be found in a variety of places online, but we think the following websites are particularly useful: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/  11 - 13 year olds - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/11-13/  14 plus - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/14plus/

Setting up devices:

There are many different settings and devices to be aware of as a parent, and sometimes finding help in terms of monitoring these can be tricky. The ‘Internet Matters’ website has a range of useful guides to help and support parents in this – please find some of them below:

Gaming consoles and devices - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/  

Smartphones – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/smartphones-and-other-devices/  

Broadband and mobile networks – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/broadband-mobile/  

Entertainment and search engines – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/entertainment-search-engines/

Social Media:

Social media is often a minefield in terms of privacy settings and interactions online. Generally, all privacy settings have to be actively set up, rather than being automatically enabled when an account is created, and this changes frequently as platforms such as TikTok update their features. This clearly requires parents to be vigilant about the social media that their children are engaging with. Please discuss this with your child so they can understand the dangers and the safety measures that you are protecting them with.  Help and support with this can be found here: https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/

Online hate:

The internet can be a dangerous and hostile place – it is important that we equip our children to be able to understand how to keep themselves safe and how to challenge online hate.

Below is some helpful advice from the National College about how to challenge hate and how to report any online behaviours that are unacceptable. https://nationalcollege.com/guides/tackle-online-hate-england  https://nationalcollege.com/guides/digital-world-for-everyone  https://nationalcollege.com/guides/supporting-children-to-express-themselves

Gaming:

Parental knowledge of games and their online world is often much less than their children. There is a lot of peer pressure on children to be part of certain games online, and the website ‘Taming Gaming’ can provide some insight and support for parents at home. https://www.taminggaming.com

We do hope that you find this information to be of use and please do not hesitate to contact any member of the safeguarding or pastoral teams should you wish to discuss anything further.

Yours faithfully

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal – Safeguarding

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to clarify some early information that appeared on our website regarding an update to the college uniform for the new Year 7 intake from September 2026, and to offer reassurance.

In summary:

• No immediate changes and a phased approach
• Focus on affordability and simplicity
• Branded skirt and gradual transition

The information was shared prematurely and does not reflect finalised arrangements, which will be clarified as usual in our helpful ‘Dressing for Excellence’ booklet in due course. I would like to reassure families that no immediate or sudden changes are being introduced, and that any adjustments to uniform expectations will be small, carefully planned and phased in over time, with clear communication well in advance.

The updates are part of routine policy review and have been developed in line with government guidance, which asks schools to limit the number of branded items and to keep uniforms affordable and accessible. Our focus throughout has been on simplicity, value for money and practicality, whilst maintaining a smart and inclusive appearance. This is consistent with our existing approach, including our policy on avoiding expensive designer coats or bags.

Based on current prices, the changes would result in a modest overall reduction in cost:

• For smaller sizes, the total uniform cost would reduce from £69 to £67
• For larger sizes, the total cost would reduce from £82.25 to £76

In addition, the revised policy removes the requirement for approximately £40 of branded PE kit items, giving families greater flexibility to buy suitable alternatives from a range of retailers and to make use of hand-me-downs.

One small addition within the update is the introduction of a branded skirt, intended to provide a consistent, smart and practical option for students who choose to wear a skirt. It is important to stress that wearing a skirt will remain entirely optional. Smart, tailored trousers will continue to be an equally acceptable part of the uniform, and no current student will be expected to change the uniform items they have until a new item is needed.

To support families during the transition, an initial branded skirt will be provided free of charge to our current students in Years 7 to 10 who would like one. This ensures there is no immediate cost associated with this option.

All these changes are planned for the new Year 7 intake in September 2026, giving families plenty of time to prepare. Any transition will be gradual, and existing uniform and PE kit items will remain acceptable for a period of time. Clear guidance will be shared well in advance so families can plan with confidence.

As has always been the case, we will continue to make sensible and reasonable adjustments to uniform expectations during periods of extreme weather. This may include allowing students to wear a plain black V-neck jumper in particularly cold conditions or permitting the removal of ties and blazers during periods of excessive heat, to ensure students remain comfortable and able to learn effectively.

We recognise the financial pressures many families face and do not make changes lightly. Our intention is simply to streamline requirements, reduce reliance on branded items and ensure fairness and affordability, whilst maintaining the standards our community expects.

Further detailed information will be shared via our updated ‘Dressing for Excellence’ booklet in due course. I apologise for any confusion caused by the early circulation of information, and I thank you for your trust, patience and understanding as we take a measured and thoughtful approach to these updates.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs J E Santinelli
Principal

Dear Parents / carers

Further to my letter dated 22nd January 2026, we are now providing more details about the transition to a branded skirt.

From 1st July, only the College branded skirt will be able to be purchased as part of the College uniform.  Wearing a skirt remains optional and all students are able to wear trousers if they prefer.

In order to support this transition, the College will provide one new branded skirt per student free of charge.  Please ensure that you order a skirt by 1st July 2026, by completing the online form St Benedict's Skirt - Order – Fill in form  Once the skirt arrives in college, we will issue it to your child.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs J E Santinelli

Principal

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 7:

Theme: Growing up – how relationships change Lesson Description: Students explore how friendships and family relationships shift as they grow older, moving towards greater independence and responsibility. They consider how respect and kindness underpin healthy interactions, with a focus on preventing bullying and promoting inclusivity. Forms at the end of this unit will present to Senior Leadership a lesson on bullying and the strategies to prevent and ensure a bully-free form. This opportunity will offer the forms the ability to earn and be certified as a ‘bully-free form’.

Objectives:

· Understand how relationships change during adolescence.

· Identify qualities of respectful and supportive friendships.

· Recognise the impact of bullying and disrespectful behaviour on individuals and groups.

· Develop strategies for maintaining positive relationships and dealing with peer pressure.

Linked Content: Bully Free Form – Respect; Friendships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to inform you about the content of English lessons and English home learning for year 7 students as well as the pedagogy that underpins our approach. 

At St Benedict’s, we begin year 7 with a ‘fast-read’ of a fiction book. This approach is based on recent research from the University of Sussex, which involved English teachers reading novels at a faster pace than usual in 12 weeks. The researchers found that, as a result of this, students made 8.5 months’ average progress, with poorer readers making 16 months’ progress. 

Students’ reading age is something that we continuously work on improving in all year groups. This is important to access GCSEs in all subjects.  Students need a reading age of 15 years and 8 months to be able to fully access their GCSE papers in all subjects, including maths!  

One significant change from primary to secondary school is the volume of non-fiction texts students will read in almost every subject. This is a contributing consideration to the English department’s choice of the fiction novel – ‘October, October’ by Katya Balen - to help your child with their transition into secondary school.  You can read more about  the way the study was successful here. 

