Carisbrooke College Parent Portal - Carisbrooke College Weekly Updates

Our Year 7 students enjoyed their trip to Carisbrooke Castle, which provided a fantastic opportunity to bring their learning to life while exploring one of the Isle of Wight’s most important historical landmarks. Our thanks go to Mrs Randall for organising the visit so expertly, and to all the staff who supported the trip and helped make it such a memorable experience for our students.

Today, our Year 11 students gathered for their Leavers’ Assembly, providing an opportunity for smiles and goodbyes and to recognise the wonderful work of their tutors, Mrs Westby, Mrs Hailey, Mr Gloyn and Mr Flynn-Westwood. Our sincere thanks to Miss O’Callaghan for her four years of support for Year 11 as Head of Year. Here is her final message to them:

“Today, I say goodbye to my Year 11s. It was very emotional as I went on the journey with you in my new role as Head of Year in Year 8. What an incredible bunch of young people you are. It was an absolute pleasure to be your Head of Year. I will miss you all, and I was so proud to support you in your time at Carisbrooke College.’

Dream big, work hard, believe in and be kind to yourselves and remember you are capable of so much more than you give yourselves credit for. Take care and thank you.” Miss O'Callaghan

We look forward to welcoming Year 11 back on Thursday 20 August for Results Day and wish them every success and happiness as they move on to the next stage of their education, training or employment.

Looking ahead, our Year 10 students begin their trial examinations next week. Please encourage your child to use the revision materials we have provided for them. These have been posted on their Google Classrooms.

We are also delighted that a group of our talented students will be performing at the Isle of Wight Festival this weekend – Sunday at 3.00pm in the Kidzone. If you are attending the festival, please go along and support them. If you are attending the festival at any point over the weekend, please have a fantastic time and, most importantly, stay safe.

As widely anticipated, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer yesterday announced that the Government will ban social media for under-16s. The government plans to use the same model as Australia and the ban will come into effect next spring. See the fact sheet here.

Thank you to all the students, parents, and staff who have taken the time to send a Thank a Teacher message. The kind words, support, and appreciation shown are greatly valued by our staff and serve as a reminder of the positive impact we can make together as a school community. Messages such as these make the challenges of the job much more worthwhile and are always appreciated.

Due to the high temperatures forecast for early next week, students will not be required to wear their blazers on Monday and Tuesday. Students should continue to wear the remainder of their school uniform as normal. Blazers should not be replaced with non-uniform items such as hoodies, sweatshirts, or jackets.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the school and our young people.

Natalie Sheppard
Headteacher

Year 7 Visit to Carisbrooke Castle

As part of our learning about local history, the entire Year 7 cohort visited Carisbrooke Castle. The trip gave us the opportunity to explore one of the Isle of Wight's most important historic landmarks and learn about its role through the centuries.

During the visit, students explored the castle's impressive battlements, where they were able to walk along the defensive walls and enjoy views across the surrounding countryside. They also visited the keep, discovering how it was used to protect the castle and provide a strong defensive position. In the gatehouse, students learned about the castle's security features and how visitors would have entered the fortress in medieval times.

One of the highlights of the day was the chance to experience history firsthand. Students were able to try on pieces of armour and chainmail, helping them to appreciate the weight and practicality of medieval protective equipment. They also explored the room where King Charles I was held prisoner during his captivity at Carisbrooke Castle, gaining a fascinating insight into this important period of English history.

The visit also provided a rare opportunity to view priceless historical artefacts up close. Among the exhibits were personal items connected to King Charles I, including examples of clothing and even the King's underwear. Seeing these remarkable objects at close range helped students to make a direct connection with the people who lived through these historical events.

The Humanities Department staff accompanied the students throughout the visit and were delighted by the enthusiasm, curiosity and maturity shown by the year group. Students asked thoughtful questions, engaged fully with the exhibits and embraced every opportunity to learn more about the castle's rich history. Despite the challenge of the steep climb to the top of the battlements and keep, everyone rose to the occasion with great spirit and determination. The spectacular views from the top made the effort worthwhile, and the positive attitude shown by students helped make the day a memorable success.

By making use of our local castle as a learning resource, we were able to bring history to life outside the classroom. The visit helped students develop a greater understanding of the Isle of Wight's heritage while experiencing an important historical site firsthand. It was a wonderful day out for all involved and an excellent example of how local historical sites can enrich learning beyond the classroom.

Mrs E Randall, Curriculum Lead Humanities

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Carisbrooke College Weekly Updates – Friday 19 June 2026

19 June 2026

Weekly Updates from Carisbrooke College

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