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13February2026

13 February 2026

DearParents/Carers,

Welcometothethirdfullnewsletteroftheyear.Itisajam-packedissueshowingthat,despitethe weatherandthedarkeveningsatthistimeoftheyear,we’vebeendoingsomebrilliantthingsthishalf termtounlocktheacademicandpersonalpotentialofourfantasticyoungpeople.Wearenowpastthe halfwaypointoftheacademicyear,andwithJanuary(andhalfofFebruary)behindus,we’vegotmuch tolookforwardtofortherestoftheacademicyear.

I’vebeenreﬂectingontheweatherwe’vehadsincewereturnedinJanuary.Ican’trememberawetter halfterm.ItfeelslikeithasrainedeverydaysincewereturnedafterChristmas.Theﬁeldissoddenand willtakesomedrying-outbeforewecanopenitforthestudentsagainatlunchtimes.Wearelimitedfor spaceatbreakandlunchtimewhenitrains.Despitethis,studentbehaviourhasbeenexceptionalover Winter.Fingers-crossedforadrierhalftermwhenwereturnafterthebreak.Alittlebitofsunshine wouldbeappreciated!

Year11gostraightintomockexamswhenwereturn.Thereisaprogramforthemforoverthehalfterm holiday(sentoutbyMrCannings).Wewishthemallthebestfortheseexams,theirrevisionoverhalf termandfortheirﬁnal40daysinschool.

Year9alsohaveanimportanthalftermahead.-OptionseveningisonTuesday3rdMarch.Welook forwardtoseeingparentsthere.

Thankyou,asalways,foryourcontinuedsupport.Havealovelyhalftermbreak

Bestwishes,

IanMoreton Headteacher

Upcomingevents-

● Monday23rdFebruary-StartofHalfterm-normaltime

● Monday23rdFebruary-Year11MockExams

● Tuesday3rdMarch-Year9OptionsEvening

13 February 2026

AftertheMocks:WhyBeinginSchoolisaMust!

OurYear11studentshaveabigweekcomingup.Theﬁrstweekbackafterthehalf-termbreakisMock ExamWeek.Thesepracticetestsareveryimportant,butwhathappenstheweekafterisjustasvital. Weexpecttoseeeverystudentinschool,ontime,everydayoncethemocksareﬁnished.

Whathappensaftertheexams?

Whenthetestsareover,thereallearningbegins.Ineverylesson,teacherswilldoDIRTwork.

DIRTstandsfor:DedicatedImprovementandReﬂectionTime.

Seeyourmarks:Studentsgettheirpapersback.

Findthegaps:Teachersshowstudentsexactlywhattheygotrightandwhattheygotwrong. Fixthemistakes:Studentslearntherightanswerssotheydon’tmakethesamemistakesintheﬁnal summerexams.

Ifastudentisabsent,theymissthis"ﬁx-it"time.Itisveryhard tocatchuponthisathome.

Attendance=BetterGrades

Thereisasimplerule:Themoreastudentisinschool,the bettertheirgradeswillbe.Comingtoschooleverydayafter themockshelpsstudentsfeel:

● Conﬁdent:Theyknowhowtoimprove.

● Prepared:Theyaren'tguessingwhattodonext.

● Supported:Theirteachersarerighttheretohelpthem.

Everylessonafterthemocksislikeamini-trainingsessionforthe ﬁnalGCSEexams.Wewanteverystudenttohavethebestchanceto succeed,andthatstartswithbeinghere.

13 February 2026

ShowingUpandShining:OurHT3

AttendanceStars

Consistencyisthesecretingredienttosuccess,andthishalfterm,ourstudentshaveturned consistencyintoanartform.Weareabsolutelythrilledtocelebratetheincredible commitmenttolearningshownacrossallyeargroups.

While"showingup"mightsoundsimple,weknowittakesresilience,especiallyonthose cold,rainyMondaymornings!Italsotakesresilienceonbehalfofyouparents/caregiverswhoensurethat yourchildisontimeandpresenteveryday.

Atthetimeofwriting,wehaveastaggering416studentswhohaveachieved100%attendanceforHalf Term3.

Thatis416individualswhohaven’tmissedasingleminuteofdiscovery,discussion,orgrowthoverthelast fewweekssinceChristmas.Thislevelofdedicationdoesn'tjusthappen;it’saresultofstudentgritandthe fantasticsupportfromfamiliesathome.

Alsoabigcongratulationtotheparentsofstudentsinthefollowingforms,theywerethehighestperforming formsinallourschool:

WhyDoesItMatter?

Highattendanceisn'tjustaboutagoldstaronachart.It’sabout:

● Momentum:Stayingintheﬂowoflessonsmakeslearningfeeleasierandmoreenjoyable.

● Connection:Beingpartofthedailybuzzwithfriendsandteachers.

● Results:Thereisadirectlinkbetweenbeingpresentandreachingthose"aha!"momentsinthe classroom.

"Successisthesumofsmallefforts,repeatedday-inandday-out."

Tothe416studentscurrentlyholdingthatperfectstreak:keepitup!Toeveryoneelse:everydayisafresh startandanewchancetobuildyourownstreak.Let’sseeifwecanpushthatnumberevenhigherinHT4 andearnsomeGoldenTicketsalongtheway.

