25th July 2025

Weekly Letter 25.07.25

Friday 25th July 2025

Dear parents and carers,

Reflections from last week:

In assemblies last week, I spoke to all students from Year 7 to Year 10 about what it takes to be a success. I encouraged all students to reflect on all the different definitions of success. I repeated the hope that all of our staff have for all of our NUSA students to experience success. I asked students to consider what success means for them, individually, and to dare to have bold ambitions and dreams for their future.

I reminded our students of the responsibilities of being a citizen of society in Modern Britain and how the people we chose to surround ourselves with can make all the difference to the success we experience. I asked students to take advantage of the expert and caring advice available from NUSA staff and to think about their choice of friends and how to be the best possible friend they can be to their peers.

Reflections from this week:

I am pleased to share that our recent end of year rewards trip to Drayton Manor on Wednesday 23rd July was a great success. The trip was a celebration and reward for students who consistently demonstrated excellent punctuality by not being late to lesson over the term.

Alongside this, our ‘catch me being good’ initiative has proven a success. It has been great to see our students making positive decisions not only in class but also around school and on their way in each morning. We will continue with this initiative when we return in September.

On a separate note, we had a fire drill on Tuesday 21st July. Student and staff followed the procedures calmly and efficiently, ensuring everyone’s safety. We plan to tighten and improve the fire drill process from next year to make it even more effective.

Last week, we shared with you clarification of our uniform expectations for next school year. This week, we have spoken to students about this, and it is repeated again at the end of this letter. If your child does want to have a piercing, I recommend this is done at the very start of the summer holiday so that it will have healed enough for them to remove it as required for PE lessons in order to avoid issues in September and beyond.

Please also note we have included in this letter our expectations around mobile phones. Please read on for further detail, but in short, our expectations are that student phones are not seen and not heard. Please help us support your child by avoiding contacting them directly on their mobiles during the school day. If you need to get a message to them, please contact reception and we will be able to ensure they receive the information without avoidable distraction from learning and in a way that prevents them having their phones confiscated or receiving sanctions.

We have systems in school to pass on urgent communication and to ensure students are supported by an adult in the event of some difficult messages being relayed.

End of Year Reports:

End of year reports will be published via the Pupil Progress app on Friday for year 7-10 for parents, carers and students who have created an account.

If you are yet to create an account, you will have received an invite email from Pupil Progress explaining how to set up your account.

Should you need any guidance on using the app you can find all the relevant information here:

https://www.pupilprogress.com/pupil-progress-app-help

If you need the invitation email resending, please get in touch with school via contact@nusa.org.uk

Thank you for your support over this academic year and we look forward to working with you next year.

Plans for the weeks ahead:

I hope that all connected with our academy will have a wonderful summer, and that our students can take some time over the holidays to reflect on their past year of learning.

As with any and every school, we are always striving to improve. As you will know, I joined the school in June and have been able to spend time considering what is required to enhance the student experience and outcomes over the years ahead. As we work to raise standards, this will involve change compared to how things have been in the past. I look forward to working with you to support the staff in helping our students to achieve their full potential. I hope that you will continue to read these letters that share our developments and I look forward to meeting you in person at parents' events next year.

The NUSA Phone Policy: “Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Used”

Our mobile phone policy is simple and applies to all students during the school day:

Not Seen: Phones must not be visible anywhere on the school site, including classrooms, corridors, social spaces, or outside areas.

Not Heard: Phones must be on silent or turned off entirely. No alerts, notifications, ringtones, or vibrations should be heard.

Not Used: Phones must not be used at any point during the school day. This includes calling, texting, browsing, taking photos, or using social media.

This policy helps to ensure that all students can learn free from the distractions and issues that mobile phones can cause. If a student is seen or heard using a phone, or if the phone is visible:

The staff member will confiscate the phone immediately.

It will be placed in a secure location by staff.

The phone can be collected by the student at the end of the school day.