Your child might also talk to you about: 

Home Learning 

Whilst we are fast reading in class, students will be set home learning tasks that link to ‘October, October.’ These will be creative or reflective tasks that might ask students to give their opinion or create something in response to the novel, its characters and the ideas. This will normally take no more than 30 minutes per week.  In addition, all students are expected to complete 30 minutes careful reading per fortnight using Sparx Reader – this is part of our whole school literacy approach.  

Library Lessons  

Year 7 students will spend one of their lessons per fortnight in our college Library where they will be expected to read independently as well as regularly being provided with the opportunity to read aloud to a member of our support staff. Students may bring in a book from home to read for this lesson or they can borrow books from the wide selection we have available. 

The 200 Word Challenge 

We use one of our fortnightly lessons to complete ‘The 200 Word Challenge’ - students are given a brief for a piece of writing – it could be fiction or non-fiction.  They are asked to try to write 200 words in 25 minutes, building their stamina, confidence and knowledge of a range of genres and forms. 

We would encourage you to talk to your child about what they are reading and writing. Furthermore ask your child to read it out loud to you at home to practise their reading accuracy and auracy. Making confident readers is the bedrock of being successful students.  

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact your child’s English teacher, or me directly at p.bishop@Stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk. 

Yours sincerely

Mrs P Bishop 

Head of Communication Faculty

ACTIVITIES TRIP TO MERSEA CAMP Wednesday 8th July – Friday 10th July 2026

The college are delighted to offer year 7 students the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor and adventurous activities. It is our intention to take students to Mersea Outdoors centre for outdoor learning, enabling them to experience a wider range of physical activities. Here, students will be led by fully qualified instructors while enjoying a range of activities from; climbing, swimming, high ropes, low ropes, aerial runway, archery, mountain biking, adventure courses and various team building activities.  The opportunity will provide students with an excellent insight into activities that they may not have experienced before, allowing them to learn new skills.  Students will also be developing team building and social skills throughout the entire experience.

The total cost per student for the visit will be £225 which includes board, lodging and activities which is chargeable to parents. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself. Our preferred method of payment is using the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

In order to finalise our booking with Mersea Outdoors it is essential that we know the number of students who would like to take part. Therefore, we would be grateful if you could discuss the above-mentioned trip with your child. If you would like your child to attend the trip, please complete consent and other required information along with a non-refundable deposit of £45, to be paid via ParentPay by 30th November 2025.

The college would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending.  If you are concerned about meeting the cost of the trip please contact the Year 7 Pastoral Lead Mrs Barrett by 14th November 2025 to apply for financial assistance.

You will receive confirmation of your child’s place on the trip and details of four further instalments of £45 to be paid in accordance with the following schedule:

£45 by 31st December 2025

£45 by 30th January 2026

£45 by 28th February 2026

£45 by 31st March 2026

By applying for this trip, the college expects that parents feel that their child has the necessary sense of responsibility and general maturity to conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner throughout the duration of the trip.  The college reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct in the future, leading up to the trip, is unacceptable.

Below is a preliminary outline of the trip details:

§   VENUE:               Mersea Outdoor Centre, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8SX           

§   DATES:                    Wednesday 8th July – Friday 10th July 2026

§   TRAVEL:                Parents are required to drop off and collect students                                    directly from Mersea Outdoor Centre.

This is to ensure that the trip costs are kept to a minimum. It is anticipated that students will need dropping off on Wednesday 8th July at 8.45 am and collecting on Friday 10th July at 3.00 pm.

§   AGENDA:            Three days of activities and two nights camping. 

                              Equipment list to follow

·         COST:               £225 An initial deposit of £45 will be required to secure the booking.

If the trip is oversubscribed, a random ballot will be held to determine which students are offered places.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact either Trip Leader at St Benedict’s College.

Yours faithfully

Miss L Willett

Trip Leader

Dear Parent/Carer, Have Your Say Languages Competition – Wednesday 13th May 2026

We are delighted that your son/daughter was selected to represent the College in the finals of the Have Your Say Competition, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at Thomas Lord Audley School, Colchester CO2 8NJ.

Your son/daughter will be performing their own dialogue as well as reading an unseen dialogue with their partner against students from the three semi-final events taking place this month. As previously, students will perform their dialogues in front of a panel of judges and unfortunately spectators are not allowed.

Please note, this is not a College organised event. If you would like your son/daughter to take part please email me at I.lesto@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by Monday 27th April to confirm their attendance and that you are able to transport them to the venue by 4.15 pm and pick them up at approximately 6.30 pm on the day. Students must wear full College uniform.

Yours sincerely Ms Lesto Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationship education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 8:

Theme: Healthy relationships Lesson Description: Students learn what makes relationships (friendships, family, romantic) healthy, focusing on respect, trust, equality, and safety. They reflect on stereotypes around gender and challenge assumptions about how boys and girls "should" behave.

Objectives:

· Define the key characteristics of a healthy relationship.

· Identify unhealthy relationship patterns and where to seek help.

· Explore gender stereotypes and their impact on relationships.*

· Understand that respect must be mutual in all interactions.

Linked Content: Respecting You, Me, Us – CEOP lessons; How should genders behave in relationships?

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Dear Parent/Carer 

Year 8 trip to The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery – Friday 26th June 2026. 

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Globe Theatre and The Tate Modern Gallery in London on Friday 26th June 2026. 

The total cost of the trip will be £52.00. This covers the cost of entrance to The Globe Theatre where students will get the opportunity to tour the theatre and then participate in a workshop. In the afternoon we plan to take students to visit the Tate Modern Gallery. The students will depart from St Benedict’s at 8.00am and return at 5.00pm. Your child will need to be in college by 7.30 am on the day of the trip. You need to ensure arrangements are made to collect your child from the college at 5.00pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself. 

If you would like your child to take part, please go to the ParentPay website to provide consent and pay a deposit of £26.00. The second instalment of £26.00 will be due on 30th January 2026. We kindly ask you to pay the deposit by 19th December 2025. It is probable the trip will not take place unless all parents, who are able, confirm by the given deadlines. 

The College would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead, in confidence, to discuss whether some suitable arrangements can be made to assist with costs within one week of the date of this letter. 

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Time will be allowed during the afternoon to visit the gallery shop. Students wishing to purchase postcards or other small visual items to include in their studies, may wish to bring with them a small amount of money to spend; no more than £10 please. Students should wear College uniform but may wear trainers or other comfortable footwear in place of college shoes. 

