Dear Families

Welcome to our penultimate newsletter of the academic year!

The summer term has started incredibly positively and it has been wonderful to see so many examples of our students embracing opportunities, demonstrating our core values and contributing to academy life.

Wider opportunities
As you are aware, we place a real emphasis on developing students’ character alongside their academic development at Wells. I am particularly proud that more and more students are becoming involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme that we offer here at the academy. Our Year 9 students performed fantastically on their recent practice expedition as they prepare for their Bronze Expedition later this year. Their resilience, teamwork and determination were evident throughout and I look forward to seeing them continue to thrive as they progress through the award.

Another initiative that we are encouraging every student to take part in is our Fundamental Ideas Challenge. This academy challenge has been designed to enrich students’ experience of the curriculum while encouraging them to take responsibility for their wider personal development. I was delighted this half term to present our first Bronze Award badges, as well as several Silver Award badges, recognising the commitment and achievements of our students. We would like to encourage all students to get involved and challenge themselves. More information can be found here.

We continue to expand the range of wider opportunities available to our students and one initiative that has been particularly popular this term is our Carnegie Awards Book Club, where students are reading and discussing books shortlisted for the 2026 Carnegie Awards for Children’s Literature. It has been fantastic to see students engaging so enthusiastically with reading and sharing their views on the shortlisted titles!

On the subject of reading, we remain incredibly proud of our tutor led reading programme. Every morning at Wells begins with shared reading, which is partly the reason that our students make such exceptional progress with their reading confidence. Due to its success, we have increased the number of books within the programme by a further five titles. This means that by the end of Year 10, students will have read 21 carefully selected books that support our personal development curriculum and reinforce our core values of integrity, resilience and ambition.

There have also been some fantastic sporting successes this half term. Congratulations to our Year 8 students, who won the Junior NBA Basketball Competition! As well as the players themselves, it was wonderful to see other students supporting the team and contributing to a fantastic atmosphere throughout the event!

Another group of students who represented the academy exceptionally well were the Year 7s who took part in the Inclusive Dodgeball Tournament. We are always incredibly proud when students represent the academy.

Year 11 Finish Strong
As you're aware, a significant focus this term has been on our Year 11 examinations, which are now approximately halfway through. Those of you who follow our social media channels will have seen some of the many ways we have celebrated and supported our Year 11 students in the lead up to their exams. They have been absolutely brilliant and their attitude, commitment and determination have been outstanding! Given the extra hard work they have invested over recent months, we are confident that they will exceed our expectations!


Alongside celebrating our students, I would also like to recognise our incredible staff, who continue to amaze me with the way they go above and beyond for our students. Many staff gave up their time during the Easter break to provide additional revision sessions. Throughout this half term break, staff have continued to offer extra revision sessions to ensure students feel fully prepared for their examinations.

Our online masterclass series has been a tremendous success. Every evening before an examination, expert teachers have delivered masterclasses designed to boost students’ confidence and provide last minute tips. In addition, teaching staff have been available before school, after school, during break times and at lunchtime in the Year 11 area, answering questions and helping students feel as prepared as possible.

Feel Good Friday
One initiative that I have particularly enjoyed this term has been our Feel Good Fridays. Every Friday throughout the half term, students have enjoyed an expanded breakfast menu alongside a range of games and activities. It has been a brilliant way to start the day, bringing together staff and students. However, I must admit that I will not miss being beaten at Connect 4 by almost every student I have played against!


Careers programme
Our Year 10 students have also had the opportunity to explore future career pathways through a visit to a local Army barracks. During the visit, they learnt about careers in the military while developing a range of valuable employability skills. Students spoke very positively about the experience and represented the academy exceptionally well throughout.


National School Attendance Award
Another achievement that we are particularly proud of this term is receiving a National School Attendance Award. As families know, improving attendance has been one of our key priorities this year because attendance has one of the strongest influences on student achievement and future outcomes. Simply put, students who attend school regularly achieve better GCSE results. Thanks to the support of families, students and staff, we have spent much of the year within the top 25% of similar secondary schools nationally for attendance. I am delighted to share that we have now moved into the top 10%, which is a tremendous achievement. Our next challenge is to reach the top 5% and I know that by continuing to work together we can achieve this goal!


Finally, I would like to remind families that students return to the academy on Monday 1st June. It is essential that every student starts the final half term strongly by arriving 'In School, On Time'. As always, the academy gates open at 8.20am, with Breakfast Club available for all students from 8am.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We look forward to another successful and exciting half term ahead.

Best wishes

Mr G Coles
Principal