Message from the Principal
As we approach the end of a very short half-term, we are in the midst of exam season and I wish our Year 11 students the very best of luck in their final exams. They have been excellent so far, impressing us all with their positive attitude and hard work as they have done during their GCSE studies. I look forward to celebrating their achievements with them in August.
Excitingly and after some delays towards the end of the project, our new Science Block is about to be handed over to us. After the half term break, we will start moving equipment in with a view to getting classes in before the end of the academic year.
Our Sports Hall is on track and due for completion in late July, We are awaiting the completion of some legal work involving National Grid to install a new electrical sub-station on the school grounds and this is our only worry about this being completed in time for the new academic year. Our PE team visited the site recently and the excitement levels were off the scale! We can’t wait for students to experience this world class facility.
Our next and final half term of the school year will include our REC week for Years 7-9, work experience for Year 10, our amazing Sports Day, a music and drama evening, Year 6 transition as well as our traditional end of year celebration assemblies and rewards. It is an exciting and busy end to the school year but one that we hope our students will gain much from. These important and exciting events come with a huge amount of additional work and responsibility for staff and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for all their efforts so far in planning and preparing for this part of our school year. As always please support our staff fully during these activities.
We finish the school year on Friday the 11th July which will be our usual half day finish with school closing around 12.20pm (precise time to be confirmed). Our term dates for next year can be found on our website.
We are currently working on our strategic plan for the next academic year, identifying our priorities to continue providing an excellent all round education and experience to our students. As always when we do this, we return to our aims and values. These do not change regularly and always guide our decision making. I thought it would be good to share these with you again;
Our overarching aim;
“Excellence, opportunity and success for all”
Is supported by our core values;
- For all students to achieve their best outcomes
- To provide a variety of outstanding opportunities that develop character and prepare students to be responsible community and global citizens
- For students to become the very best version of themselves
As always, we remain incredibly proud of our students, staff and our school community.
Finally and with a mix of pride and sadness, we say goodbye to Mrs Groocock, our Vice Principal, this term. She is leaving to become Head Teacher at The Hinckley School and whilst we are delighted that she will remain involved in education locally and part of The Futures Trust, she will be a huge loss to Redmoor and to our students and staff. We wish her all the best and know that she will be an incredible head Teacher. Please see her goodbye message below.
A Message from Mrs Groocock
After 16 very happy years at Redmoor, I will be leaving at the end of May in order to take up the role of Head at The Hinckley School. I came to Redmoor in 2009, when it was a small high school of just three year groups. I joined a happy, energetic school which cared deeply for the students and though there have been many developments since then, this culture has remained the school’s biggest strength. Redmoor has grown in size and number, adding the two GCSE years in 2015 and now joining a local trust of schools in order to continue that journey from good to great. There are still exciting developments ahead as Redmoor enters the year of its 50th birthday!
I am pleased to be moving to a school which is just down the road. I grew up in Hinckley and believe that we can steer our young people to a brighter future if schools work together in the interests of all children in our community.
I will miss the Redmoor students, staff and parents so much, but will be keeping in touch and receiving regular updates. I wish everyone all the best for the rest of this academic year and the future.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Walk at Bradgate Park
On a glorious sunny day, our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze participants embarked on a rewarding practice expedition through the scenic Bradgate Park. With temperatures reaching 25°C, the groups navigated the park's varied terrain, including the gradual ascent to Old John Tower, the highest point in the park at 212 meters . This landmark, built in 1784, provided a stunning vantage point over the surrounding landscape.
Throughout the day, students demonstrated exceptional teamwork and navigation skills. They effectively coordinated their efforts, supported one another, and adeptly managed their route, ensuring a smooth and successful journey. Their ability to work collaboratively and stay oriented amidst the park's natural beauty was commendable.
The groups also had the opportunity to observe the park's rich wildlife, including herds of red and fallow deer, which have roamed the area since the 13th century. This experience not only enhanced their appreciation for nature but also underscored the importance of respecting wildlife during outdoor activities.
