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Mrs S Sprack - CEO of Isle Education Trust (IET) |
Mrs S Hamilton - Principal of South Axholme Academy |
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As we approach the festive season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our students, staff, and families. It's been a long term, made trickier by the flu that is circulating – I hope that you have managed to avoid it, or if not, that you are recovered. This term also marks the successful completion of Mrs Hamilton's first term as Principal. As a very wise staff member said to me at the same point during my time at South Axholme – it gets easier once you get to know the community. Thank you to everyone for your commitment and support this year. Wishing you joy, peace, and good health this holiday season as well as a well-deserved rest. Mrs S Sprack - CEO |
As we reach the end of a busy and successful term at South Axholme Academy, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a wonderful start to my time here. I have been truly impressed by the positive attitude, excellent manners, and strong SAX Mindset shown by our students. Their warmth and enthusiasm have made me feel so welcome and reminded me why I was so keen to join this special community. This term has been full of achievements and celebrations. From sporting success to musical and dramatic highlights, our students have shown themselves to be ready, resilient, and respectful in every sense. I have also been amazed by the commitment they show to extracurricular activities, which add so much to life at our academy. I would also like to thank our incredible staff, who go above and beyond to support students in all areas of school life, and our parents and carers, whose support makes a real difference. It is this combination that makes South Axholme Academy such a special place to learn and work. As we head into the Christmas break, I hope everyone takes time to rest and enjoy the festive season. For those preparing for examinations next year, use the holiday wisely, but also remember the importance of balance and well-being. We will all be here ready to support you for that final push in the new year! Thank you again for the warm welcome and for making my first term so rewarding. I look forward to seeing everyone back in January for another exciting and productive term. Wishing you all a joyful and very Merry Christmas. Kind regards, Mrs Hamilton - Principal |
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREERS |
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Key Stage 4For our Year 11 students, the main focus for them has been the mock examinations. We are proud of the excellent conduct shown throughout the sessions. Results will be shared after Christmas, followed by detailed feedback in lessons to help close any gaps before the final summer exams. Well-planned revision is essential for success, and we were delighted to launch the Revision Section on the Academy website. Mr P Forster - Director of Data and Assessment |
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Key Stage 3This term, Key Stage 3 students have completed internal assessments in English, Mathematics, Geography, History, and Science. To support their preparation, students had access to key Knowledge Organisers and attended assemblies focused on effective revision strategies. Other subjects continue to use continual assessment, and it has been a joy to see (and smell) the creative work produced in Technology and Food lessons. |
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Awards and Parents' EveningsIt was a pleasure to welcome back the Class of 2025 to pick up their examination certificates and for some lucky students to receive individual awards. We hope the Class of 2026 will strive to beat the excellent outcomes produced in 2025. Year 11 students had their Parents' Evening this term, which was very well attended. We look forward to welcoming parents in other year groups in the upcoming evenings: Year 7 – 23 April 2026Year 8 – 7 May 2026Year 9 – 12 March 2026Year 10 – 26 February 2026Pictures: Winners of the trophies - Year 11 Leavers 2025 |
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SCANSScans are our way of sharing Progress and Attitude to Learning with parents and students. Every student has received their first Scan this term, and the second will follow next term: Year 11 – w/c 12 January 2026Year 10 – w/c 23 February 2026Year 9 – w/c 9 March 2026Year 7 & 8 – w/c 20 April 2026
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Excellence at South Axholme Academy |
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Sponsored WalkThis is still one of the old favourites on the South Axholme Academy calendar. Earlier than usual this year, on Friday 19 September 2025, Mrs Hamilton embarked on her first sponsored walk at the academy. Staff and students set off on the annual sponsored walk. The weather was kind and a good day was had by all – students showed resilience as they completed the 10km route. A total of £5,976.00 was raised at the event – 10% of the proceeds this year went to Team Verrico and Battersea Dogs' Home. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for sponsoring your child/student for this event. Your contribution will go a long way in supporting our initiatives and the community at large.
