Kingswinford Newsletter December 2025

Newsletter

19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Dear Parents/ Carers, Attendance has been a huge focus for us this year. This isn’t going away. I know you get a lot of messages from school regarding attendance - that is simply because it is so important for the children to be successful.

The last few weeks of this term have been tough and there has been the usual winter illnesses going around.

We appreciate this. What we want is the students to not have broken weeks - to not ‘opt out’ of their education. Not to take avoidable occasional days off. Not to take term-time holidays. Your support with this is crucial. It will have such a huge effect on their futures.

Everything we do in school is for the benefit of our young people; as you’ll see in this newsletter, the students have taken part in some amazing things - both within and extra to the curriculum - during this last half term. As ever i’m incredibly proud of the students and staff we have here at Kingswinford Academy.

We’ve yet again thought outwardly towards our local community with our Christmas Projects this half term.

Each year group has had a different project, working with different community charities and organisations. It has been a huge success. We’ve yet again held a wonderful Festive Afternoon Tea for Age Concern and the Royal British Legion, making it a brilliantly uplifting end to this term. Thank you for your support.

I am delighted to share the latest edition of Thriving Together, the Windsor Academy Trust family parent magazine. This edition celebrates the incredible achievements of students and staff across our family of 15 schools. From academic success to our work supporting local communities and our commitment to a sustainable future, it highlights how we are working together to unlock the academic and personal potential of every child. You can read the magazine here: Thriving Together - Parent Magazine - Autumn Edition Some staffing changes to make you aware of; Mrs Kpeglo is leaving us from Maths and Mrs Hadley is leaving us from Art. We wish them both well for the future.

Alongside this, Miss Felton is retiring after 38 years teaching Science at Kingswinford. This is an utterly remarkable length of service and dedication to teaching science to so many local children - their parents and very likely some grandparents! We wish her all the very best for her well-earned retirement.

Finally, all that remains is for me to wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Thank you again for your support throughout 2025.

Best wishes,

Ian Moreton Headteacher

Upcoming events● Start of term - Monday 5th January (normal time) ● Year 11 Parents Evening - Thursday 22nd January ● Year 9 Parents Evening - Wednesday 4th February ● End of Half term - Thursday 12th February ● Staff INSET day (School closed to Students) - Friday 13th February

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Kilimanjaro You might remember last academic year we carried out some fundraising to support Mrs Naujeer in her mission to climb Kilimanjaro this October. We’re pleased to report that she made it all the way to the top, despite the snow and altitude, and that she hit her fundraising target of £6,000. Thankyou to all students, their families and friends who helped her hit this mark - donations have been passed to DEBRA charity, which is the leading charity in the UK (and across the world) for those suffering with the debilitating condition of Epidermolysis Bullosa. If anyone would like to make any further donations, please go directly through DEBRAs website (www.debra.org.uk)

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Absence from school equals lost learning; lost learning directly impacts what your child will achieve in their GCSE examinations, which will impact upon their future. It soon adds up and makes a difference. We need to work together to ensure our young people attend because it will ultimately affect their future success. As you are aware, we use ‘Studybugs’ to report absence. The app will send you NHS advice on whether your child should still come to school if they are feeling ill.

Please check your child's Class Charts as Tutors are celebrating and supporting improved and perfect attendance with positive points. Our “Rewards Shop” opens regularly - your child is able to exchange their points for rewards of their choice.

If you do need to report a child absence, do so using the Studybugs app.

If it is an illness-related absence, you will also be sent NHS advice as to whether your child should still attend school (or you can check here)

Newsletter 19 December 2025 A Massive Thank You: Celebrating 100% Attendance Commitment!

To the dedicated parents / carers of students currently tracking for 100% attendance this term—we extend our most sincere and grateful thanks.

We are incredibly proud to confirm that, at the time of writing, 233 students have not missed a single day this term!

This is an outstanding achievement, and we want to celebrate this exceptional commitment.

