Autumn 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to this Autumn Term Newsletter which proudly shares a wide range of stories from our schools. It has been another busy and successful term, with so many activities, events and opportunities that our pupils have engaged in. As well as reading about what has been going on in your own school, please do take a few minutes to read about the wonderful work that has been going on across the other schools in the Trust, as well.
WithIfieldCommunityCollege(ICC)havingjoinedTheCollegiateTrustjustbeforethesummer,wearenowafamily of 9 schools – five primaries and four secondaries – educating approximately 7,000 young people in Croydon and Crawley. Whilst each school is on its own journey, together, we have a common purpose which connects us and drives our work:
To improve the life chances of young people by delivering an exceptional education for all in a nurturing learning environment which leads them to excellent academic outcomes and happy and successful futures
Many of the reports in this newsletter give examples of the ways in which we are guiding young people towards happy and successful futures through creative and cultural learning experiences and fantastic opportunities to develop the qualities and skills required to thrive. And, of course, these are in addition to the great learning that takes place in classrooms on a daily basis. I hope you will enjoy reading and I look forward to seeing more such examples as the year goes on.
This term, we have seen a few changes in leadership across the Trust and in some schools. Mrs Lucy Bruce has taken on the role of Director of Education & Standards, and we have also appointed Mr Tom Holway to the post of Director of SEND. In addition, Mr Tom Glover has very recently joined our Executive Team as Chief Operating Officer. You can see further details of our Central Team here on our website. In our schools, Mr Andy Crofts has resumed day-to-day leadership at The Quest Academy and Mrs Maxine Smy has been appointed to the post of Principal at Kenley Primary School.
Christmas is a time for togetherness, whether that be with families, friends or wider communities. It has been wonderful to seeour school communities enjoyingbeingtogether throughChristmas performances, carol services, Shrek the Musical(!), community events and Christmas lunch over the last couple of weeks – each of these opportunities have been great experiences for our pupils and I am grateful to all those who have supported them. I would also like to thank everyone who has made a donation or contributed in some way to help make sure that children and families across The Collegiate Trust can enjoy this special time of year.
As we come to the end of term, I hope that all pupils, staff and their families will have a restful break, a peaceful Christmas and my very best wishes for a very happy new year.
We look forward to seeing everyone back at school in 2026!
Mr Soumick Dey Chief Executive Officer
Our Family of Schools
Mr D Conlon
Jamaica Relief Effort
Weweredelightedtoreceivealetterofthanks fromthe CroydonBME Forum, recognisingthe generosity of the entire Riddlesdown Collegiate community in supporting the Hurricane Melissa Jamaica Relief Effort for the donations collected, as well as beautifully wrappedgiftspreparedbyourstudents.These contributionsarealreadymakingameaningful difference to families in Jamaica recovering from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. A special thank-you was also extended to Mrs Philippa Robinson, Pastoral Assistant for College VI, and her team for personally delivering the donated items on behalf of the Collegiate.
Purley Food Hub Collection
Riddlesdown Collegiate received a certificate from the Purley Food Hub for the amazing Harvest food and money collected in October 2025. The Food Hub distributes three-day emergency food parcels plus toiletries and essentials to local people in crisis. The food and money collected will make a real difference to families facing real hardship at this time.
UK Black Business Week
In October, eight Year 12 and Year 13 students attended the UK Black Business Week, an annual event designed to empower and develop black professionals and entrepreneurs across UK and Europe. The students attended the inspiring opening event and the UK Black Business Show Careers Fair. Our students participated in workshops and discussions and engaged thoughtfully with business professionals. The experience was both inspiring and enriching.
Jack Petchey Award
Nine students from Riddlesdown Collegiate have been selected as Jack Petchey Award winners this year. The Jack Petchey Award Scheme is a youth recognition programme established by the Jack Petchey Foundation to celebrate and encourage positive contributions made by young people. Each award recipient will receive £300 to allocate towards a school improvement projectoftheirchoiceandwillattend an awards ceremony in January 2026 in recognition of their achievement.
CMA Festive Celebration
Riddlesdown Chamber Choir participated in the CMA Festive Celebration at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, this December. They werejoinedbyotherlocalschools performing steel pans, Diwali dances and a traditional nativity to the delight of the many primary school children in attendance. The choir sung ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘White Christmas’, accompanied by the CMA Youth Orchestra, and conducted by Ms Ward with Mr Trainer on the piano.
