KAR Newsletter 26/09/2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have had a very positive and productive week in school, and I wanted to share some of our highlights with you.
Our Open Mornings have now been completed, with our tour guides doing an exceptional job of welcoming visitors and showcasing our school in action. Thank you to everyone involved in making this such a success, our students really shone. Our visitors pointed out on numerous occasions how ‘our children had a confidence about them’, were ‘polite and engaging’, and ‘seemed to really like being here’. Well done to the large number of Year 7, 8 and 9 students who took part.
Next week, we are looking forward to a very special occasion with our Tie Giving Ceremony for senior students. This is always a proud moment in the school calendar, and we are excited to mark this milestone with them.
This week also saw our Post-16 Options Event, where we were delighted to welcome a number of colleges and learning providers to speak face to face with our students, parents, and carers. The event was very well attended by both Year 11 and Year 10 students, and our exhibitors were kept busy with lots of questions. They commented on how engaged and thoughtful our students were, which was wonderful to hear.
I would also like to thank you for your ongoing support regarding attendance. This is a key point in the term, with students retaining and understanding their learning more effectively simply because they are in lessons more. Every day in school is an investment in their future, and we are very proud of their commitment and determination.
It has also been fantastic to see so many Character Cards awarded for acts of Honesty, Faith, and Courage, and many Merits for active participation in class. These daily recognitions reflect the values we want to see embedded in our school community.
Finally, this week Mr Burchett, Vice Principal, delivered an important assembly to our students entitled ’Disagreeing Agreeably: Democracy and Forgiveness’. The assembly explored themes of tolerance, listening, and forgiveness in the context of both our everyday lives and the wider world.
Why this assembly matters
We live in a world where division is amplified, particularly online. Social media often traps us in ‘echo chambers’, showing us only voices we already agree with. This can make it harder to listen respectfully to different perspectives and easier to fall into conflict. The assembly emphasised that democracy relies on tolerance, compromise, and forgiveness, not anger or hate.
Students were shown how holding on to resentment can harm both individuals and societies. They heard the powerful story of Eric Lomax, a British prisoner of war who, after enduring great suffering, chose to forgive one of his former interrogators. His example illustrates how forgiveness can free us from bitterness and open the door to healing.
This assembly reflects our school values of Honesty, Faith, and Courage, and our vision of Opportunity and Success on a global stage. It responds directly to the challenges young people face in today’s digital world, encouraging them to develop resilience, compassion, and the ability to listen respectfully to others.
The key message for students was clear:
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Democracy requires listening to different views without hate.
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Forgiveness and tolerance make compromise possible.
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These qualities are essential not only in school but in building a kinder and more peaceful world.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students grow into thoughtful, compassionate global citizens.
Best wishes,
Mr Harvey
Principal
Food Technology Department – Hunter’s Chicken
Y10 have been working very hard this week with trial cooking for their GCSE course.
They all made an excellent start with creative cooking and lovely presentations.
Well done to all students.
Dance Department
Four of our Year 11 students were invited to Eastbourne College to take part in a Rambert Dance workshop. During the session, they worked with a professional practitioner to learn new movement materials in preparation for their GCSE exam.
The students embraced the experience with maturity and enthusiasm, not only developing their technical and performance skills but also building new friendships with students from other schools. The workshop leader praised them for being one of the most positive groups this year, noting how fully they engaged with the activities and collaborated with others.
It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and gain an insight into the professional dance world".
Thank you, Miss Dyson, Teacher of Dance and Drama
Gov. uk guidance re: should I keep my child at home when they are ill?
Ringmer Repair Café
This Saturday, 27 September 2025, is the Ringmer Repair Café and students have baked courgette cakes which they made from the courgettes grown in our vegetable plot which will be sold at the café. Please pop in if you are passing to try them.
Sat September 27th 10-12.30
Parish Council Offices
Old School Close BN8 5RA
A GUIDE…. You are invited to bring ONE item, that you can carry, in need of repair, for our volunteers to check/repair/provide advice……
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Electrical objects
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IT items
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Clothing (not alterations) and fabric items
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Broken mechanical objects
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Ceramic advice
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Wooden items
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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
Varndean Sixth Form College – Open Day on Saturday 27 September 2025 from 11am to 2pm
KING’S ACADEMY RINGMER
Science Technician
Permanent 7.4 hours per week (equivalent to one day a week)
Required to start asap
Term-time only
Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 5, Points 6 to 9
Ie: £26473pa to £28239pa to be pro-rated as TTO
King's Academy Ringmer is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and skilled Science Technician to join our dedicated Science Department. This exciting opportunity is perfect for individuals passionate about supporting the delivery of high-quality science education, who thrive in a collaborative and innovative educational environment.
About You
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You have a strong background in science or a related field, with a relevant qualification being highly advantageous.
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You have experience working in a laboratory setting, preferably within an educational environment.
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You possess excellent organisational and communication skills.
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You are proactive, able to work independently, and have a keen eye for detail.
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You are committed to promoting the importance of science education.
What can we offer you?
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Leaders who create a positive working environment where teaching and learning is the priority
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An established, motivated and supportive department
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Conscientious and hard-working students in a ‘very happy and safe school’ (OFSTED 2024)
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An effective behaviour for learning policy where ‘pupils behave well’ (OFSTED 2024)
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A supportive and collaborative staff body
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An excellent CPD programme and opportunities for progression
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Two-week October half-term
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Academy-wide staff benefits and discounts (My KGA)
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The opportunity to work in an Eco School
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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 “pupils are expected to work hard and commit to their learning." Our results are significantly above the national average for all students. 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 pupils 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 pupil 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/509. 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 9 October 2025 at 8.30am with the interview date on Wednesday 15 October 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.
