Dear parents and carers,

We have a great week at Ringmer!

As the exam season continues to progress, a special mention to Ms. King, who has made the 10-person shortlist for the national 2025 Exams Officer of the Year. Ms. King continues to do some excellent work at the school, ensuring that students and staff have everything they need for the exams. There is a considerable professionalism to the process, which has been recognised, and puts KAR alongside some other nominations from prestigious national and international schools, including those from the private sector. A huge well done to Ms King for her hard work.

On Thursday, we were visited by The NHS School Health Service, who spoke to many of our students in the hall at lunchtime. The NHS workers said they visit a large number of schools, and were blown away by how polite, well-dressed and personable our students were. A reminder, not that we need it, of the fantastic children we have here at KAR.

I am delighted that we will be hosting a community event on Tuesday 24th June relating to a ‘Smartphone Free Childhood’. Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots movement bringing parents together to stand up for healthier, happier childhoods. The event has been scheduled to highlight the opportunity for families to delay smartphones and social media together – building community, sharing support, and changing the conversation. Step by step. Brick (phone) by brick (phone). Whilst this is primarily aimed at our prospective parents in Year 6, everyone in our school community who has an interest in this area is welcome via ticket. More information is listed within this newsletter.

Have a fantastic weekend

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE LEWES DISTRICT SMARTPHONE FREE CHILDHOOD PANEL EVENT!️

 Following sell-out events in Brighton and Hove, 'Parenting in the Digital Age’, Lewes District Event, is now open for booking!

 Tuesday 24th June 2025, 18.30-20.30, Kings Academy Ringmer, BN8 5RB 

This event is for everyone in our community: parents, carers, schools, doctors, anyone who cares about and is invested in the lives of our children. 

​ Listen to our incredible panel of local experts in paediatrics, mental health, the police and education.

​ Meet other parents who are considering delaying giving their child a smartphone until at least the age of 14.

​ Q&A with our experts to answer your burning questions.

​Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so reserve your seat today. (And please, if your circumstances change and you can’t come, return your ticket so we can give it to someone else.)

 Please share this with friends, family, neighbours, schools, professional networks… anyone who you think needs to know!

See you there! 

Click this link to reserve your seat: http://bit.ly/3ZbPz0K

 

King’s Academy Ringmer Summer Showcase

Tickets are now available for our end-of-year Performing Arts Showcase!

On Wednesday 18th June, 6 - 8pm, talented students from Years 7 - 11 will take centre stage in the KAR school hall to present an evening of entertainment!

Our end of year Performing Arts Showcase is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the students artistic abilities and hard work.

From choirs, to bands, to small group acts, solo performances, dramatic scenes, and dance - the event will be jammed packed with entertainment.

Come and share this magical evening with us. Tickets are available here: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kar-summer-showcase-tickets-1365662636709?aff=oddtdtcreato

BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET NOW!

Free Webinars for Yr 9/10/11 parents from Emily Hughes, author of the GCSE Survival Guide for Parents

Navigating Year 11
For parents of current Year 10s
7–8pm, Thurs 12th June
https://parentguidetoeducation.com/reg/navigating-y11

Stepping up to Year 12
For parents of current Year 11s
7–8pm, Thurs 19th June
https://parentguidetoeducation.com/reg/stepping-up-to-y12

Navigating GCSEs
For parents of current Year 9s
7–8pm, Thurs 26th July
https://parentguidetoeducation.com/reg/navigating-gcses

Plumpton College – News and Events There is a lot going on at Plumpton College over the coming couple of months: Final Open Event of this academic year, 14 June Year 10 Taster Days - limited availability! Show season is here - catch us at South of England (6-8 June) and Kent County Show (4-6 July) Spotlight on our Foundation Learning programme

Their next Open Event is the perfect opportunity to visit Plumpton College, meet their industry expert lecturers and see where a career in the Land and Environment sector can take you:  Saturday 14 June 2025  9am - 12pm  Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes, BN7 3AE

Book your place for Saturday 14 June

Student Welcome Day - bookings open For any students due to start at Plumpton College in September 2025, Student Welcome Day is the perfect opportunity to meet new classmates and teachers and see what college life is like!  Please ask your son/daughter to check their emails and book their space.

Tuesday 8th July - final few spaces remaining for Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Studies & Conservation, Forestry & Arboriculture, Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences and Horticulture. Wednesday 9th July - limited availability for all sessions apart from Animal Management and Bakery which are both fully booked!  A fantastic opportunity for students to try out two subjects of their choice as part of our Year 10 Taster Days. Students will discover what's involved in the course, have a chance to explore campus and meet course tutors and other prospective students.

Book now

Plumpton College is excited to be heading to the South of England Show again this year!  Pop along and visit them at their stand F8 to have a hands-on experience with what they have to offer at Plumpton College! They will also be at the Kent County Show from 4 - 6 July.

Foundation Learning Spotlight

Foundation Learning Course Info

They are here to support you and your son/daughter with assembly presentations, careers events and any other initiatives you host. Why not get in touch and see how we can support you? schoolsliaison@plumpton.ac.uk Please don't hesitate to contact Plumpton by email (see contact details below) with any queries about studying at Plumpton College.  Kind Regards,  The Schools & Colleges Liaison Team - schoolsliaison@plumpton.ac.uk  Amanda Symes & Jess Saunders

Dear parents/carer,

I hope you have had a great week. 

We are immensely proud of our Year 11’s who have successfully navigated the first week of GCSE exams. They have shown maturity and an assured approach throughout the week, and we are delighted that every day has seen 100% attendance in school. They remain focussed in our drop-down timetables, where the teachers have done a very good job of guessing some of the exam questions just before they go in! 

