READING
To welcome our new Year 7 students we join inwithBookBuzz Bookbuzzisanorganisation whose mission is to get a book into the hands of every student. It is a sad fact that some children never have a book of their own.
This year we are extending the scheme to include Year 8s for the first time; students in both year groups will be offered the opportunity to choose a brand new book from a range of sixteen after watching a presentationbytheauthor.
Word from the reading room
Every time I read an article from a reading agency it tells me that reading skills and enjoymentarefallingamongyoungpeople. At Colchester Academy we aim to prove that trend wrong Our Y7 and 8 students have a dedicated hour on the timetable for reading Duringthistimetheycanreadabookoftheir choice either from the library, from our stock ofdonatedbooks,orabookoftheirownfrom home A reading test taken in the first weeks oftermascertainsthelevelofbookastudent shouldbereading.
The lesson also includes a vocabulary elementinwhichawordisdefined,discussed andusedincontext
When a book is finished, students take a quiz to test their understanding Every quiz taken adds to a total of words read and we were very pleased to be able to reward the top threereadersfromYears7and8attheEndof Year Assembly Word Millionaires ( students who have read 1 million words) and Word Multi-Millionaires. Top readers are also celebratedonaweeklybasis.
Another regular feature of the school’s reading year is February’s Blind Date with a Book Students choose a wrapped book with only a brief description on the packaging to guide them. In this way they may find themselvesreadingfromagenretheywould not usually choose. Last February a student told me he had found his ‘new favourite book’ He asked for the rest of the series and wasrecommendingittohisfriends!
In these ways and many others we aim to foster a culture of reading in our students. They have access to our well stocked library atbreakandlunchtimeandcouldalsocome totheBookPicniconaWednesday.Teachers leadbyexamplebydisplayingthebookthey arecurrentlyreadingontheirdoorsandstaff have recommended a selection of books knownastheColchesterCanon Thesebooks are available as class sets for each form grouptoreadwiththeirtutor.
We hope you will encourage your child to makethemostoftheirreadingopportunities whiletheyareatColchesterAcademy
LEARNING
2. Questioning – Cold Call / Show-Me Boards
Cold Call: Questions are posed to the wholeclassbeforenamingastudent.
Engaging Learning at Colchester Academy:
Our Focus This Half Term
AtColchesterAcademy,wearecommittedto using research-informed practices to ensure every student is actively engaged in lessons Thishalfterm,ourmainfocusinlearningand teaching development is making sure students are consistently involved, so they make excellent progress and enjoy their learning
1. Standards – Getting the Lesson Started / KeepingonTask
Consistent routines help lessons begin quicklyandcalmly
Clearinstructionsandvisibleexpectations ensurestudentsknowwhattodo.
Positive behaviours are reinforced to keep studentsfocused
Teacherscirculatetheclassroom,monitor progress,andprovidesupport.
Impact: Maximises learning time, sets a productive tone, and helps all students stay engaged.
Show-Me Boards: Quick, low-stakes responses show everyone’s understandingusingminiwhiteboards
Impact: Encourages active participation from all students and keeps attention levels high.
3. Modelling – I Do, We Do, You Do / Scaffolding
I Do: Teacher demonstrates the skill or process
We Do: Guided practice with teacher support.
You Do: Independent practice with graduallyreducedscaffolds
Impact: Reduces cognitive overload, builds confidence, and supports all learners in accessingchallengingmaterial.
4.Feedback–FeedbackasActions
Feedback requires students to act immediately by making corrections, improvements, or applying what they havelearned.
Impact: Embeds learning, ensures accountability, and increases progress over time
We are proud of the work being done this half term to make lessons engaging, productive, and supportive for all students.
By sharing these approaches with parents, we hope you feel informed and encouraged to support your child’s learning at home, helpingthemmakethemostofeverylesson anddevelopstrong,lastingstudyhabits.
REWARDS
We are regularly acknowledging students’ hard work by handing out reward postcards. Theseareagreatwayofcelebratingspecific achievements, whether that’s showing resilienceinatrickylesson,goingaboveand beyond to help others, or demonstrating excellence in their work. Please do take a moment to ask the young person in your care about their rewards and what they received them for it’s a fantastic way to share in their success and reinforce the valuesweholddear.
OUR NEW REWARD SYSTEM
At Colchester Academy, we believe that recognising and celebrating achievement is central to building a culture of excellence. This year, we have launched a new rewards system that puts our school values of Resilience, Respect, and Excellence at the heartofeverythingwedo.
