Dear parents/carers,

As we approach our highly anticipated Year 8 ""Sons to Work"" Day on Tuesday 23rd June, we are writing to share the final arrangements for the day. Whether your son is heading out into the working world or staying with us on-site, it promises to be a valuable and insightful experience.

Please note that all logistics, risk assessments, and registers have now been locked in. Consequently, no further changes can be made to the arrangements for this day.

Please see the specific details below depending on which pathway your son is taking:

Pathway 1: Students Out on Placement

For students who have secured an external work placement for the day:

•         Location: At their designated workplace for the hours agreed with the employer.

•         Showbie Task: To help them get the most out of their day, students are required to complete a skills-based reflection sheet to record their experiences and the workplace skills they observe.

•         Access: This sheet will be made available to them directly via Showbie. Please encourage them to check this before Tuesday and fill it out during or immediately after their placement.

Pathway 2: Students Remaining in School

For students who are not going out on an external placement:

•         Timings: School will run as normal. Students must arrive for the regular school start time and will finish at the usual time.

•         Monday Registration Briefing: On Monday 22nd June, students staying in school will be given explicit instructions on exactly where they need to report for registration on Tuesday morning.

•         Activities: Instead of their usual timetable, they will be participating in a variety of interactive, exciting careers-focused activities designed to develop their employability skills and explore future pathways. Uniform and standard equipment regulations apply.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our Year 8 students take these exciting first steps toward thinking about their future careers.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Stansbridge

Careers Lead

Dear Parents/Carers,

I wanted to bring to your attention some important information about the Year 8 Day Retreats that are scheduled for the end of June.

Year 8 will have two days of religious retreat at Marymount International School in Coombe Hill. 8 North on Wednesday 1st July & 8 South on Thursday 2nd July. The theme for the day is “Made in the Image of God” and will include indoor activities, reflections and a prayer service allowing the students to explore their own individual value and the value of those around them.

Marymount School have offered for us to use their facilities for free, and in order to keep the day free of charge for students, I am asking the students to make their own way to Marymount.

Details:
• Arrive at Marymount School by 9.30am
• Students to wear full school uniform and provide their own packed lunch and water.
• Students do not need to bring their iPads or exercise books, but should bring their pencil case.
• Depart Marymount School by 2.30pm.

Directions to Marymount School:
• Address: Marymount International School, George Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 7PE
• Bike – Marymount is about a 20 minute cycle ride from Richard Challoner
• Bus – Take the 213 bus from the junction of the A2043 & Sheephouse Way (or from New Malden) – alight at the “Queens Road / Kingston Hospital” bus stop and the school is about a 15 minute walk.
• There will be staff / prefects stationed along Coombe Lane West & Kingston Hill to direct students where to go.

Retreat Contact Form:
We will be able to take a small number of students on the school minibus – if you feel that your son would be unable to make the journey alone or with friends – please complete this Google Form Click Here and we will reserve a seat on the minibus for him.

Free School Meals:
If your son is in receipt of free school meals and you would like the school to provide one for him on the retreat day – please complete this Google Form Click Here

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding the day.

Yours sincerely

Neil D’Aguiar
Lay Chaplain

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 8 students,

In Year 8, students are offered the chance to take part in a 'Take Your Son to Work Day' which takes place in June each year. We want to give you as much notice as possible to arrange a placement, as all students will be expected to take part.

Why we are offering students a son to work day.

At Richard Challoner School we have a comprehensive careers programme which aims to prepare our students for their future. Part of this is giving students the opportunity to gain work experience, and for Year 8 students it is a great time for them to see real people doing real jobs. This builds on the careers unit they have completed during the academic year, and is part of the work-related learning that is offered at various times during their schooling life.

This is your opportunity to show what you do and what is expected in the work place. We ask parents/carers to support us in thinking about the skills and qualities that are necessary for the world of work and how we can introduce and explain the right attitudes for work. Please lay out the expectations of the workplace beforehand and introduce him to your work colleagues telling him what they do and encouraging suitable questions.

