After 23 years of outstanding service, we said a fond farewell to Mr Barnett, who has moved to an academy closer to home. We also extended our congratulations to Miss Hyde, who secured a well-deserved promotion at a new academy. Their contribution to our academy community has been exceptional, and they left us with our warmest thanks and very best wishes.

We are delighted to announce that Mrs Bust is now an Assistant Head of Faculty, taking the lead in the subject of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL). We are equally pleased to welcome Mrs Spencer and Miss Jardine to the faculty as teachers of English. Both bringing a wealth of expertise and fresh ideas to our faculty.

The Faculty of Languages continues to provide a wide range of opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom with multiple enrichment opportunities.

Theatre Visits – Last year, students thoroughly enjoyed a trip to see & Juliet and this year we look forward to visits to Oliver Twist, The Woman in Black, and Jekyll and Hyde. These trips enable students to engage with literature in new and inspiring ways and hopefully help to nurture their love of live theatre showing that life beyond a screen exists.

German Christmas Market Visit – Our Year 10 students will soon experience the unique cultural traditions of the festive season in Germany, an invaluable opportunity to practise their language skills in an authentic setting and maybe grab a fabulous gift.

Year 9 Summer Visit to Germany – Last summer, our Year 9 students participated in a hugely successful trip, visiting a chocolate factory, exploring sports stadiums, and experiencing the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral.

In all of the enrichment trips the students’ impeccable behaviour throughout was a real credit to the academy and a testament to their maturity and enthusiasm making these events a pleasure to plan and run.

We hope the students at the academy continue to enjoy studying languages as it is not only academically rewarding but also provides students with lifelong skills, cultural awareness, and confidence. Through English and MFL, our students develop the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and appreciate the richness of different cultures so we are constantly looking where we can enhance the students’ experiences through our text choices and places we visit.

The Faculty of Languages is committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to flourish both inside and outside the classroom living ‘Life in all its Fulness’.