13 February 2026

King’sQuest

13 February 2026

Careers

ExploringFutureHorizons:NovaTrainingVisit

DecidingonthenextstepsafterYear11canfeellikeabigmountaintoclimb,butlastweekourstudents weregivenafantasticmaptohelpthemnavigate.WeweredelightedtowelcomeNovaTraininginto schooltoleadaninsightfulsessiononthediversePost-16pathwaysavailabletoourlearners.

NovaTrainingspecializesinprovidinghigh-qualityvocationalalternativestotraditionalcollegeorsixth-form routes.Theyspokewithstudentsabouttheirwiderangeofprogramsdesignedtobridgethegapbetween educationandtheworldofwork.

Apprenticeships&VocationalCourses

Thesessionfocusedheavilyonthebeneﬁtsofapprenticeshipsand trainingcourses,wherestudentscan"earnwhiletheylearn."Nova shareddetailsabouttheirlocalcentersandthevarietyofsectorsthey support,including:

● MotorVehicle&Engineering

● BusinessAdministration&CustomerService

● Construction&Hospitality

● Retail&Warehousing

Beyondspeciﬁctrades,Novaalsohighlightedtheirsupportforemployabilityskills,suchasCVwritingand interviewpreparation—essentialtoolsforanyyoungpersonlookingtostandoutinacompetitivejobmarket.

NeedMoreGuidance?

Weknowthateverystudent’sjourneyisunique,andsometimesyouneedaone-to-onechattoﬁgureout whichpathisrightforyou.

WewouldliketoremindallparentsandstudentsthatMr.DimmockisavailableforPost-16adviceand guidanceeveryweek.WhetheryouarecuriousaboutA-Levels,curiousaboutcollege,orreadytoapplyfor anapprenticeship,heisheretohelp.

Where:RoomEN7

When:EveryWednesdaylunchtime

Pleaseencourageyourchildtodropinanddiscusstheiroptionstoensuretheyfeelconﬁdentandprepared forlifeafterschool.

13 February 2026

TakingFlight:National

Apprenticeship

Week&TheRAF

Thelastweekofterm(9th–15thFebruary),sawuscelebrateNationalApprenticeshipWeek2026.Thisyear’s themeis"SkillsforLife,"andthereisnobetterexampleofthatthanourrecentguestsessionwiththeRoyal AirForce(RAF)

Havingworld-classorganizationscomeintoourhallprovidesauniquewindowintothefuture.Thesetalks aren'tjustaboutjobs;theyareaboutopeningdoorstocareersthatmanystudentsmightneverhave considered.

MoreThanJustPilots

Oneofthebiggest"aha!"momentsduringtheRAFtalkwasthesheervarietyofrolesavailable.While everyoneknowsaboutthepilots,ourstudentswerefascinatedtolearnthattheRAFisactuallyamassive teamofspecialists.

Throughtheiraward-winningapprenticeshipprogram,studentscantrainin:

● Engineering:FrommaintainingTyphoonjetstoadvancedelectronics.

● Cyberspace:Protectingvitalcommunicationsandintelligence.

● MedicalServices:Trainingasmedicsornursesinhigh-pressureenvironments.

● Logistics&Catering:Managingglobalsupplychainsorfeedinghundredsofpersonnel.

Inthefuturewewillstrivetogetasmanydifferentpartnershiporganisationsinaspossibletohelpstudents understandmoreabouttheworldofworkaroundthem.

13 February 2026

WorkExperience:It’sNotTooLatetoSecureaPlacement!

Whiletheofficialdeadlineforworkexperiencehaspassed,wehavesomegoodnews:thedoorisn't completelyclosedyet.Ifyourchildhasn'tsecuredaplacement,thereisstillawindowofopportunitytoget involvedandgainthatinvaluablereal-worldexperience.

The"Fast-Track"Criteria

ThemainchallengeafterthedeadlineisthetimerequiredformandatoryHealth&Safety(H&S)checks. However,wecanstillapproveplacementsiftheemployerhasalreadybeen approved.

TopRecommendation:LocalPrimarySchools

Ifyouarelookingforareliableandrewardingplacementatthisstage,wehighlyrecommendreachingoutto localprimaryschools.

Primaryschoolsareoftenafantasticchoicebecause:

● Pre-Approved:MostlocalschoolsarealreadyH&Sclearedandfamiliarwithourplacementprocess.

● SkillBuilding:Studentsgainexperienceinleadership,communication,andpatience.

● Community:It’sagreatwaytogivebacktothelocalcommunitywhilebuildingasolidCV.

NextStepsforStudents

Ifyourchildisstilllookingforaplacement,pleaseaskthemnottopanic!Instead,theyshouldactquicklyand speaktoourcareersteamtocheckwhichemployersarealreadyonourapprovedlist.

Whotospeakto:

● Mr.Dimmock(foundinEN7)

● Ms.Woodhouse

13 February 2026

STEMClub

Students in the STEM club have been working hard to work on many different projects this half term. We have been building RC hovercrafts and Spitfire planes as well as trying to meet our pledge to build and paint 100 Warhammer miniatures by May as part of the 1 million miniature paint challenge.

