SLT Update
It has been lovely to welcome back our students this week, and it has been great to see the positive attitude so many of them have returned with. The weather this week has given us a glimpse of the coming season of Spring and the daffodils around the site are beginning to bloom. These flowers mark the beginning of the new season, and we have spoken in assembly about how a new term enables us to have a fresh start and set new goals for the weeks ahead. It has been great to listen to what targets students have been setting themselves as I have walked the Academy. I hope that you have a good weekend.
Miss Milligan, Principal
Second Hand Uniform Shop
We are still aiming to offer a second hand uniform shop but urgently require donations of any surplus uniform you may have. We thank you for all donations that have already been made but would really appreciate if you could bring in any uniform that no longer fits or is unwanted by your child.
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 - Henry G for Respect I have seen a different side to Henry this week, in the very best way. Henry is a confident and popular student, enthusiastic in class and keen to contribute. This week Henry took it upon himself to help a less confident student settle back into the classroom in a kind and considerate way. By doing so , Henry helped this student to have a successful lesson, and taking this role on without being asked took real leadership. I'm very proud, Henry! Terra - Harry B for Confidence Showing consistent improvement in confidence throughout the year. This has been seen through his active participation in both house activities and his learning. Aqua - Joshua V for Courage Josh has shown courage every day since his start at CRA, working hard in lessons, adapting to secondary school, supporting his peers to show respect and be their best, sharing kindness to all who meet him, even when the day is challenging, you are courageous in all you do.
Why We Do What We Do
Following feedback and discussions with students, staff and parents, we have made the decision to extend our Green 2 Go system for students in IE. Under Green 2 Go, students have the ability to work off time they would normally owe in IE by being perfect for 3 full periods, but if they make the choice not to work or to disrupt the learning of others, then they will remain in IE for the full 5 periods due to their choices. The hope is that students will see whilst it was their choices that lead to them being in IE, it is also their choices that can help leave IE and return to their lessons sooner. However, this is only available if students make the correct choices to engage with the work in IE and respect their peers and the member of staff in the IE room. As of this week, we will be extending our Green to Go system to include 'Removes' from lessons, multiple 'Moves' in a day and week and truancy. However, any incident that could potentially lead to a suspension, such as physical assault or any form of discrimination under the 2010 Equalities Act, will not be eligible for Green to Go.
We have informed students of this in school, but please also discuss this with your child. We want to encourage all students to make the correct choices at every stage of their school day, and this is a way to show them that even if they make a mistake, they must still try. If you have any questions about Green to Go, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you to everyone for your continued support with upholding our Behaviour Policy. Mr Thornton Academy Behaviour Lead
Table Talk Talking About the Future: Why These Conversations Matter More Than Ever Teenagers are living in a world that moves quickly. New careers appear overnight, technology reshapes entire industries, and the pressure to “figure it all out” can feel intense. In the middle of all this, one of the most powerful things parents and carers can offer is simple: conversation. Not a one-off talk, but an ongoing dialogue that helps young people explore who they are, what they enjoy, and where they might want to go next. School as a Launchpad, Not a Race
It’s easy for school to feel like a checklist of grades, deadlines, and exams. But when families talk about learning as a journey rather than a race, teenagers start to see school differently. Asking questions like “What did you enjoy today?” or “What felt challenging?” helps them reflect on their experiences rather than just the outcomes. These conversations build confidence and encourage students to take ownership of their learning.
Goals That Grow With Them Teenagers don’t need a five-year plan. They need space to explore. When parents talk openly about goals — big or small — it helps young people understand that ambitions can evolve. A goal might be improving in a subject, joining a club, trying a new skill, or simply managing time more effectively. The message that goals can change as they grow is often a relief, and it keeps motivation alive. Imagining the Future Without Pressure The future can feel abstract, especially when adults ask, “What do you want to be?” A more helpful approach is to explore interests: “What kind of problems do you like solving?” or “What activities make you lose track of time?” These questions open doors rather than close them. When teenagers feel supported in exploring possibilities, they’re more likely to take healthy risks, try new things, and discover paths they hadn’t considered. A Partnership Between Home and School When families and schools work together, students benefit from a consistent message: their future is full of potential. Encouraging regular, relaxed conversations at home helps young people feel grounded, supported, and ready to take the next step — whatever that may be. The goal isn’t to map out a perfect future. It’s to help teenagers feel confident navigating the one they’ll create.
