Welcome to the July edition of Knutsford News 2025.
As we come to the close of another busy and successful term at Knutsford Academy, I am incredibly proud to share with you the many achievements and experiences our students have enjoyed. They have achieved outstanding successes in the performing and creative arts, sport, and our extra-curricular enrichment activities. I hope you enjoy reading about the fantastic opportunities and accomplishments featured in this edition of Knutsford News.
Mrs Key, Headteacher
Goodbye to Year 13 & Year 11!
Our Year 11 and Year 13 students completed their external exams last month and enjoyed their Year 13 Valedictory Ball and Year 11 Prom. We look forward to welcoming the majority of our Year 11 students back into our Sixth Form after the summer and wish all students the best of luck for their future.
Rewards
Every week students are nominated for upholding our school values of Ambition, Respect and Kindness.
All ‘Stars of the Week’ are entered into a draw to win the termly sponsor prize of £100 Amazon Voucher per year group. We have also awarded several ‘Headteacher’s Awards’. Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this possible:
Year 7 - Sytner Land Rover
Year 8 - Irlams Estate Agents
Year 9 - Marketing Signals
Year 10 - Rix Motors
Year 12 - KDR Talent Solutions
Headteacher Award - Manchester Airport
Season ends on a high for Football Academy Sport
OurSixthFormFootballAcademyendedthe seasonwitha0-2winoverMarple,securing 2nd place in the Northwest Colleges Sports League,withanimpressive8winsoutof9.We alsobattledourwaytotheSemiFinalsofthe CheshireCountyCupandtheFinaloftheJohn Tally International Showcase Tournament in Memphis.
Our Sports Leaders have completed their course and qualified with great confidence after their practical leadership assessments. They also trialled leading a practical session with each other before helpingtohostourlocalPrimarySchoolsinover18events.
Rowing Miss Whittingham took a group of Year 8 students rowing this term, to Warrington Rowing Club. It was fantastic to see them outside the classroom in a wholenewenvironment!
Enrichment Duke of Edinburgh: Bronze, Silver & Gold
Our fearless Duke of Edinburgh teams have completed both their practice and assessed expeditions this term. Bronze was one-night, Silver two-night and Gold was a three-night challenge. All expeditions took place in very mixed conditions - everything between driving rain and 30 degree heat! And well done to all students for their volunteering as part of this award. This year you have donated a total of 1170 hours to your community, with a social value of over £7400.
Year 7 Masterchef
Our Year 7 Masterchef final featured some impressive culinary skills. We were very lucky to be joined by an expert panel of judges, including Aidan Byrne from LILY Restaurant in Knutsford, Barbara and Kirsty from CottonsHotel&Spaandourveryown judge Mr Parr. A hard panel to impress!
Our winner was Nate with his delicious chicken burger - he won £150 voucher to spend in the restaurantatCottons,andchefAidan Byrne has generously offered for all four finalists to spend an afternoon workingwithhimatLILY.
Twenty-six Year 12 students travelled to New York during May half term, along with some of our Social Sciences teachers. They packed a huge amount into their three-day tour, including Times Square, The United Nations HQ, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, The Empire State Building, The Rockefeller Centre and One World Observatory.
Year 12 Biology Field Trip
Our Year 12 biologists enjoyed their annual field trip in the outdoor classroom in the Blencathra Field Studies Centre, looking out towards Derwentwater. The weather was mixed across the three days, which added to the fun!
Careers
Hotel and Schools Programme: Cottons
Hotel & Spa
Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students had their second visit to Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford. Students took part in a housekeeping masterclass and were challenged by the Head Housekeeper to make up a bed to her very high standards. After a delicious lunch they took part in a workshop with the Spa Manager and sampled some of the luxury products used in the spa.
Thank you, Cottons, for providing these world class opportunities to our students.
Art & Design
Trust Art Exhibition, Crewe
Conway Art
Residential
This was a first exhibition experience outside of school for some of our featured students and they showed a real sense of pride. Their work was displayed alongside entries from all trust schools and we’re incredibly proud that our students achieved five 1st Place Awards, One 2ndPlaceAwardandTwo3rdPlaceAwards.
A group of Year 8 and 9 students travelled to Conway Arts Centre this term for a weekend of intense mixed media art workshops, with someoutdooractivitiesthrownin!
Art & Design
GCSE & A Level
Art Exhibition
Our annual Art and Design Exhibition showcased an impressive selection of GCSE and A-Level coursework and exam pieces. The exhibition was a true celebration of our students’ creativity, dedication, and talent. It was a memorable evening that highlighted the vibrant artistic community hereatKnutsfordAcademy.
Performing Arts
SIX The Musical
Year 13 Musical Theatre students performed the musicalSIXaspartoftheirexaminationwork.Weare very proud of them all. Huge thanks to our amazing volunteer wardrobe team Hilary Berkin and Mandie Hilton,whocreatedthecostumesfromscratch!
Performing Arts
Aladdin Junior
Our production of Aladdin Junior really was a magic carpet ride last week, with four wonderful shows and a cast of 60 performers from Years 7 – 10. They have been rehearsing and working hard since March. Congratulations to all students involved, the Performing Arts department and our volunteer ‘wardrobeandfrontofhouse’teams.
