SLT Update
The new term really got started this week with our homework beginning and the first House competition of the year occurring on Wednesday. On Monday Homework Prep began with students being issued their books and knowledge organisers for this term. We have been so proud of our pupils and have had a completion rate of 96% which clearly demonstrates the ambition our students have for themselves. We talked in assembly about how pupils who regularly complete homework achieve 10% higher in their GCSEs, which can be a two grade difference. There has also been a focus on ensuring that students are prepared for their lessons through coming fully equipped with their CRA6 and it has been fantastic to see nearly all students achieving this.
We have had a busy week welcoming people into the Academy. On Wednesday night we held our second open evening which was really well attended. All of our student helpers and guides were impeccable and were wonderful ambassadors for our school. We have also welcomed into school this week David Ross and the other Trustees of the David Education Trust and all of the staff were incredibly proud to showcase how polite and respectful our students are, and their commitment to their learning.
A real highlight for me this week was being able to watch the students participate in the House Limbo competition which was won by Timothy in Year 7. It was fantastic to see so many pupils having a go, demonstrating CRA courage, and being supported by other students in the audience. The atmosphere when it went down to the final three students was electric. A particular shout out to Aqua House who won the bonus points for the best supporters.
Have a lovely weekend.
Kerry Milligan, Principal
Important dates to remember
- 23rd September - Year 11 Information evening 6pm-7pm
- 24th September - Open morning for year 6 parents
- 25th September - Year 10 Information evening 6pm-7pm
- 26th September - Whole School Photos
- 30th September - Year 7 Meet the Tutor
- 15th October - Open morning for year 6 parents
Online Workshops
Here are details of the two free online workshops available to families with SEN children.
📌 Juggling the Joys of Parenting – Thursday 9th October at 11am (parents only)
An interactive Zoom session exploring the ups and downs of parenting children with SEND, with tips and strategies to support family life.
👉 More info & booking
📌 Promoting Positive Behaviour – Thursday 16th October at 7pm ( parents and professionals)
A free workshop with behavioural specialist Chris from Aspens, looking at behaviours of concern, why they happen, and practical strategies to reduce stress and encourage positive behaviours.
👉 More info & booking
Both sessions are free to LPCF members (parents of children with SEND and professionals can join free via our membership sign-up page).
Table Talk
This week the BBC followed a group of teenagers who had agreed to take all of their technology out of their bedrooms for five days. The young people all agreed that it had been a real challenge, but that they had slept better and that they had enjoyed partaking in other activities with their families. As someone who has two children I know firsthand the challenges that technology brings to parenting, as it can be so hard to balance the social aspect that online gaming and social media can bring with the negative effects we are all aware of. A recent survey showed that more than a third (38%) of teenagers said they spent five or more hours on their phones on an average day and that 27% of parents set no limits on the time they are allowed.
Social media companies have stated that there is the following measures that can be taken to help young people manage their time on these apps:
- TikTok says that parents can set screen time limits and block their children using the app at certain times using their 'Family Pairing tool'. Also if a user aged under 16 is using TikTok after 10pm it prompts a 'wind down' feature with a full-screen reminder.
- Snapchat pointed us to their UK parent guide in which it suggests that parents set screen time guidelines with their children.
- Instagram parent company Meta says that they have introduced 'Instagram Teen Accounts' which switch to sleep mode after 10pm and remind users to leave the app after 60 minutes. There are also parental supervision tools on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
- YouTube says it has "robust" parental controls and has recently made its Take a Break and Bedtime reminders more prominent.
However it can still be hard as a parent to manage the conflict that this can bring when your child is in disagreement with you over the limits set.
This weekend maybe take the time to talk about how much time is suitable to spend on technology, particularly on your own in your bedroom and what benefits reducing this time could have.
Why We Do What We Do
CRA6 is our basic equipment requirement for all students to enable them to get the most out of their learning; 2 black pens, 1 purple pen, 1 pencil, 1 rubber and 1 ruler, out on their desk every lesson. At GCSE, students are required to write their answers in black ink, so we want to ensure that students get into this habit immediately upon entering CRA. We require students to have two black pens to ensure that they are able to get on immediately in their lessons without the disruption of trying to find suitable writing equipment. We provide feedback constantly in lessons, and always encourage our students to make corrections and any improvements they can in their work to ensure that they understand how to produce the highest quality answers. Our requirement of a purple pen supports with this, as students are able to respond to this feedback in a different colour to see their improvements and understand how to improve their work in the future. A pencil, ruler and rubber are essential, not only in subjects such as mathematics and science, but in all subjects as students will be expected to complete tasks like drawing annotated diagrams, and these need to be done in pencil to ensure that mistakes can be easily correct.