13 February 2026

Science

“WrittenintheHelix”

AspartoftheYear9sciencecurriculum,studentsstudiedinheritanceandDNAindepth.Althoughinitially challenging,thetopicprovedhighlyrewardingandstimulatedstrongscientiﬁccuriosity. StudentsexaminedthedoublehelixlstructureofDNAandtheprinciplesofcomplementarybasepairing.To consolidatetheirknowledge,studentsconstructedphysicalmodelsusingconfectionery.

Followingthetheoreticalcomponent,studentsconductedapracticalinvestigationbyextractingandobserving realDNAfromkiwifruit.Thishands-onexperimentreinforcedconceptuallearningandintroducedlaboratory techniques.Thelessonwasbothengagingandintellectuallystimulating.

13 February 2026

ADayofInspiration:AlistairPatrick-HesletonVisitsOurSchool

WehadanincredibledaythishalftermwhenParalympicfootballstarAlistairPatrick-Hesletonstoppedbyto sharehisamazingstory.Itwasn’tjustyourtypicalschooltalk;Alistairopenedupabouthisjourneyfroma life-changingaccidentbacktothetopofhisgamewithTeamGB.Hismessageabout"ﬂippingtheswitch"on challengesreallyhithome,remindingeveryonethateventhebiggestsetbackscanleadtoanewpathif you'vegottherightmindset.

AlistairworkedwithourSportsLeadersandYear10sportsstudents.Whilehewaswithusheworkeddirectly withthegroups,sharingtipsonleadershipandpushingourYear10stothinkoutsidetheboxduringtheirteam buildingactivities.Itwasabrilliantopportunityforourstudentstolearnfromaprowhohasseenitall,andit’s safetosayeveryoneleftthesessionsfeelingmotivatedtosmashtheirowngoals.

CrossCountrySuccess

AmassivewelldonetoourY9student,Nahum,whohasbeenselectedtorepresenttheWestMidlandsinthe EnglishSchoolsCrossCountryChampionshipsfollowinghissuccessfultrial.Nahumﬁnished6thoutof37!Allof usatKingswinfordAcademyareextremelyproudandwishNahumallthebestatthechampionshipsnext month.

13 February 2026

PE-Continued

BadmintonandVolleyballParticipationSoars

ThesportshallhasbecometheplacetobeonTuesdayafternoons,asboth BadmintonandVolleyballclubshaverecord-breakingattendancethisterm. Ithasbeenfantastictoseesuchamassivesurgeinnumbers,withadiverse mixofboysandgirlsfromallyeargroupsﬁllingthecourts.

Beyondtheimpressiveturnout,therealsuccessstoryistheincredibleprogressonthecourt.It’sbeengreatto seehowmanystudentshaveimprovedtheirskillsovertime,movingfrombasicdrillstoexecutingpowerful smashesandstrategicteamplays.Ifyoufancycomingalong,bothclubsmeetafterschooleveryTuesdayinthe sportshall.

BasketballFixtures

Girls:

GirlsbasketballﬁxtureshavestartedthisJanuary!Effortandengagement hasbeenexcellentsofar.Weekonweekthegirlsplaytothebestof theirabilitiesandtheireffortdoesn’tgounnoticed.Itisfantastictosee somestudentstryinganewsportandsucceedingatthistoo.Welldone andthankyoutoallthegirlswhodedicatetimetoplayforour basketballteamandrepresenttheschoolagainstotherschools,youare allstars!Thethirdbasketballﬁxtureresultedinthegirlswinning26-10!

Boys:

OurY8boyshadtheirsecondfixtureoftheseasonagainstDormstonwherewecameoutaswinnerswitha scoreof16-4withBrianscoring6ofthosepoints!WethenhadourfinalgameoftheseasonagainstStJames wherewecameoutaswinnersyetagainwithafinalscoreof16-12.Theboyshaveshownfantasticprogress overthelasttermwhichisacredittotheirhardworkanddedication.

13 February 2026

PE-Continued

Danceclub

DanceclubonaThursdayafternoonalwayshasalivelyandpositiveatmosphere,withattendancecontinuing toincreaseeachweek.Morestudentsaregettinginvolved,andthegrowingnumbersreﬂectthestrong interestintheclub.Effortandparticipationhavebeen excellent,witheveryoneengagingenthusiasticallyin thedancesandworkingwelltogether.Thesessionhaveshownclearcommitmentfromstudents.Iwouldlike tomakeamassiveshoutouttoImmyFisherwhohasbeenworkinghard,choreographingherownstreet dancetoteachtostudents.Immyisanexcellentleaderandamazingdancer,thankyouforallyourhardwork Immy.

13 February 2026

PE-Continued

Netballclub

Eventhoughithasbeenacoldandwethalfterm,numbersandparticipation innetballclubcontinuetogrow.Effortandparticipationhavebeen excellentthroughout,withplayersdemonstratingteamwork,focus,and enthusiasmduringdrillsandgames.Withnetballseasonstartingagainafter Februaryhalfterm,participationisatitshighest!

