A year to remember a message from the Head.

As another wonderful school year comes to an end, we have been reflecting on just how much our pupils have achieved over the past twelve months.

From classroom successes and educational visits to sporting events, creative projects, careers experiences and community activities, our pupils have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. We have celebrated academic progress, personal development and, most importantly, the confidence and independence that so many of our young people have developed throughout the year.

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our families. Thank you for working alongside us every step of the way. Together we continue to create a school community where every pupil feels safe, valued and able to achieve their potential.

We hope you enjoy looking back at some of our favourite moments from this academic year.

 

 

Celebrating Our Pupils

This year has been filled with achievements both big and small.

Every pupil's journey is different, and we are incredibly proud of the progress our young people have made—whether that has been improving attendance, developing friendships, managing emotions, gaining qualifications, trying something new or simply finding the confidence to believe in themselves.

At Sutton School we celebrate effort just as much as achievement because we know that resilience, determination and perseverance are skills that will stay with our pupils long after they leave school.

Well done to every one of our amazing pupils—you should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.

 

 

Attendance Matters

 

At Sutton School, we know that every child is different, and every family's journey is unique. We also know that being in school as often as possible gives children the best chance to learn, build friendships, grow in confidence and enjoy all the opportunities school has to offer.

This year, our whole-school attendance was 93.3%. This means that, on average, our pupils attended school for around 177 out of 190 school days. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and would like to thank our pupils, parents, carers and staff for working together to make this possible.

We understand that, for some of our families, getting to school every day is not always easy. Health needs, anxiety and other challenges can sometimes make attendance difficult. That is why our focus has always been on working with families, listening, understanding and finding ways to support each child to attend school whenever they can.

Thank you to every parent and carer who has worked alongside us this year. Whether you have attended meetings, spoken with staff, asked for support or encouraged your child through difficult mornings, your efforts have made a real difference. We truly value the strong relationships we have with our families and know that children achieve their best when home and school work together.

From September, attendance will continue to be an important focus, but our approach will remain the same—supportive, understanding and centred around the needs of every child and family. We will continue to celebrate good attendance, offer help where it is needed and work together to overcome any barriers.

We are also looking forward to introducing our "Finish the Week Strong" Friday initiative. Fridays can sometimes be the hardest day for attendance, so we will be making them extra special with rewards, celebrations and exciting opportunities to encourage pupils to end the week positively.

Alongside this, we will be introducing a range of other attendance incentives throughout the year to recognise effort, celebrate success and make coming to school a positive experience for everyone. Our aim is to help every child feel safe, secure, valued and proud to be part of our school. We want every pupil to know that they belong, that they are important and that they are a valued member of the Sutton School community.

Thank you for your continued support. By working together, we can continue to build a school where every child feels welcomed, supported and inspired to attend each day. Together, we can give every pupil the very best opportunity to learn, grow, make happy memories and thrive as part of their Sutton School family.

 

BoxClever Boxing Intervention

As we come to the end of this academic year, we also celebrate the completion of our BoxClever Boxing Intervention.

Over the past twelve weeks, pupils have taken part in weekly boxing sessions designed not simply to improve fitness but to develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and self-belief.

Throughout the programme we have seen pupils grow in so many ways. Many have developed stronger friendships, improved their communication skills and built trusting relationships with both staff and coaches. Pupils who initially lacked confidence gradually began encouraging one another, celebrating each other's successes and working together as a team.

The intervention has also provided pupils with a safe and positive outlet to manage emotions, improve self-control and experience success outside of the classroom. We have seen remarkable examples of perseverance, determination and resilience, with pupils challenging themselves week after week and refusing to give up when tasks became difficult.

Perhaps the greatest success has been watching pupils believe in themselves. The confidence, discipline and respect shown throughout the programme has been something truly special to witness.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the BoxClever team for their dedication, encouragement and the positive relationships they have built with our pupils. Their support has made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they have brought to Sutton School. Also a big thank you to  Miss  Browning for her dedication and support throughout the BoxClever Boxing Intervention. The  encouragement, enthusiasm and commitment have helped pupils to build confidence, develop positive relationships and embrace each session with determination and resilience. Her support has played an important role in creating a safe, positive and motivating environment where our young people have been able to thrive..

 

FREE Summer Holiday Camp

We're pleased to share details of a fantastic FREE Summer Activity Camp taking place at The Westminster School during the summer holidays.

This is a wonderful opportunity for children and young people aged 8–16 years to enjoy three days of fun, engaging activities in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. The camp is designed to help young people stay active, make new friends, build confidence and enjoy a positive summer experience.

Each day runs from 10:00am–2:00pm, and participants will also receive a FREE packed lunch.

Places are limited, so we encourage families to book as soon as possible. Please click here full details, dates and how to register.

We hope many of our families are able to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and enjoy a fun-filled summer!

