Message from the Executive Principal, Alastair O'Connor
On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team thank you for your support this term. It has been a term of testing with Year 11 and 13 mock exams, Year 10 and 12 assessments and reading tests for Years 7, 8 and 9. Results of all these will follow in due course.
We have had lots to celebrate as well and I hope you enjoy reading our Easter Newsletter.
NATIONAL OFFER DAY FOR YEAR 6s
We are delighted that we are over subscribed once again in Year 7 for the Autumn Term following the National Offer Day on Monday 3rd March.
All parents have been contacted with a welcome letter and information pack.
Our New Intake Parents Evening will be on Tuesday 1st July and our Year 6 Induction Days are on Thursday 3rd July and Friday 4th July.
We are looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7s and working alongside their parents.
ROAD SAFETY ON THORPE HILL
We have had several reports from parents and staff of near misses on Thorpe Hill recently. The road is very busy with cars at the start and end of the school day with parents dropping off/collecting their children.
Please remind your child to be vigilant when walking to and from school and to use the footpaths and crossings at all times.
If you do drop your child off to school please ensure it is in a safe place.
We have also spoken to De Lisle and they will be sending out a similar message to their parents.
ART & DESIGN UPDATE
Textile Artist/Designer of the month is a Year 11 student. Her experimental work and development have been very creative and was a well-deserved Birch’s best winner. Well done to this student who aspires to be a fashion designer of the future.
ANIMAL COMPETITION
The winner of the Animal Theme Art Competition is Jeremiasz in Year 7. In second place is Kithni in Year 7 and third place Charlize in Year 7
Runners up in the competition are
Year 9 GCSE Taster in Design and Technology
You wake to find yourself in a darkened room, with no doors and only a single window several feet above you. Objects lie all around you and the clock is ticking….
This was the challenge facing all of Year 9 as they undertook the Design & Technology GCSE taster lesson. Armed with an assortment of seemingly random artifacts and their ability to problem solve could they escape the confines of the cell they were trapped in?
Congratulations to Holly and Lewis who both managed to combine their objects and climb to safety. As for their fellow Year 9s, someone should probably check on them to see if they are ok ....
Year 9 Textile work – Inspired by the artist Andy Warhol
Year 9 art students have been busy creating textile work based on the artist Andy Warhol. They have learnt creative techniques of mono type printing, applique and free machine stitch. Students enjoyed using the sewing machines and drawing with the sewing machine.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
On Monday 10th March students from Charnwood College performed A Midsummer's Night Dream at The Curve in Leicester.
The performance, which was produced by Mrs Grundy and Miss Rodriguez, was appraised by Jess Aquilina as follows:
It is my great pleasure to congratulate you, Charnwood College, on your brilliant performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of Shakespeare Schools Festival this autumn. It was a joy to watch you shine on your performance night, and I’d like to spend some time now highlighting all the aspects of your production that I loved the most.
Congratulations on an inventive and exciting production! A Midsummer Night’s Dream can at times be very confusing for the audience- who is in love with who, who has magic potion in their eyes, who is running away from who- it's all very complicated! You took this challenge and managed to make it so simple and clear with your storytelling and clear and bold character choices. For example your mechanicals were all varied, from your bold Bottom, to your fussy Quince or your clueless Flute; the individuality of the characters added to the comedy of the scenes. I also thought all the Lovers committed to their characters, making big bold choices, especially during the final fight scene. Finally, I thought Oberon, Titania and the Fairies commanded respect and the stage perfectly for their powerful titles!
I really enjoyed the choice to have Puck played by the whole ensemble, sometimes with everyone talking in unison and other times with just one or two voices, echoing around the forest. We could tell you were all really listening to each other. This device, combined with the ensemble always being onstage and freezing as parts of the forest, again helped transport the audience to your remarkable, mystical world.
I have to mention the simple yet effective stage design, using umbrellas and stands to transport the audience into the forest. I loved how they were held or placed down by the ensemble, and as the play got further into the woods, the positions of the umbrella trees changed, showing the slight change in location. There was clearly a real love and care for the show from all your cast members and attention to detail.
Your professionalism throughout was outstanding. You all focussed through the tech and dress rehearsal, allowing it to be an easy process for all involved. Your production was slick, quick paced and well rehearsed.
Congratulations to all of you for your hard work, dedication and focus on your production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You created a show that was fun, lively and full of foolery.
