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Letters

Below you will find the latest school letters, alongside an archive of past communications.

Paper copies and letters issued before autumn 2020 are available on request.

Our most recent letter is pasted below to allow for easy translation for non-English speaking families.

October Half term


This is a message from West Midlands Police for parents and carers about robbery, antisocial behaviour, and personal safety for young people.
Police and schools across the West Midlands are committed to working together to protect our young people from becoming victims of robbery and violent crime. We also want to reduce antisocial behaviour around fireworks, especially in the darker nights. As we head into October half term, we are urging everyone to talk to their child about staying safe over Halloween and Bonfire Night. We have seen an increase in criminals targeting young people who carry iPhones, wireless headphones or digital devices. Thieves are forcing young people to log out of their iCloud to prevent the phone being tracked after it’s stolen. By enabling two-factor authentication on iCloud or your child’s phone, can make thieves lose interest in taking their phone.


Increasing the security on your child’s iPhone and iPad:

  1. Firstly, talk to your child about enabling two-factor authentication on their devices to help keep them, and
    their phones, safe from theft and exploitation.
  2. Reassure them that turning on location and enabling better privacy settings allows them to communicate
    with their friends and family safely and securely.
  3. Turn on two-factor authentication for your child’s Apple Account: On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings

[your name] > Sign-In & Security. Tap Turn on Two-Factor Authentication. Then tap Continue and
follow the onscreen instructions.

  1. Discuss with your child who they would like to add to their ‘trusted contact list’ and encourage them to save these numbers in their emergency contacts list in case they get into trouble.
  2. Add your child’s devices to your ‘Family’ by heading to your Apple ID settings and adding the devices.
  3. From the ‘Family’ group you can enable content and privacy restrictions and two-factor authentication, as well as location sharing.
    For further information visit: Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone and iPad – Apple Support.

If your child has an Android phone there are additional security settings, you can put in place to make sure the location of their phone and data is secure. Visit your phone provider website for further crime prevention advice.
Staying safe around Halloween and Bonfire Night:
We want everyone to go out and enjoy the festivities of Halloween and Bonfire Night, but this can be a worrying time for those most vulnerable in our communities. Before your child heads out with their mates, be sure to talk to them about how to respect others and how to get help if they find themselves in trouble.
You can download our parent’s guide to Halloween and firework safety. Here are some top tips to give your child:

  1. Plan a safe and familiar route and stick with friends.

    2. Make sure phones are charged, location on, and kept out of sight.

    3. Wear high-visibility clothing or something recognisable so friends and family can spot you in a crowd.

    4. Attend a public firework display when you can and never handle adult fireworks.

    5. Organise a safe meet-up place in case you lose each other at an outdoor event.

    6. Never point fireworks at people, animals, emergency service vehicles, buildings, or roads.

    7. Tell them that police can arrest and prosecute anyone using fireworks dangerously.

    8. If someone has a ‘no trick or treating’ card in their window do not approach the property or ring the bell.
    What to do if you are concerned about your child or a young person you know:
    Talk to them in a safe and quiet location that feels comfortable for both of you.


    You may wish to contact a member of the Pastoral Team at school if you feel your child isn’t listening or is at risk. You can reach out your school’s officers to seek advice. They can talk through your concerns and plan a way forward together.
    If you or your child has been a victim of crime or their life is in danger, call 999 immediately. Alternatively, you can call 101 if the crime has happened and you want to report this to the police.


    You can contact Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org


    Thank you, West Midlands Police.

      20th October 2025

      Dear parents and carers,

      We will be launching new and improved ways for you to make enquiries with us here at Rockwood after the half-term. We are aware that some of our parents have in the past used the Class Charts messaging service, but we are no longer using this as a method of communicating between parents and staff.

