Dear Parent / Carer

Last day of term arrangements

Rushden Academy will be closing at 12:45 on Friday 19th July 2024 as this is the final day of term. A limited lunch will be available between 12:45 and 13:00. We will be encouraging students to make the most of the morning break time, when a fuller range of food items will be available.

Students can remain in school but must register in the library at 13:00 where they can be supervised until the end of the normal school day. Whilst in the library students can choose to complete independent work, have access to computers and the wide variety of books available.

If you wish your child to remain in school until 3:00pm on the 19th July, please contact our main reception on 01933 350391 or email .

First day back arrangements - Years 7-11.

School reopens to all pupils on Tuesday 3rd September, with the following staggered start times:

Year 7: Arrival for 8:30am start.

Years 8-11: Arrival from 11:00am for 11:25am start.

As per the full timetable in our newsletter, our students will have a Student Induction Day. This programme will allow us to prepare the students for the academic year ahead by sharing key information and messages. They will then be ready to start their timetable lessons on Wednesday 4th September.

Please note that our 6th Form students in Year 12 and 13 will already be aware of their start times.

Student Behaviour

So far this year the vast majority of our pupils have demonstrated impeccable behaviour and have fully embodied our values and culture. We will continue to support and reward those pupils who endeavour each and every day to be the very best versions of themselves. We have updated our rewards this term and many pupils have taken advantage of trading in their Team Rushden Points for items ranging from pens to footballs or entry to the Rewards Room. Equally we will continue to support and challenge those that choose not to demonstrate the values we believe are vital for success. As a Team we will continue to work together on ensuring that the climate for learning within classrooms is one which supports accelerated learning and ensures that students’ progress is not hampered by elements of low level disruption. 

It is also important to reflect on the positive reputation of the school which we have been able to build within the community of Rushden. This reputation is underpinned by the conduct of our students on the way to and from school. We will always deal with and address concerns that are reported to us through our Behaviour and Exclusion Policy. Action will be taken should any of our students bring the name of our Academy into disrepute within our community.

Student attendance and punctuality

It has been extremely pleasing to see so many pupils showing a real commitment to attending school. This commitment needs to be embraced by all our pupils to ensure that there are as few gaps as possible within their personal learning journey and that as an academy, together, we continue to aim to achieve an overall attendance above 95%.  To achieve this, we will continue to challenge persistent absence along with punctuality to school. Pupils need to have good routines to ensure they are on time and equipped with all they need for school.

Student uniform

One of our key Team Rushden Values is about being smart and wearing our uniform with pride. This means that our uniform emphasises strongly the school culture we have and the values we hold. Our students represent the school within the community and it is important that they uphold our expectations as previously mentioned. For the majority of students this basic expectation presents no issues for them at all, and has been wholeheartedly accepted as being central to our culture and values. There is still a minority of students who are not meeting our high standards of uniform which needs addressing prior to January, so please support your child by ensuring they have all items of correct uniform ready to start positively on their return in the New Year.

Students should not be wearing black jeans or jean-like material as school wear trousers. Leggings and jeggings are also not part of the school uniform. If the fabric is stretchy then you can safely assume that this is not acceptable. 

In terms of footwear our line is that if ‘it is black, leather or leather like and can be polished’ and is sensible for everyday wear it can be worn to school. 

Please remember that the school blazer is an essential part of the school uniform and that hoodies and non school uniform jumpers and sweaters will be confiscated if worn in school.

Students are allowed a stud piercing in their nose but will still not be allowed rings, bars or hoops. All piercings MUST be removed for all PE lessons and Food Technology lessons, in line with Health and Safety guidance. 

We politely ask that any student looking to have a new piercing over the holiday has this done at the start so it is healed and removed prior to returning to school in September. 

Mobile phones

Our policy of ‘See it, hear it, lose it’  continues to have a really positive impact. Our pupils have responded extremely well since its introduction nearly two years ago, and very few incidents occur whereby learning is interrupted whilst a mobile phone issue is dealt with. We have also seen a major reduction in social media incidents requiring school pastoral intervention. It has been noted that pupils continue to engage in social talk and play which is extremely positive for their personal development.

The tools for school 

The holiday provides the opportunity for checking that pencil cases and all the tools for school have had a reboot and are refuelled ready for the new year. Equipment will continue to be available for purchase from the school library and through the rewards room. Not only is this equipment needed for lessons but is also essential for all exams.

We hope that you all have a wonderful summer break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school In September.

Regards

Mr T Billam

Vice Principal

Dear Parent / Carer

It has been another incredible week at Rushden Academy, with lots of activities taking place. A small group of students have spent the week in Northern Ireland working with communities as part of a large social action squad project sponsored by the Grace Foundation to help improve the lives of local residents. You can find a number of photos of this excellent work on our social media channels. Rewards trips took place yesterday, and continue today, with students visiting a range of different activities celebrating their positive behaviour and attendance. On Tuesday a group of students travelled down to Wimbledon to watch the Tennis competition. Students were lucky to see all the action taking place on centre court.

Year 10 students have been experiencing the world of work this week. Students had the opportunity to spend the week on work experience in an industry that excites and motivates them. We hope students have valued this experience and return to school next week ready to share their experiences with us all.

We welcomed our new Sixth Form cohort this week with a range of transition activities and taster sessions to prepare students for September. Students visited our Sixth Form partner school, Huxlow Academy, using the Sixth Form bus we provide for students. The week has finished off with an overnight visit to Kent University. We look forward to seeing students in September ready to start their Sixth Form journey with us.

Current Sixth Form students have been working hard raising funds for the trip next year to India to support the work led by the charity Salt of the Earth. This week, Mr Oddy, Mr Henson and I volunteered to have a sponsored leg wax. The event was well received and was a great way to have some light hearted fun whilst helping students to raise money.

Assemblies this week were led by Mr Noblett, our Ethos Team Leader, and he focused on ensuring students know how to keep themselves safe over the summer, and understanding the dangers of going into waters that are unsupervised. This message has been further supported in PSHE lessons this week where additional safety messages have been provided, along with some key information on what to do in the event of an emergency. We hope that all students remain safe over the summer, equipped with the knowledge to be able to support others in the event of an emergency.

Next week we have our fun on the field celebration and our whole school production, We Will Rock You. The show promises to be another outstanding production so please make sure you have purchased your tickets!

Friday will be a half day next week with students finishing school at 12:45pm. Lunch will be available for students who require it, and should any student need to remain in school until 3pm, they will be supervised by a member of the team. Please contact our main reception on 01933 350391 or email to inform us if you wish for your child to stay at school. 

We will soon share a letter with all parents outlining the arrangements we have planned for the start of the next academic year. This letter will contain key information regarding when students are returning to Rushden Academy, and a reminder of our expectations regarding uniform and behaviour.

Have a lovely weekend, and we look forward to seeing all students in school for the last week of the academic year.

Yours sincerely,

Mr J Firth

Principal