Updates from the Principal – Spring 2024/25

2024/25 – Spring Updates

Parent Update – Friday 14th February 2025

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are at the end of another half term and we continue to be very proud of everything that our students have achieved since Christmas. There has been much to celebrate, with many sporting, artistic and academic activities offered to all students. The school’s lego club, gaming club, LGBTQ+ club, debate club, art club and languages club are all continuing to grow in numbers and we encourage students to make the most of this brilliant offer. Well done to everyone who has participated and pushed themselves to aim higher. 

This week has been National Apprenticeships week and Mr Martin has organised events within the school to guide our students on potential future careers options. Year 10 students took part in an apprenticeship meet and greet event with five different employers showcasing their companies and the exciting opportunities available within them. All years took part in a form time based activity introducing them to apprenticeships to support them making more informed decisions in the future, and curriculum areas also advertised the many opportunities that their areas could lead to. If you would like to learn more about apprenticeships for students, more information can be found here: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/zones/parent/

Year 9 students have been discussing their GCSE options choices with their teachers and tutors prior to the half term. Mrs Hardy has sent out the options letter with the link to the online options form, please can all Year 9 parents discuss with your child and complete and submit the form by Friday 28th February.

Assemblies
This week, the theme of assemblies has been on the Academy Core Value of Kindness. Assemblies have been focused on celebrating successes of the half term. Our Year 11s were introduced to their new revision support and reward strategy, ‘Getting Your Ducks in a Row.’ After half term, for 6 weeks, if a student attends three sessions in a week, they will receive a duck. If they attend 18 sessions over the 6 weeks, they can exchange their completed card for an Easter themed prize. 

Weekly Focus
We are seeing an increase in students wearing rings, bracelets, hooped earrings, necklaces and ankle bracelets. Students are reminded that jewellery is not permitted in school, except one pair of stud earrings and a watch, should students choose to wear them. 

Votes for Schools 
Each week, the students are given an opportunity to participate in a democratic voting experience as part of their tutor time. We will share the responses of our students with you. 

This week, voters reflect on this year’s Safer Internet Day theme of “Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online”. The lessons help voters navigate some of the most common online scams, and support them to build critical awareness of signs to look out for. 

Question: Are online scams always too good to be true?

Key Dates:
24 February Smmmile Assemblies
27 March Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Thank you for all of your continued help and support.

Ms Mills
Principal

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Parent Update – Friday 7th February 2025

Dear Parent/Carer,

Thank you for all of your support during the Ofsted inspection this week. As soon as the report is available for publication, it will be shared with parents. 

Year 9 students have been discussing their GCSE options choices with their teachers and tutors this week. Mrs Hardy has sent out a letter to parents/carers following the recent information evening. These conversations can also continue during Year 9 parents’ evening on Thursday 13th February. 

Ms Brady and Mrs Mapplebeck also took a group of our talented music students out to York St. John Universitythis week to participate in a creative festival along with nine other schools. Students experienced workshops, performances and rehearsal time before performing themselves in the celebratory showcase. 

Assemblies – Core Value: Teamwork
This week, the theme of assemblies has been on the Academy Core Value of Teamwork. Assemblies for students have been focused on mental health and supporting themselves and one another through personal challenges. 

Weekly Focus
For the next week, students will be focusing on arriving at school on time. The school gates close at 08.40am and students should be in tutor time for 08.45am. Students are reminded to be as organised as possible, by packing their bag the night before and setting an alarm to wake up on time. Well done to all students who make it to school on time every single day. 

Votes for Schools 
Each week, the students are given an opportunity to participate in a democratic voting experience as part of their tutor time. We will share the responses of our students with you. 

This week, voters mark Children’s Mental Health Week by reflecting on whether learning about their emotions makes a difference to them.

Question: Does learning about your emotions help you feel better?

Job Vacancies 
Cleaner
Senior Advanced Teaching Assistant
Careers Advisor

Key Dates:
10th-13th February – Year 7,8 & 9 Reports sent home         
13th February – Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thank you for all of your continued help and support.

Ms Mills
Principal

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Parent Update – Friday 31st January 2025

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are now four weeks into the term.  This week we have had students involved in extra activities this week including the Maths Challenge and the Holocaust Memorial event.

