Senior School newsletter – 5 June 2026
Issue 13/2025/26
Head’s welcome
I hope you all enjoyed a happy and sunny half-term, and that your children had the rest they needed after a busy half of term filled with the hard work and nerves of examinations. The 1st-4th and L6th pupils have been receiving their grades and feedback this week, and I hope they feel that it has been a constructive process, with skills and knowledge rightly praised as well as gaps identified for further work this half and onwards. Of course, parents of 5th and U6th pupils will be all too aware that the public exam season marches on. It is long and demanding; I have been immensely impressed by the maturity, perseverance and good humour shown by all of them. I continue to wish them bon courage.
Much has happened since I last wrote. Through a full application, interview and feedback process, we have appointed our Gown Prefects, Heads of Houses and Ingrams Prefects for next year, whose responsibilities start now, alongside senior CCF leadership roles. Heads of School will be appointed at the end of this term, and Captains of sports by the heads of sport in the preceding term. There was a successful (and hot!) Army Field Weekend and Bronze DofE expedition over half-term, as well as honours for our Equestrian team at Hickstead. I was delighted to hear of our actors’ successes on the stage, with awards and accolades at both regional and national competitions, while the presentation of Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards at Buckingham Palace provided a fitting celebration of the commitment, resilience and service shown by so many of our current and former Kimboltonians.
I am delighted to be opening our fabulous new four-lane cricket net facility at the Prep this evening in collaboration with Kimbolton Cricket Club, who have co-funded this exciting development, which will benefit a great number of our cricketers of all ages. There is also much to look forward to, with work beginning this summer in the Roger Peel Sports Centre on our new fitness suite, and I hope to see as many of you at the show around events as can make it.
I am also delighted to share some excellent news. On Tuesday evening, Kimbolton School was named Community Business of the Year at the SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2026. It was a proud moment for everyone connected with the School and a fitting recognition of the many ways in which our staff, pupils and wider community work together beyond the classroom to benefit those beyond our grounds. Many of you will be familiar with our Masterclass programme, and I know that lots of your children have benefited from it over the years. What began as an opportunity to share expertise and inspire young people has grown into a long-standing commitment to educational outreach and community engagement. Alongside our partnerships with local schools, charitable initiatives and community events, it reflects our belief that schools have a responsibility not only to educate their own pupils but also to contribute positively to the wider community, which in turn benefits our girls and boys. This award is recognition of that collective effort, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in making it possible.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Will Chuter
Headmaster
“We believe that schools have a responsibility not only to educate their own pupils but also to contribute positively to the wider community.”
Will Chuter
Headmaster
Whole school updates
Young performers celebrate double success in Theatre Competitions
It was a remarkable weekend for Kimbolton School’s young performers, who achieved outstanding success in two prestigious theatre competitions.
At the regional final of the All England Theatre Festival, our dramatists secured an impressive second place against strong competition, including two adult theatre companies. In their first-ever attempt at the festival, the cast delivered a performance that earned high praise from the adjudicator, with the winners prevailing by only a very narrow margin. Adding to the achievement, Beau J. was awarded Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Prior Walter.
The celebrations continued in London, where Toby T. competed in the semi-finals of the National Youth Monologue Competition. Selected from more than 4,000 entrants nationwide, Toby performed as Hannay from The 39 Steps and won first place in his category. He will now progress to the national finals at Trafalgar Studios on 14 June.
These achievements are a testament to the talent, dedication and hard work of our pupils, as well as the strength of the School’s drama department. Congratulations to Beau, Toby and everyone involved on an exceptional day of success.
Gold DofE Success at Buckingham Palace
Several Kimbolton pupils and Old Kimboltonians recently celebrated achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a special presentation event at Buckingham Palace, joined by Martin Bray, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager.
Held in glorious sunshine, the day featured inspirational speakers, a brass band performance of the National Anthem and plenty of tea and cake as Gold Award recipients from across the country gathered to mark their achievement.
The Gold Award is the highest level of the DofE programme and recognises exceptional commitment to volunteering, skills, physical activity, expeditions and residential experiences. This year, 16 Kimbolton pupils have already completed their Gold Award, contributing a remarkable 861 hours of volunteering between them.
Congratulations to all our Gold Award recipients on this outstanding achievement.
Anne Bantin, Head of History in a new film – all about learning History at Kimbolton
New fitness suite coming to the Roger Peel Sports Centre
Work will begin this summer on a fantastic new fitness suite in the Roger Peel Sports Centre, featuring a dedicated weights room and aerobic fitness space to enhance our strength and conditioning provision for pupils.
The project has already attracted generous support from Old Kimboltonians and the KSPA, and we look forward to officially opening the facility in September.
Parents, staff and members of the local community are invited to find out more about the project, meet the architect and speak with members of staff involved at one of our informal drop-in sessions on 16 and 18 June.
Boarders’ charity events – Sunday 7 June
Please come and support the boarders if you can on Sunday. The girls will be having a bake sale and also serving tea and cake in the garden of White House between 12 and 4, whilst the boys will be cleaning cars at the back of Kim House 11-1pm.
Please help us support our charities – William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health and Breast Cancer Now – both charities which are close to our hearts.
Vanbrugh300 talk with Dr Simon Thurley CBE – free for all
As many of you are aware, 2026 is an exciting year for the heritage of Kimbolton as we help to celebrate the life of Sir John Vanbrugh as part of the national commemoration of his life on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his death.
On 2 July, distinguished historian and heritage leader, Dr Simon Thurley CBE, will present a lecture examining his lifelong fascination with Sir John Vanbrugh.
A former pupil of Kimbolton School, Dr Thurley currently serves as Chair of the Delivery Authority for the Restoration and Renewal of the Houses of Parliament. From 2002 to 2015, he was Chief Executive of English Heritage. Dr Thurley will recount the story of the Castle’s “Great Rebuilding”, when Vanbrugh and his assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor were commissioned by Charles Edward Montagu, 4th Earl of Manchester, to redesign the building’s south front. What began as a single commission soon expanded as Vanbrugh persuaded the Earl to transform all four sides of the building in a unified architectural style. The talk will explore Vanbrugh’s ambitious plans for the Castle, including the creation of the grand Saloon, the State Bedchamber and adjoining Boudoir, the Green Drawing Room, and significant alterations to the Chapel and Main Staircase. This talk is free and will offer a fascinating insight into the history of Kimbolton.
The Old Kimboltonian 2026 Summer Reunion
On Saturday 20 June, Kimbolton School will be welcoming alumni back for The Old Kimboltonian 2026 Summer Reunion. This is an annual celebration for former pupils of Kimbolton School. Throughout the day, alumni from across seven generations will return to reconnect with one another, tour the school, and enjoy a variety of sporting events.
Castle Ball – tickets now available
The KSPA are excited to announce that the Summer Ball will be held on the 4 July 2026.
It will take place during the evening of our Speech Day, and we hope to see many of you there!