We are confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students that will give them the opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and also to enhance their understanding of art and culture through their visit to Tate Modern. 

Yours faithfully 

Mrs P Bishop, Head of Communications Faculty and Mrs L Stewart-Thomas, Subject 

Co-ordinator of Art.

Dear Parent/Carer, Have Your Say Languages Competition – Wednesday 13th May 2026

We are delighted that your son/daughter was selected to represent the College in the finals of the Have Your Say Competition, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at Thomas Lord Audley School, Colchester CO2 8NJ.

Your son/daughter will be performing their own dialogue as well as reading an unseen dialogue with their partner against students from the three semi-final events taking place this month. As previously, students will perform their dialogues in front of a panel of judges and unfortunately spectators are not allowed.

Please note, this is not a College organised event. If you would like your son/daughter to take part please email me at I.lesto@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by Monday 27th April to confirm their attendance and that you are able to transport them to the venue by 4.15 pm and pick them up at approximately 6.30 pm on the day. Students must wear full College uniform.

Yours sincerely Ms Lesto Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 9:

Theme: Understanding relationships – consent and boundaries Lessons’ Overall Description: Students focus on consent, personal boundaries, and safe communication in different types of relationships. They explore the dangers of unsafe online content including pressures from peers, media, and pornography. They begin to critically assess unhealthy influences and learn to make informed, respectful decisions.

Objectives:

· Understand what consent means and why it is essential in all relationships.

· Learn how to communicate personal boundaries clearly and respect others’ boundaries.

· Evaluate the influence of pornography and media on expectations of sex and relationships. As well as the unhealthy nature of this content.

· Consider personal values and choices around sex, including delaying sexual activity.

Linked Content: Choices about sex and relationships

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here:  RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Year 9 & 10 Five-Day Pilgrimage to Rome

Friday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th October 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a pilgrimage to Rome for Year 9 and 10 students who wish to grow in their faith. We are working with NST School Trips to organise our itinerary and we will be staying at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel for the duration of our time in Rome. The itinerary will include daily Mass and moments of prayer as well as opportunities to explore the historical and spiritual city of Rome. We will be flying from London Stansted to Rome Ciampino and a coach will provide transport to and from the airports in London and Rome.

The total cost of the visit will be £1,220 per student. This covers the cost of all travel, four nights’ half-board accommodation at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel, excursions and admission fees. Should the College cancel the visit, a full refund will be made; however, all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

The maximum number of places available is 30 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

In order to confirm our booking with NST School Trips and secure our reservation, we will need a response from parents by Friday 26^th September at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £122 by the 26^th September. If your child is not offered a place on the trip the deposit will be refunded. We kindly ask you to use the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

Payment Schedule

• October 25^th 2025 – £122
• November 25^th 2025 – £122
• December 26^th 2025 – £122
• January 26^th 2026 – £122
• February 26^th 2026 – £122
• March 26^th 2026 – £122
• April 26^th 2026 – £122
• May 26^th 2026 – £122
• June 26^th 2026 – £122

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Contact if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Proposed Itinerary

Friday 2^nd October 2026:
Depart college and travel by coach to London Stansted airport. Students will need a packed lunch for the flight. After we arrive at the airport in Rome, a coach will take us to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and prayer service.

Saturday 3^rd October to Monday 5^th October 2026:
During the week, there will be daily Mass at various locations around Rome, as well as visits to:

• St Paul’s Outside the Walls
• The Colosseum
• Santa Maria Maggiore (resting place of Pope Francis)
• Basilica of St John Lateran
• St Peter’s Square (including Papal audience)
• Pantheon
• Trevi Fountain
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel

Friday 6^th October 2026:
Return home and scheduled arrival back at college in the late evening (subject to flight times and any traffic).

If you require any further information at this stage please contact me at the College. There will also be an information evening for parents in the Summer term, as we approach the date of departure. Please note that students will require their own passport, valid for at least three months from departure from the UK, and that it might be necessary for your child to obtain a visa for this visit. Information is available at: and .

The College reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable.

I am sure this pilgrimage will be a time of deep spiritual growth for our students—an opportunity to encounter their faith in a new and living way, to walk in the footsteps of saints, and to experience the universal Church at its heart. Our prayer is that this journey will inspire them to grow closer to God, strengthen their sense of vocation, and deepen their commitment to living out their faith in daily life.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Fusi
Lay Chaplain

Dear Parent/Carer,

Year 9 GCSE history trip to Battle Abbey and 1066 Battlefield tour on Thursday 25th June 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we have organised a visit to Battle Abbey (the site of the Battle of Hastings) for our Year 9 GCSE history students to complement the Paper 2 study of the Norman conquest. The day will include an expert-led GCSE tour of the 1066 battlefield to give our students a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Battle of Hastings. On this interactive walking tour of the site, the students will cover the causes of the Norman invasion, military equipment, tactics and technology, and the ways in which the Normans established and maintained control following their victory.

On 25th June 2026, students will travel to Battle by coach which will leave college at 7.45 am and should arrive back at college around 5 pm depending on traffic. The total cost of the visit will be £40 per student. This covers the cost of coach travel and the experience at the Abbey. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made; however, all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part in this visit, please pay £40 by 27th February 2026. The parental consent and medical form, which are available via ParentPay, also need to be completed.

The college would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead before 6th February and we will endeavour to assist.

The students will spend much of the day outside and should wear suitable clothing and footwear to prepare for inclement weather. Please also bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain. Your child will also require a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch.

I am sure that the visit will be an exciting and rewarding experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to gain a real insight into the story of the Norman conquest, which will support and enhance their GCSE knowledge.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs K Wallis
Head of Humanities

Dear Parents/Carers

From Friday 30th January 2026, students will have their final opportunity to register an interest in changing their Open Pathway subjects, subject to availability.

Students must complete a digital form; the link has been sent to their college email address. The form will be available from 8.00 am on Friday 30th January and will close at 8.00 am on Friday 6th February.

It is essential that students discuss any potential Pathway changes with:

their current subject teacher
their form tutor
the teacher responsible for the subject they wish to move to
and, most importantly, with you as parents/carers
 

All students must return a signed permission slip from a parent/carer to confirm that these discussions have taken place. Unfortunately, we will not accommodate any Pathway changes without this permission slip.

If a Pathway change is possible, students will receive their new timetable on Tuesday 24th February 2026. If a change cannot be accommodated, Ms Chase, the Raising Standards Leader, will speak with the students concerned to find a way forward.

In addition, during the second half of the spring term, further dialogue may take place between subject leaders, parents/carers, and students where necessary. Any Pathway changes during this period will be guided by these discussions.

