Parent/Carer Notices for all Year Groups
18th September 2026
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers
Open Evening Success!
It was fantastic to welcome so many visitors to our vibrant, busy Open Evening last night, and also to welcome new parents/carers to our Uckfield College community.
As always, our students were absolutely wonderful ambassadors for the College, and I lost count of the number of visitors who said how impressive they were. Over 300 students supported the evening as tour guides and by helping in departments. Parents repeatedly said they were struck by the students’ helpfulness, knowledge and enthusiasm for the College. There were brilliant performances and wonderful musicians, dancers and actors keeping everyone entertained. We are really grateful to the many students for giving their evening to the event, and extremely proud of them all.
A special thank you to the student speakers who were the stars of the three presentations in the Theatre, impressing the audiences with their articulate, confident talks. Well done to Ava and Hugo (Y13), Ramona and Barnaby (Y10) and Arthur and Alice (Y7 and only 2 weeks in!). Thank you too to Keira, Tallulah, Polly and Arthur for their brilliant musical performance before the speeches.
“Uckfield came across as a school that is inclusive without lowering expectations; challenging while recognising individual needs; and genuinely preparing and equipping young people for what comes next. You should be extremely proud of your staff and students. It was an exceptional Open Evening and left a very strong impression.” Parent of a Year 6 student
Best wishes
Sara Marshallsay
Principal
Traffic Disruption Notice: Emergency Roadworks from Monday that will add to congestion around the College
Please be aware that emergency sewer repair works by Cappagh Brown (on behalf of Southern Water) are scheduled to begin this Monday.
- Location: Temporary traffic lights are expected along Southview Drive, including the junctions at the top of Lime Close and Beeches Close.
- Duration: Unknown at present, as these are urgent emergency works, but it is likely to be in the region of 3 weeks.
- Advice for Travel: Expect significant delays during drop-off and pick-up. If at all possible, please leave your car at home and walk or cycle to school.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding in keeping our students’ journeys running smoothly and safely.
Chamber of Arts and Music Meeting
Please complete this Google form link to indicate if you will be joining us.
Art of the Week
Very Important: Safe Parking Practices Near Uckfield College - reminder
We have noticed a lot of traffic at the start and end of the day coming down the drive next to the College and also using the top car park, and this is causing potentially extremely serious situations. Ensuring the safety of our students, pedestrians, and other drivers is of utmost importance to us.
Alternative Parking Options:
We kindly urge you to consider using the nearby parking facilities:
Luxfords Car Park
Hempstead Lane Car Park
Both are just a short walk from the College and provide a safer environment for everyone.
Please consider using the alternative car parks mentioned above. Please also adhere to Traffic Laws: avoid parking in ways that block driveways, pavements, or create visibility issues at junctions.
Please also be reminded that parents/carers are kindly asked not to 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.
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.
Sussex Immunisation Service - Immunisation Programme for Children and Young People
Helping your child with fears and worries - East Sussex Mental Health team
Should your student be getting Free School Meals? Free School Meals eligibility criteria has changed!
Free School Meals are now available to all families in receipt of Universal Credit.
You could be saving over £15 a week if you are eligible. The daily allowance covers the cost of the main hot meal or the cold meal deal but can be used on any purchase in the refectory.
Please apply using this link
If your student is in Year 12 you must reapply even if you were eligible for Free School Meals in Year 11. Most parents and carers have done this over the summer, but please do check with the Finance department if you are unsure.
Any queries, please e-mail finance.info@uckfield.college or contact the East Sussex County Council FSM team on Phone: 0300 330 9472 (10 am to 3 pm)
Did You Know?
Year 7 Notices
Key Dates
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Director of Year Message - Mr Prichard
I am writing to share how delighted we are with the wonderful start our new Year 7 students have made to the academic year. Stepping into secondary school is a major milestone and seeing our new cohort arrive with such enthusiasm, energy, and determination has been an absolute privilege.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to you for your incredible support, encouragement and partnership over these first few weeks. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our ‘Habits of Champions’ evening. Your strong engagement made the event a huge success, and working together to establish these key habits early on gives our students the strongest possible foundation to thrive.
