
Dear Parents/Carers
It was fantastic to welcome so many visitors to Year 9 parents’ evening last night – and see many proud faces, of both parents and students! Year 9 as a year group are really going from strength to strength in both their personal and academic achievements.
Total Participation
I have written before about ‘Total Participation’ – our development priority to increase active engagement in lessons and teaching strategies that mean students have to think hard and really involve themselves with their learning. Teachers are continuing to practise strategies like ‘I say/you say’ and ‘turn and talk’ to involve everyone in the class in a positive, supportive and inclusive way. We are seeing fantastic lessons and students really developing their confidence in their learning accordingly. Please do ask your children what they have been learning in each of their lessons – they will be glad you are interested!
Last week, a standard monitoring visit from the College’s external adviser from the Local Authority, who focused on examination outcomes, attendance, and inclusive teaching practice, concluded with her being impressed by all that she heard and saw.
“The school is to be commended on the way in which it has sustained development, successfully pursued its priorities and impacted on key indicators of progress.”
Wishing you a lovely weekend – great to see the sun and the daffodils out in full force!
Best wishes
Sara Marshallsay
Principal
Please be reminded that the College’s filtering and monitoring systems apply when the Chromebook is connected to the College network. For home use, we strongly recommend parents explore parental control options available through their internet service provider, home router, or the device’s operating system to help manage and filter content.
For full details on safe and responsible use, please see the Chromebook FAQ page. If you require additional support with this, please contact ITsupport@uckfield.college.
At Uckfield College, the safety and well-being of our students both inside and outside the classroom remain our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding, we wish to bring your attention to an increasingly prevalent digital threat known as Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion, often referred to as ‘sextortion’.
While our curriculum covers online safety, the tactics used by offenders are becoming more sophisticated, frequently targeting young people through social media and gaming platforms. Recent national data indicates that while any child can be a target, there has been a significant rise in cases involving boys aged 14–17.
The following guidance is designed to empower you with the knowledge to spot the warning signs and, most importantly, to help you create an environment where your child feels safe coming to you if something goes wrong.
Key Messages for our College Community:
No child is to blame: Offenders use manipulation and “grooming” techniques; the victim is never at fault.
Open dialogue is the best defence: Regular, non-judgemental conversations about digital lives can prevent incidents before they escalate.
Support is available: If you or your child are affected, there are clear steps to take, including reporting to the police and using professional tools to remove shared imagery.
We encourage all parents and carers to read the guidance attached. By working together, we can ensure our students navigate the online world with confidence and security.
If you have any immediate concerns regarding your child’s safety, please do not hesitate to contact the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead: dsl@uckfield.college.
On Deep Learning Days, students step away from their regular timetable to explore specific themes, skills, and topics in greater depth. Below is a summary of the sessions planned for each year group.
Students will explore the vital values of equity and equality. The day focuses on understanding inclusion and how to foster supportive friendships and school communities. Parts of the day will involve tailored sessions for male and female students to discuss gender stereotypes, positive masculinity, and menstrual health in a comfortable environment.
Year 8 will sharpen their STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths) by stepping into the world of forensic science. Students will learn how these disciplines are applied in criminal investigations and the training of detectives.
As part of our Whole Person Curriculum, Year 9 will focus on relationships and sexual health. The day is designed to provide a clear understanding of safe, respectful, and healthy relationships. Please contact Mr Roney if you have any concerns.
‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes…’ The English Department has curated a day of immersive, interactive workshops to introduce students to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This deep dive will bring the text to life and provide a strong foundation for their GCSE studies.
Year 11 will participate in ‘Walking-Talking Mocks.’ These guided sessions demystify the exam process by having teachers model the thought process behind tackling complex high-mark questions in real-time, boosting both technique and confidence.
Students will take part in interactive tasks simulating professional Assessment Centres. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop employability skills, topped off by a networking session with Sixth Form alumni who will share insights into their diverse career journeys.
With A-Level exams approaching, Year 13 students are granted a day of home revision. Please note that a small number of students may be required to attend College to complete essential coursework; these individuals will be contacted directly by their subject teachers.
As part of Gender Equality Month, our Year 10 girls stepped away from the textbooks and into a high-energy workshop with the brilliant Red Medusa.
Through freewriting and non-traditional performance techniques, students found new ways to express their personal experiences. It wasn’t just about rhyming, it was about building confidence, fostering empathy, and strengthening the bond between students and staff.
Watching our students own their stories was truly inspiring.
