Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope this message finds you in good spirits. Thank you for your continued support in what has been another exceptionally busy and fulfilling week at Strood Academy. It is always heartening to witness the engagement of our community, and this week has exemplified that spirit.

Last week, we enjoyed a fantastic open evening, which was a tremendous success. We had the pleasure of showcasing the many strengths of our academy, and it was a joy to see so many prospective pupils and their parents exploring the opportunities that Strood Academy has to offer. As we continued with our open mornings this week, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in our pupils who conducted themselves so well, demonstrating their commitment to learning and growth. The feedback we received has been remarkable, and it fills us with optimism as we look forward to welcoming another excellent cohort in September 2025.

This week also saw the successful hosting of our Year 11 parents' evening. I would like to commend the impressive turnout from parents, as it is crucial for our pupils to engage with their teachers and gain valuable insights into their progress and areas for improvement. This collaboration between families and the school plays a vital role in our pupils’ educational journeys, and I encourage ongoing communication as we work together to support their aspirations.

Looking ahead, I would like to bring your attention to our first Parent Voice Forum, which will take place next week on Tuesday 15th October at 6pm. We warmly invite you to join us for this important gathering, where your thoughts and insights will be welcomed. Your voices are essential as we strive to enhance our provision and ensure our academy is meeting the needs of our community effectively.

This week, I also had the opportunity to lead college assemblies focused on the vital topic of mental health. It was encouraging to see our pupils engaging with the issues raised and showing a genuine willingness to support one another. As we navigate the complexities of growing up, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding is essential, and I am delighted to see our young people embracing this message.

As we near the end of this term, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of consistent attendance at school. Regular attendance is essential for fostering academic progress and social development. Please encourage your child to maximise their attendance each day, as it will greatly support their learning outcomes and overall school experience.

In the coming week, we look forward to our college reward assemblies, during which we will celebrate the hard work and achievements of our pupils. It is always inspiring to see our students recognised for their efforts, and I am excited to share in these moments with them.

Sending my best wishes for a restful and enjoyable weekend. I look forward to welcoming all pupils back on Monday from 8am, ready for another week of learning and growth.

Yours sincerely,

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.