 

Cost of Living Support

We know that the summer holidays can sometimes bring extra financial pressures for families. If you need a little extra support this summer, please remember that you are not alone. There are many local organisations that can offer practical help, advice and guidance, and asking for support is a positive step.

Whether you need help with food, household costs, family support or financial advice, there are services available across Dudley that are there to help.

Support Available

Food Banks and Food Support
Emergency food parcels, community food clubs and low-cost food schemes are available for families who need them. Information can be found through the Dudley Council Food Support page and the Black Country Foodbank. Dudley Food Support and Waste Reduction | Black Country Foodbank

Family Hubs
Dudley Family Hubs provide support for children, young people and families, including parenting advice, wellbeing support, activities and help with accessing local services. Dudley Family Hubs and Cost of Living Support

 Cost of Living and Financial Advice
If you're worried about household bills, budgeting, debt or finding out what financial support you may be entitled to, Dudley Council offers a range of advice and signposting services. Dudley Cost of Living Support

Everyday Essentials
Support is also available for everyday essentials, including food, clothing, baby items and emergency assistance if your family is experiencing financial hardship. Help with Everyday Essentials

 

 

Welcome to Our New Year 7 Pupils and Families

A very warm welcome to all of our new Year 7 pupils and their families who will be joining Sutton School in September!

We are delighted that you will soon become part of our school community and can't wait to welcome you through our doors. We know that starting a new school is a big step for both children and parents, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Many of you have already visited us for transition events, school tours and meetings. It has been wonderful to meet so many of our new pupils and families, and we have loved getting to know you. We have already seen lots of smiling faces, asked and answered plenty of questions, and begun building the positive relationships that are so important to us.

At Sutton School, our aim is to ensure that every child feels safe, happy and learning towards independence. We pride ourselves on creating a caring, inclusive environment where every pupil is valued for who they are and encouraged to achieve their very best.

September marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. There will be new friendships to make, new experiences to enjoy and many opportunities to grow in confidence, develop independence and discover new talents. Our dedicated staff team will be there to support both pupils and families throughout this journey.

We hope you all have a wonderful summer break, and we look forward to officially welcoming you to the Sutton School family in September. Together, we will ensure your child has the very best start to secondary school.

Welcome to our community—we can't wait to meet you all again soon!

 

 

Staying Safe, Healthy and Ready for September

The summer holidays are a time to relax, recharge and make special memories with family and friends. Whilst it's important for children to enjoy a well-earned break, keeping a few simple routines in place can make returning to school in September much easier.

Keep a Good Sleep Routine

It can be tempting to stay up later during the holidays, but children and young people still need plenty of sleep to support their wellbeing, emotions and learning.

Towards the end of the summer holidays, try to gradually move bedtimes and wake-up times back to your normal school routine. This small change can help children feel more settled and ready for the new school term.

Keep Learning Little and Often

Learning doesn't have to stop over the summer! Even spending 15–20 minutes each day reading, practising maths or completing a fun learning activity can help keep skills fresh and build confidence for September.

Maths-Whizz – Personalised maths activities that help children build confidence and develop their maths skills through fun, interactive learning. (If your child has a school login, we encourage them to use it regularly.)
https://www.whizz.com

EdShed – A fun way to practise spelling, vocabulary and maths through interactive games and activities. (If your child has a school login, they can continue learning throughout the holidays.)
https://www.edshed.com

 

Stay Safe Online

Many children spend more time online during the holidays, whether gaming, chatting with friends or using social media. Regular conversations about online safety can help keep them safe.

Here are a few simple reminders:

• Talk to your child about who they are speaking to online.

•  Remind them never to share personal information, passwords or photos with people they do not know.

•  Use parental controls where appropriate.

• Encourage regular breaks away from screens and plenty of time outdoors.

• Let your child know they should always tell a trusted adult if something online worries or upsets them.

For more advice, visit:

 Childnet – Online safety advice for parents and children.
https://www.childnet.com

Internet Matters – Practical guides, parental controls and online safety support.
https://www.internetmatters.org

NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Online – Advice for families on gaming, apps and social media.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety

 

Looking Ahead to September

We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting school year.

Please remember to check Arbor regularly over the summer for any important updates.

As we begin the new academic year, we will continue working closely with families to support attendance, wellbeing and learning. Together we will ensure every child has the very best opportunity to succeed.

Further information regarding transport, return dates and other key reminders can be found later in this newsletter.

We cannot wait to welcome everyone back in September.

 

Enjoy the Summer!

Most importantly, we hope you have a wonderful summer together. Spend time making memories, getting outdoors, trying new activities and enjoying family time. By keeping a few healthy routines in place, your child will be ready to return to school feeling refreshed, confident and excited for the new academic year.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Sutton School on Thursday 3rd September!