I was delighted this week to be a part of our student leadership interviews for our senior students. The quality in Year 10 is outstanding, and we had a challenging job of choosing the various roles from transition leaders, sports leaders, eco-leaders and the head students. They all gave a presentation regarding how they would positively influence the school, as well as answering questions in interviews relating to the role. I congratulate all who took part in the process, and am delighted to announce Jessica and Elliot as our Head Students. I look forward to presenting them with their leadership ties in a ceremony with parents after the half-term. I am excited to work with them to elevate our student's voice, and have no question they will act as excellent role models when they step into Year 11 next year.

We are excited to again showcase yet more creative talent in the school in Years 7-11 with our performing arts showcase on 18th June. More details are held within this newsletter, and we hope to see you there on the evening! The performing arts remain a huge success at Ringmer, and it is fantastic to see so many students already signed up to perform.

Have a great weekend

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

Music Department - Save the Date: Kings Academy Ringer Performing Arts Showcase 18 June 2025

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Performing Arts Showcase at Kings Academy Ringer! On Wednesday, 18th June, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, our talented students from Years 7 to 11 will take centre stage in the school hall to present an evening of entertainment. This spectacular event will feature a diverse array of performances, including choirs and bands, small group acts, solo performances, dramatic scenes, and dance. As valued parents and stakeholders, we cordially request that you put the date in your diary for this celebration of our students' artistic abilities and hard work. Your presence will not only support our young performers but also demonstrate the importance of the arts in our school community. We look forward to sharing this magical evening with you and showcasing the remarkable talents nurtured within our performing arts programme.  Thank you, Ms Urquhart, Subject Leader for Music 

 

Library News

Thank you for all the money raised from World Book Day.  The library has been able to purchase a brand-new collection of current trending reads. These popular titles reflect the latest interests and buzz in the reading community, offering something fresh and exciting for all readers. The new additions aim to inspire more students to read for pleasure and explore a variety of genres and voices.

Mrs Colbourne and Mrs Harvey Overton
 

Careers Information

 

1. Exciting Career Morning for Year 7 and 8 Students at King’s Academy Ringmer – 15 July 2025

Following the success of last year’s Careers Breakfast, we’re thrilled to announce that we are organising another Careers Morning for Year 7 and 8 students at King’s Academy Ringmer. The goal of this event is to spark conversations amongst the students about different career paths and career journeys. We want them to understand what various jobs involve and, most importantly, to feel inspired and excited about the career choices that lie ahead.

During the event, participants will be given a table in the assembly hall. Small groups of students will visit each table or stand for a Q&A-style discussion, allowing them to learn more about different careers directly from those who are experienced in those fields.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to be part of this exciting event, please reach out to me for more details – sarah.colbourne@kingsacademies.uk We are looking for a wide variety of careers to showcase and would love to have you involved. Looking forward to hearing from you, Mrs Colbourne, Careers Lead 

2. What Next Sussex -Online Careers Event for young people, parents and carers.

This is a live event taking place on Thursday 22nd May at 6pm.

The event will cover everything young people need to know to make informed decisions about their futures. From 6-7pm the LIVE CHAT will open and colleges, apprenticeship providers and universities across Sussex will be available to answer questions. 

Please follow the link below to register.

https://www.getcareerconfident.co.uk/what-next-sussex/what-next-sussex-2025-registered

3. “What Next Sussex”

This is an upcoming virtual event which is specifically designed for parents, carers and young people to support progression into post-16 education or training.  This event is organised by the East Sussex Careers Hub and will take place online on Thursday 22 May 2025.

Links to their social media posts about the event are found below:

• https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1123080173188816&set=a.311132604383581

• https://x.com/CareersHubES/status/1920192188970831964/photo/1 

 

Free School Meals - Changes from April 1st 2025

Please see below information received from East Sussex County Council with regard to free school meal changes.

We are writing to remind you that from 1st April this year the Free School Meals transitional protections ended. This means that any children whose household no longer meets the free school meal eligibility criteria will only receive free school meals until the end of the phase of education they are in, ie, Primary or Secondary school (or 6th form for those schools with one).

At the end of each academic year (starting this year), Year 6 pupils will be reviewed and any children no longer entitled will be removed from the FSM eligibility lists before they start secondary school. Year 11 children will also be ceased and those returning to a school 6th form must reapply for free school meals if they believe they are entitled.

All new free school meal applicants confirmed as eligible from 1st April will be recorded as ‘Eligible new’ and their entitlement will be reviewed three times a year in March, July and December. Parents and schools will be informed of any children who are no longer entitled to FSM following a review and they should be removed from your FSM entitlement list.

Please see below information on how to apply for Free School Meals 

Do you qualify for Free School Meals?

To make applications easier for parents/carers we have changed the way that you can apply for free school meals. Applications are now processed online via East Sussex County Council, the criteria for being able to apply and for the online application please see the details below.

Free school meals for children in Year 3 and older

Older children may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:

·         Universal Credit - GOV.UK – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

·         Income Support - GOV.UK

·         Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - GOV.UK

·         Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK

·         Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK

·         The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -GOV.UK

·         Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK, only, if your annual household income (assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) isn’t over £16,190

[Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit - GOV.UK, won’t get free meals regardless of income]

·         Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Children will get free school meals if they meet the criteria and are in school both before and after lunchtime.

Children eligible for free school meals on or after 1 April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2025 even if your circumstances change.

·         Apply for free school meals online

Our Electronic Checking Service might be able to confirm entitlement. If not, you’ll need to show recent proof that you qualify. Meals cannot be given until eligibility is verified.

Apply online if your child goes to school in East Sussex.

Thank you, Debbie Duckworth, School Business Manager

Get ready for Walk to School Week - 19th to 23rd May

Walk to school week is an excellent way to try out some new habits.

Travelling to school is one of the biggest contributors to a school's carbon footprint, but it can be challenging to address because it relies on factors outside a school’s control - including the availability of safe routes to school and public transport and the good old British weather.

