The Valley Leadership Academy

07/10/2026

Talking to a pupil about their wellbeing can feel daunting, particularly when you are unsure what to say or worried about hearing something concerning.

Our latest guide reminds educators that they do not need to be specialists to provide meaningful support.

The guide explores:
• Building warm, trusting relationships
• Choosing a safe and appropriate place to talk
• Using side-by-side conversations to reduce pressure
• Staying calm when a pupil shares a concern
• Being clear and honest about confidentiality
• Knowing when to involve safeguarding colleagues or seek support yourself

It also includes practical conversation starters to help staff open discussions gently and give pupils space to talk when they are ready.

Read the guide here: https://vist.ly/5mbvi

06/10/2026

🌟 Pupil Leadership in Action at The Valley! 💜

Our newly formed School Council met with Mrs Sieg-Hogg today, and what a fantastic example of pupil leadership in action!

🗣️ Nothing was off limits! Our pupil leaders were encouraged to speak openly and honestly about all aspects of school life, sharing their ideas, listening to different perspectives and maturely discussing the reasonable expectations of the school.

It was fantastic to see real democracy in action, with pupils taking ownership of discussions, representing the views of their peers and using their voices to help shape the future of The Valley.

Through thoughtful debate and collaboration, the Council identified four key areas they would like to help develop further across our school.

👏 The next step is turning pupil voice into positive action! Four elected representatives will now meet with Mr Waring, our Executive Principal, to present their ideas, share their suggestions and champion the views of their fellow pupils.

Every School Council representative demonstrated an impressive level of maturity, responsibility and commitment to making our school even better.

💜 Pupil leadership isn't just about having a voice — it's about taking responsibility, influencing decisions and making a difference.

We are incredibly proud of our pupil leaders and look forward to seeing what we can achieve together this year!

06/10/2026

📰 News Hackers | Black History Month

A lovely start to exploring , with our Year 8 News Hackers intervention.

Pupils read and discussed a BBC Newsround article looking at five Black Britons who helped shape the UK, giving them a great opportunity to develop reading skills while learning about important people and their contributions to British history.

Later this week, pupils will take an even closer look at the language used, with a deep dive into the key word “injustice” — exploring its meaning, context and how it can be used effectively in sentences.

A great combination of literacy, discussion and learning from history. 📚💜

06/10/2026

💭 Leadership Thought of the Week

This week’s encourages us to reflect on our perceptions and attitudes — and recognise that they don’t have to stay the same.

We can choose to question our thinking, listen to and learn from others, and make positive changes. Our perceptions, attitudes and behaviours are not fixed.

🌱 Growth begins when we have the courage to reflect, learn and commit to becoming the . 💜✨

05/10/2026

🌟 Get involved at TVLA! 🌟

There’s something for everyone with our Term 1 Enrichment Clubs! 💜

From sport, dance and climbing to art, STEM, computing, film, homework support and games & crafts, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, try something different and have fun with friends.

Most clubs don’t require pupils to sign up — double check with the teacher running the club, check the timetable, turn up at the right place and time, and get involved! 🙌

We’d love to see as many pupils as possible making the most of everything on offer beyond the classroom.

⭐ Learn • Grow • Get Involved ⭐

04/10/2026

🌟 Stars of the Week! 🌟

A huge well done to this week’s Stars! ⭐ We’re so proud to celebrate the effort, attitude and positive contributions you’ve made across The Valley. Keep shining! 💜👏

03/10/2026

🌟 Attendance Celebration! 🌟
Another week of attendance achievements to celebrate at The Valley! 💜
👏 388 pupils achieved 100% attendance this week, while 7C, 8B, 9A and 10A all achieved an impressive 96% or above.
🏆 A huge congratulations to 7C, our best attending form in the whole school this week!
Every day in school makes a difference. Keep showing up, working hard and making every day count! ⭐
💜 Be Here. Be Ready. Belong.

02/10/2026

A busy day for our School Community Hub team, and a fantastic evening at Family Cook! 💜👩‍🍳

It was great to welcome Dr Emma back and see some brilliant teamwork in the kitchen as families made delicious tortilla quiche and blueberry muffins. 🫐🧁

There was plenty of laughter and time to catch up, but we were especially proud to see our pupils taking on more responsibility—carefully documenting each step so they can confidently recreate the recipes at home with their families. 🏡

Great food, new skills and quality time together. 💜

01/10/2026

📚 Homework at The Valley is stepping up! 🚀💜

Parents and carers, you can play a huge part in helping your child develop positive homework habits. Our online platforms make it easy for pupils to practise key skills, build confidence and strengthen their learning at home.

Even a little regular practice can make a big difference. Small habits now, strong foundations for the future! 🌟

👇 Take a look at our Homework Guide and find links to all our online learning platforms.

Homework In this Section: Curriculum Art & Design Business Child Development Computing Design and Technology English Geography History Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages Music Physical Education PSHCE Religious Studies Science Standards Homework Star Readers Careers Guidance | Education | Homework...