Year 10 students visit Staffordshire University

 

As part of yesterday’s Personal Development drop-down day, our Year 10 students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Staffordshire University.

During the visit, students were introduced to higher education and heard directly from a current university student, who shared insights into their journey to university and their experiences so far. This was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where students asked a wide range of thoughtful questions, before taking part in a guided campus tour.

In the afternoon, students attended a subject-specific workshop of their choice, including Games Design, English, Food, Graphic Design, Paediatric Nursing, and Business.

A valuable and inspiring day, helping our students explore future pathways and broaden their horizons!

 

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

The secret’s out… it’s time to step into the…

The secret’s out… it’s time to step into the world of Mary Poppins Jr!

We are delighted to announce our upcoming performances will take place on 10th & 11th February 2027.

Auditions will take place after school on 23rd June for group roles, followed by lead auditions on 30th June. For more information, please speak to Mr Reinikovas.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of something supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Drop-Down Day!

Today, our pupils took part in a fantastic Drop-Down Day focused on personal development through a range of engaging workshops.

Year 7 explored when ‘banter’ crosses the line into bullying, harassment, or abuse in a session led by Libby Flenley, covering identity, consent, boundaries, peer pressure, and online behaviour. They also completed a ‘Stop the Bleed’ session with Mrs Benton, developing vital life-saving skills.

Year 8 pupils participated in workshops on internet safety and relationships, exploring digital deception, learning to identify deepfakes and manipulated images, as well as key online safety principles.

Year 9 students engaged in an important workshop with Libby, examining the impact of pornography on relationships and consent, helping them to distinguish fantasy from reality and encouraging healthy, respectful attitudes.

Across all year groups, pupils enjoyed a variety of outdoor team-building activities, strengthening collaboration, communication, and peer support. A great day of learning beyond the classroom!

 

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Mural Design Competition in Partnership with Boney Hay Working…

We are delighted to share that Boney Hay Working Men’s Club has partnered with us to launch an exciting competition for our students.

As part of their 100-year anniversary celebrations, students are invited to design a mural for the club’s wall, focused on the history of the Burntwood area. The winning design will receive a £50 gift card.

The competition is open to students in all year groups, and we encourage everyone to get involved. Submissions should be sent to Mrs Van Daalen by Monday 13th July.

For support or further information, students can speak to Mrs Van Daalen in R23.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Upcoming careers in the Music industry talk!

Well done to our fantastic Sports Leaders!

Maths Challenge success!

Do you know anyone interested in training to teach?

The John Taylor SCITT has been providing high-quality teacher training across Staffordshire and beyond for over 10 years, enabling over 450+ graduates and career changers to gain their PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) while training in schools like ours. Trainees benefit from expert mentoring, practical classroom experience, and a strong evidence-informed curriculum designed to prepare them for a successful teaching career.

As a placement school, we are delighted to play a role in supporting the next generation of teachers. Trainees contribute positively to school life, bring fresh ideas to classrooms, and work alongside our experienced and expert staff as they develop their teaching practice.

If you know someone considering a rewarding career in education, The John Taylor SCITT offers a range of routes into teaching, with placements across primary and secondary schools and a strong reputation for developing outstanding teachers.

If you know anyone interested in training to teach? Show them www.jtscitt.co.uk for more information and to sign up for an information event to hear about training to teach with The John Taylor SCITT.

Swimming to success!

Government changes to free school meals

From September 2026, the Government is expanding eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM). All children in households receiving Universal Credit will now be eligible, regardless of income.

Your child will be eligible if you access:

• Universal Credit

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

• The guarantee part of Pension Credit

Households may also be entitled to a free school meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds

This creates two categories:

· Targeted FSM (household income £7,400 or below) – includes additional support such as Pupil Premium funding

· Expanded FSM – for all other households receiving Universal Credit

Please note: From September 2026, FSM eligibility will be checked annually, and previous 6-year protections will end.

We strongly encourage eligible families to register for Free School Meals as it can provide significant benefits for both families and schools. The link to apply for Free School Meals through Staffordshire County Council is: https://apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk/web/fsmweb/

For full details and how to apply, please refer to the letter sent via the MyChildAtSchool app.

 

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration