Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a positive week.

It is a very busy time of the year at KAR, with the exam season on the horizon, national and international trips ongoing and a non-uniform day to end the week! We look forward to raising money for great causes, and it was great to see a number of ‘red noses’ at the gate this morning for Comic Relief.

I am immensely proud of the feedback we are receiving regarding the exemplary conduct of our students on visits. A number of our Year 10 students are currently in Barcelona and Lyon to develop their speaking skills for their GCSE’s and develop their cultural capital. Our children have been commended by staff and members of the public for their positive, polite and respectful conduct. In addition, a group of our Year 7’s and Year 8’s had an interactive workshop with colleagues from American Express about careers and skills within Brighton and Hove Albion. The students were so impeccably behaved and a credit to the school. The staff at the event said the students who took part were the ‘top school’ for engagement and attitude. The visits form an essential part of our offer to develop students' confidence and ‘well-roundedness’ in line with our vision to prepare them in being ‘world ready’.

In line with the positive feedback, a huge well done to our Year 11 Band, who this week performed for the first time at the Bede’s Band Workshop. More details on this are later in this newsletter, but again I am pleased to report that they received considerable praise from those in attendance regarding how impressed they were with our students. We are a school that has a strong uptake in music, and it is a pleasure to see how many students walk through the gates in the morning with their instruments - long may it continue!

Many thanks for the responses to the parent survey, which has now closed. We will now review these to decide on next steps. The results look very positive again, so thank you for your feedback. 

I hope you have a great weekend.

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

Music Department - Bede's Band Workshops for Sussex Schools

KAR Year 11 band delivered an unforgettable performance at this year's first ever Band Workshop, showcasing their incredible talent and musicality. The band, which consisted of four GCSE Music students, played the classic rock anthem “Hotel California” by The Eagles, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and fellow performers.

The band’s powerful rendition of the timeless track was met with enthusiastic applause, earning them rave feedback from professional musician and workshop leader Jason Douglas. Their precise execution of the iconic guitar riffs, combined with flawless vocals, demonstrated their dedication and hard work in preparing for this prestigious event. Staff from local schools were so impressed they all came to pass on how impressed they were with the KAR musicians, including an invitation to play at Uckfield College's summer outdoor festival in July.

We were thrilled to be part of such a talented line-up of schools. The atmosphere was electric, and it was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and passion for music. The positive feedback from everyone has been overwhelming, and it’s a testament to the hard work the band has put in.

The Band Workshop brought together young musicians from a variety of institutions, and the KAR band’s performance stood out for its professionalism and energy.  Several staff from other schools also commented on what lovely young people they are, as well as great musicians.

Please see music link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=17HQVNWsO8Pgkn0juc_Y_PUJVjdxb_2PH 

RE Department

On Thursday 20 March, Year 10 students taking GCSE welcomed Reverend David from St Mary's Church in Ringmer.  It was wonderful to get the Reverend's insight into the church in the local community and helped our students solve some unanswered questions about Christianity.  His visit facilitated a deeper understanding of worship and practices in Christianity.  We look forward to welcoming him back to King's Academy soon.

Change News

The greenhouse is a hive of activity. Students have been busy planting seeds and some seedlings have started to appear. The battle of the weeds commences - and at present we seem to be winning! Some year 7 students conquered this 70 cm-long dock tap root! We have volunteering at tutor time and lunchtime, helping in both the greenhouse and Eco Hub areas and sterling work has also been done by Eco Lab students and super curriculum students!

We have been discussing why it's good to grow food and why we are growing food and flowers here at the school. Here are some great reasons that we discussed:

• Free from chemicals.

• Tasty.

• Cheap.

• No food miles.

• Hopefully, if we have success, we can use the produce in school and make tasty food.

• Being outside is good for your mental health.

• We hope to enter some of the classes at the Ringmer Show in the summer.

But we also want to help improve biodiversity. Shockingly, biodiversity has decreased worldwide by 72%.

We are preparing the ground to install raised beds and bark paths with some grant funding received from South Downs National Park, which has also enabled us to purchase two more garden forks and some extra tough gloves for brambles and stinging nettles. We are also very grateful to Staverton Nursery for their kind donations and for supporting us with our spade 2 spoon project.