We are in the process of collecting data to find out how our staff and pupils travel to school and the carbon associated with this.

If you haven’t done so already, we invite you to fill in the very short survey to help us get a picture of our current transport trends. https://forms.gle/GLHfQjWc9KmHa6iUA

 

“Goodwoof” At Goodwood – 17 and 18 May 2025

There is going to be a brilliant dog event - Goodwoof taking place at Goodwood this weekend.  The weather is set to be perfect, and they have so much lined up which they think the Ringmer community would love - fabulous kennel designs in the Barkitecture competition with Kevin McCloud and dancing with Curtis and AJ Pritchard at the Ministry of Hound; plus, shopping opportunities with the Jellycat Hotel, along with much loved author, Michael Morpurgo heading a stellar line-up in our Literary Corner. Oh, and Raysted will be there too.

All activities on site will be included in the ticket price and children ages 12 and younger go free, as well as dogs, and under 21s are half price.  Tickets can be bought online at www.goodwood.com/goodwoof/tickets-and-packages/ and collected on the day.

 

Book Swap – Saturday 24 May 2025, 11am to 1pm

Lewes Children’s Book Group at the Depot

The event is free of charge.  Lewes Children’s Book Group asks children to bring good-condition children's books that they no longer want to read and exchange them for others.  Essentially "swapping" books to discover new titles and authors while giving their old books a new home, all without having to buy new ones; it's a way for book lovers to share their reading material with each other and find new books to read. 

It can also be an opportunity to find a love of reading.  If there are children who don't have books to swap in the first place, they can just speak to one of the volunteers at the event and they find a way of making it work.

Half Term Activities - Creative Hands - Pottery Clubs and The Mac’s Farm Open Days

1. Clayful Hands - Pottery Clubs 

Clayful Hands is a creative pottery studio based in a beautiful beamed barn on a peaceful farm just outside Lewes. They run a variety of engaging, hands-on experiences for children, including after-school sessions and creative holiday clubs throughout the year.

Their aim is to offer a calm, welcoming space where children can explore their creativity - whether through pottery painting, wheel throwing, or clay modelling. With on-site parking, a café, and plenty of fresh air, it's an ideal environment for after-school relaxation or school holiday fun.

2. The Mac’s Farm Open Days

See poster below for further details

 

 

Tree Festival 2025 – Photo Competition

Please see the poster below for further information.

 

Dear parents/carers,

I hope you have had a great week.

Our Year 11's are now in the final push towards exams, with some exams already done! We wish them every success as they start the full round of exams from next week. I am extremely proud of all their hard work. The students have conducted themselves in a calm, purposeful and focused manner; it has been encouraging to see them attending their exams and preparation sessions with such a positive mindset. Hundreds of intervention sessions have been attended across the year group, so I also thank teachers and staff for providing this support. The students have been receiving rewards through their ‘intervention passports’, with some already having attended close to 50 additional sessions either before or after school in the last few months. As they now enter the exam season, the hard work continues before their celebration at the end-of-year Prom.

This week, we will take the opportunity to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2025 – signalling eight decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe. I am grateful to Ms Da Nobrega who has organised some activities throughout the week to aid reflexion and discussion. This year's commemorations provide a unique opportunity to connect younger generations with this pivotal chapter in history. This supports our extensive personal development curriculum, centred around our CARE principles designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they will need after leaving KAR (Communication, Curiosity, Altruism, Respect and Emotional Intelligence). This is worked on in our personal development time (PDT) and provides an opportunity to express views and consider different perspectives.

I am pleased to say that our Year 9 students were a credit on the Big Futures Careers Fair at Eastbourne Sports Park, receiving several positive comments on the day. We have worked hard to develop our career provision and thank you to Ms Colbourne for leading this area so successfully.

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

The Big Futures Careers Fair -Year 9 Visit

Our Year 9 students visited The Big Futures Careers Fair at Eastbourne Sports Park this week. Now in its eighth year, the show has established itself as the premier employability and skills event for schools in East Sussex.

The level of student engagement was exceptional and this was fed back by both staff and the exhibitors.

Our students got involved with a range of hands-on activities and discussions throughout their visit. This included career quizzes, using drones, software testing,’’ build a road challenge’’ on Minecraft, using VR headsets, skim plastering, house building techniques and methods of construction, hairdressing, learning first aid with the NHS and many more.  

Students left fired up with lots of ideas, information and enthusiasm that they could follow up.

We were all very proud of our students for the way they conducted themselves throughout the event.

Mrs Colbourne , Careers Lead 

 

 

Important Information to note:

• SIGNING IN & OUT

When students sign in or out during the school day, it is absolutely essential that they speak to a member of the reception staff. 

• ARBOR UPDATE & ABSENCE REPORTING

Recently, an email was sent out to parents informing them that we would now be using Arbor and this included instructions and a link for parents to sign up to Arbor and to download the Arbor app.  Parents and students no longer have access to Edulink.  

Absences should be reported via the Arbor app. or by phoning the school absence line (unmanned) or emailing ringmer.reception@kingsacademies.uk.  

Please note: advance appointments cannot be reported. 

If you have any issues accessing Arbor please contact the school.

Please note: advance appointments cannot be reported on Arbor.  Please contact reception if you wish to report any.

We are still working on giving students access to Arbor.

• WATER!

Please ensure that your child has a water bottle in school every day, especially with the weather getting warmer.  There is ample shade and water available during breaks. Blazers may be removed outside but should be replaced on entry to buildings.

• PARENTPAY

Recent issues with Parentpay should now have been resolved.  Please check your child's account and top it up where necessary.

All students were allowed to purchase food from the canteen without question, so now we have several accounts overdrawn.

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a great week.