For more information on this process, and to revisit the Pathways booklet, please click here.

You may also find the attached Pathway block visualisation helpful.

Yours faithfully

Mr P Cretu
Assistant Principal

Dear Parent/Carer, Have Your Say Languages Competition – Wednesday 13th May 2026

We are delighted that your son/daughter was selected to represent the College in the finals of the Have Your Say Competition, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at Thomas Lord Audley School, Colchester CO2 8NJ.

Your son/daughter will be performing their own dialogue as well as reading an unseen dialogue with their partner against students from the three semi-final events taking place this month. As previously, students will perform their dialogues in front of a panel of judges and unfortunately spectators are not allowed.

Please note, this is not a College organised event. If you would like your son/daughter to take part please email me at I.lesto@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by Monday 27th April to confirm their attendance and that you are able to transport them to the venue by 4.15 pm and pick them up at approximately 6.30 pm on the day. Students must wear full College uniform.

Yours sincerely Ms Lesto Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 9 Virtual Parents’ Evening – Thursday 30th April 2026

You are invited to attend the year 9 virtual parents’ evening on Thursday 30th April 2026 between 4.15 pm and 8.00 pm. Your son/daughter is also strongly encouraged to be present alongside you.

The evening will be facilitated through a video call system offered by the College’s intuitive and easy-to-use online appointment booking platform.  The system allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers which is then followed up by a confirmation email detailing your appointments.  There is no need to install an app, but you must ensure that your device is connected to the internet and you have a camera, speaker and microphone available (a mobile phone is suitable)*.

Please note that in order to maximise this opportunity to speak to as many parents/carers as possible, each appointment is a maximum of 5 minutes long, after which the system will automatically end your meeting.  These appointments form just one part of our broader home-college communication strategy. If you require a more in-depth conversation regarding your child’s progress, or if you were unable to book a suitable appointment, we encourage you to contact the college office. Our team will be happy to direct your query to the most appropriate member of staff.  

Please click this link for a quick demonstration of the software.

Appointments can be made from Monday 20th April 2026 at 6.00 pm and will close on Thursday 30th April 2026 at 4.00 pm.

Please visit https://stbenedictscollege.parentseveningsystem.co.uk to book your appointments.

Login with the following information:

·        Student’s preferred first name

·        Student’s preferred surname

·        Student’s date of birth

If you foresee any technical challenges that will prevent you from participating in the event please contact me, h.chase@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk  

The system allows for one other parent/carer to access the appointment for another location.  You can grant this access at the time of booking, or later if required.

If you are unable to attend the parents evening after making a booking, please log back into the system and cancel your appointments. This will allow other parents/carers who have not yet made appointments to use the available slots.

We look forward to seeing you on the evening to discuss your child’s academic progress and we appreciate your support in their learning journey.

Yours faithfully

Ms H Chase

Raising Standards Leader for Year 9

*Please note, it is not permitted to record virtual parents’ evening appointments without consent.  Any unauthorised recording constitutes a breach of the College’s Acceptable Use Policy. We respectfully request that all parties adhere to this.

Dear parent/carer

We are delighted to continue our heavily subsidised digital device scheme which we hope will provide an equity of access that supports all our GCSE students to have access to all the resources they need to study and revise for their GCSE exams while also equipping them for Further Education.

Once the laptops are distributed; students will be trusted to bring their device to and from college and are expected to use it during lessons as a means of enhancing learning and centralising notes and draft assignments and must take special care of the device especially when it’s in their bag.  We will not be able to replace damaged devices.  The college will provide access to filtered Wi-Fi, which will be monitored by our IT staff.  During lessons, student laptops will be monitored via the classroom cloud application, which enables our staff to monitor the screens of all laptops at any given time.  Out of lesson time, college staff will not be able to connect to the laptop.

We request that students take responsibility for charging their laptop each night at home, bringing it with them ready to use during the college day.  All documents should be stored on OneDrive, which is automatically backed up by our IT systems.  Teachers will use office 365 to collect work, assess work, and return it to students electronically.

Payment

We are heavily subsidising a Lenovo 100w (4th Gen) Laptop and asking all parents/carers to make a £75 contribution towards the costs of the device, via ParentPay.  As this item is available now, it would really help the college if you would make the contribution as soon as possible.  The device is yours to keep and will support your son/daughter through their post 16 study. 

If you are in a position to support further, you may make an additional contribution to support other students, and to reduce the cost of the subsidy to the college.  These items are available on ParentPay.

Remember, students may only bring the laptop to college, no other device will be permitted on the College WiFi.

We would also recommend that students purchase a protective case like the one linked below to help protect it while travelling to and from college. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapesco-1691-Germ-Savvy-Antibacterial-Laptop/dp/B09NYC27D2  We have created a user guide document that offers a range of advice on how to effectively use and take care of the laptop that we would encourage both you and your son/daughter to read.

 User Guide

This is an exciting opportunity that we really hope our students will take full advantage of.

Yours faithfully

Mr J Callaghan

Vice Principal

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 10:

Theme: Expectations in relationships Lessons Description: Students discuss expectations in romantic and intimate relationships, including communication, trust, and equality. Students are taught about the dangers of peer pressure and strategies in how to deal with unwanted expectations in relationships. They consider the challenges of managing conflict, pressures around sex, and how sexism and misogyny can harm relationships and society.

Objectives:

· Identify realistic and respectful expectations in intimate relationships.

· Understand strategies for managing conflict constructively.

· Recognise and challenge harmful attitudes, including sexism and misogyny.

· Explore the consequences of choices about sexual activity and contraception.

Linked Content: Communication and conflict; Managing conflict in a relationship; Dealing with difficulties in relationships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Year 9 & 10 Five-Day Pilgrimage to Rome

Friday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th October 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a pilgrimage to Rome for Year 9 and 10 students who wish to grow in their faith. We are working with NST School Trips to organise our itinerary and we will be staying at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel for the duration of our time in Rome. The itinerary will include daily Mass and moments of prayer as well as opportunities to explore the historical and spiritual city of Rome. We will be flying from London Stansted to Rome Ciampino and a coach will provide transport to and from the airports in London and Rome.

