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After a fleeting start to the new year, this month reminds me of what sets our school apart, and that is our strong sense of community.
There is no better example of our community spirit than seeing our Sixth Form students sharing laughter, conversation, and even the dance floor, with local senior citizens at our annual "Senior Citizens' Afternoon Tea Party". This tradition embodies our values of kindness, respect, and the importance of giving back. Watching our students work so hard to make the event an enjoyable experience, and seeing them connect with older generations, is a true reflection of the warmth and generosity that define our school.
We are committed to creating an environment where every young person feels safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. This month our focus has been on wellbeing sessions for our Year 7s ensuring they feel supported as they settle into secondary school life; and equipping our Year 13s with the tools to stay safe as they prepare for their adult life. You can read more in the articles below.
At Little Heath School we don’t just talk about community—we live it. Every student, teacher, and staff member plays a vital role in making our school a place where everyone feels valued, and we all play our part to help each other grow and succeed.
It is more than just a place of learning. By supporting one another and giving back, we continue to build a school that is successful and happy!
Mr David Ramsden
Headteacher
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Calendar dates for the next month can be found below.
For information on Term Dates, please click here.
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| Date* |
Event |
Monday 3 February -
Friday 7 February |
Children's Mental Health Week |
Monday 10 February -
Friday 14 February |
Year 13 PPEs |
| Thursday 13 February |
Year 8 Parents' Evening (online) |
Monday 17 February -
Friday 21 February |
February Half Term |
| Monday 24 February |
INSET Day |
Tuesday 25 February -
Friday 28 February |
Year 13 PPEs continue |
| Thursday 27 February |
Year 12 Parents' Evening |
| *Dates may be subject to change. Correct at time of publication. |
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Change to Absence Reporting Procedure
If your child is unwell or absent from school, please report the absence using the procedure below:
- Please email attendance@littleheath.org.uk stating the child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence, preferably before 8.30am.
- This should be done for any daily absence so we can update our register, maintain accurate records and crucially, safeguard our pupils.
- Please be aware that it is not enough to state that your child is unwell. We will require more information on the specifics of the illness for our records.
If you have any questions relating to attendance, please contact Ms Glanville by emailing: attendance@littleheath.org.uk.
We would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to complete our short online survey about communications to parents/carers. The survey closes on Sunday 2 February.
The survey can be completed here: LHS Communications Survey 2025
West Berkshire Travel Survey
Each year, we complete a travel survey through West Berkshire Council. This is completed via a 'hands up' method during form registration.
The results show that around 50% of the students who completed the survey walk, cycle or scoot/skate to and from school, and around 20% take the bus. It's great to know that the majority of our students are choosing a sustainable way to travel to school.
Here is a summary of the results from the latest survey:
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Year 7 Positive Wellbeing Day
Our Year 7 students took part in 'Year 7 Positive Wellbeing Day' this month. Completing sessions on wellbeing and stress, feeling safe, supporting social interactions and an opportunity to reflect on their first term with us at Little Heath.
These sessions aim to offer tips to support our students’ wellbeing and to remind them about what to do if they feel upset whilst at school.
If you, or the child in your care, need some support, visit our parent and student wellbeing pages of the website:
littleheath.org.uk/studentwellbeing
littleheath.org.uk/supportforparents
£695 raised for Daisy's Dream
Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the Music Department's Christmas fundraising on behalf of Daisy's Dream. Staff and students held a raffle and collected donations during the Carol Service and the Winter Festival events. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to raise the amazing sum of £695.30!
Sophie Carter, one of the fundraisers from the charity, explained how the money raised can be used to provide around eleven 1:1 therapeutic sessions. These sessions allow a child the time and space to understand what has happened and explore their grief over an extended timeframe. The team helps them to express their feelings and concerns about their circumstances, encouraging them to develop coping strategies. We are proud to have been able to support Daisy's Dream in delivering such an important service to children going through such difficult times.
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For more of our latest news, follow us on social media or view the latest news articles on our website.