We are in awe of all your passion, hard work and creativity! What you have accomplished is something truly special, and we are already looking forward to reimagining Shakespeare with Charnwood College again next year.
SCIENCE NEWS
Introducing the Science Team
Miss Smith, Head of Faculty, Mrs Arrowsmith, Miss Anderson, Mr Brown, Mr Jones, Ms Sharpe and Technicians, Mrs Campsall and Mr Tung.
Year 13 Students excel in the Chemistry Olympiad
This year, all Year 13 students took part in the prestigious Chemistry Olympiad, a challenging competition that tests their knowledge and problem-solving skills in the field of chemistry. Among the participants, two Year 13 students, Sean and Bronwyn, stood out with their exceptional performances.
Sean earned a Bronze Award, demonstrating his solid understanding of the subject and his ability to tackle complex problems with skill. His achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Bronwyn, on the other hand, impressed with her advanced chemistry knowledge, earning a Silver Award. Her performance showcased not only her technical expertise but also her ability to think critically under time pressure.
The success of these students highlights the commitment and talent within the Year 13 cohort, and all students should be proud of their efforts in this rigorous competition. Congratulations to everyone who participated, with special recognition to Sean and Bronwyn for their outstanding achievements!
Strawberry Growing Competition
'With spring truly underway, 20 Year 10 students are currently participating in a strawberry growing competition. Rules are simple - each student has been given a genetically identical strawberry plant (as a control variable - got to keep it scientific!) with the sole purpose of who can grow the largest total mass of strawberries. Students are recording the methods they used and we will see whose strategy is most effective!'
Attached is Jai's starting point. After photos to follow.
Year 7 Problem Solving in Science
Some of our Year 7 science students have been working on their teamwork and problem solving skills in recent lessons.
Here we can see the winners of the tallest structure challenge where students had to try and develop the tallest free-standing structure. Our winners achieved over 2m tall! This has really increased teamwork and students definitely thought outside the box to address the problems they were given within a strict timeframe. Well done to our champions!
CAREERS FAIR
What a fantastic few months it has been for careers and personal development at Charnwood College.
Our very first Career Fair was held on the 4th March and was a huge success, giving students the chance to connect with employers, training providers and universities, explore exciting opportunities, and start thinking about their futures.
Thank you to the Fire Service, Brooksby College, AstraZeneca, Rolls Royce, Loughborough College, Ask Apprenticeships, Charnwood College Sixth Form, University of Birmingham and the University of Leicester for their displays.
We are already counting down to next year’s event!
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Beyond the fair, students have been getting stuck into a range of enriching experiences. Year 7 took on the courtroom in a gripping mock trial, while Year 8 stepped onto the global stage with a high-stakes G7 debate. Year 9 unleashed their entrepreneurial spirit in an enterprise challenge, and our Year 10 and 12 students impressed representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions in mock interviews—earning glowing feedback for their professionalism and confidence.
And there’s still more to come! On May 21st, our next drop-down day will focus on mental and physical well-being, helping students build resilience and healthy habits.
Then, on June 27th, we will round off the year with our vibrant Culture Day celebrations. Keep an eye out for last year’s Culture Day cookbook, soon to be published on our website!
If any parents would like to get involved in supporting our careers and personal development activities, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Mr. Greenwood.”
The local Careers Hub is working with schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire to understand your experience of your child's careers education programme. This survey asks some questions about you, your careers knowledge, and experiences. Help us to ensure you have access to the required information at the best time to support your child to make their next best step.
Thank you for completing this short survey.
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/llep/charnwoodparentsurvey
DRET SECONDARY MUSIC FESTIVAL
On March 6th, the DRET Secondary Music Festival brought together talented musicians from across the Trust for a day filled with remarkable performances. A standout contribution came from 75 students from Charnwood College, who truly shone throughout the event.
The Charnwood College Choir delivered an exceptional performance, singing three beautifully arranged songs and earning a fantastic score of 97 out of 100 from the adjudicators. Their dedication and musicality were evident in every note they sang.
The festival also showcased the DRET Orchestra, made up of Secondary School students, conducted by Pete Latanka, a professional jazz musician, composer, and arranger. Pete’s reworking of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus brought a fresh, exciting energy to the piece, and the orchestra’s performance, with the 500 strong choir, was nothing short of spectacular.
