Half Term Update 22/05/2026

Dear Parents/Carers,

The start of the Summer term is always a busy one with many events happening in the school. This includes the Year 10 Work Experience, an opportunity for pupils to experience life after Sewell Park, and of course, the start of the Year 11 examinations. We are exceptionally proud of how Year 11 have worked so far as a cohort and the sustained levels of effort they are showing.

We are yet again, oversubscribed with a waiting list for September 2026, which continues to show how our local community regard the superb young people we have at Sewell Park Academy.

Below are some important updates for you all as we move into the second half of the Summer term.

Year 11 exams and half term revision sessions

On return, our Year 11 students will be in the final weeks of exams prior to leaving us and moving on from Sewell Park. We know that they will be a hugely successful cohort in whatever they go on to do next. In order to support their revision over the half term break, staff have volunteered to run additional revision sessions over the holiday:

Tuesday 26th May - Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics), 10am to 12pm in Science 2

Thursday 28th May - Maths, 10am to 12pm, Maths block

Friday 29th May - History, 10am to 12pm, Rooms 4 &5

Summer Uniform

As always, our students look smart and professional at Sewell Park Academy. However, with the weather getting warmer, we will be reverting to our summer uniform rules on our return. Mr Merry has created a handy graphic to be able to clearly identify the changes for the students, which can be found here.

We are always exceptionally proud of how smart our students look, and the fact that the uniform represents professional dress, to prepare them for the world of work. However, we are also aware that throughout history, young people have always pushed boundaries, when it comes to clothes (this has not changed since the days I was at school), so some reminders of some key expectations are below. The full uniform code can be found on the website.

• Black pleated skirt; minimum length 10cms above the knee (straight, pencil, stretch jersey or mini skirts are not permitted)

• Deliberately ripped tights are required to be replaced

• Hoodies and tracksuit tops are not permitted on school premises

• Sensible smart black shoes, ankle height boots or completely black trainers (no other colours should be visible e.g. white trim around sole or coloured logos are not allowed).

• Extreme hair styles are not allowed, as well as extreme hair colours that are not deemed to be natural e.g. blue, pink, bright/dark red or green and patterning, including tram lines and eyebrow cutting.

• One small plain nose stud maximum

• False eyelashes of a natural appearance may be permitted at the discretion of the school, this does not include lashes of extreme length or volume.

• Nail varnish, false or acrylic nails should not be worn.

Phones & Smart Watches from September 2027

At Sewell Park Academy, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every young person can thrive, develop and support their wellbeing. We know from extensive research of the negative impacts of excessive screen time on young people, their examination results and the quality of their social interactions.

Therefore, from September 2026, when we return from the summer holidays, all mobile phones, or smart watches, brought into school (with the exception of extreme cases for a specific medical need), will be required to be handed in on arrival at school. These will then be returned when the young person leaves the site, or after a learning catch up if it has been received. After half term we will detail the processes and procedures for this to you all in detail so that you are fully aware.

We are aware that not all of the attendees of Sewell Park Academy will be keen on this decision, however, we are certain that this will have an exceptionally positive impact on our pupils, the qualifications they gain and relationships in the wider community, in the same way that has been demonstrated in other schools around the country.

Calendar for 2026/2027

A reminder that the term dates for the 2026/2027 academic year for Sewell Park Academy can be found here.

Thank you as ever for your continued support of Sewell Park Academy, our young people and our community. The continued success within the local area and North Norwich has been well deserved through the collaboration and partnership of us all working collectively to support our pupils to be successful in their future lives.

We look forward to welcoming students back at school on Monday 1st June.

With best wishes,

David Day

Headteacher