News
The latest from The Piggott School
You can keep up with all the latest news and events from The Piggott School via our website, our School News App (instructions below), Twitter and our School Blog.
Follow our departments on Twitter
A-Level Languages @piggenglang
Physical Education @PiggottPE
Computer Science @PiggottCS
Mathematics @3142ggott
History @piggotthistory
Sociology @piggology
Psychology @piggpsych
Science @PiggiodicTable
Business Studies @PiggottBS
Piggott Trips @PiggottTrips
For copies of all letters sent home please visit the Parents Page.
Stay up to date with our School News App
Get push notifications to your phone of important news, upcoming events and key dates. Follow these easy steps:
1. Download the app from either the iTunes App Store , Google Play or Windows Store by clicking on the relevant buttons below or by loading up the app store on your phone and searching for ‘School News’.
2. Launch the app and you will then be able to either click on the ‘Find my school’ button which uses the phones GPS to locate all the schools in the surrounding 20 miles, or you can type in the schools postcode and click on ‘Get my school’ button.
Our school's postcode is: RG10 8DS
3. You will then see a list of schools that use the app. Click on The Piggott School to view relevant news & events.
4. You will then be able to click on the ‘News’ button to view all the latest news items that have been added and all the upcoming calendar events by clicking on the ‘Events’ button.
Piggott in the press
In case you missed it, here are some recent press articles featuring stories about The Piggott School.
Read MoreRecord number take up computing challenge
Published 14/01/22Over 500 students from Years 7 – 10 and 12 - 13 took part in the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge last November for a chance to make it through to the Oxford University Computing Challenge (OUCC), a prestigious event in computational thinking.
Of that number, 78 Piggott students scored in the top 10% nationally, automatically giving them a place in Oxford University’s ‘invitation-only’ event.
We had 3 students selected from Year 10 & Year 12, 12 students from Year 9, 18 students from Year 8 and a record number of 42 students from Year 7.
The first round of the annual OUCC challenge is held online in schools and supervised by teachers with participants' solutions auto-marked by the OUCC system.
Following this, the top 20 students in each age group are invited to Oxford University to compete in the final.
This is our third year participating in the challenge. Last year, Piggott twins Finlay and Oliver (Year 9) remarkably achieved a top 20 place after competing against 3,875 students nationwide in the Year 8 & 9 age OUCC category.
In 2020, finalist Matthew Sullivan (Year 12 at the time) won the chance to spend the day at Oxford University attending seminars, a prize that inspired him to go on to study at Oxford University.
The OUCC is an invitation-only event which aims to encourage students to develop their skills further and produce programmed solutions to computational thinking problems.
Just before the end of Term 1, students received their certificates. Take a look at the photos here:
Read MoreU13s through to semis
Published 14/01/22After a fantastic performance, our U13 Girls Football team representing Reading FC made it through to the semi-final of the Utilita Cup. Utilita Energy partnered with the English Football League to power Britain’s biggest junior football tournaments: the Utilita Kids Cup and Utilita Girls Cup.
Over 22,000 schoolchildren take part in six-a-side action for the chance to represent their local EFL club - and compete for a once in a lifetime appearance at Wembley.Good luck going forward girls.
Keep up with news from each year level here: https://www.piggottschool.org/lettersandlatestnews
Read MoreCertificates A-Level and Level 3
Published 12/01/22Students and their families are usually invited to witness the presentation of A-Level and Level 3 certificates. Unfortunately, in light of the circumstances, we have been unable to hold this presentation evening and would like to invite students to collect their certificates from main reception during the school day.
Read MoreChristmas Tree for CIRDIC
Published 11/01/22
In the week leading up to Christmas last year, we delivered our first Christmas tree to CIRDIC. This is the Churches In Reading Drop In Centre. We took the beautiful 6-foot tree in time for Christmas along with some decorations and a much-needed supply of socks! Around 90 students cut out and wrote beautiful messages of Christmas cheer which were then hung on the tree as decorations and wrapped around the socks as gifts for the homeless.This is one of many trips The Piggott School will be making to CIRDIC over the coming year. We are working closely with the centre to discover their needs and as a wider school community, will create provision for them. As a Christian school, with our vision set to be Samaritans as Jesus taught us, we constantly seek to ‘go and do likewise'. We are looking forward to building our relationship further with CIRDIC and will be offering additional opportunities for students to be involved this year.
For further information about CIRDIC please visit their website here.