If you do not work, or it is not suitable for your son to accompany you.

We do understand that, for a variety of reasons, it may not be possible for your son to accompany you. If this is not possible in your own workplace, please consider asking relatives or friends if they would be able to accommodate your son. Even if you are continuing to work from home please consider whether you can still provide a structured work day and activities as this could still be of benefit.

If a suitable placement is still not available your son will need to be in school following normal lessons or other activities as arranged by school.

Parents should use their own judgement about where their son goes for the day to experience work, but if the job cannot include your son then it will not be a valid experience.

We hope you can arrange for your son to accompany and work shadow a parent/carer/extended family throughout a normal working day. He will travel to and from work with that person and must be covered by the 'Health and Safety' practices of the organisation that he is visiting and their insurance.

Students will be provided with a simple work sheet that should be completed during the day. There will also be a small section to be completed by the person being accompanied to allow for feedback and evaluation of skills learnt from both parties. Students will be given this before going to the workplace.

Please complete the attached contact & consent form -Click Here

Please remember to state where your son will be going and with whom. A small explanation of what the organisations do is really helpful if it’s not clear from organisation name. It needs to be signed by parent, agreeing to the terms and conditions.

Please return the completed form a.s.a.p. but no later than Friday 15th May 2026

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Mrs L Stansbridge

CEIAG Lead

(Careers Education and Information, Advice and Guidance) 

Dear Parent/Guardian,


At Richard Challoner we are blessed with excellent sports facilities. We hope your son is looking forward to utilising all of them during the rest of this year.

During each year group pupils are offered a range of sports activities including – Rugby Union, Football, Basketball, Cricket, Volleyball, Table-Tennis, Athletics, Fitness Training, Cross-Country and Gymnastics.

We do ask for a £30.00 contribution to support the running of the comprehensive sports programme and extra-curricular activities offered throughout the academic year. Please could this payment should be made via MCAS as soon as possible.

If you are eligible for free school meals and would like to request assistance with the cost, please click the link below and a member of the finance staff will confirm the support available to you.

https://forms.gle/FgxEekRfFUcLqpsc8

            

We participate in many different sports and achieve high levels of success performing in Rugby, Football, Basketball, Cross Country and Table Tennis competitions already this year.

This success is down to the dedication and commitment of the boys, their parents and school staff who give up their time and this is highlighted by the hundreds of sports fixtures and clubs pupils have attended during this past academic year.

A previous Ofsted Report (Going the Extra Mile) highlighted the positive impact that extracurricular sport has not only on the development of young people but how it can aid academic achievement. It is my intention that Richard Challoner School continues to provide a diverse and engaging extracurricular programme in 2025/26 and beyond.

We aim to offer both recreational and competitive sport to all pupils. Fixtures generally take place after school and on Saturday Mornings and have continued through the current difficulties. As outlined in the school prospectus ‘pupils are expected to represent the school when selected’.

After Saturday morning fixtures refreshments are available after all home matches in the school pavillion. We encourage all parents to come along and support.

Pupils will require full kit for all Games/PE lessons, this includes –

Outdoor Lessons
Long sleeved Hooped Games Shirt
Black Shorts
Hooped Black and Green Socks
Studded Boots
Gum Shield for Rugby
Shin Pads for Football

Indoor Lessons
Black Crested Tee Shirt
Black Shorts
White Socks
Clean trainers (non- marking sole)

Please could you also ensure all equipment is clearly labelled.
Kit can be purchased through Village Sports in Raynes Park

The Friends of Challoner also have a selection of pre-loved kit which is often available at school functions.

We also run a kit exchange within the PE department in which students can swap boots for boots of another size, if you have any spare boots please do drop them into school so that they can be used by another student, this has proven particularly helpful over the years.