In summary, the practice walk in Bradgate Park was a resounding success, showcasing our students' dedication, teamwork, and navigational prowess. Their performance sets a strong foundation for the challenges ahead in their Duke of Edinburgh journey.
Eco Club Trip to Twycross Zoo
On Friday 9th May, our Eco Club enjoyed a fantastic day at Twycross Zoo, and what a delight our students were! Their behaviour was exemplary, and their enthusiasm made the day truly special. We began with a really informative classroom session where students learnt all about critical conservation efforts and the vital role that zoos play in protecting endangered species.
One of the most heartwarming moments of the day was when a playful baby bonobo started playing peek-a-boo through the glass with a group of our boys, it had everyone smiling! With the sun shining and the temperature soaring, the students were even allowed to cool off in the splash area, which was a perfect way to end a fun filled day of learning and laughter.
We need your help! Redmoor’s Eco Club (The Green Guardians) are working hard to revive our allotment plot in our school courtyard - and we need your help to bring it to life!
We are asking for donations of compost, fertilisers (such as chicken pellets, bloody fish and bone, or manure), or anything else that could give our soil a boost. Whether it’s a half used bag sitting in your shed or a full donation, every little helps and we would be so grateful. If you have something to offer or know of someone who might, please get in touch with us via Mrs Yates’ email address lyates@redmooracademy.org or the school office.
Thank you for supporting our young gardeners!
Student ‘Honk’
At a recent school council meeting feedback received from year 11 requested that we introduce a system for students to be able to thank staff discreetly in the form of a ‘honk’-What is honk? It's a slip of paper that can be filled out by students with a thank you message and their name and put into a dedicated post box and will be delivered by volunteer student helpers. We have been trialling it with just year 11 as they are soon to be leaving however it has been such a huge success that we are planning to roll out across the whole school. It has been such a joy to read messages of appreciation from our current year 11 cohort and has boosted staff and student morale alike.
Redmoor’s Brand New Football Kit
As we continue with our success in football in both key stages in the area and County we have been recently looking into a new kit for our teams. After the recent year 10 County Cup semi final game one of our parents Mrs Rice got in touch. Both her and a supplier based in Leeds ‘All that and more’ have kindly donated Redmoor’s new football kit for next season which I think you will all agree looks fantastic! We look forward to seeing our teams looking great and playing well next season. A huge thank you to Mrs Rice for getting in touch and sourcing the kit for Redmoor. If you have any ideas or donations for the PE department please contact Mrs Pickering, Head of PE.
Bike Maintenance Workshop
This term we had 50 students from years 7 to 10 participate in a bike maintenance workshop delivered by Martin from B Buddies Bikes. Students learnt how to put a chain back on, do a basic ABCD bike check and repair a puncture amongst other skills. They were able to work on their own bikes and had lots of questions for Martin. Our year 10 ASDAN students were also fortunate enough to complete the workshop to meet the criteria required for their course. Not the usual lesson you would see in the PE classroom but certainly one we hope to see again!
Holocaust Memorial Trip
On Wednesday 9th April, 60 Year 9 students visited The National Holocaust Centre & Museum as part of their studies in History and Moral & Ethics. The trip offered a powerful and thought-provoking opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust and its significance in today’s world. Students explored the museum’s main exhibition, which traces the history of the Holocaust through personal stories, artefacts, and videos. Students spent time in the Memorial Gardens, including the Children's Memorial. This memorial is to the 1.5 million young people murdered in the Holocaust and is being built slowly over time. Each student was invited to select a stone and place it on the memorial, paying personal tribute to one of the children who lost their lives. We were privileged to meet John Fieldsend, a survivor of the Holocaust. He talked to us through his story of survival and students were able to ask him questions. I was incredibly proud of the knowledge and empathy shown by our students throughout the day. Miss Todd
The Day
Redmoor are excited to announce that will have access to a high quality news and current affairs resource
The Day is a rich and engaging online educational resource that turns news into lessons and provides unlimited access to activities that bring big global issues into the classroom through daily news written in-house, polls, videos, images, graphics, posters, translations and links for external guided research.
