Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to provide you with a comprehensive update on the various activities and developments that have taken place within our academy this week, as well as a glimpse into what lies ahead.

This week has marked the commencement of our transition programme for our Year 6 pupils, which is a significant milestone in their educational journey. We held open mornings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I am pleased to report that these sessions were exceptionally well attended. It has been heartening to witness the enthusiasm and curiosity evident in our Year 6 pupils as they explored our academy's facilities and met some of their potential future teachers. The culmination of this week came with our open evening on Thursday, an event characterised by a lively atmosphere with hundreds of pupils and parents joining us. Activities were organised across all department areas, providing visitors with a taste of the diverse opportunities available at our academy. During the evening, we also hosted more formal speeches outlining the strategic direction of the academy, highlighting our commitment to excellence and the progressive initiatives we have planned for the future. Our open mornings will continue next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and we will carry on this programme into the final week of the module. For further details and to keep abreast of any updates, please refer to our website.

Looking ahead, I would like to remind you that next Thursday, 10th October, we will welcome our Year 11 parents into the academy for our parents' evening. This event is exceptionally important, as it offers parents an invaluable opportunity to engage with teachers and receive purposeful feedback on their child’s academic progress. At this critical juncture in your child's schooling, your participation is vital in ensuring they receive the support they need as they prepare for their upcoming examinations. We look forward to welcoming you and engaging in meaningful discussions regarding your child's educational development.

Moreover, I am delighted to inform you that we have continued to enhance our extra-curricular offerings this week, with a vast number of pupils attending a wide variety of activities during both lunchtime and after-school sessions. It is wonderful to see our pupils fully engaged in such a range of pursuits, from sports and arts to clubs dedicated to academic enrichment. Participation in these activities not only supports their personal growth and development but also nurtures a sense of community and belonging among our pupils.

In line with our commitment to academic excellence, our Year 11 intervention programme has been implemented with great success. We are witnessing excellent engagement levels among our Year 11 pupils, who are making the most of the tailored support available to them. The high levels of attendance in this programme are encouraging, as they demonstrate our pupils’ commitment to their studies and desire to excel.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks to all our pupil helpers who graciously volunteered during our open evening. We had over 120 pupils stay at the academy until 7 pm, contributing their time and efforts to ensure the smooth running of the event. From providing tours to assisting within departments and supporting in various other roles, their dedication was instrumental in making the evening a resounding success. I commend each of you for embodying the values of our academy and demonstrating such a remarkable spirit of teamwork and service.

As we approach the weekend, I wish you and your families a peaceful and restful time together. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our collective goal of nurturing our pupils’ growth and success.

Warm regards,

Mr Jon Richardson

Principal

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.