Find us on Facebook and Instagram @LHSReading
@littleheathreading on YouTube
Search for Little Heath School on LinkedIn
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Healthreach recently visited Little Heath School to deliver a valuable Staying Safe at Night Workshop, equipping students with essential skills and knowledge to stay safe in different situations. During the session, students learned about: - Staying aware of their surroundings - Walking in well-lit areas - Traveling safely in groups - Managing personal belongings - Avoiding risky situations - Recognising potential dangers in environments like public transport or nightlife districts - How to call for help in emergencies As part of the workshop, students also received hands-on training in CPR and the Recovery Position, gaining life-saving skills that could make a real difference. Thank you to Healthreach for providing such an engaging and practical session. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to build confidence and learn how to stay safe in the real world. 15 hours ago Follow |
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We love to celebrate student successes and passions both in and outside school. If you know of a student who has excelled, pursued a passion, or gone above and beyond, we'd love to hear from you.
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Chinese Lanterns House Competition
To celebrate Chinese New Year this week, and the Year of the Snake, our Diversity Society organised a Year 7 and Year 8 lantern competition where tutors in Key Stage 3 were invited to create and decorate their very own Chinese lanterns. This competition was judged by the Diversity Society. The results are as follows:
- 1st place: CONWAY (7NHA)
- 2nd: WARWICK (7KEL)
- 3rd: STIRLING (7FSA)
- 4th: ARUNDEL (7ECR)
Our Diversity Society were also incredibly impressed with 7BGU's entry, and awarded it a Special Commendation! Well done to everyone who took part.
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Senior Citizens Afternoon Tea Party
On Tuesday 28 January, we welcomed senior citizens from the local community into school for our Annual Afternoon Tea Party. This year there was a record number of 117 guests!
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It was a lot of fun organising and planning the event, and seeing it all come together on the day was amazing.
The day involved a performance by Soul Choir, a piano performance from Lucas, one of our year 13's, food and drink, a raffle and, of course, BINGO! We even ended the day with some dancing!
A huge thank you to the local businesses, the public, and, of course, the staff and students of Little Heath School for all the support. The event was a huge hit, and it was so lovely to see the guests having such a wonderful time, an afternoon full of laughter and smiles.
Year 13 Social Committee
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"A big thank you to Little Heath Sixth Form. What a wonderful afternoon I spent with friends. The youngsters were fantastic. They worked so very hard planning and organising the party. Well, done everyone who made this special afternoon happen!"
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"This is my first year coming and, wow what an afternoon, I will definitely be coming again next year."
"It was a lovely afternoon and everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves. Well done to all the Sixth form students."
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"I had a lovely time at the Little Heath School Party the students had organised for the elderly residents. There were lots of food, games and prizes. Dancing and fun had by all. A big THANK YOU!"
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"I love being able to bring a guest, it makes the day that bit more special. With them being invited separately the following year, it means I get to bring someone else along!"
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The Domino Effect - Performing at Little Heath
Written by Lucas, Year 13
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Recently, I performed in The Domino Effect, Little Heath’s first upper school production since covid. It was a challenging piece compared to the recent whole-school performances, involving a great deal of choreographed choral movement. Every line was analysed to the finest detail to narrate the unusual story of a girl with no voice.
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Back in October, I was hesitant to audition, since the workload for Year 13 already seemed a lot. But in the past months, rehearsals have been a breath of fresh air. A couple of times a week I have escaped from the pressure of STEM A-levels, happy to do something so much more expressive.
As always, the cast quickly became a tight-knit family. Being the only sixth-former, I worried if this time I might feel an outsider, but in reality it made little difference. Throughout my time at Little Heath, I have gone from looking up at the tall, confident year 13s, to now pretending to be one myself. In this time, I learnt the drama studio is a unique room in the school, where not even a 7-year age gap can divide the friendships forged. Nowhere else is home to such a whirlwind of excitement, inspiration, and so many inside jokes.
