Caterham Summer School Pioneer Places

We are pleased to be able to offer the families of pupils in Year 6 and upwards at all Caterham Family of Schools (Caterham Prep School, Copthorne Prep School and the Hawthorns School) the opportunity to apply for one of Caterham Summer School’s special Summer School Pioneer Places. There are a limited number of Pioneer Places available with a 25% discount on course fees for our EDGE and Oracy programmes for our Summer School launch courses this summer.

This opportunity will provide pupils in the senior prep school years at the Caterham Family of Schools the chance to boost their confidence and get a taste for developing their future-ready skills as they look towards the next steps in their learning.

This year’s courses have been designed to develop future skills through project work so that every Summer School graduate leaves the programme with boosted confidence, ready for the challenges of the new academic year and beyond. Our courses will allow participants the time to experience the exciting EDGE and Oracy content delivered by established Caterham School teachers.

If you are interested in learning more about the Summer School Pioneer Places (available only to Caterham Family of Schools pupils) please contact summerschool@caterhamschool.co.uk

Parents are also invited to join our live webinar on Tuesday 26 May 2026 if they wish to find out more about the Caterham School Summer Programmes this year. We’ll be chatting about the EDGE, Oracy courses as well as everything that will happen outside of the classroom as part of the Caterham Summer School.

Sign up by either registering at Caterham Summer School or email to request a link to the webinar at summerschool@caterhamschool.co.uk

Maths Clubs to Competitions

We are excited to announce that we have launched maths enrichment clubs for children in Years 2, 3 and 4.  These clubs will focus on the sort of reasoning and problem-solving challenges that make up many external maths competitions, and we are hoping to enter some of these competitions in the next academic year.  Children are able to choose if they want to join – the entry requirements are a real enthusiasm for maths and a desire to dive into some challenge questions! Mrs Potgieter is running the club for Years 3 and 4, and Mrs Harris is running the club for Year 2.

Nikolas Selected for England U11 Chess Team

We are absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to announce that Nikolas G has been selected to play for the England U11 Chess Team, following an impressive two‑day chess tournament in Liverpool. This is a remarkable achievement, and Nikolas is understandably very excited as he prepares for his first international fixture, representing England against Wales later this month.

We wish Nikolas every success and very much look forward to hearing all about his experiences. Many congratulations, Nikolas – we are enormously proud of you!

Year 1 Make Memories at Hever Castle

We had a wonderful trip to Hever Castle, where we explored its rich history and learned about its links to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. We were excited to see many fascinating artefacts, including a real knight’s suit of armour, and enjoyed spotting lots of castle features we had been researching in class. After a day full of learning and exploring the beautiful grounds, we spent time together in the castle playground, re‑enacting life in a castle. To end the day, Mrs Richardson set us a challenge to find our way out of the maze! Luckily, everyone made it out safely and back to the bus. It was a fantastic trip that we are sure to remember.

Kick Off for Crystal Palace After School Football Club

We were delighted to kick off the first of our after-school football clubs, delivered in partnership with our new football partner ‘Palace for Life’.

The sessions got off to a fantastic start this week with Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 taking part in a skills session in the sun on Tuesday. 

Alongside the after school offer, we also host Player Development Centres on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, providing an additional pathway for pupils who want to further develop their ability. 

For further information, click here Copthorne Academies – Caterham school sports centre

Launching this Summer at Caterham!

We are delighted to share details of the Caterham Summer School 2026, an exciting opportunity for pupils aged 11–17. Designed to support students as they prepare for the next stage of their journey into senior school, the Summer School offers a stimulating and enjoyable way to strengthen academic foundations and key life skills. Courses run from 5 July – 2 August 2026, with options available as either full boarding or day-only programmes. Our two flagship courses have been designed by Caterham’s expert teaching staff to reflect the skills and learning approaches students will encounter as they move through Caterham School:

EDGE Programme Focused on developing independence, leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, alongside the effective and responsible use of AI in a rapidly changing world. An excellent foundation for students preparing for the next stage of their education.

Oracy Programme Designed to strengthen communication, presentation and persuasive speaking skills through immersive speaking and listening challenges – key competencies for confidence and success in the senior classroom and beyond.

Both programmes are carefully crafted to support long-term academic success, personal development and a confident transition into senior schooling. beyond.

