The sessions will run on the following dates:

• Monday 26 January, 8:45–10:00
• Wednesday 28 January, 8:45–10:00
• Tuesday 3 February, 8:45–10:00

Parents and carers will have the chance to meet staff, explore the setting, and see how the playgroup supports early learning.

Those wishing to attend are asked to register their interest by emailing hello@overtonplaygroup.com.

The playgroup has also released a short video offering a look at daily life, giving families a preview of the activities and atmosphere on offer as they prepare for the next academic year.

The event begins at 6:00 PM, giving visitors the chance to explore the school’s wide range of departments, meet staff, and see first-hand the facilities that support both academic and personal development.

A highlight of the evening will be the Headteacher’s Talk at 7:30 PM, where the school’s vision and values will be shared. The focus will be on preparing students to become independent, resilient, and responsible individuals, ready for life after secondary school.

The evening is designed to give parents and students a clear sense of what makes Testbourne Community School distinctive, from its teaching and curriculum to the wider opportunities available.

Testbourne staff say they are looking forward to welcoming the community and showcasing the school’s strengths.

Held in the beautiful grounds of Overton Primary School, the fete kicks off at 12:00pm and runs through until 4:30pm — and there’s something for everyone. Once again, Rob and Kevin from the Overton Radio team are proud to be hosting the event for the third year running – keeping the energy high, the announcements flowing, and the tunes playing throughout the afternoon!

Arena & Amphitheatre Highlights

The day starts with high-energy performances to get everyone in the mood. At 12:15pm, the Marina School of Dance takes to the Arena, followed by Meraki Dance Studios at 1:30pm. Over in the amphitheatre, don’t miss the School Choir singing their hearts out at 2:00pm.

Ready, Set… SPLASH! It’s Colour Run Time

One of the main attractions returns with a (literal) splash – the OSA Colour Run! Registration begins at 2:30pm, with a warm-up session at 3:05pm, and the race itself launching at 3:20pm. Expect colour, chaos, and plenty of laughs as runners are doused in vibrant powder while racing around the course.

The Rainbow Raffle & Spitfire Spectacle

Don’t forget to grab your tickets for the ever-popular Rainbow Raffle, drawn at 3:00pm, with a host of colourful prizes up for grabs.

Then, prepare for a moment of awe – a Spitfire Flypast is scheduled for 4:20pm, giving the afternoon a truly unforgettable finale before the fete closes at 4:30pm.

Plus…

There’ll be stalls, games, food, drink, and loads of fun activities dotted around the school grounds. Whether you’re looking to browse local crafts, try your luck on the tombola, or just enjoy a sunny afternoon with neighbours, the OSA Summer Fete is the place to be.

Join us this Saturday for a day full of fun, friendship, and fantastic community spirit – only in Overton!

The school, based on Court Drove, was visited by inspectors on March 25 and 26. Their report, published on May 9, highlights several strengths across the board — especially its emphasis on mental health and pastoral care.

While the school was previously rated ‘outstanding’ overall in 2014, this latest inspection awarded it one ‘outstanding’ mark — for behaviour and attitudes — and four ‘good’ ratings across key areas including the quality of education, leadership and management, early years provision, and personal development.

Inspectors described pupil behaviour as “exemplary” in classrooms, playgrounds, assemblies, and corridors. Children clearly understand and live by the school’s values of being “ready, respectful and safe”. The report also celebrated the school’s motivational approach — with “hot chocolate Friday” rewarding pupils who try their best in class.

Overton Primary, which has 371 pupils, was praised for creating a nurturing and positive atmosphere. Inspectors noted that “warm relationships are evident throughout the school”, and highlighted the work of wellbeing ambassadors who organise activities to support mental health.

Children were found to be “highly enthusiastic” about learning. One standout example saw pupils designing homes for baby chicks after watching eggs hatch in class. The school’s focus on reading was also praised, with children becoming “better writers as well as readers” thanks to engaging texts and lessons. Reading to Dora, the school’s therapy dog, is a firm favourite among pupils.

