Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of our academy, especially in light of the recent Year 9 Options and Parents Evening. It was a true pleasure to welcome you into the academy, and to engage in meaningful conversations regarding your child’s educational journey. The display of option-based subjects in the Sports Hall was an absolute highlight of the evening, showcasing the remarkable range of choices available to our pupils. It is truly inspiring to see the dedication of both our pupils and staff as they explore these diverse opportunities. This breadth of curriculum is designed to empower our learners, allowing them to discover their passions and develop the skills necessary for their future endeavours. We are immensely proud of the exceptional choices on offer, made possible by the commitment and professionalism of our teaching body.

I would also like to take this moment to express my gratitude to our fantastic food and cookery department for their outstanding efforts in hosting the LAT Bake Off. Achieving a commendable fourth place was no small feat, and the event fostered a wonderful atmosphere, bringing together our pupils and staff in celebration of creativity and culinary skills. I extend my congratulations to all who participated and contributed, making it a delightful experience.

Additionally, I would like to give special thanks to our talented Performing Arts team as we prepare to conclude this module with performances of "Shrek" on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The hard work and dedication exhibited by our pupils in preparing for these performances is truly commendable, and it is always a pleasure to see the school community come together in support of their efforts. Your presence at these events means a great deal to our pupils, providing them with encouragement and motivation. Should you wish to attend the performances, please purchase a ticket on Parent Pay.

Looking ahead, I want to highlight a number of important events scheduled for next week that will promote not only academic and personal development, but also community engagement:

• We will be welcoming many trainee teachers to the academy for further training and support, which will enhance the educational experience for our pupils.

• Our Parent Voice Forum will be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 pm on Tuesday. We warmly invite you to join us as your input is invaluable to the continual improvement of our academy.

• The "Shrek" performance will commence at 6:30 pm, with outstanding performances also scheduled for Thursday and Friday. We are thrilled to welcome many local primary schools to join us.

• A New York City trip will be taking place for our Sixth Form pupils, exposing them to rich cultural experiences and broadening their horizons. We wish them all a fantastic time.

• Next Friday 4th April, we will break for the Easter holiday, with school concluding at 3:20pm. We will return for Module 5 on Tuesday 22d April.

During the Easter break, we will be undertaking various intervention sessions for our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils. These sessions will be tailored to support our students in their preparations for forthcoming examinations, and I highly encourage attendance. For further details, please follow the link: https://stroodacademy.org.uk/easter-half-term-interventions/.

Once again, I extend my sincere thanks for your unwavering support of our academy. Wishing you a restful and enjoyable weekend filled with quality time with family and friends.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Jon Richardson
Principal
Strood Academy

STRUCTURE OF THE DAY 

ATTENDANCE

At Strood Academy, we take pride in reflecting on our progress over the past two years. As we continue our journey towards Vision 2028, we celebrate key achievements that have strengthened our academy’s culture and learning environment.

• Embedding Key Routines: We have established and reinforced routines such as morning line-ups, assembly protocols, and structured transitions between lessons. These ensure students move with purpose, feel safe, and are ready to engage in learning.

• Addressing 'Culture Killers': We have tackled challenges such as poor uniform standards, litter, inappropriate language, and disengaged behavior in lessons. By setting high expectations, we foster a culture where students take pride in their presentation, remain focused in class, and contribute positively to our academy community.

• Standardising Homework Expectations: A consistent approach to homework has been introduced, ensuring all students understand expectations and the value of completing independent study. This supports their academic progress and develops self-discipline.

• Encouraging Extracurricular Engagement: We continue to promote student participation in clubs and activities, both during lunch and after school. By offering a wide range of opportunities, we nurture students' interests, talents, and social development beyond the classroom.

• Strengthening Parent & Community Relations: Effective communication with parents, carers, and the local community has been a priority. Through social media updates, Weekly Parent Bulletins, and events such as Parents’ Evenings, Year 7 Meet the Form Tutor, Parent Voice Forums, and Parental Drop-Ins, we ensure families are engaged in their child’s education. We have also introduced accessible tools like the 'Request Call Back' button and college-specific email addresses to improve communication.

We are proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to further enhancing our academy experience. While there is always more to achieve, we are excited to build on our successes and continue striving for excellence in the years ahead.