👩‍🍳🎨This week, we were delighted to welcome over 100 Year 4 and 5 pupils from our local primary schools to Uplands Academy for a series of exciting Taster Sessions. Held after school on Monday 13th and Wednesday 15th July, the sessions gave pupils the opportunity to experience a range of subjects and activities, including Sports Squad, Stage Stars, Tech Trailblazers, Art Aces, Creative Cooks and Code Creators. Throughout the sessions, pupils enjoyed making cookies and pizzas, designing and building wooden cars, creating beautiful pieces of artwork using a variety of techniques, taking part in Kin-Ball and football activities, learning coding skills, and developing their confidence through drama improvisation workshops. Mrs Purser, Senior Assistant Headteacher, commented: "It was fantastic to see how enthusiastically the pupils embraced these sessions. They were fully engaged throughout and clearly enjoyed the opportunity to explore subjects and activities that may not be available to them at primary school. We hope they enjoyed their taste of life at Uplands Academy, and we look forward to welcoming many of them back in the future when they begin their secondary school journey''. A huge thank you to all of our staff who organised and delivered such engaging and inspiring experiences. #TasterSessions #MakeYourMARK

🎉A huge thank you and well done to everyone who took part in our Honours Evening on Thursday 9 July. This prestigious event is a key part of our traditional end-of-year celebrations and offers a wonderful opportunity for the Uplands Academy community to come together and recognise the outstanding progress, achievements, and approach of our students across all areas of school life. We would like to congratulate all 120 nominees and finalists who attended the evening, and extend our heartfelt thank you to the parents and carers for their continued support. The evening featured a wide range of awards, including: ✅CKA Awards for Year 7-9 ✅Conduct Awards ✅CKA Awards ✅Subject Excellence Awards, including Creative Arts, Sports Person, Mathematician, and Linguist for each year group. ✅Recognition of our Inspire Oxford Programme students for their dedication and achievements over the past year A special mention goes to the following students for receiving our highest honours: 🏆MARK Values Award (Year 7): Cooper, Year 7 🏆MARK Values Award (Year 8): Evelyn-Rose, Year 8 🏆MARK Values Award (Year 9): Molly, Year 9 🏆Uplands Award (KS4): Sam, Year 10 🏆Kids’ Lit Quiz Award: Alba, Year 7 🏆Woody Welfare Award: India, Year 10 Before the awards ceremony, guests were treated to a beautiful performance by our talented pianist Sofiia (Year 7). We were honoured to welcome Hannah Coton, Technology Consultant at Formula Recruitment, as our guest speaker. Hannah gave an inspiring talk about her time at Uplands and her career journey to date and left the audience with a quote 'If you won't, your opposition will'. Finally, a big thank you to Mrs. Underdown, Head of History, for her organisation of the event and making the evening such a memorable success. #Honoursevening #MakeYourMARK

🏕 Congratulations to our Year 9 students on successfully completing The Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award Qualifying Expedition! Despite the hot weather and some adjustments to their planned route, our Year 9 students showed outstanding resilience, determination and teamwork throughout their expedition on the Ashdown Forest last weekend. From navigating independently and demonstrating strong leadership skills to camping overnight at Adamswell Campsite and preparing their own meals, they rose to every challenge with confidence and maturity. Mr Stidder, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager, commented, 'Every student should be extremely proud of their efforts and accomplishments. Based on their performance, all participants have shown that they are more than capable of progressing on to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Award'. 📷 For the full report and more photos, visit the news page on our website: https://tinyurl.com/mud6u3du @dofeuk #dofebronzeaward #MakeYourMARK

🏃‍♀️On Tuesday 7 July, students in Years 7 to 10 came together for our annual Sports Day – and what a fantastic day it was! With excitement, energy and community spirit on display from start to finish, students competed throughout the day to earn valuable points for their community in the quest to lift this year's trophies. The day began with our inclusive Sports for All programme, giving every student the opportunity to get involved in a variety of activities, including football, volleyball, kinball, kwik cricket, rounders and dodgeball. The morning was a wonderful showcase of participation, enthusiasm and teamwork, with students fully embracing the chance to represent their communities. In the afternoon, attention turned to the traditional athletics events and there was a lovely atmosphere on our school field. Students proudly wore their community colours, waved homemade banners and cheered on their teammates from the sidelines. Competitors took to the track for the 100m, 200m, 300m and 800m races, as well as the always-popular relay events, producing some outstanding performances and memorable moments. Sports Day was truly a whole-school effort. Our dedicated Maths department expertly kept track of the scores throughout the day, while Mrs Dunbar, Mrs Huxford and Mr Colman even stepped onto the track to help make up the numbers in one of the relay races which added to the fun of the afternoon. A special thank you also goes to the group of students who provided refreshments throughout the event. Their efforts were very much appreciated in the warm weather, and they successfully raised £200 towards their upcoming Scouts environmental expedition. We wish them every success with their adventure. The final results combined Sports Day performances with points earned during pre-events held earlier in the term. After a closely fought competition, Red Community were crowned overall champions. Final Results: 🥇 Overall Champions: Red Community 🥈 Second Place: Blue Community 🥉 Third Place: Yellow Community Year Group Champions: Year 7: Red Year 8: Red Year 9: Red Year 10: Blue Congratulations to all students for their enthusiasm, effort and sportsmanship throughout the day. A huge thank you must also go to the PE department and all staff who helped organise and run the event. Their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm ensured that Sports Day was a memorable occasion for everyone involved. For more photos, please visit the news page on our website: https://tinyurl.com/3hrh8avj #sportsday #MakeYourMARK

