Week 24
We’ve reached the end of another fantastic week at Watling Academy. The school has been buzzing with energy as we celebrated British Science Week, and last night hosted the regional finals of the prestigious ESU MACE Debate competition, alongside the usual range of trips and enrichment opportunities you can read more about below. Looking ahead to next week, our Year 10 students working towards their DofE Bronze Award will be taking part in their training days, and Year 11 will receive their final mock exam results as they move into the last phase of preparation. We’re also wishing the very best of luck to our Year 7 boys football team as they compete in the County Cup final.
MK Schools Cross Country
On Tuesday 3rd March, Watling took a team of 34 runners to the MK Schools Cross Country Competition at Campbell Park. All the runners represented the school fantastically, completing the gruelling course of many hills. Special mentions go to Jacob in Year 7 for coming 3rd in the minor boys race (1.5km), Yvie (Year 8) and Nicole (Year 9) for coming 1st and 2nd in the intermediate girls race (3km), Skye and Evie (Year 10) for coming 4th and 6th in the senior girls race (4km) and Ben (Year 11) for coming 4th in the boys senior race (4.5km). Well done to the whole team!
MK Schools Parliamentary Debate Competition
Huge congratulations to our debate team, Sahar, Aziel, Zaina and Jessica, for securing an incredible second place in the MK Parliamentary Competition! Next up, we face Radcliffe on 20th March at Oakgrove School in what promises to be an electrifying showdown. And that’s not all — our students have been invited to the Houses of Parliament for an exclusive tour and to watch the final debate live.
And if we place… we’ll be on that stage ourselves!
GCSE Music trip to The Stables
Our Year 11 Music students enjoyed an inspiring afternoon at The Stables this week, attending a special GCSE Set-Work Concert performed by the Alina Orchestra led by Conductor Hilary Davan Wetton.
The professional ensemble brought several of the students’ GCSE set works to life, including the J.S. Bach “Badinerie”, a key work on our Music Component 3 Appraisal Exam, as well as performing a range of music by composers including Handel, Beethoven, Chopin, Strauss and Mozart. Hearing these pieces performed live gave students a fresh perspective beyond the classroom recordings they are used to.
What made the session particularly valuable was its interactive approach. As the orchestra performed, musicians and the conductor guided students through the key musical features of each work, helping them spot structural ideas, instrumental techniques, and compositional devices in real time. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect their classroom learning directly with live performance.
Experiences like this play an important role in supporting students’ preparation for the listening and appraising elements of the GCSE Music course, while also building a deeper appreciation for orchestral music. A huge thank-you to the Alina Orchestra and The Stables, for hosting such an engaging and memorable session.
Year 12 Support for Applying to Competitive Universities
Trinity College delivered a session to Year 12 on applying to competitive universities. Students received guidance on what top institutions look for, how to strengthen their applications, and the range of enrichment programmes they can join now, including mini lectures, academic insight sessions, and subject tasters. An interactive Q&A encouraged students to explore their options, reflect on their next steps, and consider whether a competitive university aligns with their chosen course and future goals.
Subject Consultation Evenings
Thank you to all those who attended the Year 12 subject consultation evenings this week. These evenings are a key opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, performance and any areas for improvement, so teachers can work together with you to ensure your child achieves their full potential, therefore it’s great to see as many parents and carers attending as possible. Booking is now open for Year 9 subject consultations on Thursday 26th March, please book in early to avoid disappointment.
House Events Update
Here’s your latest update on the current House standings, plus a look at all the fantastic events taking place this term and what’s coming up in the summer term.
It’s been a packed and energetic term, with plenty of chances for students to boost those all‑important House points through activities such as:
- Watling Book Week
- Poetry Competition
- Design a Book Cover
- World Book Day Quiz
- Decorate a Door Competition
- Mother Tongue Poster Competition
- Languages in My Classroom Competition
- Reading Reward Card
- Spark! Book Poetry Competition
- Easter HAF Programme
And we’re not slowing down next term. Students can look forward to even more opportunities, including:
- Essay Writing Competition
- Young Geographer of the Year
- Photography Competition
- Sports Day
With so much still to come, the big question is… will Marshall hold onto their lead as we head into the final stretch of the year?
Reminders
Year 11 Form and Tutor Group Photos
Students have been given proofs of the year and form group photos today along with a QR code for ordering. If you would like to order prints, please do so by 22nd March for free delivery to the school. Any tutor groups who didn’t receive the proofs today will do so on Monday morning.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Sports Results
- Monday 9th March –
- Year 7 Boys Football v KHP – WON 8-2
- Tuesday 10th March –
- Year 8 Basketball v Oakgrove – Lost 28-35
- Year 10 Football v Lord Grey – Lost
- Wednesday 11th March –
- Year 9 Basketball v Brooklands – WON 26-22
- Year 9 MK schools netball tournament – 2nd Place!
- Thursday 12th March –
- Year 11 Girls Football v Denbigh – Lost 4-2
- Year 9 Girls Football v Denbigh – WON 1-0
- Year 10 Netball v Radcliffe – WON 21-4
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 16th March – Week A
- Year 12 Folder checks all week
- Year 11 Food & Nutrition Practical Exam
- Year 10 Drama Practical Exam
- Tuesday 17th March –
- Year 11 Food & Nutrition Practical Exam
- Year 9 Drama Practicals (in lessons)
- Wednesday 18th March –
- Year 10 DofE Bronze Training Day
- Thursday 19th March –
- Year 10 DofE Bronze Training Day
- Year 8 HPV Vaccinations
- Friday 20th March –
- Red Nose Day
- Year 9 Drama Practicals (in lessons)
- Year 11 Progress Review 3 sent home
- Year 11 GCSE Mock results
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 17th March –
- Year 7 Boys Football County Cup Final AWAY
- Year 7, U14 & U16 Badminton Vs Ousedale HOME
- Year 10 Boys Football Vs Hazeley Academy HOME
- Wednesday 18th March –
- Year 7, U14 & U16 Girls Badminton Vs Oakgrove AWAY
- Year 8 Netball Tournaments HOME
- Year 9 Boys Football Vs Leon AWAY
- Thursday 19th March –
- Year 11 Netball Vs Oakgrove AWAY
