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A healthy diet is the foundation of student success, both academically and emotionally. Nourishing meals and proper hydration help children sustain their energy levels, sharpen their focus, and improve their overall mood – key ingredients for productive learning in the Academy. 
Whether it's packing a balanced lunch or opting for our nutritious Academy meals, every healthy choice contributes to your child's ability to thrive in and beyond the classroom. By fostering healthy eating habits, we empower students to stay alert, engaged, and ready to learn. Thank you for supporting our commitment to student wellbeing. Together, we can build lifelong habits that fuel success! 
Another Amazing Battle of the Bands!The third annual instalment of Battle of the Bands proved to be the biggest and best yet! Fourteen acts competed for prizes, covering songs by the likes of Chappell Roan, Foo Fighters, The Prodigy, and even Elvis Presley. Over 300 students, family members, friends, teachers, and support staff watched this year's competition! 
The event was hosted by our very own Ant and Dec, Mr Hennings and Mr Richards. 
The judging panel of 2025 included Mr White, our drum teacher and international performer, Mr Price, an avid musical fan and great supporter of the Music Department, and the return of Ms Phillips, former receptionist and original vocalist of the staff band. 
The flagship Academy band performed Omen by The Prodigy – an exciting funk take on a modern dance classic! Newly-formed band The Desi Girls performed a traditional selection of chaal-based beats. 
Last year's winners, The Killer Smiles, returned with a creative rendition of the Arctic Monkeys' track 505 featuring Archie on trumpet. 
Another newly-formed band, the Year 10 All Stars, is made up of the students studying GCSE Music. An ambitious cover version of Michael Jackson's Human Nature featured both Alasdair and Kai, providing contrasting drum beats and creating polyrhythm. 
Alice and Callum returned to Battle of the Bands with another amazing Oasis cover. This time it was Champagne Supernova, which had the audience, judges, and hosts joining in. 
The newly-formed Dhol Blasters were a member down; however, Manveer persevered and performed G.O.A.T. by Diljit Dosanjh with great energy. 
Another duo, Jack and Liam, performed the punk classic Teenage Kicks, debuting Liam's first drum performance. 
One song that had all the crowd singing along was Pink Pony Club, performed excellently by Edith, Esha, and Alasdair – the judges all commented on the fantastic musicianship and vocal ability of this trio. 
Woodwind Albion, the Academy ensemble made up of woodwind students, treated us to another dancefloor filler, Waiting for Tonight, originally performed by Jennifer Lopez. 
The judges loved the energy and stagecraft in the Few Fighters' performance of The Pretender. 
Previous winners, Big Brass Theory, expanded by adding two new members this year! They had everyone singing along to their rendition of Everybody Wants to Rule the World. 
The Manic Street Teachers performed for the third year in a row. This year, Mr Pascall, Mr Pol, Mr Mills, Mr Sassons, and Ms Crossley on drum kit performed Mr Blue Sky. 
However, we couldn't have a Battle of the Bands without victors. Two awards were available. The first award, as voted for by the audience, was received by the amazing, the incomparable, and the oddly named Hobnob Digestives for their excellent performance of Creep by Radiohead. 
Due to the high quality of all of our acts, the Judges' Award took the whole of the interval for a decision to be made. The eventual winner was Ben and the Senior Band! The choreographed dance moves, entrance music, costume, improvised guitar solo, and overall high level of musicianship really wowed our three judges! – Mr Sassons 
Exploring Careers: Speed Networking Event HighlightsIt was wonderful to welcome 38 companies and over 300 students in Year 9 and the Sixth Form to our Careers Speed Networking event and Business Breakfast in celebration of National Careers Week. Mr Bury opened the event and then the students descended, questions in hand and collector cards at the ready, to explore careers in many different industries, as well as opportunities with educators from training providers to universities. 
On arrival, students were initially nervous to meet employers and ask questions but were motivated and encouraged by the employers who brought lots of things to invite the students to interact. There was lots of merchandise, especially from Clayton Hotels, SES, NFP, and Hairfyx. Marsden's brought a spin the prize wheel, Peaches had beauty products to smell and test, and JLR brought a Range Rover car to explore. With all the engagement, students didn't want the event to end! 