Do you have any unused or pre-loved LEGO gathering dust? Any donations would be really appreciated! 👇

🎨 This term in Art, Year 8 have been exploring landscapes and the threats to rural life faced by local communities. As part of the project, this week students had the opportunity to take advantage of the academy's wonderful views of the local countryside. During their 'plein air' lesson, students applied the principles they have been learning about the characteristics of different landscape elements to produce loose pencil and pen sketches of the wide-reaching scenes. At other points in the project, students developed their watercolour skills to create Turneresque skies and experimented with mark-making and printmaking inspired by Hockney's Yorkshire paintings. These pieces were then collaged together with foreground silhouettes to convey narratives and produce detailed and exciting compositions that students should be very proud of. What a wonderful end to our summer term! #outdoorlearning #artlesson #Year8

✨ Performing Arts Showcase 2026 🎭🎼 A huge well done to everyone who took part in our Performing Arts Showcase on Wednesday 8 July. It was an unforgettable evening, filled with creativity, talent and confidence – a true celebration of the performing arts at Uplands. Special congratulations to our talented musicians, singers and actors, who captivated the audience throughout the evening. Highlights included a modern twist on the classic novel 'Lord of the Flies' from our Drama Club, a spectacular rendition of 'The Greatest Show' by the choir, and impressive performances on electric guitar, piano and flute. The audience was also treated to some wonderfully entertaining LAMDA scenes, a powerful monologue from 'Edelweiss Pirates', and a lively performance of 'The Schuyler Sisters' from Hamilton. Before the show and during the interval, families also had the opportunity to enjoy a display of outstanding student artwork curated by our Art Department. The exhibition provided a wonderful showcase of the creativity and talent being developed across the school. A special thank you goes to Miss Leader, Head of Music, and Ms Whelan, Head of Drama, for their brilliant leadership and organisation. Performing Arts has gone from strength to strength at Uplands in recent years, and the confidence, skill and enthusiasm they have nurtured in our students were evident throughout the showcase. We would also like to extend our thanks to our newly formed PTA for providing refreshments before the performance and during the interval. Their support helped make the evening even more enjoyable for our guests, and all funds raised will go directly to the PTA to support future projects and opportunities for our school community. Finally, thank you to our parents, carers and guests for their support, and to the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the evening such a success. We are incredibly proud of every performer who took to the stage and look forward to seeing our Performing Arts students continue to flourish in the years ahead. For more photos, please visit the news page on our website: https://tinyurl.com/2wuab6cf #MakeYourMARK #PerformingArts

🔅 Summer Family Days at Hastings Contemporary Hastings Contemporary is hosting a series of Summer Family Days packed with hands-on activities. Every Thursday during the school holidays, families are invited to explore the exhibitions and discover art trails, drawing prompts, crafting stations, and an artist-led workshop. With a different theme each week, children can experiment with printing, painting, collage, sculpture and more. There’s plenty to enjoy for all ages, whether you stay for an hour or make a day of it. No need to book, just turn up. 📆 Thursdays from 23 July - 27 August 2026 Under 18s and concessions go free, local adults £5 For more information, please visit their website: https://tinyurl.com/e47yrzcj

Great British Summer Savings Families can enjoy a range of discounts this summer through the Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, running from 25 June to 1 September 2026. Eligible attractions, cinemas, theatres, concerts, exhibitions and children's meals may qualify for reduced prices, and children aged 5–15 can travel free on buses in England throughout August. To find participating venues and offers near you, visit: www.summersavings.gov.uk The attraction finder allows families to search by postcode and discover local opportunities to enjoy days out and activities for less this summer.

