Sent to parents and carers on 8/05/26
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 8 May 2026
Following the publication of our Ofsted report on Thursday last week, I was invited on to the BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast show on Tuesday morning. I felt it was important to do this so that I could explain the forward steps we have recently taken on our school improvement journey, to the wider community and felt that Wayne Bavin gave me the opportunity to do that. If you would like to listen to the interview it is here, at around 68 minutes in:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002vk8s
It is clear that, although we have taken big steps forward on an improvement journey, we are not yet at the destination. This is why we have our four key priorities that we are working on this term:
- Locate staff wellbeing at the heart of our improvement journey;
- Broaden the scope of attendance systems to improve students’ attendance;
- Build upon behaviour gains with further improvements in lessons and around the academy;
- Improve learning through more consistent quality first teaching.
If you would like to hear more about the work we are doing on these areas, you are welcome to attend the upcoming parent/carer forum on the Wednesday 20 May at 17:15.
Year 11 have started their written exams in earnest this week, sitting health and social care, sport and drama papers. Their first whole year group exam is on Monday 11 May with English Literature Paper 1. Year 11 have been working hard in their lessons and with their intervention teachers during tutor time and after school, as well as carrying out their own revision in the evenings and at the weekends. Thank you to parents and carers of Year 11 students who are supporting them with encouragement at home whilst they go through this tough period. It will all be worth it when they collect their results in August!
SENDIASS Coffee Morning: Monday 11 May
SENDIASS are hosting a drop-in coffee morning at Westbourne between 9:15-10:30 on Monday morning in the library/LRC. This will be a relaxed and informal opportunity for parents and carers of students with special educational needs to come along, meet other parents and carers, and discuss any SEN related queries they may have with Helen Cumbers, our SENDIASS representative. Parents and carers should report to Reception on arrival and ask for Miss Degville.
Parking in our visitor car park is subject to availability. There is lift access to the library/LRC for any parents or carers who have mobility or special access requirements.
The Willow Primary School: Consultation
We have been asked to share the following communication with our wider academy community. It relates to a proposal by the Orwell Multi-Academy Trust to establish a new SEND unit at The Willows Primary School:
The Willows SEND Unit Consultation Letter
Parent/Carer Forum: Wednesday 20 May
Our next parent/carer forum takes place on Wednesday 20 May at 17:15 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.
To give us an idea of the numbers expected, please register your attendance on our online MS Form here:
Registration for Parent/Carer Forum: Wed 20 May 2026 – Fill out form
Entry is via main Reception at 17:15. Staff will meet you on arrival and take you through to the Food Hall. The date of our final Parent/Carer Forum for this academic year is Wednesday 17 June.
4YP Half Term Programme
4YP are hosting a free Half Term Programme providing three days of activities and lunch for local young people. For 8–11 year-olds (School Years 4–6), sessions will take place on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 May. For 12–16 year-olds (School Years 7–11), the session will take place on Tuesday 26 May.
Each day runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm, with lunch provided. Activities will take place at the 4YP Hub on Lower Brook Street, as well as in Christchurch Park, and will be organised and supervised by experienced 4YP Youth Workers.
Although places are limited, 4YP are keen to spread the word to as many families as possible – particularly those who may benefit most from free half term activities.
Free Child Mental Health Workshops for Parents/Carers
Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Psychology in Schools team would like to share details of their upcoming workshops for parents and carers. These can be booked for free on their Eventbrite page. Workshops include:
– Supporting Your Child to Manage Their Big Feelings (Mon 18 May)
– Understanding the Adolescent Brain (Tue 19 May)
– Supporting Your Child with Bereavement (Mon 22 June)
– Supporting Your Child with Anxiety ((Tue 23 June)
– Managing Changes and Transitions as We Enter the Summer Holidays (Wed 8 July)
Information on all their workshops, past and present, as well as workshop recordings, can be found on their website: https://buff.ly/tYizS1Y
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
May Day Half Term Holiday
The academy will be closed for one week on Monday 25 to Friday 29 May as it half term. Students return for summer term 2 on Monday 1st June at the usual time.
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
Wednesday 20 May – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
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)
Wednesday 17 June – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
Friday 26 June – Staff PD Day (closed to students)
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