Mrs Simon-House – ECO Co-ordinator

Free School Meals - Changes from April 1st 2025

Please see below information received from East Sussex County Council with regard to free school meal changes.

We are writing to remind you that from 1st April this year the Free School Meals transitional protections will end. This means that any children whose household no longer meets the free school meal eligibility criteria will only receive free school meals until the end of the phase of education they are in, ie, Primary or Secondary school (or 6th form for those schools with one).

At the end of each academic year (starting this year) Year 6 pupils will be reviewed and any children no longer entitled will be removed from the FSM eligibility lists before they start secondary school. Year 11 children will also be ceased and those returning to school 6th form must reapply for free school meals if they believe they are entitled.

All new free school meal applicants confirmed as eligible from 1st April will be recorded as ‘Eligible new’ and their entitlement will be reviewed three times a year in March, July and December. Parents and schools will be informed of any children who are no longer entitled to FSM following a review, and they should be removed from your FSM entitlement list.

Please see below information on how to apply for Free School Meals. 

Do you qualify for Free School Meals?

To make applications easier for parents/carers, we have changed the way that you can apply for free school meals. Applications are now processed online via East Sussex County Council. The criteria for being able to apply and for the online application please see the details below.

Free school meals for children in Year 3 and older

Older children may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit - GOV.UK – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

• Income Support - GOV.UK

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - GOV.UK

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK

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

• The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -GOV.UK

• Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK, only, if your annual household income (assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) isn’t over £16,190

[Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit - GOV.UK, won’t get free meals regardless of income]

• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Children will get free school meals if they meet the criteria and are in school both before and after lunchtime.

Children eligible for free school meals on or after 1 April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2025 even if your circumstances change.

• Apply for free school meals online

Our Electronic Checking Service might be able to confirm entitlement. If not, you’ll need to show recent proof that you qualify. Meals cannot be given until eligibility is verified.

Apply online if your child goes to school in East Sussex.

Mrs Duckworth, School Business Manager

The Living Coast Undersea Experience in Ringmer - Ringmer Village Hall, Thursday 17 April 2pm to 7pm

Ever wanted to dive without getting wet?  Don’t miss this exciting, family-friendly virtual reality experience!  Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Sussex seas, explore a chalk reef gully and discover some of the local marine life.

The Living Coast Undersea Experience is a unique, interactive virtual reality experience enabling users, of all ages, to dive in our local Marine Conservation Zone, which runs between Brighton Marina and Beachy Head & on to Hastings, without getting wet.

Wearing a VR headset, you can explore a 3.5m square area amidst the area’s unique chalk gullies, the chalk reef, lifting rocks and look around to find marine life such as the Short-Snouted Seahorse, Undulate Rays and Moon Jellyfish.

Come and explore in Ringmer Village Hall on Thursday 17 April.  Tickets £5 for 2 people, £10 for groups of 4

This interactive experience is perfect for ages 5 and up—fun for families, kids, teens, and adults alike! Secure your tickets today!

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/kp-projects-cic-18696791768 

Easter Holiday clubs in Seaford – All Abroad! Bus

Their holiday clubs offer children (aged 7 to 14) the opportunity to 'travel' each day to different countries, exploring global spring festivities and traditions through cooking & eating, arts & crafts, games & challenges, languages, outings & 360° VR! 

There are free HAF places for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals and other criteria, as well as paid places.  

Whilst Seaford may not be right on your doorstep, we do have families who travel some distance for our clubs and it's a great location.

KITCHEN COMPANY!

Want to save on your shopping bills, learn to use leftovers, cook simple meals and eat more healthily?

If you'd like to pick up some basic cookery skills, register to join our six free and friendly Kitchen Company sessions on Saturday mornings this summer and autumn at Ringmer Village Hall.

Please email

ringmervillagelibrary@gmail.com

Or call the library and leave us your contact details to get more information.

KING’S ACADEMY RINGMER

PASTORAL OFFICER

Temporary 29.6 hours per week (equivalent to 4 days a week)

Required to start on 28 April 2025 or asap 

Term-time only

Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 5, Points 6 to 9

Ie: £25652pa to £27363pa to be pro-rated as TTO

We are looking for an inspirational temporary Pastoral Officer to support the Pastoral Team in the management of behaviour support, to include the administration of school suspensions, to support SLT in student reintegration, creating behaviour and achievement data, setting up detentions and assisting in the running of our Inclusion Room.  This post has become available as the current post holder has been promoted to cover a period of maternity leave.  You will appreciate that, because support staff have certain rights regarding the date on which they will return to duty, it is not possible to be precise about the period of this contract.  However, it is anticipated that it will run until 27 March 2026.  

