Principal's update - 28 March 2025

Dear families

Normally these updates are incredibly positive and focus on the fantastic things happening at the academy. Unfortunately today I need to begin with an ask. An ask that is going to require us working together as families and staff to ensure that we can make a positive change. Though the vast majority of our students behave extremely well, we have recently had a spate of complaints from local residents regarding the behaviour of some of our students in the community. The main complaints relate to litter and students playing football on the narrow streets resulting in cars and houses being hit. Our reputation as an academy is very important. It allows us to attract the best staff. It ensures that students can write the name of a school on their CV that they can be proud of. It allows us to attract additional funding and support. It is essential that our students behave in line with our values both in the academy and in the community. I would ask that you sit with your child this evening and ensure that they understand how important this is. Where there are individuals involved on multiple occasions, it may be that I ask you to collect them each day - if this happens I would really appreciate your support as the future of your children and our academy is too important to risk for the behaviour of a few. 

On to more positive items this week we held our Y8 options and parents evening and had the best turnout of a parent event this year. The students now have around a week to gather their thoughts and submit their choices on the option form. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Spencer. In addition to the option evening we also held Student Listening Week. This is an opportunity for students to give feedback to members of the Senior Leadership Team to drive positive change in the academy - look out in the coming weeks to see what they've been feeding back! Finally this week we've also had multiple sporting events including in dance and rugby.

Next week we begin with a visit from Luke Sparkes, our CEO. He will be meeting with me and touring the academy with our Y7 and Y8 student leadership team. I hope he brings his check book as they have told me a list of things they will be asking him for! As well as that visit we have fixtures in rugby, football and a netball trip as well as our Unity Community Easter celebration on Friday and parents' evening for students on the Marrick Priory trip on Wednesday.

There are two big events next week that I would like to highlight. The first is our Spring Social which is taking place on Wednesday from 5pm. We have an Easter egg hunt, bingo and more. Last year was a great success and it would be good to see you there. The second big event is the Y11 results and review evening which takes place on Thursday. Families and students should attend from 4pm to collect their mock results and get final feedback from teachers before their real exams begin in a few weeks. Attendance is essential.

Finally, as we break up on Friday we will finish school at 12.30pm on that day. Please do adjust any pickups as required. 

A longer update this week so thank you for your time and attention. I hope you have a great weekend!

Mr Jacobs