Thursday 28th November 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this letter finds you well.
I would like to remind you that our Parent and Carer Survey closes tomorrow, Friday 29th November. We are thrilled to share that nearly 500 parents and carers have already completed the survey – the highest number we’ve ever received by a substantial margin! If you haven’t had a chance to share your feedback yet, there’s still time - you can complete the survey here >>>
As a thank you, all parents and carers will be entered into a draw for a £100 voucher, with the winner to be announced next week.
A special thank you goes out to parents and carers of Year 11 and 13 students for your support during the recent mock exams. These are currently being marked and moderated, and the results will be shared with you shortly.
Uniform Reminder and Thank You
As we approach the end of the winter term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support in ensuring that your child adheres to our uniform expectations. I am continually impressed with our students' pride in wearing the Northampton Academy uniform. We believe that wearing the same uniform fosters a strong sense of community identity and belonging, vital to our ethos.
As a reminder, please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform each day. The following items are compulsory:
Black polishable shoes
Blue Academy blazer
White shirt with a collar
Black trousers or a knee-length skirt
Academy clip-on tie
Black socks
In addition to these uniform requirements, I would like to highlight a few key expectations:
Jewellery: Students are permitted to wear a watch and one pair of stud earrings. Any additional jewellery (including other piercings such as nose or additional ear piercings, bracelets, or rings) will be confiscated and can be collected from reception at the end of the day.
Make-up: Should be minimal.
Nails: Coloured nail varnish or acrylic nails are not permitted.
False eyelashes: These are not allowed and will be requested to be removed.
We kindly ask for your support in ensuring that these guidelines are adhered to.
Should you require further clarification, please refer to our full uniform policy here >>>
SEN Support Hub
We are pleased to announce the launch of our SEN Support Hub, an afternoon dedicated to supporting parents and carers with any SEND-related concerns or queries about their child.
The first session will take place on: Tuesday 3rd December, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with Mrs. Buckley and Miss White.
This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss any issues or seek advice about your child’s needs in a supportive environment. To book a slot, please scan the QR code on this poster, the school website, or our social media pages.
We look forward to working with you to ensure the best outcomes for your child.
Parent/Carer tours of the school
The next date is 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
Years 7, 8 & 9
Students in KS3 have mid-year assessments occurring in their lessons as per the mid-year calendars shared.
Students have a revision area set up on Teams which offers them lots of revision material to support them. All of the links for the Teams KS3 revision area are on their Satchel: one calendar. Students just need to click on the link to access the area. Students will have an assembly next week to provide them with more guidance on the Teams revision area.
Sixth Form
Year 13 have now completed their mocks, and their results will be discussed at the Parents' Evening on Wednesday 18th December. There are only a few appointments left, so please ensure you have booked. If you need assistance booking, please email: e.legrys@northampton-academy.org
Year 12 mocks begin December 9th. Students have had their mock timetables and need to ensure they are preparing for these.
Attendance: 6th forms lessons are critical and attendance at all of them is important. Students will have full, taught lessons right up to and including the last day of term. Therefore, it is essential students are in and do not take any holidays.
Trips
In the last fortnight, we have delivered three trips as part of our extra-curricular provision; Year 8 STEM went to Silverstone to participate in a mechanical engineering activity, Year 12 EPQ students went to Reading University to broaden their horizons and experience what university will be able to offer them, and all of Year 8 were offered the opportunity to visit the London Aquarium as part of our Geography extra-curricular commitment.
Between now and Christmas we have two more visits for Year 12; Biology, Geography and Psychology students will be visiting Birmingham University to explore Global Challenges and how scientists from many disciplines are
attempting to address these challenges. Additionally, the 6th form will have a reward trip to the Bullring in Birmingham.
Looking a little further ahead we have run the application and interview process for our inaugural Camps international trip to Kenya part funded by the Turing scheme. Many of the applications and interviews were of a high calibre making the final decision difficult, however, we have managed to select our seventeen participants who will now start the process of fundraising part of the cost of the expedition.
Careers
Our second ‘Afternoon with a Professional’ talk is planned with a local police officer on 5th December from 3.15 pm- 4.00 pm. The sign-up link has been shared on Satchel, so please encourage your child (Year 7-Year 13) to sign up ASAP.
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 students can drop into the Careers Office Monday/Wednesday lunchtime to ask any questions/support with applications. College open days have now been released, please check their websites for more information Open Day Guide | Moulton College Open events| Northampton College.
Year 12 work experience will take place from Tuesday 22nd April - Friday 25th April. The process has been launched with your child and they should have started researching and contacting potential companies who will house them for this experience.
Companies will operate on a first come first serve basis, so early communication is essential to secure their desired placement.
In closing
Finally, a reminder that tomorrow, Friday 29th November, and Monday 2nd December, are INSET days, so the school will be closed to students on these days.
Thank you for your continued support of Northampton Academy.
Kind regards,
Owen Jones
Principal