Applications are welcomed from a range of backgrounds, although experience of working with young people is an advantage, ie: education, social care, health and police. 

What can we offer you?

• A chance to be at the forefront of educational development. 

• An Academy with a positive ethos, motivating students and focus upon learning.

• Excellent induction, support and staff development opportunities

• Two week October half-term and bespoke wellbeing days.

• Academy-wide staff benefits and discounts (My KGA)

• The opportunity to work in an Eco School

• A beautiful, rural environment situated approximately 12 miles from the coastal city of Brighton and Hove

King’s Academy Ringmer:

King's Academy Ringmer is a rural comprehensive with an ethos of "Kindness, Ambition, Resilience ". Our most recent Ofsted statement states “the school has a culture of courtesy and respect” and “students are expected to work hard and commit to their learning”.  Our results are significantly above the national average for all students.  Our core vision is to develop well-rounded, confident individuals who are world-ready. We offer a broad, ‘exceptional’ enrichment offer through our Super Curriculum and students say “there is something for everyone”. 

King’s Academy Ringmer is also an Eco School and winner of the Department for Education’s Sustainability award.  

King’s Group Academies:

King’s Academy Ringmer is part of King’s Group Academies.  At King’s Group Academies our vision is to provide ‘opportunity and success on a global stage’, which means we have a vision of a global community of students and colleagues whose connection broadens horizons and fosters understanding. Our values of ‘Honesty, Faith, and Courage’ drive our passion and ensure we collaborate within our UK communities and internationally, promoting global citizenship and cultural awareness. We believe that every student deserves a team of dedicated educators and staff who are deeply invested in their success, supported by positive partnerships with parents who hold us to the highest standards.

For full details and an application form can be downloaded directly from our website: https://www.kgaringmer.uk/vacancies/support-staff-vacancies or contact Amanda French on either 01273 815460 or amanda.french@kingsacademies.uk quoting job reference P/499.   We offer a first-class working environment with supportive colleagues and opportunities for career development.

King’s Academy Ringmer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts within our Multi Academy trust are exempt for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as spent and complete an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The closing date for applications is Thursday 27 March 2025 at 12 noon with the interview date on Tuesday 1 April 2025.

We advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a good week. 

This week we celebrated World Book Week with an array of activities. The highlight was World Book Day, and I was delighted to see so much effort in bringing characters to life with some excellent outfits! We gave out a number of golden tickets to students that had gone above and beyond in their hard work, politeness and manners, or simply contributing positively to our community. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the school, and yet another reminder of why we are 'Proud to be Ringmer'.

I am pleased to report that once again, applications for our Year 7 cohort have reached record levels for places. This is always a positive representation as to the reputation of the school so we are delighted that there continues to be such positive interest in Ringmer. 

Next week, our Year 11’s will be having a mock ‘results-giving’ assembly as they now start moving towards their final exams. We are delighted with their progress this year, and they continue to work hard to ensure they fulfil their potential. We have worked hard on ensuring our career provision is developing throughout the school, and it was great to see all of our Year 8 students take part in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) career workshops, which we hope will give them some inspiration for the future. There are some further careers resources for all year groups further down in this newsletter.

Finally, please find a link below for our Spring Survey. As always, your feedback is very important to us and how we move the school forward. We are clear that there is always room for improvement and that the best schools never stand still, so all feedback is welcome, and we do read through every response. 

https://participate.schoolsurveys.com/Jup4ShigDho7jQyV

Have a great weekend

Mr Harvey

Principal
 

Art Department - Exciting Art Workshop & Upcoming Display!

Last week, our students completed their first workshop with myself and Mrs. Colbourne, our Artist in Residence. They have been exploring fluid and gestural landscape art, embracing abstract techniques with enthusiasm.

Having the opportunity to work alongside Mrs. Colbourne, a professional painter, has been an inspiring experience. She has shared her artistic process and brought in her own work, allowing students to see first-hand what a career in art can look like. This workshop has not only encouraged creativity but also provided valuable insight into the possibilities of professional art careers.