The Power of Presence At Kingswinford Academy, we know that excellent attendance is the single most vital ingredient for both academic success and personal growth. Studies consistently show a direct and powerful correlation between consistent school attendance and higher attainment, greater confidence, and improved emotional well-being. Quite simply, students who are present every day are best placed to absorb all the knowledge and opportunities Kingswinford Academy offers, truly maximizing their personal potential.

Commitment Shines Through Challenging Times We are especially mindful that achieving this perfect record has been no easy feat. With the relentless pressures of the current flu and cold season, ensuring your child is ready and able to attend school every morning requires immense effort, organization, and dedication on your part.

You have battled early mornings, navigated minor sniffles, and vigilantly managed the health of your family to ensure continuity in your child's education. This level of commitment is truly remarkable, and it profoundly demonstrates the high value you place on their learning. Your commitment shines through!

A Partnership for Success We recognize that this achievement is a direct result of the strong partnership between the home and the academy. Thank you for making attendance a top priority. This unwavering consistency provides the crucial foundation upon which your child builds their future success.

Congratulations once again on this fantastic accomplishment! We look forward to celebrating this success with the students themselves as the term concludes. All those students with 100% attendance will receive a reward shop voucher in the new year and will be in with a chance to win a golden ticket at the end of term

Newsletter 19 December 2025 King’s Quest

Newsletter 19 December 2025 King's Quest Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Autumn Term 2!

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students in the Autumn Term 1 King's

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Quest Awards! These awards recognize dedication, commitment, and success across various activities and criteria A huge congratulations to all the students who have earned a King's Quest Award this term!

🥉 Bronze Award Winners The Bronze Award requires a minimum of four activities completed, with one of those activities being a WAT Pledge.

We celebrate these Bronze winners across the different houses:

Newsletter 19 December 2025 King's Quest Awards - Continued : 🥈 Silver Award Winners The Silver Award is achieved by completing a minimum of seven activities.

🥇 Gold Award Winner - Charlie Spencer!

We want to give a massive SHOUT OUT to Charlie Spencer from Neon house, who achieved the prestigious Gold Award To earn Gold, a student must complete fourteen or more activities. This is an incredible accomplishment that demonstrates exceptional commitment and effort. Well done, Charlie!

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Library Events

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE Netball This half term, students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 have shown excellent commitment and enthusiasm in netball club. Attendance has been consistently high, with players demonstrating improving skills, teamwork and a positive attitude at every session. All year groups have worked hard to develop their passing, movement and game understanding, supporting one another and showing great sportsmanship throughout.

A particular highlight was the outstanding performance of our Year 8/9 team, who secured a well-deserved win against Wombourne, showcasing their determination, communication and resilience on court. Overall, it has been a very successful half term for netball club, and we are proud of the effort and progress made by all players involved.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Dance This half term, students attending dance club have shown fantastic commitment, creativity and enthusiasm. Pupils from across the year groups have worked hard to develop their technique, coordination and performance skills, approaching each session with focus and a positive attitude. They have demonstrated great teamwork by supporting one another, learning choreography efficiently and refining routines with confidence. The dedication shown by all participants has led to clear progress over the half term, making dance club a lively, inclusive and enjoyable environment. Overall, it has been a very successful half term, and the effort and passion shown by the dancers has been impressive. Particularly, Immy Fisher and Hannah Barker have shown enthusiasm this half term and have started teaching students a new dance style to broaden their capabilities in dance, well done girls! Five of our students also danced at the WAT conference on Friday 5th December. Students worked extremely hard when rehearsing for this and all their hard work paid off on the day! They were amazing and made the school so proud! Well done Immy Fisher, Jaziah Hopper, Kayla Warby, Ashlyn Warby and Ellie Mae Shakespeare.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Swinging Back into Success: Golf Club Returns to Kingswinford Golf Academy.It has been fantastic to get Golf Club back up and running this term at Kingswinford Golf Centre, much to the students’ delight. Each week, pupils arrive eager to improve and show a real willingness to learn with support from the professional coach.

We’ve already seen great progress across the group. Notable improvements include Sam P (Y7), who has shown excellent focus; Jack G (Y10), whose confidence has grown significantly; and Alec Hickman (Y11), who continues to develop strong technique.