Find out more here

Enquire: summerschool@caterhamschool.co.uk

New Academy Programme with Crystal Palace FC

Caterham School proudly celebrated the launch of its new Football Academy Programme this week, delivered in partnership with Crystal Palace FC’s Palace for Life Foundation.

The event brought together pupils from Copthorne Prep School, Caterham Prep School, and Caterham School for an action-packed morning of football training. Led by expert coaches from the Palace for Life team, pupils took part in drills, mini matches, and skill-building sessions, offering a fantastic preview of what’s to come through this exciting new initiative.

To mark the occasion, the partnership was sealed with a lively staff penalty shoot-out. Representatives included Ceri Jones for Caterham School, Martin Bartlett for Caterham Prep, and Ann Fletcher, Chair of Governors, for Copthorne. Each stepped up to face the Crystal Palace coaches, with Ann Fletcher securing victory for Copthorne in a dramatic sudden-death finish, taking home the coveted golden ball.

The Football Academy Programme will officially launch in April, offering opportunities for pupils across the Caterham Family of Schools, as well as the wider local community. Player development sessions will be open to young people aged 6–14, providing access to elite-level coaching, structured development pathways, and talent identification opportunities.

From September, Caterham School pupils from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth will benefit from regular Palace for Life training sessions as part of their clubs and activities programme, as well as within Games options in the senior years, marking the first time football has been formally included in the Games curriculum at Caterham.

Younger pupils at Caterham Prep School and Copthorne Prep School will also benefit, with Palace for Life becoming the official provider of after-school football clubs.

In addition, a series of Palace for Life Football Camps will be available to the wider community during each school holiday. The first camp, launching this Easter, will offer full-day sessions for a range of ages and abilities, focusing on skill development, enjoyment, and progression in a supportive environment. With tournaments, challenges, and exciting prizes on offer, the camps promise to be a fantastic opportunity for all young football enthusiasts.

Year 6 Head to London for Creative Arts Enrichment

Last week, our Year 6 pupils enjoyed a truly memorable day in London as they explored some of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Our first stop was the Globe Theatre, where the children were taken on an extremely informative and engaging tour. They learned all about the theatre’s rich history, from its Elizabethan origins to its reconstruction, gaining a real sense of what theatre‑going was like in Shakespeare’s time.

A particular highlight was the rare opportunity to sit inside the auditorium and watch part of a live rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet. The pupils were fascinated to see the actors at work, gaining a behind‑the‑scenes insight into how a performance comes together.

After the tour, the group took part in an energetic drama workshop based on Macbeth. Through a series of drama games, they explored characters, themes, and key moments from the play, bringing Shakespeare’s work to life in a fun and physical way.

To round off the day, we visited the Tate Modern, where we explored exhibits linked to our learning on Materials. There was plenty to discover, but a firm favourite was the wonderfully tactile wall of carpet, which sparked lots of curiosity and discussion.

Our Year 6s returned full of excitement, new knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for Shakespeare and the arts. A fantastic day of learning and creativity!

Water Walk in Science Club

This week in science club, the children were amazed by our walking water experiment! Using cups, paper towels, and coloured water, We watched as the colours travelled from cup to cup-mixing, changing and creating new shades along the way. The children loved seeing the water “walk” And discovering how colours blend together. A simple setup, a special colour, and lots of excited scientists.

Year 5’s Botantical Journey at Wonderful Wisley

Although the skies were overcast and grey for our visit to RHS Garden Wisley, the conditions inside the Glasshouse were warm and tropical for our first activity. Year 5 pupils stepped into the indoor rainforest to discover spectacular Amazonian climbers, opulent orchids and a variety of exotic plants, as well as a beautiful waterfall hidden within.

Our next stop was the Old Laboratory, where the children learnt about Wisley’s fascinating history, including the important role it played in saving the daffodil from possible extinction. Despite the cold and very wet winter, we could see that spring was very much in evidence across the gardens, with stunning swathes of crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils bringing colour to the landscape.

During the Plant for the Planet workshop, pupils learnt how to take cuttings from certain plants and discovered how to plant and care for pea shoot seeds, which they were able to sow themselves.

As one Year 5 pupil put it:

“It was incredible and I loved it because I learnt so many things about plants.”