Week 39
As we reach the end of another fantastic year at Watling Academy, I have spent some time reflecting on the many opportunities, achievements and memorable experiences our students have enjoyed. Looking back through our weekly bulletins has been a wonderful reminder of the incredible range of activities that have taken place and the success achieved by so many of our students.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our staff for their hard work in making these opportunities possible. I would also like to thank our students for being such excellent ambassadors for our school, consistently demonstrating our values and making us proud.
It is a privilege to lead Watling Academy, and I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished together this year. I wish everyone a restful and enjoyable summer break, and I look forward to another successful year ahead.
September Return to School
We look forward to welcoming students back to school in September.
Years 7 and 12 will be joining us on Thursday 3rd September, while the rest of the school (Years 8-11 & 13) will return on Friday 4th September.
Celebration Evening
Yesterday evening we celebrated the academic and extracurricular achievements of our students at our End of Year Awards Evening. I am incredibly proud of every student who received an award; each one was thoroughly deserved and reflected the hard work, commitment and resilience shown throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who attended , it was wonderful to see such strong support for our students, and to those who performed on the night. A further thank you goes to all staff involved in organising the event, whose efforts helped create a memorable and uplifting celebration of our school community.
Great British Summer Savings
As part of their efforts to ease financial pressures on families, the Government have introduced the Great British Summer Savings scheme. From 25th June to 1st September, VAT will be cut from 20% to 5% on children’s meals in restaurants, child and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, plus admission to a wide range of popular attractions. Children aged 5-15 will also be eligible to free bus travel during August. More information can be found here. I hope you are able to take advantage of some of these savings and wish you a wonderful summer break.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Sports Week
It was fantastic to see students out supporting their Houses for our mini sports day today. Students have been taking part in events throughout the week in their PE lessons to earn House Points, culminating in some very exciting final relay races today. Well done to everyone who took part and supported their teams. We are delighted to announce the winners of sports day 2026 are:
- 1st Laine
- 2nd Rutherford
- 3rd Marshall
- 4th Turing
- 5th Leyh
Which means our overall House Champions 2026 are:
- 1st Marshall
- 2nd Rutherford
- 3rd Laine
- 4th Turing
- 5th Leyh
Huge congratulations to our 2026 winners!
Human Rights Conference 2026
Our House Council Human Rights Committee spent the day at Denbigh School’s 2026 Human Rights Conference, a powerful event led by Paul Salver BEM. Students heard from speakers representing Remember Srebrenica, the Ukraine Appeal and MK Islamic Arts & Culture, alongside contributions from Mayor Cllr Paul Trendall and John Moffat, who shared moving reflections on loss, identity, creativity and remembrance. Our students represented Watling with maturity and respect throughout, and we were proud to contribute to the dove of peace for MK’s City of Culture 2029 bid. We look forward to returning in 2027, ahead of assemblies in September that will invite more students to join this important work. Read more about our visit here: Human Rights Conference 2026 – Watling Academy
Mandarin Excellence Programme Trip to Beijing
Our Year 9 Mandarin Excellence Programme students had a fantastic time on their trip to Beijing. They strengthened their Mandarin through daily lessons at the university and working alongside Chinese students, to mutually practise their language skills and learn about each other’s culture. Their programme has also included a range of cultural workshops, from making dumplings and taking part in traditional Chinese games to enjoying film nights and exploring local landmarks, including the Great Wall of China. These experiences have helped students learn more about China’s history, its modern-day society and its future development. Mrs Hollingsworth, Head of Year 9K, who accompanied students on this trip says, “it’s been wonderful to watch the students grow in confidence, support one another and make the most of every opportunity this incredible experience has offered”.
Year 8 & 10 MEP Intensive Days
Last week, our Year 8 and 10 Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) students took part in exciting Intensive Days. They explored a range of famous Chinese idioms, learning about the stories behind them and gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history. Inspired by these stories, students worked creatively to write their own scripts and perform them for their peers. The days also featured a lively Chinese song singing competition, where students showcased both their language skills and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic celebration of language, creativity, and cultural learning.
Eco Committee Celebrates a Year of Outstanding Achievement
Our Eco Committee has enjoyed an outstanding year, achieving both The Parks Trust Secondary School Award and the prestigious Eco‑Schools Green Flag Award. Students have led a wide range of sustainability projects, from growing vegetables for Cucina and planting new trees on site, to running competitions, conducting wildlife surveys and championing energy conservation through The Great Watling Switch Off. Their creativity shone on Culture Day, where houses competed to design the best planter, celebrating biodiversity and cultural pride. A huge well done to all Eco Committee members for their dedication and leadership. Read more about their achievements here: Eco Committee Celebrates a Year of Outstanding Achievement – Watling Academy.
BCS Cyber Challenge Competition
The results of the BCS Cyber Challenge Competition have now been published, and we are delighted to share that Felipe has been awarded second prize in the Year 7 category. This year, we submitted 12 entries to the competition, with students creating educational Scratch games linked to online safety themes. Year 7 students focused on Fake News, designing resources that promote positive online learning while encouraging critical evaluation of information. Our Year 8 entry explored Identity Theft, helping players understand how personal information can be targeted and how to guard against phishing and other risks. Congratulations to Felipe and a huge well done to all students who took part.
Celebrating Our Year 11 Students
Mrs Stratton, Head of Year 11K has shared the following message to celebrate our Year 11 students:
As the academic year draws to a close, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to our Year 11 students as they mark the end of an important chapter in their school journey. The past few weeks have been filled with memorable last-day celebrations and a fantastic Prom evening, providing a fitting opportunity for students to come together, reflect on their achievements, and celebrate the friendships and experiences they have shared throughout their time at school. It was wonderful to see students looking so smart, enjoying each other’s company, and creating lasting memories as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.
We are incredibly proud of the resilience, maturity, and determination our Year 11 cohort has shown, particularly throughout their examination period. They have represented the school superbly and have much to be proud of. On behalf of all staff, I would like to thank parents and carers for their unwavering support over the years. The success of our students is very much a partnership between home and school, and we are grateful for the encouragement and guidance you have provided.
We wish all of our Year 11 students a safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to celebrating with them again on Results Day. Whatever their next destination, we know they will carry forward the values, skills, and memories they have developed here.
Year 11, thank you for the positive contribution you have made to our school community. We are proud of you and wish you every success for the future.
We have shared some photos from Year 11s last day over on our Facebook page.
