It was fantastic to welcome so many families into the Academy this week for our latest Family Meal. There’s always such a great atmosphere when we get everyone together like this, and it was a real highlight to see the hall so full of life and conversation.
This week, the Academy has been buzzing with activity as we marked Children’s Mental Health Week. The theme this year, "This is My Place," has been at the heart of everything we’ve done, focusing on the vital role that a sense of belonging plays in our mental health and wellbeing.
There is honestly nothing better than seeing a student’s face light up when they get to show off something they’ve worked hard on. This week, we held our "PRIDE in my work" table, and it was easily one of the best days we’ve had this term.
As part of National Apprenticeships Week, our Year 10 students visited the bet365 Stadium recently for an inspiring day at the Apprenticeship Expo. With their own work experience placements just around the corner, the trip was a perfectly timed opportunity for them to see how their current studies link directly to their future careers.
Our Year 9 students recently visited Stoke Sixth Form College for an "Aspire Day," getting a real feel for college life as they prepare to make their upcoming options choices. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to look ahead at their next steps, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they handled the experience.
Our Year 11 Geography students recently spent the day at Media City, Salford Quays, swapping their desks for the waterfront to see urban regeneration in action. While the trip was an essential part of their fieldwork, the real story of the day wasn’t just the data they collected, but the incredible impression they left on the local community.
Our Year 7 students recently spent an inspiring day at the University of Birmingham, stepping away from their usual timetables to experience the energy of a major university campus. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, the university offered a wonderful setting for our pupils to look ahead and imagine where their own hard work might take them. Throughout the visit, our students were fantastic ambassadors for Co-op Academy Stoke, showing a level of maturity and enthusiasm that was a real credit to our school community.
Our Year 7 and 9 scholars recently enjoyed a truly fantastic trip to the Houses of Parliament, undertaken as a key component of their supercurricular academic programme. The educational visit was a tremendous success, offering a unique opportunity to witness the heart of British democracy firsthand.
The school successfully hosted its Annual Christmas Fair last Friday evening, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. Hundreds of students, families, staff, and members of the local community visited the event, marking it as a highlight of the festive calendar.
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What an inspiring day for our Year 7 students! The first half of the year group enjoyed a truly breathtaking experience inside the Stardome, the mobile planetarium that brought the wonders of the universe directly into our school hall.
Students were absolutely captivated, taking a fantastic journey across the cosmos and learning all about the Solar System and beyond. A real highlight was hearing from a professional astrophysicist, whose passion and knowledge truly ignited curiosity and awe among the students. It was an amazing opportunity for them to look up and think big!
Our sincere thanks go to Mr Morris for arranging this excellent educational day for the students.
"The Stardome experience was a powerful lesson in how vast and exciting the universe is. Providing opportunities like this helps our students expand their horizons and fosters a deep sense of inquiry and awe. It's a key part of our commitment to Personal Development."
— Ms Williamson, Assistant Head for Personal Development
The good news is that the other half of the Year 7 cohort will have their turn when the Stardome returns in February. They certainly have something brilliant to look forward to!
We are pleased to report on this year's visit to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), which served as a deeply moving conclusion to our remembrance activities. This trip has become an important part of our school year, giving students a crucial opportunity to engage directly with the powerful history of service and sacrifice in the UK.
We were thrilled to take a deserving group of our Year 7 students on a rewards trip to Peak Wildlife Park recently. This outing was a special acknowledgement of the fantastic effort they have put in since beginning their journey at the Academy.