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On the final night, I thought about how far drama has bought me since my first production in year 8 (of which there are several embarrassing photos still lingering around B-block!). I owe so much to the department and, although I can’t wait for DramSoc at University, a part of me will always belong to the Little Heath Drama Studio.
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U14s Boys' Football Success
Well done to the Year 9 boys' U14 football team who won the Reading district 5-a-side competition this month at the John Madejski Academy.
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They beat Highdown 2-0 and Theale 4-0 in the group stage. They had a 2-1 win vs Maiden Earlegh, Wokingham, in the quarter-finals. A 1-1 draw vs Bohunt in the semi-finals, but went on to beat them on penalties. And finally, they met The Willink in the final, which was 1-1 at full-time but ended in an exciting penalty shoot out for the win!
Well done to everyone on the team and all the PE staff for their superb coaching and ongoing support!
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JANUARY: Sports Fixture Results
- U16's Girls League Netball, Little Heath 28 - 1 The Wren, (09/01)
- U15's Girls League Netball, Little Heath 8 - 7 The Wren, (14/01)
- U16's Boys County Cup Football, Little Heath 1 - 3 Piggot, (14/01)
- U15's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 0 - 0 Highdown, (14/01)
- U15's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 1 - 0 Denefield, (14/01)
- U15's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 1 - 1 MER, (14/01)
- U15's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 0 - 2 Theale Green, (14/01)
- U13's Boys Basketball, Little Heath 32 - 34 The Willink, (16/01)
- U16's Girls Netball, Little Heath 15 - 11 Hugh Farringdon, (16/01)
- U16's Boys Basketball, Little Heath 62 - 56 Bishop Wandsorth A-team, (17/01)
- U16's Boys Basketball, Little Heath 51 - 39 Bishop Wandsorth B-team, (17/01)
- U14's Boys 5 aside Football, Little Heath 2 - 0 Highdown, (21/01)
- U14's Boys 5 aside Football, Little Heath 4 - 0 Theale Green, (21/01)
- U14's Boys 5 aside Football, Little Heath 2 - 1 Maiden Erlegh Wokingham, (21/01)
- U14's Boys 5 aside Football, Little Heath 1 - 1 Bohunt, Win from penalties, (21/01)
- U14's Boys 5 aside Football, Little Heath 1 - 1 The Willink, Win from penalties, (21/01)
- U15's Girls Netball, Little Heath 7 - 11 Maiden Erlegh Reading, (21/01)
- U16's Boys Basketball, Little Heath 54 - 46 Maiden Erlegh Wokingham, (23/01)
- U13's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 0 - 0 Highdown
- U13's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 1 - 0 Reading Boys School
- U13's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 2 - 0 Denefield
- U13's Boys 5 Aside Football, Little Heath 2 - 2 Maiden Erlegh Reading, lost on penalties (28,01)
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We are a school with a strong sense of community.
Please read the notices and event information from the local area below.
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Community Events & Activities
 Information about the Purley on Thames Cricket Club, held at Little Heath School:
THE DIGITAL DILEMMA: Keeping Children Safe Online
With Safer Internet Day looming, and this year’s theme focusing on protecting yourself from online scams, Police Cyber Protect teams from the South East are running their free webinar for parents/carers several times in the coming weeks!
The webinar covers social media, mobile phones, gaming and emails, and aims to help parents and carers understanding some of the risks young people face online, including how to spot phishing emails, texts and more. Attendees will be provided with advice and resources to help them better protect themselves and their family from falling victim to cybercriminal behaviours.
Tickets to the webinars are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/online-safety-for-parents-3386699
Information flyer can be downloaded here: Cyber Protect Webinars
Claire Walden
Cyber Protect Officer
South East Cyber Crime Unit
Online Workshop for Parents on Responding to Behaviour
Thursday 13 February, 9.30-10.30am
Tickets for this workshop can be purchased via Eventbrite link below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1144081792439?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tickets only cost £5.93 (£4.99 plus Eventbrite fee).
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Little Heath School
Little Heath Road
Tilehurst, Reading
Berkshire RG31 5TY
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