We look forward to seeing the club go from strength to strength in the future.

Bullseye! Darts Club Hits the Mark at Lunchtime Darts Club has been a huge success since returning to the extracurricular timetable this half term. Each lunchtime, students head straight to the sports hall, eager to secure a place on a board and get involved.

It was also fantastic to see our players represent the school in a local tournament against Crestwood and Summerhill, where Harry, James and Lucas each picked up a win. Their performances were a real highlight.

We now look forward to our next fixture against Windsor after Christmas.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Congratulations to Our Year 11 GCSE PE Students!

A huge well done to our Year 11 GCSE PE students, who have successfully completed their two-day rock climbing course at Blackwell Adventure. Throughout the experience, students showed determination, teamwork, and resilience as they tackled a range of challenging climbs and outdoor activities.

From scaling climbing walls to supporting one another through each ascent, every student demonstrated impressive commitment and a positive attitude. Their hard work not only strengthened their climbing skills but also showcased the character and perseverance that make them outstanding representatives of our school. We are incredibly proud of their achievements well done, Year 11!

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Sports Studies Intervention Our Y11 students have shown excellent progress in their Sports Studies coursework this year. As we near the end of the unit, it has been great to see Emmi P and Calissa S attending intervention sessions with a clear desire to improve their grades.

A special mention goes to Asghar, who has attended every week and consistently looked for ways to push himself further. His commitment and hard work have led to significant improvements throughout Y11, and he should be extremely proud of his progress.

Chloe Delivers Strong Debut for Kickboxing GB Chloe’s long-awaited debut with Kickboxing GB has taken place, she secured impressive 5th and 9th place finishes on the international stage. Considering it was her first selection for the squad and that she has trained in this style for less than a year, her performance marks a significant achievement.

It has been a landmark season for Chloe. In 2025 alone, she has represented three different kickboxing organisations and collected an outstanding list of accolades: 2 British titles, 5 English titles and an Open Weight Grand Champion title.

With more competitions still ahead, Chloe remains focused, motivated and determined to finish the year on a high. Her progress so far has made everyone at Kingswinford immensely proud and this debut is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting competitive journey.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Ruby Claims Victory in Debut Thai Boxing Tournament Ruby made a spectacular entrance into competitive Thai boxing, on 7th December 2025, securing the title in her first official bout.

Competing in the Novice Category, 44 kg division, she faced a challenging three-round match, with each round lasting one minute and judged by a panel of three officials.

It marks a remarkable start to Ruby’s competitive journey and a promising sign of what may come next in her Thai boxing career.

Swimmers Dive Into Victory at This Year’s School Gala Kingswinford Academy took 8 swimmers ranging between year 8 - 10 to Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre for the annual WAT Swimming Gala on Friday 12th December competing against: Cheslyn Hay Academy, Windsor High School and Sixth Form and Clayton Hall Academy. Firstly, a massive well done to all that attended for their effort both as individuals but also as team members for the relay events. A number of our swimmers swam multiple events and some also swam up a year group to really challenge themselves and support their team mates in the relays.

The medal winners from Kingswinford Academy: Adam Smith - Year 8 Boys 50m Breastroke GOLD & Year 8 Boys 50m Backstroke SILVER Matthew Byng - Year 8 Boys 50m Freestyle BRONZE William Bain - Year 9 Boys 50m Breastroke GOLD, Year 9 Boys 50m Backstroke BRONZE &Year 9 Boys 50m Freestyle BRONZE Corralie Small - Year 9 Girls 50m Breastroke SILVER & Year 9 Girls 50m Freestyle SILVER Ethan Tracey - Year 10 Boys 50m Freestyle GOLD & Year 10 Boys 50m Breastroke BRONZE Year 7/8 Boys Medley Relay (William Bain, Adam Smith & Matthew Byng) SILVER Year 9/10 Girls Medley Relay (Alma Gal, Lily Russell & Corralie Small) BRONZE A special mention to William Bain who swam up an age group for his individual events and achieved a gold and two bronze placed finishes.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 PE - Continued Clayton Hall Racketlon Success Our students put on an outstanding display at the Racketlon tournament held at Clayton Hall. Competing across multiple racket sports, they showed great effort, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the event.