Lunchtimes were described as “calm”, with the playground offering a lively and inclusive space. For those needing a quieter environment, the “Fern Club” provides a peaceful alternative. A wide range of clubs, including choir and dodgeball, were also appreciated by pupils — many of whom take pride in raising funds for the school’s partner school in Uganda.

Environmental responsibility is a key part of school life. Pupils were praised for their care for the planet, with eco-councillors working to reduce energy waste on site.

The report did highlight some areas for development, noting that there is “some variability” in how well teachers adapt tasks to suit different learners. However, inspectors said that most pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, are supported well and make good progress.

Staff morale is high, with the report noting that teachers enjoy working at the school and value the professional development on offer. Attendance, which dipped during the pandemic, has seen marked improvement thanks to concerted efforts by school leaders.

Headteacher Fiona Wyeth said:

“We could not be prouder of the inspection report. It praises the children’s behaviour and mature attitudes, the strength of our curriculum, the quality of teaching, and the strong relationships throughout the school community.”

She also highlighted the inspectors’ feedback on safeguarding and support:

“The children told inspectors they feel safe, free from bullying, and that poor behaviour is dealt with properly. Our governors were also praised for their dedication and knowledge. It really is a whole-school effort.”

This borough-wide initiative follows increasing concern among headteachers regarding the impact of smartphones on pupils’ mental health, sleep quality, concentration, and overall development. School leaders describe the growing body of evidence as “impossible to ignore,” with many reporting noticeable behavioural and emotional changes in pupils who have regular access to smartphones.

Implementation to Begin in September

The policy will be phased in over a twelve-month period. From September 2025, only pupils in Year 6 will be permitted to bring smartphones onto school premises – under the condition that devices are handed in at the start of the school day. Pupils in Year 5 will no longer be allowed to bring smartphones at all.

From September 2026, smartphones will be prohibited for all primary-aged pupils. However, pupils in Years 5 and 6 will be permitted to bring basic mobile phones – often referred to as “brick phones”—which allow calls and texts but do not support internet access or social media applications.

Collaboration with Smartphone Free Childhood

The new policy is being introduced in partnership with Smartphone Free Childhood, a grassroots campaign that launched in early 2024 and has since grown into a nationwide movement. The organisation encourages parents to sign up to its Parent Pact, a voluntary agreement to delay children’s access to smartphones until at least the end of Year 9.

The campaign, which now involves over 150,000 parents in the UK and has a presence in every county, advocates for a shift in how and when children are introduced to digital technology. The Basingstoke school group is among the first in the country to implement a borough-wide response in alignment with these aims.

Supporting Families Through the Transition

In recognition of the challenges families may face in adapting to the new policy, the alliance is also offering a series of free webinars. These sessions are designed to help parents understand the research underpinning the policy, navigate issues related to screen time, and make informed decisions about digital parenting.

A Proactive Step Towards Cultural Change

While some may view the initiative as a bold or even controversial move, school leaders emphasise the importance of taking proactive steps to prioritise children’s wellbeing. They point to historical examples – such as seat belt laws, smoking bans, and improved school meal standards – as policies that initially faced resistance but ultimately gained widespread acceptance for the public good.

With this new policy, Basingstoke’s schools are positioning themselves at the forefront of a growing cultural shift – one that aims to protect and preserve the experiences of childhood in an increasingly connected world.

Despite being a small nursery, catering to around 25 children per day aged between 3 months and 5 years, the setting has proven that size does not limit excellence. To attain an Outstanding rating, nurseries must achieve top marks in all assessed areas, and Watership Down Nursery has done just that.

Located in the picturesque rural setting of Laverstoke, just outside Overton, the nursery embraces a unique ‘family grouping’ approach. This means that children of all ages learn, play, and explore together in a nurturing, home-like environment. The surrounding landscape provides an exceptional backdrop for outdoor learning, with children regularly venturing into nature to explore the River Test or participate in Forest School sessions.

In addition to fostering a love for nature, the nursery has also been recognised for its commitment to sustainability. Their passion for environmental stewardship has earned them an RHS award for their garden projects and a separate sustainability award, reflecting their dedication to teaching children about the natural world.

