Principal’s Message for Week A, wb 14th September 2026
Enrichment is underway!
It has been fantastic to see our enrichment programme come to life this week. Scholars have been trying new activities, meeting new people and beginning the journeys that will lead to some brilliant outcomes across the year.
A particular shout-out goes to everyone who attended Cooking and CAD & Design on Wednesday. The scholars were full of enthusiasm, and it was wonderful to see them getting stuck into something different and enjoying learning beyond the classroom.
There is plenty more to look forward to. Across our enrichment programme, scholars will be working towards a range of exciting outcomes – including sports tournaments and staff-versus-scholar competitions, performances, creative showcases, community action projects and collaborative challenges. Our aim is that enrichment doesn't simply give scholars somewhere to go after school: it gives them something meaningful to learn, develop and work towards.
It is still drop-in next week, so scholars don't need to worry if they haven't chosen an enrichment yet. We would really encourage them to try something new, bring a friend along, or explore an activity they might not normally consider. After the drop-in period, scholars will settle into their chosen activities and begin working towards their Autumn outcomes.
The full enrichment schedule is now available on the school website, so families can look through the opportunities together and decide what might be worth trying.
As part of our theme of taking control of your own story, we'd love every scholar to find something that adds to theirs – a new skill, a new interest, a new friendship, a moment of courage, or perhaps something they never knew they were good at.
We can't wait to share more of what they create, achieve and discover over the coming weeks.
A strong start: our Orientation Week
This week, scholars have taken part in our Orientation Programme, designed to make sure every young person begins the new academic year feeling confident, prepared and clear about the routines that will help them succeed.
At the heart of our approach is a simple principle: we teach behaviour, rather than simply telling scholars how we expect them to behave. Just as we would not expect a scholar to master something in Maths or Science without explanation, modelling and practice, we explicitly teach the habits and routines that create a calm, safe and successful school.
Throughout Orientation, sessions have followed a consistent approach: knowledge → example → scenario → practice. Scholars first learn exactly what is expected and why it matters. They then see an example, consider how they would respond in a realistic scenario, and, importantly, practise the routine themselves. This means Orientation is active: scholars have been getting out of their seats to rehearse routines until they know what success looks and feels like.
What have scholars been learning?
We began by revisiting two of our fundamental expectations: we take pride in our appearance, and we are prepared to learn. Scholars revisited how to wear their uniform correctly, our expectations around jewellery and make-up, the equipment they need each day and how to use their planner effectively. They also practised uniform checks and getting their equipment out quickly so that learning can begin without unnecessary delay.
This year, we have strengthened the careers lens within these sessions. Scholars have considered their own future ambitions and explored how habits such as being organised, prepared and presenting yourself professionally matter far beyond school. Their career aspirations are also being captured so that we can use them to inform our careers work and conversations throughout the year.
We have then built on this through extended assemblies. Scholars have revisited the importance of being on time, including why punctuality matters beyond school and how developing independence – rather than relying on adults to organise us – prepares us for later life.
We have practised how we keep everybody safe as we move around school: moving with calm, focused efficiency, keeping to the left, taking the quickest route, using stairs and corridors correctly, greeting others courteously, holding doors, looking after our environment and keeping our hands to ourselves. The emphasis has been not simply on knowing these expectations, but on practising them as a skill.
Orientation does not end this week. Throughout the half term, assemblies will revisit key elements of our Taught Behaviour Curriculum, giving scholars further opportunities to recall, discuss and practise these routines. Our aim is that, over time, the things which initially require conscious thought become strong habits that scholars can carry with them beyond our walls.
On Monday, our assembly will explore the ‘why’s of our expectations in more depth, and answer some common questions such as ‘Why don’t teachers have to wear uniform?’
Thank you to families for supporting us in making these first days such an important part of the school year. Excellent attendance during Orientation matters enormously: every session contributes to scholars understanding not only what successful habits look like, but why they matter and how to put them into practice every day.
Attendance and Punctuality
We have had a positive start to the new school year and would like to thank parents and carers for continuing to support strong attendance and punctuality.