Once again, thank you for your generosity and support. We look forward to your continued involvement in our future endeavours. Pictures: Students en route on the Sponsored Walk 2025 |
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INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY |
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It is always great to hear about what students have done in their free time, and Mrs Hamilton loves to acknowledge individual achievements. We have highlighted just a few below. Please keep sending these fantastic achievements to us as we always like to read about our inspiring students. |
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Sam FrostThis year, Sam has been working towards his silver Road Marching Award in Air Cadets. The award involved completing a series of marches at increasing distances to a total of at least 160km to qualify for a final road march, which was held at RAF Cosford. It should be pointed out that in total he walked 220km. He had already done enough to qualify but still went ahead and did a 40km march. 550 Cadets (Army, Sea, Air, Marines) from all over the UK took part in a gruelling 2 x 40km road march from RAF Cosford. This involved a 04:30 wakeup on Saturday to begin at 06:00 marching a total of 40km on day 1, then the same again on the Sunday, marching another 40km. According to Sam's Strava App, it was 118,000 steps over the 2 days! Sam has shown exceptional commitment and resilience whilst working towards this award and both his parents and Squadron CO are very proud of him. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, making him the youngest Sergeant in his squadron. For completing the final march, Cadets are awarded the RAF WARMA Medal! Picture: RAF WARMA medal |
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Beth Lewis Shines at European Cross Country ChampionshipsBeth Lewis delivered an outstanding performance at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal, finishing 12th out of 97 competitors in the Women’s Under-20 category. Her strong run made her the second British finisher, playing a crucial role in helping Team GB secure the Gold medal in the team event. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Beth’s athletic journey and reflects her dedication and talent on the international stage. Competing against Europe’s best, Beth gained invaluable experience that will undoubtedly inspire her continued progress in the years ahead. Photo: Beth proudly standing on the podium with her medal |
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Adam Crossfield - TaekwondoHuge congratulations to Adam! The Warsaw tournament was an incredible experience – competing against athletes from around the world and embracing a new culture. Adam delivered a fantastic performance, as he: - Won the first round with skill and determination.
- Narrowly missed out in the second.
- Fought hard in the third against a strong Polish opponent.
We are super proud of his dedication to the sport and his commitment to the club. Next stop: British Taekwondo National Kyorugi Championships in Sheffield! Keep pushing, Adam – you’ve got this! Pictures: Adam and in action at the tournament |
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Lexy Adlington - Horse Trials Earlier this term, Lexy and her team competed at the Burghley Horse Trials Lemieux Pony Club Show Jumping—and we’re thrilled to share that her team WON!
We are so proud of Lexy’s hard work, dedication, and incredible achievement. What a fantastic result for her and the team! Well done, Lexy! Pictures: Lexy and her beautiful horse at the competition |
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Isla Cane - NetballHuge congratulations to Isla! We’re thrilled to share that Isla has successfully gained a place in the U15 Lincolnshire County Netball Academy! This is an incredible achievement, especially as she trialled against players a year older – since there’s no U14 Academy. Her hard work and determination have truly paid off. We’re so proud of you, Isla! Picture: Isla |
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Josh Broxham - Ice HockeyWhat a weekend for Josh! He headed to the National 3v3 Championship in September with the Leeds Junior Knights and absolutely smashed it, as he: - Won all 5 matches.
- Didn’t concede a single goal.
- Scored and assisted throughout.
- Came home with the trophy!
Next stop: Lee Valley, London, where he’ll trial for a spot on the U14 England National Team. Good luck, Josh - you’ve got this! Picture: Josh at the National Championships |
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Ava – Rugby AchievementCongratulations to Year 10 student Ava, who has been selected for the U16 Player Development Group in Rugby! This is a fantastic achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of her dedication and hard work. We look forward to following your journey and celebrating your future successes! Picture: Ava proudly wearing her rugby shirt |
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CREATIVITYAt the beginning of term, and as one of Mrs Hamilton's first tasks, she announced a competition to design a postcard – this postcard was to enable staff to give to students for excellence at the academy in lessons, when they receive a SAX Excellence Point. Our winners were proudly presented with their prize by Mrs Hamilton in recognition of their fantastic designs. Meanwhile, our brilliant runners-up enjoyed a cosy treat of hot chocolate and cookies – a sweet reward for their hard work! Keep an eye out for the winning postcard – it’ll be making its way to students soon! Picture: Mrs Hamilton - Principal, with Abi and Isabella and their winning designs |
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Thank you to the parents/carers and friends of the academy who attended our fantastic Christmas concert that took place on Wednesday 3 December 2025. Our talented students from the music department showcased their skills and brought the spirit of the season to life through their outstanding performances.