Year 11 students are focussed on exam preparation and we welcomed some of our past students this week to collect their examination certificates. It was lovely to hear how they are getting on with their post 16 choices.

Assemblies – Core Value: Respect
This week, the theme of assemblies has been on the Academy Core Value of Respect. There have been topics about apprenticeships, colleges and post 16 options for our students during these assemblies.

Holocaust Memorial Day was on Monday 27 January 2025. We had a group of students working on a group project together to remember those who lost their lives.

Weekly Focus
For the next week, we will continue to focus on student movement around the academy. Students are expected to show respect and kindness to each other as they move around the site. We ask students to stay to the left on the corridors and follow the one way system on the stairs.

Votes for Schools
Each week, the students are given an opportunity to participate in a democratic voting experience as part of their tutor time. We will share the responses of our students with you. 

This week, we’re talking about drones. Voters are thinking about the increasing use of drones in the UK and reflecting on how comfortable they feel with this. Meanwhile, the assembly investigates different types of surveillance in today’s world.

Question: Should we be more worried about drone use?

Job Vacancies 
Cleaner
Receptionist
Senior Advanced Teaching Assistant
Careers Advisor

Key Dates:
10th-13th February – Year 7, 8 & 9 Reports sent home
13th February – Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thank you for all of your continued help and support.

Ms Mills
Principal

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Parent Update – Friday 24th January 2025

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are now three weeks into the term. The academy has welcomed a lot of external visitors this week and they have commented on how focused students have been in their lessons.

Thank you all for your kind donations to the food bank and Mr Orr’s uniform swap shop. In the current economic climate, we appreciate your generosity and kindness in line with the academy values.

Assemblies – Core Value: Kindness

This week, the theme of assemblies has been on the Academy Core Value of Kindness. There have been a number of different topics depending on the year groups with a focus on inclusivity and respect for all.

Holocaust Memorial Day is on Monday 27 January 2025. Year 7 students have had an additional assembly on this. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is ‘For a Better Future’. If you would like to know more about this, please visit the site: https://hmd.org.uk/what-is-holocaust-memorial-day/this-years-theme

Weekly Focus
For the next two weeks, we will be focusing on student movement around the academy. Students are expected to show respect and kindness to each other as they move around the site. We ask students to stay to the left on the corridors and follow the one way system on the stairs.

Votes for Schools
Each week, the students are given an opportunity to participate in a democratic voting experience as part of their tutor time. We will share the responses of our students with you.

This week, with an abundance of saving challenges launched this month, voters consider their confidence in talking about money.

Question: Do you want to be more confident talking about money?

Job Vacancies 

Receptionist

Curriculum Leader for English

Senior Advanced Teaching Assistant

Careers Advisor

Key Dates:
29th January – Intermediate Maths Challenge
13th February – Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thank you for all of your continued help and support.

Ms Mills
Principal

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Parent Update – Friday 17th January 2025

Dear Parent/Carer,

Yet again, it has been another busy week in the academy with Year 11 college taster days and sports fixtures.

Assemblies – Core Value: Teamwork
This week, the theme of assemblies has been on the Academy Core Value of Teamwork, led by Mrs Hirst. The students have had the opportunity to reflect on their part in their friendship group, tutor group, classes and wider school community and how we can all work together.

Weekly Focus
The focus for next week will be on planners again. Students will be expected to show their planners on the gate on entry to school in the morning and to have the planners on desks during all lessons, including tutor time. The planner is a valuable tool and forms part of our reward system for students.

Votes for Schools
Each week, the students are given an opportunity to participate in a democratic voting experience as part of their tutor time. We will share the responses of our students with you. 

This week,  voters will be exploring Bradford, the UK’s newest City of Culture, and how it might prompt us all to take up a new creative hobby or get more involved in our local communities. There is additional information which takes a closer look at the cities who have previously held this title.

Question: Could a year of culture improve where you live?

Job Vacancies 
Curriculum Leader for English
Senior Advanced Teaching Assistant
Careers Advisor

Key Dates:
23rd January Year 9 Options Information Evening 
29th January Intermediate Maths Challenge

Thank you for all of your continued help and support.

Ms Mills
Principal

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Parent Update – Friday 10th January 2025