Friday 15th November 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we progress through the start of this term, I am delighted to report that we have had a very strong beginning to this term. Our students have returned with an impressive commitment to their studies and to our school community values.
A particular highlight over the past two weeks has been the exceptional efforts shown by our Year 11 students. They have been undertaking their mock exams, and I am pleased to share that these exams have gone very well indeed.
Their dedication and focus are evident, and we are incredibly proud of the way they have approached this important phase in their academic journey.
This week also marked Anti-Bullying Week, and our students have been actively participating in various activities designed to promote a respectful and inclusive school environment. We have run the “Caught Being Respectful” campaign throughout the week, with students engaging thoughtfully and enthusiastically in its initiatives.
Additionally, I’d like to share the success of our "Proud Table," where we celebrate outstanding student work. Last Friday, we held our first-ever Sixth Form-specific Proud Table, and it was inspiring to see so many Sixth Form students eagerly showcasing the work they completed that week. This new addition has truly highlighted the talent and commitment within our Sixth Form community.
Parent/Carer Survey
Many thanks to parents/carers who have completed the United Learning Survey. We are committed to ensuring that every student’s experience at our school is positive, enriching, and supportive of their growth.
Your feedback as parents is invaluable in helping us achieve this goal. This year as per usual we would like to gather your thoughts on what we’re doing well and where we can improve. This survey offers an opportunity to share your insights and experiences, which play a critical role in shaping our policies, practices, and overall approach.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey if you have not done so yet; your honest input allows us to better support your child’s education and well-being. The link is: https://edurio.com/poll/xXV6T1
Attendance
We have been impressed with Year 11's efforts over the last two weeks regarding their mock examinations. With so many students demonstrating a determined mindset to attend every day, we would like to reward continued commitment to excellent attendance and punctuality over the next two weeks.
Starting on Monday 18th for two weeks every Year 11 who passes Mr Windsor on the student gate and into school on time will receive a small break time snack to enjoy. Then during tutor time, an attendance prize draw ticket will be given to everyone present. At the end of the week, live in the courtyard tickets will be drawn for a range of prizes.
Parent/Carer tours of the school
Last term I invited our parents and carers to tours of our school during the school day. Here is some of the feedback we received:
“This was an excellent tour, and I was highly impressed with every aspect of the school on my visit. The learning environment, the behaviour of students and the welcome from the staff at all levels were excellent. The snippets of lessons we walked past were also of very high quality and the consistently high expectations across the academy are very clear.
“To open your doors so freely on so many occasions shows how “typical” this must be, and it is incredibly impressive to witness a school of over 1200 students in full flow, yet so calm and purposeful. Thank you”.
“I really enjoyed how informal the tour of the Academy was, especially seeing students learning in class. The school has a very professional air to it and is decorated beautifully. I was very impressed, and it reaffirmed my reasons for sending my child to Northampton Academy.”
I would like to continue to offer these tours throughout the rest of the academic year. The next dates are:
Wednesday 27th November at 11.30 am or Friday 6th December at 8.45 am. If you would like to come along and see our school ‘live’ and have the opportunity to ask the Principal any questions, please complete this form - https://forms.office.com/e/4x6MnX8NRT
Enrichment
A quick reminder that all enrichment activities can be found on our website, a direct link is provided here for families to look at and decide what exciting activities will be chosen: Character Enrichment >>>
Please remember we encourage everyone to attend at least one activity per week and students simply need to arrive at whatever activity they wish to engage with - it doesn't matter if they have never been.
Anti-Bullying week
Our Anti-Bullying Week has been taking place this week. Students have shown great engagement in various
activities and events, all centred around the theme of “Choose Respect.” This theme encourages students to be mindful and respectful in their interactions with both staff and fellow students.
During assemblies, we revisited the definition of bullying, emphasising that it is “the repetitive, intentional hurting
of one person or group by another, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological, and it can occur face-to-face or online.”
We also reminded students about the resources and support available to them if they ever feel affected by bullying.