Week 5 – The Final Week of Our World Cup-Themed Pop-Up Menu! 🌍⚽ We've reached the final week of our World Cup-themed pop-up menu, and it's been a fantastic addition to the wider menu. A huge thank you to our Chartwells catering team – it's been great to see so many students opting for the menu over the last 5 weeks. For our final week, we're continuing to celebrate the cuisines of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Check out the Week 5 menu below and don't miss your last chance to join in! 👇

✨ Year 11 Prom 2026 ✨ On 26 June, our Year 11 students enjoyed a fantastic Prom Night at Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club, the perfect celebration for an incredible year group. Students arrived in style, making unforgettable entrances by sports car, tractor, motocross bike and even horseback! Dressed to impress in stunning gowns and sharp suits, they enjoyed a delicious meal, plenty of dancing and the chance to celebrate together after a busy exam season. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, friendship and lasting memories, marking the end of one chapter and the start of exciting new adventures ahead. 📸 A huge thank you to Miss Reilly, Head of Art & Photography and our talented Year 10 Photography students; Holly, Bella, Eeva and Stephanie for capturing the evening so beautifully. Year 11 – this isn’t goodbye! We’d love you to stay part of the Uplands community by joining our Alumni Network. It’s a great way to keep in touch, hear about opportunities and support younger students as you move on to your next steps. Please sign up here - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/ULYr8fiCeF For more photos from the prom please visit the news page on our website: https://tinyurl.com/yc3teckr #Year11Prom #Prom2026 #CelebratingSuccess

🇨🇳 Mandarin Club has been a fantastic addition to our list of extra-curricular clubs this year, with more and more students joining each week. Throughout the year, students have developed their Mandarin language skills while learning about Chinese culture and traditions. 🥢🍲 To celebrate the end of term, Mr Suewing organised a special cooking experience after school on Wednesday, giving students the opportunity to cook their own Chinese food using a traditional hot pot. They also put their chopstick skills to the test, having practised them earlier this term. Students cooked pork and fish balls, tofu, potatoes and vegetables in a delicious hot broth. A great way to round off a successful first year of Mandarin Club! Mandarin Club will continue in September, so if you are interested in joining or you would like further information, please speak to Mr Suewing. #MandarinClub #trysomethingnew #MakeYourMARK

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Our Year 8 students had an unforgettable week on their outdoor adventure activities residential on Llangorse Lake in Wales. Despite the very hot weather, students showed incredible resilience, enthusiasm and teamwork throughout a packed programme of activities including rock climbing, caving, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, raft building and even a giant slip & slide. Many students faced personal challenges and conquered fears, particularly during the caving sessions, returning with huge smiles and a real sense of achievement. Activity instructors consistently praised our students for their effort, listening skills and excellent behaviour. The evenings were filled with quizzes, football, karaoke and plenty of laughter, helping students create memories with their peers that will last for years to come. Miss Buckley commented, 'We are extremely proud of every student for embracing new experiences, supporting one another and representing the school so positively throughout the week. They were a credit to themselves, their families and our school community'. For more photos, visit the news page on our website: https://tinyurl.com/nhe3ww2b #Year8 #WelshCamp #schooltrip

📣 Free delivery on school uniform orders To help families prepare for the new school year, our uniform supplier is offering free standard delivery on orders of £50. Offer valid: 13-19 July 2026 Discount code: FREEDEL Simply enter the code FREEDEL at the checkout to receive free standard delivery on qualifying orders. 👉 https://www.monkhouse.com/school/uplands-academy-urn-148945 For further information about our uniform, please visit https://www.uplands-academy.org/key-information/item/26/school-uniform-and-equipment

🏃🏽Our Running Club members have been raising the bar this year! With several keen and speedy runners in the group, Mr Dwyer and Mr Eley have been introducing longer routes to challenge them even further. This week, the club achieved a new record distance of 8.2km, compared with the usual 5km route. 👏 A huge well done to all the runners who took part, including Mr McFloyd! Running Club is open to everyone. Meet in Lab 4 at 3.20pm every Thursday, changed into PE kit and ready to go. #MakeYourMARK #runningclub #trysomethingnew

To support our growing and expanding school, we are seeking applications for the following staff vacancies currently listed on our website: 👉 Senior Teaching Assistants We are seeking two Senior Teaching Assistants to join our dedicated team, one of which will be supporting students with EBSA and SEMH needs. Make a lasting difference by helping young people overcome barriers to learning and thrive in school. 🔗 To view our vacancies, visit https://www.uplands-academy.org/join-us/job-opportunities-1 Please visit https://mynewterm.com/trust/MARK-Education-Trust/2259 to join our talent pool and apply for vacancies across MARK Education Trust. #MakeYourMARK #jobs #jobsearch #newjob #vacancy #recruitment #education #Wadhurst #EastSussex

🎤 For those attending the Performing Arts Showcase this evening, please note that our newly formed PTA will be serving refreshments to raise funds for the school. Due to a technical issue, we are unfortunately unable to accept card payments, so please bring cash if you would like to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. We look forward to welcoming you and enjoying a wonderful evening of performances from our talented students.

📣 There's still time to book! We have a few spaces remaining on our Year 4 & 5 Taster Sessions taking place next week. It's a great opportunity for children to explore life at Uplands, meet our fantastic staff and enjoy a range of fun, hands-on activities. We can't wait to welcome them!

Week 4 – the World Cup themed pop-up menu continues at Uplands this week! 🌍⚽ It's been great to see so many students opting for the pop-up menu since it launched, hope you are all enjoying it. Each menu is inspired by American, Canadian or Mexican cuisine. Check out the Week 4 menu below! 👇