The system has been designed not only to celebrate academic success, but also to acknowledge the character and personal development that underpin long-term success. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation highlights that wellstructured reward systems can motivate learners, encourage positive behaviour, and strengthen a sense of belonging By linking rewardsdirectlytoourvalues,weensurethat students are being recognised for the qualities that matter most in life: determination in the face of challenge, respect for themselves and others, and strivingforexcellenceinalltheydo.
From postcards to special awards, our rewards programme is about creating a school culture where every student feels valuedandinspiredtoachievetheirbest.
THE ARTS
CREATIVE ARTS
At Colchester Academy, we believe the creative arts are a vital part of a rich education They allow our students to express themselves, develop confidence, andexploreideasinwaysthatgofarbeyond the classroom. Creativity fosters resilience, problem-solving, and joy qualities we see shining through every week in our thriving CreativeArtsClub
MUSIC MARK
Colchester Academy has been awarded the prestigious Music Mark of Recognition for Dedication & Improvement in celebration of its commitment to high-quality music education and its partnership work with the GreaterEssexMusicHub The recognition highlights the value the Academy places on music within the curriculum and beyond, acknowledging the school’s role in enabling children and young people to achieve both musical and social outcomes.
Music Mark, the UK’s leading membership organisation for music education, works nationally to champion and support schools, hubs, and educators in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality music education.
In presenting the award, Essex Music Service, the lead organisation for the Greater Essex Music Hub, thanked Colchester Academy for its dedication to supporting this collective vision and for inspiring students through music.
This award reinforces Colchester Academy’s standing as a school dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering opportunities in the performingarts.
The club offers students the chance to work across a wide range of mediums. From experimenting with photography to producing hand-made zines, from sculpture to mixed-media projects, students collaborate, share skills, and push their artistic boundaries. It is a space where imagination is celebrated and where every young person has the chance to develop theiruniquevoice
We are especially proud of our annual whole-school performance, which has become a highlight of the Academy calendar Last summer’s production of Matilda was an incredible success an allschool effort that brought together performers, musicians, and backstage crew in a sell-out evening Every seat was filled, and the energy, talent, and enthusiasm of ourstudentswonglowingreviews Wearealreadylookingforwardtothisyear’s summer performance and to seeing once again how creativity brings our community together
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
CELEBRATING OUR 2025 GCSE RESULTS
I am delighted to share the fantastic news of our 2025 GCSE results, which reflect the resilience, excellence, and ambition of our Year 11 students. This year’s results are a true testament to the strength of our school community, and I could not be prouder of whatouryoungpeoplehaveachieved
Ourstudentshavedemonstratedremarkable determination, many of them balancing revision with leadership roles, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments, and theirresultsshowwhatcanbeaccomplished throughperseveranceanddedication
We are celebrating a significant rise in students achieving grades 4 and above in both English and Maths, demonstrating strong progress across core subjects Exceptional performances in Computer Science, Humanities, Music, Drama, Child Development, Geography, Statistics, Health and Social Care, Business, and strong performance across other subjects reflecting thebreadthandqualityofourcurriculum
Theseoutcomesareasharedachievement credit goes to our staff, who have gone above and beyond to provide expert teaching and pastoral care, and to our families, who have supported their children everystepoftheway.Mostimportantly,we celebrate every single student, whether they achieved top grades or made incrediblepersonalprogress
The results underline the importance of excellent attendance: students who attend 95% or higher gained an average of a Grade 5 or higher in 8 or more subjects, whilst those whose attendance was below 90%averagedaGrade3
Thank you to our entire school community for your support and belief in what we do hereeveryday
Theseresultsshowthatourschoolvalues Resilience, Excellence, and Respect are trulyaliveinourstudents’achievements.
STUDENT LEADERS
LAUNCHING OUR NEW STUDENT COUNCIL
I am really proud to introduce our new student council team for this academic year They represent student voice at its very best a group of passionate and motivated young leaders who are keen to make a real differencetolifeatColchesterAcademy.
Thisyear’sstructureensuresthatkeyareasof school life are given strong student leadership. We have council leaders focusing on Environment, Well-being, Charity, and Inclusion each dedicated to driving meaningful projects that will have an impact acrossthewholeschoolcommunity
Our younger student leaders have also stepped up with great enthusiasm. Their excitement and fresh ideas are already energising discussions, and they are eager tocontributetoshapingourschool.
The student council is more than a leadership opportunity it’s about collaboration, responsibility, and making sureeverystudenthasavoice.Iamexcited to see the positive changes they will bring thisyear.
