Dear Parents/Carers,

What a remarkable week it has been here at Strood Academy! As we continue to build upon the foundations of our educational excellence, I am thrilled to share with you some of the highlights and significant developments that have occurred over the past few days. Each achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication displayed by our pupils, staff, and the wider community.

• This week, our Trust leaders convened to discuss the successes from the last academic year. I am delighted to inform you that Strood Academy was at the forefront of these discussions, with particular emphasis on our exceptional summer results in Year 11. Our commitment to high standards in teaching and learning, coupled with our focus on creating a disruption-free environment for our pupils, has led to outstanding engagement levels. This is something we should all take great pride in, as it showcases the talent and perseverance of our pupils.

• We had the pleasure of welcoming our Strood Board to the academy yesterday. This meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for us to demonstrate the remarkable progress we have made during the past academic year. During their visit, we outlined our strategic plans for the year ahead, highlighting initiatives that aim to further enhance our educational offering and bolster the support we provide to every pupil. I am grateful for the continued collaboration with our Board, which significantly contributes to our growth and success.

• Our Year 11 pupils have taken a pivotal step in their academic journey by commencing their intervention programme this week. I am delighted to report that the attendance and engagement levels have been nothing short of superb. This programme is designed to provide targeted support, ensuring that each pupil is fully equipped for success in their upcoming examinations.

• This week’s assemblies were skilfully led by our college leaders, focusing on the theme of leadership itself. It has been incredible to witness such enthusiasm from our pupils, who actively engaged in discussions and shared powerful messages. These moments are vital in fostering the leadership qualities we wish to instil in our students as they prepare for their futures.

• It was heartwarming to welcome our Year 7 parents and carers, along with their pupils, for the Chromebook distribution evening last night. It is particularly gratifying to see how well our Year 7 cohort has settled into academy life. This smooth transition is a direct result of the strong partnership we share with you as parents. Thank you for your unwavering support during this important phase of their educational journey.

Looking forward, we have two significant events on the calendar next week. On Tuesday, we invite you to our Year 11 Expectations Evening from 6pm to 7pm, where we will outline our expectations and support structures that are in place to guide our pupils towards their academic goals. Furthermore, on Thursday, we will host our Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening from 4pm to 7pm. These events are valuable opportunities for parents to engage with our staff and gain deeper insights into their children’s progress and experiences at the academy. We eagerly anticipate your presence and participation during these events.

I am also delighted to note that both our new Year 7 and Year 12 pupils have seamlessly acclimatised to the rhythm of academy life. It is truly a joy to observe their development within these new environments, as they embody the values we uphold at Strood Academy. Your continued support in helping them establish their identities and ambitions is greatly appreciated.

As a gentle reminder, should you wish to contact the academy, please refer to the "Contact Us" section of our website for full details. We have a variety of communication channels available to facilitate positive interactions between the academy and home. Additionally, if you have any concerns regarding any pupils attending Strood Academy, please do not hesitate to email safeguarding@stroodacademy.org. Your feedback is invaluable in our ongoing commitment to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all our pupils.

Thank you for your continued support, what a fantastic start to the academic year it has been for our community here at Strood Academy. Together, we are fostering a nurturing environment that promotes both academic and personal growth.

Wishing you a restful weekend filled with joy and relaxation.

Regards,

Mr Jon Richardson
Principal
Strood Academy

STRUCTURE OF THE DAY 

ATTENDANCE

As we enter the new academic year, we have come together as a community to reflect on all we have achieved so far. This includes:

• Introducing and embedding routines for students such as morning line ups and the assembly protocol

• Promoting students' extra curricular interests and hobbies through a range of lunchtime and after school clubs and activities

• Further improving communication with parents and carers through events such as face-to-face Parents Evenings and Parent Voice Forums

We are immensely proud of the progress we have made so far, and while acknowledging that we are still at the very beginning of our Vision 2028 journey, we are looking forward to the successes we will continue to achieve along the way. We look forward to our second year of Vision 2028 and cannot wait to celebrate all we will achieve.