Y8 Stonebridge City Farm Visit 8th May 2026

12 Apr 2026

A group of Year 8 students will spend an exciting day at Stonebridge City Farm. A free, community-run city farm and green space in the heart of Nottingham.

https://stonebridgecityfarm.com

The farm exists to create a place where people can belong, contribute, and rebuild confidence, while staying connected to animals, food, and nature in the middle of a busy city. 

The farm supports more than 150 regular volunteers, many of whom are living with learning disabilities, mental ill-health, physical health conditions, addiction, or social isolation. For some, the farm is a place to visit with family. For others, it is a lifeline: a routine, a community and a route back into everyday life. 

Stonebridge Farm is a registered charity (No. 1125245). Entry to the farm is free. Everything they do is sustained through a mix of trading income, grants, donations and the time and care of our volunteers. 

Urban communities face rising isolation, worsening mental health, shrinking access to green space and the steady erosion of shared community infrastructure. Too many people are pushed to the margins of work, volunteering and everyday social life because mainstream systems are designed for stability and consistency, not for real lives shaped by trauma, fluctuating health, caring responsibilities or poverty.

We provide a safe, supported environment where people can contribute at their own pace and in ways that match their capacity. Through meaningful roles in animal care, horticulture, catering and site maintenance, people find routine, relationships and a sense of usefulness. Connection with animals and nature is not an add-on or a ‘nice to have’. It is the setting in which people begin to regulate, reconnect and re-enter community life.

Y8 Pola’s Rowing Talent Showcased at National Championships

11 Apr 2026

What an incredible day at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC) 2026!

Last week, Redhill Academy Trust secondary students gathered in Leeds for this year’s NJIRC North event. 

They joined over 800 young athletes at The John Charles Centre representing schools and rowing clubs from across the Midlands and North of England. This annual event by London Youth Rowing brings together young people from all backgrounds to experience the excitement, competition, and community spirit of rowing at a national level.

Cheered on by their fellow competitors, selected rowers from our academies put in superb performances throughout individual and relay events, showcasing outstanding rowing technique, sportsmanship and perseverance.

Results from the day

Competition was fierce, but outstanding effort from all our participating students
culminated in some exceptional times and a number of impressive podium finishes: 

Year 7 Girls – SILVER – Thea, Colonel Frank Seely Academy

Year 8 Girls – BRONZE – Pola, Park Vale Academy

Year 8 Boys – BRONZE – Tyler, South Nottinghamshire Academy

Year 9 Boys – SILVER – Griff, South Nottinghamshire Academy

Junior Girls Relay – BRONZE – Colonel Frank Seely Academy 

Rowing at Redhill

partnership with London Youth Rowing has seen significant investment in equipment and coaching at the Trust’s 10 secondary schools. Each school now boasts 10 Concept2 rowing machines which are being put to good use through high-octane inter-house competitions and co-curricular clubs.

Redhill Academy Trust Children’s Book Award 2026

11 Apr 2026

The students in book clubs across the Trust have read and voted on 6 books, and have nominated a winner (who might be next year’s presenter). 

The author Ben Davis was presenting the Redhill Academy Trust Children’s Book Award as a previous Book Awards winner with his novel The Soup Movement. Captivating an audience of almost 200 students in Years 6, 7 and 8, Ben delighted guests with readings, jokes and an engaging Q&A session, sparking the imagination of our young readers.

Ben Davis announce the winning book and author that the students in the Trust had picked.

Favourite front cover – David Litchfield for My Dog by Olivia Wakeford
Favourite first lines – Murder at Wintertide by Fleur Hitchcock
Librarian’s choice – The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival
Favourite character – Birdie from Birdie by JP Rose
Favourite book – My Dog by Olivia Wakeford
6in6 Challenge – The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

Delighted winning authors and illustrators accepted their awards via video message, prompting loud and sustained applause throughout the venue.

Ben also announced the winners for the Creative Competition. This is a competition where students have made something based on the 6 books. The Creative Competition winners showcased students’ imaginative responses to their favourite shortlisted title in a range of mediums including character sculptures, intricate artwork and textile interpretations.

Hannah Koomullil from Park Vale Academy was one of the winners. Hannah crocheted a dog bone for the book My Dog by Olivia Wakeford.

Easter Charity Raffle – Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

29 Mar 2026

We are delighted to share the incredible support our academy has received for this year’s Easter charity raffle in aid of Maggie’s Nottingham, a remarkable organisation providing practical and emotional support to local people affected by cancer.


Thank You to E.ON Energy

A heartfelt thank you to Natasha Warner from the Digital Technology & Change Business Solutions team at E.ON Energy, who has kindly coordinated E.ON’s contribution to our fundraising efforts.

E.ON has generously donated:

  • Four tickets to The Big Netball Day Out
  • A luxury Hotel Chocolat “Happy Easter” selection box

These fantastic prizes will be included in our Easter raffle during the final week before the holiday, with every penny raised going directly to Maggie’s Nottingham. We are truly grateful for E.ON’s generosity and community spirit.


Thank You to Wrights Roofing

We would also like to extend a big thank you to Wrights Roofing for their generous donation of Easter eggs for our charity raffle.

The company’s support has been coordinated with
Yvonne Monk (Administrator), Adam Hewins (Managing Director), and Jacquie Harvey (General Manager), who have shown wonderful commitment to our school and community.

All donated eggs will be raffled during the last week of March, with 100% of proceeds supporting Maggie’s Nottingham and the families who rely on their services.


Thank You to Keepmoat Homes

A further thank you goes to Laura Grainger, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat Homes Ltd, who has arranged Keepmoat’s generous donation of chocolate Easter eggs for the event.

These items will also form part of our Easter raffle, helping us to raise vital funds for Maggie’s Nottingham. We are extremely grateful for Keepmoat’s continued support and involvement with our academy.


Supporting Maggie’s Nottingham

To learn more about the incredible work Maggie’s does in our community, please visit:
🔗 https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-nottingham/


Thank You From All of Us

We are immensely thankful to all our sponsors for helping make this year’s Easter charity event such a success. Your kindness and generosity will make a meaningful difference to many local families.

Year 10 Trip to West Notts College – Get into Construction (Wednesday 25 March 2026)

27 Mar 2026

As part of our SEND enrichment programme, a group of Year 10 students spent the day at West Notts College taking part in the Get into Construction taster event. The visit was designed to give young people a first-hand introduction to the construction industry and the wide range of careers it offers.

Throughout the day, students explored some of the most engaging and in-demand construction trades, taking part in interactive, practical activities that allowed them to experience the work for themselves.

The college campus is a specialist training centre dedicated to preparing students for careers in construction. With industry-standard workshops, hands-on practical spaces, and classrooms located within easy reach of one another, the site provides an ideal learning environment for developing technical skills.

Students were able to experience realistic, workplace-inspired settings, helping them gain confidence, learn new techniques, and understand the pathways available to them—whether progressing directly into employment or continuing their training through further study.