🌟 Newark Hill Academy recognised as an IQM Centre of Excellence

EYFS pupils inspired by visits from Peterborough Phantoms players

It was an exciting morning for EYFS pupils at Welland Academy as they welcomed Peterborough Phantoms players Cam Hough and Janne Laakkonen.

The children loved hearing what life is like as a professional ice hockey player and learning more about where the players come from. During their visit, pupils had the chance to:

• Try on real hockey kit
• Shoot pucks into goals
• Learn the basics of ice hockey

The session was filled with smiles, energy and confidence-building fun. A big thank you to Cam and Janne for making it such a memorable morning -and best of luck to the Phantoms in their upcoming game!

Year 6 pupils from Sunnyside Primary Academy enjoyed an inspiring trip to Bletchley Park, discovering the remarkable achievements of the World War II Codebreakers and learning how their work changed the course of history.

As well as diving into Britain’s wartime past, pupils also took part in an engaging AI and Cybersecurity workshop, where they learned:

• How modern digital systems work
• Why online safety matters
• Practical ways to protect their personal information

The visit offered a wonderful blend of history, problem‑solving and future‑focused learning - a day the pupils won’t soon forget.

On Tuesday 17 March, Stanground Academy welcomed 30 enthusiastic Year 5 and 6 pupils from Farcet Primary School for an exciting and interactive STEM Day.

The visiting pupils took part in a carousel of hands‑on activities, including:

• 🫀 Science investigations, featuring a fascinating heart dissection
• 🤖 Lego Robotics challenges, putting coding and problem‑solving skills to the test

Staff from Farcet Primary praised the maturity, teamwork and curiosity shown throughout the day. Stanground Academy’s own STEM Ambassadors also shone brightly, receiving glowing recognition for their leadership, guidance and encouragement.

The Academy looks forward to welcoming more young scientists and engineers in the near future!

Community celebrates another fantastic SKA Dance Showcase

The SKA Dance Showcase 2026 brought energy, talent and community spirit to Skegness Academy as families, friends and supporters came together for the final evening of performances.

The evening was filled with creativity and confidence as students showcased a range of dance styles, each routine reflecting their hard work and passion.

A warm thank you goes to everyone who supported the event - your encouragement means the world to our performers.

Celebrating Women’s History Month with kindness, confidence and curiosity

Throughout March, children at Rushden Primary Academy came together to celebrate Women’s History Month, exploring the values of kindness, fairness, confidence and making positive change in the world.

Pupils enjoyed a rich variety of activities designed to spark thoughtful conversations and inspire them to think about the impact they can have on the future. These included:

• 📚 Reading stories about women who changed the world
• 🌟 Reflecting on their own role in making the world a fairer, brighter place
• 🎤 Interviewing inspiring women in their own lives - from family members to members of school staff

The children shared wonderfully thoughtful ideas throughout the month, and the school community loved seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity shine.

Earlier today, staff and families came together to celebrate the official opening of Tiffield Academy, a new special school located in Tiffield, near Towcester. The Academy, part of Greenwood Academies Trust, will provide vital support to children with additional and complex needs, and their families.

Marking the occasion, which has been four years in the making, the Academy welcomed colleagues, families and members of the wider community to a special opening event. This included speeches from those involved in the project; a tour of the new facilities; and a ribbon cutting, led by Mirah Mshudulu, a pupil from Purple Oaks Academy, another special school within the Trust.

Developed in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council and construction experts, Willmott Dixon, the Academy will welcome young people between the ages of 4 to 18 years, who may be autistic, or experience other communication difficulties, and have severe learning difficulties.

Opening its doors to pupils on Monday, 8^th September, families will benefit from a purpose-built and inclusive school setting that puts children’s wellbeing and potential at the heart of everything it does. This ambition will be further supported by the Academy’s ethos which is founded in kindness, curiosity and ambition – values which will be brought to life through a carefully planned environment to accommodate sensory learning differences. These will be supported through bespoke learning spaces, a soft playroom, sensory rooms, a rebound therapy room, expansive outdoor play areas and a family-led pastoral model.

Emma Butler, Principal at Tiffield Academy, said:

“Our mission at Tiffield Academy is simple - we are here to help every child feel safe, supported and seen, and to nurture a love of learning that will help them thrive, both in and out of school.

“It has taken four years to bring this important project to fruition, and so I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a role throughout this process and has helped ensure that our children have access to an inclusive and meaningful education experience.”

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:

“Tiffield Academy is a direct response to the pressing need for high-quality SEND places across the region. Ensuring we uphold our commitment to doing all we can for the communities we serve, it is also an Academy that has been shaped by deep expertise, compassion and collaboration, and I know that through this provision, our brilliant colleagues will make a real different to the lives of local families for years to come.”

Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council, said:

“Tiffield Academy will make a real and lasting difference to children with additional and complex needs, offering high-quality educational support in a safe, inclusive and purpose-built environment, right here in their local community. It means families can access the specialist provision their children need, close to home, helping them to thrive both academically and emotionally.