Launch of Nurture Nest
After a successful bid for a wellbeing project with the Local Authority, the start of the autumn term saw the launch ofthemuch-awaitedNurtureNestinour playground Peace Area following its construction over the summer. This is a dedicated safe space for all children to use during their lunch break with access to games, activities and the emotional support of the Year 5 Mental Health Ambassadors and our Nurture Team.
Reindeer Run for St Catherine’s Hospice
On Friday 5th December, the whole school participated in a Christmasthemed non-uniform day and ‘Reindeer Run’ in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley. Year Groups donned antlers, Christmas hats and tinsel and ran laps around the playground, being cheered on by their family and friends, while Christmas music was played to enhance the festive atmosphere. The money is still being counted but the school has so far raised over £2000!
School Visits to Museums
In the second half of the term, our Year 5 pupils visited the British Museum, where they were able to study artefacts from Ancient Egypt including jewellery, canopic jars and hieroglyphs.
Meanwhile, Year 6 pupils visited the Imperial War Museum as part of their WW2 topic, discovering a whole range of military vehicles, what foodwas available onrations andexperiencingthe inside of an Anderson Shelter.
Food Donations to FreeShop for Harvest
In October, the school collected food donations for Harvest and our Change Champions donated these to our local FreeShop (a community food bank) Our Change Champions then returned to the FreeShop Café in December, where they helped with handing out orders to customers using the charity, tidying toys and even doing the washing up! Lots of fun was had but ultimately the children learnt about the need for a community to offer equity to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
UK Parliament Week
The whole school took part in UK Parliament Week in November in a range of activities and lessons on the role of the UK parliament and the theme of petitions. Our KS2 children also had a special assembly with Peter Lamb, MP, the Member of Parliament for Crawley, with our Change Champions having the opportunity to ask him questions voted for by their peers.
Outside Play Area Improvements
Waterfield was a hive of activity over the summer break with the development and improvement of learning environments for our pupils; including a Roleplay/Reading House, a Performance Stage, a painted Treehouse and New Archway a Mud Kitchen, Pond Area and Wall Art: ‘Windows to Other Worlds’.
Year 6 Trip to London
Year 6 has been focussed on the theme of “London” including exploring The London Eye Mystery, studying how to replicate a London landmark of their own and in Geography, plotting specific points in London using the grid reference system. Visiting London to ride the London Eye and take a cruise down the Thames was a highlight.
Reception Classes in Crawley Observer
Both our Reception classes have been featured in the Crawley Observer along with other new starters in theCrawleyarea.Weareso proud of how they have settled into school life.
Drawing Competition
Inspired byournewmuralart, pupils were tasked with drawing and colouring their own “Window to Other Worlds”. The entries were all of an incredibly high standard, and winners received a certificate and prize in a Celebration Assembly.
Year 4 Tag Rugby
Year 4 pupils had the opportunity to try out tag rugby at the Rugby Festival in Crawley, competing against other local schools. They threw themselves into the activities and had a brilliant time learning new skills. They excelled in a brand-new sport.
Charity Work
Courtwood is proudly supporting four different charities, with each of our 4 teams fundraising for a chosen cause: RNLI, Guide Dogs UK, the Breck Foundation, and Make-AWish. Through this initiative, pupils are developing key skills while learning the importance of giving back to the community. We were fortunate to be visited by representatives from the RNLI and Guide Dogs UK, who helped deepen the children’s understanding of the vital work these organisations do. In addition, the Courtwood community came together to support the Jamaica Appeal, generously donating clothes, food and essential supplies.
Christingle
Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed a special visit to the local church, where they learned about the meaning of Christingle and had the opportunity to create their own. The children listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and proudly shared their completed Christingles at the end of thevisit. Allclassesenjoyeducational visits like this to enrich their learning and bring the curriculum to life.
Forest School
Our Forest School continues to spark curiosity and build confidence as pupils engage with nature through hands-on experiences. From woodland explorationtocreativeoutdoorchallenges,children thrive as they uncover and appreciate the world around them. These experiences also encourage resilience, teamwork, and a deeper respect for the environment.
Community Week
During our school’s Community Week, we explored the diversity that makes our community unique through the book Invisible. The story highlights how people can sometimes feel unseen because of their differences, while also emphasising the importance of kindness, inclusion, and belonging. Through shared discussions and activities, we celebrated the many groups we each belong to and recognised the strengths we gain when we come together as Courtwood community.
Netball Match
Our school proudly hosted its first netball match in four years, celebrating a longawaited return to the court. The team rose to the occasion with an impressive performance,securinga4-0victory.Thechildrencontinuetoplaywithconfidence, growing stronger as a team and have enjoyed well deserved success.
