SLT Update
It has been lovely to welcome the pupils back into the Academy after the half term break and hear about what they did during their holiday. We have had a busy week welcoming Ofsted into the Academy and continuing to support the Year 11s with their exams. They continue to demonstrate real resilience and ambition in their attitude towards their futures. Key Stage Three assessments start next week and Year 10 are the week after. Please do support your young people with their revision for these final exams of the year. Have a lovely weekend.
Miss Milligan, Principal
Painting Opportunity for Your Student
Bourne United Charities are currently organising a painting competition based on the landscapes and scenery of Bourne, and would love to invite your children to take part. The competition is aimed at encouraging creativity and celebrating our local area through art. They are reaching out to local schools, youth groups, Scouts, Guides, and community organisations to see if there may be interest in participating. I have attached posters and information explaining the event, including details on how to take part, categories, and submission dates.
Support
New 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Text and Online Chat Service Launches in Lincolnshire People across Lincolnshire can now access confidential urgent mental health support through a new text and online chat service called ChatHealth. The service offers a discreet and accessible alternative for people who may find phone calls or face‑to‑face contact difficult. ChatHealth has been developed to support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and is an extension of the NHS 111 option 2 mental health support provided by the Lincolnshire 111 Mental Health Team. It enables secure two‑way messaging between people seeking help and trained healthcare professionals. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the team aiming to respond to messages within two hours. Anyone needing urgent mental health advice can send a text or start an online chat. Two dedicated text numbers are available: • Adults (18+): 07312 263027 • Children and young people (under 18): 07480 635303 To chat online, visit: • Adults (18+): https://chathealth.nhs.uk/start-a-chat/h/LincsMentalHealth • Under 18: https://chathealth.nhs.uk/start-a-chat/h/LincsCYPMentalHealth • After sending a message, users will receive an automated reply confirming receipt. Demographic details are requested, but people can choose to remain anonymous. ChatHealth is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress or mental health concerns, including low mood, anxiety, overwhelming feelings, self‑care difficulties, or thoughts of self‑harm, and to support anyone worried about a loved one. The service cannot provide prescriptions, medication reviews, diagnoses, face‑to‑face assessments, hospital admissions, welfare checks, or GP referrals. People already supported by a mental health team should continue to contact their usual service during office hours. This service is free, however text messages may be charged at the network’s standard rate. Check with the mobile provider for details. For immediate physical danger or life‑threatening emergencies, people should continue to call 999 or attend A&E. ChatHealth is delivered by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. For more information, visit www.chathealth.nhs.uk.
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.
Caeli - Chloe S for Aspiration Chloe has had a great start to term 6! Term 5 was a challenge, and as a result she made a couple of poor choices. However, after working with a number of teachers in the academy Chloe has made a concerted effort to have a fresh start and she has definitely started to see the rewards coming through. Whilst this is a reward for aspiration and wanting show good character because that is who Chloe is, this is also a celebration of the importance of take one of our seven C's or resilience - choice not chance, by the scruff of the neck and really making those positive choices count. Fantastic work, Chloe, keep it up! Terra - Harry K for Ambition Refocusing and putting lots of effort and responding well to his report. Aqua - Mia S for Aspiration A consistent, excellent attitude to learning, showing aspiration in subject choice, homework and attitude around the school, always presenting herself to a high standard and setting the bar high.
Sparx Stars
Please find below the top results for this week for Sparx Reader and Maths. Well done to all the students.
Sparx Reader
Sparx Maths
Well done to Aqua this week!
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 8 June 2026 - 6
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 8 June 2026 - Period 2
Thinking Ahead – My Future, My Choice
Each week we will show you examples of the various careers linked to the subject you are studying. This week’s career idea is jobs related to Textiles.
Please find the link to the latest Mypath career of the week: JOB OF THE WEEK - EPISODE #275 - COMMERCIAL DIVER This week's career is Commercial Diver As ever, the conversation that you facilitate after viewing is more important than the video itself. Here are some questions to prompt your conversations:
- Which would be most important for this role, courage or resilience? Why is this
- Why is self-regulation important for this role?
- Why is following instructions precisely important. What might be the consequences of not following these instructions?
- How would this be a good role to see more of the world and broaden horizons?
- Geography and science are obvious subject links for this role. How would skills developed in English and drama also be important?
