SLT Update
This week we said goodbye to our Year 11s and it is always a time of mixed emotions for the pupils and the staff. Some students can't wait to take the step into the next stage of their education whereas for others leaving behind what they have known for the past five years is a nerve wracking experience. Tears were shed by pupils and staff as lovely memories were shared. We are looking forward to marking the end of their exams and time at CRA at their prom tonight.
This week saw pupils taking part in the Summer Cup trials, demonstrating real ambition and courage to put themselves forward and we are delighted that we have a number of qualifiers. What was even more pleasing was the testimony from staff about the pupils' conduct. Mrs Stubbs stated: 'I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to take the 30 students to the athletic trials yesterday. Their behaviour was exemplary, cheering on each other, congratulating competitors, helping to tidy up hurdles and practicing the baton change over with the yr7's.' It is great to see the CRA values being put into practice. I hope that you have a lovely weekend and enjoy the weather now that summer appears to have returned!
Miss Milligan, Principal
Parent Communication
We are currently evaluating how we communicate to parents . Please could you kindly complete the survey below to support us with this. Communication survey
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 - Daisy D for Courage Daisy has really stood out during her mock exams, she has been vigilant and hard working and setting a great example for her peers. Well done Daisy! Aqua - Joey H for Aspiration Taking pride in his learning and preparing for his KPIs, working with aspiration to test himself and achieve in his subjects with a wonderful competition, that also inspires his peers. Terra - Ella-Mae L for Respect For excellent respect towards staff, always polite and supportive of her peers.
Why We Do What We Do
We have recently launched a new campaign to tackle instances of bullying at CRA. We know from student voice that pupils feel that when they tell us about bullying staff deal with it effectively, however we are also aware that not all students feel comfortable talking about this. Therefore as a result we have launched a new email address which pupils can use to report if they are being bullied - CRA-itsnotok@charlesreadacademy This initiative fits in with this year’s national anti-bullying week campaign - Break the Silence - which aims to encourage children, young people and adults across the UK to start conversations about bullying, speak up, listen and take action together. We are already planning how we can mark anti-bullying week at CRA when it takes place later 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 22 June 2026 - 8
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 22 June 2026 - Period 4
Bushcraft
Bushcraft Cooking Over the last few weeks students on Bushcraft intervention have been learning to cook over open fires using the minimum tools This week we have been making drop scones, sometimes known as scotch pancakes We would like to share the recipe with you so you can try it at home
You will need: 175g of Self raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 40g caster sugar or soft brown sugar 1 large egg 200ml of milk Veg oil or butter to grease the pan And a topping of your choice, we used honey Method: Mix the dry ingredients, then add the egg and milk and mix until you have a smooth batter Heat up your frying pan and add a small amount of oil or butter Add a spoon of batter to the pan and allow it to spread, you can put several pancakes in at once depending on the size of you pan. Once the pancake starts to bubble turn them over and cook until they are a nice golden brown on both sides And spread liberally with a topping of your choice
Teen Support
Teen Support: Talking to Your Child About Drug Use Talking to your child about drugs can feel challenging, but open and honest conversations are one of the most important protective factors for young people. Start early and keep it ongoing Conversations about drugs should not be a one-off. Look for natural opportunities—such as something in the news or on television—to open discussion in a calm and non-judgemental way. Keep communication open Encourage your child to share their thoughts and experiences without fear of punishment. Listening carefully helps build trust and makes it more likely they will come to you if they need support. Be clear about expectations It is important that young people understand your boundaries and the reasons behind them. Being honest about the risks and consequences—while remaining measured and factual—helps them make informed choices. Focus on decision-making skills Support your child to think about peer pressure and how they might respond in different situations. Role‑playing or simply discussing “what would you do if…” scenarios can be very effective. Know the signs and seek support early Changes in behaviour, friendships or mood can sometimes indicate concerns. If you are worried, please contact the school or seek advice—early support can make a significant difference. At Charles Read Academy, we continue to address these topics through our PSHCE curriculum and pastoral support, working in partnership with families to keep our young people safe and well-informed.
Table Talk
Pride Month – Why It Matters June marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the importance of every individual feeling seen, heard, and valued. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can create environments where everyone can be themselves without fear of judgement. Pride is about recognising the experiences of LGBTQ+ people, both past and present, and understanding the importance of respect, kindness and equality in our everyday interactions. In schools and communities, this means fostering a culture where differences are embraced and where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. Discussion prompts:
- What does “belonging” feel like, and how do we help others feel it too?
- Why is it important to celebrate diversity in our school community?
- How can small actions—words, kindness, inclusion—make a big difference to someone else’s experience?
- What can we learn from listening to different perspectives and experiences?
Pride Month reminds us at that inclusion is not just something we talk about—it is something we actively create, through our values, our actions, and the way we treat one another every day.
Attendance.
Celebrating Good Attendance Attendance figures being communicated through weekly whole school assemblies. Competitions between tutor groups and between houses to have the best attendance through our Houseopoly game Tutor attendance weekly competition in which groups are awarded cards to place on their challenge board. Each completed board results in a prize. By awarding certificates to individual children who have 100% for each term. Individual attendance challenge cards which result in rewards when targets have been met. A Year 11 Buddy system which rewards students who reach their targets with their buddy. By awarding academy certificates to individual children who get 100% attendance for the whole academic year (September to July). Celebrating and rewarding the success of those who have gained the most improved attendance throughout the academic year. Regular communication through MCAS congratulating parents and students on their individual and/or form group attendance success.
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
House Rounders Competition The rescheduled House Rounders competition is taking place on Tuesday next week. This competition is open to students in years 7 to 10. Students require trainers to take part with matches taking place during lunchtime.
House Lip Sync Battle – Monday 29th June We have an extremely exciting couple of weeks coming up at CRA. Following House Rounders next week Aqua, Caeli and Terra will be taking to the stage to go head-to-head in the return of Lip Sync Battle. House teams have been working extremely hard recently to perfect their performances going into the competition and are now looking forward to showcasing their performance. The competition will be taking place during enrichment in front of the whole school!
The Sporting Post.
We are delighted to invite you to the biggest sporting event of the year, the DRET Summer Cup! This year, our annual event will take place on Wednesday 1st July and brings our 11 secondary and 25 primary academies together to compete across 7 sports, and 9 competitions, with the aim to be crowned champions!
We’ll be joined by an incredible line-up of elite athletes, making this a truly unmissable event. It promises to be a spectacular celebration of sporting excellence across the Trust, and we’d love you to be part of it by coming along to support the Charles Read Academy team on the day. Refreshments can be purchased in the leisure centre cafeteria, with other light refreshments available. This year the Tennis will be off site, at the fantastic venue of Grantham Tennis Centre, Gonerby Road, NG31 8HU between 11:30 – 14:30. To enable us to reserve car parking and speed up registration on the day, please RSVP by pressing ctrl, and clicking on this invite by 30th June 2026, and completing the form. We hope to see you there.
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.
Summer Cup Trials
Over 30 students travelled to Boston to compete in the Summer Cup Time Trials, and it proved to be the perfect way to prepare for the upcoming Summer Cup. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience competition conditions, test themselves against athletes from across the county, and put into practice the skills they have been developing during training sessions, PE lessons, and after-school clubs. Throughout the evening, our students represented Charles Read Academy exceptionally well. They showed outstanding determination, resilience, and commitment in every event, whether competing on the track or in the field. Students pushed themselves to achieve personal bests, supported one another through successes and challenges, and displayed excellent sportsmanship throughout the competition. Their positive attitude and willingness to give their very best in every event was a credit to both themselves and the school. What was particularly pleasing to see was how students contributed beyond their own performances. Many volunteered to help clear away equipment and assist event organisers at the end of the evening, demonstrating responsibility, teamwork, and respect. They were also fantastic ambassadors for the school, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere by cheering on athletes from all schools as they crossed the finish line. Their support for others embodied the true spirit of school sport and helped make the event enjoyable for everyone involved. The atmosphere throughout the evening was incredible, with students, staff, and spectators coming together to celebrate effort, achievement, and participation. It was a fantastic showcase of athletics and provided our students with valuable experience ahead of the Summer Cup. We are delighted that a number of students have successfully qualified for the event, but we are equally proud of the character, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm shown by every student who attended. The Time Trials were a fantastic evening of sport and celebration and have left us excited and well-prepared for the Summer Cup ahead.
Term Dates
Please see the below latest term dates.
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 - "Close up top view customer hand choose smiley face on wood cube, Service rating, satisfaction concept." • Brad Pict - "Upcoming events" • MiguelAngel - "Smiley faces painted on pink stickers, highlighting a sad face on a green sticker.,Concept of feeling different, not fitting into society." • Leigh Prather - "Five star rating - shiny golden stars" • Rachel - "military combat" • mtkang - "online support concepts, message on keyboard key" • Daisy Daisy - "Mother Having Serious Conversation With Teenage Daughter At Home" • PerfectPhoto - "Rainbow colored sticker representing lgbtq pride and diversity" • Seikh - "2026 fifa world cup international soccer ball" • Naypong Studio - "Sports Equipment on white background" • zhangyang135769 - "stadium" • CharmB - "Back to School"