Every student gave their best, representing the school with pride and positivity. We couldn’t be prouder of their performances and attitude on the day.

A fantastic effort from everyone involved - well done.

Staying Warm for PE This Winter!

As we move into the colder months, we want to remind all students to dress appropriately for PE so they can stay warm and comfortable during lessons and clubs.

Students should wear their PE jumper or jacket, and they are also allowed to wear black thermals underneath their kit for an extra layer of warmth. Gloves are also permitted when it’s particularly chilly.

It’s really important that everyone continues to take part in lessons outdoors wherever possible, so being dressed suitably for the weather will help everyone stay active, focused, and ready to learn.

Flared Leggings/Trousers in PE Recently, some students have been wearing flared leggings/trousers for PE. We would like to remind everyone that they are not suitable for physical activity and are not part of the approved PE kit.

Flared leggings can create several health and safety concerns during sport, including tripping hazards and reduced mobility.

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Sparx Maths Success The competition for Sparx Maths XP points has well and truly begun. Students can accumulate ‘XP’ based on compulsory homework or through independent learning.

Here are our top ten XP earners for this Half Term:

Here are the top three students in each year group: Year 7 Harvey Hamer, Xavier Orozco Pilares, Ava Pace Year 8 Liyah Abiodun, Petrina Amrevweatefa, Charlotte Capewell Year 9 Ethan Wong, Joseph Godwin, Matthew Clipa Year 10 Haoyang Zeng, Theo Grewal, Olivia Connop Year 11 Sayil Abbas, Maryam Ahmad, David Aleke A huge congratulations to those students - but there were many more that nearly made the top 10! Will your name be on the leaderboard next time?

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art Our Year 10 Fine Artists and Photographers have been busy elves this term, crafting dazzling designs for this year’s KA Christmas Card.

The Fine Artists rolled up their sleeves and delved into the intricate world of intaglio printing, experimenting with texture, line, and detail to produce beautifully expressive prints.

Meanwhile, the Photographers turned their lenses to the magical technique of bokeh—transforming ordinary lights into dreamy, glowing shapes that bring a festive sparkle to their work. Keep an eye out for the final design.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art - continued Christmas Craft Club Year 7 students spent time painting baubles to decorate a tree at St Mary’s Church in Kingswinford.

Meanwhile, the cycle 1 textiles curriculum tasked students with the creation of a ‘Monster pouch’. This projects has equipped them with fundamental practical skills, including hand embroidery techniques, machine operation, and the application of zip closures

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art - continued Staff, students, and members of the wider community—who joined us during our Open Evening in September—have been working hard to create a collaborative mural for The Big Draw. Inspired by Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, the mural has turned out beautifully, and we’re sure you’ll agree that it looks amazing.

The winning entry for this project is Yavanna Touw (94N) and we are excited to celebrate their creativity and effort.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art - continued All of our Year 10 Fine Art and Photography students had the opportunity to take part in the KA Christmas Card Competition. We received many wonderful entries, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students.

After much consideration, the winning design was awarded to this beautiful piece created by one of our Fine Art students.

Well done to all who took part — we are incredibly proud of your hard work and artistic achievements!

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art - continued

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Art - continued

Newsletter 19 December 2025 English Dear Parents, the English Department would like to celebrate with you the achievements of our year 7 students who have taken part in a christmas card and poetry competition this term. We have had a wide range of superb entries. The overall winner of the poetry competition was Emmie R who wrote a beautiful christmas poem focusing on the true ‘magic’ of christmas’. The overall winner of the Christmas card competition was Evelyn M.

Some of the winning entries

Newsletter 19 December 2025 English - Continued Year 9 have been creating some wonderful poetry. Here’s some examples of their work inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, linked with themes in ‘Of Mice and Men’ as well as more recently, they have written about important places, in the style of ‘The Romantics’.

