Dear GA families

Welcome back

I hope you have been able to share some valuable family time together over the summer and we are looking forward to welcoming our students back over the next few days.  

As the new Academic Year approaches I would just like to share some key dates and highlight our expectations as your children return or join us at Gloucester Academy.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate all of our students who have just collected their GCSE results.  Gloucester Academy has yet again seen its results improve dramatically to ensure that our students have the very best chances of success as they continue their education.  Our current results are the best the Academy has ever achieved and continues to ensure that we are one of the most improved schools in the country.  I thank all of you for your support and am very much looking forward to continuing this upward trend.

This academic year we welcome our biggest ever intake into Year 7 which is fantastic news.  This increase in numbers means that we are supporting more of our young people in the community to follow their dreams and we cannot wait to welcome them in.  We have employed a large team of teachers from some of the best schools in the country this year as well as an incredibly experienced team of staff that will be dedicated to students well being and communication between families and the Academy.

Vision and values

Our vision and values continue to be thread throughout everything we do.  As Headteacher my beliefs and vision for our young people have not changed.  I truly believe that we, as a school, part of Greenshaw Learning Trust, as a community can work together to make sure our students get the very best education, access the very best opportunities and leave us confident in their next steps and proud of their personal achievements. 

Students will be exceptional and have the ambition, drive and opportunity to...

'climb their own personal mountain' to the best universities and professions’

Our students have Pride, Excellence and Ambition in the way they conduct themselves, in the way they learn and in the way they can articulate their route to a successful future.

Our staff have Ambition with high expectations and aspirations for everyone, we learn from the best and think big, we have faith in ourselves and each other.

Excellence in everything we do.  We cut no corners and have no excuses.  We work collaboratively to achieve the best for our community.

We have Pride in our school community, we develop talent, celebrate diversity, show kindness and compassion, we climb together and achieve together.

September Opening

Date	School day	Students expected to attend school
Wednesday 6th September	Start of term	Year 7 and Year 11 ONLY
Thursday 7th September	Normal school day	Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11

Wednesday 6th September 2023

Year 7 students attend school

• Year 7 students will be expected to arrive at the Norbury Avenue entrance on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week and then from Monday 11th September 2023 they will use the Painswick Road entrance with the rest of the school.  Gates open at 8.00am and will close at 8.35am.
• Hot bagels will be available for our students as they arrive if they wish to have one. This continues throughout the year.
• Please ensure that you have read the uniform and equipment policies so that your child is ready and equipped for the school day.
• Students will be able to buy lunch today even if you have not set up an account as families will be able to pay for lunch retrospectively when it is all working.
•  Students are encouraged to bring a clear water bottle; water stations are available around the school if they need to refill their bottles with water.
• Today you will receive an invitation to Bromcom so you can give your child money for lunch and break time using an online payment system.  If you would prefer to give your child cash you can.  Help signing up is available each day at reception, please just ask at the front desk.
• The school day finishes at 3.05pm, if you are collecting your child please arrive by 3.00pm at the Norbury Avenue entrance for the first three days and then at the Painswick Road entrance for the rest of the year.
• GA prep will be open to Year 7 on Monday 11th September 2023.  Full information on this will be given to you in the week.

Wednesday 6th September 2023

Year 11 students attend school

A huge year for our Year 11 students as they enter their final year of GCSEs.  As you are aware their day changes so that they finish at 4.00pm each day.  The extended day ensures they get the very best access to teachers to support them to get the very best results.

 

• GA prep remains open for Year 11 for Sport, homework or individual tuition.  Gates open for prep at 7.15am and close at 7.30am.  Breakfast is included.
• Arrive at Painswick Road entrance.  Gates open at 8.00am and close at 8.35am
• Hot bagels will be available for our students as they arrive if they wish to have one. This continues throughout the year.
• Please ensure that you have read the uniform and equipment policies so that your child is ready and equipped for the school day.
• The school day finishes at 4.05pm.
• Elite training is open from 4.05pm until 5.00pm for students who wish to have access to their own revision space, individual help from teachers, take part in offered lessons or to complete homework. Food is provided.

Thursday 7th September 2023

All years attend school

• GA prep remains open for Sport or homework.  Gates open for prep at 7.15am and close at 7.30am.  Breakfast is included.
• Arrive at Painswick Road entrance. Gates open at 8.00am and close at 8.35am
• Hot bagels will be available for our students as they arrive if they wish to have one. This continues throughout the year
• Please ensure that you have read the uniform and equipment policies so that your child is ready and equipped for the school day
• The school day finishes at 3.05pm for Years 7, 8 and 9.  Year 10 will have Elite Sport so their day will finish at 4.05pm on Thursday

 

Year	Head of Key stage	Head of Year Pastoral lead
7	Ms Roper aroper@gloucesteracademy.co.uk	Ms Ryder sryder@gloucesteracademy.co.uk
8	Ms Roper aroper@gloucesteracademy.co.uk Deputy Head of Key stage Mr Price gprice@gloucesteracadmy.co.uk	Ms Gregory jgregory@gloucesteracademy.co.uk
9	Ms Roper aroper@gloucesteracademy.co.uk Deputy Head of Key stage Mr Price gprice@gloucesteracadmy.co.uk	Mr Wilson lwilson@gloucesteracademy.co.uk
10	Ms Bolton lbolton@gloucesteracademy.co.uk	Ms Pitman gpitman@gloucesteracademy.co.uk
11	Ms Bolton lbolton@gloucesteracademy.co.uk	Ms Exton aexton@gloucesteracademy.co.uk

 

Elite sport

Elite sport continues for Years 7 - 10.  Elite sport means that our students will have access to professional coaches to support their progress in sport.  Teams have dedicated practice time to ensure they perform at their best in competitions around the county and students have access to some alternative sports that they would not normally play.

We are incredibly proud that Gloucester Academy is able to offer this dedicated time to ensure our students keep fit, healthy and active throughout their school week.

Elite sport means that your child will finish school at 4.05pm on the following days:

Moving into next term students will be able to opt for the school production in period 6 rather than elite sport.

Year group	Finish at 4.05pm
7	Monday
8	Tuesday
9	Wednesday
10	Thursday

Equipment and Uniform policy

At Gloucester Academy we have incredibly high expectations of our students to encourage them to have their own high expectations throughout life.  We are incredibly proud of our achievements at the academy and our students wear their uniform with pride both in the building and in the community.  Please can you make sure that you have reread the equipment and uniform policies so that your child comes to the school fully prepared for the day ahead.

If you have any concerns or questions please contact your child's Head of Year - details of these addresses are contained in this letter.

It just remains for me to say, thank you again for all of your support and I cannot wait to continue leading Gloucester Academy to the next chapter of its incredible journey.

Yours sincerely

Mrs P Lewis

Headteacher