Weekly Newsletter
22 October 2026
It’s the end of term. Of course there’s a Ferris wheel.
Plus a Victorian magic show, penny-farthings, and a Victorian blacksmith with a forge (his public liability insurance also covers him for alchemy). It’s another Rumble Museum event, which is just one of the ways Cheney is so very… Cheney.
One of the other ways is our library. As you know, we believe books are good (especially ones that are banned elsewhere), and the number of loans the library makes each year is exceptional; around 31,000 last year. It makes such a difference. If you don’t believe Mrs Fenton, here is the Queen: The Book That Changed My Life – BBC iPlayer
I hope all our lovely students have a good rest over the half term break. Why not take a book home?
Victorian Festival at Cheney TODAY, Thursday 22nd October!
The Rumble Museum is delighted to announce its Victorian Festival—including the first ever Ferris Wheel at Cheney!
The festival will include a wide range of performances, stalls, activities and workshops themed on the Victorian era, and aimed at all ages. Highlights include a Blacksmith Forge, Walking Forest Suffragettes, Penny Farthings and Victorian Magic Shows. There will be a number of local museums and organisations, as well as creative activities and stalls run by Cheney’s Museum Council students.
Timings: 3:30 – 5:30pm (opens at 3pm for Cheney students)
There will be three repeated Victorian Magic Shows at 3:05pm, 4pm, and 5pm.
The event is free and aimed at all ages. To book places, please fill in this form.
Please note that the school will close at 1:30pm TOMORROW Friday 23rd October, the last day of term.
Tomorrow will be a non-uniform day to collect money for the British Red Cross. Students may wear their own clothes for the day. If they are able to donate (the suggested amount is £1—or whatever they can afford), then members of the school’s Charity Committee will be on the morning gate, ready to accept donations by cash or card. If you would prefer to donate in advance, please do so using the link here. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
Non-School Uniform Day Donation to the British Red Cross
Monday 2nd November is an INSET day, so school is closed to students. Students should be back in school for 8:25am on Tuesday 3rd November.
Years 7-11 lnfluenza vaccinations
10th November 2026: Years 7, 8 and 9
11th November 2026: Years 10 and 11
This letter about the flu vaccinations from the School Aged Immunisation Service was emailed home last Friday. It is also available on the school website here: https://www.cheneyschool.org/1204/immunisations
Please complete the consent form here at least one full school day before the vaccination session, whether you want your child to have the flu vaccine or not. After this deadline, the online system will close and you will not be able to submit a form.
Opportunities to come into school
We have some new dates for opportunities to come into school for a tour or joining various year groups in the library at exciting author talks! Find out more and register here.
Year 7 – Chromebooks
Parents will have received an email on Tuesday with details of the roll out of Chromebooks. The distribution will happen in Tutor time (8:30am-9:00am) according to the following schedule:
Wednesday: TU1, TU2, TU3
Thursday: TU4, TU5, TU6
Friday: TU7, TU8, TU9, TU10
For those families who have chosen to use a daily loan from the library, rather than purchasing a Chromebook: Please let your child know that they will need to collect their Chromebook from the library before tutor time each day from the start of the new term (Tuesday, 3rd November). They will need to hand in their phone in its Yondr pouch to the librarian. This will be returned when they return the Chromebook at the end of the school day.
Year 7 – Invitation to take part in ‘The Family Internet Safety Project’, a research study from the University of Gloucestershire and The Cyber Trust
To explore how families engage with parental monitoring tools to support safe digital practices among 11-12 year olds, the research team are seeking to recruit families who meet the following criteria:
- Have a child in School Year 7 (aged 11–12 years)
- The child regularly uses a smartphone, tablet, or similar device
- The family has internet access at home
- The parent/caregiver is willing to trial a monitoring tool for a 6-month period
Participation involves completing short surveys and interviews over the course of the study. Families will receive free access to a monitoring tool and up to £65 in Amazon vouchers as a thank-you for their time.
To find out more and take part, visit: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/glos/family-internet-safety-project-information
Year 7 relationships and sex education in term 2, Nov-Dec 2026
This letter has been sent home to parents. Although strongly discouraged—as we consider these lessons essential for keeping young people healthy and safe—if you would like to withdraw your child from sex education lessons, please contact rbown@cheneyschool.org with the name of your child. You will then be invited to attend a meeting at Cheney with a member of the leadership team to discuss this withdrawal. Students will only be withdrawn after such a meeting. For withdrawal of Year 7 students in 2026/2027 this meeting must occur before the end of Friday 13th November 2026.
Year 10 Parents’ Evening and Meet the Head, Thursday 10th December
A date for your diary-bookings go live 12 noon on Thursday 26th November. A letter will be sent to parents shortly after half term. Mr Pavey will be giving a talk in the library at 5:30pm after the in person meetings.