In many other schools, families are expected additional equipment, such as scientific calculators, but at CRA we are conscious of the cost of this equipment and so provide this in lessons as needed. Our expectations on equipment are therefore only the essentials that we expect students to have daily. Having this equipment ensures smooth and efficient start to the learning process, students are able to prepare for their GCSEs and quickly see areas of feedback and corrections made. Students must have all of this equipment on their desks, every lesson of every day.
Uniform
As an academy, we take pride in how well dressed all of our students are in their school uniform and the level of respect they demonstrate in their professional appearance. We also believe in a consistent approach to enable everyone to have certainty over uniform purchases.
Our policy on uniform has remained consistent over six years, with all students expected to wear a Charles Read Academy blazer, white shirt, black trousers, the correct house tie, black socks and black shoes that can take polish every day. We do not, and have never, allowed any facial piercings, and only allow one stud earring in each ear, including any retainers or clear studs. We do not allow excessive makeup or jewelry, with no bracelets and only two rings. We encourage students to have a watch, but this cannot be a smart watch as this is a distraction for students whilst they are in their lessons and can prevent them from focusing on their learning. Students also should have a CRA bag with them, and not any other type of bag or handbag. We do this to avoid any brands which can cause bullying in schools as students compete to have the most up-to-date fashion accessories. We do not tolerate bullying in any form, and our policies are aimed at preventing this from happening.
We apply our uniform policy consistently across all students, and if students do not meet these expectations, they will be sent to our boot room to change their uniform, and you will be contacted by a member of our academy. We do this to ensure that all students are dressed as the young professionals we know they are. Our expectation is that all students meet these standards daily.
If you have any concerns with aquiring uniform, please contact your child’s tutor in the first instance to discuss this matter with them. We are determined to work with all families, but our expectations on uniform remain high for the benefit of all students.
Thank you for your ongoing support with this matter,
Mr Thornton - Academy Behaviour Lead
Thank you for your support with this,
Mr Thornton
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 22nd September 2025 - 8
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 22nd September 2025 - Period 3
Attendance.
Please may we remind you that absences for increment weather will not be authorised, unless the school is closed.
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.
Caeli Crowned Limbo Champions
The CRA House Championship officially got underway this week with House Limbo. Congratulations to Caeli house who were crowned champions, securing 70 house points.
Students from year 7 to Year 11 and staff represented their house teams on the stage in front of a live audience in the main hall. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout, with students cheering on their house teams, as they successfully completed each attempt. Following a number of exciting rounds and excellent efforts from all who took part, it came down to a tense final between the final 3 participants. Following a tense final round it was year 7 student Timothy (Caeli), who saw off competition from students across the school to be crowned champion.
Well done to everyone who played their part. Final results:
- 1. Caeli – 70 points
- 2. Aqua – 40 points + 20 bonus points
- 3. Terra – 40 points
The next theatre competition in the main hall is the brand new Who Wants to be a Millionaire quiz show towards the end of term.
LPA Harvest Festival Collection
Please continue to support this year’s Harvest Festival collection, in support of the local foodbanks.
As a community we are asking our three house teams to come together throughout term to donate food items and household products to support those most in need in our community.
We are kindly appealing for your donations of food items and household products to be brought into school and placed in the house boxes on the stage.
Year 7 students will be attending a Harvest Festival service at the local church at the end of term where all items will be donated to the foodbank.
Please do not donate fresh food products. Items need to have a long shelf life. House points will be awarded to the house who donate the most ‘house coloured’ packaged products.
Thank you in advance for your support.
LPA House Fantasy Premier League
Fantasy Premier League returned last week, following a long international break. There has been change to the top 10 positions following a number of high scoring totals for some of the managers, however no change at the top as Zachary extends his lead by 21 points from the chasing pack. We are in for another exciting game week this weekend, which features the Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton. There were five green arrows in the top 10 last week and we have lots of managers determined to build up their points total this week.
Check back next week to see who makes it into the top 10.
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" • ArtificialHorizons - "The phrase quiet zone on a sandy beach background." • Who is Danny - "Social media, workshop and network concept" • DisobeyArt - "Happy latin family eating dinner together at home - Winter holidays and Christmas time concept - Main focus on mother face" • sosiukin - "Follow The Rules word written on wood block. Follow The Rules text on table, concept" • olga pink - "Black new leather shoes perspective isolated 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"