The total cost of the visit will be £1,220 per student. This covers the cost of all travel, four nights’ half-board accommodation at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel, excursions and admission fees. Should the College cancel the visit, a full refund will be made; however, all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

The maximum number of places available is 30 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

In order to confirm our booking with NST School Trips and secure our reservation, we will need a response from parents by Friday 26^th September at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £122 by the 26^th September. If your child is not offered a place on the trip the deposit will be refunded. We kindly ask you to use the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

Payment Schedule

• October 25^th 2025 – £122
• November 25^th 2025 – £122
• December 26^th 2025 – £122
• January 26^th 2026 – £122
• February 26^th 2026 – £122
• March 26^th 2026 – £122
• April 26^th 2026 – £122
• May 26^th 2026 – £122
• June 26^th 2026 – £122

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Contact if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Proposed Itinerary

Friday 2^nd October 2026:
Depart college and travel by coach to London Stansted airport. Students will need a packed lunch for the flight. After we arrive at the airport in Rome, a coach will take us to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and prayer service.

Saturday 3^rd October to Monday 5^th October 2026:
During the week, there will be daily Mass at various locations around Rome, as well as visits to:

• St Paul’s Outside the Walls
• The Colosseum
• Santa Maria Maggiore (resting place of Pope Francis)
• Basilica of St John Lateran
• St Peter’s Square (including Papal audience)
• Pantheon
• Trevi Fountain
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel

Friday 6^th October 2026:
Return home and scheduled arrival back at college in the late evening (subject to flight times and any traffic).

If you require any further information at this stage please contact me at the College. There will also be an information evening for parents in the Summer term, as we approach the date of departure. Please note that students will require their own passport, valid for at least three months from departure from the UK, and that it might be necessary for your child to obtain a visa for this visit. Information is available at: and .

The College reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable.

I am sure this pilgrimage will be a time of deep spiritual growth for our students—an opportunity to encounter their faith in a new and living way, to walk in the footsteps of saints, and to experience the universal Church at its heart. Our prayer is that this journey will inspire them to grow closer to God, strengthen their sense of vocation, and deepen their commitment to living out their faith in daily life.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Fusi
Lay Chaplain

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to a London art gallery, Les

Misérables and a French church on Thursday 21st May 2026.

The total cost of the trip will be £73.00. This covers the cost of transport to and from college

on the day as well as tickets to see the West End Production of Les Misérables. At the art

gallery, students will learn about the works and lives of French master artists through fun

group-based activities. In the West End students will have the opportunity to watch the iconic

musical based on French author Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, which is set in a

significant period of French history and explores the themes of social justice, kindness and

forgiveness. At the French-speaking Notre Dame de France church, students will learn about

the church’s mission and refugee work in London. I am confident that this trip will be an exciting

and rewarding experience for students and an opportunity for them to engage with French

culture beyond the classroom.

We will depart St Benedict’s at 8.00am by coach and return to college by 7.30pm.  Should the

College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies paid are non-refundable

should you cancel the place yourself. In the event that the trip is oversubscribed, places will

be allocated by ballot.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay a deposit of £36.50 by

Thursday 30th April 2026 the second payment of £36.50 will be due on 31st August 2026.

If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable

that the trip will not be able to go ahead.  Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay

process. 

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within

one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail

themselves of this enrichment opportunity.  

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be

provided with a packed lunch. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the day. 

Yours faithfully

Ms Lesto

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Year 10 GCSE Geography Trip

Stratford, London – Tuesday 16th June 2026

We are writing to inform you about an important upcoming fieldwork day for all Year 10 GCSE Geography students. As part of the GCSE Geography course, students are required to undertake fieldwork in both physical and human geography. This is a compulsory component of the curriculum and will be assessed in their Paper 3 examination in May/June 2027.

Human Geography Fieldwork Day – Stratford, London

• Date: Tuesday 16th June 2026
• Location: Stratford, East London
• Purpose: To investigate urban regeneration and its impacts on people and the environment.

This fieldwork experience is essential for students to develop the skills and understanding required for their final exam. It will involve data collection, analysis, and evaluation of urban change in a real-world context. Students will be expected to complete follow-up work in class and at home, which will form the basis of their examination responses.

Cost of the trip: £26.50 payable by 28th February 2026
(This covers travel, insurance, and any necessary materials.)

Students will travel together with staff via coach and will be supervised throughout the day. Further details regarding timings, what to bring, and consent forms will be sent closer to the date.

Important: Attendance on this day is crucial. If a student does not participate in the fieldwork, they will be at a significant disadvantage in their final examination.

The college would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students have an opportunity to attend.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Geography Department if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,
Mr G Muttock
Assistant Principal and Trip Leader

Year 10 Religious Education: Trip to Jewish East London – Monday 6th July 2026.

We are excited to inform you that we are planning an enriching educational trip for Year 10 students to Jewish East London on the 6th of July 2026. This trip will provide students with an invaluable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Judaism, directly supporting and enhancing their current GCSE Religious Education studies. The day will include a walking tour covering key Jewish sites and landmarks, along with a deep dive into Sandy Row Synagogue’s history and worship today. This trip is designed to help students engage with the practical and lived aspects of Jewish faith and culture.

The trip will include a visit to Sandy Row Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in the UK still in use today. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the historical significance of the synagogue and its important role in Jewish worship and community life. Additionally, the day will feature a guided walking tour, around the historic East End of the city of London (Spitalfields) where 18th and 19th century Jewish migrants found their home and settled. This walking tour will also explore significant landmarks in Jewish East London, providing further context and insights into the Jewish community’s history and development in the area.

The total cost of the trip will be £50.00 which covers transport to and from the location, as well as the guided walking tour, synagogue entrance fee and workshop. The itinerary for the day will include: • A guided walking tour of Jewish East London, exploring key sites and their historical significance in Jewish life. • A visit to Sandy Row Synagogue, including an opportunity to explore its history and significance in Jewish worship and community. • Time for reflection and discussion, enriching students’ understanding of the Jewish faith, which is key to their GCSE studies (Judaism: Paper 3). • Lunch break at Spitalfields Market with an opportunity to explore the market and shop.

This trip offers an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of Judaism and enhance their GCSE Religious Education studies by exploring core beliefs, practices, and the history of one of the major world religions. It will also provide valuable context for their future GCSE studies, particularly in the areas of religious communities, practices, and interfaith relations.

We will depart from St Benedict’s at 8.00 am and return to college by 6.30 pm.

If you would like your child to take part, please make payment via ParentPay by Friday 17th April 2026. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by this date, the trip may not go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process. There are limited places available, and in case of oversubscription, places will be allocated by ballot.

The college reserves the right to refuse a place to any student whose conduct leading up to the trip is deemed unacceptable.

The college is committed to ensuring that no student is excluded from this trip due to financial constraints. If you need assistance, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter, and we will do our best to offer support. Students will need to bring a packed lunch; this will be provided for students who are eligible for free school meals. Students should wear the College’s uniform for the trip; however plain trainers are allowed to be worn for comfort in walking.

