Welcome back to Term 6, the final term of the academic year. It is certainly a busy time!

We are delighted to continue celebrating our recent Ofsted outcome, which was recently shared on Kent Online. We are very proud of what our community has achieved!

This term, we welcomed back to the academy the 'In A Nutshell' theatre company to run history-based workshops. These interactive sessions help children gain a deeper insight into the historical periods they are studying, allowing them to apply their learning in a practical and engaging way. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A big thank you to all parents who made voluntary contributions — without your support, we would not be able to provide these amazing opportunities for pupils.

We are also introducing a series of short videos by Mrs Carter on safeguarding. These will offer valuable insights and provoke thought on important topics and challenges our children face. You can find the videos on the Safeguarding page of the newsletter.

Regarding the car park, you may have seen our recent communication. We are fortunate to have this facility, which is not a luxury other schools enjoy. However, it is disappointing that many of the previous issues remain, despite the lines being repainted. To reiterate, these challenges include:

• Drop-off Zone Misuse: Intended for quick drop-offs only, this zone is often used for parking, causing congestion and limiting access.

• Unsafe Parking Locations: Vehicles are frequently parked in unallocated areas, including near zebra crossings, on pedestrian walkways, and in the staff car park, reducing visibility and endangering pedestrians.

• Disabled Parking: Cars have been parked in disabled bays without displaying badges. While taxis may use these bays with academy permission, they must not idle their engines.

• Pedestrian Safety: Many parents and pupils are not using the designated walkways and zebra crossings, instead walking directly across the car park, which raises safety concerns, especially at peak times.

• Traffic Flow: Although the car park layout, including a sharp exit turn, helps keep speeds down, some drivers have been observed exceeding the speed limit in less congested areas.

To address these issues, the next steps include:

• Drop-off Zone Usage: We are considering changes to ensure the zone functions as intended, possibly with more active supervision during peak times.

• Parking Enforcement and Supervision: Staff may be present during busy periods to remind drivers to park responsibly, display badges in designated spaces, and switch off engines when stationary.

• Communication and Ongoing Monitoring: This letter is the first of regular updates. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes. We kindly ask for your support in following parking guidelines and using the car park responsibly.

Finally, please remember to respond to our consultation on Early Closure on Wednesdays — we want to hear everyone’s views on this matter.

Have a great weekend!

Miss S. Brading