Our Year 9s had a front-row seat to a powerful performance of ‘Time Out’ by the Solomon Theatre Company this week!
Commissioned for East Sussex schools, this high-impact production moved beyond the classroom to tackle the real-world issues surrounding: Vaping and Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug awareness, Mental health and Peer pressure and the impact of choices on family life.
By bringing these topics to life through applied theatre, our students were able to engage with the material in a safe, interactive, and thought-provoking way. This performance perfectly complements our ongoing Life Learning curriculum, giving students the tools they need to make informed, healthy choices.
Following the recent Meningitis outbreak in Kent, we wanted to share the information below with parents.
The School Age Immunisation Service | East Sussex County Council
Missed a vaccination for teenagers and young people?
Please contact your local immunisation team for details of a clinic near you.
Vaccination schedule for teenagers and young people-Sussex Immunisation Service
Frequently Asked Questions | Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Polio and Meningitis
Resources
Information for parents on the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccination programme:
Information on the vaccines:
The Performing Arts team is thrilled to be staging our upcoming full-scale production of Little Shop of Horrors, running from 24th–26th June. This ambitious project features over 70 talented students and is set to reach an audience of more than 450 community members.
To celebrate the occasion, we are producing high-quality, professional programmes (A4, full-colour, glossy) and are inviting local businesses to sponsor the production through advertising.
Advertising Spaces:
Full-page advert: £75
Half-page advert: £50
Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing you to select your preferred position within the booklet.
All proceeds will directly support future productions, helping us continue to build a thriving performing arts culture for our students.
Interested? Please contact James Alexander at j.alexander@uckfield.college to secure your spot and for further details.
Uckfield Model Railway Club is holding an Open Day on 11th April at the Luxford Centre, Library Way, Uckfield TN22 1AR from 10am until 4pm. Entry is £2 for adults, Under 16s free and includes tea or coffee.
Club members will have model railway layouts working and be giving demonstrations of modelling techniques.
Everyone is warmly welcome!
The parenting team are a small team supporting parents and carers of children aged 0–19 across the whole of East Sussex.
Please find attached their new Parenting Support Guide for April to June 2026.
Everything they offer is completely free, and the only eligibility requirement is that the parent or carer looks after a child aged 0–19 in East Sussex.
Their support includes:
• Online 6–8 week parenting groups on specific topics
• Online 2-hour webinars
• Drop-ins at Family Hubs across East Sussex—no booking needed
• Face-to-face workshops on key topics
• Telephone advice and support
• Facebook Chat availability
• Instant-access videos on YouTube
Please see the attached booklet on support for parents and carers.
Full details below of drop in sessions at Uckfield Family Hub.
Our wonderful Year 7s have truly outdone themselves this term! Check out this incredibly vibrant and expressive mixed media portrait inspired by Bisa Butler. They’ve done such an amazing job capturing the spirit and energy of her work.
Keep pushing the boundaries Year 7 and don’t stop creating! Who’s excited for the next project?!
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
We are running Level 2 Bikeability training for students in Year 7 during the week beginning 23rd March.
Please see the attached Parent information sheet for more details about the course. The course will cost £20 per student. The session will run for 4hrs over one day during the Bikeability week. Students can either bring their own bike and helmet to school that day, or are welcome to borrow one of our school bikes and helmets (if bringing their own bike, it must be in a road worthy condition). If a school bike is required, please email s.levett@uckfield.college so that the bike and helmet can be made available for the correct day.
Students must be competent on a bike in order to complete Level 2 training. Please follow this link to complete your booking and consent for your child to undertake the training. Payment will then be made accessible via Parent Pay and will need to be paid before the course starts.
Please note that there are only a limited number of places available, so they will be given on a first-come-first-served basis. The deadline for consent form submission is Monday 16th March. Students will then be contacted with which day their course will take place on.
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students

We are delighted to inform you that in June we will be launching a Year 8 ‘Take Your Child to Work’ Day. This exciting opportunity will allow students to spend a day in a real workplace, accompanied by a parent/carer or an emergency contact listed on Arbor.
Many UK secondary schools successfully run similar initiatives, and feedback consistently highlights the positive impact on students’ confidence, motivation and understanding of the world beyond school. Drawing on best practice from these programmes, we believe this experience will offer our students a range of valuable benefits.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 is to be ‘Take Your Child to Work’ Day for Year 8 students. This involves students spending a day at their parents’/carers’ work, shadowing them throughout the day. It will give the students valuable experience of the world of work, which in addition to preparing them in the long term for their entry into the workplace, will also prepare them for their Year 10 work experience.
