Principal's Summary As we begin to see the early signs of spring, it’s a good time to reflect on the growth taking place among our students. While physical growth is often the most noticeable as they develop into young adults, the growth in their mindset during the secondary school years is just as important. I have been very proud to see how our students have engaged with our Personal Development curriculum. It encourages them to reflect on their experiences while building confidence, resilience and the skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond. Many of these opportunities are carefully built into the school curriculum, but there are also a wide range of experiences available to students outside the normal school day, helping them to continue developing their interests, independence and personal strengths. I encourage students, parents and carers to take time to review their Graduation, Challenge and Competitive Edge booklets as we enter the final term of the academic year. The Summer Term will see the opportunity for several ceremonies to take place as well as Year 10 work experience as we continue to prepare Humberston Academy students for life beyond secondary school. As part of this objective, it is important to consider our enrichment programme. There is a clear link between students who take part in our enrichment opportunities and stronger academic outcomes. Student voice is extremely important to us, and we regularly hear how much these experiences add to their enjoyment of school life. Students who join clubs, represent the academy in activities or take part in trips often feel more connected to the school community. As a result, they tend to be happier in school, attend more regularly and perform better in their assessments. As we step closer to summer, we now have warmer weather and lighter evenings. The perfect opportunity to encourage your child to access one of the many opportunities available to them. The exposure to a different social circle, learning a new skill, student leadership opportunities or representing their house or academy is incredibly beneficial and we urge you as parents and carers to promote this at home as we continue to advertise within school. In other news, I am delighted to announce that we have now received information about our new year group for September 2026. Once again, Humberston Academy remains over-subscribed demonstrating that we are a school of choice within our local community with over 220 first place applications for 180 places. Within the Summer Term we will be inviting our new year group into the family as we show them how to follow the ‘Humberston Way’ and become world class learners. Finally, it would be remis of me not to recognise the incredible hard work of our ‘Class of 2026’. This group of students have blossomed this year into incredible young adults. Their efforts to prepare for the upcoming public examinations have been admirable. Just before the end of term we were once again able to organise the year group photo which will be on sale shortly. I hope you like this edition of our newsletter. Once again, there have been lots of events and achievements for us to celebrate. Enjoy! Mr Shoubridge
World Book Day This year, our World Book Day celebration was extra special as staff got into the spirit by dressing up as some of our favourite book characters! In English, teachers brought Alice in Wonderland to life, with the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and of course Alice herself. The Maths department got creative too, dressing as colourful crayons inspired by The Day the Crayons Quit, adding a bright and fun touch to the day. Our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) joined the fun by appearing as characters from Matilda, showing their magical side. Meanwhile, the Art and DT departments embraced nostalgia, dressing as childhood heroes from books and comics that inspired them when they were young. As well as this, all out HIVE staff were paw‑fectly spotted as they brought 101 Dalmatians to life! Students also enjoyed the World Book Day Bake‑Off! Pupils baked creative book-inspired cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, which were displayed in the library. Students voted for their favourites for 50p at lunchtime, and all profits went to our Literacy Fund. The Bake‑Off was a huge success, raising money and spreading even more reading-inspired fun across the school. A big thank you to all staff and students who took part – it made World Book Day a memorable celebration of creativity, books, and imagination! Mrs Holt
Pottery and Woodwork Exhibition Humberston Academy hosted its first ever One Night Only Exhibition, which gave members of our Woodwork and Pottery Clubs the opportunity to showcase the fabulous work they have produced whist attending these clubs. Family and friends were invited in to marvel the amazing achievements of our budding creatives. During the evening, the winning pots from our first Humberston's Pottery Throwdown were also on display with Daniella F taking first place with her stunning Strawberry lidded jar, which showed real flair. Followed by Chloe G-B in 2nd place and Anisha A in 3rd. All the contestants pushed themselves and produced a real diverse and well thought through mix of work. Well done to all who took part. The evening was finished off with one of the Woodwork Club's members, who has attended since it began, being presented with our Humberston's Woodworker Hall of Fame plaque. Oliver wrote a personal statement for the evening and it really sums up what these clubs represent and the opportunities they provide our students with: I have been coming to Woodwork Club since it started. Because I didn’t choose D&T as an option for my GCSE’s, the club gave me the opportunity to continue studying Woodwork. I have enjoyed experiencing using different tools and machines to create diverse and unique projects that I can be really proud of. However, my favourite creation is definitely the Morgan car, which I made when I was in Year 9. I love its unique shape and it was fun seeing this project come to life. My most successful project was the Spitfire. We made the stand by bending and shaping steel metal, which gave me another skill, and the shape of the plane is beautiful. I have learnt so many skills and what it means to be part of a team; helping each other. The club has also encouraged me to develop my imagination and increased my resilience. Overall, it has been a unique experience in my schooling journey and I would really encourage others to take part in these welcoming and fun clubs. - Oliver P. Mrs Z Baker