If you have any queries about the trip, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at trips@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk or by calling the college office on 01206 549222.

Mr J Lammens Acting Head of Religious Education St Benedict’s Catholic College

Dear Parent/Carer, Have Your Say Languages Competition – Wednesday 13th May 2026

We are delighted that your son/daughter was selected to represent the College in the finals of the Have Your Say Competition, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at Thomas Lord Audley School, Colchester CO2 8NJ.

Your son/daughter will be performing their own dialogue as well as reading an unseen dialogue with their partner against students from the three semi-final events taking place this month. As previously, students will perform their dialogues in front of a panel of judges and unfortunately spectators are not allowed.

Please note, this is not a College organised event. If you would like your son/daughter to take part please email me at I.lesto@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by Monday 27th April to confirm their attendance and that you are able to transport them to the venue by 4.15 pm and pick them up at approximately 6.30 pm on the day. Students must wear full College uniform.

Yours sincerely Ms Lesto Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 11:

Theme: Challenges in adult relationships Lessons Description: Students consider long-term relationship challenges such as break-ups, domestic abuse as well as being taught about secular norms of pregnancy choices, and abortion. This content was already ethically covered in Year 10, RE GCSE content. Students will learn about support services and reflect on the importance of respect, equality, and responsibility in adult relationships.

Objectives:

· Recognise the signs of abusive or controlling behaviours and know where to seek help.

· Understand the options and challenges related to pregnancy and abortion decisions.

· Explore how to cope with relationship breakdowns and emotional difficulties.

· Appreciate the importance of equality, commitment, and respect in adult life.

Linked Content: Dealing with difficulties in relationships; Abortion and pregnancy choices.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

GCSE Contingency Date

The Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) have released their key dates for 2026 and have set

their contingency day as Wednesday 24th June 2026. This will be the last date that any exam can take place should any exam have to be moved from its original date or time.

The JCQ states: “The designation of a ‘contingency day’ within the common examination timetable is in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations. It is part of the awarding bodies’ contingency planning for examinations”.

Students are advised to stay available up to and including Wednesday 24th June 2026 should an awarding body need to invoke its contingency plan.

The full GCSE examination timetable for Summer 2026 has been published on the exams page of the college website. Students will be able to view their individual timetables from March 2026.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me via email; c.adams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Ms C Adams

Examinations Officer

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 11 - Passport to Prom

In assembly this week, we introduced Passport to Prom’ to our year 11 students.

We encouraged our students to make the most of this academic year and urged

them to regard their prom as a celebration having given their utmost during year 11 and in their mock and GCSE examinations.

We also reminded them that success at GCSE is best achieved with a positive attitude and a commitment to study both at home and in college. We feel this is the perfect time to launch this support programme to ensure that the weeks between November mocks and the Christmas break are as meaningful and purposeful as possible.

The passport will recognise and reward the achievements and efforts of our students during their remaining time at St Benedict’s, giving them the opportunity to take part in this special event. As a parent/carer, you can monitor their progress via our Class Charts app. Students must have an overall positive point score in order to attend prom. Form tutors and class teachers will encourage students to work to the best of their abilities.

Year 11 students can earn ‘prom’ points by:

· Being awarded as ‘learning champion’ in lessons

· Being on time to morning registration, all lessons and mock exams

· Regularly attending period six revision classes

· Meeting deadlines for home learning

· Timely and successful completion of coursework and non-examined assessment (NEA)

· Going above and beyond in their revision

· Ensuring their attendance is as good as possible (95%+)

Any serious breach of our behaviour code could result in a students’ prom passport being revoked. We’ll be particularly monitoring antisocial behaviour both inside and outside of college. The criteria used for the ‘Passport to Prom’ will be measured from Monday 10th November 2025 up until students begin their GCSE exams. All year 11 students will start afresh when it comes to attendance and behaviour points from this date to give them every chance to succeed. Final decisions regarding attendance to the prom will be made by the Principal and individual circumstances will always be taken into consideration.

Please click here to confirm you have read and understood the above information. Responses must be received by Monday 2nd December.

We wish all our year 11 students the very best for their final months here and we hope they achieve the goals they have set for themselves. If you have any questions, please contact either of us here at the college.

Yours faithfully

Mr G Muttock, Mrs A Verhofstadt

Assistant Principal, Director of achievement and behaviour

Year 11 three-day Christmas market trip to Northern France – Friday 4th December to Sunday 6th December 2026 

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a Christmas market trip to Northern France for our year 11 students of French. We are working with Halsbury Travel to organise our itinerary and will be staying at the Auberge de Jeunesse HI Amiens for the duration of the visit. Our students will be encouraged to speak French throughout the stay and we are sure they will enjoy using the language in lots of different situations. We will travel by ferry and coach and then go on excursions and local trips during our stay, including visits to a Christmas Market, a biscuit and sweet factory, the historical Wellington Quarry at Arras and Amiens cathedral. 

The total cost of the visit will be £350.00 per student. This covers the cost of all coach travel, two nights’ full board accommodation at the Auberge de Jeunesse HI Amiens, excursions and admission fees. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself. 

The maximum number of places available is 60 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity. In order to confirm our booking with Halsbury Travel and secure our reservation we will need a response from parents by the 8th December 2025 at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £60.00 by the 8th December 2025. 

If your child is not offered a place on the trip the deposit will be refunded. We kindly ask you to use the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card. The remaining payments for this trip will be due in instalments as follows: 

30th January 2026 £58.00 28th February 2026 £58.00 31st March 2026 £58.00 30th April 2026 £58.00 31st May 2026 £58.00 

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Please contact the college within one week 

of the date of this letter, if making the payments on time causes you difficulties. We will try to assist you where possible. 

Our proposed itinerary is as follows (this may be subject to change and we will of course send you a final itinerary nearer the time): 

Friday 4th December 2026: 

Depart College and travel by coach for the crossing to Calais. Students will need a packed lunch for the journey. From Calais, we will continue to the youth hostel in Amiens, with a visit to a biscuit factory on the way. After settling in we will have our first evening meal. 

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December 2026: 

Visits to: 

• Amiens – tour of old town and cathedral 

• Christmas market 

• Sweet factory 

• Wellington Quarry 

Sunday 6th December 2026 

Return home and scheduled arrival back at college before 9pm (subject to traffic and any changes in timings by the ferry operator). 

If you require any further information at this stage please contact me at the College. There will also be an information evening for parents in the Autumn term, as we approach the date of departure. Please note that students will require their own passport, valid for at least three months from departure from the UK, and that it might be necessary for your child to obtain a visa for this visit. Information is available at: 

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport 

https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/ 

The College reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable. 

