National Apprenticeships Week

This week we have been celebrating National Apprenticeships Week! To support our students, we welcomed guest speakers into each year group assembly to explore different apprenticeship pathways. Year 7 enjoyed a session with NHBC, Year 8 with Crown Highways, Year 9 with Nova Training, Year 10 with Training & Business Solutions, and Year 11 with HMRC.

We are very grateful to all our guest speakers for visiting the school and inspiring our students to explore apprenticeship opportunities!

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JTMAT Apprenticeship Workshops

In recognition of National Apprenticeships Week, we were delighted to welcome Sixth Form students from across the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust to take part in an apprenticeship event.

Students engaged in a series of interactive workshops focused on understanding job descriptions, applying for apprenticeship roles, identifying transferable skills, exploring apprenticeship journeys, and developing effective CVs. The sessions were expertly delivered by the IAG Apprenticeship Programme, providing valuable insight into the evolving apprenticeship landscape.

Earlier in the week, all Sixth Form students across the Trust also took part in a virtual webinar led by ‘Not Going To Uni’, exploring a wide range of degree apprenticeship options and helping students understand the pathways available to them.

At our school, we are committed to preparing students for their next steps by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue ambitious pathways – including competitive degree apprenticeships. Opportunities such as this ensure our students are informed, prepared and ready to succeed in their future careers. A big thank you to all the schools who joined us – it was fantastic to collaborate and support our students together.

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Valentine’s Roses for sale today – Supporting a Great…

A reminder that our Sixth Form students and Miss Gleeson, Assistant Headteacher, will be selling Valentine’s roses at lunchtime today outside the Dining Hall. Each rose is individually wrapped in cellophane and costs £2 (cash only).

Roses can be purchased for anyone – a friend, sibling, parent, or someone special – making it a lovely way for students to spread kindness and brighten someone’s day.

All proceeds will go towards Kids Village Charity, so every purchase helps support an amazing cause. Thank you for your continued support!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge

We are incredibly proud of the 44 students who participated in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge and achieved bronze, silver, or gold awards!

This nationally recognised competition offers our students the chance to develop confidence, resilience, and advanced problem-solving skills beyond the standard curriculum. It’s always a fantastic experience and is highly valued by colleges, universities, and employers alike – making it a brilliant addition to any student’s CV.

Well done to all our participants for their hard work and achievement!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

It’s Thankful Thursday!

Today, Miss Devereux met with a group of students to celebrate their fantastic achievements.

Daisy was nominated for her dedication to football. Training up to three times a week as a goalkeeper, she shows real commitment in all conditions and regularly earns Manager’s Player for her consistent performances and positive attitude.

Dora was also nominated for her achievements in football, recently winning Parent’s Player and Manager’s Player trophies at her recent football match with Burntwood Phoenix Football Club.

Isabelle achieved three gold awards and one silver at a recent gymnastics competition for her performances on different apparatus with Invoke Gymnastics Club, along with an official medal – a fantastic result and a great boost to her confidence.

Freddie has progressed from green to blue belt in kickboxing and performed exceptionally well at his recent interclub sparring event. Keep up the amazing work!

Holly was nominated for acting so quickly and with such bravery after an accidental burn to her whole forearm and hand. She demonstrated great first aid skills in ensuring that it was run under water until she could alert someone at home. We are so proud of her and thankful that she knew what to do under pressure in difficult situation.

Keep up the amazing work, everyone! Thank you to all the families who continue to nominate their children for these celebrations – we are proud to recognise their achievements.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Success for our Year 8 Basketball Team!

Another outstanding performance from our Year 8 basketball team! In their first game in the Junior NBA League, the team delivered their strongest display yet, showcasing exceptional teamwork, commitment and skill to secure a fantastic 63–6 victory against Landau Forte Academy, Tamworth.

The squad continues to train diligently and is already preparing for their next fixture against Phoenix Collegiate in a few weeks’ time. Well done to all involved – an excellent achievement!

Children’s Mental Health Week

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, and this year’s theme is “This is My Place.” The focus encourages young people to reflect on the support systems around them and to consider where they feel they truly belong.

During Personal Development lessons, students have been exploring this theme by creating an “identity card,” helping them to think about what matters most to them, the communities they are part of, and the moments when they feel valued and included.

You can find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week by visiting: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Food parcel collection day

A reminder that food parcels from our CATCH Hub will be available for collection from our school reception between 9:00am and 3:30pm on Thursday and Friday this week.

No appointment is needed – just pop in!

Iceland 2026

We are delighted to share what an absolutely unforgettable experience our students have had in Iceland! Please see below from Mr Ray:

“From the moment we arrived, it was non-stop exploration. Students stood in awe at some of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls – the mighty Skógafoss, the stunning Seljalandsfoss (yes, we walked behind it!), and the breath-taking power of Gullfoss. The scale and energy of these landscapes truly brought their Geography learning to life.

One of the highlights of the trip was hiking up Sólheimajökull Glacier. Equipped with helmets and crampons, students explored the frozen landscape, learning first-hand about glacial processes and climate change in one of Europe’s most dramatic environments.

We also ventured underground, walking through ancient lava tubes, experiencing the raw power of Iceland’s volcanic past. Watching Strokkur Geyser erupt right before our eyes was another unforgettable moment – the countdown, the anticipation, and then the incredible burst of boiling water shooting skyward!

Alongside these natural wonders, we spent time exploring Reykjavík and the beautiful coastal town of Vík, soaking up Icelandic culture and scenery.

Most importantly, the students were outstanding throughout. Their enthusiasm, curiosity and behaviour were exceptional, and they embraced every challenge and opportunity with positivity and maturity. They truly made the trip as special as the landscapes we visited.

It has been an amazing few days filled with adventure, laughter, learning and memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for your continued support – we are incredibly proud of every single one of them!”

International Book Giving Day

In celebration of International Book Giving Day this Friday, we are inviting students to collect a free book from the Library!

Our student librarians are running a stall throughout the week, offering a wide selection of titles to suit all interests – including the popular “Blind Date with a Book” experience. These books are wrapped so the cover and title are hidden, with only a few clues about the genre or storyline on the outside. Students choose their book based on the hints, adding a fun element of surprise and encouraging them to try something new.

We encourage all students to come along, explore the collection, and discover their next great read.

#InternationalBookGivingDay

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