SLT Update
It is hard to believe that January is already at an end and we are cantering towards half term. The Year 11s have continued to work in lessons in preparation for their mock exams starting next week and it has been lovely to welcome families into the Academy over the past few weeks to discuss their child's academic progress and future aspirations. All of the staff at CRA wish the Year 11s the best of luck with their exams over the next two weeks. It has also been pleasing to celebrate some excellent tutor group and year group attendance this week with Year 9 demonstrating the best attendance and Caeli 9 and Terra 7 achieving above the Lincolnshire average. Please ensure your child comes to school every day as we really do know how important attendance is for exam success, which will help positively shape your child's future enabling them to have the life that they choose.
I hope that you have a lovely weekend.
Miss Milligan, Principal
Second Hand Uniform Shop
We are still aiming to offer a second hand uniform shop but urgently require donations of any surplus uniform you may have. We thank you for all donations that have already been made but would really appreciate if you could bring in any uniform that no longer fits or is unwanted by your child.
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 to 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.
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 - Harry L and Charlie A for Aspiration Harry and Charlie showed real aspiration and kindness by organising and including younger students in a larger game of football when there was only one ball available, by taking initiative and organising teams. Both boys, along with the other Year 10 students showed real leadership, and inclusivity, to ensure everyone on the 3G was able to enjoy a lunchtime football match. Great work! Terra - Lewis H for Courage Dedication to improving handwriting and participating in House competitions. Aqua - Jemma H-G for Confidence Working confidently and positively in every aspect of school, Jemma quietly and with a secure confidence in her abilities, encourages all around her to thrive, either as a friend or a peer perspective, and also as wanting all in Aqua to feel the confidence within our community and be a part of it.
Out of School Successes
Congratulations to Sasha
Sasha from Caeli 7 has a strong sporting background and has taken part in several competitive activities outside of school. She trained in karate for several years and became a multiple-time Ukrainian champion in the Kata category at national and international-level competitions. In addition, she achieved first place in an all-Ukrainian children’s obstacle course racing competition called “Who Is First”, which involved running and overcoming physical obstacles. These achievements were completed prior to our move to the UK, but they reflect her determination, physical fitness, resilience, and commitment to sport. Well done Sasha!
Well done to Freddie B Aqua 11
Freddie recently completed a darts marathon at home in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, raising an amazing £325 for the charity. We are incredibly proud of his effort and the dedication he showed throughout the challenge.
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
READER
MATHS
Academic Progress
Assessment Reminder A reminder that year 10 assessments are next week and the year 11 mocks also start next week (2nd of Feb). Year 10 They will be starting to see far more GCSE style questions and papers. This is an important transition where they start to fully understand what GCSEs will demand of them. This might make them more stressed than anxious than normal. If this is the case, please remind them that there is still a lot of time before their GCSEs. If they’re struggling to feel confident, there is still a lot of time left to put in the work needed to become confident and successful. Now might also be the time to start talking to your child about what their plans are for the future and take a look at the options available after life at CRA. Having a clear goal can really help young people to focus. Year 11 This is their last chance to practise what it feels like to sit a GCSE exam before they do it for real. The provisional start date for GCSEs is the 8th of May. That’s 14 weeks away. Only 11 school weeks. We are starting to enter into the world of what I call ‘last times’. The last time a teacher will teach something. The last time you’ll practise a skill. The last time you’ll have a chance to take a mock exam and get a genuine picture of what you can and can’t do. It is essential, therefore that:
- Students attend school every day of the mock window
- That students are preparing for their exams and revising at home
- That students continue to do their homework
- Students try their best in every exam
Info Dumping Before you start revising, you need to know what to revise and this is where our first core revision strategy comes in. Info dumping is the first step. It’s where you write down everything you know and then check it against what you should know to identify gaps. There are a couple of different ways to info dump:
- Spider diagrams
- Put the subject in the middle e.g. English Literature
- Put the topics around the edge e.g. Christmas Carol
- Add everything you know
- Note pages
- Put the subject at the top
- Add sub headings for the topics
- Add everything you know
And there are many other presentation styles as well. When it comes to presentation, whatever feels most comfortable for you works. What’s important is that you take the time to write down everything you know. Set a timer for 25 minutes and just keep going for however long you can. THEN You need to check this page against what you should know. Revision guides can be useful here, but our knowledge organisers are even better. Take the knowledge organiser and go through them, ticking off everything you remembered. Whatever is left, is what you need to focus your revision on. Create a list and then use the activities we’ll talk about over the next few weeks to help you learn this information that you missed. You should info dump regularly, every 4 weeks or so, to check that you’re still working on the most important information for you.