A negative behaviour log will be recorded on Bromcom for breaching school expectations.

Repeated breaches may result in further consequences, including parent contact or additional sanctions.

NUSA Uniform Expectations for 2025-2026

As mentioned last week, we have now clarified our Uniform expectations, and I have shared this with you below.

At NUSA, our uniform is more than just clothing, it reflects pride, belonging, and readiness to learn. A consistent approach to uniform supports a school culture built on respect, equity, and high standards. We ask for your support in helping students wear their uniform correctly and with pride, both in school and when travelling to and from school.

Uniform Expectations – What You Need to Know:

Coats

Coats should be weather-appropriate and offer some waterproof protection.

No hoodies, denim jackets, or leather jackets (including zipped hoodies).

Blazers

Must be worn at all times while moving around school (unless permission is given during extreme heat by the Headteacher).

Black jumpers may be worn under blazers (not instead of).

Students may remove blazers in lessons, placing them neatly on the back of their chair.

Shirts

Plain white school shirts (available from most supermarkets).

Must have a collar suitable for a clip-on tie.

Shirts should be tucked in at all times - Students are expected to correct this straight away if challenged.

Ties

Clip-on ties must be worn properly, fastened to the top button.

Skirts & Trousers

NUSA Branded skirts are allowed.

Trousers must be plain black.

Skirts should be of an appropriate length and style.

Tights & Socks

Students may wear tights or plain black socks.

Footwear

Formal black shoes only (no trainers, canvas shoes, or branded sportswear).

Personal Appearance Guidelines:

Hair

Students may express their individuality through hairstyle or colour. However, no offensive symbols or logos are allowed in hair designs.

Jewellery/Piercings:

Watches are allowed (except during Year 11 exams).

No other visible jewellery.

If a student is reminded, they are expected to remove it immediately.

Students must remove any jewellery before practical lessons (e.g. PE or Science).

NUSA does not accept responsibility for lost jewellery.
Students may wear:

One pair of stud earrings in ears.

Any other piercings must be plastic piercings.

New piercings:

This will lead to withdrawal from PE immediately.

Students will be given 24 hours to replace metal with plastic.

Failure to do so may lead to daily uniform sanctions and PE avoidance until corrected.

Make-Up

Allowed but should be minimal and appropriate for a school setting.

Nails

Students may wear nail polish or colours.

Nails must be no longer than 5mm past the fingertip for health and safety reasons. (When challenged)

Supportive Approach – Not Shame

We understand uniform issues can arise. That’s why we operate a support-first approach:

If a student arrives without part of their uniform, we will support them discreetly, before they enter ‘The Street’

Items can be loaned or purchased via ParentPay through our uniform shop.

Dealing with Uniform Issues During the School Day

First step: Staff will speak to the student. If the issue is fixed respectfully straight away, no sanction is given.

If the student refuses to follow the instruction (but stays in the conversation), a minimum 15-minute detention will be issued for the same day.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff are expected to challenge uniform issues consistently and respectfully.

Uniform checks are part of daily routines:

During arrival

At tutor time

On entry to lessons

During assemblies

We appreciate your continued support in helping students meet our expectations. When students wear the NUSA uniform correctly, it strengthens our community and prepares them for success.

If you have any concerns or need help with uniform items, please get in touch with the school.

You can purchase some of our branded uniform via Just School wear. Please click the link https://just-schoolwear.co.uk/ to browse their website.

Plans for September:

Looking ahead to September, our return to school plans are as follows:

Monday 1st September 2026 – Year 7 and Year 11

Tuesday 2nd September 2026 – Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13

A photographer will be visiting on Monday 1st September 2025 to take individual photos of year 7 and year 11 students, as well as a group photo for year 11.         

Once again, I wish you all the very best for a relaxing and enjoyable summer.

With gratitude,

Carl Elder

Headteacher
Nottingham University Samworth Academy