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
READER
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 March 2026 - 7
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning 2 March 2026 - Period 2
Voluntary Police Cadets
The Volunteer Police Cadets is a nationally recognised, police uniformed youth group, open to teenagers from all backgrounds aged between 13 and 18. It aims to promote a practical understanding of policing, to encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship and to inspire young people to participate positively in their communities. In Lincolnshire our cadets are supported by police officers, police staff, and adult volunteers who give their time to share their knowledge and expertise of policing and their local communities. Cadet sessions are run every Wednesday evening during school term times at the following police stations across Lincolnshire: Lincoln, Boston, Bourne, Spalding, Grantham and Skegness. Please find enclosed a leaflet to promote our upcoming recruitment campaign which opens April 1st and closes on May 13th, 2026.
Attendance.
We are currently in the process of setting up a scheme as we would like to incentivise 100% attendance each week. We will be doing a weekly draw for those pupils with full attendance with them being in with a chance of winning something for the whole family to enjoy. Please follow this link to make a suggestion of what the prize could be as we welcome your input.
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.
CRA House Winter Games – Latest Update The Winter Games resumed at CRA this week with Caeli winning the latest Gold Medal to climb off the bottom of the medal table and now sit in 2nd place, just behind Aqua. Aqua went into the half term break with a clear lead at the top; however their lead has been cut considerably following results from the Boccia competition this week. With only two Winter Games competitions remaining it is still too close to call who will be crowned champions. Each gold medal is worth 5 points. Silver medals are worth 3 points and Bronze are worth 2 points. The house with the highest points total at the end of the games will be crowned LPA Winter Games champions. Indoor Hockey and Sportshall Athletics are the final two competitions taking place over the next two weeks.
House Winter Games – Boccia Results GOLD for Caeli and a vital 5 points to their overall medal table score. On Wednesday this week each house went head-to-head in an exciting round robin Boccia competition, where Caeli remained unbeaten to shoot up the table. Not only have Caeli win Gold in this competition, they also secured 125 house points as Boccia champions. Terra secured second place ahead of Aqua in third to set up an exciting week of Indoor Hockey next week.
House Winter Games – Indoor Hockey The penultimate competition of the LPA House Winter Games takes place next week. House teams will go head-to-head in Indoor Hockey taking place in the gym during lunchtime. Students who wish to represent their house team in this event must inform their tutor or Head of House. House teams require a minimum of 5 players. Two more gold medals up for grabs – who will be top of the medal table this time next week?
Reflections’ House Photography Competition We are extremely excited to reveal the theme for this year’s house photography competition – ‘Reflections’. Throughout this term and into the Easter Holidays we are looking for creative photos that captures this year’s theme, Reflections – This is open to interpretation but could include creative skills using water, mirrors, shiny objects etc. Last year’s photography competition was extremely high with well over 100 submissions and we are excited to see this year’s entries. The competition is open to all students, staff and wider family members. A maximum of 5 photos per person will be accepted. All photo entries must be sent to housechampionship@charlesreadacademy.co.uk including your name, year group and house team. Deadline is 5.00pm on Friday 17th April 2026.
Just Dance House Competition BRAND NEW House Competition features this term with house teams going head to head in our very own ‘Just Dance’ house competition. The competition will be taking place at the end of term in the main hall, on the stage in front of a live audience. If you wish to perform in this year’s competition you must send your selected song from to housechampionship@charlesreadacademy.co.uk by Friday 27th March. ONLY 3 ACTS will be selected to represent each house in this competition. Participants will need to perform a ‘just dance’ song either individually or as a group of up to 8 (participants DO NOT need to be in the same tutor or year group but must be in the same house
CRA House ‘Dress to Impress’ IT’S HAPPENING… Students have been requesting our very own House version of the popular Dress to Impress game and we are excited to bringing this to life. Throughout this term each tutor group will be working closely together to design an outfit for a student to model on the red carpet. Tutor groups will work closely to create a look that meets their respective themes. Year 7 – Disney or Pixar Year 8 – Games or Movies Year 9 – Superhero or Villian Year 10 – Celebrity Year 11 – Rupaul’s Drag Race We look forward to hearing each tutor groups ideas.
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" • Pavel - "Second hand clothing sign hangs on rack in thrift shop for shoppers in search of affordable items" • Prostock-studio - "Group of happy teen high school students studying outdoors" • bbbar - "Acronym of AAB for Above and Beyond" • Karen Roach - "Go message on green street sign" • alphaspirit - "Road leading to the future" • Gerisima - "Christmas star decoration of golden confetti stars against white" • petert2 - "Police officer wearing tactical vest writing notes on a pad" • 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"