Attendance is really important for the well being and progress of all. It is imperative that all students attend school every day to give them the best opportunity to be successful. If students are feeling slightly unwell, please make the effort to attend school. When students attend school they normally find that they feel better, if students do not improve we will assess the student and if we feel there is a need we will call home.

If there is an absence please contact attendance@Stroodacademy.org and attach your medical evidence.

National data

The data shows that the attendance rate across the academic year to date was 92.6%. The absence rate was, therefore, 7.4% across all schools. 

We are sitting slightly below this and require a big push in the final weeks of term to achieve the national attendance rate. https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-attendance-in-schools

As mentioned in last week's bulletin, we have introduced a morning college line up to support students in being prepared for their learning, making their time in school feel safe, calm and predictable. We thank parents for their continued support and pupils for their positive engagement. Our pupils have once again shown when we raise our expectations of them and what they can achieve they rise to the challenge each and every time. 

It has been brilliant to see students beam with pride as they're celebrated and congratulated by their entire college as they collect their college badges for rewards achieved, fantastic attendance or general recognition/shout outs. 

Below are some clear and concise reminders for parents and pupils to ensure you are prepared for school each and every day. 

Uniform expectations

• All pupils are required to wear a suitable school bag which can accommodate their chromebook and other A4 class books containing all essential items. 

• Coats are not allowed to be worn in the school building.

• Hoodies are banned from the site and will also be confiscated from pupils if worn.

• Pupils should only wear one pair of small gold or silver studded earrings to school, no facial piercings such as  nose studs (including clear nose studs), bracelets or necklaces. Please see an example here of acceptable earrings.

• Extreme haircuts (Principal’s discretion) and body piercings are prohibited.

• Fake tan is prohibited.

• False nails and painted nails are prohibited.

• Female pupils have the option of wearing either:

  • a black pleated skirt and black tights, 

  • or a black pleated skirt and black ankle socks,

  • or black trousers.

  • No skirts should be rolled up, and should be at a suitable length around the knee. 

• Knee length socks are not permitted as part of the uniform policy. 

• We also do not allow any form of eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes as part of our uniform policy. 

• Failure to adhere to the academy uniform expectations, pupil’s will be placed within the Internal Engagement Room for the duration of the academy day and dismissed at 4:20pm. Pupils will continue to receive their class work on their chromebook. 

• To support the warmer weather this module we have allowed pupils to leave blazers at home. The blazer isn’t a compulsory item of uniform for the duration of module 6. On the return to school in September as we commence module 1, all pupils will be required to wear a blazer at all times.

Have a great weekend. 

Mr M Piggott 

Vice Principal

The academy have set the following key priorities for module 5 and 6. This is to allow a clear strategic planning and implementation on improvement throughout the academy. These key priorities will be used to measure the progress within the academy and allow all stakeholders to be aware of what is happening within the academy. 

The key priorities are as follows;

• To provide stability to all stakeholders during a transition in leadership

• To enable Year 11 pupils and Year 13 students to achieve excellent examination results

• For all stakeholders to be involved in creating a new 5 year vision for Strood Academy

• Improve culture for learning throughout the Academy

• To provide our pupils transitioning between key stages the support and experiences to succeed 

• To relaunch our College systems providing pupils pastoral care through revised structures 

Our uniform expectations for module 6 have been adapted. Blazers are optional due to the increased temperatures forecasted for June. However please ensure that all other uniform expectations are adhered to as we continue with our high expectations (please see uniform expectations below)

Uniform expectations

• Blazers are optional for term 6 only. 

• Coats are not allowed to be worn in the school building.

• Hoodies are banned from the site and will also be confiscated from students if worn.

• Students should only wear one pair of small gold or silver studded earrings to school, no facial piercings such as nose studs, bracelets or necklaces.

• Extreme haircuts and body piercings are prohibited.

• Fake tan is prohibited

• False nails and painted nails are prohibited.

• Girls have the option of wearing either a Strood Academy skirt and black tights, a Strood Academy skirt and black ankle socks or Strood Academy trousers.

• Knee length socks are not permitted as part of the uniform policy.

• We also do not allow any form of eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes as part of our uniform policy.

• If you would like a more detailed reminder of the uniform expectations please view them on the academy website.

• Failure to follow the schools’ uniform rules and hand over any infringing items will result in a 30 minute same day detention.

All mobile phones and headphones must not been seen on school ground , these must remain out of sight and switched off. This decision was taken for a number of well-considered and well-researched reasons: 

• To improve our children’s health and wellbeing from the impact of social media  

• To protect them from the negative impact of cyber-bullying whilst they are in school

• To protect our school community from phone cameras being used within the school   environment

• To improve educational standards by removing the constant distractions that mobile phones pose

• To ensure that students are not distracted from key examinations that shape their future

We at the academy appreciate that communication with your child is important and therefore please be assured if you need to contact them urgently you can do so via the school main reception on 01634 717121 and the message will be passed through the pastoral team to your child.

Below are the key processes that have been shared with all pupils about the expectation and the consequences in relation to the use of technology in school. 

• Phones/Headphones MUST NOT be seen in school.

• If Phones/Headphones are seen in school, they will be confiscated. 

• 30 minute same day detention for mobile Phones/Headphones.

• Collection of Phones/Headphones from reception (once 30 minute detention has been completed)

• Phones/Headphones must not be used on school grounds. 

• If Headphones are being used, we will confiscate Headphones and the mobile phone that they are connected to.

• Any student that refuses to hand over their Phones/Headphones will be placed in the behaviour for learning room and parents will be invited in to collect phones.

• Phones/Headphones must be switched off and in bags or lockers.