January 2026

Dear Parent / Carer

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026. It has been positive start to the new year, with our students and staff returning with energy and a clear focus on the months ahead. Our staff began the term with intensive Inset day workshops, sharpening our focus on teaching and learning, behaviour, and safeguarding to ensure our students receive the highest quality of care and education.

Year 11 and 13

Following the recent mock examination results, we are encouraging students to stay focused. Success in the coming months will be driven by independent study at home and regular attendance at our extra support sessions. To help navigate this period, we have officially launched our new Year 11 website, packed with essential revision tools.

Attendance & Punctuality

Please can I remind you of the importance of student attendance and punctuality. There is a direct link between attendance and academic attainment. Every day in school matters for your child’s progress, so please ensure they arrive on time and ready for the day.

A student who has 90% attendance is missing half a day of school a week for the whole academic year.
This equates to 4 weeks of school missed per academic year.
Across Year 7-11 the student would miss half a year of school.
Research suggests that missing 17 school days per year equates to one grade dropped at GCSE.

Uniform

Thank you for your continued support in maintaining our high standards. Please ensure students are in full school uniform daily to help maintain a professional learning atmosphere.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to a successful and rewarding term for all our students.

Warmest regards

Chris Price

Headteacher, The John Warner School

Student Success
Is there a future songwriter amongst us?

The Just Talk Hertfordshire Music & Songwriting Competition is an inspiring annual event for young people (usually ages 10–20 or 11–18) across Hertfordshire, UK. Each year, it shines a spotlight on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, encouraging young people to create powerful original songs around themes such as “The Power of Music for Mental Health.” As part of the wider Just Talk campaign, the competition offers a platform for young voices to be heard and celebrated.

This year, we are incredibly proud to share some wonderful news. After entering the competition with her heartfelt original song Don’t Struggle Alone, Year 9 student Erika received the exciting announcement that she has been chosen as one of the winners of the Key Stage 3 category of the Just Talk Music & Songwriting Competition!

Erika’s achievement not only recognises her musical talent, but also her courage in expressing an important message about mental health. As part of her well‑deserved award, Erika will receive a £50 voucher and her entry will be showcased on their social media platforms.

We couldn’t be prouder of Erika for her creativity, confidence, and the powerful message behind her work. A huge congratulations to Erika on this incredible achievement!

Reflecting on her success, Erika said, “I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I was one of the winners of the competition. It was such an exciting experience, and it encouraged me to express myself creatively through music and songwriting.”

The Just Talk judging panel said, “We were particularly impressed by your positive and uplifting lyrics.”

Reading Matters

click here to read

Learner Voice Council

Our Learner Voice Council students have been working hard with various members of staff and the sixth form prefect team to look at the rewards system in School.

On Tuesday the 18th of January, six members of the team led workshops on Teambuilding for all DET Primary LVC Students. Well done Ollie, Harry, Jessie, Amelia, River and Erika.

In the coming weeks we will be sending out a google form to students in the wider school body to find out what their opinion on our suggested Rewards ideas are.

Robotics Update

click here to view

U13 Girls Football

After successfully winning the Stevenage football cup the U13 girls travelled to Norwich to represent Stevenage in the regional finals of the clubs cup.

The girls played some excellent football, mainly against teams a year older than them and finished 5th out of 12 at the end of the tournament.

Year 9 District Football

The Year 9 boys travelled the Broxbourne to play in the district league last week.

The boys played some excellent football and worked really hard for each other. The final score was 4-1 to JWS. Well done boys!

Year 11 Boys Football

Well done to the Year 11 boys who played against Chauncy. In a classic cup tie that was decided bu Archie keeping his composure to slot home a penalty. Before this Finley scored his best ever goal (maybe his only ever goal) with a bullet header from Teddy's excellent free-kick to win 2-1.

SAVE THE DATE

click here to view more

Supporting Wellbeing: Mental Health Matters

click here to read

Sixth Form Updates

Congratulations to all the Year 13s who have applied to University via UCAS. We wish them all the very best with their offers.

Year 13 Study Skills Workshop - Tuesday 3 February - 10am.

Futures Academy

Year 12 have a talk from Vision Path on Tuesday 3 February about a work experience opportunity in the speciality insurance market. We have worked with Vision Path for many years now, providing exciting opportunities for our students to learn from the corporate world in the heart of London.

Vacancies

To explore current opportunities at The John Warner School, click the link below to visit our recruitment page.

Click here

Thank yous

Following the MBDA sponsored Robot Rumble Event

Thank you for hosting an excellent competition yesterday; we appreciate the effort it takes to make these sorts of events happen. (Stanborough)

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Thanks for this invitation and for hosting the event yesterday, we really enjoyed it! (Hitchin boys)

Proud to be part of

Sports Round Up