Grace Academy Darlaston

Post 16 Law students took a trip to the West Midlands Police Museum in February to compliment their learning on Police Powers and the English Legal System. It was an interactive day where they learned some of the history of policing, engaged with a murder mystery, tried on some uniforms and much more.

Despite our best efforts to ensure school remains open, we have had to make the decision to close the academy today.

Students will have work set on Microsoft Teams.

Kind Regards.

Easter Messy Church
Book in by Friday 17th March using the link provided:-
https://forms.office.com/e/qVkw09SKq9

North Star Inclusion Advisory Team will be joining forces with the Learning Support Team at Grace Academy to deliver a bespoke question and answer session for parents of children with additional needs. The session will focus on a range of topics including ADHD, ASD, self-harm, anxiety and school refusal. If you would like further information or would like to attend the session, please contact the School Reception at [email protected]

Our Learning Support Team are looking forward to welcoming parents for our SEN Coffee Afternoon on Wednesday 15th March (2-2:45pm). If you would like further information or would like to attend our coffee event, please contact the School Reception at [email protected]

It’s International Women’s Day today and this year's theme is ! The aim of the campaign theme is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. Read all about the campaign here www.internationalwomensday.com/EquityEquality

It's Post 16 Parents' Evening on Thursday 16th March. Appointments are face-to-face from 4pm to 6.00pm. Please use the SchoolCloud app to book appointments for your child's teachers.
Further information on how to do that is here - https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/parents-evenings/
We're looking forward to seeing you all to discuss your child's progress!

Please note - all students are expected to attend these meetings, even if parents/carers are unable to attend.

Walsall Holiday Activities and Food Programme for Easter 2023

A group of Year 13 Law students visited the Wolverhampton Combined Court last half term, sitting in on real-life criminal cases, and learning all about the criminal justice system. This is one of the enriching trips on offer, which compliments the course content to aid students' understanding of criminal law. You can study BTEC Law in post 16 from September if you are a current year 11. Speak to Ms Chance or Mrs Cavell for more information.

Last Friday, our Year 11s were entertained by the marvellous 'Quantum Theatre' company who visited Grace Academy to perform A Christmas Carol for us. Feedback has been very positive, with students telling us that the performance was 'entertaining', 'funny' and 'really useful' as they push on with their final revision ahead of their summer exams.

Did you know, you can study Level 3 BTEC Health & Social Care with us at Post 16?
Discover more about Health & Social Care here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/p16-subjects/btec-level-3-health-social-care/ and apply online here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

Half Term Family Movie - Please book in using the link below.

https://forms.office.com/e/unGACJ8887

It's Year 9 Parents' Evening on Thursday 9th Feb. Appointments are face-to-face from 3.40pm to 6.00pm. Please use the SchoolCloud app to book appointments for your child's teachers.

Further information on how to do that is here - https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/parents-evenings/

We're looking forward to seeing you all to discuss your child's progress!

We are working closely with Trading Standards around the sale of vapes to underage people. Trading Standards have shared the following information and guidance for parents.

Did you know, you can study A Level Biology with us at Post 16?
Discover more about Biology here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/p16-subjects/a-level-biology/ and apply online here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

Photos from Moorcroft Wood Primary School's post

Certificates from Summer 2022 exams are now ready for collection!
Please do attend the Academy to collect these when you can.

Please see the website for more details https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/2023/01/certificate-collection/

Thanks to our Ethos Team delivering the Strong Course today with a group of students looking at character and resilience.

Grace Academy Darlaston are holding their annual careers fair, for students on Thursday 2nd February, from 9am - 2pm.

Did you know, you can study Level 3 BTEC Psychology with us at Post 16?
Discover more about Psychology here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/p16-subjects/btec-level-3-psychology/ and apply online here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

It’s Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 26th January from 3.30pm to 6pm. It is a great opportunity to discuss your child’s recent practice exam results with their teachers and how to achieve their targets in this summer’s GCSE exams.

Please use the SchoolCloud app to book appointments. Further information on how to do that is here – https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/parents-evenings/

We’re looking forward to seeing you all to discuss your child’s progress!

Vacancy for Cover Administrator
https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/GAD-Cover-Administrator-002.pdf

Did you know, you can study A Level Maths with us at Post 16?
Discover more about Maths here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/p16-subjects/a-level-mathematics/ and apply online here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

Twenty Post 16 students participated in a workshop with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The workshop was titled ‘What is a Surveyor?’ and students were selected due to studying maths, geography, or IT because these are some of the subjects that relate to quantity surveying.

Post 16 students participated in team-building activities with The Problem Solving Company. Students worked intensely on the Escape Room and communicated extremely well to accomplish tasks.

Each Year 11 student received a careers appointment to discuss their plans and intended destination for leaving Year 11. In addition, parents/carers were also invited to the appointments and those who attended and were able to ask questions and contribute to their child’s career plans.