DRET Cross Country Championships The 2026 DRET Cross Country Championships delivered an unforgettable day of competition, determination, and team spirit, and Humberston Academy proudly emerged as one of the standout schools of the event. Finishing second overall, the team produced a remarkable set of performances that demonstrated both athletic ability and incredible unity. From the very first race, Humberston runners set the tone with confidence and determination. Competing against strong athletes from across the David Ross Education Trust, the team showed exceptional resilience on a challenging course that tested endurance, pacing, and mental strength. One of the most impressive achievements of the day was Humberston Academy’s clean sweep of the boys’ races in Years 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each race showcased outstanding individual performances, with Humberston athletes leading from the front and pushing hard through every section of the course. Their victories highlighted not only their speed but also the consistent strength of the school’s cross country program across multiple year groups. The success did not stop there. Humberston also celebrated a fantastic victory in the Year 10 girls’ race, where the team delivered a powerful performance to take first place. The race was full of determination and grit, with runners supporting one another and pushing to the finish line in true Humberston style. Throughout the event, what stood out most was the incredible team spirit shown by the athletes. Runners cheered each other on from the sidelines, celebrated every finish, and represented their school with pride. Whether competing for a podium finish or simply giving their best effort, every member of the Humberston squad contributed to the school’s impressive second-place overall result. There were many amazing runs throughout the day, with athletes showing bravery on hills, determination in the closing stages, and sportsmanship towards competitors from other schools. These performances were a clear reflection of the hard work put in during training and the supportive environment built within the Humberston athletics team. Finishing second overall in the DRET Cross Country Championships is a significant achievement and a testament to the dedication of the runners and staff who support them. With such a strong showing across multiple year groups, the future of cross country at Humberston Academy looks extremely bright. The day will certainly be remembered not only for the victories, but also for the effort, resilience, and team pride that every Humberston athlete displayed. It was a fantastic example of what can be achieved when talent and teamwork come together. Miss Glover
As we move further into the Spring Term, there are several exciting and important events to address and look forward too for our school community. Over the coming weeks, students have had the opportunity to take part in celebrations such as St Patrick’s Day and Red Nose Day; alongside key milestones upcoming for Year 11’s including; Photo Day, Prom and the final preparations for GCSE examinations. On Tuesday the 17th of March, we celebrated St Patrick’s Day throughout the academy to help students recognise and enjoy this important cultural tradition. With help from our catering team students were able to experience the true traditions of this holiday through the form of Irish stew during lunch. Continuing our celebrations, on Friday the 20th of March the academy will hold a bake sale to raise money for Comic Relief through Red Nose Day. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and staff to come together in support of this great cause. I wish to encourage students to get involved in this opportunity to fundraise and help the academy to raise money and awareness for an amazing charity. As for our Year 11 students particularly, the coming weeks mark a monumental period of time through their school journey. To capture these final memories and create lasting memories, the Year 11 photo day will take place on Friday the 20th of March, in what hopes to provide a special moment in time, frozen by a lens to be looked back on throughout the future. Finally, as GCSE’s draw closer each day, final preparations are taking place as students focus in this crucial period to make the most of their revision and opportunities to fill any gaps of knowledge with our supportive staff. I’d like to take the opportunity to wish all students the very best as they work hard to achieve their full potential in the upcoming exams. Remember you aren’t in this journey alone, if you need support reach out to trusted staff or friends to help you manage the recognisable stress that come with these exams. To finish on a positive note, final preparations are taking place for what I can only imagine to be a very memorable night at Prom with the “Class of 2026”. Your remarkable efforts throughout the exam period and your time at Humberston Academy will be worth it so keep going! To celebrate your achievements, Prom is the perfect opportunity to reflect and reminisce on the years we’ve shared, but also a chance to enjoy an evening marking this significant step towards adult hood. Brooke Mayall Head Girl