As we approach the Easter holiday, I would like to say a big thank you for all of your continued support. We believe that the school continues to be in a very positive place, and it is a continued privilege to lead the school. The school has experienced around a 40% rise in numbers in the last few years and, despite this rapid growth, our culture goes from strength to strength, and we have a community to be proud of. Positive relationships are at the heart of our community, and we are very much 'Proud to be Ringmer'. With an anticipated 55 more students in September, we are delighted that interest in the school remains high, and we have received a record number of appeals for places for our Year 7 cohort next year. 

Huge congratulations to our students who took part in the annual ‘Let's Dance’ at the Congress Theatre. A number of our students from Years 8 to 10 worked extremely hard and were a credit to both themselves and the school. Well done to the following:

Edie 10, Evelyn 10, Molly 10, Gabi 10, Matilda R 9, Lily E 9, Freya O 9, Sophie J 9, Chloe L 9, Jess M 9, Molly H 8, Ivy B 8, Zara P 8, Sisi M 8, Ella F 8, Rosie P 8

I am excited to announce that we have joined the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian Association). In line with our school's vision to develop well-roundedness within our students and afford them opportunities to build character, we are delighted that we will now have the opportunity to compete both locally and nationally against other schools. For those interested, further information is available within this newsletter.

Our Year 11's have now moved into the final stage before exams, and I thank the teaching staff for providing sessions over Easter as we have a number of revision sessions across the holiday. Full details have been provided in a separate email to parents.

Please note that students will return to school on Tuesday 22nd April.

I hope you have an enjoyable Easter break.

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

'Calling all budding equestrians!

Kings Academy are pleased to announce that we have joined the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian Association).

This gives students the chance to compete in a variety of disciplines against other schools, both locally and nationally. Lots of local schools are already signed up, so it would be great to get King’s Academy represented too.

To find out more check out this link: https://www.nsea.org.uk

We are interested in all disciplines, so if you have your own horse or pony, transport to get yourself to the events and are keen on being in a team or competing individually for the school, then we'd love to hear from you.

We will be holding a meeting after the Easter holidays, so watch out for a date and come along and see what it's all about.'

 

Design Technology – Super Curriculum

Mrs Hepburn’s Super curriculum students have come to the end of their time exploring textiles. They experienced the wet felting process, shaping felt with felting needles and how to hand stitch felt to form 3D food.  On top of the felting skills, they explored the origins of fibres, weaving techniques and embroidery skills. 

Thank you for a very enjoyable and creative 3 months. Enjoy your next super curriculum choice! 

Mrs R. Hepburn Imber, Design & Technology Teacher / Tutor of 7RHE / Head of House System

 

Change news

Students have been busy during super-curriculum time learning woodworking skills using electric and manual screwdrivers to assemble the raised vegetable beds we are making in the greenhouse area. Working together in groups encourages communication and teamwork. The resources have been funded by the South Downs National Park's 75-year anniversary grant. This grant money is helping us with the cost associated with setting up a manageable working space which will eventually be full of plants, improving our school’s biodiversity by attracting pollinators and providing habitats for insects. More updates as the site improves

A reminder about outgrown and preloved school uniform

As part of our commitment to reduce waste, reduce our carbon footprint and ensure there are opportunities for these items to be reused, we have a partnership with our local charity, Raystede. Raystede will now start stocking preloved uniforms at their headquarters and animal rescue centre premises: Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, the Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ. They will have a dedicated area for Kings Academy Ringmer uniforms, and we are encouraging families with uniforms that still have life in them but are no longer needed to be donated to Raystede. The stock will be dependent on donations from our school community.

Pre-loved uniforms can be donated to Raystede directly at the address above, or via the school where we can take them to the premises. The charity will take 100% profit from any money raised from the sale of these items. So please only donate items that you believe are suitable for resale.

Alternatively, preloved uniforms can be obtained from our school uniform Facebook page (Kings Academy Ringmer Uniform Group) will continue to operate if parents prefer to directly trade second-hand clothes amongst themselves, or you can still purchase new uniforms at the new uniform outlet, www.monkhouse.com

 

Free School Meals - Changes from April 1st 2025

Please see below information received from East Sussex County Council with regard to free school meal changes.

We are writing to remind you that from 1st April this year the Free School Meals transitional protections will end. This means that any children whose household no longer meets the free school meal eligibility criteria will only receive free school meals until the end of the phase of education they are in, ie, Primary or Secondary school (or 6th form for those schools with one).

At the end of each academic year (starting this year), Year 6 pupils will be reviewed and any children no longer entitled will be removed from the FSM eligibility lists before they start secondary school. Year 11 children will also be ceased and those returning to a school 6th form must reapply for free school meals if they believe they are entitled.

All new free school meal applicants confirmed as eligible from 1st April will be recorded as ‘Eligible new’ and their entitlement will be reviewed three times a year in March, July and December. Parents and schools will be informed of any children who are no longer entitled to FSM following a review, and they should be removed from your FSM entitlement list.

Please see below information on how to apply for Free School Meals. 

Do you qualify for Free School Meals?

To make applications easier for parents/carers, we have changed the way that you can apply for free school meals. Applications are now processed online via East Sussex County Council. The criteria for being able to apply and for the online application please see the details below.

Free school meals for children in Year 3 and older

Older children may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit - GOV.UK – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

• Income Support - GOV.UK

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - GOV.UK

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK

• The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -GOV.UK

• Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK, only, if your annual household income (assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) isn’t over £16,190

[Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit - GOV.UK, won’t get free meals regardless of income]

• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

Children will get free school meals if they meet the criteria and are in school both before and after lunchtime.

Children eligible for free school meals on or after 1 April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2025 even if your circumstances change.

• Apply for free school meals online

Our Electronic Checking Service might be able to confirm entitlement. If not, you’ll need to show recent proof that you qualify. Meals cannot be given until eligibility is verified.