We are incredibly proud of all our musicians and the progress they have made throughout the year. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we are grateful for their commitment to the arts.
If you were not able to attend the concert, I encourage you to look out for further communication about future performances. I assure you that it will be a treat for the eyes and ears!
Thank you for your continued support of our music department. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful community that values and appreciates the arts. Pictures: Students performing at the Christmas Music Concert |
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SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS PARTYOver 80 guests enjoyed a wonderful festive afternoon at the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party on Thursday 11 December. Our School Council reps and volunteers were amazing – helping guests move around, collect raffle prizes, and engaging in genuine conversation. The choir led a brilliant sing-along, and Mrs Kerrigher's bingo calling was brilliant! In true Christmas spirit, we organised some enjoyable activities for everyone. The obligatory games of bingo brought smiles and friendly competition, followed by an exciting raffle.
We are very grateful to our students and their commitment to making this Christmas party a success.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to parents/carers/staff who donated raffle prizes for our wider community.
Pictures: Guests enjoying the annual Christmas party 2025 |
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For a reminder about how parents and students can log into satchel one, please see the link to the website here. |
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MFL - What have we been doing this week? |
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It has been an exciting term for Performing Arts to brighten up the dark days! Live Theatre Visit On 5 November 2025, our Year 10 and Year 11 students enjoyed an inspiring trip to watch Dear England, a powerful production that left everyone buzzing with ideas and creativity. Year 7 Panto Trip On 5 December, Year 7 had a magical day at CAST Theatre, watching Cinderella. The laughter and excitement truly really made our Year 7 students' day as they get ready for Christmas. Showcases - The Halloween Showcase in October brought spooky vibes and fantastic performances.
- The Festive Showcase took place on 10 December and featured incredible work from Year 10 Performing Arts classes and our talented Drama Club – what a way to celebrate the season!
Legally Blonde Jr. Rehearsals for our next big production are going brilliantly! Save the dates: Tuesday 28 April & Wednesday 29 April 2026 - you won’t want to miss this show! Pictures: Christmas Showcase (top), Panto Trip (left) Dear England performance (right), (bottom) Legally Blonde Jr rehearsals |
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CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIESDecember 2025 |
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At the end of every term we celebrate students' successes in our Celebration Assemblies. Students receive awards for: - - 100% Attendance
- Top 10 Achievement Points
- Top 10 Attitude to Learning
- Zero Behaviour Points
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Also celebrated is the Form Group who have won the 'most achieved trophy'. |
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EXTRA-CURRICULAR SPORTING ACTIVITIES |
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Our sports teams are very active at the academy and our PE staff continue to attend many sports and team games throughout the year competing against other schools. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date results Mr Spouncer, Subject Leader - PE Read below to find out what our sporting teams have been doing this term. |
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Year 8 Football Team On 15 December, the Year 8s played a great game of football at their practice session. The blue team won 1 - 0 and Ryan was the goalscorer from the penalty spot. Player of the match was Jude. Pictures: Year 8 Football Team |
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U14 Netball Team On 11 December, the U14 SAX netball team won 27-12 against The Armthorpe Academy. It was a fantastic game demonstrating some real talent! Player of the match as nominated by Armthorpe was Kayla! Picture: U14 Netball Team |
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Year 7 Football Victory!On 11 December, our Year 7 Girls’ Football Team secured a fantastic win against The Armthorpe Academy in a close and exciting match. After going 1-0 down, Darcy equalised to make it 1-1 at half-time. In the second half, Isla scored following some excellent work from Annabelle to win the ball back. The girls held on for a well-deserved 2-1 victory! Player of the Match: Francesca – for her consistent defending throughout the game. A brilliant team performance – well done, girls! Picture: Year 7 Girls’ Football Team |
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Year 7 Football On 9 December, an inter- school Year 7 match took place. A great opportunity to showcase their footballing ability. Pictures: Year 7 Boys' Football Team |
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Year 7 versus Year 8 Girls’ Football MatchOn 5 December, our Year 7 Girls’ Football Team faced Year 8 in a closely fought battle. Year 8 took the lead with a goal from Isla, making it 1-0 at half-time. In the second half, Elsie extended the lead to 2-0, but Year 7 fought back with a goal from Renae.