Supporting Young Carers in our Academy
A young carer is a child or teenager from the age of 8-18 who helps to look after a family member who cannot manage daily life on their own due to illness, disability, poor mental health or addiction. The person they care for might be a parent/care giver, grandparent, or a sibling/s. Young carers often take on a wide range of responsibilities. This can include practical tasks such as cooking, cleaning or shopping, helping with a sibling, supporting somebody to communicate, providing personal care or helping to keep that person safe and regulated. Some young carers may not do a great deal around the house, but the impact of their caring role affects them mentally, emotionally and psychologically and it is so important that we recognise this too. This term, including Young Carers Action Day (11.03.26) the academy really wants to continue to increase awareness of young carers amongst our staff, families, and students. At our Academy, we want to make sure that our young carers are fully supported and that their school life fits around their caring responsibilities. We can offer help and guidance to ensure students can manage both home and school commitments. Parents and carers can talk to their child’s Tutor, Head of Year or Student Guidance Manager about any concerns. Alternatively, approach any member of staff they feel comfortable with. We are proud to work in close partnership with the Young Carers Project, which provides specialist support for young carers. A dedicated young carers practitioner, Joanne McLellan, visits our academy every term to offer one-to-one school drop in sessions. These sessions provide calm and supportive space where young carers can talk openly, enjoy colouring activities use fidget toys, have a small treat such as Haribos and leave with a positive affirmation to brighten their day. The Young Carers Project also runs senior group sessions every fortnight on a Wednesday after school for young carers aged from 11-17 years. These sessions are described by attendees as “chilled, fun and a cool place where they can be themselves without worrying about their caring duties. Activities such as baking, prize bingo, cooking, quizzes, gaming, board games and just simply “hanging out” are all designed to give young carers a break from their responsibilities and a great opportunity to have fun with their peers. Past activities have included a summer fun day at Cherry Garth and participation in the recent Humberside Night Challenge. Both events were fantastic opportunities for young carers to come together, enjoy themselves and feel part of a supportive community, If you feel your child might benefit from this support, or if you want more information, please contact the Academy. We are here to listen, help and make sure every young carer is identified as quickly as possible and gets the support they need at the earliest opportunity. Mr Mundell
Careers Education - Year 10 Impartial 1:1 Guidance Appointments Since the start of this full term, our Year 10 cohort have all engaged with an external Careers Enterprise Advisor (Darrell) and attended their statutory 1:1 career guidance appointments. This has been an invaluable experience for our students to share and talk through their aspirations, receive expert advise and guidance and start to plan their next steps. This was a great opportunity for Year 10 students to document and record their appointment in their Personal Development Competitive Edge booklets, so that they are able to revisit and reflect during their Key Stage 4 education. The academy continues to expose students to post-16 opportunities and information gathered from individual appointments is also invaluable to ensure we plan appropriate careers education activities to support and raise student aspiration. Darrell was extremely positive about our Year 10 cohort and how mature they have been with their interactions about their future choices - well done Year 10! Mr Mundell
Humberston Academy Performs at the DRET Secondary Music Festival Students from Humberston Academy recently travelled to the magnificent Nottingham Albert Hall to take part in the DRET Secondary Music Festival – a fantastic celebration of music-making across the trust. The event brought together talented young musicians from DRET secondary schools for an evening of high-quality performances in an inspiring concert setting. Alongside the performances, students also had the opportunity to explore a Music Careers Fayre, where professionals from across the music industry spoke with students about different pathways into musical careers. From performance and composition to music technology, production and education, the fayre gave students valuable insight into how their passion for music can lead to exciting future opportunities and helped them understand the many ways they can progress within the industry. Representing the academy, Voces Uniti delivered a beautiful and varied choral programme. Their performance included Locus Iste by Bruckner, sung with clarity and control, the lively Renaissance madrigal El Grillo by Des Prez, and Ballad of the Humber Bridge, arranged by Mr Sleight, which gave the choir an opportunity to celebrate a piece connected to our local heritage. Humberston Academy’s Little Big Band also took to the stage, bringing a touch of jazz to the day with stylish performances of Paper Moon and the classic bossa nova The Girl from Ipanema. Their confident playing and relaxed groove added a wonderful contrast to the choral repertoire