In addition to the orchestra, the Year 11 Rock Band from Charnwood College delivered an electrifying set, wowing the audience with their energy and talent. Their performance added a rock edge to the festival, showing the diverse musical range within the Academy.
Overall, the festival was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect, celebrate their musical achievements, and gain invaluable performance experience. A big thank you to all the performers, teachers, and the DRET Music Team who made the event such a success. We can’t wait to see what next year’s festival will bring!
MUSIC EXAMS
This month, we want to highlight some inspiring personal musical achievements from our music students. These accomplishments reflect the student’s dedication, hard work, and discipline. Also - many thanks to their instrumental teachers who have worked hard with them to prepare for these exams. Congratulations to:-
- Isobel (Y11) achieved a Distinction in her Grade 5 Clarinet Exam.
- Aishwarya (Y8) achieved a Pass in her Grade 3 Piano Exam.
- Diwa (Y10) achieved a Merit in her Grade 5 Piano Exam.
- Jessica (Y8) achieved a Distinction in her Grade 2 Trumpet Exam.
- Conor (Y8) achieved a Pass in his Grade 3 Trumpet Exam.
- Hannah (Y10 achieved a Merit in her Grade 6 Piano Exam.
U17s Dynamik National School Champions
On Thursday 27th March our U17s team became the National Schools Champions in Manchester. The team were supported by staff and 65 students who travelled up in a bus to cheer them on. It was a very close game with the team winning 81 – 78. Well done to all the team and the coaches.
Congratulations also to the Year 8 Basketball Team who won their county final in extra time. Well done to all the Team.
Details of all our sports fixtures and achievements can be found in the Sports Newsletter which is out soon.
YEAR 9 OPTION EVENING
On Wednesday 5th March we hosted our Year 9 Options Evening. Mr O'Connor and Heads of Faculty for English, maths and science presented in the Excellence Hub and explained how their subjects were examined at GCSE.
We also had a marketplace of subjects in the Sixth Form Area where teachers were on hand to answer any questions students and parents had on the GCSE courses.
Year 9 students have now submitted all their choices and these will be checked over by teachers. Some subjects may not be viable to run if the numbers are low.
Letters will be sent home to parents with final choices after Easter.
This year's Techognition day took place on Thursday 27th March. This is a national event that we have promoted for several years at Charnwood College. It allows us to celebrate our wonderful technicians across the Academy. The tasks they complete are so varied and often go unnoticed by many as they work so diligently behind the scenes.
This one day event celebrates their work with the aim of publicly showcasing their vast range of skills and the variety of tasks that these jobs entail.
Our current technicians are Mrs Brooker (Resources), Mrs Kitching (Design and Technology), Mr Tung (Science and PE) and Mrs Campsall (Science.) Day to day their work ensures lessons can take place smoothly and efficiently and allow us to deliver the most effective lessons to our students. They really are the unsung heroes and we took the opportunity to celebrate and highlight everything they do.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE LONDON TRIP
On March 21st, 2025, 44 Year 9 and 10 students were given the incredible opportunity to experience a world-class performance of Romeo and Juliet by The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. The choreography was nothing short of breathtaking, bringing the timeless story to life through a perfect blend of grace, passion, and precision.
During the interval, the students were treated to a fascinating behind-the-scenes talk from the production designer, offering a rare insight into the creative process. They also had the chance to observe the impressive work of the stagehands as they swiftly transformed the set between scenes, showcasing the meticulous effort required to bring such a production to life.
The day was a true highlight, not just for the students, but for the accompanying staff as well. The theatre staff took the time to complement our students on their exemplary behaviour and positive attitude throughout the entire event. It was an unforgettable experience that left the teachers feeling incredibly proud of our students’ professionalism and enthusiasm.
An enriching and inspiring day for all involved – a big thank you to the Royal Opera House and to our wonderful students!
Reading Programme Update
NGRT Reading Assessment for Key Stage 3 students - As part of our reading programme at Charnwood College, all Key Stage 3 students will take their second NGRT reading test during the week commencing 3rd March. Specific details regarding your child’s test schedule will be shared via MCAS.
About the NGRT Test - The New Group Reading Test (NGRT) is a standardised, online assessment that measures reading skills against the national average. This adaptive test requires no prior preparation and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The test adjusts in difficulty based on each student’s responses, ensuring a personalised assessment.
Testing will take place during a normal lesson in one of our computer suites, with students supported by their usual class teachers alongside additional staff.