OPAL Platinum Accreditation
We are proud to share that Quest Primary is officially an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) platinum accredited school. The accreditation reflects the excellent playground provision for all our pupils, supporting them to have a creative, fun-filled and exciting playtimes and lunchtimes, where their imaginations can run wild.
UK Parliament Week
Our pupils engaged in a day of learningduring #ukparliamentweek Items from the UK parliament loan box helped them explore the House of Commons and House of Lords and the items used in parliament. Local MP Natasha Irons sent pupils a video with details on how she became an MP and why she is passionate about her work. Classes prepped for and held a debate replicating House of Common rules, taking a vote at the end! Older pupils learnt about why it is important to use your vote, the history of voting and the life of Emily Wilding Davison.
Armistice Day
Wewereproudtotake8pupilsfrom QPS to represent our school at the Armistice Day service in Croydon, outside the town hall and war memorial. The children respectfully observed the two-minute silence and were able to present their remembrance crosses at the war memorial in front of the assembled guests and spectators, including Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon and current and veteran military personnel.
Edible Playground
Our Edible Playground has been completed, thanks to the funding and physical build support from Trees for Cities. 13 raised beds have been created which pupils will grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs over the year. Seating areas have been added including a potting shed We will be working with Trees for Cities for the remainder of the academic year so that we canget the best results from our new space.
Violin Lessons
Our Year 3 and Year 4 classes have started their violin lessons with Ms Winter from Croydon Music Association. There was awe and wonder as Ms Walter played a piece for the children, many of whom have never heard a violin in person, followed by great excitement as they learnt how to hold and handle their own violin for the first time. We are looking forward to hearing their progress as lessons continue this year.
Quest Connect
This term has seen the launch of our new Quest Connect – a weekly publication to keep parents informed of all the amazing things students are doing. Our parents have fed into this via our parent forum and aremakingsuggestionsregardingwhatcan be added to future issues.
Year 11 Geography Trip
Our Year 11 Geographers went ontheir final fieldworkexpeditiontoBrightonon18th and 19th September. This work directly supports their GCSE coursework. It was a really hot day, and the students had a lot of fun.
Year 7 Transition Celebration Event
Our Year 7 transition celebration event took place on 17th October. It was a wonderful evening seeing our new Year 7s receiving awards. They have settled so well into life at TQA and we couldn’t be prouder. Thanks to all the parents for their support.
Jamaica Relief Effort
On 27th October, Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This hit our Quest community hard as we have many connections to the area. Our wonderful students rose to the challenge and fundraised for the Croydon BME Forum – a non-profit charity. We raised an impressive £133 to support relief efforts in Jamaica. Our TQA dancers also performed amazing dances on stage during lunch break.
Year 11 Special Assembly
On 5th December, we celebrated our amazing Year 11s in a special assembly. Each student received a motivational letter from someone who cares for them, telling them how proud they are. The Mocks were a practice and, for some, a real celebration of achievement. We look forward to supporting our Year 11s as they prepare for their GCSEs.
Year 4 British Museum Visit
On 25th September, Year 4 had the exciting opportunity to visit the British Museum. The children were immersed in history, exploring fascinating artefacts from Egyptian civilizations through a special workshop led by museum educators. The children were captivated by Egyptian mummies and the stunning artefacts, including the famous Rosetta Stone. The children marvelled at the intricate Roman statues and had a wonderful day.
Exciting PTA Events
On16th October,ThePTAorganised a ‘Spooky Disco’ at Kenley Primary for KS1 and KS2 pupils for Halloween. Children dressed in fancy dress for the occasion. The PTA also organised the annual Fireworks event on 7th November which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone attending.
Kent Life Heritage Farm Visit
Year 3 visited Kent Life Heritage Farm Park in November for a Stone Age Day. This was a fantastic opportunity to bringour Stone Age topic to life, enhancing learning inthe classroom. As part of this exciting day, pupils took part in six interactive, practical workshops, including: Beliefs & Burials, Meeting a Tribe Member, Trading in Stone Age and Grinding Grain Groups were encouraged to dress up in Time Team/archaeologist costume in the spirit of the day.
Gruffalo Hunt
On13th November,ourDiscoveryclass went on a Gruffalo hunt into the deep dark wood. They followed clues and found the Gruffalo. Back in class, they created maps and pictures of the Gruffalo. The children enjoyed searching for clues and of course finding the Gruffalo.
Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
This October, over 50 Year 10 students took part in their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition exploring the beautiful Weir Wood Reservoir and surrounding countryside. Our students showed incredible teamwork, resilience and dedication.
