Sent to parents and carers on 15/05/2026
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 15 May 2026
It has been really pleasing to welcome Year 11 into school for the exam warm-ups we have been running this week, as they get to grips with their core exams, sitting papers in English, science and mathematics in addition to their options subjects which began last week. Whilst students are finding their exams stressful, staff have been on hand to support them as they go in, with both encouraging words and breakfasts provided by our food hall. The overall atmosphere has been really positive and it is encouraging for the results the students will earn in August.
Assemblies this week have focussed on derogatory language, as this Sunday is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Some students have reported that they sometimes hear their peers using derogatory language and there is no place for that at Westbourne as it contravenes British Values.
We have enhanced our interventions around these ways of speaking to ensure that any student who speaks in a homophobic, biphobic or transphobic way will receive both a sanction – seclusion and/or suspension – and an intervention to teach them about the importance of understanding and speaking in a way which is not negative towards others’ protected characteristics. There is no place for derogatory language in modern Britain, or indeed at Westbourne Academy, and it is important that young people learn this in order to be successfully prepared for adult life.
Finally, as I write this on Friday morning, nearly 30 of our Year 9 students are about to set out on their Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition in Rendlesham Forest. This is an excellent scheme which allows young people to enrich their time in high school, demonstrating our aspirational values of Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Independence and Communication.
Girls Football & Rugby
On Friday 8 May, the Under 12 girls took part in a rugby tournament at Ipswich Rugby Club. They played amazingly during all four games, winning two of them! Considering this was the first time they have played rugby in fixtures – and only their 3rd rugby session – they can be incredibly proud of themselves!
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, the U12/U14 and U15 girls took part in separate football tournaments at Whitton sports centre. They came up against tough opposition but held their own in the games! The girls can be proud of how they performed. The girls represented the academy brilliantly trying their hardest in every single game and not giving up right till the end, they all did themselves proud and the academy proud.
Co-Curricular Timetable for Summer 2026
An updated copy of our co-curricular and enrichment timetable can be found here on our website:
Co-Curricular & Enrichment – Westbourne Academy
The clubs and activities on offer will change for the autumn term, when the sports hall is no longer closed for the summer exams.
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.
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
Year 10 Geography Field Trips: Olympic Park London
Earlier this week, parents and carers of our Year 10 Geography students were sent a separate communication from Miss Kelly about the field trips taking place on 18 and 19 June. A copy of the information and trip details can be found here on our website:
Year 10 Geography Exam Field Trip to London Stratford – Westbourne Academy
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 17 June – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
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
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