Read MoreThought-provoking performance
Published 08/12/21On Wednesday 24th November, the Wokingham based charity Soulscape delivered a PSHE workshop to the Year 10 pupils. Soulscape partners with schools in Wokingham and Bracknell to help deliver effective RE and PSHE lessons, and to create a space where pupils can talk about sensitive issues. Soulscape partnered with sixth form pupils from READ College, Reading to deliver their OBJECT Workshop which explored issues around pornography, relationships and self-image.
They delivered a brilliantly choreographed, honest and thought-provoking 20-minute theatre presentation followed by a 25-minute small group discussion, led by the sixth form performers.
It was an excellent opportunity for the pupils to engage with a sensitive topic and to explore follow-up questions with leaders closer in age. The feedback from Year 10 was extremely positive, with most finding the session very helpful, educational and relatable. They appreciated the open environment, honest conversation and theatre performance that highlighted the impact of pornography on relationships in young people.
Read MoreStudents awarded Bronze Crest
Published 25/11/21Students address real world problems through CREST Award
A group of Year 10 students successfully completed their Bronze Crest Award this year and were recently awarded their certificates by Mrs Elliott (Head of KS5 Chemistry) in recognition of the successful projects they planned and executed addressing a real-world problem.
The Bronze Crest Awards introduce students to project work empowering them to work like real scientists, technologists, engineers or mathematicians. Students choose their own topic and methodologies, giving them complete freedom over their work.
Bronze projects are assessed against the CREST assessment criteria and the project process develops enquiry, problem-solving and communication skills.
This year the students’ topics included:
- Assessment of the quality of the school pond as a first step to using it as an educational resource.
- Determining how to make your own fizzy drink
- Growing food using aeroponics
- Investigation of chromatography (which is used in lateral flow tests)
- Investigation of dehydration
Not only did these students complete their topics over and above the required CREST standard, but they also did so during difficult COVID-restricted times, completing a lot of their work at home and online.
Congratulations to Anoushka, Aiden, Alex, Arthur, Annabel and Evie.
Read MoreIt's that time of year again!
Published 24/11/21If you're heading out to by your Christmas tree, local Sheeplands plant nursery, cafe and farm shop is supporting the PTAs of local schools this Christmas.
Read MorePSA Christmas Raffle
Published 22/11/21Be in it to win it and win some extra cash this Christmas! Support the PSA and get your tickets online for The PSA Christmas Raffle for your chance to win one of three monetary prizes including £100, £75 or £50 plus a bottle of bubbly for the winners. Entries close 14th December 2021.
The Piggott School Association aims to raise funds that will go towards enhancing the school's facilities and resources that will enrich your child’s education.
Read MoreCreation Myths explored
Published 22/11/21In RE this term, the Year 7’s are studying Creation Myths; exploring origin stories from around the world, from the Biblical account of Genesis, the Hindu account of Brahman to the Australian Aboriginal myth. We believe a diverse, cross-cultural and thought-provoking curriculum is the most effective for developing holistic, well-rounded students.
Whilst studying the Aboriginal creation myth, students delved into the spiritual and mystical significance of Aboriginal music and artwork. The students showed incredible enthusiasm for this topic, so their homework task was to produce Aboriginal artwork to represent elements of the Dreamtime creation story we read through in lesson.
We were extremely impressed with the level of effort, creativity and interpretation that the students portrayed. You can find more examples of their work here: https://www.piggottschool.org/year7
Read MoreFA Coaching Award @ Piggott
Published 19/11/21If you love sport and you're keen to pursue a career in the sports industry; be that as a player, coach, fitness instructor, sports psychologist or some other role, take a look at our Football Academy courses and join our information evening and open day events coming up.
Our football studies programmes allow students the opportunity to play and coach football and still gain the qualifications, skills and experience they require to gain entry into university and access to jobs in the sports industry.
Students may be able to access work placements at Chelsea FC Foundation, where they could experience life as a coach in a professional club.
We have been successfully developing young sports coaches in the Berkshire area for over a decade. Since we introduced the football studies programme in 2008, our graduates have exceeded all expectations. We have past students that are now PE Teachers, soccer coaches in professional clubs and in the USA, fitness instructors in local health, and pupils studying a variety of sports courses at universities across the country.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Join our information session and open days at The Piggott School to find out more about the exceptional courses offered in partnership with the Chelsea Football Club Foundation.
