The 12 and 13 year-olds were rewarded for their hard work towards the Common Entrance exams with an enrichment programme designed to provide enjoyment, hands-on learning, plus further teamwork and leadership experience.

It was the culmination of two years’ extra stretch and challenge in a safe and familiar setting which gives our pupils the edge in both confidence and attainment when they move on to senior school. These two years mark prep schools out from the Reception to Year 6 model and are valued by our parents as particularly rewarding in terms of their children’s development.

This year, Year 8 celebrated their last exam with ice creams and trip to the local park. Then they went off to North Eastern Spain for a week of activity and adventure and a good soak of culture.

On their return, Year 8 launched straight into a series of sports fixtures against local schools, in which they impressed with their mutual support and encouragement. They also found time to visit Yorkshire hotspots like Scarborough beach, Helmsley Castle and Ripon’s Himalayan Gardens – and to raise money for this year’s charity, Nayamba School, through a car wash.

Soon afterwards, the Common Entrance exam results were released, and we were able to congratulate Year 8 on some very impressive scores. These reflect their hard work throughout the years, but especially the last few weeks, when soaring temperatures demanded extra grit to stay focused.

A much-anticipated rite of passage for Year 8 is their end-of-year play. The children conceive, write, direct and perform the light-hearted comedy themselves, under the supervision of the Performing Arts team.

This year’s extravaganza, Stranded (A Very Dramatic, Very Chaotic, Slightly Useless Survival Story), did not disappoint. The year group’s hard work in developing their storytelling skills while learning about the opportunities and challenges of using AI as a creative tool, produced a very entertaining sketch which more than lived up to its title.

The performance in front of their appreciative families and staff was followed by perhaps the highlight of the post-CE programme, the highly competitive Year 8 Pupils v Parents cricket match.

We were blessed with perfect weather for this annual spectacle. The pitch reverberated with good-natured banter and whoops of joy when wickets fell or one family member caught another out. The catering team laid on a wonderful meal, which families enjoyed while appreciating the wonderful view over the sports pitches.

Then, all-too quickly, the last day of term arrived. An uplifting and emotional Leavers’ Service at the church united Year 8 pupils, their families and staff at a moving service which looked back on all their achievements. The Upper Pre Encore Choir also performed beautifully. Families and staff then formed a celebratory arch which the Year 8 children marched through towards the many opportunities ahead.

Speech Day was followed by tea on the lawn, at which adieus were said, shirts signed, and a few tears shed. We’re very proud of all Year 8 has achieved as we helped to prepare them for their senior schools, and look forward to seeing them build on their prep school foundations to achieve every success in the future.

Year 8, you’ve been a fabulous group and your senior schools are lucky to have you. We hope you all keep in touch and look forward to welcoming you as Old Terringtonians.