Sent to parents and carers on 13/03/2026
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 13 March 2026
This week it has been a real pleasure to address each year group’s morning line-up to congratulate the students on their contributions to the Ofsted inspection last week. With Years 9-11 I was able to share how impressed I was by the commitment and dedication of our cadets in those year groups on Friday last week, who took part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out, braving temperatures of six degrees in order to raise nearly £2000 for the Royal Veterans’ Enterprise charity.
It was also good to be able to remind students about our newly revamped rewards and awards system which started on Monday. Following student, parent/carer and staff feedback, it was apparent that we need to do more to recognise our students when they are doing the right thing. Hundreds of golden tickets have already been issued, with students in each year group being entered into a weekly prize draw to win an Amazon voucher.
Finally I was invited to lead training on our phone-free school policy with the other Principals in Academy Transformation Trust last Friday. It is clear that Westbourne Academy is currently leading the way in this important area which, I believe, will get more attention nationally as people become increasingly aware of the negative impact mobile phones and social media are having on young people. This is one of the key reasons why we have already moved to having a phone-free academy.
C3 Consequences & Detention Strategy
Earlier today, a separate communication went to parents and carers from Mr Stronach. As you will be aware, we have been working very hard as an academy to further develop behaviour and culture at Westbourne Academy. You can find a copy of the changes that are coming into effect on Monday as well as the detention strategy on our website news page here:
C3 Consequences and Detention Strategy – Westbourne Academy
Students received the above information during a special assembly in school today during Period 4.
Academy Uniform Reminders
The majority of our students wear the full school uniform with pride. However, a number of students are not meeting our uniform expectations. We ask parents and carers to please check and ensure that pupils attend school wearing the correct uniform, every day:
- correct footwear: black, waterproof school shoes (fabric trainers are not permitted)
- trousers: grey, standard-cut school trousers (not black leggings or fashion trousers)
- shirt: blue school shirt (not PE tops)
- jumper: school jumper (not hoodies)
- blazer: must be worn
- tie: must be worn, correctly and at all times
- students should not have extreme hairstyles, excessive make-up, false nails, or excessive jewellery
Forbidden items will be confiscated and returned to pupils at the end of the school day. If students arrive in incorrect or incomplete uniform, support will be offered to help them meet the school standard. Please ensure uniforms are checked before students for school in the mornings.
From Monday 16 March, enhanced uniform checks will take place and parents/carers may receive phone calls where expectations are not met. Persistent breaches of the uniform policy may result in students being placed in seclusion until the problem is rectified.
Any questions regarding uniform should initially be directed to your child’s form tutor in the first instance. Any adaptions to the uniform due to changes in the weather, will be communicated by the school. We will remind students about our standards and expectations. We ask that parents and carers also reinforce this message at home. Thank you for your support.
Year 10 Parent/Carer Evening: Thursday 26 March 2026
Parents and carers were sent a separate email earlier today with instructions on how to book appointments to meet their child’s teachers on Thursday 26 May 2026 between 16:00-19:00. A copy of the communication can be found here on our website news page:
Year 10 Parent/Carer Evening – Westbourne Academy
Support Staff Vacancies
We currently have three vacancies for two Teaching Assistants and a part-time Design & Technology Technician. Full details can be found here on our website:
Vacancies – Westbourne Academy
Ipswich Town Soccer School at Westbbourne
Ipswich Town Foundation are hosting a fun, full day of free football activities on Friday 10 April at Westbourn. The soccer school is free for 6 to 12 year olds who are eligible for Free School Meals. For more information, please scan the QR code to book or visit
Queries may also be directed to matt.mason@attrust.org.uk our Community Inclusion Coordinator.
Parent/Carer Forum: Wednesday 25 March
Our next parent/carer forum takes place on Wednesday 25 March at 17:15. 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 25 March 2026 – Fill out form
Entry is via main Reception at 17:15. 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 29 April
- Wednesday 20 May
- 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 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
Key Dates 2025-26
Monday 23 March – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Wednesday 25 March – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
Thursday 26 March – Y10 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
Friday 27 March – Y8 HPV Vaccinations (info to follow)
Friday 27 March – Year 11 photos Period 5 & lunchtime
Monday 30 March – 1st day of Easter holiday
Monday 13 April – 1st day of summer term for students
Monday 27 April – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Wednesday 29 April – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
Thursday 30 April – Year 9 Pathway Evening 16:00-18:00 (info to follow)
Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday UK (school closed)
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