14 November 2025
Dear Parents
We have had a busy start to our half term, with assessment week completed and Year 11 mocks almost completed. The students have focused well over these weeks and shown motivation and resilience – Year 11 in particular have been excellent role models in their revision, attitude to their studies and behaviour before and after their mock exams. Being resilient is challenging at times, especially when there is lots of juggling to do, with different demands placed on our time in an ever changing world. For our students, their relationships and communication with their teachers and pastoral teams are crucial in providing support when it is needed. Students know who they can go to if they are in need – from their Form Tutor, Head of Year, Subject Teacher, Key Worker, MW team – there is always a member of staff available when a student needs them. This, in my eyes, makes Erdington Academy a special place to be.
Assessment week is just as important as Year 11 mocks as it gives staff information on individual students to help staff plan and support for the Spring term.
As individuals, we all aspire to be the best version of ourselves we can be. Aspiration gives us a goal to aim for and sets out the type of people we would each like to be. Over recent weeks I have seen so many examples of this from our students in different elements of the school and it has been inspiring to see and hear their reflections. For example, Erdington Academy welcomed Year 5 and 6 students for a morning from a local primary school recently – some of our Year 7 students shared their experiences with them and were confident and eloquent in their reflections and words of advice. They were excellent role models and encouraged those younger students to be aspirational in their choices as they consider their next school steps. Mr Mallett was very impressed!
Continuing with the theme of aspiration, we are very lucky to have the support of The Fort Shopping Park, in providing work experience opportunities for some of our Year 10 students. Year 10 were invited to apply and interview for a week of work experience, where they would learn about the various aspects of working in this sort of context, including marketing, communication and customer relations. Mr Troy Yeomans, Destination Manager at The Fort and Mr Hassnain, our Careers Advisor, were very impressed with the professionalism and maturity the students displayed in their interviews. Well done to those Year 10’s who have been selected and to those who were not successful this time, there will be further opportunities later this year.
Dates for your Diary:
- Tuesday 25th November: PTFA meeting at 6.00 pm
- Wednesday 26th November: Parents’ Forum at 6.00pm
- Thursday 27th November: Inclusion Coffee Morning 9.25am
- Friday 28th November: the school will be closed to students in Years 7 to 10 due to a scheduled staff training day. However, selected Year 11 students will be expected to attend school to complete essential work in preparation for their GCSE examinations. Further details will be provided to those involved.
Warm regards,
Mrs Hillier
Assistant Principal SENCO