Here’s a selection of some wonderful work: The Segregated Soil The ranch ‘buck lived his life in deep disgrace Apart from the other’s master race Though black art flourished in cities far away The black code still ruled his every day

Home Beyond the old dirty bridge, I see my true home.

I see all my imaginations and memories, Where my eyes can’t help but roam.

The bunkhouse door stood open,wide and free Yet customs forced a sad hypocrisy The rules of race were kept by subtle snoop To keep on man excluded from the group

The rusty metal bars that would make a low groan.

To the oak door that I’ve always known, The living room where I played with my brother, And where I played games on the tv with my father and mother.

This man lived by rules of segregation Kept strict by the whole racist nation Controlling his life were the laws of Jim Crow That controlled where he was allowed to go No name was needed, but his fate was known The caste of skin had left him all alone A difference in race,a painful truth to grasp Held tight forever in prejudice’s clasp. MC Pakistan’s Power Smiling, laughing, playing, Out in the sunset, the sun shining down on us.

Luminous and orange, The sun sparkling like no other beauty.

The kitchen where we decorated for every holiday.

To where I always loved to shuffle through the hallway.

The bedroom I shared; the walls which was pink,yellow and blue, The wooden cabinets I loved to touch, and our beds being a lovely pink,blue and a white hue.

But I wish I knew it would happen as I sat in the car watching my home, Watching as my dad talks and the couples’ eyes roam.

I wish I could stay just a bit more, and I wish I could just ask: Hey- will you keep my home and memories safe forever more? GC

Devotion, warmth, attachment, The sand is filled with our footprints.

Warm- hearted and loving, There is no better feeling than being with your family. RM

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Year 10 Work Experience Secure Your Work Experience Placement: The January Deadline The deadline for securing a suitable work experience placement and returning the necessary paperwork is fast approaching. Year 10 Students must finalize their arrangements by the End of January.

All completed documentation, specifically the Employer Agreement Form, must be accurately filled out and returned to Mr. Dimmock Or Mrs Woodhouse. Timely submission is crucial to allow us to vet all placements, ensuring they are safe, compliant, and correctly logged by Kingswinford Academy. Students should be actively reaching out to local organisations and businesses that align with their career interests now.

Essential Guidance on Google Classroom To fully support your child through this process, all necessary guidance, forms, and resources are available on the dedicated Year 10 Careers Google Classroom.

Students are expected to regularly check the classroom for: Step-by-step guides on approaching and contacting potential employers.

Templates for professional introductory letters and emails.

Digital copies of the official forms required by Mr. Dimmock.

A list of previous employers that have accepted Kingswinford students.

This is a vital, student-led task designed to build independence and initiative. We appreciate your immediate support in encouraging your child to take ownership of this process and meet the imminent end of January deadline.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Kingswinford Academy Alumni: Fueling Future Potential We are delighted to share the resounding success of our recent careers workshops, an essential part of Kingswinford Academy's commitment to raising the personal potential of every student. By inviting high-achieving former pupils back into our school, we are providing current students with truly impactful, real-world careers guidance.

The power of these sessions lies in the direct, inspirational connection between past and present. Alumni, who once walked these very halls, generously shared their journeys in diverse fields, offering first hand advice that goes beyond textbook learning.

Recent workshops focused on sought-after professions, including: Veterinary Science: A qualified veterinary nurse and former pupil discussed the academic pathways and dedication needed for animal care.

Travel and Tourism: Students heard from an alumnus thriving in a major travel firm - Virgin Atlantic, gaining insight into the dynamic, global aspects of the industry.

These interactions are crucial for helping our students make informed decisions about their GCSE and A-Level choices and future career paths. Our alumni are not just providing information; they are instilling the confidence and clarity needed to strive for personal excellence and achieve their ultimate potential.

If you are a former pupil or the parent of a former pupil now thriving in the world of work and want to share your career path, then please contact Mr Dimmock our schools careers lead.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 The Power of In-Person Careers Workshops At Kingswinford Academy, we have seen firsthand the incredible impact of in-person careers workshops. There’s something truly inspiring about meeting professionals face-to-face, asking questions, and hearing about their journeys firsthand — experiences that online resources simply can’t replicate.