Why this matters - At Charnwood College, we are committed to ensuring all learners can fully engage with the curriculum and reach their full potential. Assessing reading ability is a key part of this, as the NGRT provides a clear baseline of each student’s current reading level. This enables us to implement targeted support and challenges where needed.
Supporting reading at home - To help students develop their reading skills, all Key Stage 3 students receive weekly reading homework via Sparx Reader. This involves reading a book online and answering comprehension questions. We encourage students to read for at least 10 minutes daily to build independent reading habits.
To support your child’s reading at home, you might:
- Encourage them to read aloud.
- Discuss main events, characters, emotions and the writer's intentions.
- Help them think critically about the text to prepare for comprehension questions.
Targeted Interventions in School - to further support students, we offer a range of reading interventions, including:
- Fresh Start: Read, Write, Inc. programme.
- Word Wasps.
- 1:1 reading interventions.
- Small group reading sessions.
Exciting Library updates - Following February half term, our new school library will be open for students to use during the school day. We will also introduce 1:1 reading interventions during tutor time.
If you are interested in supporting students with reading during this time, please complete our Google form, and we will be in touch. https://forms.office.com/e/eezmeiiFQa
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students develop their reading skills.
NEW MENUS AFTER EASTER
Caterlink will be launching their new Spring/Summer Menus after Easter.
PRICE INCREASE
Caterlink have also announced a price increase from 1st April 2025 as follows:-
If your child is eligible for free school meals and you have not registered, please contact Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 5417 or visit the Council's website.
Inspiring Young Musicians: A Memorable Concert Experience
Recently, 30 students from Charnwood College, Holywell, and Robert Bakewell Primary School had the exciting opportunity to attend a concert by Loughborough School's Foundation Symphonic Wind Band. Our young musicians, who have been learning a Brass instrument, were treated to an afternoon of exceptional live music that left them truly inspired.
For many of our students, this concert was a rare and special experience, offering a glimpse into the world of high-caliber musical performance. The sound and skill of the symphonic wind band sparked a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to their own musical journeys, motivating them to continue learning their brass instruments.
Opportunities like these are invaluable, showing our students the potential they can reach through hard work and dedication. We are grateful to the Loughborough School’s Foundation Symphonic Wind Band for sharing their talent and passion, and we look forward to seeing how this experience will shape our students’ musical futures.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
Report from Mrs Kitching (Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator for Charnwood College)
These were the first training days since we started the programme at the start of this school year.
We met up at Beaumanor Hall with our partners Karos Adventure and our 36 budding adventurer enthusiasts for training before their qualifying expedition coming up in May.
The Karos Team, led the six groups through the training in the areas of:
- Campcraft-pitching tents and site management.
- Map skills and navigation walk.
- Risk awareness and health and safety.
- Countryside and highway codes.
- First aid and emergency procedures.
- Route planning.
- Cooking and fuel management.
- Food and menu planning.
- Equipment and rucksack packing.
- First aid scenarios.
The students cooked their own dinners on trangia stoves after learning about gas management and safety and had enough energy left to play games late into the evening. They bonded very well in their teams and as a whole group.
The group had an early start at 6am to cook breakfast and strike camp before heading out on another hike of 8 -10km.
The students learned a lot over these two days and they are all looking forward to the qualifying expedition coming up in May.
CHARNWOOD COLLEGE ALUMNI
In this section we will aim to introduce you to past students to find out what happened to them after they left Charnwood College.
This term we would like to introduce you to Isabel Dungworth who is an ex student and was Head Girl of Charnwood College.
When did you attend Charnwood College? I attended Charnwood College from 2010 to 2017. I was at Garendon High School before it merged with Burleigh Community College to become Charnwood College.
What were your favourite subjects? My favourite subjects were science, maths, geography and languages, though to be honest I enjoyed pretty much everything and always struggled to narrow it down!
Did any of your teachers inspire you? Yes, definitely. I had some wonderful teachers at school, who loved their subjects and who really believed in me. They really helped to build up my self-confidence and to aim high when applying to university. I am still so grateful for their support.
Did you take part in any extra-curricular activities such as sports or musical performances? I was a fairly bad member of the netball team, but a regular attendee at badminton club with my friends. In the sixth form I was a house captain and Head Girl and loved helping to organise charity events and house competitions. I also worked as a lifeguard at the school pool.