Apply online if your child goes to school in East Sussex.

Mrs Duckworth, School Business Manager

 

St. George’s Day – special lunch menu on 29 April 2025

 

 

Smartphone free Panel Event Brighton - FAST BOOKING REQUIRED!

Please note that there is going to be a Smartphone Free panel event, "Parenting in the Digital Age", happening in Brighton on the 1st of May from 6.30pm-8.30pm - this is a repeat of a sell-out and really well-regarded event which happened in February. It is aimed at anyone involved with young people, including school leaders. It is free of charge but sold out very quickly last time.

The link to book free tickets: https://lu.ma/l1zb058i

Speakers include a GP, consultant paediatrician, DCI and DI from Sussex Police Online Child Abuse Team, year 10 students from Varndean who speak to primary-aged children about their experience of smartphones, and someone from the Naked Truth Project who supports people affected by pornography.

Supporting your Child with Exam Stress - for parents and carers of secondary school-aged children

East Sussex Mental Health Support Team

Online, Microsoft Teams on Friday 25 April 2025 at 12 noon 

Brought to you by Me & My Mind, the Mental Health Support Teams working in schools in East Sussex.  Stress and anxiety are a normal reaction to having to take an exam. When it is mild to moderate, it can often improve performance, but sometimes if anxiety and stress become too high it can have the opposite effect. This online workshop will include practical things to do at home and share with your child, as well as lots of tips and advice to help with managing exam anxiety and stress before and during exams.

About this event

This free 60-minute online workshop will cover:

• Understanding more about exam anxiety and stress.

• Practical things you and your child can do at home to help.

• Information about further support and additional resources.

The session will be relaxed and informal. Bring a pen and piece of paper, grab a drink and find a comfortable spot in your home to be able to join in.

Once you have placed your order, you will receive an email confirmation which will include a link to join via Microsoft Teams. They will have someone available to help if you are having trouble joining online.

Follow link to book online - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mentalhealthandwellbeingineducation/1651103 

 

Free HAF Drama Holiday Club this Easter

This is designed for students in East Sussex who receive free school meals. It is part of East Sussex County Council’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.  Hosted by Make (Good) Trouble, this unique holiday club will take place in the Seven Sisters Country Park and will be led by a qualified children’s drama therapy coach from Dragon Drama.

The young people who attend the club will be awarded Digital badges for their CV on completion of this project. All badges are endorsed by City and Guilds and the Royal Society of Arts.  

Club Details:

 Dates: Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th April, 11am-3pm
 Location: South Downs National Park
 Activities: Woodland exploration, drama, storytelling, music, movement, art, group games & more!
 Free lunch provided daily

What to Bring:

 Wet-weather gear (just in case!)
 Sturdy footwear (no sandals or slides)

They also have access to an indoor space if the weather takes a turn. Help with transport to the location can be provided.

This is a fantastic opportunity for children to build confidence, express creativity, and have fun in nature! Spaces are limited, so we would love your help in spreading the word to eligible families.

The sign up form and details are here: https://eequ.org/book/woodland-drama-workshop-with-make-good-trouble-cic-5213

 

KING’S ACADEMY RINGMER

 

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

22.2 hours per week (equivalent to 3 days a week).  Required to start asap 

Permanent, term-time only

Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 4, Points 4 to 6

Ie: £24420pa to £25652pa to be pro-rated as part-time and term-time only 

Duties will include:

• To organise and plan the Whole School Photo Day in October with the PA to the Principal

• Administer suspensions paperwork

• To assist the Assistant Principal with the administration for Enrichment Week 

• To assist the PA to the Principal to provide administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team

• To help to cover staff absences and to also assist colleagues as and when required

Hours of work - 7.4 hours per day for 3 days a week.  Work pattern to be agreed with the successful candidate.  

What can we offer you?

• A chance to be at the forefront of educational development. 

• An Academy with a positive ethos, motivated students and focus upon learning

• Excellent induction, support and staff development opportunities

• Two week October half-term and bespoke wellbeing days

• Academy-wide staff benefits and discounts (My KGA)

• The opportunity to work in an Eco School

• A beautiful, rural environment situated approximately 12 miles from the coastal city of Brighton and Hove

 

King’s Academy Ringmer:

King's Academy Ringmer is a rural comprehensive with an ethos of "Kindness, Ambition, Resilience ". Our most recent Ofsted statement states “the school has a culture of courtesy and respect” and “students are expected to work hard and commit to their learning”.  Our results are significantly above the national average for all students.  Our core vision is to develop well-rounded, confident individuals who are world-ready. We offer a broad, ‘exceptional’ enrichment offer through our Super Curriculum and students say “there is something for everyone”. 

King’s Academy Ringmer is also an Eco School and winner of the Department for Education’s Sustainability award.  

King’s Group Academies:

King’s Academy Ringmer is part of King’s Group Academies.  At King’s Group Academies our vision is to provide ‘opportunity and success on a global stage’, which means we have a vision of a global community of students and colleagues whose connection broadens horizons and fosters understanding. Our values of ‘Honesty, Faith, and Courage’ drive our passion and ensure we collaborate within our UK communities and internationally, promoting global citizenship and cultural awareness. We believe that every student deserves a team of dedicated educators and staff who are deeply invested in their success, supported by positive partnerships with parents who hold us to the highest standards.

For full details and an application form can be downloaded directly from our website: https://www.kgaringmer.uk/news/?pid=6&nid=2&storyid=4 or contact Amanda French on either 01273 815463 or amanda.french@kingsacademies.uk quoting job reference P/500.   We offer a first-class working environment with supportive colleagues and opportunities for career development.

King’s Academy Ringmer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts within our Multi Academy trust are exempt for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as spent and complete an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Closing date for applications is Friday 25 April 2025 at 8.30am with the interview date on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

We advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a positive week.