With all such days there are legal formalities that need to be followed. To this end, we would be grateful if you could complete this Google Form.
By completing this, you are stating that your child will be under your supervision or the supervision of a close family member during the day in question.
Students can only go on visits with parents/carers who are listed as contacts on Arbor and are required to be with their parent/carer at all times. It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to arrange the visit for their child, not the careers department, and the parents responsibility to get agreement from the employer and check the relevant insurance and risk assessments are in place.
Please see guidance from East Sussex County Council:
The approval and liability for this work placement does not sit with ESCC or the school, but the parent / carer needs to check with their Employer as to whether the supervised child can A) is permitted to be present at the work place and B) that there is adequate Liability insurance in place under the Employers own insurance to cover the activity. There may be some work placements unsuitable for an under 18. The school or ESCC insurance would not cover this in any event and the employer / employee needs to ensure that there is adequate Public Liability insurance in place.
Obviously, you will have to acquire the permission of your employer to have your child with you on that day. Should this not be forthcoming or should there be another reason why you do not feel that your child should take part in this scheme, then please indicate this on the attached form and we will make an alternative provision for those students on the day, which will comprise of work related learning activities. The school needs to know in advance all students taking place in this activity so that attendance can be coded correctly. Any students not in school on that date that have not informed the school in advance of their placement will have an unauthorized absence. The deadline for completing the form is May 5th 2026.
We really hope that your child will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Tuesday 28th April – The Big Futures Show
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
As we approach the final stretch before Year 10 Trial Exams, we are pleased to offer our Year 10 students a dedicated, quiet space to focus on their revision. We recognise that revising at home can be challenging due to distractions, and not every student has access to a quiet workspace.
Our Independent Study Sessions will be held in the SFSA (Sixth Form Study Area) during the second week of the Easter holidays (Tuesday, 7th April – Friday, 10th April) and will be overseen by members of the Leadership Team. These sessions provide a familiar, academic environment to help students maximise their productivity in preparation for their upcoming exams. Year 11 students will also be present, as they prepare for their GCSE exams which start in a few weeks.
Sessions will run daily from Tuesday 7th April to Friday 10th April:
Daily Timetable:
Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they like and may book both slots each day to complete a full morning of study.
To ensure a high-quality study environment for everyone, the following will apply:
Please respond before Friday 27th March.
We strongly encourage Year 10 students to take advantage of this opportunity to build momentum ahead of their Trial Exams.
Many thanks for your ongoing support.
As we approach the upcoming Trial exams, we are committed to ensuring every student feels confident and well-prepared. To support this, we have released a comprehensive guide: “Effective Revision Strategies at Home.” This guide both reminds and introduces students to high-impact, evidence-based techniques, including:
The guide includes a “Support at Home” section for every strategy. You can help by:
Please note that individual departments have already begun issuing subject-specific revision tasks to your child.
To make things even simpler, we will be sharing a centralised subject specific document next week. This single resource will contain direct links to all key materials, exam boards, and subject-specific resources in one place.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s academic success.
Thank you to the parents who showed an interest in our Habits of Champions evening. Please find linked the materials aimed at supporting your child through their Year 10 Trial Exams.
If you have any questions about the materials or the Trial Exams, please contact Mr Buntain on G.Buntain@Uckfield.College.
Students who overachieved: what did they do?
Revising for the Maths Trial Exams
We are approaching an important milestone for our Year 10 students as they prepare for their first set of trial exams starting Monday 13th April. This will be the first time many students experience formal exam conditions, and it is vital they treat this experience seriously to ensure they are fully prepared for their GCSEs next year.
Exam Schedule and Attendance The first week of exams (Monday 13th April to Friday 17th April) will be held under formal exam conditions:
Morning Session 1: Students must line up by 9:00 am. They must be in College by 8.50am.
Morning Session 2: Students must line up by 11:20 am.
Line-up Location: Students should line up in alphabetical order outside the exam hall or their designated access arrangements room 15 minutes before the exam begins.
Normal Lessons: When not in an exam, students will follow their normal College timetable and must attend their regular classes.
Required Equipment: To ensure a smooth start to every session, please ensure your child arrives at school with a clear pencil case containing all necessary equipment:
Pens (Black or Blue ink—please bring spares)
Pencils and Eraser
Ruler
Calculator
Protractor and Compass
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students prepare for these important assessments.
Good Luck Year 10!