ThankstoChristmasfundraisingwithintheschool,wehavebeenableto orderNEWnetballdressesforstudentstowearwhenrepresentingthe school.ThisisathankyoufromKingswinfordstaffforthecommitmentand hardworkstudentsinthenetballclubputineveryweek,ensuringthey showupandplaytothebestoftheirabilities.Thankyouforyourhardworkalways!

DartsClub

2026hasseenthesuccessfulrelaunchofourDartsClub,whichhastakenplaceeveryMondayafterschool. Thesessionshavebeenconsistentlywellattended,withstudentsdemonstratingastrongenthusiasmand commitmenttothesport.Inadditiontoregulartraining,theclubhascompetedintwoﬁxturesthisterm againstPedmoreandWindsor.LiamTsecuredanoverallvictoryagainstPedmore,whileJakeGemerged victoriousintheﬁxtureagainstWindsor.Ithasbeenextremelyencouragingtoseethestudents’eagernessto learn,developtheirskills,andcontinueprogressingwithinthesport.

13 February 2026

PE-Continued

WATInspireFootballEvent

OnThursday5thFebruaryweattendedtheWATinspirefootballeventatAldersleyLeisureVillage.The studentshadanexcellentdayandthoroughlyenjoyedtheexperience.Theboys’teamﬁnishedin4thplace, withthegirls’teamplacing6th.TherewerestandoutgoalsandstrongperformancesfromMaxW,LoganM, andSophieF.

13 February 2026

PE

-Continued

EasterWATDanceShow:

KingswinforddanceclubareperformingattheWATeasterdanceshowonthe4thMarch2026. Theywillbeperformingagroupdancededicatedtomentalhealthawareness,whichtheyhave beenlearningsinceSeptember.Thisincludesamixbetweenteacher-ledchoreographyand student-led-choreography.Thesestudentshavebeenworkingextremelyhardanditwillbe amazingtoseethemperformonastageamongstotherWATschools!

StayingWarmforPEThisWinter!

WewanttoremindallstudentstodressappropriatelyforPEsotheycanstaywarmand comfortableduringlessonsandclubs.

StudentsshouldweartheirPEjumperorjacket,andtheyarealsoallowedtowearblackthermals underneaththeirkitforanextralayerofwarmth.Glovesarealsopermittedwhenit’sparticularly chilly.

It’sreallyimportantthateveryonecontinuestotakepartinlessonsoutdoorswhereverpossible,so beingdressedsuitablyfortheweatherwillhelpeveryonestayactive,focused,andreadytolearn. WehaveseenanincreaseinstudentsturninguptoPEinjustshortsandt-shirtwhentheyare outsidefortheirPElesson,pleasesupportusbysendingyourchildwithwarmclothing.Wedohave alimitedsupplyofjacketsandjumpersstudentscanborrow,whichweactivelyadvisethemtodo eachlessonduringthesecoldermonths.

FlaredLeggings/TrousersinPE:Recently,somestudentshavebeenwearingﬂared leggings/trousersforPE.Wewouldliketoremindeveryonethattheyarenotsuitableforphysical activityandarenotpartoftheapprovedPEkit.

Flaredleggingscancreateseveralhealthandsafetyconcernsduringsport,includingtripping hazardsandreducedmobility.

13 February 2026

PE-Continued

Year11GCSEPEstudents-RevisionReminder

CallingallYear11GCSEstudents.Extrarevisionsessionsareavailabletoyoueveryweekintherun upuntilyourexams:

Thursday- 8am-8:30am-inDT3withMrWilletts

Friday-lunchtime-inML2withMissHolder

Year11GCSEDanceStudents-RevisionReminder

PleasemakesureweareattendingtheinterventionatlunchtimeeveryFriday.Youcanworkon yourchoreographyinthistime.YoucanalsocomeafterschoolonaThursdaywhenIhavedance clubtoteachyourchoreographyuntil4pm.

13 February 2026

Art

TheYear10GCSEFineArtgroupshavebeenbusycompletingtheirﬁnalManmadepieces.Students wereabletochoosetheirownmediaanddevelopedtheirworkbyreferencingacontemporary artistforinspiration.I’msureyouwillagreethattheyhavecreatedabeautifuldisplay,nowproudly exhibitedintheartroom.

13 February 2026

English

Year9poetryanddescriptivewriting…excellentexamplesofpoemsthatexplorenatureandmankind’srelationship, inspiredbytheirstudyof‘TheRomantics’.

I’mStronger

Peace.

Iwassleeping, Iwasenduringthecalmnessofthewind. Itwassatisfying.

Disturbance. Hereallyhadthenervetodothat. Thenerve. Hethrewhisplasticbottleontome.

Revenge.

Enraged,offended,furious. Hehasruinedmypeace, Nowit’stimeformetoruinhis.

Intimidation.

I’llshowhimwhoismoresuperior. Iloadedup. Itistime.

Destroy.

IwentashighasIcould. Theblueovertookthelandscape. Ittookoverthemmercilesshumans.

Finish.

Ihadwon. Ishowedthemwhoismorepowerful. Ihadwon.

