A historic start to term: students experience the Bayeux Tapestry

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On Wednesday 2nd September, students at Mulberry Academy Hastings had a remarkable start to the new term when they took part in a live global broadcast celebrating the opening of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. The broadcast took place at the British Museum with Their Majesties The King and The Queen, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Emmanuel Macron in attendance.

This was a particularly significant experience for the students because of the tapestry’s direct connection to the history of the local Hastings area. The events depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry tell the story of 1066, including the Battle of Hastings, which took place just a few miles from the school. Being able to see the tapestry first-hand gave students the opportunity to connect their learning with the history on their doorstep and to consider how the events of almost a thousand years ago continue to shape the place they live and learn today.

The historic occasion was attended by Their Majesties The King and The Queen, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Emmanuel Macron. Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore helped to ensure that students from the 1066 Country were given priority access to see the impressive artefact.

We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented Mulberry Academy Hastings throughout this memorable experience. Their enthusiasm and curiosity demonstrated the value of opportunities that allow students to engage directly with history and develop a deeper appreciation of the place they call home.

It was a truly unforgettable way to begin the new term and an experience that our students and the Academy community will be proud to remember for many years to come.

You can read more about the visit to the Bayeux Tapestry below.

BBC website article: East Sussex pupils Bayeux Tapestry visit

 

Mulberry Academy Hastings Celebrates GCSE Success

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Students and staff at Mulberry Academy Hastings are celebrating GCSE success today, as Year 11 students received the results of their hard work and determination.

This year’s results mark another positive step forward for the academy, with students making the strongest progress from their starting points the school has ever recorded. This builds on the significant improvements made over recent years and reflects the commitment of students, staff and families across the academy community.

English was a particular success, with 76% of students achieving a Grade 4 or above and 54% achieving a Grade 5 or above. Several English classes achieved exceptional results, with some groups seeing almost every student secure a Grade 4 or higher and very strong numbers achieving the higher Grade 5 benchmark.

Students also performed particularly strongly in Drama, Health & Social Care, English Literature, Sport Studies and History, with positive progress across these subjects and further improvements in a number of other curriculum areas.

The academy’s overall Attainment 8 score also increased again this year, building on the substantial improvements of the previous two years and continuing the positive trajectory of the school.

Principal Simon Addison said:

“Today is about celebrating our students and their achievements. Their record progress, alongside excellent results in English and other subjects, shows how far our academy has come. We are incredibly proud of them.”

Among the academy’s highest-achieving students were Albie H, who achieved an outstanding set of grades including seven Grade 9s and two Grade 8s; Anastasiya P, who achieved two Grade 9s, a Grade 8 and a range of other strong grades; and Daria V, who secured four Grade 8s alongside an excellent wider set of results.

Mr Addison added:

“I would like to thank our Year 11 students for their determination and resilience, our staff for their commitment and care, and our parents and carers for the support they have given throughout the past five years.”

“We wish every one of our students the very best as they move on to sixth form, college, apprenticeships and the next exciting stage of their lives.”

Mulberry Academy Hastings congratulates the Class of 2026 and wishes them every success for the future.

Connect #25 celebrates growth, community and achievement across Mulberry

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This summer term has seen schools across our Trust celebrate a wide range of achievements, opportunities and moments of success, showcasing the talent, ambition and commitment of our students, staff and wider community.

Mulberry Schools Trust has recently made an important step in the growth of our East Sussex Hub, with Mulberry Bexhill Academy becoming the sixth East Sussex school to join the Trust. We are excited to continue strengthening connections between our schools and continue to create opportunities for students and staff to collaborate and learn from one another. Over the past term, CEO Alice Ward visited schools across the Trust and was proud to see the fantastic work taking place across our school communities.

There has been plenty to celebrate across our schools, from students taking part in our Mulberry Changemakers programmes in STEM and the arts, to sporting successes, student leadership opportunities and achievements recognised at a national level.

We are also delighted to share the landmark moment of an ‘exceptional’ Mulberry College of Teaching Ofsted inspection, as well as proudly celebrating five years of our East London Teaching School Hub.

This edition of Connect brings together some of these stories, highlighting the experiences that take place every day across our Trust, from inspiring classroom practice, learning and creative opportunities to partnerships that help broaden horizons for our young people.

Together, these achievements demonstrate the dedication and ambition that runs through our schools and the commitment of our communities to helping every student thrive.

We are delighted to celebrate the contributions of our students, staff, families, trustees, governors and partners and we hope you enjoy reading the Connect #25 newsletter.

Download PDF: Download here

Download here

GCSE Results 24/25

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Careers advise from BBC Bitesize at The Hastings Academy

Careers advise from BBC Bitesize at The Hastings Academy

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Students from years 7-10 from The Hastings Academy were treated to a panel discussion by the BBC Bitesize Careers Roadshow, to talk all things careers. Headed by James Threlfall, TV presenter, the panel of local businesses comprised of Polly Coxeter, a BBC employee; Stacey Pretty, marketing director and Alice White, graphic designer.