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Independent Study Sessions
As we approach the final stretch before GCSE exams, we are pleased to offer our Year 11 students a dedicated, quiet space to focus on their revision. We recognise that revising at home can be challenging due to distractions, and not every student has access to a quiet workspace.
Our Independent Study Sessions will be held in the SFSA (Sixth Form Study Area) during the second week of the Easter holidays (Tuesday- Friday) and be overseen by members of the Leadership Team. These sessions provide a familiar, academic environment to help students maximise their productivity in preparation for their summer exams.
Sessions will run daily from Tuesday 7th April to Friday 10th April:
Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they like and may book both slots each day to complete a full morning of study.
To ensure a high-quality study environment for everyone, the following will apply:
Please respond before Friday 27th March.
We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to build momentum ahead of the summer term.
Targeted Sessions
Alongside the Independent Study Sessions, subject specific sessions will be running, delivered by subjects teachers. These sessions will be by invitation and will be tailored to the specific areas of development that those invited need to focus on. The sessions will run at the same time as Independent Study sessions. If your child is invited to a targeted, subject specific session, this should take priority over attending Independent Study. Teachers will invite students to these sessions and inform them of any equipment that they will need, in advance.
If you know in advance that your child will be unable to attend any of their targeted sessions, it is important that you let staff know as soon as possible. This will allow us to offer the space to another student who could benefit.
Many thanks for your ongoing support.
As we approach the upcoming exam season, we are committed to ensuring every student feels confident and well-prepared. To support this, we have released a comprehensive guide: “Effective Revision Strategies at Home.” This guide both reminds and introduces students to high-impact, evidence-based techniques, including:
The guide includes a “Support at Home” section for every strategy. You can help by:
Please note that individual departments have already begun issuing subject-specific revision tasks to your child.
To make things even simpler, we will be sharing a centralised subject specific document next week. This single resource will contain direct links to all key materials, exam boards, and subject-specific resources in one place.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s academic success.
In this webinar Andrew Wright from Action Your Potential will share practical strategies and systems to manage the final run up to GCSEs.It was lovely to talk to so many of you at the Year 11 Parents’ Evening recently. I am so proud of how well Year 11 are preparing themselves for the final set of trial exams. I want to take this opportunity to look at celebration and graduation events.
The graduate hoodie (including individual names on the sleeve) will be priced at £23.30. Hoodies are available to purchase via Parentpay. We would like to be able to start giving out these hoodies in Term 5 so the deadline for payment is Friday 20th March in order to give the company ample time to print them. All students who have ordered a hoodie will be sent a Google Form in due course where they can select their size. The hoodies are navy and white and assuming prompt delivery some students will be granted permission to wear their hoodies in College instead of blazers during the week commencing Monday 20th April. Students will be given their hoodies over the course of Term 5 according to where they are on the Year 11 Key2Success Leadership board.
Students can also opt to buy a copy of the Year 11 Yearbook which will hold some wonderful memories of their 5 years at Uckfield College. The cost of this is approximately £18 and can be purchased directly through All YearBooks (not through parent pay) using the link that I will share in Term 5 when the yearbook is ready to print. Both the hoodie and yearbook are optional items but are lovely keepsakes and normally very much desired by students.
Finally, The Year 11 Prom takes place on Thursday 25th June 2026 at the AMEX stadium and I anticipate that the whole year group will attend. Please note that the event is by invitation only, and students with poor behaviour may not be invited. This will include outstanding detentions and any antisocial behaviour in social times. In such circumstances we reserve the right to cancel a student’s invitation to the prom up to the date of the event. The cost of the Prom this year is now confirmed at £62. This will be available on ParentPay from Monday 16th March and the deadline for this payment is Monday 1st June 2026. In cases of financial difficulty please contact the finance office to see what support we may be able to offer (finance.info@uckfield.college). This is a one off payment of £62, however if it is not possible for you to pay this in one go then payment options can be discussed by contacting the finance team as above.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Year Team.
The Post 16 transport policy statement is intended to inform young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their parents about what transport arrangements and financial support are available to them. We welcome any comments on the draft Transport Policy Statement. All the information can be found on the consultation hub where comments can be left until 30 March 2026.
Please bring this consultation to the attention of all current Year 11 students and sixth form learners (where applicable). Please direct any queries to Post16.Transport@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Andrew from Action Your Potential is leading a powerful and helpful workshop on Thursday 26 March at 7:30pm. It is called “Keep Calm and Carry On,” and it’s all about how we help our children build resilience and bounce back from setbacks. Video Promo for Webinar
Click the Zoom link below to sign up.
