Rockwood Academy Achieves the Autism Inclusion Award
8th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers
Rockwood Academy Achieves the Autism Inclusion Award
We are delighted to share that Rockwood Academy has achieved the National Autistic Society’s Autism Inclusion Award.
This is a significant achievement for our school and, most importantly, for our students. The award recognises our commitment to understanding autism and creating an inclusive environment in which autistic students feel safe, understood and able to succeed.
Achieving this award reflects the work taking place across the Academy to remove barriers to learning, respond to students’ individual needs and ensure that every young person can participate fully in school life. It also demonstrates our commitment to listening to students and families, developing staff expertise and continually improving the support we provide.
We are extremely proud of our SEND team and would like to thank them for the dedication, care and hard work that made this achievement possible. Their commitment to our students, alongside the support of colleagues across the Academy, has been central to securing this important recognition.
While we are proud to receive the award, we also recognise that inclusion is an ongoing journey. We will continue working with students, parents, carers and professionals to strengthen our provision and ensure that every student at Rockwood Academy feels that they belong, are valued and can achieve their full potential.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully
Mr Saqib Malik
Head of School
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Maintaining High Standards of School Uniform
Dear Parents and Carers
At Rockwood Academy, we are proud of the high standards we set for our students. Our school uniform is an important part of this, as it helps students develop a sense of pride, belonging and readiness for learning.
We are writing to ask for your support in ensuring that your child wears their uniform smartly every day. In particular, students must ensure that their shirt is tucked in neatly and that their tie is pulled up properly to the top of their collar. These small details matter because they reflect the standards, discipline and sense of Excellence we expect from every Rockwood student.
Excellence is one of our CORE Values, and we want students to embody this in everything they do; how they learn, how they behave, how they treat others and how they present themselves. Wearing uniform correctly is a simple but important way for students to show pride in themselves and in our academy community.
Please support us by checking your child’s uniform before they leave for school each morning. We would also be grateful if you could speak to your child about why dressing neatly and smartly is important, not only in school but also in preparing them for future expectations in college, employment and wider life.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain the highest standards at Rockwood Academy.
Yours sincerely
Mr S Malik
Head of School
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Important Update: Digital Devices in School
29th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers
Important Update: Digital Devices in School
To support a calm, safe and focused learning environment, Rockwood Academy is implementing a complete ban on the use of all personal digital devices during the school day. This includes mobile phones, smartphones, headphones, earbuds, smart watches used for communication, and any other personal electronic devices.
This approach reflects the increasing national focus on reducing distractions in schools, including recent government measures and guidance which support schools in restricting the use of mobile phones during the school day to improve behaviour, attendance, wellbeing and academic outcomes.
Students must not use, display or access any personal digital device anywhere on the academy site. Devices should be switched off and kept out of sight at all times. Any device seen or used during the school day will be confiscated in line with the Academy’s Behaviour Policy.
Please be aware that where a student is seen using a mobile phone, headphones, earbuds or any other prohibited digital device within the academy, this will be treated as a serious breach of the Behaviour Policy. In addition to confiscation, the academy may issue a suspension where appropriate. Repeated breaches are likely to result in further sanctions and heightened parental involvement.
We recognise that many families wish to communicate with their children before or after school. Should there ever be an urgent need to contact your child during the school day, parents should do so through the academy reception team. Likewise, students will be supported in contacting home through the appropriate school channels where necessary.
The success of this change relies upon a consistent partnership between home and school. We kindly ask all parents and carers to support us by ensuring that students understand and follow these expectations before arriving at school each day.
Thank you for your continued support and for working with us to uphold the high standards of behaviour, conduct and learning that we expect at Rockwood Academy. Together, we can ensure that every student benefits from a distraction-free environment where they can thrive academically and personally.
Yours faithfully
Mr Singh
Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour
Tuesday 29 September 2026
School uniform
29th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers
I would like to thank you for your continued support and upholding a culture of sense of pride, belonging and excellence at Rockwood Academy. I would like to take this opportunity to reinforce important messages so that our students are ready to learn, and we can prepare them for life beyond their secondary school education.
School Uniform
We expect every child to be wearing correct uniform. Our uniform and equipment policy is clear and available here: Uniform & Equipment – Rockwood Academy (corerockwood.academy) A reminder however, if your child is wearing a headscarf then it must be navy blue. Your child should always be wearing shoes unless they have PE. Also, each day your child should have their school bag and their pencil case with their pens, pencils, ruler and rubbers for example.
On days when students have PE, they must wear the Rockwood PE kit, with their blazers. Under no circumstances should any student be wearing any other type of tracksuit other than the Rockwood PE kit. We reserve the right to send students home whose uniform does not conform to our standards.
Your child will receive a sanction and will be given spare uniform which they will have to change at school. If your child refuses to change, there will be sanctions which could include suspension.
No Hoodies/Jumpers, Trainers or Caps/Do-Rags
No child should wear any type of hoodie, jumper or trainers or non-religious headwear which includes caps/hats and do-rags. Please ensure you check your child’s uniform before they come to school and demand the same high expectations as we do and they will receive a sanction for this. Refusing to move items will result in suspensions.
Together Stronger
We at Rockwood Academy pride ourselves in ensuring our students are given the tools to achieve the best possible grades and provided with opportunities which enable them to become more rounded and cultured citizens. We want our students to be reflective leaders and take accountability for their actions and become role models for future generations. We know you also want the best for your child, and it is very important that our message of excellence is consistently echoed by us as a collective. Your continued support and contribution to our vision of excellence is key.
Thank you in advance for your ongoing support.
Kindest regards.
Mr Singh
Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Year 11 Mock Examinations
30th September 2026
Dear Parent/Carer
We would like to make you aware of the upcoming Year 11 Mock Examinations, which will begin on Monday
5th October 2026. Please find the full examination timetable on the other side of this letter.
It is essential that your child arrives at school no later than 8:30am each day during the mock examination period.
These mock examinations are extremely important, as the results will be used to help determine the teaching groups and intervention support your child receives in preparation for their final GCSE examinations. A lack of preparation could result in your child being placed in a lower set, which may have an impact on their progress and final GCSE outcomes.
We would greatly appreciate your support in ensuring that your child is fully “Exam Ready” by following the guidance below:
Maintain a healthy sleep routine
Your child should aim to be asleep by 10:30pm at the latest each evening to ensure they are well rested and able to perform at their best.
Reduce distractions
Mobile phone use should be kept to an absolute minimum, both at home and in school. Social media and other distractions can significantly affect concentration and revision time.
We strongly recommend that games consoles are put away during the mock examination period. Late-night gaming can affect sleep, concentration, and overall performance in school.
Follow a structured revision plan
Your child should have a clear revision timetable, ensuring that sufficient time is allocated to each subject, with additional focus given to areas where they need the most improvement.
Following the examinations, staff at Rockwood Academy will mark all papers using official Examination Board mark schemes. Detailed question-level analysis will then be completed to identify strengths and gaps in knowledge. This information will be used to plan targeted intervention and support, helping your child make progress towards achieving their next grade and reaching their full potential.
For this process to be effective, it is vital that the examination results accurately reflect your child’s current ability. This can only be achieved if students approach the mock examinations with the same seriousness and commitment as they would in their final GCSE examinations.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and partnership in helping your child achieve the best possible outcomes in the October 2026 Mock Examinations.
Yours faithfully
Mr Vimal Makwana
Assistant Headteacher – Curriculum, Data and Assessment