We’re incredibly proud of the students' openness to this expressive style, and we can’t wait to see what else they create! Their artwork, along with pieces by Mrs. Colbourne, will be displayed in reception to show the school and visitors how proud we are of their work. A final image of their work will be included in our newsletter before we break up for Easter.

This workshop is just one of many ways we’re helping students explore the world of art beyond the classroom—who knows, we may have some future professional artists in our midst!

Please keep an eye out for future clubs.

Ms Hook, Head of Art




 

Saturday's Groundforce morning has been postponed to a future date, TBC!

National Careers Week 

1. STEM career workshops -year 8

All of our year 8 students took part in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workshop on Thursday 27th February. These workshops were delivered in school by Everfi https://everfiteachers.co.uk/ and sponsored by Gatwick. 

The workshops focused on STEM careers and real-world learning. All students were given the opportunity to take part in a 50-minute workshop where they used interactive case studies to learn how to do things such as design and manufacture trainers, write algorithms for online streaming and create a new computer game. The students were really engaged in the sessions, and they can continue to access the programme. Once the students have completed the course, they will receive a certificate which can be used in the future on their CV’s. 

2. National careers week resources 

To mark National Careers Week, please find the link to The Parent’s Guide to help parents and carers with clear, unbiased advice on post-school options, study and exam revision, and wellbeing. This guide supports young people in talking about their futures.

https://nationalcareersweek.com/ncw25pg/  

Find out more at www.nationalcareersweek.com

3. Prospective Medic Event at Uckfield College on 13 March 2025 from 5pm to 8pm

Mrs Colbourne Careers Lead 

LOST PROPERTY

Many coats and water bottles remain unclaimed - see photos.

We are unable to return found items without names.

PLEASE NAME ALL SCHOOL ITEMS!

Note: Reception has very little lost PE kit as this is most likely still in the changing rooms or gym.

ESCC Consultation on the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement for the 2025-26 academic

The ESCC Post 16 transport policy statement is intended to inform young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their parents about what transport arrangements and financial support are available to them. We welcome any comments on the draft Transport Policy Statement. 

All the information can be found on the Council’s consultation hub where comments can be left until 28 March 2025.

Ringmer's first Repair Cafe

Ringmer's first Repair Café will be running on the last Saturday in April ie: 26 April 2025 from 10am to 12.30 in the Ringmer Parish Council Offices, Old School Close, Ringmer, BN8 5Ra. In the future on every last weekend of the month IE: 31 May, 28 June. 26 July, 30 August etc. The repair café is a group of volunteers who can fix your broken things to avoid them going in the bin and you having to buy a new one and have a cuppa  and some cake .

Ringmer Repair Cafe have asked us to advertise the event and see if any students would be interested in volunteering in the cafe for the session. 

Voluntary roles such as this provide valuable experience for young people and are excellent for their CV's to demonstrate experience when looking for future employment. Please contact Mrs Colbourne at  ringmerrepaircafe@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer (and if you have anything broken the volunteers may be able to fix it!)

A GUIDE to the Ringmer Repair Café

You are invited to bring ONE item that you can carry, in need of repair, for our volunteers to check/repair/provide advice……

• Electrical objects

• IT items

• Clothing (not alterations) and fabric items

• Broken mechanical objects

• Ceramic advice

• Wooden items

• Gardening tools for sharpening

NOT……… white goods, microwaves, items completely in pieces!

The Ringmer Repair Café volunteers do their best to make your items re-usable. This will save you the cost of a new item, and save the planet from the CO2 emissions involved in manufacture, transportation, use of precious resources and waste disposal.

DONATIONS WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED – CASH or CARD

There are homemade and Fair-Trade refreshments served while you wait. (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult please). Parking is available.     ringmerrepaircafe@gmail.com 

Smartphone-Free Schools

Following our Open Evening in September 2024, Ringmer Parents and Carers Smartphone Free group attended our event to promote smartphone-free schools.  Several prospective parents and carers joined a whatsapp group for people wanting to delay smartphones for their children. The QR code for Parents and Carers Smartphone Free Facebook is as follows: 

To note:

• Students do not require a smartphone to attend Kings Academy.

• There are alternatives to smartphones to keep in contact with your child, including tracking, that negates the risks posed by smartphones.

