World Book Day 2026

9th March 2026Rebecca Shaw

Duke’s World Book Day 2026 has been truly epic…

We kicked off our celebrations on Tuesday when we welcomed author and filmmaker Henry Vyner-Brooks and his Great Northern Tour. His workshops for Years 7, 8, and 9 focused on more than just writing, (although they did get lots of useful tips); they focused on resilience.

Henry shared his story of overcoming severe dyslexia to find success in the literary world, which deeply inspired everyone. He did a presentation about his books and films, shared some extremely useful tips for writing and then concluded the session with a creative writing challenge for our students – focused on suspense and tension, which he then judged.

Noah, Leigha, Jack, Mollie and Oliver were all given signed books as prizes!

English Lessons

This week, our English department transformed into a hub of literary celebration! To mark World Book Day, our staff shared their personal love for reading by displaying their favorite titles in every classroom.

The festivities took a creative turn with our “Shelfie” Challenge, where students turned detective to match teachers with their home bookshelves. We also took a peek into the minds of our educators through their “Desert Island Books”—a great starting point for some brilliant classroom discussions.

Get Involved!

The excitement isn’t over yet. Students can still enter our two headline competitions:

  • Write a Book Review
  • Design a Book Cover

Both competitions are open until March 27, 2026, with £10 Amazon vouchers up for grabs for the winners. Show us your creativity!

Thursday 5th March 2026: World Book Day!

World Book Day on March 5th was a whirlwind of activity, bringing together students, visitors, and families to celebrate the power of the written word.

Morning Inspiration: Visiting Schools & Future Prospects

We kicked off the day in Period 1 by welcoming students from The Castle School. It was a joy to see them exploring our shelves, picking out new favorite reads, and diving into book-themed jigsaws.

By Period 3, the focus shifted to the “why” behind the “what.” Our student group engaged in a lively debate about how reading shapes our future prospects. The consensus was clear: whether you want to be an astronaut or an artist, reading is the ultimate superpower for any career!

The session wrapped up with a high-energy reading quiz and a “Favorite Book” writing competition.

A huge congratulations to our winners, judged by Ms. Everton:

Year GroupTop 3 FinalistsOverall Winner
Year 7Hanna, Sherrie, and OliverOliver
Year 8Lola, Sophie, and ZaraZara

Connecting with Families

We were delighted to welcome 12 parents and carers for a special Period 5 session. This was a fantastic opportunity for families to tour our facilities and hear from Mrs. Bonham regarding the National Year of Reading 2026.

The library truly came to life with:

  • Interactive Exhibits: Including a popular display of Harry Potter memorabilia and authentic film props.
  • The Big Quiz: A friendly but competitive round! Well done to our top three scorers: Thomas, Oliver, and Rubi.

It was wonderful to see so many families engaging with our staff and seeing first-hand where their children’s literacy journeys take place.

Duke’s Students Dive into Creativity with ‘Strong Shores’ Puppetry Workshop

5th March 2026Louise Gatti

 

At Duke’s some Y7 and Y8 students took part in a creative workshop. It is one of many workshops created to work with different community partners to explore people’s connections to the coast. It was a puppetry workshop to get hands on   The puppets designed and created in the workshop could then be taken home or go forward to form part of a professional theatrical production that will tour seaside locations in May.
This is linked to a project called ‘Strong Shores’. This initiative is a Defra-funded, nature-based coastal resilience project that aims to strengthen British coastlines and communities against flooding, erosion, and climate change by harnessing the power of natural marine habitats.
The students who took part learnt a lot about how our coasts help protect the environment and then created their own puppets and were shown how to use them properly.

Adult Animated Content

25th February 2026Louise Gatti

Adult animated content is increasingly visible on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and streaming services. While the bright visuals and cartoon style may seem harmless at first glance, many of these shows and clips are created specifically for mature audiences, featuring strong language, sexual references, graphic violence and unsettling themes.

This #WakeUpWednesday guide helps parents and educators understand the risks, from misleading visuals and algorithm-driven recommendations to desensitisation and edgy humour. It also offers practical advice on platform settings, open conversations and building children’s critical thinking, so young people can navigate online animation safely and confidently.

Duke’s Student Shortlisted for Fundraiser of the Year at The Community Champions event

13th February 2026Louise Gatti

Oliver Griffiths Shortlisted for Fundraiser of the Year at The Community Champions event

Duke’s Secondary is proud to celebrate the achievements of  Oliver who was shortlisted last night for the prestigious Fundraiser of the Year award.

The recognition came during The Community Champions event, which received an exceptionally high number of entries this year. Being named among the shortlisted nominees is therefore a significant accomplishment and highlights Oliver’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to making a positive difference through fundraising.

The evening was a wonderful celebration of community spirit and achievement. Although competition was strong, Oliver’s efforts stood out, and the shortlisting alone is a testament to the impact he has made.

Everyone at Duke’s Secondary is incredibly proud of Oliver and delighted to see his work recognised at such a respected and prestigious event.

Fostering A Sense Of Belonging

11th February 2026Louise Gatti

Feeling a sense of belonging plays a vital role in children’s wellbeing, confidence and gives them the ability to thrive, both academically and emotionally. This Wake Up Wednesday guide explores why belonging matters and how small, everyday interactions can make a meaningful difference in helping children feel accepted and included.

Offering ten practical, easy-to-apply tips, the guide supports parents and educators in building positive relationships, celebrating individuality and fostering inclusive cultures at home and in school. Featuring information on language choices, emotional validation and shared decision-making, this edition of #WakeUpWednesday highlights simple ways to strengthen connection and nurture a genuine sense of togetherness.