I am sure that the trip will be an exciting experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to practise their French, to get to know more about French culture and way of life. 

Yours faithfully 

Ms Lesto 

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dear Parent/Carer

GCSE Statement of Entry

Students have been issued with their Summer 2026 GCSE statements of entry during assembly this morning.  We ask that students and parents check all of the information provided. 

Students can also view this on Edulink.

Please check that all of the subjects that students are expecting to sit are listed and that they are entered for the correct tier where applicable.  You should also pay attention to their personal information as this will be printed on their GCSE certificates and can be costly to amend once printed by the awarding bodies. Names will appear without a ‘middle’ name.

Any amendments to entries made after 27th February may incur a fee from the awarding bodies.

Information on the examination boards and their entry codes can be found in the exams section of the College website.

If you think that there may be an error on your child’s statement of entry, or you require any further information on any aspects of the examination process please do not hesitate to contact me via email: c.adams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

Yours faithfully

Ms C Adams

Examinations Officer

 Dear Parent/Carer

Please find attached the Student and Parent Examinations Handbook for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Student and Parent Examination handbook

We are required to provide all students, parents, and carers with this information, and we strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with its contents. In particular, please pay close attention to the information for candidates from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). This information is also available on the exams page of the college website within the subheading ‘JCQ Information for Candidates’.

If you require any further information regarding any aspect of the examination process, please refer to the ‘Exams’ information page on the college website. Alternatively, you are most welcome to contact me via email at c.adams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Ms C Adams
Examinations Officer

Leavers Mass – Wednesday 29th April 2026

We are delighted to invite you to your child’s final family Mass, the leavers’ Mass. This celebration will take place on Wednesday 29th April 2026 from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Refreshments will be available afterwards.

At this Mass we will be remembering our time together at St Benedict’s, whilst celebrating the partnership between students, teachers and parents/carers that has become the ‘class of 2025’. College musicians and choir will be providing the musical accompaniment. As well as celebrating the past, we will be looking to the future and preparing spiritually for the examination season.

Please note that students should be in correct college uniform and we would be grateful if all guests for this special occasion be seated in the Manning Hall by 5.55 pm at the latest.

Please complete the online form here by Monday 20th April 2026.

Prom – Friday 3rd July 2026
The prom is the final chance for our students to see each other, say their goodbyes and take away fond and lasting memories of their time at St Benedict’s.

This year’s prom will take place at JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester CO4 5UP on Friday 3rd July 2026 from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm.

The cost of the prom will be £49.50 which will include a ‘mocktail’ on arrival, a buffet meal and disco.  Payment for the prom should be made through ParentPay.  A place at the prom will only be secured once payment is made.  If you are unsure of your ParentPay details, please contact the office.  If there are any concerns regarding payment arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact the college.

The deadline for payment is Monday 20th April 2026.  Should any student not meet the ‘Passport to the Prom’ criteria, the cost of the prom ticket will be refunded.

We look forward to welcoming you and your year 11 child to these special occasions.

Yearbook

The yearbook will be produced as a hardback and filled with memories of the students’ time at St Benedict’s.  The cost of the book will be £16.75.  The yearbooks will be available to collect on GCSE results day in August.

L eavers’ hoodie

Hoodies are available to purchase at £21.95 in a standard design which includes embroidering of the college crest on the front and printing of the names of all students in the year group on the reverse.  You can personalise the top line of the hoodie on the reverse side, for example with a surname or nickname at no additional cost. The hoodies will be Royal Blue.

When ordering the hoodie on ParentPay, you will be required to complete the following information before making the payment:
·         Size required - Small - 36” Medium - 40” Large - 44” XL - 48”

·         Details of any personalisation for the reverse

If your child would like a hoodie, we suggest that you measure your child to ensure the correct size is ordered. Please note that if the wrong size is ordered it cannot be returned to the supplier.

We anticipate hoodies will be available for students to collect around May half term.

If you would like to purchase a yearbook and/or hoodie for your child, please pay using ParentPay by Monday 20th April 2026.  Please note that we are unable to accept any orders after this deadline.

If you have any queries regarding the yearbook or the hoodies, please do not hesitate to contact Miss C Hughes by telephoning the College office.

Yours faithfully

Mr J McCourt                          Mr T Fusi

RSL for Year11                       Lay Chaplain

Dear Parent/Carer

We look forward to welcoming you to our year 11 leavers Mass on Wednesday 29th April 2026 from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm.  There are a number of other reminders I need to share with you and thought it would be helpful to have them all in the same letter, well in advance.  Please see a summary of all key details and information in the attached table.  This information will also be shared with students.

During the Easter holidays we are offering GCSE revision provisions as follows:

·        French on Wednesday 8th April 2026 from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm with a 15-minute break at 11.20 am.

·        Our four core subjects (English, maths, science and RE) on Thursday 9th April and Friday 10th April 2026.  Core revision sessions will be offered as a three-group rotation from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm with a 15-minute break at 11.20 am.

Students should arrive from 9.15 am and wait at the picnic tables in the outdoor dining area.  From there, teaching staff will organise the students into three groups to support with the rotation. We expect all students to be punctual to all sessions they attend and work in the groups allocated.  As our kitchen is closed, we advise students to bring their own refreshments.  A digital sign-up form will be sent to all year 11 students by email in order for them to indicate which days they can attend.  Details and the timetable will be shared in our weekly newsletter.

Attendance at college remains compulsory until Friday 12th June 2026.  Please note, all students have a science exam on the morning of Monday 15th June 2026.  There are exams for Spanish on Tuesday 16th June 2026 therefore, students entered for this subject only need attend for these exams and can leave site immediately after their exam finishes.

Our carefully crafted timetable of GCSE support, including revision breakfast sessions and study masterclasses is in addition to your child’s existing, five-period day.  This has been put together to effectively support our young people in the final days and hours before these pivotal examinations.  Our experienced pastoral team are available throughout the day to support students with their well-being as they navigate this challenging time in their learning journey.

I am sure you recognise the importance to the College for any books loaned to students to be returned and we would be most grateful for your cooperation with this.  In order to make the process as straightforward as possible, we have designated Tuesday 16th June 2026 as a suitable day for this to happen when students are invited into college from 2.00 pm for their leaver’s assembly.

I appreciate that there are a few examinations taking place after this date and that books will still be needed for revision.  These books can, of course, be handed in later, after the examinations in those subjects.  While college laptops can be kept, if you feel it won’t be used, please return it to college so we can put it to good use. Students who had lockers are also asked to return locker keys to the office on this day.