We were extremely pleased by how engaged the Year 7 students were at last week’s ‘Get Together Event’. The students truly excelled, demonstrating outstanding leadership, impressive problem-solving skills and a fantastic willingness to meet new people and build new friendships. We are so proud of how well they threw themselves into the activities! To honour their brilliant efforts, a special celebration of the event will take place during their assembly next week.
Please remember that the transition to secondary school is a significant journey for both students and parents. It is completely normal for there to be occasional worries and necessary adjustments along the way. You are not alone in navigating this transition—our dedicated pastoral team is always here to listen, offer guidance, and support your family every step of the way through your child’s Uckfield journey.
Finally, we would like to remind all parents and carers about our ‘Attendance Challenge 20/20’. Regular attendance is vital for both academic success and social connection—every second in College counts, and we appreciate your support in ensuring your child is here and ready to learn each day.
Thank you once again for your ongoing partnership. We look forward to watching our Year 7 students continue to grow, learn, and succeed together.
Friendship Walk / Jog- Saturday 19th September 2026 - Mr Sidwell
At Uckfield College, we have a number of initiatives that enable students to proactively develop good mental health:
- Uckfield College’s 6 Steps for positive mental health and wellbeing
- Changemaker opportunities
- Super Curricular clubs and activities for all students in Years 7-13
- Our Personal Development Curriculum
We are adding to these opportunities and have successfully reintroduced an initiative we started before the pandemic: doing Parkrun / Parkwalk for wellbeing. . Our new initiative is for all students in Years 7-10 and Year 12 to participate in a:
- Friendship Walk / Jog
The idea is simple: all students are strongly encouraged to:
- Form a group of friends
- Include everyone
- Join Parkrun and get a barcode (printed or on your phone)
- Turn up (Uckfield Rugby Club 8:50 am), have fun
- For our new Year 7, doing this Friendship Walk / Jog is even more important as Year 7 students are meeting so many new friends.
- It is also a great opportunity for Year 7 parents to meet the parents of their children’s friends and new friends in a completely informal setting. There are not many opportunities to meet other parents informally in a secondary school. Parents are of course welcome to take part in Parkrun / Parkwalk but may also wish to enjoy a hot drink and a piece of cake, which is available at Uckfield Rugby Club, while their children participate.
For more details about why we are doing this, please see the assembly presentation that we did with students (attached to this newsletter email).
New Year 7 walk / jog Sat 19th September 2026
All students enjoying the Friendship Walk / Jog:
- Arrive at Uckfield Rugby Club by 8:50am on Saturday 19th September
- must have their Parkrun barcode (either on their phone or printed out)
- Students can sign up via the link attached https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/
If any students haven’t managed to sign up for their free, lifelong membership of Parkrun UK in PDT this week, please encourage them to get it done at home, so that they have their barcode. If they are printing it, we have some free, laminating plastic in school for them to cover it. They just need to pop into the Finance Office (opposite the attendance/safeguarding offices).
Thank you very much for your support.
Year 7 Habits of Champions Evening 10th September - reminder
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mission Transition Evening on Thursday 10th September. It was a real pleasure to meet so many of you. We hope you found it insightful to learn more about how we challenge and support our Year 7 students to reach their full potential, as well as how home and school can work together in positive partnership to best support your child’s journey into secondary school.
The evening began with a short presentation in the Theatre and Hall, followed by a series of 20-minute breakout sessions covering a variety of key transition topics.
For those who were unable to attend—or if you would simply like to review any of the materials covered—you can access the presentation slides through the links below. We are finalising the Home Learning timetable and will share early next week.
Positive Wellbeing: the Uckfield 6 steps
Year 8 Notices
Key Dates
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Director of Year Message - Miss Wiltshire
Year 8 students have made a fantastic start to the new academic year, settling back into our routines with maturity. We are very excited for the journey ahead as they step into this pivotal year.