Our students have benefited enormously from workshops with a range of guests. Last year we invited in Higgs Solicitors, and this year we have continued that trend with local paramedics, and textile and arts designers who work with Primark. These sessions have not only broadened students’ understanding of different careers but also helped them visualise their own pathways, challenge assumptions, and gain practical insight into the world of work.

By inviting professionals into the classroom, we continue to empower students to make informed decisions, raise their aspirations, and take confident steps towards their future.

The success of these workshops highlights the unmatched value of connecting with real people, in real time, doing real jobs.

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Careers in Art and Fashion Year 10 and 11 students recently enjoyed an inspiring careers talk focused on opportunities in the world of Art and Fashion. The session was delivered by the Customer Business Partner Lead – Activations and Experiences at Primark, who shared valuable insights into the wide range of career pathways available after age 16. Students learned about creative and non-creative roles within the fashion industry, routes into employment, and the skills needed to succeed. The talk was engaging and informative, and students responded positively, gaining a clearer understanding of future options in Art and Fashion.

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Visit from The Naseby Battlefield Project Recently, all of our Year 8 students enjoyed a visit from the Naseby Battlefield Project, to complement their studies in History of The English Civil War. They had a great time asking fabulous questions, handling several of the weapons that were used in that era and reenacting battle formations.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Sustainability On Thursday 27th November, some of our students took part in an exciting online seminar around Green careers and Sustainability provided by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO- UK) and the European Space agency called Protect our Planet Day 2025. They interviewed Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and crew members on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough. They spoke to a wide range of scientists, astronauts, engineers, and even the crew behind the making of the new BBC documentary: Kingdoms. We had a virtual tour of the Eden Project and learnt all about the unique flora they care for.

They were involved in sessions from Protecting from Space, to Protecting the Ice, Protecting the Forests, Protecting Biodiversity and Protecting with Science, Maths and Technology.

It has hopefully inspired our next generation of Eco- Ambassadors and guided them towards careers and passions in this field!

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Spotlight on Personal Potential Student Leadership WAT COP 2025 - ECO Ambassadors On the 20th November, a group of students from year 7 to year 10 were able to attend our annual WAT COP event with Mrs Smith at Windsor Olympus Academy. Here we were able to hear talks from Heena Dave, the co-founder of Climate Adapted Pathways for Education and Jerry Pritchard, professor of life sciences at the University of Birmingham along with other schools within our trust. Heena Dave discussed the ideas defining ‘climate leadership’ and how we, in a school setting, should not just be thinking about what we can do in the future, but also what we can do in the here and now. Jerry Pritchard discussed his experiment BIFOR based in both Staffordshire and Brazil. Here they are looking at the impact of climate change and the excess of CO2 in the atmosphere, with its impact on trees.

Students were encouraged to focus on scientific evaluation and what students could do within school, such as measuring our own trees and looking at our own area to contribute to the research from school.

In addition students then took part in workshops, looking at different themes that were connected to the environment and climate change. Our students got to look at ways that we can support our environmental well-being, methods of sustainability at home, in school and in the wider community.

Students also took part in workshops that discussed supportive ideas and wider aspects of global climate emergencies, with problem solving skills and looking how different groups of people would be affected within these emergencies. The final workshop was linked to embedding nature education and how as a school and community we can develop the area to be better in terms of habits for wildlife and expanding our ecology.

We have now started to develop these ideas within school with our eco ambassadors and developing ideas to help improve the school site to be more sustainable and supportive of our wildlife. We are hoping in the future we can develop our school site so not only does it support wildlife, but also allows it to thrive.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Enrichment We have had nearly 6000 attendees to our enrichment clubs this term which is fantastic! It is wonderful to see so many students committing to develop their personal potential. Students have nurtured their interests and talents as well as learning new skills. Our extensive and diverse enrichment provision enables students to explore various platforms to enrich their school journey, supporting not only their personal potential but it is proven that the opportunities on offer to our students is also supporting their academic achievement and attendance.

