
Dear Parents/Carers
Easter holiday revision
We understand that for students preparing for their upcoming summer GCSEs, BTECs, or A-levels, the holidays serve as a crucial period for both focused revision/completion of carefully set homework tasks and well-deserved rest. Balancing these two elements is essential for success, and we appreciate the support you provide in helping your child navigate this important time.
If your son or daughter has been invited to attend additional GCSE sessions in the holidays, please ensure their participation. These extra sessions offer valuable opportunities for targeted learning and can make a significant difference in their preparation.
Thank you once again for your continued support and involvement in your child’s academic journey.
And finally…
We’ve finished this week with multiple trips: Sixth Form Bowling, the ski trip leaving for Austria, Gold Duke of Edinburgh students heading to North Wales. It’s been another very busy but extremely productive term and I’m so grateful to our staff team here for everything they do, and also for your ongoing support.
Wishing you all an enjoyable and restful break over Easter.
Best wishes
Sara Marshallsay
The College is now closed for the Easter half term holidays and we are unable to respond to emails or submit routine information to external services or organisations during this period.
Concerns about a Young Person
If you are concerned about the safety of a young person please do the following:
In an emergency please call 999
Otherwise information from Children’s Services is available via this link:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/children-families/report-a-concern-child
SPOA Single Point of Advice team 01323 464222
If a young person is looking for support this link offers a range of guidance:
http://www.uckfield.college/170/mental-health-and-emotional-well-being-for-students
Support for Families
If you are seeking support, guidance or advice for a range of situations, the East Sussex Family Hub is a good starting point to access information:
The Family Hub is a one-stop-shop for families in East Sussex to access advice, support and activities. They are friendly spaces where families can:
-get practical help before, during and after pregnancy (e.g., antenatal advice, midwifery and health visiting)
-receive support and information on parenting and family life
-join drop-in activities, playgroups and parenting courses
-access advice on housing, employment, debt and wellbeing
-find support for children, young people and young adults (up to age 19, or up to 25 with special educational needs/disability)
-link with youth services, domestic abuse support and other community services
https://familyhubs.eastsussex.gov.uk/
Safe Spaces around Uckfield
Please note that these sites are designated as ‘Safe Spaces’ offering a place for people to go if they feel unsafe, scared, threatened or at risk of harm, whilst out in public.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide a space and facilities where people can seek help, make a phone call or simply wait in a safe environment until they feel comfortable to continue their day.
More information on the Safe Space Sussex Scheme can be found here: https://www.safespacesussex.org.uk/
Term 5
The College re-opens for staff and students on Monday 13th April 2026.
We are looking forward to welcoming students back in good time to start their first lesson at 9.00am.
As we approach the upcoming holiday, we would like to thank you for your continued support in upholding the high expectations that allow our students to focus fully on their learning.
To maintain our professional and aspirational environment, please use the break to ensure your child is fully prepared for a successful return to the College. We kindly remind you that all students must be in full, correct uniform, which includes their College blazer and black leather-look shoes.
Additionally, please ensure that students adhere to our standards regarding appearance: only one set of ear studs is permitted, facial piercings are not allowed, hair must be a natural colour, and nails should remain natural without polish or acrylics. This period is an ideal time to replenish essential equipment or replace any uniform items that no longer fit.
Starting the new term with the correct kit ensures that every second counts for every student.
We have seen an increase in students being dropped off and collected by parents who are driving onto the College site. This means that the driveway is very busy with traffic at the beginning and end of the College day.
Ensuring the safety of our students and other pedestrians is of utmost importance to us.
We ask parents/carers to kindly not drive down the Drive to drop students off or pick them up please, unless there is an agreed medical reason for doing this. With very large numbers of young people arriving and leaving at the same time, we respectfully ask that everyone plays their part in reducing the number of unnecessary vehicles in the area at these times by dropping off students a little way away .
We understand the challenges of College drop-offs and pick-ups and appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for our community.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
From Monday 13th April the set hot & cold meal prices will rise from £3.12 to £3.15.
Free School Meals
We are conscious that financial situations may change throughout the year for our families. Should you feel your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, please use the link below to apply. If you require any support completing this, do get in touch with us by emailing finance.info@uckfield.college email and we can advise further.
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.
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!
Matilda in Year 9 is the “Pineapple” of our eye today.
She’s been channelling her inner Georges Braque by layering materials over her mono-prints to create some seriously cool Cubist dimensions. Seriously inspiring work, Matilda—keep crushing those pineapples!
Our Year 9 photography students have been experimenting with making photomontages this week, and Eva B has done a fantastic job of thoughtfully combining photographs, text and drawing in her piece.
Great job, Eva!
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Monday 4th May – Bank Holiday
Friday 22nd May – Last day of term for all students
Monday 1st June – First day of term for all students
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Monday 4th May – Bank Holiday
Tuesday 5th May – HPV Vaccinations
Friday 22nd May – Last day of term for all students
Monday 1st June – 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.
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Tuesday 28th April – The Big Futures Show
Monday 4th May – Bank Holiday
Tuesday 5th May – HPV Vaccinations
Friday 22nd May – Last day of term for all students
Monday 1st June – First day of term for all students
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Monday 4th May – Bank Holiday
Tuesday 5th May – HPV Vaccinations
Friday 22nd May – Last day of term for all students
Monday 1st June – First day of term for all students
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.
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!
Monday 13th April – First day of term for all students
Monday 4th May – Bank Holiday
Tuesday 5th May – HPV Vaccinations
Friday 22nd May – Last day of term for all students
Monday 1st June – First day of term for all students
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.
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.
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 22nd May – Year 13 Leavers Prom
I write with details of this year’s (The Class of 2018) Leavers’ Prom which will take place on Friday 22nd 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!
The University of Brighton is running free online subject taster sessions for students considering university. The sessions are going to be held on MS Teams and are a great way to help students decide which subjects they might want to study at university. All of the sessions are between 5pm and 6pm.
Further details can be found at: https://www.brighton.ac.
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.
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.