It is a very busy time of the year at KAR, with the exam season on the horizon, national and international trips ongoing and a non-uniform day to end the week! We look forward to raising money for great causes, and it was great to see a number of ‘red noses’ at the gate this morning for Comic Relief.

I am immensely proud of the feedback we are receiving regarding the exemplary conduct of our students on visits. A number of our Year 10 students are currently in Barcelona and Lyon to develop their speaking skills for their GCSE’s and develop their cultural capital. Our children have been commended by staff and members of the public for their positive, polite and respectful conduct. In addition, a group of our Year 7’s and Year 8’s had an interactive workshop with colleagues from American Express about careers and skills within Brighton and Hove Albion. The students were so impeccably behaved and a credit to the school. The staff at the event said the students who took part were the ‘top school’ for engagement and attitude. The visits form an essential part of our offer to develop students' confidence and ‘well-roundedness’ in line with our vision to prepare them in being ‘world ready’.

In line with the positive feedback, a huge well done to our Year 11 Band, who this week performed for the first time at the Bede’s Band Workshop. More details on this are later in this newsletter, but again I am pleased to report that they received considerable praise from those in attendance regarding how impressed they were with our students. We are a school that has a strong uptake in music, and it is a pleasure to see how many students walk through the gates in the morning with their instruments - long may it continue!

Many thanks for the responses to the parent survey, which has now closed. We will now review these to decide on next steps. The results look very positive again, so thank you for your feedback. 

I hope you have a great weekend.

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

 

Music Department - Bede's Band Workshops for Sussex Schools

KAR Year 11 band delivered an unforgettable performance at this year's first ever Band Workshop, showcasing their incredible talent and musicality. The band, which consisted of four GCSE Music students, played the classic rock anthem “Hotel California” by The Eagles, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and fellow performers.

The band’s powerful rendition of the timeless track was met with enthusiastic applause, earning them rave feedback from professional musician and workshop leader Jason Douglas. Their precise execution of the iconic guitar riffs, combined with flawless vocals, demonstrated their dedication and hard work in preparing for this prestigious event. Staff from local schools were so impressed they all came to pass on how impressed they were with the KAR musicians, including an invitation to play at Uckfield College's summer outdoor festival in July.

We were thrilled to be part of such a talented line-up of schools. The atmosphere was electric, and it was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and passion for music. The positive feedback from everyone has been overwhelming, and it’s a testament to the hard work the band has put in.

The Band Workshop brought together young musicians from a variety of institutions, and the KAR band’s performance stood out for its professionalism and energy.  Several staff from other schools also commented on what lovely young people they are, as well as great musicians.

Please see music link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=17HQVNWsO8Pgkn0juc_Y_PUJVjdxb_2PH 

RE Department

On Thursday 20 March, Year 10 students taking GCSE welcomed Reverend David from St Mary's Church in Ringmer.  It was wonderful to get the Reverend's insight into the church in the local community and helped our students solve some unanswered questions about Christianity.  His visit facilitated a deeper understanding of worship and practices in Christianity.  We look forward to welcoming him back to King's Academy soon.

Change News

The greenhouse is a hive of activity. Students have been busy planting seeds and some seedlings have started to appear. The battle of the weeds commences - and at present we seem to be winning! Some year 7 students conquered this 70 cm-long dock tap root! We have volunteering at tutor time and lunchtime, helping in both the greenhouse and Eco Hub areas and sterling work has also been done by Eco Lab students and super curriculum students!

We have been discussing why it's good to grow food and why we are growing food and flowers here at the school. Here are some great reasons that we discussed:

• Free from chemicals.

• Tasty.

• Cheap.

• No food miles.

• Hopefully, if we have success, we can use the produce in school and make tasty food.

• Being outside is good for your mental health.

• We hope to enter some of the classes at the Ringmer Show in the summer.

But we also want to help improve biodiversity. Shockingly, biodiversity has decreased worldwide by 72%.

We are preparing the ground to install raised beds and bark paths with some grant funding received from South Downs National Park, which has also enabled us to purchase two more garden forks and some extra tough gloves for brambles and stinging nettles. We are also very grateful to Staverton Nursery for their kind donations and for supporting us with our spade 2 spoon project.

Mrs Simon-House – ECO Co-ordinator

Free School Meals - Changes from April 1st 2025

Please see below information received from East Sussex County Council with regard to free school meal changes.

We are writing to remind you that from 1st April this year the Free School Meals transitional protections will end. This means that any children whose household no longer meets the free school meal eligibility criteria will only receive free school meals until the end of the phase of education they are in, ie, Primary or Secondary school (or 6th form for those schools with one).

At the end of each academic year (starting this year) Year 6 pupils will be reviewed and any children no longer entitled will be removed from the FSM eligibility lists before they start secondary school. Year 11 children will also be ceased and those returning to school 6th form must reapply for free school meals if they believe they are entitled.

All new free school meal applicants confirmed as eligible from 1st April will be recorded as ‘Eligible new’ and their entitlement will be reviewed three times a year in March, July and December. Parents and schools will be informed of any children who are no longer entitled to FSM following a review, and they should be removed from your FSM entitlement list.

Please see below information on how to apply for Free School Meals. 

Do you qualify for Free School Meals?

To make applications easier for parents/carers, we have changed the way that you can apply for free school meals. Applications are now processed online via East Sussex County Council. The criteria for being able to apply and for the online application please see the details below.

Free school meals for children in Year 3 and older

Older children may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit - GOV.UK – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

• Income Support - GOV.UK

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - GOV.UK

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK

• The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -GOV.UK

• Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK, only, if your annual household income (assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) isn’t over £16,190

[Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit - GOV.UK, won’t get free meals regardless of income]

• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Children will get free school meals if they meet the criteria and are in school both before and after lunchtime.