Here are some photos from some of our clubs this term.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Enrichment - continued Instrumental tuition Congratulations to everyone who has taken instrumental and vocal examinations this term! In particular, well done to Isabel Evans on her fabulous Grade 6 French Horn examination.

Congratulations to Noah Tromans who achieved a distinction in his Grade 5 Musical Theatre vocal examination. Congratulations to Phoebe Gayton for achieving a distinction in her Grade 1 piano examination and congratulations to Lola Wooldridge on her incredible distinction for her Grade 8 vocal examination! We are so very proud of you all!

Rock night and Stourbridge River Rooms Congratulations to Joab Smith, Dylan Edwards and Evan Williams who represented Kingswinford Academy at the River Rooms at a recent Rock night event. They performed brilliantly to a packed out audience on Thursday 18th December. Their band, ‘Midas’, played a selection of songs and achieved a real taste of what it can be like to be a famous Rock Band! The crowd sang along and cheered really loudly after each song! Well done, we look forward to seeing you at the next gig!

Carol Concert On Monday 15th December, we held our annual Christmas Carol Concert at St. Mary’s Church led by Miss Abel. Many of our wonderfully talented musicians performed spectacularly to a packed audience. Our School Choir, Orchestra, Starlight Band and Year 11 soloists all took performed fabulously, proving how talented our students really are! We raised a lot of money for St. Mary’s Church as well as Breast Cancer Research and Conforto House, which were charities chosen by our choir this year. Thank you to the many guests that attended our Carol Concert and for your lovely feedback; your support really is appreciated. Thank you to Fr Adam and his team for allowing us to hold our Christmas event at St. Mary’s Church and a special well done to all of the students who performed, you were a real credit to Kingswinford Academy.

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Enrichment Superstars!

Congratulations to the following students for being nominated by their enrichment club lead, for showing incredible commitment & enthusiasm this half term:

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Enrichment Superstars!

Continued!

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Civic Bulletin Kingswinford Academy stood united to remember and honour those who served and sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Our students took part in the national 2 minute silence as part of our Remembrance Day reflections. Some of our students dressed in their cadet, guides and scouts uniforms and joined our community at a Remembrance Day event at The Royal British Legion. It was also an honour to be part of another incredible Remembrance Parade and service that took part on Sunday 9th November, in which the community marched through Kingswinford up to St. Mary’s Church where they laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of our school.

Performing in the community Congratulations to Alicia Allman who performed at the Kingswinford Light Switch on Friday 28th November and to Eden Taylor and Arpita Nair who joined Alicia in performing at the Christmas Tree festival at St. Mary's Church on Saturday 29th November. We received such positive praise in regards to your performances and we thank you for your commitment in not only showcasing your musical talents but for representing our school within our community.

Christmas Community Collections Project We were absolutely overwhelmed with the kind generosity our students and school community showed towards our Christmas Community Collections Project! Our Year 7 students brought in over 250 brand new toys and gifts for The Salvation Army's Gift Appeal. Year 8 students made wonderful hampers full of treats for our local elderly residents as part of our partnership with Age UK. Year 9 students made over 50 gift bags full of gifts for the elderly patients at Russells Hall Hospital. Year 10 students created 40 gift bags full of presents for the Black Country's Women's Aid and Year 11 students collected many gifts to create 35 gift bags for Dudley's Lighthouse Hub! The kindness shown towards the recipients of our gifts has made a meaningful difference, and it reflects the true spirit of compassion and service. The support not only brightens the lives of others but also strengthens our civic aim to build strong, meaningful partnerships within and beyond our school. Together, we continue to foster a community where empathy, connection, and shared responsibility thrive. Thank you for helping us live out our values and for being a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together. (photos on the next page)

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Enrichment

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Christmas Community Event On Thursday 11th December, 40 students had the joy of performing and hosting a special Christmas event for our local elderly residents, creating a wonderful afternoon filled with music, dance, drama and festive spirit. Our students’ kindness, enthusiasm, and hospitality helped make the occasion truly memorable, while also strengthening the bonds between our school and the wider community. Events like this not only bring generations together but also broaden our partnerships, reinforcing our commitment to connection, respect, and shared celebration. It was so lovely to gift our guests with hampers that our Year 8 students had created with their Form Tutors. Thank you to all of the staff who led and supported the event, to Morrisons who sponsored our catering and to the Royal British Legion and Age Uk for their continued partnerships with our school.

