End of Term 5/Start of Term 6 Letter

Subject: Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 5, which has flown by! This term has seen the start of GCSE exams for our Year 11 students, work experience preparations for Year 10, and assessment readiness across Years 7, 8, and 9. We’ve also celebrated some incredible sporting achievements across both key stages. You can read more about these highlights in our full Term 5 newsletter Newsletter Term 5

Proposed Change to Academy Start Time – We Value Your Feedback

We are considering a small adjustment to the start of the Academy day from September 2025 by, moving it from 8:30am to 8:35am. This change is intended to support a smoother start to the day for both students and staff. For further detail and to provide feedback please follow this link Proposal to the start of the day letter

Behaviour System Updates – Term 6

We’ve been listening carefully to feedback from students, staff, and parents, and we’re making a few key adjustments to our behaviour system starting in Term 6:

Footwear Policy
In recognition of the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, students may now wear plain black trainers as an alternative to traditional school shoes. Trainers must have black soles and no coloured branding or patterns.

Mobile Phones
We understand that many students bring phones to school. These must be powered down and kept in bags during the day.

If a phone is seen or heard, it will be confiscated and returned at 3pm.
Refusal to hand over a phone will result in the student being sent to the inclusion area, and we will contact parents/carers for support.

Ready to Learn – 3rd Warning System
To support positive behaviour in lessons, we are introducing a third warning to our Ready to Learn system.

This gives teachers an extra opportunity to remind students of expectations before further action is taken.
If a student receives three warnings, they will be sent to the inclusion area until 10 minutes into their next social time.
If a student is referred twice in one day, they will remain in inclusion for the rest of the day and sit a same day 30-minute after Academy detention.

Teachers will contact parents/carers by phone or email following any referral to the inclusion area to support a smooth return to learning.

Social Time Conduct
We are a hands-free Academy. Unfortunately, a small number of students have engaged in inappropriate physical behaviour during social times this term.

Any student not responding to staff redirecting behaviour choices will receive a 30-minute same-day after Academy detention, and parents/carers will be notified via text.

Uniform Expectations
We believe our uniform fosters a sense of belonging and equality.

Students are expected to arrive in full uniform each day.
If not, they will be spoken to by their pastoral lead and issued a uniform note before continuing to attend lessons.
We will contact parents/carers to help resolve any uniform issues.

Thank you again for your partnership in supporting our students. We look forward to a positive and productive Term 6.

Kind regards

Rebecca Tushingham

Vice Principal