The summer holidays took an exciting turn for a select group of students from the Academy as they set off for the Isle of Wight to participate in the UKSA Sea Change sailing programme. Upon arrival, students wasted no time in getting acquainted with the world of sailing. They learned essential skills such as knot tying, navigation, and safety protocols. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they quickly became adept sailors.

The UKSA Sea Change programme provided students with opportunities to challenge themselves and build self-confidence. Facing the open sea and taking responsibility for their vessel boosted their independence and self-esteem, all whilst working in teams with students from across the country.

Two of our Year 11 students have started at boarding schools this September having secured scholarships for their sixth form education. Shea Carter has started at Pangbourne College and Shannon McGlade is at Dean Close School.

I am delighted to be able to say that we’ve had a fantastic start to the new academic year.  Our new Year 7 students have arrived with real excitement and have settled really well into their new surroundings.  Furthermore, the other year groups have returned ready to begin the year positively. 

Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent's class of 2023 gathered today to collect their GCSE results. This special day marks the end of many years of determination and resilience on the part of our students. We are proud of all their achievements and pleased to see how these results open up places at colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships.

We are so pleased to announce that we have yet again been successful in achieving the prestigious nationally recognised 360 Online Safety Mark. We have been accredited for another 3 years and can celebrate our good online safety policy and good practice. We have met or exceeded all benchmark national standards in 28 aspects of online safety that the award assesses, under the 4 main categories: Policy & Leadership, Infrastructure, Education, Standards & Inspection. This is an opportunity to celebrate how we manage Online Safety and all the great ways we keep ourselves safe.

As part of our wide-ranging extra-curricular offer, every week students descend on the Maths Department for a super competitive afternoon of chess! Playing against other students and challenging teachers, the club is open to new players and experienced competitors alike. 

The popular club is run by Ms Godwin, our Lead practitioner and Specialist Leader of Education; “Chess is always a game I loved since school. It was joining the chess club with my headteacher at primary school that really sparked my interest, then entering local competitions made it fun.

“It gets really competitive, I have learned a new skill and I really enjoy playing against teachers and other students”.

KS3 MEMBER OF CHESS CLUB

So when I got the opportunity to do a chess club again at school, I jumped at the chance. It’s not just students who come, it’s staff as well!  We are currently practicing and the group is growing week by week. There are a couple more sessions for kids to really get into learning how to play if they are nervous, or just up their skills, then we are going to start a mini competition in the group. We would love to play other schools in the summer term!” 

Well done to everyone involved, and we’re looking forward to those upcoming competitions! You can learn more about our extra-curricular offer by clicking below:

Extra-Curricular Activities