The Day aims to engage all learners and inspire comprehension through challenging, rich texts, experiential learning, project work and the acquisition of core knowledge about the real world.
By making connections between current affairs and the curriculum, it encourages students to become more actively engaged in their studies and more inquisitive, enabling them to develop cultural capital and the skills they need to be successful in the modern world and ethical, informed citizens.
Both parents and students will have full access to The Day, just click twice on the link on our homepage. We hope that by using the Day in school and also on their own devices will help Redmoor students feel more informed and connected to the world around them.
Art and Design
The Futures Project: Exploring Hinckley Through Public Sculpture
At the start of the year, a dynamic and inspiring project was launched in collaboration with Redmoor Academy, The Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre and Artist in Residence, Nicola Ellis. Involving a diverse group of students from Years 7 to 10, the initiative brought together young minds to explore the past, present, and future of Hinckley through a creative and collaborative lens.
The sessions began with thorough research into the history and current identity of Hinckley. Students investigated local heritage, community development, and the evolving character of the town. This foundational work allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of their environment and its significance.
A key focus of the project was public sculpture. Students studied existing artworks in the public realm, analyzing their form, function, and meaning. This exploration encouraged them to consider how art can reflect and influence a community’s identity whilst looking at the materials and techniques used to create both local and worldwide sculpture.
In addition, students engaged with themes of urban mining and patterns and problem solving, applying these concepts in both analytical and creative ways. From local company Triumph and their motorbikes to the history of hosiery in Hinckley, they explored various methods of sourcing materials, experimenting with making methods and experimenting with techniques to bring their research to life.
As part of the project, the group had the exciting opportunity to visit Penta Patterns, a local company known for its cutting-edge work in 3D modelling and pattern making. During their visit, students were given a full tour of the facilities by Neil Walker, the owner of the company, learning about the company’s design process and seeing first-hand how modern technology is used in industry. A highlight of the experience was getting to try out Penta Patterns’ top-of-the-range 3D scanning equipment—an inspiring insight into the intersection of design, engineering, and innovation.
The culmination of the project saw students developing their own original design concepts for a public sculpture, each inspired by their personal visions of the future of Hinckley or themselves. These designs reflected not only their learning and creativity but also their hopes and ideas for the future of Hinckley and their place within it.
The Futures Hinckley Project has been a valuable opportunity for students to connect with their community, working with a current and inspiring designer whilst developing critical and creative thinking skills, to express their ideas through sculpture.
We are looking for more talented artists, designer or photographers to inspire our students. If you are interested in running a creative workshop with us, please get in touch with the Art and Design department, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Miss Wright via email: hwright@redmooracademy.org
Year 9 Ceramics Project
Credits:
Created with images by Fahkamram - "Nature of green leaf in garden at summer. Natural green leaves plants using as spring background cover page greenery environment ecology wallpaper" • sosiukin - "Work hard dream big stay positive word written on wood block. Work hard dream big stay positive text on cement table for your desing, Top view concept" • Studio Romantic - "Group of friends trekking with backpacks walking in the forest ." • lovelyday12 - "hand holding young plant on blur green nature background. concept eco earth day" • eskay lim - "Thank you card" • makieni - "サッカ���ボール" • Pixel-Shot - "Male cyclist riding bicycle outdoors, closeup" • hannamartysheva - "memory day, victims, Holocaust, candle, United State, Germany, France, Russia," • photocrew - "Nachrichten" • Pongvit - "Colorful flags, colorful party decorations, small triangular flags to celebrate the party with the blue sky and clouds as the holiday concept background." • alexey_arz - "sculptor creates a bust and puts his hands clay on the skeleton of the sculpture. Close-up" • Narong Niemhom - "Colorful watercolor drops in the water with white flowers"