As we draw to the end of the first term, I would like to take the opportunity to applaud our Year 9 students for their progress and achievements. The year group has settled brilliantly into the Samuel Whitbread Academy culture, and consistently demonstrate our values in the classrooms and during their social time. As we start the new year, Year 9 students will begin to make important decisions about their next educational steps and the options process. We have designed a number of tutor activities and information sessions for the new term to support Year 9 students with their GCSE option, so they feel informed and are making the appropriate decisions for their next steps.

In preparation for next term, can we please ensure that Year 9 students are all in the correct uniform and I would like to remind guardians that students who are not in the correct uniform will be issued with a lunchtime detention. Therefore, I would urge parents and guardians to inform your son/daughter’s form tutor if there are any issues e.g. broken shoes.

Please make sure you have a restful two weeks and I would like to wish all Year 9 student and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Huge congratulations to our Year 10 students for another hugely successful term! Myself and Mr Nicholl have had the pleasure of leading our Achievement Assembly today, and have been spoilt for choice of which achievements to celebrate. We are so proud of our Year 10 students for continuing to demonstrate the academy values around school and for continuing to explore extra-curricular opportunities, too.

As we begin to think about 2023, please can I ask that you take the Christmas break to ensure your child has all the correct equipment and uniform to wear on their return to school. A reminder that hoodies are not permitted and will be confiscated. Students are permitted to wear a plain black jumper underneath their blazer should they wish, but this jumper must not have any logos.

Wishing you and your families a lovely festive period.

Merry Christmas Year 11 and a Happy New Year! Please make sure you take the time rest and enjoy yourselves over the next two weeks, you've earned it after a busy term.

Term begins on Wednesday 4th January 2023, and we return on a Week A.

This term has sped by. So many of our students have made a superb transition from GCSEs into A levels and BTECs, and have demonstrated fantastic attitude to learning both inside and outside of lessons. Some students have realised that they do need to spend more time on their independent learning and we are pleased to see those students applying themselves during their study and free periods.

Next term we will start to think about university and apprenticeship applications, although it feels early to do this, we find that it helps students’ motivation to think about future steps.

Work experience is also an important part of the Year 12 experience, and we are grateful for students who have already returned their consent form. If the consent form has not yet come back please do drop it off as soon as possible in the New Year.

The last day of term sees our Christmas celebration and achievement assembly, and we will be rewarding many of our students with certificates and praise vouchers. I wish all our students to best for their holiday break and hope that it is a restful and peaceful time.  Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2023.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge what a busy few weeks it has been for our Year 13 students. The IPE window can be stressful and tiring, and the Sixth Form team are impressed with how they've managed through this period. I hope they are pleased with their results, but please remind students that these exams are to indicate what they need to work on. Please encourage them to speak with their teachers and take as much ownership of their learning as they can in these last few months.

We have now managed to send off almost 80 UCAS applications. It has been a monumental effort by students and staff, and we are grateful for all the support the students have got at home. Once the 25th January deadline has gone we will focus on what students do next. We plan on having an ex-student present to our year group to offer their own advice and insights. We will also be looking at workshops for CV writing and careers/apprenticeship applications to support those students choosing alternative routes. This will be communicated in the new year.

Have a fantastic Christmas and please enjoy the break!