Raheem

13 February 2026

English-continued

Story inspired by snow: Deep in the frozen peaks of a mountain,surrounded by a forest,there was a lumberjack’s hut and a group of children played in the snow,making giant snowballs and being carefree. In the distance,you could almost hear the twinkle of an ice spirit dancing through the biting freeze of the wind.The pure,frosty snow appeared on the ground like a soft blanket.

In the background,the clumps of trees had been iced with a silvery powder,and the mountains in the background rose like guardians of the forest,protecting it from harm.The snowflakes were still delicately pirouetting down from the sky,like dancers at a midnight ball,gracefully becoming one with the music.

Inside,the children had arrived and the glow of the fireplace was like that of a fireball.The children sat down,drinking hot cocoa,watching the fire spirits leap and crackle in the grate.They were here,in a lumberjack’s cabin, in a frosted forest,with no sign of humanity apart from them.

The timber walls kept out the cold and the crackle of the fireplace seemed to heal the weariness of the day,with newly chopped down logs fueling it to snap and crackle.The chimney meandered up, leading the light plume of smoke up into the sky.Relieved and now exhausted,the children went to their beds and closed their eyes,smiling at the events of that day. Matthew Clipa

This

man rows his boat.

in

my ocean forcing me to keep him afloat. I make my tides smack him down. the winds blow him back. but I’ll push him back against the ground. This transient man wants my Ocean too? I deny him access to that. I’ll cause a commotion. I am ruthless be afraid I am eternal, don't be brave. run and hide on peaceful land. Your face is fearful. I do know that. If I could possess a mouth. The heavens would hear. The humans would hear they would perceive my call. that they would hear from afar “Checkmate.” L. Evans

13 February 2026

English-continued

You never noticed did you,

You didn’t notice the last time your mum carried you to bed while you pretended to be asleep You didn’t notice when your dad stopped being 10ft tall and invincible for the last time did you?

You didn’t notice when you ran inside after the rain ruined your chalk drawings for the last time did you? You never noticed.

You didn’t notice when your mum tucked you into bed and read you a story for the last time did you? You never noticed the last time you said “I’ll never care how I look or how I dress nor what people think,” You never noticed,

Now you’d give anything to be carried to bed once more, your dad seemed like superman To get the chalk out again

To be read a story and to not care what people think, but you never noticed.

Mia-Lilly C

PoemmxbyMaysonHilditch

Mysport, Theexperienceisanotherlifetime'sworth, Aracer’sreality,arider’sdreams. Twowheelsondirt,thegatedropslow, Thetwistofthewrist,weletitgo. Flyinghighinthemiddaysun, Therushofadrenalineinunforgettable Battlinghardwithallyourmight. Mudonthegoggles, Youpushyourselftothelimit Justbecauseyouwanttowinit Theflagwavesfast,theraceisrun, Anothermoto,finallydone. IknowitdangerousbutIlovetoride Motocrossismywayoflife.

13 February 2026

HolocaustMemorialDay

HolocaustMemorialDayiswhenwerememberthesixmillionJewishmen,womenandchildrenwhowere murdered,andthemillionsmoremurderedunderNazipersecution. Wealsolearnandcommemoratewhere persecutionledinCambodia,Rwanda,BosniaandDarfur.TheHolocaustMemorialDayTrustencourages remembranceinaworldscarredbyprejudiceandsystematic,targetedpersecution

ThethemeforHolocaustMemorialDay(HMD)2026,'BridgingGenerations',isacall-to-action.Areminderthat theresponsibilityofremembrancedoesn'tendwiththesurvivors-itlivesonthroughtheirchildren,their grandchildrenandthroughallofus.

TheDudleyHolocaustCommemorationtookplaceonFriday23rdJanuaryandwasattendedbyMrsNaujeerand agroupofYear9students.Thisistheiraccountoftheservice.

OnFriday23rdJanuary,wehadthehonourofattendingtheDudleyHolocaustCommemoration,hostedbyLord Austin.WehadaninspiringtimehearingtheaccountofaHolocaustsurvivor,PeterLantosBEM.Weheardhis accountandexperienceoftheHolocaustandhowhewastreatedalongwithhisfamilywhilstatBergen-Belsen camp.

Onestudentsaid,“ThishasbeenanamazingexperienceandIhavereallyenjoyedhearingPeter’sstory;itwas veryemotionalandinspiring.IthasreallytaughtmealotabouttheHolocaustthatIdidn'tquiteunderstand before.IwasreallymovedlisteningtoPeter’sﬁrst-handexperience.”

Speakingtootherstudentsthatattended,itshowshowmuchtheylearntfromthememorialandhow enlighteningPeter’sspeechwas.Itpersonallyinspiredustoplayanactiveroleinhighlightingantisemitismin modernsocietyandtospreadawarenessofthetruestoryoftheHolocaustandthetragicstoriesofindividuals.

ByRaniyahandLexi

13 February 2026

Year11HospitalityandCatering

Year11completedtheirpracticalcookingcontrolledassessmentsduringtheweekcommencing26thJanuary. Thethemeforthisyearwas'streetfood'.Awidevarietyofspicy,sweetandsavourydisheswereproducedand wereplatedupinbothgourmetstyleforthepeopleeatinginandtakeawaystyleforthoseeatingawayfrom thestreetfoodvans.