• Their child will not be alone in not having a smartphone

Smartphone Free Childhood charity has now also created "Smartphone Free Schools" (Smartphone Free Schools), a community of educational professionals who are starting to see the benefits of being involved in the conversation and changing policies.

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a positive week.

On Thursday, I was delighted to present at the East Sussex National as part of the East Sussex Attendance Conference. We were asked to present our recent work within our super curriculum, and how we have made significant gains in our attendance. Our presentation centred on the importance of increasing student belonging within our three-year vision, and ensuring that students increasingly feel a part of our school community. We know we have made positive steps, and the presentation was a chance to show this work to attendees from other local and national schools. While our focus will always be on the students, it is always reaffirming when we are asked to lead these discussions locally. The conference itself was an important reminder as to the work that is going into all schools to ensure that positive school attendance remains the key priority, given the link to students' life chances. The chances of a student gaining five good GCSEs, including English and Maths, deteriorates significantly from 96% to 90% and below. We therefore remain focussed on our goal of ensuring consistently above 96% for our students.

Assemblies this week have been led by Mr Madriaga and focussed on the importance of positive mental health. A key thread has been our key value of ‘Kindness’. We took time to reaffirm the importance of our words and language to each other. I am especially impressed by the increased numbers of children since I joined who also take the time to say a simple ‘thank you’ to staff after lessons. These are key character traits that we mention consistently and reinforce when we see them.

As we look forward to the ski trip, we continue to work behind the scenes on furthering our personal development provision and offer. Today I have been discussing some potential new international offers which will give our students fantastic opportunities. I hope to have some exciting news soon. 

Finally, we have received some small changes to the bus timetables. Please see below for more information.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for your ongoing support.

Best wishes,
Mr Harvey

Textiles Super Curriculum group

Mrs R. Hepburn Imber, Design & Technology Teacher, Tutor of 7RHE, Head of House System: "The Textiles Super curriculum group has been busy learning various techniques over the past couple of weeks. Last week they learnt about basket weaving and extending skills to learn more intricate patterns. This week they have been creating their wet felt, which they will decorate with embroidery techniques." 
 

Bus Timetable Changes

We have been advised that there will be changes to the 28 Regency bus route to/from Hailsham from Monday 27 January 2025.

Please see below the changes that will affect the bus to and from school each day. The column in cream is the details for the additional bus service specific to King's Academy Ringmer.

For the morning journey to school:

For the return journey home at the end of the school day:

* = This journey does not serve Ringmer King’s Academy Grounds on non-school days. # = During school holidays this bus calls at the main road bus stop on the Lewes Road B2192.

Please follow this link to the full 28 PDF timetable with effect from 26 January 2025 - https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/brightonhove/BH/28-timetable-20250126-34ab6c6e.pdf

InvestIN - Free events for students interested in competitive industries

Reminder about InvestIN free event series which will be kicking off next month. These events give students the chance to hear directly from industry professionals about what it’s really like to work in some of the world’s most competitive and desirable fields.

For further information please follow this link to the InvestIN events page - https://trk.send.investin.org/l/01JJ3YYCJW3MYF0DPDNVA1GQHE_1 

Channel 4's The Dog House is back

Five Mile Films Ltd are the programme makers of the BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 series, The Dog House, which is about to return for a new series. Described as one of the most heart-warming programmes on TV, they are starting the search again for people who can offer a loving home to a rescue dog and share their reasons for doing so.  They have therefore asked if we can share this information with our parents / carers.

In the previous series, they found that there were many reasons people might consider bringing a rescue dog into their life; to help combat loneliness, extra company for a child, to encourage getting out more. For children specifically, having a dog in your home has been proven to help with social skills and impulse control, and even improve self-esteem. Dogs are always happy to see you when you get home from school, and their love is unconditional - the ideal confidante and an ever-willing playmate! They would love to highlight some of these benefits and wondered if any members of our school might be interested in applying, or simply find out more with no pressure to take part. 

Please see above for  their flyer plus this additional information - Could you provide a loving home for a rescue dog? The Channel 4 series, The Dog House is looking for couples, individuals, friends and families who are seriously considering bringing a rescue dog into their lives and are willing to share their reasons for doing so.    

Please follow this link to apply: 

 The Dog House | Channel 4 or email thedoghouse@fivemilefilms.co.uk 

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