CRA Newsletter 16.01.26 Half Term 3 - January 2026

SLT Update

It is hard to believe we are already half way through January, time is quickly passing.  For our Year 11s it is only 18 days until their first mock exam and 109 days until the first actual GCSE!  This week the Year 9s visited Anglia Ruskin University which was a really great day and has enabled many of the pupils to think about the different options open to them after school and help raise their aspirations for the future.   More information is included later in the newsletter on this day.  

 

It was great to welcome parents into school on Thursday night to find out more about the Cambodia expedition.  It is not too late to express an interest and find out more - if you would like more information please contact the school.     This week we have launched our new tutor group attendance challenge competition to encourage all pupils to be in every day.  Prizes include tutor group snacks, non uniform days and pizza parties.  The research shows the clear link between good attendance and high GCSE results which will help them have a more successful future, so please ensure your child is in school every day.  

 

I hope that you have a lovely weekend.

Miss Milligan, Principal

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.

Out of School Successes

Every week we are going to celebrate our students successes in activities they participate in out of school. If you would like to tell us about your childs successes, please complete the form using this link and then forward any photographs to gfulcher@charlesreadacademy.co.uk.

Toby plays for One Touch Football soccer school under 13's. We would like to congratulate him as he received man of the match on the 14th December 2025 game. Well done Toby!

Congratulations to Lexie M who has achieved her level 2 skills test in ice skating. She also took part in a British Ice Skating competition doing her first solo routine and performed a solo routine in a Christmas show. Well done Lexie.

Academic Progress

How do you revise? Over the next few weeks, we will look at some of the most effective revision strategies. Before we get into those, there are some golden rules you need to follow to set yourself up for effective revision.

Golden Rule One: Plan your revision Revision must be planned for in advance. The brain thrives on structure and routine. If you are just relying on yourself suddenly being in the mood to revise at convenient times, you’ll never end up doing anything. Planning a revision schedule and sticking to it is essential. Golden Rule Two: Chunk your revision The brain can only focus for a certain amount of time. Between 25 minutes is around the maximum length of time your brain can be fully focused on a task before it needs a short break. Plan your revision in sets of 25 minutes with gaps of at least 10 minutes in-between. Golden Rule Three: Work distraction free Multi-tasking is a myth. Many people feel they work best with music or other background noise, but the research is pretty clear that having anything else happening whilst you try to work reduces your attention on the work itself. There has also been interesting research suggesting that even being in the same room as your phone, without ever touching it or looking at it, reduces your ability to concentrate. Students should revise in rooms that are 100% distraction free Golden Rule Four: Focus on your weakest areas Students like to work on things they’re already fairly good at because it makes them feel successful. That’s not going to be effective though. You need to do the work that’s uncomfortable. Golden Rule Five: Choose the most effective strategies, not the easiest There are lots of revision strategies out there that make you feel really productive (like reading and highlighting) but the research tells us these are really ineffective. Listen to what we tell you about what works best and do that.

Assessment Reflection Years 7 to 9 sat their assessments this week. Please encourage your child to reflect on their experience. Where did they feel confident and where did they struggle? Do they know why they struggled? Can they think of something they could do to help them feel more confident and prepared? Prompt them to think about how thoroughly they do their homework; how well they pay attention in lessons; how aware they were that the assessments were coming up. Staff will now be working hard to fill the gaps in knowledge identified by the assessment, but they are working on the gaps of up to 30 students. There’s no guarantee what your child needs and what the class needs will be the same so it’s essential that your child is thinking about their own needs and taking steps to fill their own gaps.

Why We Do What We Do

At CRA we take careers information seriously. We are an 11-16 school and know the importance of encouraging our students to think about life beyond Charles Read.

   

It is never too early for secondary pupils to be thinking of post 16 education and having the aspiration and ambition to aim high. At CRA we offer a programme of careers in years 7 to 11 and careers appointments with an impartial careers advisor in year 11. Where we think it appropriate we also use careers’ interviews as part of our intervention programme. Teenagers in England have a wide range of support available when making post-16 choices, including careers advisers in school, national helplines, online guidance, and specialist support for those with SEND. Below is a clear breakdown of where teenagers can get help, based on the most up-to-date information from trusted UK sources. Support Available for Teenagers Making Post-16 Choices

1.      School or College Careers Advice: Most teenagers will get their first support through school: Teachers, tutors, and careers leads can talk through options and help with applications. Many schools have specialist careers staff who can offer one-to-one guidance.  2. National Careers Service (NCS) A major source of free, impartial advice: Offers webchat, phone advice, and detailed online guides. Helps with understanding options like A-levels, T-levels, apprenticeships, and vocational courses. Phone support is available on 0800 100 900. 3. Family, Friends, and Trusted Adults Talking to people who know the teenager well can help them: Helps with understanding options like A-levels, T-levels, apprenticeships, and vocational courses. Phone support is available on 0800 100 900. 3. Family, Friends, and Trusted Adults Talking to people who know the teenager well can help them: Explore strengths and interests. Compare different pathways. Build confidence in their decisions. 4. Online Guides and Tools Several organisations provide clear breakdowns of post-16 options: National Careers Service explains choices at 16 and what to consider when deciding. UCAS offers guidance on where to find help and how to compare pathways like sixth form, college, apprenticeships, and traineeships. Prospects provides a simple overview of what teenagers can do at 16, including work, apprenticeships, and further study. 5. Support for Teenagers with SEND Young people with special educational needs or disabilities have additional support: They are still entitled to SEN support in sixth form, college, or training providers, even without an EHCP. Organisations like Sense explain how support continues after age 16 and what options are available in mainstream or specialist settings. Kids charity provides guidance on post-16 pathways and how support can continue through the transition to adulthood. 6. Specialist Support for Disabled Young People Disability Rights UK outlines: Careers advice tailored for disabled young people. Post-16 learning options including supported internships, apprenticeships, and volunteering. Please encourage your son or daughter to speak to Mr Aram if they would like to discuss careers further or have a careers’ interview.

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.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Guidance_on_infection_control_in%20schools_poster.pdf

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.

Holiday Warning Letter

The Sporting Post.

End of Year Sports Newsletter

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.