Children eligible for free school meals on or after 1 April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2025 even if your circumstances change.

• Apply for free school meals online

Our Electronic Checking Service might be able to confirm entitlement. If not, you’ll need to show recent proof that you qualify. Meals cannot be given until eligibility is verified.

Apply online if your child goes to school in East Sussex.

Mrs Duckworth, School Business Manager

 

The Living Coast Undersea Experience in Ringmer - Ringmer Village Hall, Thursday 17 April 2pm to 7pm

Ever wanted to dive without getting wet?  Don’t miss this exciting, family-friendly virtual reality experience!  Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Sussex seas, explore a chalk reef gully and discover some of the local marine life.

The Living Coast Undersea Experience is a unique, interactive virtual reality experience enabling users, of all ages, to dive in our local Marine Conservation Zone, which runs between Brighton Marina and Beachy Head & on to Hastings, without getting wet.

Wearing a VR headset, you can explore a 3.5m square area amidst the area’s unique chalk gullies, the chalk reef, lifting rocks and look around to find marine life such as the Short-Snouted Seahorse, Undulate Rays and Moon Jellyfish.

Come and explore in Ringmer Village Hall on Thursday 17 April.  Tickets £5 for 2 people, £10 for groups of 4

This interactive experience is perfect for ages 5 and up—fun for families, kids, teens, and adults alike! Secure your tickets today!

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/kp-projects-cic-18696791768 

 

Easter Holiday clubs in Seaford – All Abroad! Bus

Their holiday clubs offer children (aged 7 to 14) the opportunity to 'travel' each day to different countries, exploring global spring festivities and traditions through cooking & eating, arts & crafts, games & challenges, languages, outings & 360° VR! 

There are free HAF places for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals and other criteria, as well as paid places.  

 

Whilst Seaford may not be right on your doorstep, we do have families who travel some distance for our clubs and it's a great location.

KITCHEN COMPANY!

 

 

Want to save on your shopping bills, learn to use leftovers, cook simple meals and eat more healthily?

If you'd like to pick up some basic cookery skills, register to join our six free and friendly Kitchen Company sessions on Saturday mornings this summer and autumn at Ringmer Village Hall.

Please email

ringmervillagelibrary@gmail.com

Or call the library and leave us your contact details to get more information.

 

KING’S ACADEMY RINGMER

PASTORAL OFFICER

Temporary 29.6 hours per week (equivalent to 4 days a week)

Required to start on 28 April 2025 or asap 

Term-time only

Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 5, Points 6 to 9

Ie: £25652pa to £27363pa to be pro-rated as TTO

We are looking for an inspirational temporary Pastoral Officer to support the Pastoral Team in the management of behaviour support, to include the administration of school suspensions, to support SLT in student reintegration, creating behaviour and achievement data, setting up detentions and assisting in the running of our Inclusion Room.  This post has become available as the current post holder has been promoted to cover a period of maternity leave.  You will appreciate that, because support staff have certain rights regarding the date on which they will return to duty, it is not possible to be precise about the period of this contract.  However, it is anticipated that it will run until 27 March 2026.  

Applications are welcomed from a range of backgrounds, although experience of working with young people is an advantage, ie: education, social care, health and police. 

What can we offer you?

• A chance to be at the forefront of educational development. 

• An Academy with a positive ethos, motivating students and focus upon learning.

• Excellent induction, support and staff development opportunities

• Two week October half-term and bespoke wellbeing days.

• Academy-wide staff benefits and discounts (My KGA)

• The opportunity to work in an Eco School

• A beautiful, rural environment situated approximately 12 miles from the coastal city of Brighton and Hove

King’s Academy Ringmer:

King's Academy Ringmer is a rural comprehensive with an ethos of "Kindness, Ambition, Resilience ". Our most recent Ofsted statement states “the school has a culture of courtesy and respect” and “students are expected to work hard and commit to their learning”.  Our results are significantly above the national average for all students.  Our core vision is to develop well-rounded, confident individuals who are world-ready. We offer a broad, ‘exceptional’ enrichment offer through our Super Curriculum and students say “there is something for everyone”. 

King’s Academy Ringmer is also an Eco School and winner of the Department for Education’s Sustainability award.  

King’s Group Academies:

King’s Academy Ringmer is part of King’s Group Academies.  At King’s Group Academies our vision is to provide ‘opportunity and success on a global stage’, which means we have a vision of a global community of students and colleagues whose connection broadens horizons and fosters understanding. Our values of ‘Honesty, Faith, and Courage’ drive our passion and ensure we collaborate within our UK communities and internationally, promoting global citizenship and cultural awareness. We believe that every student deserves a team of dedicated educators and staff who are deeply invested in their success, supported by positive partnerships with parents who hold us to the highest standards.

For full details and an application form can be downloaded directly from our website: https://www.kgaringmer.uk/vacancies/support-staff-vacancies or contact Amanda French on either 01273 815460 or amanda.french@kingsacademies.uk quoting job reference P/499.   We offer a first-class working environment with supportive colleagues and opportunities for career development.

King’s Academy Ringmer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts within our Multi Academy trust are exempt for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as spent and complete an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The closing date for applications is Thursday 27 March 2025 at 12 noon with the interview date on Tuesday 1 April 2025.

We advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you have had a good week. 

This week we celebrated World Book Week with an array of activities. The highlight was World Book Day, and I was delighted to see so much effort in bringing characters to life with some excellent outfits! We gave out a number of golden tickets to students that had gone above and beyond in their hard work, politeness and manners, or simply contributing positively to our community. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the school, and yet another reminder of why we are 'Proud to be Ringmer'.

I am pleased to report that once again, applications for our Year 7 cohort have reached record levels for places. This is always a positive representation as to the reputation of the school so we are delighted that there continues to be such positive interest in Ringmer. 