If your son is unable to participate in any PE or Games lessons please could you provide a note, addressed to his teacher, explaining the reason. Your son will still take part in some of the lessons; maybe as an official or coach and should bring a tracksuit and suitable footwear in order to do so.

If you have any queries in relation to this letter please feel free to contact me via the school office and thank you for your continued support for school sport.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. P Manley
Director of Sport
Richard Challoner School

Tuesday 23rd June 2026- Year 8 Sons to Work Day

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 8 students,

In Year 8, students are offered the chance to take part in a 'Take Your Son to Work Day' which takes place in June each year. We want to give you as much notice as possible to arrange a placement, as all students will be expected to take part.

Why we are offering students a son to work day.

At Richard Challoner School we have a comprehensive careers programme which aims to prepare our students for their future. Part of this is giving students the opportunity to gain work experience, and for Year 8 students it is a great time for them to see real people doing real jobs. This builds on the careers unit they have completed during the academic year, and is part of the work-related learning that is offered at various times during their schooling life.

This is your opportunity to show what you do and what is expected in the work place. We ask parents/carers to support us in thinking about the skills and qualities that are necessary for the world of work and how we can introduce and explain the right attitudes for work. Please lay out the expectations of the workplace beforehand and introduce him to your work colleagues telling him what they do and encouraging suitable questions.

If you do not work, or it is not suitable for your son to accompany you.

We do understand that, for a variety of reasons, it may not be possible for your son to accompany you. If this is not possible in your own workplace, please consider asking relatives or friends if they would be able to accommodate your son. Even if you are continuing to work from home please consider whether you can still provide a structured work day and activities as this could still be of benefit. If you have been unable to find a suitable placement by Friday 15th May, please contact the school and speak with Mrs Stansbridge, Careers Lead or email: careersiag@challoner.kingston.sch.uk

If a suitable placement is still not available your son will need to be in school following normal lessons or other activities as arranged by school.

Parents should use their own judgement about where their son goes for the day to experience work, but if the job cannot include your son then it will not be a valid experience.

We hope you can arrange for your son to accompany and work shadow a parent/carer/extended family throughout a normal working day. He will travel to and from work with that person and must be covered by the 'Health and Safety' practices of the organisation that he is visiting and their insurance.

Students will be provided with a simple work sheet that should be completed during the day. There will also be a small section to be completed by the person being accompanied to allow for feedback and evaluation of skills learnt from both parties. Students will be given this before going to the workplace.

Please complete the attached contact & consent form - Click Here

Please remember to state where your son will be going and with whom. A small explanation of what the organisations do is really helpful if it’s not clear from organisation name. It needs to be signed by parent, agreeing to the terms and conditions.

Please return the completed form a.s.a.p. but no later than Friday 15th May 2026

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Mrs L Stansbridge

CEIAG Lead

(Careers Education and Information, Advice and Guidance)

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Would your son like to start learning the clarinet or trombone?

We are keen to support more pupils in learning an instrument, particularly woodwind or brass. Year 7 and 8 pupils have the opportunity to borrow a clarinet or trombone from the school at just £50 for the academic year. We currently have one clarinet and four trombones available on a first come first served basis (and warmly welcome any additional donations).

To take advantage of this offer, pupils must sign up and receive clarinet or trombone lessons with Kingston Music Service or the Saturday Morning Music Service here at Richard Challoner School for the academic year. The £50 fee helps to cover maintenance costs, and instruments must be returned by the end of the current Summer Term.

To find out more or to register your interest, please write to Mr Leach at mrleach@challoner.kingston.sch.uk.

Outside of this offer, please be aware that music lessons happen Monday to Saturday at Richard Challoner on a range of instruments and singing. Find out more on the following websites:

Kingston Music Service - https://ukkingston.speedadmin.dk/registration#/

Saturday Morning Music Service - https://www.richardchalloner.com/smms

Kind regards and I look forward to more pupils having music lessons this year,

Mr A Leach
Subject Leader for Music
Richard Challoner School

Dear Parent/Guardian

During this academic year your son will be involved in several projects, in both Design Technology and Food and Nutrition, requiring certain materials which, when used in large quantities, are a significant drain on the limited resources available to the school. As you are no doubt aware, school budgets are under severe pressure as costs continue to rise and Government funding lags behind.