A much-loved feature of the nursery’s outdoor adventures includes visits to local farm animals, where sheep and cows are serenaded by the enthusiastic young learners. Through these experiences, Watership Down Nursery provides an enriching, hands-on learning environment that nurtures curiosity and creativity in every child.

With its outstanding Ofsted rating and commitment to excellence in early years education, Watership Down Nursery & Preschool continues to be a cherished part of the local community, offering a place where children thrive in a warm, family-like setting.

Under the guidance of Emma Young from Sustainable Overton, the preschool children took turns with the spade, compost and watering can – helping to give their tree the best possible start.

They learned about what their new ‘Katy’ apple tree needs to stay healthy, including compost to give it energy, and how they can continue to look after it so that the village can benefit from fresh fruit for years to come.

An added highlight was the appearance of a curious earthworm, who surprised and excited the children when popping up to say “hello”.

Situated at Overton Hill and managed by a team of volunteers, the Overton Community Orchard provides a welcoming space for villagers to relax, spend time in nature and enjoy fruit from a variety of trees.

Overton Preschool Playgroup manager, Amanda Igo, said:

“The children had so much fun planting their very own Katy apple tree at the Overton Community Orchard. This is the second tree we have planted and we are very grateful to Emma and the Sustainable Overton team for organising the activity. The children loved learning about what our apple tree needs to keep it healthy.

“We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful green spaces in Overton, where children can spend quality time outdoors. We look forward to watching our apple tree grow up alongside our children and provide beautiful fresh fruit for the whole village to enjoy.”

If you have a child aged 3 or under, Overton Primary School would like to hear from you. The school is keen to learn about the specific needs and preferences of families in the area to help shape the nursery’s offerings.

The school has created a short survey to gather insights from the community. It only takes five minutes to complete and can be accessed via the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/HuPWpbFi1r.

Your input will play a crucial role in helping Overton Primary School design a nursery that supports the early learning and development of local children. The school looks forward to receiving your thoughts and working together to create a space that benefits the youngest members of the Overton community.

The popular Overton Preschool, which has served the village and surrounding area for more than 40 years, opened the doors to its new setting at St Luke’s Hall, Winchester Street in early September 2024.

Previously based at the local primary school, the preschool found itself looking for a permanent home following news that the school had other plans for that part of the site.

The Overton Preschool Playgroup parent committee and management team acted quickly to secure the space at St Luke’s Hall, ensuring continuity of care for the children and certainty for parents, carers and staff.

Overton Preschool is now located just a short walk from its playgroup setting and offers children a friendly environment in which to learn, play and express their creativity, with ample indoor space and access to an extensive and recently revamped garden.

The move to St Luke’s Hall has also allowed the preschool to expand its provision, with the larger premises enabling the team to guarantee parents and carers their preferred hours and offer even more places to local children.

Chair of Overton Preschool Playgroup committee, Lucy Quick, said:  

“We are all absolutely delighted to have found a wonderful new home for the preschool at St Luke’s Hall. A huge amount of effort went into finding the right location within the village to maintain our enduring ties with the local community and offer easy access for parents. St Luke’s is perfect in every respect and we are pleased to form this new partnership.

“A huge thank you to our fabulous preschool team, who have worked hard over the summer to ensure the space is fun and welcoming for the children. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Overton Preschool Playgroup.”

Amanda Igo, who manages both the playgroup and preschool settings, said: “We didn’t think it would be easy to move our successful preschool to a brand-new location, but agreeing this long-term arrangement with St Luke’s Hall has allowed the team to focus on making the transition as seamless as possible for our children, parents and carers.

“The space at St Luke’s is ideal for supporting the children’s learning and development, with a secure garden area that allows for outdoor play and exploration.

“There are lots of new joiners this year, both from our playgroup and other local settings. The feedback from parents is that the children are really enjoying the new space and are settling in well. We couldn’t be happier.”

Anne Phillips, Chair of Overton Parish Council, which has two trustees on the management committee of St Luke’s Hall, added: “Throughout its history, St Luke’s Hall has played a central role in Overton life, hosting a wide variety of community groups and activities. We are very pleased that Overton Preschool has found its new long-term home at the hall and that the important village space will continue to make a positive difference to the lives of the local community.”