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Year Group |
Attendance this week |
Best Form Attendance |
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7 |
95.2% |
7 Duffy 100% |
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8 |
93.6% |
8 Morrison 100% |
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9 |
96.1% |
9 Morrison 98.5% |
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10 |
95.2% |
10 Eliot 100% |
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11 |
96.3% |
11 Heaney 100% |
Every day in school matters. Regular attendance gives your child the best possible chance to learn, build positive relationships, take part in wider school life, and achieve their Fantastic Future.
Even small amounts of absence can quickly add up and mean valuable learning is missed. This year, we will continue to celebrate excellent attendance, but we will also recognise and reward improvement, particularly for students who are working hard to overcome barriers to being in school every day.
If your child is experiencing difficulties that are affecting their attendance, please speak to their Pastoral Manager as early as possible. We want to work with families to understand and remove barriers before attendance becomes a greater concern.
AStar Attendance
This year, we are using a new attendance platform called AStar Attendance to help us monitor attendance more closely, identify concerns earlier, and communicate more effectively with families. As part of this, you may receive automated email notifications from AStar Attendance about your child’s attendance. Please be reassured that these emails are genuine and are being sent on behalf of MEA Central.
You do not need to take any action simply because you receive an AStar notification unless the message specifically asks you to do so.
Punctuality
Punctuality is an area we need to improve across all year groups. A great way to start the day is our free Breakfast Club, open from 7.30am. Students can enjoy free hot food, get help with homework, organise themselves for the day, and arrive at lessons feeling ready to learn. Last entry to Breakfast Club is 8.10am. Our school gates close at 8.40am and any student arriving after this time is recorded as late. Their planner will be stamped so that parents and carers can see that they have arrived late, and they will complete a 30-minute overtime that day. Please check your child’s planner regularly for morning late stamps and, if you see one, have a conversation with them about what is making it difficult to arrive on time.
Being a few minutes late might not feel significant, but those minutes quickly add up. Regular lateness means missed learning and can also have a significant impact on your child’s attendance figures over time. Please support us by making sure your child leaves home with enough time to arrive before the gates close.
Free School Meals (FSM)
With the national changes in Free School Meal provision, parents and students are reminded:
Free School Meal meals are served at lunchtime. If the money is spent on cakes or baguettes at break there will be no funds available for their lunch.
Students in KS4 can purchase food at break time from the KS4 sandwich shack but will be unable to use FSM funds at this time.
MEA Central Skyline Team
Form time interventions begin this week. All students attending have a sticker in their planner and an updated timetable. Interventions typically run for ten weeks, and we find that they have a huge impact on student progress. We will share successes with parents and carers throughout the term, but if you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch. We attend all parent events so please come and say hello!
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Head of Year Messages |
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Year 7 – Mr Guest
It has been a fantastic start to the year for our Year 7 students. They have settled into secondary school life exceptionally well, showing maturity, enthusiasm and a positive attitude towards learning. The climate for work across the year group has been excellent, and students are already demonstrating the high standards we expect in lessons and around the school.
This term, our key value is Citizenship. We will be encouraging students to think about how they can contribute positively to our school community by showing respect, responsibility and kindness in their daily actions. We are looking forward to recognising and celebrating students who embody this important value throughout the term. Uniform standards have been very strong, and we would like to thank parents and carers for their continued support in helping students arrive at school looking smart and ready to learn. As students continue to develop their independence, we would appreciate your assistance in helping them organise themselves each morning, ensuring they have everything they need for the school day.
Our Year 7 benchmark tests begin next week. These assessments provide an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress and help us identify where further support may be needed. Please ensure that students come to school fully equipped, including pens, pencils, a ruler and any other essential equipment.
Finally, we are delighted to be hosting our Year 7 Welcome Evening next week. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families to visit the school, celebrate students' achievements so far and gain an insight into life as a member of our Year 7 community. We very much look forward to welcoming you and hope to see as many families as possible in attendance. Thank you for your ongoing support and for helping us make such a positive start to the academic year.