and showcased the breadth of musical talent within the academy. The afternoon concert concluded with a powerful massed performance of The Vow, a specially commissioned work for the festival composed and conducted by Peter Letanka. Bringing together students from across the trust, the piece created a thrilling and memorable finale, with the combined sound of voices and instruments filling the Albert Hall. It was also a great pleasure to hear performances from the other DRET secondary schools, highlighting the strength of music across the trust. A particularly proud moment for Humberston Academy came when the Berkeley Ensemble performed a composition by Year 11 student Oscar, giving him the exciting opportunity to hear his own work brought to life by professional musicians. The day was a fantastic celebration of collaboration, creativity, and opportunity in music. Our students represented Humberston Academy with great professionalism and pride, returning inspired not only by the performances they heard, but also by the possibilities for where music could take them in the future. Mr Sleight
The Addams Family at Parkway Cinema Humberston Academy’s recent production of The Addams Family at Parkway Cinema was nothing short of outstanding—a bold, ambitious, and hugely entertaining showcase of the incredible talent and dedication within our Performing Arts community. Across two almost completely sold-out evenings, audiences were treated to a production that combined slick staging, sharp comedy, and impressively polished musical and dance performances. From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that this was no ordinary school production; the scale, professionalism, and energy on stage reflected months of commitment from both students and staff. At the heart of the show were a series of truly standout performances. Charlie brought charisma, humour, and warmth to the role of Gomez, perfectly capturing his larger-than-life personality. Alongside him, Poppy delivered a wonderfully poised and commanding Morticia, balancing elegance with a subtle comedic edge. Florence’s Wednesday was a highlight—deadpan, intense, and vocally assured, she captivated the audience throughout. Noah J’s Pugsley provided plenty of mischievous charm, while Emily was brilliantly eccentric as Grandma, earning consistent laughs with her irreverent portrayal. Isaac’s Uncle Fester was both endearing and comical, complete with excellent comic timing. Rosie’s Alice delivered both humour and emotional depth, and Jack E’s Mal anchored the story with a confident and convincing performance. Noah B took on the role of Lucas with commitment, supporting the storytelling effectively with his charm and perfectly intended awkwardness. The visual and musical ensemble elements of the production were equally striking. The make-up and costumes were exceptional, bringing the eerie elegance of the Addams world vividly to life, with every detail carefully considered to enhance character and atmosphere. The chorus of Addams Family ancestors provided a constant presence on stage, and their rich, unified ensemble sound added depth and cohesion throughout the performance. Their commitment, energy, and musicality elevated every scene they were part of, creating a truly immersive theatrical experience. Special recognition must also go to Mrs McClane and the Props Club, whose eerie gravestones and expertly crafted props added remarkable detail and authenticity to the production. Standout pieces, including the torture rack and heretic’s chair, helped to fully realise the darkly comic world of the Addams Family and brought the show vividly to life on stage. Behind the scenes, the production was equally impressive. The live band added real depth and energy to the show, and we are incredibly grateful to all of the volunteer musicians who gave up their time to make this possible. The technical elements—lighting, sound, and staging—were seamless throughout, a testament to the dedication and expertise of our technical crew volunteers. Special recognition goes to Alex B for his work with the lighting team, helping to create the atmosphere and visual impact that brought the production to life, and to Riley D for his efforts backstage, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. This production simply would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment of those who supported it. Special thanks must go to all of our volunteers, including Mr Oram, whose support helped bring this ambitious project to life. Under the musical direction of Mr Sleight, and with the tireless work of the Performing Arts team—Miss Kamis, Mrs Wilson, and Miss Plaskitt—The Addams Family was transformed into a truly memorable theatrical experience. Their vision, organisation, and passion were evident in every detail of the production. Humberston Academy continues to go from strength to strength in the performing arts, and this production stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when talent, teamwork, and dedication come together. An unforgettable two nights of theatre. Mr Sleight
