Garstang Community Academy

16/10/2026

GCA Careers
🌟 What a busy and inspiring first term for our Year 11s! 🌟

Our Year 11 students have been working hard exploring their post-16 pathways and preparing for the next exciting step in their education journey. 🚀

Throughout Friday assemblies and PSHE sessions this term, we have been delighted to welcome a fantastic lineup of guest speakers and education providers, including:

ASK Apprenticeships

Preston College

Kendal College

Cardinal Newman College

Blackpool Sixth Form

Myerscough College

Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS)

Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)

Hearing directly from colleges, sixth forms, and apprenticeship experts gives our students a huge head start! These talks provide invaluable insight into entry requirements, course options, and career routes, helping students make confident, informed choices about their futures.

💡 What's Next?
We strongly encourage all Year 11 students and families to follow up on these talks by attending upcoming Open Days and Open Evenings. Visiting campuses in person is the best way to get a feel for the environment, tour the facilities, and chat directly with course tutors!

Looking ahead to next term, we can’t wait to keep the momentum going! We look forward to welcoming even more employers, sixth forms, and colleges to speak with our students, including the NHS, Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form, Lancaster & Morecambe College (LMC), Blackpool & The Fylde College (BFC), and BAE Systems. 👏

A massive thank you to all our guest speakers this term for supporting and inspiring our Year 11 cohort! 🎓✨

16/10/2026

🚀 Thinking about your next steps? Shape your future with BAE Systems Submarines! ⚓✨

Are you in Year 11 or above and interested in applying for a BAE Systems apprenticeship for 2027? Join us at our Early Careers Apprenticeship Open Days to explore your options and see where a career with us could take you!

📍 Location: Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge (Barrow-in-Furness)

✨ What to expect:

Tour our state-of-the-art facility 🏢

Chat directly with our Early Careers Team & Functional Specialists 💬

Meet current apprentices and hear firsthand about their experiences 🛠️

Discover which apprenticeship pathway is the right fit for you 🎯

📌 Key Event & Entry Information:

🎟️ Tickets: You may bring 1 guest (an additional ticket is required for them).

👨‍👩‍👧 Under 18s: Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (ticket required).

🪪 Identification: UK Photo ID is required upon entry for attendees aged 16 and over. (Under 16s accompanied by an adult do not require photo ID).

🇬🇧 Nationality Requirement: Due to contractual requirements, BAE Systems Submarines in Barrow is a Sole UK national site. All attendees must be Sole UK nationals.

🤫 Quiet Hour: Dedicated quiet hour slots are available between 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.

🎒 Security Note: Please avoid bringing large rucksacks, as bag searches will be carried out on arrival.

👉 Ready to launch your career? Book your tickets today and take the first step towards your future! 🎟️👇

These events are open to anyone in year 11 or above, with an interest in applying for a BAE Systems apprenticeship for 2027.

12/10/2026

Attendance Champions: Week Commencing 5th October
A massive Congratulations to our attendance leaders from last week!

🥇 1st Place: 8.3 — A perfect 100% attendance all week!

🥈 2nd Place: 8.6 — An outstanding 99.1% attendance!

Huge well done to both form groups for setting such a brilliant standard.

With just 2 weeks left until the end of term, let's keep this momentum going! Every day counts, so let's make a real push across all year groups to get those numbers as high as possible. We've got this! 💪

Thank you,

Miss Shepherd.

08/10/2026

GCA Careers
🚀 Exciting opportunities with EDF for Year 11 & students aged 14+!

1. Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeships (Year 11)
Applications are open until 30th October 2026 (for a September 2027 start). EDF offers apprenticeships across the UK for those open to relocating.
👉 Full details & join the Apprentice Community for application tips https://careers.edfenergy.com/apprenticeships

2. Free Online Work Experience (Ages 14+)
Looking for insight into the energy industry? Register for EDF's flexible, free online work experience programme, open to students 14 and older living in the UK.

Don't miss out on these fantastic ways to kickstart your career! ⚡🛠️ https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/energise-your-career-and-develop-key-skills-with-work-experience-from-edf/WEXP-00293

Apply for an EDF Apprenticeship and gain valuable qualifications, develop new skills, and learn through on-the-job training.

07/10/2026

GCA Careers
⚽ Year 9 Explore Careers at PNE! 🏟️

As part of our Year 9 workplace initiative, our students recently enjoyed two fantastic trips to Preston North End to discover the wide variety of careers linked to sport!

The highlight was an incredible stadium tour, taking pupils behind the scenes into the media room, changing rooms, manager’s office, and pitch side. Students got to see the groundsperson at work tending to the pitch and observed other staff going about their daily roles.

Adding to the excitement, one of our groups enjoyed a special Q&A with the Women's first team manager following their recent FA Cup success! 🏆

Workplace visits like this are brilliant for raising aspirations, showing pupils hidden career paths, and connecting classroom learning to the real world. A huge thank you to PNE for having us! 👏

07/10/2026

Please see the poster below with details on how young people under 19 can apply for the Young Citizen Award. 🌟🏆

06/10/2026

🤝 Upcoming Opportunity for Parents & Carers: Connective Parenting Course 🤝

Are you finding your child's behaviour challenging, or feeling like traditional parenting strategies just aren't working? You are not alone, and we are here to support you.

We are pleased to offer our parents and carers the opportunity to participate in a 10-week Connective Parenting Course, delivered right here in school in partnership with local Children & Family Wellbeing services.

What is Connective Parenting?
This course uses a trauma-informed, Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) approach focused on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and strengthening connections. It aims to help you:

Move away from "battles of will" and manage challenging behaviour calmly and confidently.

Understand the underlying drivers behind your child's actions.

Foster a supportive, cooperative environment at home without blame or shame.

Course Details
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding half-term)

Time: 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: In school

Dates: TBC (To Be Confirmed based on interest)

How to Apply / Express Interest
Spaces are limited.
If you would like to register your interest or apply for a place on the course, please email [email protected].

When emailing, please include a brief summary/run-down of the specific challenges or behaviour you are currently struggling with at home, so we can ensure the course is the right fit for your family.

Connective Parenting NVR resources, courses & membership for parents & carers. Build calmer, connected families with practical support.

05/10/2026

GCA Careers
⚡ Powering Up Our Future Careers! ⚡

Our Year 9 pupils recently enjoyed an incredible, eye-opening careers trip to EDF's Heysham power station to explore the exciting opportunities available in the energy sector!

Harry Fenton shared his thoughts on the experience:

"My favourite part of the day was the tour, we got kitted up in hard hats and high-vis to go around a real power station! We saw the massive turbines, looked out over reactor 8, and even visited the control room. It has really helped me figure out my career path, what GCSE options I need, and how apprenticeships work. The trip was great!"

From learning about low-carbon energy to discovering future pathways and apprenticeships, days like this give our students a fantastic head start on their career journeys. A massive thank you to EDF Heysham for hosting us! 🔋👷‍♂️

05/10/2026

🎉 We are bursting with pride today!

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the incredible progression pathways of two of our former Garstang Community Academy pupils, who are heading off to top-tier universities: Cambridge and Loughborough! 🎓✨

Seeing our students take their hard work, ambition, and determination from their days at GCA to such prestigious heights is the ultimate reward. From their early days with us to achieving their dreams of higher education, they have shown what is truly possible with dedication and focus.

A massive congratulations to both of them on this fantastic milestone. You continue to inspire everyone in the Garstang Community Academy family, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you achieve next! 🚀📚

02/10/2026

Online Safety Newsletter - October 2026