“We are delighted to see this project come to life after years of collaboration. From identifying the need through the Council's pupil place planning process, to securing the land and leading the design and delivery of the school, this has been a true team effort. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when partners work together with a shared commitment to improving outcomes for our learners and I am confident of the positive difference this will make to our children, young people and families.”

Michelle Cotterill, Deliver Director at Willmott Dixon, said:

“It is wonderful to see Tiffield Academy come to life. Over the past three years, our team has worked in close collaboration to deliver a purpose-built, fully inclusive school designed to meet the diverse needs of children. We take immense pride in our proven track record of delivering high-quality schools, supporting local authorities in meeting the specialist educational requirements of children and their families.

“In addition to providing state-of-the-art facilities, we remain committed to embedding sustainability in all our projects, helping our customers to future-proof their schools. At Tiffield Academy, this commitment also contributes to the council’s ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.”

The wait is over - GCSE results are in! Pupils and staff across Greenwood Academies Trust are bursting with pride at these incredible achievements. Below, we shine a spotlight on some of the individual successes from each of our secondary academies.

City of Peterborough Academy

• Keaton Hall, who achieved grade 9s in maths, chemistry and statistics; a Level 2 Distinction* in sports studies; as well as two grade 8s and two grade 7s.

• Carolina Baliao, who celebrates grade 9s in English literature and Spanish as well as four grade 8s, two grade 7s and a grade 6.

• Domanic Paling, who earned a Level 2 Distinction* in sports studies; four grade 8s in geography, history, maths and statistics; as well as three grade 7s and one grade 6.
• Ahmed Raja, who received grade 8s in chemistry, biology, maths and history; a Level 2 Distinction in enterprise and marketing; as well as four grade 7s and a grade 5.
• Bartlomiej Kudia, who successfully achieved grade 8s in chemistry, Polish, maths, history and geography; as well as three grade 7s, two grade 6s and a Level 2 Merit.

Kingswood Secondary Academy

• Campbell Clarke, who successfully achieved a grade 8 in English literature and language, geography, science and maths; a Distinction* in information technology; and grade 7 in Spanish and statistics.
• Toby Batchelor, who achieved a grade 9-8 in science; a grade 8 in maths, religious studies  and English language; a grade 7 and grade 6 for English literature; a grade 6 in Spanish; and grade 5 in statistics.
• Alexandra Poklembova, who is celebrating a grade 9 in Russian, a grade 8 in English literature and language, a grade 7 in French and maths, a grade 7-6 in science, a grade 5 in statistics and a Merit in enterprise and marketing.
• Eden McGrady, who received grade 8s in English literature and history; grade 7s in English language, Spanish and maths; a grade 7-6 in science; and distinction in Dance.
• Amelia Rodrigues, who achieved a grade 9 in religious studies, a grade 8 in history, a distinction in dance, grade 7 in English literature and maths and grade 6 in English language and science.

Nottingham Academy

• Kyle Xie, who successfully achieved a grade 9 in biology, physics, chemistry, maths, statistics and English literature; and a grade 8 in English language and further maths. Impressively, Kyle also received a Level 2 Distinction* in sport science and was contacted by the OCR exam board to commend him on being one of the top performers in the country for this subject.

• Mohamed Adem, who earned a grade 9 in biology, physics, chemistry, maths, further maths, statistics and Arabic; a Level 2 Distinction* in engineering; a grade 8 in English literature and psychology; and grade 7 in English language.

• Keven Xie, who received a grade 9 in biology, physics, chemistry, maths and further maths; a Level 2 Distinction* in sport science; a grade 8 in English language and statistics; a Level 2 Distinction in enterprise and marketing; and 7 in English literature.

• Hibba Saghir, who celebrates grade 9s in biology and chemistry; a Level 2 Distinction* in sport science; grade 8s in statistics, English language, maths, physics and Spanish; and a grade 7 in English literature.

• Muhammed Vehbi Colak,  achieved grade 9s in biology, physics, chemistry, maths, further maths and Turkish; a Level 2 Distinction in sport science; a grade 8 in statistics; a grade 7 in religious studies; and grade 6s in English language and literature.

• Adnan Shahid, who received grade 9s in mathematics and religious studies; Level 2 Distinction* in sport science; an 8-8 in combined science; a grade 8 in Urdu; and grade 7s in statistics, English language and literature.

• Niall Platts, who is excited to have earned a grade 9 in mathematics, a Level 2 Distinction* in sport science; a grade 8 in biology, physics, chemistry, English language and further maths; a Level 2 Distinction in information technology; and grade 7s in statistics and English literature.

• Jake Quail, who successfully achieved grade 9s in mathematics, further maths and biology; grade 8s in statistics, chemistry, physics and Spanish; a Level 2 Merit in enterprise and marketing; a grade 7 in English language; and a grade 6 in English literature.

• Ardin Sarwary, who earned a grade 9 in biology; a Level 2 Distinction* in sport science; grade 8s in maths, psychology and chemistry; grade 7s in English literature and physics; and grade 6s in English language and statistics.

