Sent to parents and carers on 23.01.26
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 23 January 2026
It has been a real pleasure visiting lessons across the academy over the past couple of weeks. There is a clear picture, as I walk the school, that Westbourne is a purposeful, calm and diligent community of young people who are committed to their learning, well supported by caring staff who are working hard to support them to do their best.
More and more stories are emerging from students of the impact the Yondr pouches are having on their ability to concentrate in lessons, freed from the distraction of a constantly buzzing pocket. We continue to reap the benefits of this new system. Once again, I would like to congratulate the students on their continued dedication to its adoption.
This week, Mrs Pietrus’ team has been assessing our English as an Additional Language learners for their proficiency in English. This information will be critical in shaping how we support these young people to allow them to fully access our curriculum and achieve their potential.
We have also been assessing our Key Stage 3 learners in reading tests. These scores will allow staff to adapt their lesson resources according to the ability of students to access the work. This will allow us to gauge the amount of progress the students have made since they sat the same tests in the autumn term. Mr Cole and Miss Bird led training with the teaching staff on Wednesday this week on teaching vocabulary, a critical building block of the teacher’s toolkit.
Focus on Punctuality & Attendance
We have had a good start to the New Year, with a very successful introduction of the new Yondr pouches. Students have embraced this new strategy and the impact within the academy is clear.
There has been a significant shift in culture within the academy this academic year, as you will be aware we have had a big push on punctuality in the morning. This has seen a significant reduction in the number of students arriving late.
We have tightened up on the behaviours and impacts of students who wish to be persistently defiant in relation to academy rules and expectations. As a result, there has been a 67% decrease in the number of students failing to attend their timetabled lessons.
This term we have increased the focus to include late attendance to lessons as well as students who make the choice to walk out of the lesson.
Expectations of students within the academy are clear and simple. We continue to work hard to ensure students are aware of the impact of their choices and hold a firm line in relation to behaviour within the school.
Below is a copy of a slide which was shared with students in return assemblies, as well as during tutor time.
We are currently overhauling our Rewards and Recognition systems and we will update this soon.
Thank you for your continued support of the academy as we move along this journey. Your engagement and feedback is important to us, as is your continued support.
Household Support Fund (FSM Eligible Students)
Suffolk County Council is pleased to confirm that the government announced an extension to the Household Support Fund from April 2025 to March 2026. The grant will be issued as a £45 supermarket voucher for each eligible child from SCC’s provider Pluxee to cover February half term 2026 and the Easter Holidays 2026. This will be sent by email from the free school meals team at SCC to priority one parents/carers during week ending 13 February. Here is a letter from SCC for parents and carers:
SCC Letter To Families HSF Vouchers February And Easter Holiday 2026
SEND Coffee Morning: Monday 26 January
Parents and carers are invited to come along and meet the SEND team at Westbourne as well as meet with Helen Cumbers from SENDIASS. Entry is through main Reception from 9:00 – 10:30. There will be a short presentation at 9:30. Queries may be sent to our SENDCO: willow.piper@attrust.org.uk
Parent/Carer Forum: Thursday 29 January
Our next parent/carer forum takes place on Thursday 29 January at 16:15. The date has been changed from Wednesday 28 January due to a diary clash. During this meeting Mr Higgon will go through the progress we have made against our Post-Ofsted Action Plan 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: Thu 29 Jan 2026 – Fill out form
Entry is via main Reception at 16:15. Staff will meet you on arrival and take you through to the main hall.
The dates of future parent/carer forums for 2026 are as follows:
- Wednesday 25 February
- Wednesday 25 March
- Wednesday 29 April
- Wednesday 20 May
- Wednesday 17 June
Safeguarding Update from Mrs Clarke
We are pleased to share, that since we introduced the Yondr pouches into school, we have seen a noticeable change in the attitudes of our young people. They are talking to each other and they are able to focus on their learning. So many young people are commenting that they like the pouches which is a massive positive. However, we are still receiving concerning reports that outside school, online activity is still a concern. We are asking you as parents and carers and in a position to please try and monitor your child with their online use. Please have open conversations about keeping themselves safe whilst online:
- to not engage in negative activity
- refrain from copying images of others and reproducing them, this is a crime
- please check phones randomly so your children know they will be checked – as a deterrent
Please help keep young people safe.
Biometrics Data & Cashless Catering
Earlier this week, we contacted parents and carers of 200+ students who still do not have biometrics data consent and therefore cannot use the faster and more secure fingers scanners in the food hall. Consent for biometrics data may be given online through our MS Form which you can find here on our website news page:
Biometrics Data & Cashless Catering – Westbourne Academy
If your child is already using the finger scanners then there is no need for you to do anything.
ePlatform Digital Library
Our school is committed to providing students with unique learning opportunities, which is why we are pleased to remind you about ePlatform, a digital library for students that provides free access to eBooks and Audiobooks.
The benefits of ePlatform Digital Libraries:
With ePlatform, your child has 24/7 access to eBooks for free. This is a wonderful extension of our physical school library and allows titles to be checked out at home, over the weekend or during school breaks without worrying about losing or accruing late fees because they automatically return at the end of the loan period.
Students of all ages can benefit from ePlatform’s reading and comprehension tools. A service like this can benefit struggling or reluctant readers, learning-challenged students, second-language learners, as well as gifted readers alike.
- Unique reader customisation with Settings Wizard, across all devices
- Introduce students to books above their reading level
- Help busy kids find time to read
- Professionally curated collection with age restrictions set by school staff
- Increase vocabulary and improve pronunciation and comprehension
- User friendly for all types of readers & listeners (e.g. reluctant, dyslexic)
How does it work?
Ensure your child has the ePlatform app, which can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store, Google Play Store or visit westbourneacademy.eplatform.co to begin. Students need to use their school username and password to access the platform. For assistance with this, please ask them to speak to their form tutor or their computing teacher.
Rewards Trip for Year 11 Students
Earlier today, parents and carers of Year 11 students received a separate communication from Mr Payne, Head of Year 11, about the eligibility and criteria for being invited on a rewards trip that will be chosen by the student body. You can find a copy of this communication here on our website:
Year 11 Rewards Trip Eligibility – Westbourne Academy
Vacancies for Support Staff
We are currently seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant, a Cleaning Operative and to increase our pool of Exam Invigilators. Full details including job specifications, rates of pay and hours of work can be found on our website vacancy page here:
Vacancies – Westbourne Academy
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 23 February
- Monday 23 March
- Monday 27 April
- 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.
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
Ipswich Fit Promotions
Ipswich Borough Council have asked schools to share details of their half term programme with parents and carers:
February Half Term With Ipswich Fit
Key Dates 2025-26
Monday 26 January – SEND Coffee Morning 9:00-10:30 (Main Hall)
Thursday 29 January – Parent/Carer Forum 16:15
Monday 16 – Friday 20 Feb – Half term week
Monday 23 February – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Thursday 5 March – Y9 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
Thursday 26 March – Y10 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
Friday 27 March – Y8 HPV Vaccinations (info to follow)
Monday 30 March – 1st day of Easter holiday
Monday 13 April – 1st day of summer term for students
Thursday 30 April – Year 9 Pathway Evening 16:00-18:00 (info to follow)
Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday UK (school closed)
Monday 25 – Friday 29 May – Half term week
Thursday 11 June – Y7 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
Friday 10 July – Y11 Prom (All Manor of Events 19:00-10:45)
Friday 26 June – Staff PD Day (closed to students)
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
Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk
MCAS, online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
Safeguarding queries to wes-safe@attrust.org.uk
SEND queries to: willow.piper@attrust.org.uk