Week 3
We have arrived at the end of another busy week. It has been lovely to see so many families attending our Learning Pathways Evenings over the last few week. Thank you for your time and support – I hope you have found these helpful. We look forward to seeing parents and careers of Y10 students next Thursday.
Today we practiced our Fire Evacuation Procedure and I would like to say thank and well done to all our students who behaved very well during this. Our students continue to make me proud every day. The weather helped too!
Thank you for your support with upholding uniform standards. We have seen a real improvement here. Our pastoral team will continue to work with those families where support is needed.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Use of E‑Scooters
We have recently seen a small number of students arriving to school on e‑scooters. Please be reminded that privately owned e‑scooters cannot be used on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes. Riding a privately owned e‑scooter in public is a road traffic offence and can result in significant penalties. The only e‑scooters that can be used legally in public are those operated as part of an approved local authority rental scheme. These schemes have strict policies, typically limiting use to those aged 18 and over, and legally you must hold a valid driving licence to ride them.
E‑scooters also pose safety risks. They can reach high speeds, and there have been incidents nationally which have led to serious injuries. For more information, please refer to the guidance from Thames Valley Police. We appreciate your support in ensuring students travel to and from school safely and in line with the law.
Attendance Matters: Small Improvements Make a Big Difference
Even small improvements in attendance can have a significant impact on learning and wellbeing. Missing just one day each fortnight soon adds up and can make it more difficult for students to keep pace with learning and important school experiences.
Thank you for the support you provide each day. If there are any barriers affecting attendance, we encourage you to contact us. Early conversations often help us identify practical solutions and provide the right support at the right time.
We’re here to help. If there is anything affecting your child’s attendance, please contact your child’s Tutor, Head of Year, or our Attendance Team. At Watling Academy, we are here to work with you and provide support wherever possible.
Year 10 Students Make Tracks in Construction
Some of our Year 10 students had the fantastic opportunity to attend EKFB’s Making Tracks in Construction Gala, where they explored the huge variety of careers available across the construction and engineering sectors. Students were encouraged to get involved, ask questions and learn directly from industry professionals, with practical, hands‑on activities that made discovering different career pathways engaging, interactive and memorable.
A particular highlight was an innovative activity where students kicked a football at a giant career target. The career they landed on became theirs to explore using a digital platform, allowing them to discover more about the role, key skills, qualifications, potential earnings and progression opportunities. It was a fun and creative way to introduce students to roles they may not have previously considered.
Students returned excited, curious and with a much clearer understanding of where their interests and strengths could take them in the future.
GCSE Art Students Explore Tate Modern
Our Year 10 GCSE Art students had a fantastic time visiting Tate Modern, where they explored a wide range of inspiring artworks and installations. The trip gave them the chance to experience world-renowned pieces up close, sparking new ideas and perspectives to bring back into their own projects. They particularly enjoyed seeing how different artists use materials and techniques, and the visit has left them feeling motivated and excited to experiment further in their coursework.
UCAS Discovery Event
Year 13 students attended the UCAS Discovery event at MK Stadium, where they explored university courses, apprenticeships and career pathways. They spoke with universities, employers and careers advisers, attended expert talks, and received guidance from UCAS staff to support their post‑18 decision‑making.
Sports Results
- Year 8 Netball Vs Lord Grey – WON 3-2
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 28th September – Week A
- Year 11 Proof of Progress tests – all week
- Thursday 1st October –
- Year 11 Geography fieldwork trip to Unity Place
- Year 10 Learning Pathways Evening
- Friday 2nd October –
- Year 11 Geography fieldwork trip to Unity Place
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 29th September –
- Year 8 Boys Football Vs Hazeley HOME
- Wednesday 30th September –
- Year 6 Netball Event HOME
- Year 11 Boys Football Vs Hazeley AWAY
- Thursday 1st October –
- Year 7 National Cup Vs Northampton Academy AWAY
- Year 8 National Cup Vs Campion AWAY
