Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: End of Summer Term and Return to School

As we come to the end of another incredible academic year, I would like to thank you for your continued support, trust and partnership. Together, we have helped our young people achieve so much, and we are immensely proud of everything they have accomplished.

We would like to inform you that school will finish at 12:45 pm on Thursday 23rd July 2026.

If your child travels by taxi, transport arrangements will be amended with your child’s referring school. If your child normally travels home independently, they will be dismissed at 12:45 pm and are expected to return home via their usual transport option.

We appreciate your support in helping us ensure a smooth and safe end to the school year.

This has been one of the most successful years in the history of Stone Soup Academy, and it has been wonderful to see our young people continue to grow in confidence, resilience and ambition.

Over the past year we have celebrated many significant achievements, including:

• Maintaining our Outstanding Ofsted judgement, recognising the exceptional education, care and support provided by our dedicated staff.
• Supporting more than 110 young people to overcome barriers to learning through our trauma-informed and relationship-based approach.
• Becoming a licensed Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Centre, enabling students to participate in life-changing experiences that build confidence, resilience and independence.
• Opening our new Food Technology Room and continuing to improve our learning environments across both academy sites.
• Developing specialist therapeutic spaces to further support students’ emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• Expanding our curriculum with vocational opportunities including Hair & Beauty, Multiskills, Sport, Business, Photography, Music, Art, Food and Media.
• Continuing to improve attendance, engagement and behaviour through personalised support and restorative practice.
• Seeing students achieve excellent outcomes in GCSEs and Functional Skills, with many progressing to college, apprenticeships, employment and further education.
• Publishing a book featuring articles written by 19 of our students, giving them the opportunity to become published authors and share their voices.
• Strengthening our partnerships with universities, employers, charities, businesses and local organisations to provide meaningful opportunities and experiences for our students.
• Successfully hosting The Impact Summit: Sharing Proven Practice to Create Unimagined Futures, welcoming educational leaders, businesses, charities, universities, health professionals and policymakers from across the region to showcase the outstanding work of our students and staff.
• Continuing to provide exceptional safeguarding, pastoral care, counselling and wellbeing support, ensuring every young person feels safe, valued and supported.

Our students have also enjoyed one of the richest programmes of enrichment in the academy’s history. They have represented Stone Soup Academy through the Child Friendly City Project, developed their creativity through collaborations with ArtGoon365, StreamStudios, Equation and New Art Exchange, and explored future careers through college courses in Hair & Beauty and Multi-Skills, work experience with HMRC and John Lewis, Hospitality Connect, Enterprise Connections, Experian, EMTEC Centre Tours, Ingenuity, the University of Nottingham Careers Event, the Unity Careers Event, and the National Careers School Leavers Festival.

Students challenged themselves academically through national mathematics competitions including the UK Mathematics Trust Girls’ Maths Challenge, the Intermediate Maths Challenge, the Pink Kangaroo Challenge, and The Second Thomas Fuller Mathematical Challenge.

Throughout the year our students enjoyed memorable educational visits and reward trips to Alton Towers, Chatsworth House, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Lincoln Zoo, Drayton Manor, the Andy Warhol Exhibition, cinemas and theatres, as well as activities including bowling, crazy golf, ice skating, Laser Quest, VR Golf, football tournaments, padel tennis, Summer Games, FitFarm, and regular use of the Forest Sports Zone and Brandon Lawrence Sports Centre.

Our wider curriculum celebrated diversity, culture and personal development through Black History Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month, World Book Day, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Green Hustle Poet Laureate Workshop, the Think Big Programme and workshops, the Voice of the Youth Event, gardening projects, visits to local care homes, City Care partnerships, and dedicated Personal Development, Art & Photography, Music & Media, and Business & Enterprise afternoons.

Students also participated in inspiring community projects including the Knife Angel Visit, Nottinghamshire Police Community Outreach Takeover Day, Stand Up to Knife Crime, the Racism: More Than Skin Deep workshop, and our annual Suits Day, celebrating our Year 11 students as they prepared for the next stage of their education. These experiences have helped develop resilience, confidence, leadership, teamwork and aspiration, ensuring every student receives an education that extends far beyond the classroom.

As we look ahead to the new academic year, we are delighted to welcome Chris Manze as our new Interim Principal: Accounting Officer. Chris has a long-standing connection with Stone Soup Academy, having been instrumental in establishing the school in its early years, and we are thrilled to welcome him back. We also look forward to welcoming all new members of staff joining our academy community, whose skills, experience and passion will further strengthen the support we provide for our young people.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the hard work and determination of our incredible students, the unwavering commitment of our exceptional staff, the support of our Trustees, our partner organisations, and the encouragement of our parents and carers. Thank you for believing in our vision of ‘Creating Unimagined Futures’. Together, we continue to demonstrate that with the right relationships, high expectations and unwavering support, every young person can achieve remarkable things.

Students will return to school at 9:00 am on Friday 4th September 2026.

Please find attached safeguarding information and details of organisations that are available to offer advice and support should you need assistance during the summer holidays.

If you have any questions regarding any information within this letter, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 0115 822 1834.

On behalf of everyone at Stone Soup Academy, I wish you, and your family, a safe, happy and restful summer break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September for another exciting year of learning, growth and opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Younes Henini
Headteacher
Stone Soup Academy

Safeguarding Over the Summer Holidays

A message for parents and carers

As we come to the end of another school year, we would like to thank you for your continued support. While the summer holidays are a time for rest, fun and family, it is also important to remain mindful of children’s safety and wellbeing during this extended break.

Keeping children safe during the holidays

Although school is closed during the summer, safeguarding responsibilities continue. If you are worried about a child or young person, support is available.

If you have urgent concerns about a child’s safety

• Nottingham City Children’s Social Care (Children and Families Direct): 0115 876 4800
  • Out of hours (Emergency Duty Team): 0115 876 1000
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Police: Call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency concerns.

Mental health and wellbeing support

If your child needs someone to talk to:

• Childline: 0800 1111
• Kooth: Free online mental health support for young people aged 11–25.
• YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: Text YM to 85258.
• Nottingham City CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services): Speak to your GP or school if you feel your child may need specialist support.

Online safety

The guidance remains the same and includes:

• Stay involved in your child’s online activities.
• Use parental controls.
• Talk about online risks.
• Encourage respectful online behaviour.
• Know where to get help.

Useful national organisations:

• CEOP
• Childline
• Internet Matters

Parks and water safety

The advice remains unchanged but can be made more locally relevant by reminding families to take extra care around:

• The River Trent
• Colwick Country Park
• Highfields Park boating lake
• Local canals and reservoirs
• Swimming pools and splash parks

Children should always be supervised around open water and only swim in designated safe areas.

Holidays overseas

The overseas travel guidance remains appropriate, including:

• Supervising children in unfamiliar places.
• Teaching children emergency contact information.
• Respecting local laws and customs.
• Being cautious around hotel pools and balconies.
• Avoiding sharing live locations on social media.
• Checking the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before travelling.

Local Nottingham safeguarding resources

Parents and carers can also contact:

• Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Partnership (NCSCP) for safeguarding information and guidance.
• Children and Families Direct (Nottingham City Council) for advice if worried about a child.
• Nottinghamshire Police via 101 (or 999 in an emergency).

Final reminders

• Keep routines where possible.
• Talk regularly with your child about how they are feeling.
• Make sure children know who they can ask for help.
• Inform anyone caring for your child of any medical or safeguarding needs.
• Enjoy the summer safely and make safety part of your family plans.

We wish all our families a safe, happy and enjoyable summer and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new school year.