As part of the KWS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) vision, you are invited to our EDI Parent Forum, with myself and members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This platform allows parents/carers to share their experiences at KWS and provide feedback on our EDI delivery.
We ask for your input in making KWS more inclusive and equitable across all protected characteristics. Past topics have included parental support for calendar events such as Diversity Week, prayer facilities, experiences at KWS of families hailing from the LGBT+ community and even discussion of how best to secure allergy accommodations in food menus.
Dear families,
I have been asked to send out an invitation on behalf of Hertfordshire Council related to a fantastic workshop taking place based on “Extremism Thrives On Misunderstanding; a briefing about the ‘Dark Side of the Internet’” as below.
At a time where the internet can be a source of radicalisation for young people, this is an empowering opportunity for guardians to gather knowledge on what can be a very overwhelming area.
If you are thinking of attending, please let me know so I can remind you closer to the time.
Please see below,
Miss Annie
“We are delighted to invite you to an important and informative session run by Small Steps, a leading counter-extremism charity, led by former members of far-right organisations. The focus is how we can support our young people to stay safe online and avoid radicalisation.
If you are worried about:
what your child is watching online
who they could be interacting with
if they are spending too much time online
what the dangers and warning signs are
Then the session is for you.
Join our session to learn about:
signs of radicalisation
how to have difficult conversations with your child
how to respond if approached by strangers online
Monday 9 February 2026
6-8pm
Croxley Danes School, Baldwins Lane, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3LR
Places are limited, so book your place now at this link.
This event is open to all parents from the local area so please do share with other parents so everyone can benefit
We look forward to welcoming you.
Athletics
Special mention to Year 11 students, Darci M and Jesse G, for competing in the south of England athletics championships at Lea Valley on Sunday. Darci did very well to progress to the semi finals of the 200m, competing against over 70 athletes in the event. Meanwhile, Jesse claimed a new personal best with a massive jump of 1.93m in the high jump. In doing so, he finished first in the competition. Jesse is now ranked in the top 3 high jumpers in the country for his age group. We are very proud of both your achievements!
Netball
From our netball fixtures this week, Year 9A lost 6-22 to Sandringham and Year 7A won 18-2. Well done to all. Outstanding players were recognised as Maisie O, Izzy B and Tilly S.
Well done to the 9A netball team in a great contest against Beaumont, unfortunately losing 18-28. Player of the match was Lucy H with some fantastic defensive interceptions.
Basketball
Well done to the Year 7 basketball team for their first ever game in the purple of KWS. A tough afternoon but the boys showed character throughout.
Football
Congratulations to the Year 7 girls’ football team on an excellent 4-2 win against Royal Masonic in the county cup plate. A great effort displayed and superb team work throughout.
In addition, our U15 girls’ football team achieved a dominant win vs St Columba’s. It was fantastic to have Poppy D back from injury and scoring 4 goals!
For 6th Form Students, Parents, and Carers:
The University of Hertfordshire is hosting an in-person event on Tuesday, 10th February to help you navigate the world of degree apprenticeships. This is an excellent opportunity to demystify the process and explore everything the route has to offer, from application tips and funding details to current career opportunities.
Details and a link to the booking form are below:
Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: University of Hertfordshire, Forum Theatre, College Lane Campus, AL10 9AB
Admission: Free
Book your place: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO00tkt5vht5003be4yy6848
As part of the KWS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) vision, you are invited to our EDI Parent Forum, with myself and members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This platform allows parents/carers to share their experiences at KWS and provide feedback on our EDI delivery.
We ask for your input in making KWS more inclusive and equitable across all protected characteristics. Past topics have included parental support for calendar events (like Diversity Week), prayer facilities, experiences at KWS of families hailing from the LGBTQ+ community and even discussion of how best to secure allergy accommodations in food menus.
This week, Software Engineers from Cisco visited KWS to host a design workshop for year 10 Computing and IT students.
Students worked in groups to come up with their own technology which utilised 5G. They learnt about the development of data over the years and what it is like to work as a software engineer. They looked at real world scenarios and learnt the importance of working as a team.
Students had to present their ideas during the session, explaining how their ideas worked including security issues and other considerations. Some ideas that were designed by students during the session included locks, cars, trains, underground tubes and windows.
Absence Reporting Reminder
This is an important reminder that it is a parent/guardian’s key responsibility to report your child’s absence due to illness, urgent appointments or other reasons by 8.30am on the first day of absence and every subsequent day thereafter. Our preferred method for reporting absence is using the Arbor Parent Portal App (instructions shown below). Absences can also be reported calling the 24hr school absence line on 01582 314800 or email absence@kwschool.co.uk
All absence reports should be received by 8.30am at the latest, on the first day of absence and every subsequent day thereafter.
If you fail to contact the school to inform us of your child’s absence, or fail to respond to our attempts to contact you, this will be referred to our safeguarding team who may consider it appropriate to complete a safe and well check. The absence may also be classified as an unauthorised absence which may trigger the school’s attendance procedures.
When staff from both the attendance and safeguarding team take time out of their day to chase families, it detracts from the support we can offer to students in school.
Where possible, please give plenty of notice for any planned absence, for example hospital appointments, by using the Arbor parent portal app (on the day appointments) or emailing absence@kwschool.co.uk.
If you wish to discuss anything further regarding attendance matters, then please contact Chrissy Dicks or Katrina Linehan, Attendance Managers via the absence email address detailed above.
If you feel you would like support with your child’s attendance or well being, please do not hesitate to contact their Head of Year.
Click here to view the attendance page on the website.
Click here to view the school’s attendance policy.
In order to report absence through the Arbor Parent Portal APP, go to the home page of the Arbor app.
To record an absence, click on the Quick Actions button and then click Attendance
Chrissy Dicks & Katrina Linehan, Attendance Managers
Attendance Rewards
The school is keen to reward good attendance and has introduced some additional incentives to promote positive attendance.
Every half term the form who has the best attendance will receive some sweets from their form tutor (allergies & intolerance taken into consideration) and extra house points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
All students with 100% attendance over each half term are entered into a draw and five lucky students are given an early lunch pass for a week,
For those students who have 100% attendance over the whole term, they will be entered into the grand summer prize draw where prizes range from £5 to £50. Those students are also entered into an interim prize draw where five students will receive the value of 5 days free school meals added to their Arbor food account.
The top three forms for attendance for the second part of the autumn term (November – December) were announced in celebration assembly on Friday 19th December.
The winners were 7 Keller with the runners up being 7 Nightingale and 7 Armstrong – Congratulations to them all!
1st 2nd 3rd
Attendance resets at the start of every half term to give all students the opportunity to be part of the school’s attendance rewards.
Chrissy Dicks & Katrina Linehan – Attendance Managers
Harpenden Secondary Education Trust
Company Number: 09238779
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Address: Katherine Warington School, Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 5FH
Chair Of Trustees: Jenny Howarth, j.howarth@kwschool.co.uk
Katherine Warington School,
Lower Luton Road,
Harpenden,
Hertfordshire,
AL5 5FH
Telephone: 01582 314777
admin@kwschool.co.uk