Mr Aram- Careers' Support
Careers
We are pleased to share with families four careers webinars designed especially for parents and students to engage with together. Wind energy, agrifood and the visitor economy are all vital and growing sectors of the Lincolnshire economy. These seminars will provide valuable insights into how to enter and thrive in these industries, Mr Aram, Strategic Lead for Ambition & Aspiration
🌍 Visitor Economy Sector Insight Webinar Date: 11th June Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm Learn about careers in tourism, hospitality, and events—an important and diverse sector within our area. Sector Insights: Visitor Economy with Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub - Pathway CTM An engaging session highlighting careers within the renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. Greater Lincolnshire World Wind Day Assembly - Pathway CTM 🌬️ World Wind Day Parent Webinar Date: 15th June Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm A dedicated session for parents to understand the opportunities available in the wind energy sector and how to support young people into these careers. Greater Lincolnshire World Wind Day Parent Webinar - Pathway CTM These sessions are a great way to help students:
- Gain real insight into different industries
- Understand career pathways and opportunities
- Hear directly from employers and sector professionals
Attendance.
Celebrating Good Attendance Attendance figures being communicated through weekly whole school assemblies. Competitions between tutor groups and between houses to have the best attendance through our Houseopoly game Tutor attendance weekly competition in which groups are awarded cards to place on their challenge board. Each completed board results in a prize. By awarding certificates to individual children who have 100% for each term. Individual attendance challenge cards which result in rewards when targets have been met. A Year 11 Buddy system which rewards students who reach their targets with their buddy. By awarding academy certificates to individual children who get 100% attendance for the whole academic year (September to July). Celebrating and rewarding the success of those who have gained the most improved attendance throughout the academic year. Regular communication through MCAS congratulating parents and students on their individual and/or form group attendance success.
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
Guess the Scores (Road to World Cup) The Football World Cup gets underway next week at 8pm on Thursday 11th June and we are delivering a house 'score prediction' competition for all 72 group stage matches. To enter all you have to do is submit a score prediction for each of the group stage fixtures in this form - CRA House Championship - World Cup 2026 Score Predictions – Fill out form House Points: Once the group stages are finished all of the points will be accumulated before awarding the following house points: 1st place - 125 house points 2nd place - 75 house points 3rd place - 50 house points Bonus Points: The house with the most players who finishes above the house 'Gamesmaster' will also receive 5 house points. This competition is open to all staff, students and wider families. Please share this with your families. We must receive your submission before 8 pm on Thursday 11th June to enter.
House Road to World Cup – Football Tennis The first event of the House ‘Road to World Cup’ competition got underway at CRA this week as house teams went head-to-head in doubles Football Tennis. The event was split into individual year 7&8 and year 9&10 competitions with each house playing each other in a round robin format. Following a number of close matches, nothing could separate Caeli and Terra who tied the competition, following victory for Terra in the year 7&8 competition and Caeli in the year 9&10 competition. Aqua fell just short in their match ups and had to settle for third place on this occasion – house points have been added to the totaliser!
Top Bin Challenge (Road to World Cup) The next event in our House ‘Road to World Cup’ competition takes place next week as students and staff across all year groups have the opportunity to showcase their football skills, in our very ‘Top Bin’ challenge. From the penalty spot, participants will put their accuracy to the test in attempting to find one of the top corners. Attempts that successfully find the ‘top bin’ net will be awarded points, with the house with the most ‘top bins’ being crowned champions.
The Sporting Post.
We are delighted to invite you to the biggest sporting event of the year, the DRET Summer Cup! This year, our annual event will take place on Wednesday 1st July and brings our 11 secondary and 25 primary academies together to compete across 7 sports, and 9 competitions, with the aim to be crowned champions!
We’ll be joined by an incredible line-up of elite athletes, making this a truly unmissable event. It promises to be a spectacular celebration of sporting excellence across the Trust, and we’d love you to be part of it by coming along to support the Charles Read Academy team on the day. Refreshments can be purchased in the leisure centre cafeteria, with other light refreshments available. This year the Tennis will be off site, at the fantastic venue of Grantham Tennis Centre, Gonerby Road, NG31 8HU between 11:30 – 14:30. To enable us to reserve car parking and speed up registration on the day, please RSVP by pressing ctrl, and clicking on this invite by 30th June 2026, and completing the form. We hope to see you there.
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 below latest term dates.
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" • Brad Pict - "Upcoming events" • PX Media - "Signpost - customer support - "help", "support", "advice", "guidance", "assistance"." • Leigh Prather - "Five star rating - shiny golden stars" • Naypong Studio - "Sports Equipment on white background" • CharmB - "Back to School"