SLT Update
It has been a packed week in the Academy with pupils enjoying a range of different events.
On Sunday the school had a stall at the Corby Glen Sheep Fair and it was lovely to see so many of our pupils enjoying the fair and looking around the different stalls. Pupils from Years 9-11 helped to run the stall and interacted confidently with members of the public, explaining what happens in their Bushcraft sessions and at Charles Read in general. We raised £151 for the food bank in Grantham which is an excellent effort, and we are already making plans for next year's event.
It was also a delight to be able to accompany Year 7 and Year 8 to the church on Monday to participate in the Harvest Festival. The pupils behaved impeccably and listened to an important message from Reverend Buckman about helping those in need and demonstrating gratefulness for what we have. Thank you for all of the donations that have been sent in for the food bank in Bourne, these were taken to the Church with us.
Also on Monday we were joined by the band As1One who are the first Israeli-Palestine pop band. They performed a number of their songs and spoke to the pupils about mental health and diversity. After the main event the band stayed on to talk to pupils who play an instrument, and members of the musical theatre group, giving them tips on auditions and emphasising the importance of practice.
The excitement for Winter Cup next week is also building with lots of pupils attending the after school training sessions, we wish them luck for next Thursday!
I hope that you have a restful and relaxing weekend.
Kerry Milligan, Principal
Second Hand Uniform
We would like to start a second hand uniform store to help parents navigate the cost of living crisis many people are currently experiencing. Therefore if you have any good quality ties, blazers, skirts, trousers and school shoes that no longer fit your child please either drop them in at reception or send them in with your child. Once we have enough stock we will provide information for how parents can access this.
My Child At School
This is a reminder and request to all parents/carers to download this app so you can receive all vital information and details about your child. We use this app to send all communications for example - school closures, bus delays, events happening , trips. This app is also used to make purchases such as lunch money, trip payments, bus passes and uniform. As we are now a cashless office as much as possible, we appreciate when you make payments using this method. In addition, this app displays student behaviour , achievements and end of term reports.
To set this up , please download the My Child At School on your device and you can then self set up using your email address that is registered with us and the school ID code 11582. If you already have a child registered on this app, you can add the sibling to it.
If you are having difficulties with installing the app, please contact the school office for support.
Revision Spotlight
When do I revise?
In last week's revision spotlight I wrote about what revision actually is. This week I will focus on when revision should take place.
Ideally, revision is a constant process that happens throughout the school year. We make this easy by ensuring that our prep homework is all about revision. However, just doing your prep isn't enough - particularly in KS4. Prep is general revision, not targeted revision. The difference is that general revision doesn't target specific gaps that a student has. Targeted revision is when a student figures out what their weakest areas are and then makes sure that their revision focuses on those area. Targeted revision is the extra work that students should be doing when assessment windows approach.
In KS3, revision should start 2 - 3 weeks before the assessment windows. That gives you time to figure out what your weaknesses are and enough time to target them. In year 10, early on in the year 2 to 3 weeks is enough time. However, later on when we complete mock exams, revision should start 4 to 6 weeks before the mocks start. In year 11, targeted revision should already have started and this whole year should be a cycle of revision which adjusts its focus after each mock exam window.
To help support your child with this, a booklet of revision strategies will be emailed to you in advance of the assessment windows. Year 10 and 11 will also receive physical copies of this booklet in tutor time next week.
For your information, the next assessment windows are:
- Year 7 to 9: 10th to 14th of November
- Year 10: 20th to 24th of October
- Year 11: 5th to 19th of November
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.
Aqua Natasha J_T for CRA Resilience
For continuous commitment to your studies, prep and taking on board all the changes now going into year 11.
Terra - Lexi D for CRA Ambition
For a renewed focus, attendance to lessons and your drive for learning
Caeli - Amelia-Rose J for CRA Aspiration
For putting 100% into every single lesson, going outside your comfort zone, speaking up for your tutor group, setting the highest standards for behaviour and participation and being an exceptional leader. You are a true asset to Caeli!
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
MATHS
- Aleesha M - Year 10
- Joshua V - Year 7
- Logan McC - Year 11
READER
WHOLE SCHOOL TOP 3
- McKenzie Year 11 - 11254
- Oscar Year 11 - 1005
- Henry Year 7 - 963
YEAR TOTAL
- Mckenzie Year 11 - 16026
- Oscar Year 11 - 3745
- Henry Year 7 - 3588
Why We Do What We Do
At the start of our assemblies we have something called a Do Now. This usually features three questions and serves to remind students of our routines and standard operating processes or impart key knowledge to students. In a morning assembly it could feature something such as:
- What are the British values?
- What are the nine protected characteristics?
- What are our three rules?
Or What are our academy values?
- What is our 90 second rule?
- Why do we have disruption free learning
Students look at these as they are filing into assembly and then a member of staff goes through them with the students.
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 13th October 2025 - 12
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 13th October 2025 - Period 1
Moments Matter, Attendance Counts
Regular school attendance can facilitate positive peer relationships, which is a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing.
As we return to school and move into winter, there is inevitably an increase in illnesses. It can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they are unwell. There are government guidelines to support you in this decision.
Attendance.
We have seen a large increase of absence this week and would just like to remind you of the following Guidance.
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.
House Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Next week at CRA features a brand new house competition, Who Wants to be a Millionaire. As seen on TV, Heads of House will be attempting to win up to 250 house points as they face a series of general knowledge questions, increasing in difficulty.
The game will be played by Heads of House in front of all members of their respective houses across three competitions. There will be 3 lifelines on offer throughout each game, including ‘ask the audience’ giving the opportunity for students to play their part in earning as many house points as possible.
Good luck to each of the house teams! Check back at the end of next week to see how far each house managed to get.
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" • Pixels Hunter - "Two smiling coffee mugs with speech bubbles above them symbolizing communication and cheerful conversation on orange background." • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "Cropped view of woman hands holding paper with lettering we need you isolated on white" • smile35 - "School clothes for boy and girl on hanger." • sitthiphong - "Close up of hand holding smartphone and screen applications with unlocking mobile phones.,Concept of technological safety." • cacaroot - "continuing education" • A - "Text sign showing Revision.,Business photo text action of revising over someone like auditing or accounting Ballpoints pens blank colored speech bubble sticky notes wooden background" • ArtificialHorizons - "The phrase quiet zone on a sandy beach background." • PX Media - "Help, support, advice, guidance signpost." • bbbar - "Acronym of AAB for Above and Beyond" • Gerisima - "Christmas star decoration of golden confetti stars against white" • Inspiraciones - "rules and values.,dichotomy between two concepts represented with arrows indicating different paths." • 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"