It’s All Happening at The Mead This Autumn!

A New Term, A World of Possibilities

The new school year is underway – and already, The Mead is full of energy, ambition and opportunity.

New classrooms. New teachers. New friendships. New challenges.

Sports

The Mead’s sporting calendar is absolutely stacked this term, with football, hockey, netball, rugby and swimming squads all in fierce action from the very first week.

Football and Hockey take centre stage with a relentless run of fixtures against the likes of Dulwich, Marlborough House, Vinehall, Somerhill, Hilden Grange, Radnor House, Lingfield, Brighton College, St Michael’s Skippers Hill, Dulwich Prep, Holmewood House and Rose Hill.

The tournament trail is just as busy: the U10 Hockey Tournament @ Rose Hill, the U11 UKSA Hockey Tournament, the ISFA and ISA U11/10 Regional Football Tournaments at Ardingly College and Lingfield, and not one but two St Michael’s 5-a-side Football Tournaments will all test our squads against the region’s best.

Netball and rugby fans have plenty to shout about too, with fixtures against Holmewood House, Radnor and MHV, plus a U10 Netball Festival at St Ronan’s. And don’t miss the U11-U8 Dobson Trophy Cross Country in November.

Swimmers will be busy from the off, with Y5/Y6 swimming starting in Week 1 and Reception/KS1 swimming following in Week 2, building towards the highlight of the season: the Y3–Y6 Swimming Gala at Tonbridge School.

Rounding out the sporting spectacle, judo pupils face their grading in October, while the House Football, Hockey and Rugby matches keep the competitive spirit burning between houses all term long.

Learning That Goes Further

Some of the most memorable learning happens when children leave the classroom.

This term, our pupils will do exactly that.

Year 5 will visit Parliament. Year 3 will explore Michelham Priory. Year 2 will discover London. Year 1 will head to Ambleford. And Year 6 will experience the theatre.

Back at school, specialist workshops will bring subjects to life, with Year 4 travelling back in time through an Egyptian Workshop, Year 3 investigating Forces and Magnets, and our youngest pupils welcoming some very special visitors for an Animal Workshop.

These aren’t simply days away from school. They are opportunities to question, investigate, make connections and see learning in the real world.

It is part of what makes a Mead education distinctive: encouraging children to look beyond the page and stay curious about the world around them.

Find Your Voice

Creativity has a special place at The Mead.

This term, our pupils will have opportunities to sing, perform, compete and take centre stage through our Informal Music Concert, House Music Competition, Harvest Festival, EYFS Nativity and Years 1–6 Christmas Celebration. And with performances taking place in venues at the heart of our town, including King Charles the Martyr Church.

There will also be opportunities for pupils to showcase their knowledge and confidence through our House Spelling Bee and KS2 House Geography Quiz.

More Than the School Day

Our clubs programme opens up another world of possibilities, allowing pupils to discover new passions, develop existing talents and simply try something they’ve never done before.

Sporty children can choose from sports club which runs every day: football, squash, running, gymnastics and yoga. Those with a love of performance can explore ballet, judo, Acro and gymnastics, LAMDA, choir and drama.

And for children who love to make, create and think, there is Lego, construction, wool craft, news club, art, sewing, typing, puzzles and games, budding authors and core skills extension clubs.

It is a deliberately broad programme – because we know that sometimes a child’s favourite activity is the one they haven’t tried yet.

Our Town, Our School

One of the things that makes life at The Mead different is the way our pupils experience the world beyond the school gates.

We are fortunate to be part of Tunbridge Wells and we make the most of it.

From theatre and sport to cultural experiences and community events, our pupils don’t simply learn about the world – they become part of it.

This term will include our continued involvement in the Tunbridge Wells Big Light Switch On, where our pupils will perform twice, alongside many opportunities for our families to come together throughout the term.

A Community That Grows Together

A great school is about more than what happens in the classroom.

Throughout the autumn, our families will have opportunities to connect through Parents’ Evenings, Parent Forum, specialist coffee mornings, Future Schools talks, Open Classroom sessions, and parent workshops, including Maths and Phonics.

The Friends of Mead will also bring our community together through events throughout the term.

And, as always, there will be plenty of moments to celebrate together – from Odd Socks Day and Anti-Bullying Week to our much-loved Christmas Jumper and Lunch Day.

The Year Has Only Just Begun

There is a lot ahead.

Competitions to enter. Stages to step onto. Places to explore. Skills to discover. Challenges to overcome. Friendships to make.

Welcome to a new year at The Mead. Let’s make it a brilliant one.