SLT Update
It has been lovely to welcome the students back into the Academy this week and we have been very impressed with how well they have embraced their learning. The Year 11 mocks have begun and the students have demonstrated aspiration and resilience in their attitude towards them. We are very proud of them. We have welcomed the school guinea pigs into the Academy this week and there is currently a competition (the Battle of the Squeaks) ongoing to name the three House ones. I am very much looking forward to seeing what names the students come up with. We have already begun to use them with students who are feeling particularly anxious and the small animal club, which is open to all pupils, will start next week. Have a lovely weekend.
Kerry Milligan, Principal
Communication with School
I would like to remind all parents of the expectations when communicating with staff either face to face, over the phone or via email. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the overwhelming number of parents who do communicate with our staff in a friendly and respectful manner. However, unfortunately we have had a small number of individuals who have failed to communicate respectfully. We understand that this can often be due to frustration and wanting the best for your child, however our staff have a right to feel safe and respected.
We do have an expectation that any communication sent into the school will be responded to within 48 hours. It is not always possible for a member of staff to respond sooner than that due working patterns or other commitments they have during the day. If you do not hear back within the 48 hour framework please do contact us again.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Why We Do What We Do
Standing Assembly Every morning during roll call we have a standing assembly, a few moments where the Principal or a member of the Senior Leadership team (SLT) address the students. They share some praise, depending on the day some value awards, remind students of any key events or visitors that may be happening or joining the school that day and then wish them a lovely day.
Table Talk
Mrs Brealey has been talking to all our students about the KPI process and how best to revise. During this assessment period please take some time to discuss with your children their approach to revision and discuss what strategies they have learned about and how they intend to move forward, using the information below to help them revise for upcoming KPIs. Helping Your Child Succeed: How Parents Can Support Effective Revision As exams approach, revision can feel like a stressful time for students — and for parents, too! While you can’t do the studying for your child, your support, structure, and encouragement can make a huge difference. Here are some practical ways to help your child revise effectively and confidently.
- 1. Help Them Make a Realistic Plan A good revision plan breaks big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Sit down together and create a revision timetable that includes all subjects, balancing study with regular breaks and downtime. Tip: Encourage them to start with the subjects they find hardest, when their energy and focus are highest. They should also plan in time for hobbies and activities that they enjoy and do on a weekly basis.
- 2. Create a Calm, Distraction-Free Study Space Children work best in a tidy, quiet environment. Help them set up a dedicated revision space with everything they need — pens, notebooks, water, and minimal clutter. If distractions are an issue, suggest turning off phone notifications or using apps that block social media during study time.
- 3. Encourage Active Learning Simply reading notes isn’t enough! Support your child to engage actively with what they’re revising. Try: Asking them to teach you what they’ve just learned. Using flashcards for key terms and definitions. Creating mind maps or summaries together. Testing knowledge with past papers or quiz apps. Active learning helps information stick — and builds confidence.
- 4. Focus on Wellbeing, Not Just Work Effective revision isn’t just about time spent at a desk. Encourage a balanced routine with: Healthy meals and hydration Regular exercise or fresh-air breaks Enough sleep (especially before exams!) Remind your child that taking care of their body also supports their brain.
- 5. Offer Encouragement, Not Pressure Your attitude can strongly influence how your child feels about exams. Keep things positive — praise their effort rather than focusing on grades. Avoid comparing them to others and celebrate small wins along the way. A calm, encouraging presence helps children manage stress and believe in their abilities.
- 6. Know When to Step Back While guidance is important, independence is key. Let your child take ownership of their learning — this builds confidence and self-discipline. Offer support when they ask, but give them space to manage their own time and methods.
Celebrating Success
Does your child compete in a sport outside of school? Take part in a drama group? Or participate in another type of activity? We would really like to share news of any successes your child achieves, both within school and the wider community.
Please send any information and photos (if applicable) to enquiries@charlesreadacademy.co.uk
Above and Beyond
Every week a certificate is issued for a deserving student who demonstrates CRA values. Please see below this weeks students and the reason they have been awarded.
