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Pocklington School’s under 13 rugby squad were unbeaten at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, the world’s largest school rugby tournament, making them the first Pocklington School side to win all their matches in over 10 years.

The end of March saw us reach the end of another busy and exciting term, it’s wonderful to look back on all the fantastic experiences our students have enjoyed both in and out of school. 

The Leys is currently undertaking a term‑long trial of the Inkling AI Avatar Tutor, (founded by George Greenbury and Tom Waszkowycz) with a Year 10 English set, studying Of Mice and Men. The initiative, led by the Head of Digital Learning, Peter Hicks, and Head of English, Paula Stones, forms part of the school’s broader, pedagogy‑driven exploration of how artificial intelligence can enhance teaching and learning, in meaningful ways.

In Chapel on Monday morning, with much anticipation, the winners of this Tuesday 9 Congratulations to our former Artist-in-Residence, Chloe Barnes, who has been named Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2025, following a dramatic finale in which she captured acting legend Brian Cox in a bold, screen-printed portrait.

This February some of our UIV, LV and UV pupils took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge. This is a national competition run by the UK Maths Trust focuses on logical thinking and creative problem-solving. The challenge is designed to enrich and stretch the most able mathematicians.

The wonderful History of Art trip to Paris from Friday 13 to Monday 16 of February, planned by Dr Wickson and accompanied by Mrs McMahon, offered a range of immersive experiences exploring artistic developments across different periods and styles. The visit provided the opportunity to engage directly with artworks we had studied, making the experience both eye-opening and exciting.

Our recent Inspiring Futures Conference encouraged Lower Sixth students to remain open to opportunity, take considered risks, build meaningful connections, and explore a broad spectrum of career pathways.

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 began with a powerful Chapel that introduced this year’s theme, ‘this is my place’, and invited the whole school community to reflect on the importance of belonging. The message was clear: feeling that you belong is not a small thing – it is fundamental to wellbeing, identity and growth.

A huge congratulations to our outstanding team of runners who proudly represented Pocklington School at the Humberside Schools Cross Country Championships in Scunthorpe on Tuesday 20 February. Competing against some of the strongest young athletes in the region, our pupils demonstrated exceptional determination, resilience and team spirit across a challenging course.
 

We speak often about wellbeing in schools, and rightly so. The pressures young people experience today can feel unrelenting, and when those pressures tip into anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm, it is our responsibility to respond with clarity, compassion and care.

Year 6 pupil, Ben Hardy, was presented with the Child of Courage Award at the 2026 Bishop’s Stortford Indie Community Awards, held at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Football Club on Friday 23 January.

Year 10 pupil Tom P has earned a place in the prestigious England Touch Rugby Youth Academy, a High-Performance programme designed to develop elite players and prepare squads for major international competitions, including the European Championships later this year.

Colonel Ross Cleland is to join St Mary’s Calne and St Margaret’s Prep as the schools’ new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in spring 2026. He will be responsible for key operational areas including finance, estates and facilities, HR, health and safety, catering, housekeeping, transport, and commercial activities including the Sports Club.

“I’d like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet – the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.”
 

We are thrilled to announce that we have not only reached, but exceeded our £150,000 fundraising target for 2025, the School’s 150th anniversary year. The total raised was £162,824 which, with matched funding included, means a final total of £312,824.

Once again I am pleased to report that all children achieved outstanding results. The children worked so hard and really deserve these amazing results.

Members of the Pocklington School Equestrian Team enjoyed outstanding success at the prestigious National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) National Championships, held at Addington in Buckinghamshire just before half term.
 

The Leys marked the occasion with an extraordinary achievement: a sold-out, four-night run of Les Misérables from 3 to 6 December 2025.

The sound of laughter carries across the playing fields at Pocklington Prep. It’s a Games afternoon, there are three simultaneous games of hockey taking place, all perfectly pitched to the level of each small group. There are no benches filled with substitutes here - everyone is involved, everyone has a role, and everyone is learning what it means to be part of a team.

Muddy Stilettos have recently featured our new Head, Becky Lovelock, in their latest education Q&A.

We are saddened to share that Bertie Bellis, the sixth Headmaster of The Leys, passed away on Wednesday 1 October at the age of 98.

Blundell’s School pupils have achieved the school’s highest ever GCSE results, for exams taken under standard conditions.

Blundell’s School Pupils Celebrate Exceptional A-Level Success

On Wednesday 24 September 2025, to mark our 150th anniversary…

Monkton Combe School has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 'Independent Boarding School of the Year’ category in the 2025 Independent School of the Year Awards.

This summer, The Leys School celebrated the exceptional academic achievement of its A Level and GCSE pupils.

A thought piece examining whether Artificial Intelligence can truly replace human intellect, and why critical thinking and ethical judgment remain essential.

Our GCSE results day at Pocklington School is a moment of celebration and immense pride as we acknowledge the significant academic milestone and achievements of a remarkable group of Year 11 pupils.