Welcome back to the last seven weeks of the school year.
The news last week and this has included many headlines on vaping and its impact on young people.
While it is not a school issue as such, I know it’s one that concerns many parents / carers.
It is illegal to sell vapes or e-cigarettes to under 18s but that has not stopped a rise in 11-to-17-year-olds nationally experimenting with them.
I note paediatricians are calling for a ban on disposable vapes because of the damage being done to lungs. Unsafe levels of lead, nickel and chromium have been found in vapes in scientific tests.
I’m aware vapes are being sold to children in some stores; that adults have been buying them for children; and that, in a small number of homes, vaping is supported.
Smoking or vaping is not permitted on the Academy’s premises by children or staff.
We have zero tolerance on our approach to both and will confiscate products from children when an issue comes to light. That is non-negotiable.
If vaping is so harmful to children, as clinicians advise, we should be working together on a plan to eradicate the issue full stop.
It is the third day of work experience for Year 10 students. We are grateful to a variety of workplace providers for their support with this.
The organisation is a massive undertaking. It is always difficult to find placements, with fewer employers wishing to engage with the programme.
I am proud 54 young people self-canvassed their place because of their passion and enthusiasm in pursuing a particular career and believing a certain placement would support them achieving their goal.
Work experience is part of the personal development and character-building programme we teach in the Academy.
It is a platform and driver to shaping them years beyond the Academy.
We receive feedback from our young people on their work experience and it is always interesting to see whether it’s helped cement career paths or change their mind.
Either way, throwing themselves into the world of work is an important part of a child’s development.
We are approaching the last two full weeks of GCSEs before the exam timetable gets lighter.
We are, therefore, planning a leavers’ event on Friday, 23rd June.
While not formal, it is enjoyable few hours and allows students to come together as a group for one last time, celebrate their achievements, and reflect on five years at the Academy. More details will follow.
Finally, I am looking forward to joining six young people and rewarding their considerable efforts in a trip to London on Friday, including a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
They deserve their special day out – paid for by the Academy – following an invitation from Scunthorpe Member of Parliament Holly Mumby-Croft. Our thanks to her for hosting.
It is one of many trips and events being packed into seven busy weeks.