Mr Guest, Mx Eastwood
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Year 9 – Mr Roper
Year 9 have just completed their first full week back in school and we are really pleased that the excellent standards of attendance and punctuality established last week have continued. Regular attendance is vital for success and we appreciate the support that parents and carers provide in ensuring students arrive at school on time and ready to learn each day. Please do not hesitate to contact either of us if you need to discuss any attendance-related matters, including illness, medical needs or appointments. This week, we have continued to use our year assemblies as an opportunity to challenge the year group with the question: "Are you ready?" As students move through Year 9, we want them to use this important year to mature, develop their independence and take full ownership of their behaviour, choices and learning. We have been encouraging students to reflect on what being "ready" looks like and how they can demonstrate this every day. This week also saw the launch of the Enrichment Programme at MEA Central, and it has been fantastic to see so many Year 9 students engaging in the wide range of activities available both before and after school. We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities, which help develop new skills, interests and friendships beyond the classroom. As in previous years, we will continue to use the school's Overtime system. During assembly, I reiterated that being "ready" includes taking responsibility for attending any Overtime sessions that are issued. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure they attend these sessions promptly and with a positive attitude, using them as an opportunity to reflect through restorative conversations with staff. We look forward to seeing Year 9 continue to build on such a positive start to the academic year. Mr Roper & Ms Renshaw |
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Year 10 – Ms Bradbury It has been wonderful to see Year 10 build on such a positive start and continue to settle into the routines and expectations of Key Stage 4. Over the past week, students have shown a strong commitment to their learning, demonstrating excellent attitudes in lessons and making the most of the opportunities available to them both inside and outside the classroom. It has also been particularly pleasing to see so many students engaging with enrichment activities and developing their interests beyond the classroom.
I have been especially proud to see so many Year 10 students demonstrating our Grade 1 scholarly habits in their lessons. From being fully prepared and actively participating in learning to showing curiosity, resilience and a determination to succeed, students are already setting high standards for themselves. These habits are at the heart of what it means to be a true MEA Central Scholar, and it has been fantastic to see so many students embodying these values on a daily basis.
As we continue our focus for the term, we will be encouraging students to further develop their resilience and sense of responsibility. Key Stage 4 will bring new challenges, and it is important that students learn to persevere when faced with difficulties, seek support when needed and maintain a positive mindset. We will also be focusing on helping students take ownership of their learning by being organised, meeting deadlines and making the most of the feedback they receive.
By demonstrating resilience and taking responsibility for their actions and progress, our students will continue to develop the skills and habits needed to thrive both in school and beyond. I look forward to seeing Year 10 continue to grow in confidence and make further progress as the term unfolds.
Ms Bradbury, Mx Umpierrez |
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Year 11 – Mr Blackburn Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome back to the start of Year 11. We hope you have all enjoyed a restful summer and have returned feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for the exciting year ahead. Firstly, I would like to say a huge well done to Year 11 for the incredible start they have made. The focus, maturity, positivity and determination demonstrated this week have been outstanding. Walking around school, visiting lessons and speaking with staff, it is clear that students have returned with a real sense of purpose. Attendance and punctuality have been excellent, standards have been high, and students have embraced the challenges of Year 11 with a fantastic attitude. As Head of Year, I could not be prouder of the way the year group has started. Year 11 is an incredibly important year, but it is also a year full of opportunity. This is the year where students have the chance to shape their future and show what they are truly capable of. Our message for the year is simple: be intrinsically motivated, take ownership of your journey and write your own story. Every lesson attended, every piece of revision completed, and every positive choice made will contribute to future success. To ensure the best possible outcomes, our focus this year will be on five key areas:
First Impressions Count - College assemblies Our focus for next week is “First Impressions Count.” Throughout the week, a range of local colleges will be visiting MEA Central to deliver assemblies and speak to students about the opportunities available after Year 11. These assemblies are a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about different colleges, courses and pathways, and to begin thinking seriously about their next steps. It is important for students to remember that colleges want them just as much as they want a place at college. These visits are a chance to ask questions, gather information and make informed decisions about their future. With this in mind, 100% attendance next week is essential. Every assembly provides valuable information that will support students when making post-16 choices and preparing future applications. I am extremely excited and optimistic about the year ahead. Having seen the first week unfold, I already sense a determination and ambition within the year group that will help them achieve great things. We built strong foundations in Year 10, and now it is time to build upon them and make Year 11 a year filled with success, achievement and memorable moments. Thank you for your continued support. By working together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their aspirations. Let's make this a Year 11 to remember. Best wishes, |
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