End of Term and End of Year Letter
Thursday, 16th July 2026
Dear Parent/Carer,
End of Term Letter
We would like to thank you for your support this term and this past year. We have had a fantastic and busy term of events, trips, extra-curricular and community events and I thank you for supporting us in this. We are very proud that our students have been excellent ambassadors for the school in all our activities and on all our trips by consistently displaying The Grace Way.
We are impressed by how hard our students worked for their examinations and assessments and we are really proud of their continuing commitment to and embodiment of our core values of Amazing Grace, Intentional Excellence, Mutual Respect, Genuine Integrity and Limitless Potential.
Trips and Enrichment week
We have thoroughly enjoyed rounding off another fantastic academic year with our Enrichment Week programme. Throughout the week, students have had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of exciting experiences, delivered both by our staff and a variety of external providers.
Highlights of the week included:
- Free trips for every year group:
- Year 7 – Blackpool
- Year 8 – Twycross Zoo
- Year 9 – Drayton Manor
- Year 10 – London
- Theatre workshops
- Singer-songwriter workshops
- First aid workshops
- Cooking sessions
- Choir performances
- Virtual escape rooms
- Summer Games, Sports Day and Mini Olympics
- Oracy sessions
- Science rocket workshops
- Building Healthy Relationships workshops
- Dragon's Den Challenge
It has been wonderful to see our students (and staff) embrace these opportunities with such enthusiasm. Enrichment Week gives everyone the chance to try new activities, develop new skills and create lasting memories through experiences that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to enjoy. We would like to thank all our staff and external partners who helped make the week such a success.
Rewards
This week, students have been rewarded for their efforts across the term in our rewards assemblies. Certificates and prizes were issued to students selected by Tutors, Heads of Year, Assistant Principals, Vice Principals and the Principal. Students were also issued with subject and maximum attendance awards. We issued even more student leadership ties to those students consistently displaying "The Grace Way" and are so proud of students committed to being leaders in both their year group and the Academy.
Transition
Just before the end of term, we held our Year 6 Transition Day and Transition Information Evening for parents which gave the Grace staff an opportunity to meet and get to know our new Year 7 students and parents. We had a fantastic day, as did the students, and really look forward to welcoming our new students into the Grace family in September.
Over the last few weeks we have also been completing the transition for our Year 9 students into Year 10. They have had their options finalised and are looking forward to the transition into Key Stage 4.
Sixth Form
As we come to the end of another successful term, I would like to thank you for your continued support throughout the year. Our Year 12 students have worked incredibly hard and should be proud of the progress they have made, both academically and personally.
As part of our commitment to preparing students for their future pathways, all Year 12 students have taken part in their work experience placement. This is an exciting opportunity for students to gain valuable insight into the workplace, develop key employability skills, and explore potential career interests. We encourage students to make the most of this experience by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Students have secured placements at a range of companies such as the local council and a law firm.
We are also delighted that students who are part of the Career Ready Programme have now begun their paid internships. These placements provide invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to build confidence, develop workplace skills and establish professional networks while working alongside experienced employers. We are extremely proud of their commitment and look forward to hearing about their achievements over the coming months.
We wish all of our students a safe, restful, and enjoyable summer break. We look forward to welcoming them back next term, ready for the exciting opportunities and challenges that Year 13 will bring.
Pastoral
This year, during form times, students have been learning more about our Grace values, and we have been pleased to see the majority of students reflect on what they have learnt and put this into practice. Whilst we will still continue to discuss our Grace Values next year, our new focus will be on improving a sense of belonging and strengthening relationships with their tutor and as a form group. In order to support this, we have listened to student feedback and so, from September, we have changed the format of form times to ensure that students have a positive start to their day where there is more time to talk to their tutors and ensure they have everything they need for the day.
We also want to ensure that, as parents, you are able to strengthen relationships with your child’s form tutor who is your first point of contact if any concerns arise. To support this, we will be holding a Meet the Tutor event on Thursday 3rd September between 3:15pm and 4:15pm, where you will be able to discuss this year’s achievements and progress and resolve any concerns that there might be for the coming year. More information will be sent to you in the End of Term letter from your child’s Head of Year, as well as how we will contact you if you are unable to attend that event.
Safeguarding and Family Support
As a school, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and members of the school community are most important to us.
With potential hot weather and the holidays approaching, we would urge families to be mindful of the dangers of open water swimming.
Drowning Prevention: Drowning is preventable – nobody should drown
💡 Key safety messages
- Stop and think before going near water
- Stay together – never go alone
- Float if you fall in, then call for help
- Call 999 in an emergency
⚠️ Remember
- Open water is dangerous, even for strong swimmers
- Children must be actively supervised at all times
- Never enter the water to rescue someone
👉 Reach or throw – don’t go
🧒 For children
- Stop, Look, Think!
- Always stay with friends or a trusted adult
- If you fall in: float like a starfish and shout for help
👉 Respect the water – stay together, stay safe
As we break for the summer holiday, if you have any immediate concerns for the safety or welfare of a child please contact MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) on: telephone 024 7678 8555
If you need support for yourself over the holiday period, please contact your local family hub:
https://www.coventry.gov.uk/themoatfamilyhub
The Family Hub aims to reach children, young people and families when the need first emerges; and to help and support when it can have the greatest impact.
- Early Help: telephone 0800 8870545 or email earlyhelp@coventry.gov.uk
- Emergency Duty Team: telephone 024 7683 2222 between 5pm – 8.30am and during weekends
Below are some useful numbers and links for services that can provide support for you and your family:
https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/37590/coventry-schools-mental-health-leaflet?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo&fs=e&s=cl
Coventry Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
HAF is a national Department for Education-funded programme that enables eligible children and young people to attend free activities and experiences with free nutritional food provided. HAF activities and experiences take place in the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. The next holiday programme will be Summer Fun 2026.
Please also have a look at the information and resources on their webpages or email them as below:
Email: HAFprogramme@coventry.gov.uk
Media: Coventry HAF on Facebook
Coventry HAF on Instagram
Coventry City Council
Should you encounter difficulties or hardship during the school holidays, Coventry City Council has a website to help families understand their rights and entitlements and how help can be accessed. Please use this link: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cost-living-wellbeing-support
Summer savings for families
We would also like to remind you that the Chancellor has recently announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme. From 25th June to 1st September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children's meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Free bus travel will also be made available during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England.
Finishing times – Friday 17th July
On Friday 17th July there will be a staggered end to the day as follows:
- Years 7, 9 and 12: finish at 12.10pm
- Years 8 and 10: finish at 12.15pm
Any students who are eligible for free school meals will have their allowance made available during morning breaktime on that day and a hot meal will be served.
Return in September
The new term will begin as follows:
- Year 7 - 8.40am on Wednesday 2nd September
- Year 12 - 11.30am on Wednesday 2nd September
- Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 - 8.40am on Thursday 3rd September
A reminder to parents that when students return in September they will need to have natural hair colour and braids and no shaved tramlines in their hair or eyebrows. Jewellery is limited to one stud in each ear and a mechanical watch. Students should have natural nails, no false eyelashes and only natural make-up. It is also worth noting that Smart watches are not permitted, as is detailed in our Uniform Policy and also in respect of promoting our electronic-device-free environment. Finally, students must wear leather or leather-look shoes which are polishable (trainers are not permitted) and either tailored, tapered black trousers with black socks or a pleated, knee-length skirt and black tights.
Should you have any further questions, please contact the Academy office on 02476 589000.
We hope you have a restful summer and look forward to seeing you all in September.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs E Wheller
Principal