The panel discussed how they forged their careers, from apprenticeship routes to degrees, and how they worked their way up to be the established business individuals they now are. They focussed on explaining the soft skills employers look for when recruiting such as people skills and negotiation – invaluable information for our young people as they start considering their futures!

Speaking to year 9 student Ruby, she said “They were really good at communicating with all the students and explaining that even if you are doing a club after school it can get you so far because it is extra learning”. With fellow student Max (also year 9) commenting that “I thought the show was very useful as they brought in people to tell us about jobs they do now and how they grew up in our area. I also thought that the presenters and the production team did a very good job at presenting the roadshow and all the videos on the screens. The presenters told us about their lives and it was very interesting”

Joseph Saubolle, careers lead at The Hastings Academy stated ‘The students in years 7, 8, 9 & 10 were all fully engaged asking some great questions and really enjoying this great opportunity for careers education offered by a globally recognised organisation. Many thanks goes out to all the team including Euan McClenaghan , Richard Ampeh and Charlie Mascall along with all the support staff at the Academy’.

All students were thoroughly engaged throughout and asked many thought-provoking questions, through the use of an engaging Q&A session revolving around a microphone rugby ball. We express a huge thank you for the BBC Bitesize team for this opportunity.

GCSE Successes for Mulberry Schools Trust Students

GCSE Successes for Mulberry Schools Trust Students

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This year’s GCSE results have brought pride to the Mulberry Schools Trust, with students from our three secondary academies in East and Sussex achieving notable successes. These results reflect the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our students, supported by the commitment of their teachers.

In East Sussex, both Hastings and St Leonards Academies have much to be proud of.

Jon Francies, Principal at The St Leonards Academy, remarked: “I am really proud of the St Leonards Academy Class of 2024. During their secondary school education, they have faced significant challenges, particularly through Covid. There have been many strong results, with students achieving the highest possible grades. Crucially, the vast majority of students have secured what they need to move on to their chosen post-16 destinations. We have also seen a significant number of students who previously did not attend, or who joined us from local or out-of-area schools, successfully gain qualifications this year. I wish all our students the best for the future and look forward to welcoming them back in November to celebrate.”

Simon Addison, Principal at The Hastings Academy, expressed his gratitude: “A big thank you to our staff, parents, and carers for their support, and to our students for their commitment and effort. You’ve truly earned these results. Enjoy your success, and don’t forget to stay connected. We wish you every success in the future.”

 

The Hastings Academy Host the 1066 Book Awards

The Hastings Academy Host the 1066 Book Awards

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On Wednesday, 24th April The Hastings Academy, a proud member of the Mulberry Schools Trust, welcomed the community to celebrate the 1066 Book Awards on Wednesday, 24th April. Attended by other local schools such as St Richard’s College, Bexhill Academy, and Claverham, and partner Trust school, The St Leonards Academy, the event celebrated literary excellence and student engagement. 

Named in honour of the historic Battle of Hastings, the 1066 Schools’ Book Award has stood as a beacon of literary celebration for over 15 years. This year, students from Year 7 and Year 8 across five schools immersed themselves in four captivating, shortlisted works. From gripping tales to insightful narratives, the selected titles included ‘The Haunting of Aveline Jones’ by Phil Hickes, ‘Smart’ by Kim Slater, ‘A Girl on Schindlers List’ by Rena Finder, and ‘My Brother Ben’ by Peter Carnavas. 

In the weeks leading up to the awards, students across all participating schools delved into the pages of these literary gems, discussing themes, characters, and plot twists in after-school sessions and book clubs. Engaging activities such as crafting alternative book covers, designing characters, and capturing moments of literary exploration in creative settings enriched the experience for all participants. 

The highlight of the event concluded in a lively showcase, where The Hastings Academy students took the helm, guiding attendees through the evening’s festivities. From revealing the winners of each category to captivating readings of favourite passages and insightful reviews, the students exhibited remarkable enthusiasm. 

Following a tally of votes from all participating schools, ‘The Haunting of Aveline Jones’ emerged as the winner of the desirable Book of the Year Award. Student reviews echoed sentiments of excitement and admiration, with phrases like ‘filled with tension and suspense’ and ‘a dynamic character with an adventurous spirit’ resonating throughout. 

Highlighting the talent and dedication of the student body, The Hastings Academy students Rachel and Jasmine led the presentation of student awards, while Melissa, Bethany, and Amelie were the event hosts. Student Amalia seamlessly managed the technical aspects of the awards, ensuring a flawless experience for all attendees. 

Pupils from St Richards commented that, “it was such fun to talk to people from other schools who had read the same books as them.” 

All five schools are keen to take part again next year. and all agreed the food and the free books were great!  

This years’ 1066 Schools Book Award Final Event and Buffet was kindly sponsored by Tesco Groundworks, and The Hastings Academy’s heartfelt thanks goes out to them for the support.