Head's Blog - September 2026
A warm welcome to the new academic year
Welcome back and a very warm welcome to all our new pupils, parents, carers and staff joining The Aspire Academy this September 2026.
Beyond Aspire in the Summer.
Huge thanks to all the staff supporting young people on the Beyond Aspire programme. A fantastic array of trips and visits and fun activities across the County and beyond. The programme saw a large group of pupils stay connected with school and learning and staying safe too.
This year feels different in the best possible way. Over the summer we completed a number of projects and appointments that will make a real, practical difference to daily life at Aspire and to the opportunities we offer young people. At the heart of everything we do, remains our promise: a safe, nurturing and relentlessly reasonable environment where pupils can thrive, grow, heal and achieve.
New facilities for learning and wellbeing.
I’m delighted to announce two new learning spaces that are already in use. Our Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) gives pupils a purpose-built, all-weather space for PE and enrichment activities. It will be used not only for sport but for team-building, outdoor learning and calm physical breaks for pupils who need them. The MUGA is another step towards broadening our enrichment entitlement so every pupil can access sport, fresh air and practical teamwork.
We have also opened a dedicated Bricklaying room as part of our expanding vocational offer. This bespoke workshop provides the right environment for hands-on teaching, practical assessment and accreditation in construction skills. It’s designed to give pupils real vocational experience they can use post-16 or in employment: tools, safety procedures, and project-based learning that builds pride, resilience and practical competence.
Welcoming new staff and pupils
Please join me in welcoming new colleagues who bring fresh expertise across teaching, pastoral and roles. They have all chosen Aspire because they share our commitment to trauma-aware practice and building trusting relationships. You will meet them at school events and in regular updates — do introduce yourself and say hello.
A special welcome to our new pupils and their families. Starting here can feel daunting; our staff are ready to attempt to make every transition calm and clear. We will work closely with home schools, parents and external partners to make sure each pupil has the support they need from day one.
Celebrating our leavers
Finally, pride for our leavers. This summer saw a number of pupils achieve strong individual results that reflected hard work, resilience and personal growth. Many of them are now heading into further education, apprenticeships or training — positive next steps that reflect the purpose of our curriculum and vocational pathways. Congratulations to each of them: your achievements matter, and we wish you every success in your next chapter.
What to expect this term
Over the coming weeks we will be focusing on Foundation skills, namely reading, writing, oracy, numeracy, wellbeing and high-quality vocational experience alongside strong classroom teaching. We’ll continue embedding Thrive and Zones of Regulation across school and expanding staff training so that every adult is able to support pupils’ emotional as well as academic needs.
Thank you to Governors, parents, carers and partners for your continued support. Together we will make this academic year one of steady progress, stronger relationships and meaningful opportunities for every pupil.
Best wishes,
Simon Stevenson
Head Teacher
