16 September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
At Erdington Academy, we believe that success is rarely the result of one big moment. More often, it is built through hundreds of small moments: small acts of kindness, small improvements, small choices to work hard and small decisions to do the right thing. Over time, these moments accumulate and have a significant impact on a young person’s achievement, confidence and future opportunities.
This week, that message has been at the heart of many of our conversations with students and staff and links closely to our value of the week, Integrity. Integrity is demonstrated through the choices we make every day, particularly when nobody is watching. It is about being honest, taking responsibility for our actions and showing respect to others. These are qualities that we seek to develop in all members of our academy community because they are essential not only for success in school, but also for success in life.
This week, I spoke to staff about the idea of “Small Moments, Big Impact.” While major achievements rightly deserve recognition, it is often the small, everyday interactions that have the greatest influence on a young person’s experience of school. A warm greeting, a word of encouragement, praise for effort or a conversation that builds confidence can have a lasting impact. As a staff team, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels known, valued and supported because positive relationships are at the heart of a successful school.
The same principle applies at home. A conversation about the school day, checking that homework has been completed, celebrating a success or encouraging a child when they face a challenge can have a powerful impact over time. These moments may seem small, but together they build confidence, resilience and ambition. When families and schools work together through these everyday interactions, the difference we can make for young people is significant.
Students have also received assemblies focused on making the most of the opportunities available through our House System. The House System plays an important role in helping students develop a sense of belonging, leadership, teamwork and pride in their academy. We encourage every student to get involved, participate in events and competitions, and make the most of the opportunities available. School is about much more than academic success alone, and these experiences help students develop the character and confidence that will serve them well in the future.
The theme of integrity also extends to how we communicate with one another. We value the relationships we have with parents and carers and are committed to working together in the best interests of every child. Recently, we have seen an increase in concerns being submitted in highly formal formats generated through artificial intelligence tools. Whilst we understand that technology can be helpful, our experience is that concerns are often resolved most effectively through open and direct communication. A telephone conversation or face-to-face meeting often helps us to understand concerns more fully and find solutions more quickly. We will always listen carefully, take concerns seriously and work collaboratively with families. Our shared goal is the success and wellbeing of every student, and strong partnerships are built on open, honest and respectful dialogue.
Homework is another example of how small actions can lead to significant outcomes. Regular completion of homework helps students to strengthen their understanding, develop good study habits and become increasingly independent learners. While a single homework task may not seem important in isolation, consistent effort over weeks, months and years can make a substantial difference to achievement. We therefore expect all students to complete their homework to a high standard and on time, and we are grateful for the support that parents and carers provide in establishing these positive routines at home.
Finally, I would like to reiterate the importance of maintaining consistently high standards. The Erdington Way provides the clear expectations that enable us to create a calm, safe and purposeful environment where every student can succeed. These expectations include excellent attendance, punctuality, positive behaviour, pride in appearance, respect for others and a commitment to learning. Just as success is built through small positive actions, standards are maintained through small daily habits repeated consistently. By working together and remaining ambitious for our young people, we can continue to build on the improvements made at Erdington Academy and ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their very best.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Yours sincerely
Mrs E. Cross
Head of Academy