Online Safety • In our ever-increasing digital world, it is vital that students know how to remain safe online. Approximately 95% of teenagers aged 13–17 use social media, with up to a third reporting they use it "almost constantly". • Data shows 99% of children spend time online, with top platforms including YouTube (93%), TikTok (63%), Snapchat (60%), and Instagram (59%). This term, we have been reminding students about how to look after their digital wellbeing. There are many positive reasons to be online! • You can connect with a wider range of people and stay in contact with people from all over the world. • You have quick access to information and research. • You can find new hobbies or interests that you would have not discovered without seeing it online. • It can be fun and entertaining- through viral videos and TikTok challenges. But there is a risk… • A survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health asked 14–24-year-olds in the UK how social media platforms impacted their health and well-being. • The survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness. • Young people have also reported instances of cyberbullying, and of imposter syndrome. How can I support myself with my mental wellbeing online? Protect yourself from triggering content: • If you come across something that upsets you, close the screen or scroll quickly past it. • You might even want to turn off your computer or mobile device and take a break. • Unfollow or block any accounts that don't make you feel good. Manage your screen time: • Establish time limits for social media and gaming to ensure a healthy offline/online balance. • Set a time to put your phone away before bed and do something relaxing. • Make plans with friends away from social media. Seek help if you need it: • If you are being harassed online, report this to the social media platform for advice. • Seek help from a trusted adult- at home or at school. • Reach out to medical professionals if you need more support. Mrs Barrs
Work Experience We are incredibly excited for our year 10 students to go out onto their work experience placements during the week of 27th June- 2nd July. A positive work experience placement allows students to develop their maturity, work ethic, personality and Humberston Charm, whilst gaining and learning new skills in an adult working environment. Year 10 work experience is self-canvassing, which means students are asked to find their own placements. However, if you are struggling to find a placement please let your form tutor know, or get in contact with the Academy as we may be able to offer more support. All work placements will be health and safety checked before they are confirmed. The self-canvassing form must be completed by the prospective work experience employer and returned to the Academy, along with the consent form completed by parents/carers. Students who are unable to secure a placement will be expected to attend the Academy as normal during this week, where students will work on a careers-based programme, although we wish for all students to attend some form of work experience outside of the Academy where possible. The deadline for returning both the consent and self-canvas forms (to the main reception) is Friday 27th March. Mrs Barrs and Mr Mundell
Year 10 Mock Interview Day On Tuesday 24th March, we welcomed over 40 professionals to the Academy to take part in our very first Mock Interview Day for year 10. Students in year 10 were interviewed by a professional, giving them the opportunity to experience their first interview in a safe and nurturing environment. Visitors to the Academy were incredibly impressed by our students, and I would like to share a few quotes from them: “All students spoken to are an absolute credit to your school, parents and themselves. Manners and attentiveness was impeccable and they were all a pleasure to speak with.” “The students were smart, engaging and took the event seriously. They are a credit to Humberston Academy.” “ The students presented themselves better than previous applicants I have interviewed for real positions throughout my career” All students who took part in this process will receive personalised feedback given from the employers. Please pass on my biggest congratulations- they have done the school and themselves proud. Mrs Barrs
Women in Welding Three KS4 girls were invited and had a fab day at 'women in welding', supported by CATCH. All the girls had the opportunity to experience welding metal and seemed to enjoy it. There was a competition between all the girls from the different schools in North East Lincolnshire where they had to put forward a piece they had welded. Mylie came first and Ivy came third. In the afternoon they were given some chocolate to 'weld' to try and create the strongest 'bridge'. The girls worked together as a team on this and their bridge held the heaviest weight without breaking. They also had a Q&A with women in the industry and found this very interesting! Mylie and Abi are keen and have aspirations to look into welding further for the future. The day ended with Mylie being given 'Welder of the Day', which was a fantastic achievement. Well done to all the girls for engaging fully and working hard. Special thanks goes to Miss Rodgers-Gibbs who support and led on the visit. Mr Mundell
RSE Session Recently, we were pleased to welcome Wayne S back into school to work with our Year 9 students. Wayne delivered a powerful and thought-provoking session focusing on online safety, particularly the risks associated with sexting and sextortion. The session helped students understand the potential consequences of sharing images online, the pressures that can exist in digital spaces, and the importance of making safe, informed choices when using social media and messaging platforms. Alongside this, Wayne also worked with some of our SEND students in smaller group sessions, covering important topics within Relationships and Sex Education, including pregnancy, consent, contraception and STIs. These smaller sessions provided a supportive environment where students were able to ask questions, discuss scenarios and build their understanding in a way that was accessible and meaningful. All students involved were brilliantly engaged throughout the sessions and were a real credit to our school. Wayne himself commented on how impressed he was, sharing: “Please pass on my thanks to all pupils and staff, it’s always an honour and privilege coming to Humberston.” He also added, “The Year 9s were fantastic. I absolutely feel they got lots out of the social media and sexual health session. Their reactions were spot on. I had some amazing feedback from some of the lads.” These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop their understanding of important issues that affect young people today, while reinforcing key messages around safety, respect and making responsible choices. Miss Tunnicliffe