A great way to find out about careers is to actually explore! Our students learned a lot from our employers and educators at the Careers Speed Networking Event and we are really thankful to them all for attending. 
We were very proud of our Year 9 and Sixth Form students because on feedback forms it was mentioned how polite and attentive they had acted. Companies were asked to nominate students who had asked the best question. Two of our winners are Kocean and Gurkirat, who were recommended due to their great questions, such as "What is your top skill?". Kamal in Sixth Form was praised for his professionalism and manner. The employer went on to say they would employ him! – Mrs Meredith 
World Book Day 2025: Stories That Inspire!Last week, we celebrated World Book Day with our key message that 'words have the power to change us': a focus on the significance of stories and the lessons they can teach us. Our Head of English, Miss Russell, delivered a fantastic assembly exploring the history of books and how powerful stories have helped shape the world. We encourage all of our students to read stories that truly inspire them, and we are here to help support them on their reading journey. 
During our World Book Day celebrations, we opened the library for students to engage with our books and activities. Students came in and took part in our Never Ending Story. Additionally, we have a wonderful, new bookmark that will be distributed to all students: we are really excited to see it in action. Well done to all students involved! 
Finally, we have relaunched our Big Book Swap in which we are asking students to donate books they have already read. These can be books that you no longer need or books that are gathering dust at home. By donating, another child can experience the joy of these books and it is a great way for students to share interests and recommendations. We want to create a community that shares a love of reading and this is a huge step towards that. – Miss Bull 
Revise and Shine: Year 11 English in ActionThis week, Year 11 students put their knowledge to the test using mini whiteboards, turning revision into a fast-paced and interactive challenge. With exams fast approaching, they focused on figurative language, exploring how metaphors, similes, and personification can bring writing to life. From identifying powerful imagery in literature to crafting their own vivid descriptions, students sharpened their analytical and creative skills in equal measure. 
Alongside figurative language, they also revisited powerful sentence structures, learning how techniques like varied sentence lengths and rhetorical devices can make writing more impactful. Whether crafting persuasive arguments or analysing exam texts, students gained confidence in using language effectively. With whiteboards in hand and ideas flowing, this session proved that revision doesn't have to be dull, it can be dynamic, engaging, and, most importantly, effective! – Miss Russell 
Year 10 Art & Design: Creative Clay CreationsOur talented Year 10 Art & Design students have been getting creative with clay, drawing inspiration from food! This exciting project has allowed them to develop their sculpting and painting skills while exploring the textures, shapes, and details of different food items. 
Students began by researching and sketching a range of food items, focusing on playful, oversized sweets and desserts. They considered how to translate these forms into three-dimensional sculptures, focusing on proportion, texture, and surface detail. 
Students explored colour mixing and shading techniques to create a realistic finish, using acrylic paint to enhance the texture and depth of their pieces. This project has been a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their artistic skills while having fun with a subject that everyone can relate to – food! – Mr Kumar 
French Learning: A Journey of GrowthLearning French, or any language, can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Success in acquiring a new language requires a blend of consistent effort, effective strategies, and a conducive atmosphere that encourages growth. It involves pushing oneself out of the comfort zone, practising with a clear goal in mind, and regularly assessing progress. 
Consistency is essential in language learning. Whether it's reviewing vocabulary, practising verb conjugations, or engaging in conversations, frequent practice reinforces memory and helps solidify language skills. 
A positive environment is also one where diversity is embraced. French classrooms that are inclusive of different backgrounds and abilities ensure that all students feel welcomed. Whether through differentiated learning resources or varied teaching methods, inclusivity ensures that each student's needs are met. – Mr Savadogo 
Zog Aime Le Français Avec Miss Sylla !Zog loves it when people try new things in the classroom and that's exactly what he saw in French this week with Miss Sylla! She scooped this week's ZAFTA award for her innovation and commitment to high participation learning. – Mr Mills 
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