Our Habits of Champions focus theme for this year is ‘Decisions Decide Your Destiny’ – a message that feels particularly pertinent as our Year 8s prepare to make their GCSE options choices later in the year. Throughout the year, we will be guiding and supporting students to make positive, thoughtful choices that shape their future success.
We also want to celebrate our achievements from last year. While we didn’t quite hit our ambitious 100,000 achievement points target, the year group set a new Uckfield College record with an incredible 98,832 achievement points! This is a monumental effort and we are aiming high once again with our sights firmly set on breaking the 100,000 barrier this year.
Thank you for your ongoing support at home. We look forward to working in partnership with you to make this a wonderful, productive year for Year 8.
Equipment Reminder - Miss Wiltshire
A reminder that students are expected to bring their full pencil case everyday and they can purchase any missing equipment from the reading room.
Year 9 Notices
Key Dates
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Director of Year Message - Miss Taylor
It has been a fantastic start to the term for Year 9, and I am so proud of how brilliantly our students have settled into the new school year. Starting their option subjects this term is an exciting part of our learning journey, and I have been deeply impressed by the resilience they have shown in adapting to their new timetables. I’ve already had so many class teachers pop into my new office to share wonderful feedback about the positivity and aspiration radiating from their classrooms.
I also want to extend a sincere thank you to all the parents and carers who have reached out with such kindness and warm support as I transition into this new role. It has meant a great deal to me.
Finally, a huge congratulations to 9M, who are our very first Form of the Week for their outstanding effort!
Year 10 Notices
Key Dates
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Director of Year Message - Mr Mitchell
'Poetry Live' at The Brighton Dome - Monday 1st February 2027
We have an exciting opportunity for Year 10 students to join us on a trip to Poetry Live at The Brighton Dome in February, an event specifically designed for GCSE students studying for AQA’s GCSE English Literature Paper 2 exam. We strongly encourage as many Year 10 students as possible to attend – it will definitely support them with their English Literature GCSE, and will be a memorable and inspiring experience!Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award - Miss Gilroy
As Uckfield College’s DofE Silver Leader I would like to inform you that Uckfield College offers the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) to students in Year 10.
Whether your child is a direct entrant for the Silver Award or has done the Bronze Award already, DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award.
For further information please see the full letter here
Year 11 Notices
Key Dates
Thursday 1st October – Year 11 Essential Information and Guidance Evening – the Habits of Champions Evening: 6 – 7.30pm. We would like all parents/carers to attend as this will be a bespoke guide to important information to help you support your child through the academic year ahead. Students do not need to attend.
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Wednesday 11th November – 6th Form Open Evening
Monday 16th November (2 weeks) – Year 11 Trial Exams
Director of Year Message - Mr Buntain
Welcome to Year 11: Your Key2Success
Welcome back to the start of a pivotal year for our Year 11 students. This term, our Habits of Champions theme is Your Key2Success, focusing on building the essential revision routines, mindset, and preparation required for the upcoming GCSEs. To ensure every student feels confident and fully prepared for their first set of trial exams starting on November 16th, we will be running targeted intervention sessions throughout the term. Students will receive invitations directly for these support sessions.
Key Dates for Autumn Term
Thursday 1st October: Essential Information and Guidance Habits of Champions Parents’ Event 6-7.30pm for all Year 11 parents
WC Monday 11th October: PE Practical Trial Exams
Wednesday 11th November: 6th Form Open Evening – we encourage all students and parents to attend
Monday 16th November (2 weeks): Year 11 Trial Exams
Monday 7th December: Sixth Form Taster Sessions
Wednesday 9th December: Grade 7–9 Evening (Parents and Students)
Friday 12th December: Sixth Form Application Deadline
We look forward to working in close partnership with you to support your child’s journey this year. Further details regarding timings and location for upcoming events will follow shortly.