Thestudentswereaskedtodesignstreetfooddishessuitablefromalocalcattlefarm,grazingland,andlocal ﬁshmongers,leadingstudentstochoselamb,beef,ﬁshanddairybaseddisheswhichcouldbecarriedaround easily.

Thestudentshaveproducedsomeoutstandingproductswhichbothlookedandtasteddelicious.Welldone year11!

13 February 2026

SpotlightonPersonalPotential

AtKingswinfordAcademy,wetrulybelievethatourstudents'personalpotentialisjustasimportantas theiracademicpotential.Westrivetoprovideopportunitiesthatwillcreatesuccessfulexperiencesfor ourstudentsthatareuniquetothemandtoourschool.EnrichmentatKingswinfordAcademyplaysa vitalroleinshapingconﬁdent,well-roundedstudentsbyextendinglearningbeyondtheclassroom andnurturingbothwellbeingandacademicsuccess.Throughawiderangeofactivities,opportunities, andexperiences,studentsareencouragedtodiscovernewinterests,developresilience,andbuild positiverelationshipswithpeersandstaff.Thissenseofbelongingandpersonalachievementsupports emotionalwellbeing,helpingstudentsfeelmotivated,valued,andreadytolearn.Enrichmentalso strengthenskeyskillssuchasteamwork,leadership,andproblem-solving,whichdirectlyenhance engagementinlessons,attendancetoschoolandacademicprogress.Bybroadeninghorizonsand raisingaspirations,enrichmentensuresstudentsarenotonlysuccessfullearnersbutarealsohappy, healthy,andpreparedforlifebeyondschool.Ifyourson/daughterwouldliketojoinanenrichment clubthenpleasedohavealookatourenrichmenttimetableonourschoolwebsiteoraskthemto speaktoMissAbelorMrPerry.

EnrichmentClubs

Sofarthisyear,wehavehadover8305attendeestoourenrichmentclubs!Ourdiverseprovision offersourstudentsanarrayofopportunitiestonurturetheirtalentsandskillsaswellasexploringnew interests!

Belowandonthenextpagearesomeofthewonderfulexperiencesstudentshavehadthishalfterm!

13 February 2026

PersonalPotential-

continued

CongratulationstoImmyFisher,HannahBarkerandBenWhitewhocompetedat the AudacityNationalDanceChampionships!Immycame3rdwithherDanceteam, HannahBarkercame4thinherDanceteamandBenwhoachieved3rdplaceinstreet dancing!Weareallsoincrediblyproudofyou!

Wearedelightedtoinformyouthatwehaveyetagainbeenawardedthe‘MusicMarkofRecognition forAmbition&QualityAward’whichrecognisestheextensiveopportunitiesweofferwithinourMusic &Performancefaculty.ThisincludesourpartnershipswithDudleyPerformingArts!Wecontinuetobeone oftheveryfewschoolswhohaveaschoolorchestra.Ifyourson/daughterplaysaninstrumentthenthey wouldbeverywelcometocomeandjoinusonaThursdayafterschooluntil4pm!

MusicMarkAward

13 February 2026

EnrichmentSuperstars!

CongratulationstoallofourEnrichmentClubSuperstars!Youhaveshownfantastic achievements,commitmentandleadership

EnrichmentClubSuperstars!

DigitalArtClub

ChessClub

ChoirClub

DanceClubThursday

DartsClub

DramaClub

DebateClub

DTSTEMClub

EnterpriseClub

ElectronicsClub

BoysFootballClub

FurtherMathsClub

GirlsFootballClub

NetballClub

OrchestraClub

Production

ReadingClub

RockBandClub

ScienceClub

SENDHomeworkClub

StarlightBandClub

StatisticsClub

LocalHeritageSociety

Writers&IllustratorsClub

BadmintonClub

MathsHomeworkClub

VolleyballClub

JontyMacconnell

CarlosMekhaeel

AmeliaWattis,LolaWooldridge&LoganMillard

MaddieLock

JakeGrainger

LucyHatton

TaylerCollins

FreyaBennett

SamDobson

TchamaleuFarid

HarveyHamer

PriyaTamber

CharleighJakeman

IsabelleOliver

PhoebeBird&IsabelEvans

ImogenJeffs,LoganMillard,HenryMcConnell

MilliePiggott

AliceMoth&DanParr

YuvrajSingh

KarlaRaybold

ImogenJeffs

CharlieSpencer

JacobMorris

JontyMacconnell,EvelynMalone,LailaHackett&Nicholas

Richardson

LoganMillard

MilliePiggott

LillyRussell

13 February 2026

DukeofEdinburgh

OurBronzeandSilverDofEstudentscompletedtheir expeditiontrainingonSunday08/02/26.Theyspentthe daylearningaboutthekitneededforasuccessful Expedition,howtonavigatemapsandsetupequipment. TheyalsospenttimeloggingontoEDofEtoplanoutthe additionalactivitiestheywillbedoingtoachievetheaward.