It is therefore common practice to charge for finished products which are then taken home. In order to streamline the collection of such money I am proposing a one off payment of £13.50 for the year, which will allow students to take home any finished products without further charge and provide all the required ingredients for Food and Nutrition lessons.

I hope that you agree this represents tremendous value for money, as well as providing your son with a varied and stimulating curriculum.

I would stress that although this donation is entirely voluntary, in times of financial strain in education, resources are limited. Your donation will ensure the best possible range of resources being available for your son when he works in these areas. We have pushed this payment back until the spring term knowing the considerable financial demands that the start of each new academic year makes. Payments should be made through Bromcom in the usual way and we would ask that your contribution is made before the end of Spring half term. 

If anyone requires financial assistance please contact the school bursar using the email below stephanie.harvey@challoner.kingston.sch.uk

Thank you in anticipation of your support in this matter.

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 8,

Richard Challoner School is committed to ensuring students have the best resources available to plan ahead for their future and as part of that students are provided with impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance.

This can be in lessons, through school events, the careers library and also through the Careers Lead and CEIAG Advisor, Mrs Stansbridge.

Throughout the year Mrs Stansbridge will focus on seeing students either in small groups or individually beginning with students in year 11 to help them think about important choices for post 16 education. Students in years 7-13 will also be offered opportunities as the year progresses and at key points in their decision making.

For year 8,

• Careers appointments will be in the spring and summer term if a student or tutor requests one. Please join us in encouraging students to think ahead about any questions they may have, or areas to explore.

• If, as a parent, you have questions or would like to speak to me please make contact through the email address below.

• Year 8 will also complete their careers unit in the spring term. This will be about preparing them for year 9 and thinking about what skills and qualities they have gained since year 7. Students complete a booklet which is on their ipad with information on showbie.

• Students will also take part in Take Your Sons to Work day provisionally booked in for Tuesday 10th June 2026. More information on this to follow. This is a great opportunity to show students the reality of workplaces and insight in to careers they may not have encountered before.

• National Apprenticeship Week in February and National Careers Week in March are celebrated in school with activities taking place during tutorial time and materials are placed on the website in advance.

Please also visit the careers pages on the school website https://www.richardchalloner.com/careers where there will regularly be information regarding events or opportunities as well as some useful information for parents around career planning. I will write to you again with an update later in the academic year.

I am also excited to introduce a weekly newsletter in association with The Careers People, which will be published on the careers pages of the school website and circulated to students which will give information on national and local events as well as spotlights on varying careers.

This year we are continuing to use our careers platform called Xello. More information is available on the careers pages linked above, and we hope to roll out a parent side later in the academic year to allow you to see your sons progress and career ideas. Students have access to this platform via their ipads and can use independently and during guided time in careers units.

Introducing the concept of careers and future planning at an early stage does allow students to explore their strengths and help to make informed choices. Each year group will also have time in their pastoral programme to explore these themes in more detail. Students are also welcome to drop into the Careers Office.

There will also be support for school activities and arranging for professionals from varying careers backgrounds to come in and work with students to inspire and bring the working world further into education.

If you are able to support in these activities through giving a talk, representing your company or industry or sharing stories with students please complete the following short google form- https://forms.gle/5NQCtPLRzyEhPUiu5

Please take this opportunity to talk at home about future plans and if you have any queries, questions or would like to support these activities in anyway please contact the school or email careersiag@challoner.kingston.sch.uk

Yours sincerely

Mrs LJ Stansbridge

CEIAG Lead (Careers Education and Information Advice and Guidance)