Anti-Bullying Week is a valuable opportunity to inspire students to reflect on their actions, recognise the impact they have on others, and contribute to a school environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.
Thank you to all the students who showed their support by participating in Odd Socks Day on Tuesday, 12th November!
As we continue through the week, we are running our "Caught Being Respectful" campaign. Staff members are on the lookout for acts of kindness and respect, issuing tickets to students who demonstrate these positive behaviours.
On Friday, students will have the opportunity to exchange their tickets at our “Proud Table” for rewards and praise points. Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school a safe and respectful place for all.
Geography – Cut your carbon
The Geography department is working to encourage students and their families to reduce their carbon use this half term as part of our carbon neutral strategy and to raise awareness of the impact of our actions. Students are being encouraged to complete a series of challenges using the checklist. Please join us in promoting this really important work. We will be collecting totals of tasks completed at the end of the term and environmentally friendly rewards to follow!
Click here to view the Cut your carbon checklist >>>
Proud Table Showcase
We are thrilled to introduce our incredible new Proud Table, a dedicated space that celebrates your children’s achievements and showcases work they feel proud of each week. This wonderful initiative allows us to highlight and reward academic excellence across all subjects. Be sure to follow us on social media for weekly updates and photos of the impressive work on display! We also have a series of proud table events, each with a unique academic focus, running throughout the school year. Upcoming themes include:
November 22: Geography Focus
December 6: English and Literacy Focus
December 13: Well-being Week Focus
Post 16 Proud Table
We’re excited to announce a new addition to the Proud Table specifically for our Post 16 students. This unique space allows them to bring and display work that they are especially proud of, celebrating their individual accomplishments and encouraging them to take pride in their academic journey.
Being Prepared for Success at School
We have noticed some pupils coming to school without a school bag. Having a bag to hold books, revision guides and essential equipment is crucial for success. We will hold an equipment check on Wednesday 20th November, during tutor time, to ensure students have the essential tools for learning. We appreciate parents’ support in providing these items along with a school bag:
Pencil case
Two blue or black pens
Pencil
Sharpener
Eraser
Ruler
Scientific calculator (Casio fx83-gtx recommended)
Water bottle
DEAR time book (Years 7-10)
Please let us know if there are ever any financial concerns about purchasing this equipment, as we are here to support every student’s success.
Sixth Form
Lots of students have been visiting the Sixth Form Proud Table and showcasing work they are proud of. Students get free stationery for each visit, a certificate, and a stamp on their card. If they complete the card, they are given a Golden ticket for the draw or a free Costa.
Students in Year 13 start their mocks next week, and a reminder that they need to be there on time, with their equipment, as this is their only opportunity to complete this mock. Year 13 should have now sent off their UCAS, as over half the cohort have gone and received offers from their universities already.
Careers
Our second ‘Afternoon with a Professional’ talk is planned with a local police officer on December 5th from 3.15-4. The sign-up link has been shared on Satchel, so please encourage your child (Year 7-Year 13) to sign up ASAP. These are excellent opportunities to hear from professionals about their career journeys and there's always a chance to ask questions at the end.
All students in Years 7-10 should have their careers booklet/wallet in their bag at all times. This is now a statutory part of the curriculum where students will learn about subject-specific careers in each of their subjects. If still required, booklets can be acquired from the Careers Office (next to the Dance Studio).
Year 11 Post-16 destination conversations should be ongoing, and a reminder they can drop into the Careers Office on Monday lunchtime to ask any questions. College open days have now been released, please check their websites for more information Open Day Guide | Moulton College Open events | Northampton College.
Finally, there is an information webinar for parents who want to learn more about apprenticeships hosted by ‘Starting Off’. This is free and will run on Tuesday 19th November. Please sign up with the following link Starting Off's Apprenticeship Information Webinar for Parents! Tickets, Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
In Closing
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to sharing more of our students' achievements with you as the term progresses.
Kind regards,
Owen Jones
Principal