13 February 2026

CivicBulletin

Civicpartnershipsbetweenschoolsandcommunitiesarecrucialforimprovingeducational outcomesandfosteringamorecohesivesociety.Thesecollaborationswillstrengthenourschool communitybyconnectingstudentswithreal-worldexperiences,buildingessentiallifeskillsand promotingsocialandcivicengagement.Theyhelpbridgegapswithinourcommunity,provide additionalsupportforfamiliesandtransformschoolsintocommunityhubs,beneﬁtingstudents, families,andthecommunityasawhole.

LastChristmaswesupported7localcharitiesandorganisationsthroughourfabulousdonations. Thisterm,wehavebeenexploringopportunitiestobroadenourpartnershipswithlocalprimary schools,carehomesandKingswinfordCommunitygroups.WealsolinkedupwithNHSDudleyto offersupportandguidancetoourYear11studentsandtheirfamiliesastheypreparefortheirGCSE examinations!Asaschoolcommunity,wehavebeensupportingalocalgirlcalledAmelia,whohas awishtoachieveaworldrecordofreceivingthemostbirthdaycards.Unfortunately,Ameliais receivingtreatmentforanillnessandsowewantedtosupportherbycontributingtowardsher wish.Thankyoutoallofthestudents,theirfamiliesandourstaffwhohavebeenbringingincards forAmelia.

Aswe moveintonexthalfterm,ourCivicLeaderswillbevisitingcarehomestobringsomefun andcreativitywiththeircraftsandactivitiesprojects.OurCivicLeadersarealsolookingforwardto visitingprimaryschoolswiththeir‘TransitionfromPrimarytoSecondary’assemblies. Our WellbeingAmbassadors&Anti-BullyingAmbassadorswillbetrainingwithNHSDudleytobecome FirstAidtrained,aswellascontinuingwiththeirpeermentorprojects.

13 February 2026

StudentLeadership

Prefects

Thishalfterm,ourPrefectteamhasdemonstratedoutstandingleadershipand responsibilityacrosstheschool.Prefectsledafullweekofassemblies,conﬁdently showcasingtheimportanceoftheirrole,highlightingourAspirecharacteristics,and sharingtheirpersonalmotivationsforwantingtobecomeprefects.Theseassemblies providedapowerfulinsightintostudentleadershipandsetapositiveexamplefor others.

Alongsidethis,prefectshavecarriedoutbreak-timeduties,supportingthesmooth day-to-dayfunctioningoftheschoolandhelpingtomaintainasafeandwelcoming environment.Theyhavealsointroducedandsuccessfullyrunalitter-pickingrota, makinganoticeableimpactonthecleanlinessoftheschoolsiteandshowingreal prideintheirsurroundings.

StudentSenate

Thishalfterm,membersoftheStudentSenatehaveshownfantasticleadershipand commitmenttosupportingthewiderschoolcommunity.Severalstudentshave conﬁdentlyassistedwithassemblies,helpingtosharekeymessagesandrepresent thestudentvoice.

Inaddition,theStudentSenatehaslaunchedapeer-ledtutoringsessionevery Thursdayatlunchtime.Thesesessionsgivestudentsthechancetogetextrahelp withtheirworkinarelaxed,supportiveenvironment,ledbyfellowstudentswhoare keentohelpotherssucceed.Theinitiativehasalreadybeenwellreceivedand highlightsthepositiveimpactofstudentsworkingtogether.

MrMoore

13 February 2026

EcoAmbassadors

EcoAmbassadorswillbestarting2projectsafterhalfterm.Onewillbeconnectedtothe RoyalHorticulturalSociety’sNatureParksurveyscheme.Herewewillbesurveyingthe ecosystemsaroundtheschool.Studentswillthenbecompletingaseriesofactivitiesto improveourenvironmentandwillthenberesurveyingtheareastoseewhatdifference theyhavemade.Wehavealsobeenplanningideasofdevelopingoursitetomakeitmore accessibleandattractivetowildlife,whichwearehopingtostartputtingintoplacesoon.

WellbeingAmbassadors

AswellaspreparingfortheirFirstAidtraining,theWellbeingAmbassadorshavebeen workingondevelopingmentalhealthsupportandworkingonideastosupportstudents withinschool.Thisisbuildingthemuptobecomepeereducatorsinthefuture -Mrs Smith

CivicLeaders

Civicleadershavehadaquiethalfterm;however,nexthalftermtheywillbemuchmore activewithinthecommunity.Theywillbevisitinglocalcarehomestospendtimewith residents,aswellasvisitingprimaryschoolstoworkwithYear6students.Duringthese visits,Civicleaderswillsupportdiscussionsaroundthetransitiontosecondaryschooland leadarangeofteam-buildingactivitiesdesignedtobuildconﬁdence,collaboration,and positiverelationships.Inaddition,theywillbeworkingwithlocalcommunityprojectsto helpsupportandimprovetheappealofthelocalarea,whichmayinvolveactivitiessuch aslitterpicking,gardening,andotherpracticaltasksaimedatenhancingthelocal environment-MrWilletts

FlourishingleadersAward

MissAbelattendedaworkshopwith4ofourStudent Senateswhowereselectedtobepartofthe‘Flourishing Leaders’programme.Thestudentsexploredwhatmakes asuccessfulandeffectiveleaderandconsideredhow leadershipqualitiescanbetransferableacrossall curriculumareas. Wearelookingforwardtoournextsessionwhichisled byTheChurchofEngland. WelldonetoIbrahim,Ibrahim,MiaandSienna.

