Weekly Update - 29th April 2022
We have enjoyed another busy week at the academy with a wide variety of activities, events, visits and educational experiences taking place.
Monday began with a visit from our Teaching & Learning consultant, who continues to work with us to develop and drive improvements in our curriculum and its delivery to our students. This was followed on Tuesday by a visit from our OAT Lead Practitioner for IT and Computer Science, who carried out a review of this particular curriculum area. On Thursday, we were visited by our OAT Regional Director who conducted a review of our MfL department. In both instances, I am pleased to confirm that the feedback received was extremely positive, whilst also providing helpful and constructive ideas and strategies to enable us to develop even further. We also enjoyed a visit from our Chair of Governors on Thursday, who attended the Strategic Progress Board meeting led by our Regional Director. These meetings are held every half-term with the objective of ensuring that the academy continues to grow and develop; that it is compliant in all statutory areas; and that the academy leadership is held accountable to both the Trust and the Governing Body. We genuinely welcome these visits and meetings, which help us in our continued endeavour to be the very best that we can be, for each and every student.
Our Year 10 students completed their PPE examinations on Monday, followed by the Year 13 “real” LiBF examination on Tuesday. As always, we wish all students the very best of luck in their eventual outcomes.
With the recent lifting of the majority of Covid restrictions, we are delighted that we have been able to extend our extra-curricular offer to students, which we believe is such a vital part of their educational journey. This week, Year 7 & 8 students have participated in the Junior Maths Challenge, Year 12 Drama students enjoyed a trip to the UK premiere of the play “Daddy” at the Almeida theatre in Islington, and Year 10 students were able to participate in a cookery and catering workshop, delivered in school by serving members of the Royal Navy. In addition, we also enjoyed hearing the speeches from the six Year 10 students shortlisted for the Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Competition. Huge congratulations to Keeaun Jones, who was selected to represent our academy at the Regional Finals in Colchester on Wednesday 4th May with his speech “Small experience, big change”. We wish him the very best of luck, and will be cheering him on all the way!
On Thursday, we held a Year 11 and Year 13 exam information evening. This was specifically designed to target those students most in need of academic or other support in the run up to their formal exams. However, further information and support in this respect will be shared with all students and parents imminently.
Again, I hope that my weekly blog provides you with a good insight to the many and varied activities that take place in the academy on a regular basis, but please do get in touch with suggestions for additional information or news that you would like to receive.
I wish you all a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.