The match ended 2-1 in favor of Year 8 – a fantastic display of skill and determination from both teams!
Pictures: Year 7 and Year 8 Girls’ Football Teams |
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Year 11 Football – National Cup FinalWe are incredibly proud of our Year 11 Football Team for reaching the National Cup Final – a fantastic achievement! On 3 December, they played an intense match that ended 3-3 after normal time, thanks to an outstanding hat-trick from Henry. Unfortunately, the team narrowly missed out on victory after losing on penalties. Man of the Match: Jacob – for his exceptional performance throughout the game. Well done to the entire team for their hard work, determination, and sportsmanship! ?? Picture: Year 11 Football Team 2025 |
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Year 8 Girls’ Football Team – Scunthorpe Schools Tournament On 25 November, our Year 8 Girls’ Football Team reached the semi-finals in the Scunthorpe Schools Tournament – an incredible achievement! The team went undefeated in their group, with these fantastic results: - 2-0 vs The Axholme Academy – Goals from Felicity and Ella
- 1-0 vs The Vale
- 1-0 vs Kirton – Goal from Felicity
- 2-0 vs Winterton – Goals from Ella and Josie
In the semi-final, they faced Sir John Nelthorpe. After a tense 0-0 draw, the match went to sudden-death penalties. Charlotte saved 5 penalties before the team was eventually defeated. A brilliant team effort – well done, girls! |
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Under 13 Girls’ Football Team – Utilita CupOn 21 November, our Under 13 Girls’ Football Team had the incredible opportunity to play in the Utilita Cup at the Keepmoat Stadium – an elite venue and a fantastic experience for the team! Picture: U13 Girls’ Football Team |
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Year 7 Netball – First Tournament SuccessOn 19 November, our Year 7 Netball Team competed in their first tournament – and what a fantastic start! The team won two matches and drew one, showing great skill and teamwork throughout.
A brilliant performance from every single member – well done, girls! Picture: Year 7 Netball Team |
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Year 9 Netball – Fantastic Win!On 13 November, our Year 9 Netball Team played a brilliant match, showcasing the excellent standard and teamwork they are known for! The team secured an impressive 33-3 victory against The Armthorpe Academy. Player of the Match: Lucie – for her outstanding performance! A huge well done to all the girls for their effort and determination. Picture: Year 9 Netball Team |
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Cross Country – Scunthorpe SchoolsOn a very cold day, 3 December, students from the academy proudly represented us at the annual Scunthorpe Schools’ Cross Country Competition. We saw superb team and individual performances from South Axholme athletes across all categories: We are incredibly proud of all our runners for their determination and success. Well done to everyone who took part! Pictures: Students at the cross-country competition |
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SAX Mindset Day 1 - Tuesday 9 December 2025 |
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We are thrilled to report on the success of the recent SAX Mindset Day held on 9 December 2025. These dedicated days play a fundamental role in nurturing our students' growth as Ready, Resilient, and Responsible individuals.
Throughout the day, each year group delved into specific themes tailored to their stage of development. The sessions were as follows:
- Year 7 looked at "Building a confident and safe me" - Year 8 focused on "Careers" - Year 9 explored "Democracy and the Law" - Year 10 tackled the "Realities of Becoming an Adult" and - Year 11 centred on "Realities of Becoming an Adult"
This holistic approach encompassed spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, embraced fundamental British values, and imparted age-appropriate sex and relationship education, alongside coverage of personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education. |
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FUNDRAISING AT THE ACADEMY |
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01 Dec 2025
Heidi Year 7 Winner of Christmas Card Competition
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Molly Performs at Haxey ChurchWe are proud of Molly, who played The Last Post at the church on Sunday and again at the soldier memorial in Haxey on Tuesday 11/11/2025. A beautiful tribute and a wonderful representation of our school community.