Year 11 also participated in a CV workshop delivered by the Department for Work & Pensions. Students were given information and advice on how to create a CV based on their experience and abilities.

A few Year 11 students took the opportunity to get involved in virtual work experience during the half term holiday and found it was a good way to gain information and knowledge on their career ideas. The students opinions are on the academy website under News & Events.

Education Ambassadors delivered leadership and communication skills sessions to the Year 8 and 9 cohort to help students understand how these skills are used in the world of work.

Sky On Tour spent a week in the academy with Years 8 and 9, developing students digital technology and soft skills to assist students with the opportunity to explore creative and technical careers.

Last term, a few of the Year 11 students participated in Virtual Work Experience. Here is what three of the students said about the opportunity:

I attended a virtual work experience event organised by a law firm called Browne Jacobson. The session was extremely helpful as I went through a series of networking opportunities with legal professionals, barristers, and solicitors. They gave a range of advice and tips and one of these was to get as much work experience as I can.

I was exposed to the many skills a legal professional should have, including how to use Zoom 😊, time management, and the routes I can take to get into law, for example, doing an apprenticeship or the university route. Overall, this Legal Insights Work Experience was enjoyable and exposed me to the legal industry.

Earika

The virtual work experience with High Tide Foundation was good, and I learned a lot from it. I learned about their projects and teamwork and getting to meet new people was interesting.

This session helped me develop with how to work with new people and understand people’s thoughts and views. This will help my future careers as everyone I will work with has different views and ideas and I can use this knowledge to cooperate with the people around me.

Phenil

The virtual insight experience that I participated in was constructive and helpful in motivating me to work hard to reach my career goals. I had the opportunity to speak to experienced nurses who told me the pros and cons of nursing and encouraged me to explore different options and pathways. If I hadn’t had this experience, I would’ve still had a bit of uncertainty surrounding my career choice.

Shamim

Parents’ Evening – Grace Academy Darlaston

It's Year 7 Parents' Evening on Thursday 12th January. Appointments are face-to-face from 3.45PM to 6.30PM. Please use the SchoolCloud app to book appointments for your child's teachers.

Further information on how to do that is here - https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/parents-evenings/

We're looking forward to seeing you all to discuss your child's progress!

Parents’ Evening – Grace Academy Darlaston Parents’ Evening To register for our online parents evenings please download the School Gateway app. For instructions please follow the below link. School Gateway parent app download Once you have downloaded and activated the app, please go to the Useful Links section in Home, click on Parents’ ...

Did you know, you can study Level 3 BTEC Business with us at Post 16?
Discover more about Business here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/p16-subjects/btec-level-3-business/ and apply online here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Christmas Hampers this year. This included money from our non-uniform day.

We will be closing today 16/12/2022 at 12.30pm. Wishing all our students, parents/carers, families and staff a very Merry Christmas.

Message from the PE Department – January’23 return reminder

With weather more unpredictable please ensure students are prepared for outdoor activity.
During outdoor activities especially in winter months, we advise a black or white underlay/base layer to be worn. A plain woolly hat and thin gloves may also be appropriate.

Grace PE Kit
• Grace Academy Polo shirt
• Grace Academy Rugby shirt and/or Grace Academy Sweatshirt
• Black Rugby/Football shorts or black sports joggers
• Non-marking sports shoes
• Football boots (optional for football/rugby)
• Black Rugby/Football socks
• Shin pads (optional)
• Plain Black waterproof PE jacket (optional)

NB: Students not participating in a PE lesson are expected to bring kit so they can assist in the lesson.
It is recommended that all items are to be clearly marked with the student’s name.

Thoughts & Prayers

Non-Uniform day - Friday 16th December 2022

Update on Group A Strep and Scarlet Fever

End of Term Letter

It's the parental session on keeping young people safe online 5pm 'til 6pm this evening and we still have spaces for you to join us to discuss social media, gaming and more.

Christmas Messy Church and Family Movie.

To be, or not to be? That is the question Post 16 set out to find answers to at the 'Much Ado About Numbers' Maths and English conference. Pupils learnt how Maths and Shakespeare relate to the way we live our everyday lives, discovering that perhaps Shakespeare isn’t as bad as they thought!
If you are in Year 11 and want to join us for Post 16 in Sept 2023, application forms can be found here: https://darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk/apply-for-2023/

Win a Bike!

Fill | Online Safety Session for Parents and Carers

On 1st December, the safeguarding and ICT team are offering a session for parents and carers on Online Safety with top tips on keeping young people safe whilst using the internet.
You can sign up for the session here:

Fill | Online Safety Session for Parents and Carers On December 1st 2022 5pm-6pm, there will be a session for parents and carers about keeping their children safe online with top tips from the safeguarding and ICT teams.

Walsall FC are looking to promote their new sporting intervention sessions at the Wolverhampton University Campus (Broadway Campus) in partnership with Street Games and VRP.
This would be starting in 2 weeks time WC 28th November. Please see details below if you are interested.