Personal Development Day Our recent Personal Development Day was a fantastic success and a truly valuable experience for all students involved. The day provided a wide range of opportunities for students across all year groups to build essential life skills, develop confidence, and engage with important real-world topics beyond the classroom. Students took part in a variety of engaging and thought-provoking sessions. From Year 7 working with the Inspirational Learning Group, to Year 8 gaining insight from a police talk and Compass Go sessions, each session was carefully designed to support personal growth. Older students also benefited greatly, with Year 9 developing resilience and teamwork through orienteering with Mr Timson, alongside first aid sessions, while Year 10 participated in mock interviews to prepare them for future pathways. Year 11 students received valuable guidance on life beyond school, including sessions on independent living and inspirational talks from external organisations. The day would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our staff, who worked tirelessly to organise and deliver such a wide-ranging programme. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all of the external speakers and organisations who gave their time and expertise to enrich our students’ learning experiences. Finally, I would like to commend our students for their excellent conduct, enthusiasm, and willingness to engage throughout the day. Their positive attitude truly made the event such a success. Miss Tunnicliffe
Ski Trip to Sestriere Our February half-term ski trip to Sestriere was an incredible experience for everyone involved. It was especially inspiring to see students who were skiing for the very first time make such fantastic progress over the course of the trip. Many showed real determination and resilience, quickly building both their confidence and technical skills on the slopes. Beyond skiing, the trip was packed with memorable après-ski activities. Highlights included our lively bum boarding championships, an entertaining quiz night, a delicious pizza evening, and cosy treats of crêpes and hot chocolate—perfect after a day in the snow. Throughout the trip, students consistently demonstrated maturity, teamwork, and respect for one another, as well as for staff and instructors. They supported each other brilliantly and embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. We hope all students had an amazing time and created memories that will last for years to come. Miss Burrows
NGRT Testing Recently, students in years 7-9 at Humberston Academy completed the second round of the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) — a standardised reading assessment used by many schools across the UK. This test helps us better understand each child’s reading skills so we can support them more effectively as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a strong reading culture. What is the NGRT? The NGRT (New Group Reading Test) is a short, adaptive reading assessment. It measures a range of reading abilities, including: - Decoding and understanding words - Comprehension of texts - Vocabulary and inference skills The test is designed to reflect how reading is taught in schools and adapts to suit each student’s ability — ensuring both confidence and challenge for all learners. Why Did We Use This Test? At our school, reading lies at the heart of learning. Strong reading skills not only help students enjoy rich and varied texts, but they also support success across all subjects — from science to history, maths to languages. NGRT gives us a clear, national benchmark of where our students’ reading skills are in comparison to others of the same age. Because the test is non‑exam based and formative, it doesn’t count towards formal grades — instead, it provides a snapshot of your child’s current reading ability, which is incredibly useful for planning learning and support. The reading assessment data gives us a broad picture of how pupils are performing in relation to national expectations. These results are one of many tools we use to understand reading development across the school and to support teaching and learning. The information helps us to: 🔹 See overall areas of strength within classes and year groups 🔹 Highlight any patterns that might suggest additional help or challenge would be beneficial 🔹 Support curriculum planning to ensure reading remains a key focus 🔹 Monitor reading development over time alongside other assessments and classroom learning We use this data thoughtfully and alongside teachers’ classroom knowledge to ensure that every pupil is supported and challenged appropriately. The results help us to plan next steps in reading teaching and learning contributing to our wider commitment to promoting reading for pleasure and proficiency and support Our Reading Culture. This latest round of NGRT testing sits alongside the many ways we encourage reading across the school — from the use of our library, competitions and World Book Day to reading time in tutor groups and our whole school DRET reads provision. These activities, combined with precision assessment, help us grow confident, enthusiastic readers who see reading as both a joy and a foundation for lifelong learning. Thank you for your ongoing support in nurturing a positive reading culture for all our learners! Mrs Holt