The Students’ Guide to University 2026 is now available to support students considering university and is ideal for Years 11–13.
This popular 112-page publication features professional advice from over 80 university experts and is designed to help students make informed decisions about higher education. Inside, they can explore open day travel scholarships, learn how to access funding and free money, understand changes to the UCAS personal statement and gain valuable application tips from current university students.
The guide can be downloaded for free from this link: https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-support-for-students/students-guide-to-university-brochure/
Tuesday 24th March – Deep Learning Day
Thursday 26th March – Last day of term for all students
Thursday 26th March – Ten Pin Bowling at Brighton Marina, 4.30 – 9pm
Friday 27th March – INSET Day
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Thursday 16th April – Year 12 UCAS Higher Education and Apprenticeship Convention at Brighton Centre
Thursday 23rd April – Year 12 Preparation for Higher Education Evening, 6pm
Friday 23rd May – Year 13 Leaver Prom
I write with details of this year’s (The Class of 2018) Leavers’ Prom which will take place on Friday 23rd May at the East Sussex National. The arrangements are set out below:
19.00 Reception drink at venue and photo opportunities
19.30 3 course meal (see googleform for options)
21.00 Award Ceremonies: Subject Oscars and Class of 2018 Prom Awards
21.15 Dancing the night away
23.00 Depart
The cost of the evening is £55.00. This includes venue hire, DJ, photo booth, table decoration, the 3 course meal and arrival drink. If students are under the influence of alcohol before the start of the evening, they will not be permitted to attend the prom, with no refund being given.
As this is very much a special occasion we request formal wear for the evening. I believe we shall have a splendid time and very much hope all Year 13 students will attend. I will speak in assembly against the consumption of alcohol before leaving for the venue and during the evening the students will be allocated with a wrist band if over 18 years of age which will allow them to purchase drinks from the bar; we really do not want anything to mar the enjoyment of such a memorable event. College staff will be in attendance all evening, but parents will remain responsible for students and may be called to collect their son/daughter if necessary.
Confirmation of attendance and payment for this event should be made through ParentPay by Friday 2nd May. By submitting payment you are confirming your consent for your child to attend this event which should be visible on ParentPay when you click on the “items for payment” button. If you require a copy of your log-in details, please contact the finance office.
Once payment has been made students will be able to choose their choice of starter, main course and dessert and indicate any dietary requirements via the Google Form that will be shared with them on the Year Y13 Google classroom and is hyperlinked earlier in this letter.
Here’s to a lovely evening!
For those students going to university in 2026, applications for Student Finance (tuition fee loans and maintenance loans) open on Monday 23rd March.
A guide to Student Finance can be found here.
The Post 16 transport policy statement is intended to inform young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their parents about what transport arrangements and financial support are available to them. We welcome any comments on the draft Transport Policy Statement. All the information can be found on the consultation hub where comments can be left until 30 March 2026.
Please bring this consultation to the attention of all current Year 11 students and sixth form learners (where applicable). Please direct any queries to Post16.Transport@eastsussex.gov.uk.
The Students’ Guide to University 2026 is now available to support students considering university and is ideal for Years 11–13.
This popular 112-page publication features professional advice from over 80 university experts and is designed to help students make informed decisions about higher education. Inside, they can explore open day travel scholarships, learn how to access funding and free money, understand changes to the UCAS personal statement and gain valuable application tips from current university students.
The guide can be downloaded for free from this link: https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-support-for-students/students-guide-to-university-brochure/
In addition to our Information Evening, we have arranged a visit to the UCAS Higher Education and Apprenticeship Convention at the Brighton Centre on Thursday 16th April.
The purpose of this annual conference is to give your child an introduction to Higher Education and other options after Year 13. The conference planners aim to have over 100 exhibitors, including university admission staff, careers advisors, apprenticeship providers, sponsorship organisations and Gap Year staff.
Please see the full letter here
As part of our programme aimed at informing your child about their Higher Education or gap year options, we have arranged a Higher Education Information Evening at College on Thursday 23rd April 2026, for both students and parents. The 6th Form Team and a representative from the University of Sussex will talk through the UCAS process and the reasons why students might wish to consider Higher Education. The talk will start promptly at 6.00pm. This is a most important, valuable and informative evening for both you and your child, and attendance is encouraged.
If you are intending to join us for the evening, we would be grateful if you could complete the attached Google Form in order to give us an indication of numbers.