Dear Parents and Carers,

A very happy New Year to you all.

It has been wonderful to welcome our students back this week. They have returned in positive spirits, and we have enjoyed a great first week of the new term.

We have quickly re-established our routines, ensuring that students continue to develop strong habits for learning. In the classroom, our focus remains firmly on ensuring that all students are fully participating in lessons. More widely, we are continuing to strengthen our sense of belonging and identity across the school community.

I have said to students in assemblies this week that we are privileged to be part of a school ‘where there is something for everyone’ with ‘high standards in the classroom’ that has created an environment where ‘pupils achieve well’. Following a very successful start to the academic year, my assembly therefore focused on how we now raise the bar.

I shared three key traits that can lead students to success:

• Commitment to what they are doing

• A strong work ethic

• Surrounding themselves with positive influences

We discussed how raising their level is about consistency over time and making small, meaningful improvements.

This week, we are pleased to welcome Lewes College as part of our Key Stage 4 careers assemblies, helping students to explore future pathways. In addition, our Key Stage 3 Super Curriculum begins a new round this term, offering students fantastic opportunities to further develop their well-rounded characters.

I am also delighted to welcome Joanne Bateman as our new Attendance Officer. Joanne will be in touch shortly regarding her contact details and how she will be working with parents and carers to support attendance.

Work Experience in the Creative Industries

Before the end of last term, some of our Year 10 art and photography students took part in an exciting new project delivered by DABBBLE, a new initiative focused on creative careers.

The aim of the project was to gather valuable feedback from students who are interested in careers within the creative industries. These insights will help DABBBLE better understand young people’s expectations and ensure that the student's voice helps shape the design of future work taster opportunities.

DABBBLE is a platform that connects young people aged 16-25 with real-world work tasters. By including younger perspectives through initiatives such as this, alongside focus groups, they continue to develop pathways that better prepare young people for their next steps.

You can find out more about DABBBLE here:

https://www.dabbble.app/about/

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Mr Harvey

Work Experience in The Creative Industries

Some of our year 10 art and photography students took part in a new project run by a new initiative called DABBLE who came into school before the end of last term. Their goal was to gather valuable feedback from year 10 students who are interested in careers within the creative industries. These insights will help gain a better understanding of young people’s expectations and use their voices to guide the design of future work taster opportunities.

DABBBLE is a platform that connects young people aged 16–25 with real-world work tasters. By including younger perspectives through initiatives like these, as well as focus groups, they can continue to develop pathways that better prepare all young people for their next steps. 

https://www.dabbble.app/about/

Mrs Colbourne

Design Technology Department – Year 10

In Term 2, Year 10, we’re learning a new topic each week. This fast-paced learning provided many areas of the Design Technology curriculum; textiles, metals, smart materials, scales of production, papers and boards and mechanisms. Each week delivered a new topic with a mini make with an assessment to recap the content. Well done Year 10 on your great attitude to learning! 

Design Technology Department – Year 11

Year 11 have been doing a fantastic job with their NEA. They’ve worked hard to ensure they are prepared for their New Year start of making their final takes. 

It’s bitter-sweet seeing them advance in their learning, knowing they are due to leave Kings Academy and make their mark elsewhere.   Mrs Hepburn is incredibly in awe of their commitment and imagination. 

Final push, let’s go Year 11!

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.

KING’S ACADEMY RINGMER

FOOD TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN

12 hours per week

Work pattern – 12 hours per week.  Currently, Wednesday and Thursday each week for 6 hours a day.  The work pattern is reviewed annually depending on the timetable.

Required to start asap, permanent, TTO

Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 2, Points 2 to 3

Ie: £24413pa to £24796pa to be prorated as TTO

We are looking to recruit a permanent P/T Food Technology Technician to start asap.  The successful applicant will provide technical and practical support to teaching staff in the Food Technology Department and will be required to undertake a Food Hygiene and Safety course and should have basic computer skills.

Work pattern – 12 hours per week.  Currently, Wednesday and Thursday each week for 6 hours a day.  The work pattern is reviewed annually depending on the timetable.

What can we offer you?

• Leaders who create a positive working environment where Teaching and Learning is the priority

• An established, motivated and supportive department 

• Conscientious and hardworking students in a ‘very happy and safe school’ (OFSTED 2024)

• An effective behaviour for learning policy where ‘pupils behave well’ (OFSTED 2024) 

• A supportive and collaborative staff body

• An excellent CPD programme and opportunities for progression

• Two-week October half-term 

• 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 "Honesty, Faith, Courage". 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/514.   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 Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 8.30am with the interview date on Monday 26 January 2026 (afternoon).

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

Introducing Lily Stevanovic - Parent & Carer Practitioner from Me & My Mind

Lily from the ‘Me and My Mind’ team (part of East Sussex Mental Health Support Teams), would like to set up free sessions for parents and carers to support their child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. 

Lily offers workshops, themed coffee mornings, 1:1 drop-in sessions, online and recorded webinars and at times short courses on specific subjects. Firstly, she would like to know what would be most valuable for you and your child right now. 

Workshops/coffee mornings could include things such as, “Taming the Worries”, “Tricky Mornings”, “Thriving Through Change” or getting advice and support on Children’s Wellbeing – workshop that covers 5 ways to wellbeing, sleep, food, digital media and much more. In Secondary schools, she also supports parents/carers around exam stress with the Stress Less – Exam Workshop.  

Please click: https://forms.office.com/e/QYXhLwZ2NG or scan QR code below to complete a 1-minute survey to find out what is on offer and to express your current support needs. You will find the same QR code on many school platforms. For further information or to find out more, speak to Gayle Tompsett, at the school.

Brighton and Hove child Bus Fare changes from January 2026

We have received information from Brighton & Hove Bus Company with regard to a change in child fares with effect from 1st January 2026. Please see below for further information:

From 1st January 2026, child fares will be available up until 31 August following a young person’s 18th birthday. This means child fares will continue to support those in further education and through the summer holidays.

To pay a child fare, young people aged 14–18 may need to prove their age if they aren’t in school uniform. To avoid the risk of being charged an adult fare, we recommend getting verified in advance.

Verification is quick and easy:

·         Use the in-app child verification, or

·         Get a Child BusID card, available from our travel shop on North Street, Brighton, or from the depot at 43 Conway Street, Hove.

Accepted ID for children aged 14–18 when buying child tickets on the bus:

·         In-app child verification

·         Child Key BusID

·         UK passport

·         UK driving licence

·         Sussex 3-iD card

For further information please contact us by phone on 01273 886200 or by email at info@buses.co.uk

Taekwondo lessons in Ringmer 

Tuesdays 4.30pm- 5.30pm (Term time only) 

Open to students in Yrs 7-9

Limited places available 

For further details: 07713949425