Principal Update – Hanham Woods Academy – December 2025
Principal Update – Hanham Woods Academy – 19.12.25
Dear Parents and Carers,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and commitment to Hanham Woods Academy, and to share an update on the school improvement work we have been undertaking over the past two terms.
At Hanham Woods Academy, we are committed to providing the very best education and support for every child, meeting their needs both inside and outside the classroom. Since September, we have focused on strengthening our systems, practices, and provision to ensure that every student can thrive.
As part of this process, we commissioned external reviews in key areas, including:
- Teaching and Learning – Ensuring high-quality classroom practice and consistency across subjects.
- Behaviour and Culture – Promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- SEND Provision – Meeting the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities effectively.
- Pastoral Care – Supporting the wellbeing and success of all students.
- Leadership and Governance – Building capacity, accountability, and impact for school improvement.
These reviews highlighted many strengths, including excellent relationships between staff and students, calm and purposeful classrooms, clear routines, and a strong sense of belonging among our students, with the majority feeling safe and happy in school. As part of our ongoing commitment to improvement, I wanted to share with you the further developments taking place from Term 3.
Key developments for the next term include:
Teaching and Learning
We are refining our teaching and learning framework, underpinned by Education Endowment Foundation research, and have completed a full curriculum review to enhance the learning experience across all subjects.
Behaviour and Culture
We are making changes to raise expectations and improve consistency, including:
- Toilet Passes:
Students will not be permitted to leave lessons during the first or last 15 minutes. For the remainder of the lesson time, students will only be permitted to leave in exceptional circumstances, where they will require a staff pass and be asked to hand in their mobile device on entry to the toilet. Students with medical passes will continue to access the toilets as appropriate, in line with our current practice. Students are expected to use the toilets during lesson changeovers and at social times. - Lateness to Lessons:
Students have 5 minutes to get to their next lesson. Any student arriving late (between 5–10 minutes) will receive a late mark and a social‑time detention. Refusal to attend the detention will escalate to time in our Inclusion Area (IA). - Social Time:
Students not meeting behaviour expectations during social times will be sent to a supervised ‘time out’ space for the remainder of the social time. Refusal to go to time out will be considered defiance and result in time in our IA. - Inclusion Area (IA):
Students receiving two warnings in lessons will continue to be referred to our IA for the remainder of the lesson and the following lesson. Students will now also remain in the IA through the first half of the next social time (10 minutes at break / 15 minutes at lunch). Refusal to do so will result in further time in the IA. - Uniform:
We expect all students to arrive at the academy in full school uniform. A reminder that hoodies are not permitted on site and will be confiscated if seen by staff. If we identify an issue with your child’s uniform, you will be contacted on the same day so that it can be resolved before the next school day. Any student who does not wear the correct uniform for a second consecutive day will be directed to work in the IA until the issue is resolved.
SEND Provision
We have increased capacity by appointing a Deputy SENCO, improving pupil passports, and delivering further staff training.
Pastoral Care
We are implementing a broader pastoral support structure across key stages to ensure that students are well supported with their wellbeing so they can access lessons and learning to reach their full potential. We have appointed two new pastoral officers to support provision within key stages. Information regarding KS3 and KS4 key adults is below. Further details regarding support and transitions for students receiving pastoral support will be shared in Term 3.
Key Stage 3 Pastoral Team
- Caitlin Smith – Pastoral Lead
- Kelly Reeves‑Thorne – Pastoral Lead
- Meryl Welling – Pastoral Officer
Key Stage 4 Pastoral Team
- Emma Marler – Pastoral Lead
- Tenishua Maddix – Pastoral Officer
Leadership and Governance
We have strengthened leadership capacity by appointing an additional Assistant Principal.
Timetable Updates
We have three colleagues leaving us at the end of this term, and we wish them all the very best in their next steps. Timetables have now been updated for January to ensure that all classes continue to be taught by subject specialists. Congratulations to Ms Sanderson, who has been appointed Interim Curriculum Leader of DT.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure the best outcomes for all students. I will provide another update at the end of Term 4 to share the impact of these changes and our ongoing priorities. Your feedback is always welcome and plays an important role in driving our school forward.
Kind regards,
Chris Ballard
Academy Principal