What did you do after leaving Charnwood College? I left Charnwood with 4A*s at A-Level and moved 3 hours up north to Durham University to study Chemistry as a member of St Mary’s College. I completed an integrated masters degree over four years, including a summer research programme in Switzerland and a masters project designing shape-shifting carbon cage-like molecules. I graduated with a first class honours degree in 2021. I made many friends, fell in love with Durham and have never left!
What profession did you go into?After graduating I did a placement at Unilever in the Research and Development team, before returning to work at Durham University. Currently I am teaching Chemistry to GCSE and A-Level students at a school in central Durham.
Do you have any hobbies or interests?I have continued to play badminton every week with my friends and run the Durham Parkrun each Saturday (this would be shocking to my PE teachers from Charnwood). I also love to sew and crochet and run a Rainbows unit with my friend.
Would you like to add anything else about your time at school or tell us about any of your achievements you are proud of. Charnwood prepared me very well for university life and gave me lots of opportunities to develop useful life skills - such as organising events and public speaking as Head Girl. I have very fond memories of my years at school and am still in touch with my close school friends, despite us now being scattered across the UK!
Thank you to Isabel for sharing her story with us.
We would be very grateful if you could support us with any of the following:-
We are always looking for unwanted items of Charnwood College uniform to sell in our Pre-Loved Sales which take place throughout the year. If you have any good quality items please could you drop them off to the reception during term time - thank you.
Our Head of Year 11, Miss Anderson, is asking if you have any second hand prom dresses or any suits that you can donate to our Year 11s for their prom which is taking place on the 26th June - thank you.
We are in the process of upgrading our Library and sorting through the books into reading ages. We would be very grateful if you have any good quality books you would consider donating to the Library for the students to read. Also if you have any spare time in the mornings (8:35 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.) on either Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and you would like to support with one to one reading with our students, please register here https://forms.office.com/e/eezmeiiFQa
EASTER SCHOOL
The countdown to exams has begun for our Year 11 and Year 13 students, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way. Our Year 11 students have been working diligently throughout the year, attending revision sessions and approaching their mock exams with seriousness and focus.
To help them in the final stages of their preparations, some GCSE subjects are offering additional revision and coursework sessions over the Easter holidays. A big thank you to those students who have already signed up—if your child has not yet registered their interest, please don’t worry! They are still welcome to attend any relevant sessions on the day.
- Monday 14th April - Morning Maths and Afternoon Spanish
- Tuesday 15th April - Morning Textiles, Morning and Afternoon - Design and Technology
- Wednesday 16th April - Morning History and Geography
- Thursday 17th April - Afternoon History
- Wednesday 23rd April - Morning Art, Afternoon Maths
- Thursday 24th April - Morning Geography
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our fantastic staff for giving up their time to run these valuable sessions. Their dedication will be a huge support to our students as they prepare for their exams.
CHARNWOOD COMETS AND EASTER CAMP
Comets Netball Club is fast becoming the largest junior netball club in Loughborough and the surrounding areas. We have seen a huge rise in our numbers over the last few months and now have over 100 players! This is a big milestone for Comets, which was started to increase the provision of netball to players in the local area. We now have players travelling to us from outside of Loughborough! If you would like to get involved with our club, please get in contact today - cometsnetball25@gmail.com
Dates for the diary
- 28th April - School opens.
- 30th April - Year 8 Parents' Evening.
- 1st May - Junior Maths Challenge.
- 2nd May - U15s Spring Cup Rugby.
- 8th May - U13s Spring Cup Rugby.
- 8th May - Summer Exams begin.
- 9th May - Duke of Edinburgh Qualifier Expedition.
- 12th May - Mental Health Awareness Week.
- 12th May - Organ Masterclass.
- 12th May - SATs week.
- 14th May - Year 7 Parents' Evening.
- 15th May - Sports Day.
- 16th May - RSE Day for Year 7s.
- 21st May - Year 7 Parents' Evening.
- 21st May - PD Drop Down Day.
- 26th May to 30th May - May Half Term.
Follow us on @CharnwoodCol
Safeguarding during the Easter Break
When the Academy is closed there is always someone who can help you.
If you are concerned that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm, you should contact your local authority safeguarding partnership directly.
Please go to our website www.charnwoodcollege.org for the relevant contact information if you have any welfare concerns.
In an emergency, call 999.
For any other queries, please contact us via cip@dret.co.uk.
If you have a general enquiry during the half term break please contact the office on office@charnwoodcollege.org There is limited access so it may take a few days to respond.