      Until the new lines of communication are launched, please continue to contact us via reception on 0121 566 6500 or email [email protected]

      Warm regards,

      Mrs C Lawrence

      Assistant Headteacher & Head of Inclusion

      16th October 2025


      Dear Parents and Carers


      Invitation to Join the Rockwood Academy Parents’ Safeguarding Group


      As part of our continuous drive to safeguard all our students—both in school and within the wider community—Rockwood Academy is establishing a Parents’ Safeguarding Group.
      The purpose of this group is to strengthen our partnership with parents and carers by sharing perspectives, gathering feedback, and discussing how we can further develop our safeguarding procedures and practice.


      We are particularly keen to understand the perceptions and experiences of our local community to ensure that our approaches are responsive, effective, and inclusive.
      The group will meet periodically throughout the academic year to discuss safeguarding priorities, review initiatives, and consider how we can best work together to keep all students safe, supported, and thriving.


      We are now seeking parent volunteers who would be interested in becoming part of this important group. If you are passionate about promoting the welfare of young people and wish to contribute to safeguarding developments at Rockwood Academy, we would be delighted to hear from you.


      Please register your interest by contacting Mr. Hetherington, Designated Safeguarding Lead, via email at [email protected] or by calling the school office on 0121 566 6500 to leave your details by Friday 24th October 2025.


      Thank you for your continued support and for working with us to make Rockwood Academy—and our community—a safe and supportive environment for every student.


      Yours sincerely


      Mr S Hetherington
      Assistant Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

      7th October 2025
      Dear Parent/Carer


      Mock Exams


      During the weeks commencing 13th October until 25th October Year 11 will sit mock exams in English, Maths and Science. Students will sit a final second mock exam window during the weeks commencing 5th January until the 15th January 2026.


      Mandatory Period 6 in Maths

      To support all our students to achieve the best possible grade, we are delighted to be able to offer all of Year 11 one hour extra Maths exam practice every school week until the beginning of the summer exams. This will extend their school day to 4.10pm. We have a team of Maths experts who will teach and coach our students to further improve their grades in specific exam practice. The sessions will run on Wednesdays 3.15 – 4.10pm from 05/11/25 – 06/05/26. Attending these sessions will provide your child with the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of key topics and increase their confidence as they approach their exams. Achieving GCSE Maths Grade 4 and above will improve your child’s life chances and job opportunities.


      Calculators


      To ensure our students’ success and support our families, the school has purchased every student a scientific calculator at no cost to parents. Year 11 will be expected to have the calculator with them at all times as part of their school equipment, keep it free from graffiti and return it upon finishing their GCSE exams.


      We are committed to supporting your child during this crucial period and look forward to working together to help them achieve their best possible results. Please complete the attached consent form and return it to your child’s Maths teacher by Monday 20th October 2025.


      Yours sincerely


      Victoria Creedon
      Deputy Headteacher

      26th September 2025


      Dear Parents/Carers


      Racism and Bullying Assemblies and Personal Development
      As part of the essential ongoing work to ensure that safeguarding remains a strength at Rockwood Academy, we continue to protect the sense of belonging in our school community.

      Students have received assemblies and Personal Development sessions on racism and bullying, which as you are aware are incredibly serious topics. Incidents of either can be damaging to a student’s sense of belonging and affect their mental health.


      It is therefore important that we make it clear to all parents and students that Rockwood Academy has a zero tolerance of racism and bullying of any kind. All incidents are investigated thoroughly and may also be shared with the police where we deem this to be appropriate.


      There are several ways for your child to report incidents of racism and bullying:

      • Through our Whisper Reporting tool, the details of this are in your child’s planner and on our
        website’s safeguarding page
      • By completing a ‘Concerns Slip’ in the canteen and posting it in the physical ‘Whisper Box’
      • Speaking to our safeguarding team in school or any other member of staff they are comfortable with
      • Emailing our Safeguarding address at [email protected]

      If you have any questions about how racism and bullying are dealt with in our school, please refer to our Behaviour and Bullying policies on our website or speak to a member of staff. Please speak to your child about the seriousness of racism and bullying, as well as why it is essential that they report it, should it ever happen. Together we can ensure that all students remain safe and share the sense of belonging that we hold dear at Rockwood Academy.


      Thank you for your ongoing support.


      Warm regards,


      Mr S Hetherington
      Assistant Headteacher




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