Nottingham Girls' Academy

• Rayan Mohamadene, who achieved grade 9s in English language, maths, biology, physics, geography and chemistry; a Distinction in performing arts; grade 8s in English literature, and chemistry; and grade 7s in Spanish and further maths. Rayan was also a prominent founding member of Nottingham Girls’ Academy’s Equality Group which, alongside Nottingham Citizens, successfully campaigned for the living wage to be paid at Nottingham Forest Football Club. Rayan has also campaigned at a national level for greater diversity and equality within the curriculum, speaking to Baroness Lawrence at the House of Lords and Funmilola Stewart, a member of the National Curriculum Review panel.
• Esme Barnes, who celebrates grade 9s in English language, English literature, history, biology, media studies, biology and art; and grade 8s in maths, chemistry and physics. Esme was also one of the leaders in our Student Parliament which has worked in school to improve school meals, provide better current affairs resources for pupils in all years, and has relentlessly campaigned to the local authority, local councillors and MPs for improved road safety features outside the Academy.

• Joanny Edom, who earned a grade 8 in English literature; grade 7s in maths, history and biology; a Distinction in performing arts; and grade 6s in English language, chemistry, physics and sociology. Earlier this year Joanny won the Young Leader category in the Youth Power Awards for her work leading Nottingham Girls’ Academy’s Equality Group and as a leader of our Student Parliament.

• Akshara Lakshminarasimhan, who successfully achieved grade 9s in English literature, maths, biology, physics and chemistry; a Distinction* in sports science; grade 8s in English language and Spanish; and a grade 7 in further maths. Akshara is going on to study A Levels at Bilborough College, hoping to do medicine in the future.

Skegness Academy

• Chloe Woodcock, who successfully achieved a grade 9 in textile; a grade 7 in English language; grade 6s in maths and statistics; and grade 5s in science, English literature and geography.  
• Rowan Spencer, who received a grade 6 in English language; grade 5s in maths, science and statistics; and grade 4s in English literature and geography.
• Codey England, who earned grade 6s in English language and History; grade 5s in science, statistics, English literature and geography; and a grade 4 in maths. 

• Reggie Findlater, who celebrates grade 5s in maths, science, English language, French and history; a Level 2 Distinction in performing arts; and grade 4s in English literature and statistics.

• Victoria Jenner, who achieved grade 5s in maths, science, English literature, geography and statistics; a Distinction in art; and a grade 4 in English language.
• Niamh Hemming, who is celebrating a Distinction* in sport; a Distinction in dance; a grade 6 in history; grade 5s in English language and literature; and grade 4s in maths and statistics.

Stanground Academy

• Danielle Daboh successfully achieved five grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 7 with outstanding results in mathematics, biology and physics. Danielle, who is the youth MP for Peterborough, is the first student to receive the Academy’s prestigious award of Full Colours and has been a true inspiration for our community.

• Max Razaq achieved outstanding results with seven grade 9s, a grade 7 and a grade 6. He achieved grade 9s in biology, chemistry and physics. The Academy team is looking forward to working with Max in the upcoming academic year on his chosen A level programme of study.    

• Kostas Medeikis achieved outstanding results, obtaining seven grade 9s and two grade 6s. Kostas has demonstrated a strong work ethic and determination throughout the academic year. His performance in STEM subjects has particularly been overwhelmingly positive.

• Annelise Witten has achieved a brilliant set of results obtaining three grade 9s, five grade 8s and a grade 7. Annelise has worked extremely hard to achieve these results which will see her welcomed her onto the Academy’s post 16 programme in September.

The Brunts Academy

• Samuel Allfree, who successfully achieved grade 9s in computer science, maths, biology, chemistry, physics and statistics; and grade 8s in English literature, English language and Spanish. Additionally, Samuel also achieved a Distinction* in sport science.

• Mia Banton, who celebrates grade 9s in maths, biology, chemistry, physics and Spanish; and grade 8s in design technology, English language, geography and statistics; and a grade 9 in English literature.

• Zachary Rowbottom, who received grade 9s in computer science, maths, biology, chemistry, physics and Spanish. He also achieved grade 8s in geography and statistics and a grade 6 in English literature.

• Finn Newton, who is delighted to receive grade 9s in computer science, maths, chemistry and physics; and grade 8s in history, biology, Spanish and statistics; and a grade 6 in English literature. Finn also self-studied astronomy, achieving a grade 8 in this subject.

The Wells Academy

• Ahmad Hanan, who achieved grade 9s in maths, biology, chemistry, physics and statistics; grade 8s in English literature, further maths and geography; and a Level 2 Distinction in enterprise and marketing.

• Tintin Brooks, who received grade 9s in maths, further maths, chemistry, physics and statistics; and grade 8s in computer science, English language, French and biology.

• Adrian Thompson, who is celebrating grade 9s in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics; and grade 8s in biology and statistics.

• Aaisha Sheikh, who earned a grade 9 in biology; and grade 8s in English language, English literature, maths, religious studies, chemistry and physics.

• Tara Ahmad, who successfully achieved a grade 9 in chemistry; grade 8s in English language, maths, biology and physics; and a Level 2 Distinction in art and design.