Sent to parents and carers on 22/05/26
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 22 May 2026
Students were informed in school on Wednesday that academy jumpers are now optional as a result of the increase in temperature expected this week. Shirts should still be tucked in however. Due to national legislation changes regarding school uniforms, jumpers will be an optional piece of uniform from September 2026.
As the weather has now warmed up, please can I remind you that students should have a refillable water bottle as part of their equipment. Fountains are available to fill them up on both main playgrounds between 0815-0830, 1055-1120, 1320-1400, and 1500 onwards. We are seeing an increase in students asking to be sent home due to headaches but when I speak to them, they are just de-hydrated because they haven’t had anything to drink. This is unpleasant for the students and leads to them missing lesson time which is the main reason why they are here.
There continues to be a strong atmosphere for learning amongst our Year 11 students who are striving for success in their GCSE exams. The students I have spoken to have appreciated the morning exam warmups and breakfasts we have laid on. They seem to feel that the exams have gone well so far, which is good to hear as it has helped to build their confidence as they tackle the toughest academic challenge they have faced so far in their school careers. I have recommended that they try and stick to their daily routines during half term as this will support their wellbeing when they return after half term.
It was a real pleasure to host Debbie Tubby and Shaun Whitmore from BBC Look East on Thursday. They spent the day speaking to students and were genuinely interested to hear about the improvement journey we have been on since last year’s Ofsted report. If you did not see the piece it is available on iPlayer until 6.58pm tonight here: BBC One – Look East, Evening News, 21/05/2026 and there is a follow up article available here: ‘We have to do more work now failing Ipswich school is improving’ – BBC News
This follows on from the news earlier this week that Gabriel Cantarelli in Year 8 has once again achieved a prestigious Gold Certificate in the UK Mathematics Trust Junior Mathematical Challenge. This marks the second consecutive year he has earned this award for his outstanding mathematical ability. This was covered in the Ipswich Star: Westbourne Academy pupil in Ipswich wins prestigious award | Ipswich Star
As we move into half term, I hope all members of our community are able to enjoy a well-deserved rest. We very much look forward to seeing our students again on Monday 1st June, where Mr Stronach and I will lead welcome back assemblies for Years 7-10.
Year 10 Post-16 Taster Days
Earlier today, parents and carers of Year 10 students received a separate communication from Mr Payne about post-16 taster days next half term. You can find a copy of it here on our website:
Post-16 Experience Days – Westbourne Academy
Year 11 Leavers Hoodies
Students have been given flyers in school about how to order their Class of 2026 leavers hoodies. Delivery will be made in bulk to the school and orders will be distributed at their final assembly on Tuesday 16 June. The deadline for placing an order is 2nd June. Details of how to order can be found here on our website:
Useful Links – Westbourne Academy
Westbourne Sports Leaders Take Control
On Thursday, a group of 15 girls from Years 9 and 10 lead the School Games Under 9 Netball Festival for nearly 200 primary pupils from 20 different schools. The day started early with training, looking at the activities they were going to lead which included warm-ups, skill drills and small games. The Westbourne Leaders had to keep safety in mind as well as be positive, enthusiastic and organised at all times.
At 11:00, the competing schools arrived with lots of very enthusiastic pupils, and it was over to the Westbourne students to take control. The 20 teams rotated round the sports leaders, doing lots of different activities and, at the end, the leaders demonstrated their officiating and coaching skills.
Pupils and staff were all very complimentary about the Westbourne Sports Leaders, saying how good they were with the pupils and how they kept everyone active and with smiles on their faces.
Mrs Logan, School Games Organiser and event coordinator, said afterwards that this event would not have been possible without the brilliant Westbourne leaders working together in small groups to lead, assist, organise, coach and umpire the primary school teams. The girls clearly grew in confidence as the day went on and they should be congratulated on their efforts and achievements, they were an absolute pleasure to work with.
Parent/Carer Forum: Tuesday 30 June
Due to limited interest in the most recent parent forums, Mr Higgon will be holding one per half term from now on. The forum for next half term will therefore be held on Tuesday 30 June at 6pm for approx. 45 minutes. During this meeting Mr Higgon will go through the progress we are continuing to make following our Ofsted visit and answer any questions parents/carers may have about our ongoing efforts to improve the school. Entry is via main Reception at 17:15. Staff will meet you on arrival and take you through to the Main Hall.
To give us an idea of the numbers expected, please register your attendance on our online MS Form here:
Registration for Parent/Carer Forum: Tue 30 June 2026 – Fill out form
WA Community Hub Events 2026
The dates of community hub events for 2026 are as follows, all are welcome between 15:15-16:00:
- Monday 1st June
- Monday 29 June
- Monday 13 July
Student Absence
Please ensure if your child is absent from the academy, that you have notified the attendance office at the earliest opportunity on each day they are not going to be in school, in order to prevent the automated text messages being sent or absence calls being made to parents/carers – these commence from 8.35am each day.
The ways in which you can contact the academy to inform us of student absence can be found on our website here.
You can contact the attendance team direct on 01473 466145 or by email wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Applying for Free School Meals
You can apply for free school meals online direct with Suffolk County Council. You will get an immediate response and confirmation email after you have completed your application. You will not be able to apply over the phone because you need to provide an email address, password and sign the declaration stating that you have parental responsibility. Follow the link below which will take you to the SCC website:
Contact: freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS)
If you have not yet registered, please do so at your earliest convenience to ensure you have access to all the academy’s communications and services. We recommend that parents and carers use the website version of MCAS rather than the app as the website offers greater functionality than the app. A copy of the self-sign-up instructions can be found here:
Cashless System – Westbourne Academy
NOTE: If you have MCAS, then you won’t receive SMS messages from school so please remember to turn on notifications on your device because any messages will go through MCAS.
Food Hall Menus
The new menu on offer at break and lunch in our Food Hall can be found here on our website. The menus rotate every three weeks and new menus will be introduced after half term:
Catering & Food Hall – Westbourne Academy
Key Dates 2025-26
Monday 25 – Friday 29 May – Half term week (school is closed)
Monday 1st June – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Thursday 11 June – Y7 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
Tuesday 16 June – Y11 Leavers Assembly 14:15 (students only)
Wednesday 24 June – Y6 Transition Day 1 of 2
Thursday 25 June ` – Y6 Transition Day 2 of 2
Friday 26 June – Staff PD Day (closed to students)
Monday 29 June – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Tuesday 30 June – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
Friday 10 July – Y11 Prom (All Manor of Events 19:00-10:45)
Monday 13 July – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Friday 17 July – Last day of the summer term
You can view our academy events calendar, together with term dates and PD days, on our website here:
Academy Calendar and Term Dates – Westbourne Academy
Kind regards
Mr M Higgon
Principal
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315