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.