We received a lovely email from David who is the Chair of our local Age Concern who said, “On behalf of everyone at Age Concern Stourbridge and Halesowen, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff and pupils of Kingswinford Academy.

“It was truly a privilege to be invited to attend your Christmas Afternoon Tea. The event was thoroughly enjoyed, and the singing and dancing performed by the pupils were absolutely delightful, bringing joy and festive cheer to all who attended.

“We are also extremely grateful for the very kind and generous donation of the beautifully decorated hampers and their wonderful selection of food. The effort, creativity, and hard work demonstrated by the pupils in preparing these gifts was clear and very much appreciated.

“These generous hampers will be distributed to some of our most vulnerable and lonely members of the local community, where they will make a real and meaningful difference this Christmas.

“Please pass on our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and community spirit are truly commendable.”

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Uniform Policy There were no significant changes to our uniform policy this academic year. We are compliant with the DfE’s desire to keep branded items to a minimum. The full updated policy is published on our website.

In addition to our approved suppliers, non-compulsory items can be purchased from most supermarkets. If you have any difficulty with uniform, particularly financial, please contact the school who will treat such incidents as confidential.

– The Sports Shop Kingswinford – Totally Uniform Kingswinford – Kingswinford Academy Swop Shop - We offer sustainable option to swop uniform with school in replacement for another pre-loved item, please ask reception for more information.

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025

Newsletter 19 December 2025 ASPIRE to Excellence - Our Expectations Ready, Respectful, Safe is our approach to everything we do in school.

We have worked hard to embed our routines within all aspects of our school environment and the benefits can be seen throughout. We would like to thank everyone for their continued effort and support with this.

Students Missing from Lesson We treat truancy from lessons seriously; this is of great concern, as we are unable to account for your child's whereabouts during these episodes. We have worked with our community to ensure students are aware of the consequences should they truant from lessons. Students will be challenged in line with our behaviour policy. Initially this will be time in the Refocus Room. However, should the issue persists it may result in potential suspension from school. We trust we can reply upon you to speak to your child about the severity of the issue; students cannot achieve if they are not in lessons and therefore will not unlock their academic and personal potential.

Toilet Permission We encourage students to access toilets before and after school, during social times and, where possible, avoiding toilet use during lessons. You are able to track your child's toilet use during lessons by looking at Class Charts and “Toilet Permission”. As I am sure you appreciate lost learning directly relates to student progress and we welcome your continued support in tracking your child's toilet use via Class Charts and encouraging your child to access the toilets away from lessons.

Mobile Phones We have a “Gate to Gate” expectation with regard to mobile phones, students must ensure they are switched off and placed in their school bag, at the school gate before entering the school site. They must remain switched off and in their bags until they leave the school site and are outside of the school gate before using them; this also applies to all after-school activities.

If you need to contact your child for any reason, this must be done via school reception.

Newsletter 19 December 2025 Initial Teacher Training at Windsor Academy Trust As part of Windsor Academy Trust’s (WAT) partnership with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) as an Associate College, applications for our Initial Teacher Training programme are open from 7th October 2025 for our September 2026 intake.

Our Initial Teacher Training is a fully immersive school-centred programme, with school placements available in one of our 15 schools. Applicants will be able to choose their main placement school when applying and we will endeavour to do our best to place applicants in their first choice school. Our trainees are mentored by expert WAT colleagues and have central training once a week.

All of our teacher training courses lead to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) and 60 Master’s Level credits. Interested applicants can find out more via our Initial Teacher Training webpage and can apply via the DfE Apply website. You can find us using our provider code 2HE or search for NIoT at WAT. To find out more, please email us at teachertraining@windsoracademytrust.org.uk