SLT Update
As we reach the end of our 5th half term, we see our Year 11 students at the midway point of their exams. They have coped excellently so far and are due some rest and recuperation as well as a concentrated period of time for revision to support the next part of their exam series.
On Wednesday the whole school enjoyed the sunshine at lunch and the new house Gladiators competition with staff and students competing. It was great fun and a lovely way to end the term.
Please can we ask that over half term, you check your child(ren)'s uniform to ensure it meets our policy. This is particularly in regard to no PE tops under uniform, no leggings for girls instead of trousers, no trainers and no fake/painted nails and unnatural hair colours.
Thank you so much in advance for your support and wishing you and your family a lovely bank holiday/half term break.
Miss King, Head of School
Teen Support
We have been made aware of a Snapchat group called CRA. In this group people have been sharing inappropriate images from the internet. Please can you check with your child tonight if they are on Snapchat and are a member of this group. If they are we would suggest they remove themselves from the group and if you, or they, have any concerns about the nature of the images, please contact the academy.
Year 11
PROM
PROM will be held on the 27th June 2025 from 6.45pm-10.30pm at the Academy. A letter has been sent to all year 11 parents via MCAS today. Tickets are £20 and can be purchased from the office.
Revision
Please follow this link to a revision letter from Miss Brealey to support our year 11 students.
Maths Department
Each week, our students at CRA, complete maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answer additional questions, further increasing their mathematical 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.
This weeks Sparx Stars are
- Nicholas G - Aqua 8
- Ellie MJ - Terra 10
- Libbi C - Terra 7
Why We Do What We Do
At CRA we run house competitions. We do this for a variety of reasons including building a sense of belonging to the house, developing team working skills, putting yourself out of your comfort zone when taking on new challenges, sharing our talents and developing new talents, being ambitious about 100% attendance and improved achievement and being the best version of ourselves we can be to name a few. This week at CRA we held a Gladiators competition which you can read about in more detail in the House section but great fun was had by competitors and spectators.
Table Talk
This week you might like to reflect on your relationships with your teen and talk to them about how you work together as a partnership and as a family.
If you’re parenting a teenager, you know it’s a phase filled with transformation—for both of you. One minute you’re talking calmly, the next you’re in a standoff over curfews, chores, or screen time. Conflict is normal, but it doesn’t have to dominate your relationship. This week, we’re diving into how to reduce parent-teen conflict—and build connection instead of confrontation.
- Shift from Control to Communication Teens crave independence, and when they feel overly controlled, resistance flares. Instead of dictating, invite dialogue. Say things like: “Help me understand how you’re thinking about this.” “Let’s figure out a compromise that works for both of us.” This shows respect for their growing autonomy, without abandoning your role as a guide.
- Respond, Don’t React It’s easy to snap when emotions run high—but responding with calm instead of reacting with anger can defuse a situation before it explodes. Take a breath. If needed, take a break. "Let’s pause and talk when we’re both less frustrated."
- Listen Without Lecturing Teens often feel unheard, especially if conversations quickly turn into lectures or criticism. Try reflective listening: “It sounds like you’re frustrated because…” This validates their feelings—even if you don’t agree with their choices.
- Choose Battles Wisely Not every disagreement needs to become a war. Ask yourself: Is this about safety or just a difference in style? Focusing on the non-negotiables (like health, school, or respect) and letting go of smaller issues can ease tension.
- Model What You Want to See Want respect, honesty, and calm? Show it. Teens are watching how you handle stress, mistakes, and disagreements. Modelling emotional regulation teaches more than any lecture ever could Conflict Is a Clue, Not a Crisis Every argument is a signal—maybe they’re stressed, feeling misunderstood, or just trying to assert their identity. If you can stay curious instead of combative, conflict becomes an opportunity to grow together, not apart.
Quick Tip: Establish a weekly “check-in” with your teen. No lectures. Just a chance to talk—about school, friends, goals, or anything on their mind. Building trust when things are calm makes it easier to talk when things get hard. Parenting a teen isn’t easy—but it’s not meant to be a battleground. With patience, empathy, and consistency, you can build a relationship based on respect—not resistance.
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 - 2 June 25 - Times table is 7
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning - 2 June 2025 - Period 2
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.
House Gladiators
It was an exciting end of term at CRA, as this week students went head to head in a brand new Gladiators style house competition. As seen on TV, students and staff represented their respective house teams in our very own versions of The Gaunlet Run, Powerball and Duel. The competition was action packed and competitive throughout as teams desperately tried to secure as many house points as possible. Points were accumulated across the three events, with highest points total at the end of the competition crowned Gladiator champions. Full results will be revealed in assembly on Monday of the first week back after half term.
The Sporting Post.
PE kit reminder - 2024/2025
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 2024-25
A list of diary events can also be found on the CRA Website by clicking here
Credits:
Created with images by Michael Möller - " 9. July 2025" • Png Blush - "Snapchat Ghost Icon with Neon Yellow Glow Isolated on Transparent Background" • Philip - "Class of 2025, word lettering script banner. Congrats Graduation lettering with academic cap. Template for design party high school or college, graduate invitations." • patpitchaya - "Mathematics" • Igor Link - "Flat design Illustration. Hand holds and raised cup trophy, holding cup against clean backgrund. award and victory concept" • Artur - "Handwriting text writing Let S Is Talk. Conceptual photo suggesting in the beginning of a conversation on the topic Stationary placed next to a cup of black coffee above the wooden table" • 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"