Essential Information Evening for Year 11 Parents/Carers
Year 11 Careers Meetings - Mr Simmons
The careers meetings for Year 11 start on Monday 14th September and intend that over the next three terms all Year 11 students will have a careers meeting. The students and their teachers will be emailed in advance about the time and date of their meeting and the students will receive action plans after the meeting.
If students are absent on the day they are scheduled for a meeting we will try to rearrange a time they can be seen. It is possible that students will be called from lessons at short notice if another student is absent and there is a spare appointment time.
Meetings usually last about 40 minutes.
Sixth Form Notices
Key Dates
Tuesday 13th October – SEND Parents’ Session – Empowering our Young People: 6pm
Thursday 15th October – Sixth Form Parents’ Evening in College
Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term
Monday 2nd November – First day of Term
Director of Sixth Form's message - Mrs Rennett
We are delighted to welcome back our Year 13 students for their final year and extend a very warm welcome to our new Year 12 cohort as they begin their Sixth Form journey. Both year groups have made an excellent impression from day one, demonstrating a positive attitude and a real eagerness to get stuck into the year ahead. It has been fantastic to observe our study spaces in action. Students are taking ownership of their independent study time by planning their workloads effectively, collaborating purposefully and approaching their academic subjects with genuine focus. Our classrooms have been buzzing with curiosity and discussion, setting a wonderful tone for the academic year ahead.
This year, we are proud to launch our new ‘Professional Brand’ initiative across the Sixth Form. We want our students to begin thinking proactively about the professional identity they wish to cultivate and how they will market their unique talents to future employers and universities. Supported directly by their mentors, students will treat the Sixth Form as a launchpad to practice workplace professionalism, hone their interpersonal skills, and build the confidence required to stand out in competitive industries.
We are continuously investing in our Sixth Form environment to ensure it remains an inspiring, supportive space to work and relax. The Sixth Form common room is undergoing an exciting transformation, with brand new furniture arriving over the coming weeks. To support effective revision habits, we have fully stocked our study areas with essential supplies, including highlighters, flashcards, and dedicated planning materials. In the summer term, we conducted a student voice survey and as a result we have introduced a games and puzzles library for students to enjoy together during break and lunch.
Our Year 13 students are currently channeling their efforts into their next steps during PDT. Mentoring sessions this term are focused on writing CVs and drafting UCAS Personal Statements. Given the academic demands of Year 13, we strongly encourage students to finalise and submit their UCAS applications as early as possible. Completing these applications frees students up to focus on their academic studies, revision, and upcoming trial exam preparations. Continued organisation and structured study habits will be key over the coming months.
Our Year 12 students hit the ground running with an inspiring visit to Sussex University on Friday 11th September. The trip offered our A-Level and Vocational Level 3 students a genuine insight into university life, higher level academic expectations, and the self-direction needed for effective independent study. It has been incredibly rewarding to see students immediately applying these masterclass techniques in their daily Study Support sessions. Looking ahead to next week, Year 12 students will undertake Baseline Tests in each of their subjects. These assessments are a vital tool to ensure every student is placed on the correct course pathway to maximise their potential. Subject teachers have shared key revision guidance, and we encourage students to make full use of their study hours and initial induction tasks to feel fully prepared.
Finally, thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our Stepping Up for Success evening on Thursday 10th September. For those unable to attend, presentation notes have been emailed directly to families. It has been a pleasure to watch Year 12 settle in so positively, embracing the higher demands of Sixth Form education and laying the foundation for long term success.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award - Mr Sidwell
I am pleased to let you know that Uckfield College offers the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) to students starting in Year 12.
Whether your child is a direct entrant for the Gold Award or has done the Silver Award already, DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award. As Uckfield College’s DofE Gold Leader, I wanted to send you some information about what the programme involves, the benefits for your child and how they can sign up.
Please see the attached letter detailing how to enrol students for DofE Bronze. Enrolment opens on Friday 11th September 2026. This is only open to students who are in Y12 from September 2026. For any further questions, please contact Mr Sidwell. It is essential that students partaking in the award are free to complete the expeditions on the dates listed within the letter. Enrolment will remain open until Friday 9th October 2026.