13 February 2026

ActiveLearningWeek-13th-17thJuly2026

WeareexcitedtoannouncethatdetailsofhowtobookplacesonourYear9&10Pic‘n’Mix pathwayforActiveLearningWeek,havebeensenttoyou.Thedeadlineforallbookingsisthe2nd March.Therearemanywonderfulandengagingtripsandexperiencesonoffer,thatwilldevelop yourchild’spersonalpotential.IfyouhaveanyquestionsthenpleasecontactMissAbelorMrPerry.

DetailsoftheYear7&8Pledgepathwaywillbereleasedsoon!

13 February 2026

UniformPolicy

Therewerenosigniﬁcantchangestoouruniformpolicythisacademicyear.Wearecompliantwiththe DfE’sdesiretokeepbrandeditemstoaminimum.Thefullupdatedpolicyispublishedonourwebsite.

Inadditiontoourapprovedsuppliers,non-compulsoryitemscanbepurchasedfrommostsupermarkets.If youhaveanydifficultywithuniform,particularlyﬁnancial,pleasecontacttheschoolwhowilltreatsuch incidentsasconﬁdential.

–TheSportsShopKingswinford

–TotallyUniformKingswinford

–KingswinfordAcademySwopShop-Weoffersustainableoptiontoswopuniformwithschool inreplacementforanotherpre-loveditem,pleaseaskreceptionformoreinformation.

13 February 2026

ASPIREtoExcellence-OurExpectations

Ready,Respectful,Safeisourapproachtoeverythingwedoinschool. Wehaveworkedhardtoembedourroutineswithinallaspectsofour schoolenvironmentandthebeneﬁtscanbeseenthroughout.Wewould liketothankeveryonefortheircontinuedeffortandsupportwiththis.

StudentsMissingfromLesson

Wetreattruancyfromlessonsseriously;thisisofgreatconcern,asweare unabletoaccountforyourchild'swhereaboutsduringtheseepisodes. We haveworkedwithourcommunitytoensurestudentsareawareofthe consequencesshouldtheytruantfromlessons.Studentswillbechallenged inlinewithourbehaviourpolicy.InitiallythiswillbetimeintheRefocus Room.However,shouldtheissuepersistsitmayresultinpotentialsuspensionfromschool.Wetrustwecan replyuponyoutospeaktoyourchildabouttheseverityoftheissue;studentscannotachieveiftheyarenotin lessonsandthereforewillnotunlocktheiracademicandpersonalpotential.

ToiletPermission

Weencouragestudentstoaccesstoiletsbeforeandafterschool,duringsocialtimesand,wherepossible, avoidingtoiletuseduringlessons.Youareabletotrackyourchild'stoiletuseduringlessonsbylookingatClass Chartsand“ToiletPermission”.AsIamsureyouappreciatelostlearningdirectlyrelatestostudentprogressand wewelcomeyourcontinuedsupportintrackingyourchild'stoiletuseviaClassChartsandencouragingyour childtoaccessthetoiletsawayfromlessons.

MobilePhones

Wehavea“GatetoGate”expectationwithregardtomobilephones,studentsmustensuretheyareswitched offandplacedintheirschoolbag,attheschoolgatebeforeenteringtheschoolsite.Theymustremainswitched offandintheirbagsuntiltheyleavetheschoolsiteandareoutsideoftheschoolgatebeforeusingthem;this alsoappliestoallafter-schoolactivities.

Ifyouneedtocontactyourchildforanyreason,thismustbedoneviaschoolreception.

13 February 2026

InitialTeacherTrainingatWindsorAcademyTrust

AspartofWindsorAcademyTrust’s(WAT)partnershipwiththeNationalInstituteofTeaching(NIoT)asan AssociateCollege,applicationsforourInitialTeacherTrainingprogrammeareopenfrom7thOctober2025for ourSeptember2026intake.

OurInitialTeacherTrainingisafullyimmersiveschool-centredprogramme,withschoolplacementsavailablein oneofour15schools.Applicantswillbeabletochoosetheirmainplacementschoolwhenapplyingandwewill endeavourtodoourbesttoplaceapplicantsintheirﬁrstchoiceschool.Ourtraineesarementoredbyexpert WATcolleaguesandhavecentraltrainingonceaweek.

AllofourteachertrainingcoursesleadtoQTS(QualifiedTeacherStatus),aPGCE(PostGraduateCertificatein Education)and60Master’sLevelcredits.InterestedapplicantscanfindoutmoreviaourInitialTeacherTraining webpageandcanapplyviatheDfEApplywebsite.Youcanfindususingourprovidercode2HEorsearchfor NIoTatWAT.

Toﬁndoutmore,pleaseemailusatteachertraining@windsoracademytrust.org.uk