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Friday 21 November 2025

School calendar

 Term dates 


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w/c Monday 24 November 2025 – Week B

   
Tuesday 25 November Early finish for all students – 12.50pm
Wednesday 26 November Kids College – 3.45pm to 5.00pm
Wednesday 26 November Year 9 Ypres trip departing from school – 7.15am
Thursday 27 November Year 7 Academic review online meeting – 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Friday 28 November Year 9 Ypres trip returning to school – 7.45pm

Dates to Remember


Together for Denefield – Building a Legacy for Our Students

As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of Denefield in September 2026, we are inviting our community to help us build a lasting legacy for our students.

Government funding covers the essentials, but it does not provide the extras that strengthen our students' experience of school. To mark this milestone, we have launched the Denefield 50 Appeal, with a goal of raising £50,000 to improve student spaces, sports facilities and enrichment opportunities. The School Council will help prioritise how the funds are used.

Examples of possible improvements include more outdoor seating and covered social areas, updates to sports facilities and further investment in extra-curricular clubs.

Every contribution matters. Monthly donations of £5, £20 or £100 help us plan ahead, and one-off gifts are equally valued. Together, these contributions will support current students and those who join us in the years to come.

To support our appeal, please click on the button below. 

Denefield 50

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us make Success for Life a reality for every student.


Edurio Parent/Carer Stakeholder Survey

We are constantly trying to improve the education that we offer our students at Denefield. Therefore, we invite students, parents/carers, and staff to tell us how well they think we are doing, and to suggest improvements in the areas that are important.

By completing the questionnaire for each child that you have at Denefield, you will be informing us about how you think we could be spending our time and resources, to make our school the best that it can be for all students.

Each completed questionnaire is vital in finding out what parents/carers think. Your answers will be treated with the strictest confidence and will make a difference to how we operate the school and plan for the future.

In addition to the parent/carer survey, all students in Years 7 to 13 have been invited to complete the survey for themselves. Exceptionally, students will be asked to use their mobile phones, under close supervision, to complete this survey during tutor time. Students without mobile phones who wish to complete the survey need to speak with their tutor and an alternative method will be made available.

The last date to complete the survey is Friday 28 November 2025.

Click the button below to complete the survey. 

Parents/Carers Stakeholder Survey


Club of the Week

This week we are highlighting our Textiles club. This is an ideal space for students who enjoy designing and exploring different textile techniques. 

The club gives students the chance to learn new skills, experiment with different materials and work on their own projects in a relaxed and friendly environment.

This club is run by Miss Simpson every Thursday during lunchtime in room M105. Students from all year groups are welcome to join by going straight to M105.

We have many more exciting extra-curricular clubs. Click the button below to see the timetable.

Extra-curricular Timetable


Denefield Events

Denefield Sixth Form Open Evening

We were delighted to welcome prospective Sixth Form students and their parents/carers to Denefield on Thursday 20 November for our Open Evening.

The evening began with a warm introduction from our Head of Sixth Form, Mr Peacock. He shared an overview of the wide range of courses on offer and highlighted the many opportunities available to students during their time in Sixth Form.

Some of our Year 13 students, including our Head Students, then spoke about their own journeys. They talked about the supportive culture within the Sixth Form, the confidence they have gained and the leadership roles they now hold. Their experiences gave visitors a clear picture of what life at Denefield Sixth Form feels like.

Our Headteacher, Mr Towill, closed the presentations by thanking families for attending and emphasised our commitment to helping every student thrive and achieve their goals.

After the talks, visitors made their way to the Da Vinci area, which featured displays of different subjects. Staff and student helpers were available throughout the evening to answer questions and guide students through the different courses and pathways on offer.

A huge thank you to all staff and students who helped make this year’s Sixth Form Open Evening a welcoming and informative event. We are grateful to all the families who joined us. It was wonderful to meet you and share what our Sixth Form has to offer.

 

Year 8 Success for Life 

This week, West Berkshire Council visited Year 8 during their Success for Life lesson to present Hooked, a skit designed to raise awareness of the risks linked to vaping and smoking. The play helped students understand how these habits can affect their health, concentration and wellbeing, and why the Government is continuing to strengthen laws to protect young people from early nicotine use.

Students also took part in a question-and-answer session, where they learnt more about making safe choices and resisting peer pressure. It was a valuable and engaging lesson that supported our ongoing work to promote positive decision-making and healthy lifestyles.

We would like to thank West Berkshire Council for delivering this important session to our students.


Denefield Vacancies

Click on the advert below to apply.


Help needed for our School Show

Our Creative and Performing Arts faculty is busy preparing for this year's school show, and we are looking for support from our community.

If you are a scaffolder who could help us with part of our set design, or you are skilled in woodwork and would enjoy helping to build our stage piece, we would love to hear from you.

Although we have a limited budget, we will be happy to recognise your contribution and promote your business in our show programme.

If you are interested or know someone who might be able to help, please contact Mr Shaw at shw@denefield.org.uk.


The Wellbeing Hub

Read the blog here: Login - The Wellbeing Hub


Community News

 

Reading Football Club – Discounted Tickets for Denefield Families

Reading FC are inviting Denefield families to their Schools & Grassroots fixture this Saturday, where they will be playing against Rotherham United. This is the club’s final home Saturday game of the season, and families can enjoy several activities throughout the day, including a family fun zone, Premier League action on the big screen and a pre-match pyro show. There will also be a free fireworks display inside the stadium after the match.

Denefield families can access discounted tickets using the code #DenefieldSchool when booking online. Prices with the discount are:

  • 13 and under: £1

  • 14 to 17: £5

  • 18 to 24: £10

  • 65 and over: £10

  • Adults: £15

There is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase with the code. However, this offer applies to tickets in the Eamonn Dolan Stand blocks and Y19/Y20 of the Sir John Madejski Stand only and tickets are selling fast.

Families can also vote for Denefield as part of Reading FC’s schools competition, with prizes available for the schools and groups who sell the most tickets.

If you have any questions about the offer, please contact Reading FC at sales@readingfc.co.uk or 0118 968 1313.

JGR HQ - Women only Gym

JGR HQ, Reading’s women-only gym, is offering a 10% discount to staff, parents and families of Denefield school. This applies to all group personal training and 1:1/2:1 personal training packages! To find out more, please get in touch at: support@jgrhq.co.uk or visit our website: www.jgrhq.co.uk.

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