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Our Year 7s visited Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter! The visit provided a unique opportunity for students to explore the artistry and creative processes behind one of the most beloved film and book series of all time. Highlights of the day included viewing the original sketches for key locations like Hogwarts and Hagrid’s Hut, exploring the famous Great Hall, the greenscreen broom ride experience, and discovering how props and set pieces were crafted to bring authenticity to the magical world.
Year 7 Team Building Day
Our Year 7 Team Building Day in November was an action-packed day designed to help students enhance essential life skills including communication, teamwork, leadership, and resilience through engaging and challenging activities The day was a fantastic success. The activities pushed students to step out oftheircomfort zonesandencouraged themtobuildontherelationshipsthey have been forming since the start of the school year. The skills developed will serve as a strong foundation for their future learning and growth.
Remembrance Day
On 11th November, our school communitycametogetherforamoving Remembrance Day ceremony. It was wonderful to see so many students paying their respects and reflecting on the importance of remembering those whohaveservedandsacrificed.Several students attended in their cadet, guide and scout uniforms. A highlight of the ceremony was a heartfelt vocal performance by one of our Year 10 students, Cornelia, which brought a momentof quietreflectionto everyone present.
Open Evening 2025
We were delighted to welcome so many families to our Open Evening 2025. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school and our amazing student leaders. A highlight was hearing from two of our Year 7s, Josiah & Ava. It was a pleasure to share a taste of the wonderful opportunities on offer at Woodcote.
Shrek The Musical Jr
This year’s Ifield Community College school production of Shrek the Musical Jr was a fantastic showcase of talent, teamwork and dedication. Fromthecastonstagetothestudentcrewbehind the scenes, the hard work, collaboration, perseverance and rehearsals truly paid off. The performance nights and primary school matinee performances were a wonderful celebration of talent and the performing arts.
Halloween Glow Disco
Year 7 students lit up the dance floor at the Halloween Glow Disco, organised by the PTFA. The evening was filled with fantastic dancing, fabulous costumes and plenty of fun. Everyone embraced the spooky outfits and glowing accessories and enjoyed a night of music, laughter and celebrations.
Year 7’s Amazing Day
ThirtyYear7studentsattendedtheir Amazing Day in September for a day of adventure and activities, where their teamwork, resilience, independence and visionary skills were put to the test. They learnt new skills and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Easter Team Christmas Appeal
AspartoftheTHRIVEvalue‘Thoughtful’, Year 8 students collected donations for TheEasterTeam’sChristmasappeal.The Easter Team is a local charity providing food and support to individuals and families in need across Crawley.
Junior Leadership Team
ICC is proud to present our first Junior Leadership Team made up of outstanding Year 11 students. These students have been chosen because of the exceptional contribution they make to school life.
Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Across The Collegiate Trust
On Thursday 11th and Friday 12th December, pupils from across The Collegiate Trust schools came together to take part in The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassador Training.
Across both days, pupils were highly engaged and represented the Trust fantastically. They should be incredibly proud of the commitment, maturity and leadership they demonstrated throughout the training. Pupils explored what bullying is, the impact it can have, and the vital role young people play in promoting kindness, inclusion and positive relationships within their school communities.
Schools will also be making use of the wide range of high-quality Anti-Bullying resources provided by The Diana Award, including materials for pupils, staff and parents, as well as resources to support Ambassadors in planning and delivering their own social action campaigns.
Thiswork marksthe beginningof anexcitingjourney.We are lookingforwardto seeingour Anti-BullyingAmbassadors lead positive change across the Trust and continue to develop their campaigns throughout the year.
Keeping Children Safe Online Over the Holidays
Wherever and however children access digital spaces, online safety remains an important part of keeping children safe and well.
• Making Devices Safer for Children: it is helpful to ensure safety settings are in place. Most devices, apps and home broadband providers offer free parental controls. Clear, step-by-step guidance for setting up parental controls across a wide range of devices is available from Internet Matters: https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/
• Talking to Your Child About Online Safety: Technology settings are helpful, but open and ongoing conversations are one of the most effective ways to keep children safe. Advice can be found via the NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety/
• Understanding Online Risks: Children should be reminded never to share personal information and to block and report users if something feels uncomfortable. The NSPCC provides detailed advice on recognising concerns and responding appropriately: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
• There is excellent, free support available to help parents navigate online safety:
- Get Safe Online – practical advice on safeguarding children online: https://www.getsafeonline.org/personal/article-category/safeguarding-children/
- Thinkuknow (CEOP) – guidance on healthy online relationships and reporting concerns: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
If you have concerns about your child’s online safety, please speak to your school for further advice and support.