Caeli - Alex H for Aspiration
Mr Aram and Mrs Miller-Brown are so proud of how much you have worked to be the best version of yourself since starting at CRA. You are a bubbly, cheerful young man who always has a wave hello and a smile for everyone; your enthusiasm is infectious. We know that you have to work hard at regulating yourself and your lively personality, and we are really pleased that so far you have managed to do this nearly all the time. What a suberb effort, Alex! Terra - Evlyn C for Courage For attending two science lessons this week which is excellent for you. You’ve shown great courage getting into your lessons and taking part. Really proud. Aqua - Nicholas G for Resilience For always turning up to fulfil your tasks with care and dedication. You are an incredible help in school, usually without being noticed. You are constantly working hard for yourself and others. Well done!
Sparx Stars
Each week, our students at CRA, complete maths and reading for their homework on Sparx. Some students answer additional questions, further increasing their knowledge. We do this as there are online resources to help and guide students if they are struggling with a question. You might like to ask them to show you what they typically do on a weekly basis.
Our Sparx stars this week are
MATHS
READER
Top 3 week 1 Term 2
Top 3 this year
Times Tables
At the end of all lessons students stand behind their chairs in silence to prepare for themselves for the next lesson. From September, on a weekly rota, Years 7 and 8 will be reciting their timetables to help embed them in their long term memory.
Week beginning 10 November 2025 - 7
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 10 November 2025 - Period 4
Moments Matter, Attendance Counts
Regular school attendance can facilitate positive peer relationships, which is a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing.
As we return to school and move into winter, there is inevitably an increase in illnesses. It can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they are unwell. There are government guidelines to support you in this decision.
Attendance.
From Monday 3rd November you will be able to see your child's attendance to school on the My Child At School App. We will also be launching a series of new competitions based around attendance to celebrate the resilience, ambition and aspiration many of our students demonstrate by being in every day.
Prizes will include:
- X Box controllers
- Skin care products
- Food items
- Non uniform days
This will be alongside our In it To Win Competition that pupils gain entry to every week that they are in for 100% of the days
You should not go to school with a fever or other high temperature, but you can attend if you have mild symptoms like a runny nose or slight cough, if you feel well enough to go. Although there are no longer specific rules for COVID-19 in schools, you should stay home if you are unwell.
When to stay home
- • High temperature: If you have a fever or a high temperature, you should stay at home.
- • Feeling unwell: If you are generally feeling unwell, it is best to stay home.
When you can go to school
- • Mild symptoms: You can go to school if you only have mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or a slight cough, and you feel well enough to attend.
Why this advice has changed
- • There is a low risk of COVID-19 to children and young people.
- • There are high vaccination rates in the population, which helps to reduce the risk.
At Charles Read Academy we follow the guidance from the NHS and Public Health England on whether your child should be in school.
This covers all the usual childhood illnesses. For more information click on the links below:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19
If your child is absent from school, please ensure you contact school daily either by email/MCAS or by telephoning the attendance line 01476 550333 ext 502. It is vital we are notified everyday of any absence for safeguarding reasons, unless previously authorised. A reason for illness will always be requested, this is to observe attendance patterns and outbreaks of illness amongst students.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself tsandison@charlesreadacademy.co.uk ext 502 to discuss ways to support your child's attendance.
CRA - Lets work together to make every day count!
Leave of absence request
A Principal can only authorise a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. We will take into account the Government guidance when considering what the exceptional circumstances are- all applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. You may be able to take your child out of school in exceptional circumstances, providing an application is made in advance by the parent/carer, this request complies with Government guidance and the leave is deemed to be ‘exceptional’ by the Principal.
If you take a leave of absence without our permission or if your child fails to return by the agreed date if permission was granted, then this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and noted in your child’s record. You might also be issued with a fixed penalty notice for this absence. If your child has not returned within 10 days of the expected date of return then, after consultation with the Local Authority, we may take your child off our school roll.
