Longfield Academy Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

The end of the year offers an opportunity for us all to reflect on the year that has just gone by and to plan for a successful new year. We have had a lot to celebrate throughout this year - over 2000 spaces devoted to trips and visits, international collaborations, some remarkable academic achievements as well as many examples of students’ and staff’s personal and professional growth.

In module one of this academic year, we had the privilege of welcoming OFSTED to the academy so that they can see firsthand the amazing work that staff and students do each day. We believe that excellence is a habit and not an act. Therefore, the overall OFSTED grading of “Good” with an “Outstanding” Sixth Form is a testament of what we repeatedly do. We were particularly pleased that the inspectors, like Challenge Partners who visited previously, recognised our highly inclusive culture and reported that “this inclusive school has high expectations of all pupils’ achievement and behaviour”. Inspectors highlighted the quality of education provided, particularly for children with SEND, and highlighted that the academy “provides pupils with strong pastoral support, including support for pupils’ mental health”. Our post-16 students were praised for being “exceptionally mature”, with the student body being recognised as “polite and courteous”.

This week, we have enjoyed an overwhelming support for our school panto. Families, colleagues, friends and students who were able to attend the events will testify to the amazing talent we have here at Longfield. The fruits of the hard work our staff and students had put into the panto was there for all to see and I sincerely hope that we can open our doors to more families and friends at future events.

We are also pleased to have hosted the Faraday Challenge at Longfield. This is an event that is organised in partnership with the Institute of Engineering and Technology and is run as a competition for students in year 8. We are delighted that this year’s event brought together students from sister academies so that they too can experience some of the little things we do here that makes our academy truly special. In addition to all of these, representatives of the Bank of England visited our school this week and offered some insightful sessions about the world of banking and finance to our year 11 and post-16 students who study finance.

This module will end with special assemblies during which students will be recognised for their achievements throughout modules one and two.

I want to take a moment to offer my profound gratitude to all parents, carers, students and staff for the hard work, resilience, determination and enormous support that has allowed us to enjoy another successful year.

Christmas time is an opportunity to give back to the community and to support the less privileged in our society. Therefore, I am extremely proud of the work our students and staff have done in raising money through our Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day, which raised £451, and the support for the Community Cupboard in West Kingsdown.

As we look forward to 2024, I would like to ask that all parents and carers make attendance a priority. This is one area we continue to work hard on but have not succeeded in achieving our 95% target. As Principal, it breaks my heart when I read some of the very weak reasons a small minority of parents and carers give for students’ absence. Research has shown that “Good attendance at school is not just valuable, it's essential” and that going to school is “directly linked to improved exam performance, further learning opportunities, better job prospects” as well as students’ emotional wellbeing. It is with this in mind that I ask that we all make attendance to school our number one priority for the year ahead. 

On behalf of all our staff and governors, I wish each member of our community a very happy, healthy, and safe festive season, and I look forward to seeing all of our students and families again in 2024.

Kind regards

Dr F. Donkor