Should you wish to have any catering balance refunded, please email admin@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by Friday 26th June 2026.  Please be aware that once the refund has been processed in ParentPay, you will need to login to your ParentPay account and request that the balance is refunded to you.  Requested refunds for catering balances will be processed by the beginning of August.  You will receive an email to confirm that this has been done.  Any balances not returned will be donated to the college support fund, which is used to support trips and visits.

This year the Prom will take place at JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester CO4 5UP on Friday 3rd July 2026 from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm.

Year 11 examination results will be issued in the Manning Hall from 8.30 am – 10.00 am on Thursday 20th August 2026.

If your son/daughter is unable to collect their results in person, they should email admin@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk from their St Benedict’s email address to inform us of the email address they would like their results sent to.  In this instance, results will be emailed out to students on the afternoon of results day.  Alternatively, if they would like someone to collect their results, they will need to provide written consent confirming the name of the person they are authorising to collect them.  It will not be possible to provide results over the phone.

We will share results with resident and non-resident parents on request.  Such a request will need to be made by emailing admin@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk and will be forwarded to our data protection team to respond.  We will only share anonymised results with the press without consent.

Finally, our GCSE Presentation Evening will be held on Thursday 26th November 2026, when students and their families are invited to return to receive their GCSE certificates.  Further details of this event will be sent to you in due course, but advance notice is always helpful.

As with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me with any specific concerns via my Personal Assistant, Miss Crawford, via the College office.

Thank you as always for your continued support.

Yours faithfully

Mrs J E Santinelli

Principal

Attached: Table of key dates and information

Dear Parents and Carers, 
 
Please remember if your child is not certain about your application status with your further education provider, please contact their admission team directly as soon as possible. Some colleges have their own portals where you can access and check the status of your application and what to do next. 
 
The following information outlines what happens for each setting on results day, Thursday 20th August 2026. 
 
Colchester Institute: What happens next (based on official guidance) 
Applicants receive an enrolment email on results day with instructions. 
Students must upload evidence of their results (photos/screenshots of all grades). 
If unhappy with grades, students can use the Post‑Results Service (for reviews, appeals). 
 
Colchester Sixth Form College: What happens next 
If you are happy with your results, just wait for the enrolment day and bring your results with you. If you need support or your results are not what you expected, please contact the Admission Team. Check the Sixth Form college website for any updates. 
Students bring or upload their GCSE results during enrolment dates. If you have met your course criteria, please contact the Sixth Form College. 
Your place is confirmed once the college checks your grades meet the course requirements. 
If grades don’t match your chosen subjects, staff will help you choose alternatives. 
Students may need to attend an enrolment appointment or complete online steps depending on the year’s process. 
 
CRGS and CCHSG: What Year 11s should do next 
Collect and check your results carefully. Make sure all subjects and grades are present. 
Confirm your Sixth Form place by following the school’s enrolment instructions. 
Prepare your subject choices. If your grades differ from expectations, staff will help you adjust your programme. 
Keep copies of your results (photos or scans) for future applications or ID checks. 
Ask for support if grades were unexpected — teachers can advise on post‑results services or next steps. 
 
For others colleges/further education providers, please contact their Admission Team or check their website for updates. 
 
Kind regards, 
 
Mrs A Martin 
Careers Officer 

Dear Parents/Carers

The following communication has been shared with your child, please discuss this with them.

Non-Examination Assessment Marks

Your Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) results are now available to view via the Documents tab on EduLink (excluding Art & Design and/or Textiles, these will be issued at a later date).

At this stage, the College cannot confirm what grade the mark will equate to, as grade boundaries are not released until results day in August.

Once internally marked and standardised, coursework is externally moderated by the awarding body to ensure national consistency. This moderation process can lead to mark changes, which are outside the College’s control. Any such changes will be reflected in the final results issued in August.

We recognise the hard work and dedication students have shown. However, marks are awarded strictly according to the exam board’s assessment criteria.

Please note, appeals can only be based on how the assessment was conducted, not on disagreement with the professional judgement of staff. College staff are trained to conduct marking and standardisation accurately and consistently.  During a review, marks may go down, stay the same, or increase. An independent assessor with no prior involvement in the original marking will evaluate whether the marking was carried out in line with exam board procedures. This is a review of the original marking and standardisation to ensure that the assessment criteria have been fairly, reliably and consistently applied. It is not a re-mark of a candidates’ work.

If you are unhappy with any of the marks awarded, please email me directly exams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk by 2.30pm on 28th April 2026. For more information regarding the examination process or results, please visit the Examinations section of the College website.

Yours faithfully,

Ms C Adams

Examinations Officer

Dear Parents and Carers

As we approach the GCSE examination season, we are writing to share with you details of the comprehensive support programme we are putting in place to help all our students perform at their very best during this pivotal period in their education. We are immensely proud of the commitment shown by our students and staff, and we remain fully focused on providing calm, structured and purposeful support right up to the final examination.

For every morning examination, students are invited to attend Breakfast Revision from 8.00 am. These sessions provide a quiet, focused opportunity to recap key content with specialist staff, and we ensure students are nourished with complimentary refreshments available to help them start the day positively.

For afternoon examinations, students will benefit from a subject masterclass delivered by the Head of Subject or subject specialist in the Manning Hall from 11.40 am – 12.40 pm. These sessions are carefully planned to reinforce key knowledge, examination technique and essential last-minute tips to boost confidence immediately before the exam. Following this, students are supervised during an earlier lunch period, where they can revise independently or with friends while also eating lunch before their exam begins at 1.25 pm.

Strong attendance and punctuality during the GCSE examination season are absolutely vital. Being in college ensures students have access to expert guidance, structured revision opportunities and reassurance from our academic and pastoral teams. While we understand that some students feel they study better from home, our experience and data clearly show that students whose attendance dropped during the exam period underperformed when compared with those who fully engaged with the support we provide. Consistency, routine and professional support make a measurable difference, and we therefore strongly encourage students to attend college every day and arrive on time so they can perform at their optimum.

All staff will be available to support students until the very last moment, and we are fully committed to ensuring every student feels prepared and confident going into each examination. As outlined in the week-by-week support schedule, our focus is on maximising in-college learning and structured revision during this crucial time.

On Friday 22nd May, students not sitting PE, Turkish Writing or Italian Reading examinations will be permitted to study from home, as it is the final day before the summer half-term. Any students who wish to revise in college on that day will be supervised in the college library.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and encouragement of our students. We wish all our GCSE candidates and their families the very best of luck during the examination season, and we look forward to celebrating their success with you.

Yours faithfully

Mr J Callaghan

Associate Principal

Y11 Exam timetable with revision sessions 2026