Active Fusion’s FREE Sports Leadership Camp is coming to Carr Lodge Academy, Balby and bookings are now live!
Are you passionate about sport and ready to take the next step towards a future in coaching or physical education? This is your chance to learn, lead and grow.
Tuesday 26th May to Friday 29th May 9am to 3pm daily Carr Lodge Academy, Balby Ages 12 to 16
Over the course of the programme, young people will: • Work towards a Level 2 Sports Leaders Qualification • Learn from experienced coaches in a supportive environment • Develop coaching skills, session planning and leadership techniques • Build confidence and gain skills for future careers in sport, teaching or fitness
This is a great opportunity for young people who want to develop leadership skills and explore a future in sport
I want to begin by expressing how proud I am of Crew Caldwell. During the week commencing 20th April, they completed their first round of mock exams. They all arrived at Crew on time and spent the sessions revising for their upcoming exams. They asked thoughtful clarifying questions and worked hard in their preparation. It was a pleasure to see how dedicated they were.
During our Crew session on Tuesday, we explored an important topic through a slideshow presentation titled Bullying vs Conflict. This session encouraged students to reflect on the differences between the two and consider how individuals’ actions and words can impact others.
We focused on understanding the key differences between bullying and conflict, as well as the importance of being an upstander—someone who speaks up or takes action to support a person being bullied. Crew Caldwell approached the discussion with maturity and sensitivity throughout.
In Wednesday’s Crew session, we discussed the topic of Social Media and Self-Esteem. We had meaningful conversations about posting online and how social media can affect how young people feel about themselves. We finished our Wise Wednesday session by sharing opinions on the statement: “When young people go online, they feel better about themselves.” Afterwards, we had a check-in about the bank holiday weekend; it is always lovely to hear what everyone has been up to.
I would like to finish this blog by wishing Crew Caldwell, and the rest of year 10 lots of luck as they head out on work experience this week. This will be a great opportunity for them to gain insight into potential future careers. My advice is: listen, work hard, and enjoy the experience. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
This week we looked at the term ‘Bullying’, what it actually means and how to be an ‘upstander’ rather than a ‘bystander’.
We looked at the definition of ‘bullying’ and how this wasn’t just crossed words between friends and how over use of the term can lead to desensitisation.
Crew discussed the effects of being a ‘bystander’ and also why potentially this might happen.
Together we then made an anchor chart for out wall in Crew as a consolidation to our session.
A while ago, I announced on this website that Ellis had achieved a qualification in LAMDA, a drama based training course that Ellis attends and studies for outside of school. This time, we are super proud as Crew Leaders that Ellis has achieved a distinction in his final LAMDA exams, which is equivalent to 30 UCAS points, or a Grade C in A – levels. Well done Ellis! Your commitment and courage with this qualification has shone through at every step and we wish you every success, wherever this set of skills and experience will take you!
Year 10 students have now completed their first week of GCSE mock examinations. These assessments are an important milestone, helping to identify strengths and areas for development as they begin preparing for their final GCSE courses.
Next week (11th–15th May 2026), students will take part in their work experience placements. This is a valuable opportunity for them to develop employability skills, gain insight into the world of work, and build confidence in a real working environment.
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and carers into school on 8th June, where you will have the opportunity to meet with your child’s class teachers to discuss their academic progress and review their mock exam results in more detail.
Over the coming weeks, students will also begin exploring their next steps beyond Year 11. They have several exciting opportunities ahead, including:
A taster day at Doncaster College on 22nd June
A Year 10 New College taster day on 8th July
A taster day at John Leggott College (date to be confirmed)
These experiences are designed to give students a valuable insight into post-16 options and help them make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Last week was another full and meaningful week for Crew Brunel, with plenty of opportunities to reflect, connect, and celebrate both individual and collective successes. As always, our time together has focused not just on academic progress, but also on building character, community, and a strong sense of belonging.
Monday began with a crew check-in, where everyone had the chance to share what they had been up to over the weekend. These regular check-ins continue to be an important part of our routine, helping us strengthen relationships, develop confidence in speaking, and show genuine interest in one another’s lives. It set a calm and positive tone for the week ahead.
On Tuesday, we had an English catch-up session, focusing on reading our anchor text. This allowed students to revisit key ideas, develop their comprehension skills, and ensure they are keeping up with core learning. It was great to see students engaging thoughtfully with the material.
Wednesday marked our final Wise Wednesday session of this case study. This was an important milestone, as students reflected on what they have learned so far and began thinking ahead to how they will present their understanding. This week, we will start laying the groundwork for next week’s presentations, with students beginning to organise their ideas and consider how best to communicate them clearly and confidently.
On Thursday, we were joined by students from Crew Sinfield, which provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate beyond our usual crew. Together, we explored the themes of praise and conducts, taking time to recognise those who have consistently demonstrated positive behaviours and contributions. At the same time, we had important conversations around accountability, ensuring that those who had received conducts understood the reasons why and how they can improve moving forward. We finished the session with dedicated time on Sparx tasks, allowing students to stay focused and make progress in their independent learning.
Friday brought the whole school together for our community meeting — a real highlight of the week. This was a chance to celebrate achievements from across the school and recognise the efforts and successes of many students. Some of the key moments included:
Celebrating students who were named Spanish Star of the Week and Artist of the Week
Recognising Year 8 students for their successful and engaging fieldwork trip to Bletchley Park
Showcasing students who took part in the Inside Out global photography project
Applauding those who received the highest number of praises this week
Sharing updates on the attendance league and recognising strong commitment to school
We ended the meeting, as always, with appreciations, apologies, and stands from both students and staff. These moments continue to be powerful in building a respectful and supportive community, where everyone has a voice and takes responsibility for their actions.
Overall, it was a positive, productive, and reflective week for Crew Brunel, and it was a fantastic way to finish before heading into the bank holiday weekend.
Tuesday 26th May to Friday 29th May
9am to 3pm daily
Carr Lodge Academy, Balby
Ages 12 to 16