About The Last Post The Last Post is a bugle call that originated in the early 19th century in the British Army. Traditionally, it signalled the end of the day’s activities in military camps. Over time, it became a poignant symbol of remembrance, played at military funerals and commemorative events to honour fallen soldiers. Its solemn notes remind us of sacrifice and service. Picture: Molly in the church |
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STUDENT SERVICES AND ADMIN |
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LOCKERSThere are still some lockers available at the academy should you wish for your child to have one for use for the remainder of this academic year. Please see the academy website for further information via the link below. https://www.southaxholmeacademy.co.uk/page/?title=Locker+Infomation&pid=71 There is always a reduction in the price when you order your locker later in the term! |
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GCSE CertificatesYear 11 Leavers are now able to collect their GCSE certificates from the academy up to 19 December, between 8.00am and 4.30pm and from Monday 5 January 2026.Please note that students must sign for their certificates themselves - if nominating someone to collect on their behalf the academy must receive an email from the student's own email address and the nominated person should bring ID. |
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If you have any football boots that don't fit - bring them to us, and we will ensure that they are loved again on the right sized feet! |
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Get organised and sort out your academy uniform! See our website (here) for full details. Don’t forget if you have any old uniform / text books that you would like to donate, please bring into the academy and leave at student reception. This will go a long way to support members of our community |
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Important Reminders for Families |
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Before your child returns in the new year, we would like to share a couple of important reminders to help keep things running smoothly: Bus Passes It is essential that your child carries their bus pass for travel on their allocated transport provider. The bus drivers do ask on occasions, and it is vital that they are ready for this challenge. If you need to apply for a new bus pass, please contact the local authority for North Lincolnshire residents: www.northlincs.gov.uk/forms/schooltransport/Replacement Students who live in the Nottinghamshire area should contact Notts Council. Tel: 0115 9773916 email: travelassistance@notts.gov.uk
Label All ClothingPlease ensure that all items of clothing your child brings to school are clearly labelled with their name. This simple step makes it much easier for us to return lost items to their rightful owners. Keep Contact Details Up to DateIt’s essential that we have your most current contact information. Please take a moment to check and update your details on Arbor. This ensures we can reach you quickly if needed. A Note on Dropping Off Items During the DayAs stated in Mrs Hamilton's letter earlier this term, we have removed our old internal phone system, which previously allowed reception to contact classrooms directly. While this change has helped reduce interruptions to learning, it now means that our admin team must personally deliver any items brought in during the day. As you can imagine, their capacity to do this is limited. If you drop off items such as PE kits, lunchboxes, or other forgotten belongings, we cannot guarantee they will reach your child in time. What We AskPlease ensure that students come to school fully prepared with everything they need for the day. We understand that occasional emergencies do arise, and we will continue to assist where absolutely necessary. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Academy Office |
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Stay in Touch via Facebook or Instagram and remember that you can view our website for the following information:Uniform detailsCalendar datesTrips and visitsPoliciesCurriculumLetters from the PrincipalLatest newsMenu choices
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Contact Information and PermissionsDuring inclement weather or an emergency, should we have to make a decision to close the academy, we will email parents. Information will also be posted on our website (where possible). Please visit our Policies and Documents section for further details here. Also, ensure that you have ticked in the 'consent' section in Arbor that you agree to your child's emergency plan should we need to send your child home. |
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ArborWe now have 99% of our parents/carers registered with the Arbor App. Don't miss out! If you have not activated your account, please contact the academy and we will send you the information that you will need to register. This is an excellent way to view your child's dashboard which includes attendance data and achievements. In addition, you can update your personal information without needing to contact the academy. Please see the link below to access your account. https://login.arbor.sc/ |
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South Axholme Academy Burnham Road Epworth Doncaster DN9 1BY admin@southaxholme-iet.co.uk |
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