Year 11 Parents’ Evening is on Thursday 7th January.
Years 10, 11 and 12 – Online talks for parents and carers interested in finding out more about university in general and the University of Oxford
The Trinity College Access team is offering two talks that will be of interest to parents and carers of students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Session 1, Monday 2 November at 6pm-7:30pm
For Families – A guide to university will be particularly useful for those who did not attend university themselves or who feel they would appreciate updated general university information and guidance.
Session 2, Thursday 5 November at 6pm-7:30pm
For Families – A guide to the University of Oxford will be of interest to parents and carers wanting to hear specifically about the University of Oxford and the application process.
Parents and carers will explore: the benefits and costs of going to university and/or the University of Oxford; effective ways they can support their child’s application; and build confidence and knowledge about their supporting role.
Includes live Q&A with current undergraduates at Oxford.
Both sessions are online via Teams. Parents can register directly here: Registration form to book both or their preferred option. Registration is open until 48 hrs prior to each session.
Year 11 Mock exams, 9-20th November
Year 11 parents will have received a letter this week from the Year team with details of an assembly about the upcoming mock exams. Here is a copy of the presentation. If you have any questions please contact your child’s Tutor.
Upcoming Events
Latest News
School News
Helpers wanted for installing sculptures on Wednesday 28th October
This half term, we are excited that three sculptures, which have been on display at the Eden Project, are being installed as part of a Sculpture Trail exploring the impact of building materials on the environment. The sculptor Simon Pringle is looking for two strong people who might be willing to help him unload the sculptures. If you’re available between 12 and 2pm on Wednesday 28th October, and would like to lend a hand, we would be enormously grateful!
Please email lro@cheneyschool.org if you would like to help out.
Astronomy Breakfast Talks
Our Rumble Breakfast Talks re-start in November on the theme of astronomy, to celebrate our forthcoming astronomy mural!
The talks are open to all year groups, delivered by experts, and held every Thursday from 8:30am to 9am. There is no need to go to tutor time first – we will register you at the talk. You can sign up here and the schedule is below!
| 5th November | John Allen, University of Oxford | “Where are the aliens?” |
| 12th November | Lana Alabbasi, University of Oxford | “When Black Holes Collide: Listening to the Universe” |
| 19th November | Professor Suzanne Aigrain, University of Oxford | “Exoplanets: looking for life among the stars” |
| 26th November | Professor Mike Lockwood, University of Reading | “Aurora – very beautiful, but a sign of trouble ahead?” |
Classics Cafe Special Event: Artefact Trail and Oread launch, Saturday 14th November, 2:30-5pm at the Classics Centre
To celebrate new novel, Oread, a classics-inspired detective/mystery tale set in a future London Underground, we’re inviting brave travellers to follow an mystery artefact trail through some tunnel-like corridors in the Rumble Museum at Cheney School to reach a Book Launch in our Iris Classics Centre.
The trail and launch open on Saturday 14th November, 2:30 – 5pm. You can arrive at any time to main reception to follow the mystery trail, which will take you to the Iris Classics Centre, where there will be drinks, books, chat, activities for all ages (including having a go at creative writing if that’s your thing).
Email lro@cheneyschool.org if you’d like to drop in!
Cheney School Lottery
We started the Cheney school lottery over 2 years ago and it has been a great way for us to raise funds for Cheney projects. So far we have raised more than £4,000 through the lottery. The lottery offers the flexibility for people to commit to buying regular weekly tickets or to buy tickets as and when they can. If you are a lottery supporter, thank you for helping us achieve this! If you are not and would like to join in the fun, please sign up here: www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/cheney-school
NEU Oxfordshire at the Oxford Green Fair Sunday 25th October
NEU Oxfordshire will be running a stall at the Oxford Green Fair on Sunday 25th October 10:30-16:00 at the Oxford Town Hall. This will be to promote the Stop School Cuts and Free School Meals for All and Arts and Minds campaigns. If you would be interested in helping the stall, please email NEU Workplace Representative George Buchanan gbu@cheneyschool.org
Free Science and Engineering Saturday Club for 13–16 year-olds at The Leys College: starts 21 November—click the image below to enrol
Navigating SEND Reform, Together, Wednesday 11 November, 6pm, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus
Bringing together SEND professionals, researchers and parent/carer advocates to discuss the current reforms and what they could mean for children and young people, families and schools.
With changes to SEND provision and support on the horizon, the discussion will offer an opportunity to hear different perspectives and consider what the reforms could mean in practice for education professionals, school leaders and the families they support.
Free to attend, free campus parking is available.
You can find more information and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/navigating-send-reform-together-tickets-1996070018157
Creation Theatre Half-Term Workshops
Find out what’s on locally, including The Headington Partnership newsletter.