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 3 February 2026 - 11
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 3 February 2026 - Period 4
Table Talk
There has been a lot in the media about social media this week so we thought table talk should focus on it. Teen Support Social Media: How to Look After Yourself Online Social media can be fun, inspiring, and a great way to stay connected. It’s where you share moments, discover new ideas, and keep up with friends. But it can also be overwhelming at times—and that’s completely normal. Looking after yourself online is just as important as looking after yourself offline. Remember: What You See Isn’t the Full Story Most people only post their highlights—the best photos, funniest moments, and biggest wins. Behind the screen, everyone has bad days, insecurities, and struggles, even if it doesn’t look that way. Comparing your real life to someone else’s filtered feed can mess with your confidence, so try to remind yourself: social media is edited, real life isn’t. It’s Okay to Step Back If scrolling leaves you feeling stressed, annoyed, or low, that’s a sign to pause. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re missing out—it means you’re protecting your mental health. Logging off for a bit, muting certain accounts, or putting your phone down before bed can make a big difference. You Deserve Respect Online No one has the right to make you feel uncomfortable, pressured, or hurt online. If someone’s behaviour crosses a line, use the tools available—block, mute, or report. That’s not being dramatic; that’s setting boundaries. You deserve to feel safe in digital spaces. Talk to Someone You Trust If something online is bothering you—whether it’s drama, bullying, or pressure to look or act a certain way— don’t carry it alone. Talking to a friend, parent, teacher, or another trusted adult can help more than you might expect. Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Balance Matters Social media is just one part of your life—not the whole thing. Spending time on hobbies, sports, music, gaming, art, or just hanging out in real life helps keep things in perspective. The best moments don’t always need to be posted to matter. Be Kind—to Others and to Yourself How you treat people online matters, but so does how you treat yourself. Give yourself permission to be imperfect, to grow, and to take breaks when you need them. You’re more than your likes, followers, or views—and always will be.
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 House Winter Games Throughout term 3 and term 4 House teams will be battling it out in a bid to win as many Winter Games gold medals as possible. The first set of Medals have already been added to the Winter Games medal table following the Basketball competition this week. Terra ends the opening week of the Games top of the medal table, after picking up two gold medals and one silver medal from the opening event. More medals are available next week in the Table Tennis competition. Each gold medal is worth 5 points. Silver medals are worth 3 points and Bronze are worth 2 points. The house with the highest points total at the end of the games will be crowned CRA Winter Games champions.
House Winter Games – Basketball Results The CRA House Winter Games got underway this week in an action-packed Basketball competition. House teams went head-to-head across the week in a bid to secure the first set of 'Gold Medals' to add to their House Winter Games medal tally. Aqua got off to a flying start with victory in the KS4 Boys competition to win the first gold medal of the games. Terra however responded with a gold medal of their own, following victory in the girls competition. With the competition wide open going into the final round of matches it was Terra who beat Caeli 6-2 in the final game to clinch their second gold medal of the games and were crowned overall winners of the competition.
House Winter Games - Table Tennis The next event in the House Winter Games is Table Tennis. The competition will be split across three events: KS3 students, KS4 students and CRA Table Tennis Scholars. Three more gold medals are on offer, presenting a great opportunity for house teams to build on their overall Winter Games points total. If you are interested in competing in this event, make sure you register your interest with your Tutor or Heads of House.
House New Year Cup – End of Week Update We have entered the final leg of our 2026 House New Year Cup journey. Over the least 7 days we have covered just under 2,000km, surpassing Miami and Atlanta. We have received over 850 entries so far and look on course to completing our 6,962km virtual tour. So far we have covered a distance of 5754.89km and have 2 weeks left to complete the remaining 1,240km - It has been an amazing community effort but which house is going to be crowned champions? Terra have maintained their pace this week and continue to keep Aqua at arm’s length as we head into the final straight. Current house totals see Terra in first place with a house distance of 2802.6km, followed by Aqua in second place with a total distance of 2302km. Caeli are still trailing in third with a total house distance of 649.94km.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is the next and final stop in this years New Year Cup challenge – will we complete this by the next update? If you are out and about this weekend, please make sure you send in you distances to housechampionship@charlesreadacademy.co.uk This is open to all students, staff and family members.
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" • Rynio Productions - "We need you on a bulletin board" • Pavel - "Second hand clothing sign hangs on rack in thrift shop for shoppers in search of affordable items" • A Stockphoto - "Wood block symbol telephone, address,mail and mobile phone.The concept of communication through technology advancement." • Prostock-studio - "Group of happy teen high school students studying outdoors" • bbbar - "Acronym of AAB for Above and Beyond" • ink drop - "Well done note with blurred bokeh lights in the background" • Gerisima - "Christmas star decoration of golden confetti stars against white" • CrazyCloud - "curriculum" • Rawpixel.com - "Likes on social media" • 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"