Forest School with 4NT & 3NA

 New School Year.....New Forest School!

A new school year, meant new and exciting Forest School sessions for the boys in 4NT & 3NA.

This term, the boys got to experience activities in a variety of locations. Each one providing excellent facilities and experiences for the boys.

Our first session saw the boys take to Canada Common, in the New Forest. Here, the boys played a huge game of Hide & Seek. Equipped with walkie talkies and camouflage ponchos, the boys split into groups. One hiding and the other seeking. The boys had to use team work and communication to locate the other group. As you can see, some of the boys blended into their environment very well!!!

                                  

One of our sessions kept us local. Which meant some of the boys got the chance to cycle to Southampton Common. Lead by Miss Ifould and Mr Betlem, those who cycled learnt how to stay safe on the road, looking at road positions, signs and braking distances. 

At the common, all the boys come together and split into groups. Laser Tag in one group and cycling in the other. For one or two, it was their first ever opportunity in learning how to ride a bike.

Those who played Laser Tag used the woodland settings to their advantage excellently! 

One of the most challenging sessions at Forest School was the Rope Challenge course at the QE2 Centre, down by the River Hamble Country Park. Here, the boys all showed great resilience, team work and communication with one another to complete the course. The challenge was to take a bucket of water from start to finish, passing it to each other without spilling the water.  From walking over tight ropes, to scurrying through underground tunnels and aiding one another through a tyre tunnel, they all took to the course brilliantly, managing to keep the water in the bucket! 

This term, we visited The Climbing Hangar for the first time as a school. As it was only down in Millbrook, most of the boys were able to cycle to the venue. Here, the boys got first hand experience of bouldering, using different types of climbing walls, consisting of a variety of levels. These ranged from flat walls, to inverted climbs. The boys were great in assisting each other on where to put their footing and which part of the climb made it easier to get to the top.

An added bonus, was a stream running alongside the building. This enabled the boys to go magnet fishing! Finds consisted of pulling out a kitchen light fitting to scaffolding clips! 

Well done to all the boys who took part in this terms Forest School! They showed great communication skills, team building, environmental awareness and resilience!

Engagement Pathways: Personal Development and Local Visits

As part of their personalised timetables, pupils on the school’s Engagement Pathways all benefit from the opportunity to engage with some form of Personal Development.

Previously referred to as ‘Engagement’, Personal Development allows pupils to learn new skills individualised to their needs, gain new experiences that will benefit them in their education and future employment and help them to enjoy school in a non-traditional way, which they may have previously struggled with.

Some examples of this include:

·        Pupils going to the shop to buy supplies for future projects, this helps them to learn about budgeting and interacting with others.

·        Outdoor activities in the New Forest or large wooded areas that helps pupils to learn about and engage with nature in ways they may not have previously had the opportunity to.

·        Trips to museums and car showrooms which are tremendously beneficial for pupil’s education and building a better relationship with their schooling

I-CONSTRUCT CAREERS DAY 2026

 I-CONSTRUCT CAREERS DAY 2026

A few pupils from Year 9 & 10 had the privilege of attending this years I-Construct Careers Day 2026 in Lee-on-Solent.

 Here, the boys were introduced to a variety of different Construction industries, including Brick Laying, Electrical Installation, Plastering and lots more!

Whether it was learning how to put mortar on a brick, plaster a tile or cut electrical cables, each pupil got to experience a new trade in a hands on way.

As a group, the boys were excellent in participating in most activities that were on offer. One Health and Safety company even had VR headsets that highlighted what hazards to look out for on a construction site.

The day was a great success, and each pupil came away with further knowledge that they can take forward when deciding what they do when they leave school.

A big thanks to the I-Construct team, and we look forward to next year!

Wetwheels - A Personal Development Day to Remember!!!

Let the Powerboats Commence!

This term, some of our lucky Year 7 classes...and a few Year 9 pupils, got the privilege to spend the afternoon out at sea, with the fantastic Wetwheels team. 

For most of the boys, this was the first time they had even stepped onto a boat, bringing both excitement and apprehension. But with Polygon staff and the always supportive Wetwheels volunteers, any apprehension soon turned into thrills and joy!

As always, safety first. The boys are all fitted with lifejackets to size and listen to the safety briefing before heading out. Once onboard and seated, the trip always starts with a gentle ride up the river. This allows the boys to gaze at all of their surroundings, from boats of all sizes, to the wildlife, which includes swans and herons. At this point, the boys are allowed to walk around the boat, asking the Captain any questions they may have. They can even use the onboard computer, enabling them to see the speed and position of the boat, as well as how deep the sea is below.

Once joining the Solent, the boys used binoculars to see out to Victoria Country Park, to Fawley Power Station. Even as far as the Isle of Wight! 

Once out at sea, the countdown begins...…the boys are seated and prepared for the full powerboat experience! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...…WETWHEELS!! 

Then it's full throttle! 0-20+ knots and the splashing begins!

Whether the boys are sat on the sides or in the middle, no one escaped the incoming sea water!

At this point, any nerves or anticipation has been screamed away, with the sound of 'FASTER, FASTER!'.

These trips are always great fun and filled with adrenaline. But they are also fantastic to see how, in such a small amount of time, the boys confidence grows in stature. It also allows the boys to experience an environment and experience that they might not have accessible to them.

A big thank you to the Wetwheels team, for their knowledge, expertise and providing these positive opportunities to our pupils. 

Engagement Pathway Pupils Success

 🎉 Small Steps, Big Success!

Our pupils do not always like being in the spotlight, but their hard work deserves to be recognised.

In the summer of 2026 on the Engagement Pathway:

✅ 1 pupil achieved Entry Level 2 in English and Maths

 ✅ 2 pupils achieved Entry Level 3 in English and Maths

 ✅ 1 pupil achieved Functional Skills Level 1 Maths

Entry Level and Functional Skills qualifications help pupils build important English and Maths skills for everyday life, college and future jobs.

We are incredibly proud of these achievements and so should the pupils. They show determination, resilience and real progress.

Even more exciting, many pupils are now ready to move on to the next level in this academic year - 2026/27.

Well done to all our learners. Every step forward is a success worth celebrating! 🎊👏

 

Our recent Art display transformed Room 7 into a striking banquet inspired by the colour wheel, Pop Art, and the growing issue of microplastics in the food chain. Students created vibrant and thought-provoking work that combined bold colours and graphic imagery with important environmental messages, encouraging visitors to reflect on the impact of plastic pollution on our planet.

Students showcased their creativity and awareness through a colourful banquet-themed foods. The display was filled with imaginative artworks that highlighted the issue of microplastics in the food chain, which successfully combined creativity with a powerful social message, leaving a lasting impression on pupils, staff, families and visitors.

New Generation Of Weightlifting at Polygon

Lifting and Shifting at Polygon 

September 2026 saw the new wave of Polygon boys using the weights room and having a chance to experience success and how to lift heavy weights correctly as well as learn how to "spot" for others to help them keep safe and share the responsibility around the group.

The boys have loved the chance to do something a bit different and try and get themselves on the Wall of Fame to show off their PBs-well done boys.

Currently, we have Callum in Year 11 who has been lifting outside of school at Lakeside Weightlifting Club in Eastleigh who is helping the boys and acting as a fantastic role model. We also are having a lot of talent in the lower years starting to come through with one of Year 8s Keegan lifting as much as some of our Year 11s.