William Howard School

08/09/2026

A 16-19 Bursary Fund is available to help and support any 16–19-year-old students who face financial barriers to participation in education and training, such as costs of transport, food or equipment.

🔗To find out more and apply, visit: https://www.williamhoward.cumbria.sch.uk/sixth-form/16-19-bursary/

⌛️Applications should be submitted by 11 September 2026.

#16-19bursary

07/09/2026

🔔A reminder that our Year 9 and Year 10 WHS Step Up Evenings take place this week.

📆 Year 10 – Tuesday 8 September
📆 Year 9 - Wednesday 9 September

These are important events designed to provide parents and carers with information needed to support their child throughout the academic year.

🤝We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is key to ensuring every student reaches their full potential, and we encourage all parents and carers to attend.

04/09/2026

We’re a little late with this post, but WHS are bursting with pride for ex-student Oliver Wightman who was part of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team at the recent World Championship held in Brazil🏈🧑‍🦽

GBWR🇬🇧 just missed out on a bronze medal after battling a world-class Japanese side in their final match, but to finish fourth in the world is an incredible achievement👏👏👏

Well done Oliver and the whole team🙌💙

🇬🇧 OLIVER WIGHTMAN
12 GB Caps. One To Watch.

After making the transition from wheelchair basketball to wheelchair rugby, Ollie has rapidly established himself within the GB programme as one to watch.

His athleticism, competitiveness and willingness to embrace new challenges have helped accelerate his rise through the sport.

📺 Follow the journey and watch every match live on the World Wheelchair Rugby YouTube channel.

🇬🇧🇧🇷

04/09/2026

Almost a year on from his loss, a valued former student and staff member is remembered with great warmth

A year after his death, Matt James' parents remember their son’s life and legacy ahead of a hammer competition in the Cumbrian athlete’s…

03/09/2026

💥The school came alive again today as we warmly welcomed back our students for the brand-new academic year. Everyone looked refreshed and excited to catch up with classmates.

We were especially delighted to be joined by our new Year 7 students and hope they enjoyed their first day as part of our WHS community.

Today clearly set the tone for the year ahead. As well as establishing expectations for behaviour, teaching and learning, and key routines that underpin the William Howard Way, the day was filled with activities designed to prepare our students for a successful year.

Students wrote a letter to their future selves, outlining their goals for the year and how they intend to make the most of every opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Form groups also took part in team-building activities designed to strengthen relationships and foster the sense of belonging that is so important to wellbeing and success.

🎪Our first-ever Freshers’ Fair created a great buzz in the sport hall. Stalls were manned by enthusiastic club members, showcasing the diverse array of extra-curricular activities on offer. We can honestly say there was something for everyone! We hope that every young person participates in at least one extra-curricular activity each week and can ‘find their element’ here at WHS.

02/09/2026

👋 We look forward to welcoming students back to school tomorrow (Thursday, 3 September), for a 8.45am start 🕣

➡️ On arrival, Year 7 students will go straight to the Performance Hall for assembly, along with their House Tutors.

➡️ All other students will be directed to House Tutor Rooms (there will be notice boards in the foyer with form rooms listed).

🎯The first two days will focus on an induction back into school life.

DAY 1 | Students will revisit our expectations for behaviour, teaching and learning, and key routines that underpin success at William Howard School.

Throughout the day, there will be:

🎉YEAR GROUP ASSEMBLIES providing an opportunity to welcome students back, celebrate the opportunities ahead and encourage everyone to strive to be the very best version of themselves this year.

🤝TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES designed to strengthen relationships and foster the sense of belonging that we know is so important to wellbeing and success.

🎪A FRESHERS' FAIR showcasing our wide range of extra-curricular activities where students can discover new opportunities to get involved in.

📒Timetables and planners will be distributed.

DAY 2 | From Friday, students will follow their normal timetables, with routines and expectations continuing to be reinforced.

31/08/2026

After a week of recovery, our Site Assistant, Ian Pukie Spriggs can justifiably look back at his recent monumental fundraising challenge with a real sense of achievement - and relief!

Ian, who undertakes a gruelling fundraiser each year to raise awareness for NSPKU, pushed himself to the limit with this one. In the space of just over 31 hours, he scaled Blencathra 14 times - covering 66.69miles and climbing 29,144 feet. That’s equivalent to the height of Everest! 🌄

During the weekend of 22nd and 23rd August he faced the added difficulty of temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius.🌡️

💬Ian said: “This has been my toughest challenge. I will never do anything like this again.”

Thankfully, Ian did not face the struggle alone. Along with the unrelenting support from his wife Sharon, many friends and colleagues from William Howard School joined him on ascents, providing encouragement and motivation to keep going. A special mention must go to Year 8 student Louise A, who managed a staggering five laps.

💬Ian acknowledged, “This last week has afforded me the time to reflect on the challenge; to look back at it and to see why it was such a success. The success of completing this challenge was, in my eyes, down to everyone else involved. From when I first mentioned the idea, during it and at the end the whole challenge is a superb advert for goodness. The fact that everyone involved gave up their time to help me is incredible, the efforts of Sharon Spriggs and everyone else at base camp was incredible, the people on Blencathra with me were incredible, the distances and elevation other people covered was incredible.”

He added: “It was a great success for WHS, for camaraderie, for friendship, for strangers coming together. Besides the tiredness, it was just perfect.”

The extreme exertion was made worthwhile by the generous donations given for this small but vital charity. The target of £2000 is close to being attained and donations are still welcome, so if you can help Ian reach this summit,
please visit👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-spriggs-4

31/08/2026

⏳The NEW ACADEMIC YEAR is on the horizon! ⛅️

We are excited to welcome our students back on:
📆Thursday 3 September 2026

We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer break and is feeling refreshed, ready to return and embrace new rewarding opportunities.

🫴We’re especially looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students. Starting secondary school is a big step but remember… be yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it 😊

28/08/2026

🍽️From the start of the 2026 academic year, the Department for Education introduced new eligibility rules for FREE SCHOOL MEALS.

Under the new rules, children in households receiving one or more elements of Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals.

A new national application system has been introduced to support this change. You can apply for free school meals and school clothing grants in one application.

To check if your child is eligible and apply for free school meals and school clothing grants, follow this link to the Cumberland Council website: 👇https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/schools-and-education/free-school-meals-clothing-vouchers-and-activities/free-school-meals-and-clothing-vouchers