Next week, our Year 11’s will be having a mock ‘results-giving’ assembly as they now start moving towards their final exams. We are delighted with their progress this year, and they continue to work hard to ensure they fulfil their potential. We have worked hard on ensuring our career provision is developing throughout the school, and it was great to see all of our Year 8 students take part in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) career workshops, which we hope will give them some inspiration for the future. There are some further careers resources for all year groups further down in this newsletter.

Finally, please find a link below for our Spring Survey. As always, your feedback is very important to us and how we move the school forward. We are clear that there is always room for improvement and that the best schools never stand still, so all feedback is welcome, and we do read through every response. 

https://participate.schoolsurveys.com/Jup4ShigDho7jQyV

Have a great weekend

Mr Harvey

Principal
 

Art Department - Exciting Art Workshop & Upcoming Display!

Last week, our students completed their first workshop with myself and Mrs. Colbourne, our Artist in Residence. They have been exploring fluid and gestural landscape art, embracing abstract techniques with enthusiasm.

Having the opportunity to work alongside Mrs. Colbourne, a professional painter, has been an inspiring experience. She has shared her artistic process and brought in her own work, allowing students to see first-hand what a career in art can look like. This workshop has not only encouraged creativity but also provided valuable insight into the possibilities of professional art careers.

We’re incredibly proud of the students' openness to this expressive style, and we can’t wait to see what else they create! Their artwork, along with pieces by Mrs. Colbourne, will be displayed in reception to show the school and visitors how proud we are of their work. A final image of their work will be included in our newsletter before we break up for Easter.

This workshop is just one of many ways we’re helping students explore the world of art beyond the classroom—who knows, we may have some future professional artists in our midst!

Please keep an eye out for future clubs.

Ms Hook, Head of Art




 

Saturday's Groundforce morning has been postponed to a future date, TBC!

 

 

National Careers Week 

1. STEM career workshops -year 8

All of our year 8 students took part in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workshop on Thursday 27th February. These workshops were delivered in school by Everfi https://everfiteachers.co.uk/ and sponsored by Gatwick. 

The workshops focused on STEM careers and real-world learning. All students were given the opportunity to take part in a 50-minute workshop where they used interactive case studies to learn how to do things such as design and manufacture trainers, write algorithms for online streaming and create a new computer game. The students were really engaged in the sessions, and they can continue to access the programme. Once the students have completed the course, they will receive a certificate which can be used in the future on their CV’s. 

2. National careers week resources 

To mark National Careers Week, please find the link to The Parent’s Guide to help parents and carers with clear, unbiased advice on post-school options, study and exam revision, and wellbeing. This guide supports young people in talking about their futures.

https://nationalcareersweek.com/ncw25pg/  

Find out more at www.nationalcareersweek.com

3. Prospective Medic Event at Uckfield College on 13 March 2025 from 5pm to 8pm

Mrs Colbourne Careers Lead 

 

LOST PROPERTY

Many coats and water bottles remain unclaimed - see photos.

We are unable to return found items without names.

PLEASE NAME ALL SCHOOL ITEMS!

Note: Reception has very little lost PE kit as this is most likely still in the changing rooms or gym.

 

ESCC Consultation on the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement for the 2025-26 academic

The ESCC Post 16 transport policy statement is intended to inform young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their parents about what transport arrangements and financial support are available to them. We welcome any comments on the draft Transport Policy Statement. 

All the information can be found on the Council’s consultation hub where comments can be left until 28 March 2025.

Ringmer's first Repair Cafe

Ringmer's first Repair Café will be running on the last Saturday in April ie: 26 April 2025 from 10am to 12.30 in the Ringmer Parish Council Offices, Old School Close, Ringmer, BN8 5Ra. In the future on every last weekend of the month IE: 31 May, 28 June. 26 July, 30 August etc. The repair café is a group of volunteers who can fix your broken things to avoid them going in the bin and you having to buy a new one and have a cuppa  and some cake .

Ringmer Repair Cafe have asked us to advertise the event and see if any students would be interested in volunteering in the cafe for the session. 

Voluntary roles such as this provide valuable experience for young people and are excellent for their CV's to demonstrate experience when looking for future employment. Please contact Mrs Colbourne at  ringmerrepaircafe@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer (and if you have anything broken the volunteers may be able to fix it!)

A GUIDE to the Ringmer Repair Café

You are invited to bring ONE item that you can carry, in need of repair, for our volunteers to check/repair/provide advice……

• Electrical objects

• IT items

• Clothing (not alterations) and fabric items

• Broken mechanical objects

• Ceramic advice

• Wooden items

• Gardening tools for sharpening

NOT……… white goods, microwaves, items completely in pieces!

The Ringmer Repair Café volunteers do their best to make your items re-usable. This will save you the cost of a new item, and save the planet from the CO2 emissions involved in manufacture, transportation, use of precious resources and waste disposal.

DONATIONS WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED – CASH or CARD

There are homemade and Fair-Trade refreshments served while you wait. (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult please). Parking is available.     ringmerrepaircafe@gmail.com 

 

Smartphone-Free Schools

Following our Open Evening in September 2024, Ringmer Parents and Carers Smartphone Free group attended our event to promote smartphone-free schools.  Several prospective parents and carers joined a whatsapp group for people wanting to delay smartphones for their children. The QR code for Parents and Carers Smartphone Free Facebook is as follows: 

To note:

• Students do not require a smartphone to attend Kings Academy.

• There are alternatives to smartphones to keep in contact with your child, including tracking, that negates the risks posed by smartphones.

• Their child will not be alone in not having a smartphone

Smartphone Free Childhood charity has now also created "Smartphone Free Schools" (Smartphone Free Schools), a community of educational professionals who are starting to see the benefits of being involved in the conversation and changing policies.