As examples, the following reasons are not considered to be exceptional circumstances:
- availability of cheap holidays
- periods overlapping with beginning or end of term
- visits to family
- renewing passports
Requests for leave of absence will only be considered if made in writing. Please ensure you use the leave of absence request form to do this.
To request a leave of absence, please use this form.
House News.
CRA Santa Run – Tuesday 16th December We are excited to share details and once again be taking part in the annual trust-wide Santa Fun Run on Tuesday 16th December. This will take place during Period 1. Students and staff wishing to take part in this year’s event have three weeks to raise money which will go towards the DRET Inspiration Fund. The Santa Fun is a 20-minute run or walk around our very own ‘Christmas themed’ route on the school field. Students have been sent home with a sponsorship form with a deadline to hand forms and money raised back into the office on Wednesday 26th November. Any forms and money handed in after this date will still be able to participate but will not receive any of the items.
You can wear your Christmas jumper, favourite Christmas accessory or costume! Raise £9 or more and receive a Santa t-shirt and hat or Reindeer t-shirt and antlers to wear every year! Raise £20 or more and receive all of the above plus a house Christmas Party ticket! This has been a fantastic success in recent years with well over 100 participants from across the school raising £2,000+ three yeas in a row now. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for your continued generosity and support for all our events, it is greatly appreciated.
Term 2 House Competitions We are excited to share a range of exciting House competitions scheduled to take place this term. Term 2 promises to be action packed featuring Rowvember, Dodgeball December and the return of I’m a Teacher Get Me Out of Here. The final event of term will see all three houses come together to take part in the eagerly anticipated house Christmas party event. With over 2,000 more house points on offer next term there is so much to play for. Each and every student can play their part and make a difference for their house
House Sudoku Competition The opening house competition of term 2 is Sudoku, which will be taking place at the end of a maths lesson next week. Good luck to everyone taking part!
The Sporting Post.
PE kit reminder - 2025/2026
The standard PE kit is as follows:
- CRA House PE top (compulsory)
- CRA PE shorts or skorts (compulsory)
- CRA PE Hoodie (compulsory)
- Black socks. These can be purchased from any provider.
- PE track pants / leggings / skins - optional - must be plain navy or black. These can be worn under the CRA PE top, shorts or skorts. These items should have no logos/writing/labels. These can be purchased from any provider.
Sports trainers- These can be purchased from any provider. No fashion trainers.
Girls will take part in hockey and boys will take part in rugby during PE lessons. Gumshields and shinpads are recommended for their safety.
Shinpads will also be needed for girls' and boys' football.
Moulded football boots are also recommended as students can wear these on the 3G artificial surface and grass field.
Please can all students be collected from the BACK of the school when being picked up from after school clubs and fixtures.
Term Dates
Please see the latest term dates for 2025-2026
A list of diary events can also be found on the CRA Website by clicking here
Credits:
Created with images by sosiukin - "upcoming evente word written on wood block. upcoming evente text on table, concept" • A Stockphoto - "Wood block symbol telephone, address,mail and mobile phone.The concept of communication through technology advancement." • PennHelen - "students attending an assembly with a school auditorium background during midday with bright lighting, close-up shot" • A - "Text sign showing Revision. Business photo text action of revising over someone like auditing or accounting Ballpoints pens blank colored speech bubble sticky notes wooden background" • Munawar OP - "Assorted gold silver and bronze medals for awards and achievements concept" • Pixels Hunter - "Two smiling coffee mugs with speech bubbles above them symbolizing communication and cheerful conversation on orange background." • PX Media - "Help, support, advice, guidance signpost." • bbbar - "Acronym of AAB for Above and Beyond" • Gerisima - "Christmas star decoration of golden confetti stars against white" • Naypong Studio - "Sports Equipment on white background" • tatomm - "close up of calendar on the yellow table background, planning for business meeting or travel planning concept"