Girls Football Academy Information Evening: Tuesday 23 November from 6:30-7:15pm
Coaching Academy Information Evening: Wednesday 24th November from 6:30-7:15pm
SIGN UP FOR THE INFORMATION SESSION
Watch our video here to find out more about the coaching programme:
Read More30 large crates for ReadiFood
Published 19/11/21Last week, The Piggott School community rallied together to donate food for those in need and in doing so they collected 30 crates of food and other useful items.
“We are incredibly proud of how the Piggott school community responded to our food collection last week. With the help of the prefect team and the generosity of Piggott families, we filled 30 very large crates with food and other useful items for our friends at ReadiFood. Thank you to all who contributed. Each contribution, big or small makes a difference.”
Miss Marris
Read MoreStudents get their say on COP26
Published 12/11/21"There's no planet B so we need to do something now" said Piggott student Otilie in ITV Meridian's recent programme about the COP26 Climate Conference. Fellow student Anna joined her, "This won't be a quick fix but it's a really good step" she said.
You can watch the full programme and the girls in action here https://youtu.be/w8s3at6e1EE
Read MoreGirls football on the rise
Published 12/11/21Did you know that more than 3.5 million women and girls are now playing football across England? If you're one of them, and you love playing football but are thinking about giving it up to study your A-Levels in 2022-2023, think again.
The Piggott School offers female footballers the perfect opportunity to combine their A-Level studies in an outstanding academic environment with professional football coaching and competitive matches.
The programme will provide players with the skill to be able to develop their performance and understanding of the game. Training sessions will fit around the girls' academic lessons, allowing pupils flexibility to study up to 3 A-Level or Vocational qualifications alongside their training.
Players will be expected to train up to 4 hours a week and represent the Academy team.
We are realistic in our view that very few students will become professional footballers and therefore we focus on providing our students with the experience, values and qualifications that will offer them a broader choice and pathway in the sports industry when they graduate.
INFORMATION SESSION
Join our information session on 23rd November at 6:30-7:15pm at The Piggott School to find out more about this exceptional course delivered in partnership with the Chelsea Football Club Foundation.
SIGN UP FOR THE INFORMATION SESSION
Watch our video here to find out more about the programme:
Read MoreTake a look at our Sixth Form
Published 10/11/21Pop along to our virtual Open Day 2021 and browse through our Sixth Form videos. You can also sign up for our live webinar which will take place next Wednesday 17th November at 4pm.
Read MoreSixth Form Open Events
Published 03/11/21Just under 130 students joined our Sixth Form from other schools in 2021. We asked some students why they chose to come to The Piggott School for their A-Level or Vocational qualifications. Find out what they had to say about the Sixth Form.
Read MoreSixth Form Open Day
Published 18/10/21Our Sixth Form Virtual Open Day activities will begin on Wednesday 10th November and will conclude with a live webinar on Wednesday 17th November from 4-4:30pm. Take a look behind the scenes with a series of videos and presentations about the A-Level and vocational courses available at The Piggott School and find out why Ofsted said "The Piggott School Sixth Form is outstanding".
Read MorePiggott student in fun run
Published 08/10/21Year 9 student Clara will take part in the 5km race this Sunday in the Twyford Together Fun Run being held at The Piggott School.
Clara is fundraising for wolfram syndrome, the rare autosomal-recessive genetic disorder she has. If you'd like to show Clara some support you can do so here - https://gofund.me/1a6d4e87
Twyford Charity 5K and Fun Run
Just a reminder that online registration for Sunday's Fun Run closes at midday on Saturday. On the day entry is subject to race limits and costs an additional £2.50 for the 5K and £2 for all other races (cash only). To register, visit the Twyford Together website at www.twyfordtogether.org.
FREE Bike Checks
My Journey Wokingham is offering FREE bike checks at the fun run. There are a few slots left if your bike needs a once-over, but they must be pre-booked by 5pm today. If you're not taking part, you can still take advantage of this. Feel free to come along and support others or enjoy the eco-friendly stalls: (Polehampton PTA Second-hand Books, Refill Hub (bring containers), Camp Mohawk Pre-loved Toys, TRHA Pumpkin Rolling Races, Happy Hours Homemade Cakes, TRIP Pen Recycling (no pencils or crayons please), Rural Pie Refreshments, My Journey Wokingham Smoothie Bike, Castle Royle Fitness and Comets Football Skills).
Read MoreVirtual Open Evening 6pm
Published 30/09/21If you're thinking about joining The Piggott School in 2022, join us online this evening from 6pm, when we will share with you a series of videos from our Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and from each department.
Sign up here for our Live Webinars and come behind the scenes with our on-site tours being held next week.