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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.

5th December 2025


Dear Parents/Carers


As you are aware, safeguarding is our number one priority here at Rockwood Academy. I wanted to let you know how we are responding to national concerns about knife crime.
We have a positive, ongoing relationship with the police and I am pleased that PC Stringer, our Community Liaison Officer, will be in school on Monday 8th December to conduct knife arch operations with students, in an effort to demonstrate the importance of keeping safe and never be tempted to carry prohibited items.


We cover topics such as gangs and weapons in our personal development time, to educate our students and provide them with the information they need to keep themselves safe and to reduce their risk of harm. The value of respect is also embedded in all aspects of school life.


We know that some young people within the local area may incorrectly believe they need to carry a knife or other weapon for their own safety. This is wrong and if we find any student in possession of a weapon, we will contact the police immediately. While these instances are extremely rare, we do conduct searches and engage all preventative measures in school when required to deter this kind of behaviour. Your support
in talking to your child about this is appreciated.


If they are ever worried, there are a number of people students can speak to in confidence, such as their Form Tutor, Year Group Coordinator, our Designated Safeguarding Leads, or indeed any other member of staff. You can also contact any one of us to raise any issues or concerns.


Thank you in advance for your ongoing support.


Kind regards,


Mr S Hetherington
Assistant Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead

26th November 2025


Dear Parents/Carers
Rockwood Academy is Open as Normal on Wednesday 26th November 2025.


I write to update you on the local incident at the junction of Nansen and Naseby Roads yesterday. At approximately 3.00pm we were informed by the Police that they had cordoned off much of Naseby Road, up to the school gates, due to the discovery of an unexploded “World War 2” device. I was informed that the device was unlikely to activate and that we were safe at school. The Police cordon meant that pupils and parents could only leave the Naseby Road via the opposite end, towards Hazelbeach Road or the Alum Rock Road.


As the school day was due to end at 3.10pm, I took the decision to release students from the far-end gate on Naseby Road only and in a staggered fashion to enable appropriate footfall on Naseby Road. Any pupils who expressed an inability to get home due to the altered route and lack of car access were able to remain behind for school staff to contact home. On Police advice, we also cancelled after-school Corrections at 3.30pm. We advised all parents of the situations with text messages home at approximately 3.00pm and 3.30pm.

The Police have informed me that the device in question has been removed and the area is safe.

I have felt it important to write this letter so that all members of our school community are fully informed. Your child’s safety is our number one priority at all times.


Yours sincerely
Mr R Reeve
Headteacher

In our efforts to understand the dangers in the local area, we are asking parents to complete our Parents Safeguarding Survey using the link below.

Parents – Safety in the local community form – Fill in form

Dear Parents and Carers,
A message from West Midlands Police.
Police and schools across the West Midlands are committed to working together to protect our young people from becoming victims of knife crime, but to do this we need your help.
Being aware of the warning signs and understanding the importance of talking to your child about carrying weapons can significantly reduce knife crime, exploitation, antisocial behaviour and gang activity.
Your child might not be involved in knife crime or be around those who carry a knife, but it’s important they understand the dangers and know how to report things they know to the police.
How to have THAT conversation with your child:

  1. Find a quiet and comfortable time to chat.
  2. They might be reluctant to talk to you. So open use a recent news event as a conversation starter.
  3. Discuss knives and how you both feel about them being used – you’re there to listen and support them.
  4. Tell them even when they feel they don’t have choices, they do.
  5. Explain that knives do not give protection. Carrying one could be a prison sentence or getting hurt yourself.
  6. Say the bravest thing to do is walk away from a dangerous situation.
  7. Explore excuses for your children to walk away, e.g., picking up a little brother from school, running errands for their family, meeting a mate, or attending a sports club.
  8. Reassure them that most people do not carry knives.
    How we are protecting your children: Police officers and specialist teams patrol 24/7 7 days a week. Knife crime is a priority for the force, and we have dedicated teams focused on tackling knife crime on our streets.
    Next week (17-23 November) we will be doing a focused week of action to stop people carrying knives, bring knife crime offenders to justice, and increase reporting of knife carrying.
    In your local area, you might also see…
  • Police and community-led weapon sweeps in parks and open spaces. This aims to recover weapons hidden for use in offences.
  • Test purchase operations and responsible retailor visits to ensure retailers are complying with the law on the sale of knives.
  • A strong focus on the identification, arrest and management of offenders who use knives.
  • Proactive police operations within key locations in the community to identify and tackle weapon related crime.
  • School and college engagement to ensure students are informed of the law, risks and
    consequences of carrying knives. This is being supported within secondary schools and colleges with the delivery of random knife bar searches.
    What to do if you are concerned about your child:
    Speak to them calmly and explain the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
    You can visit https://lifeorknife.west-midlands.police.uk/ to learn more.
    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.
    Anyone can dispose of a knife discreetly and anonymously at a weapon surrender bin. See all locations
    here: https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/tackling-violence/weapon-surrender-bins/
    If you or child are aware that other young people in school or the community are carrying weapons, you should contact the police directly on 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). If a crime is taking place or a life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
    Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppersuk.org.
    Thank you. West Midlands Police.




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