All College Notices – 16th October 2026 – Uckfield College Bulletins

Parent/Carer Notices for all Year Groups

16th October 2026

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Parent/Carer and College Partnership

We greatly value the strong sense of community and partnership we share with our families. This week it’s been wonderful again to welcome many parents into College: we have held a really positive Sixth Form Parents’ Evening, a very well-attended and well-received information evening for parents/carers of young people with SEND, and families of Year 10 Drama students were treated to some skilled, compelling performances of their exam work.

Additional Ways to Support the College

We also invite parents, alumni, and local supporters to join The 1953 Society, an initiative named after the year the school first opened. Members play a vital role in supporting our mission to challenge and inspire every student to achieve personal excellence, particularly aimed at helping us level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Your support directly funds transformative initiatives, including bursaries for equipment or clothing, travel grants, assistance with university interviews, and access to high-quality external interventions. Membership is a notional £19.53 annually, or via partnerships with your business, charity or organisation. Members receive a commemorative certificate, digital updates on College developments, and invitations to exclusive events. You will see the option to make the donation on ParentPay, and we will soon be in contact with our many existing partners to offer membership.

There are other valuable ways to be more involved in College life:

Parent Feedback: Participate in our Parent Forum discussions and regular surveys to share your perspective and help guide school improvements. If you are interested in joining the next Parent Forum, please contact t.fletcher@uckfield.colllege.
PTA and Fundraising: Volunteer with or support our amazing and dedicated PTA with seasonal raffles and College events. To get involved, contact uckfieldcpta@gmail.com.
Careers and Mentoring: Share your professional expertise at our annual Careers Fair, assist with Year 13 practice interviews, or offer work experience placements. To do this, contact s.aguielera@uckfield.college
Uckfield Chamber of Arts and Culture: support local partnerships and projects in College, using your professional expertise and experience. Please contact v-wilson-best@uckfield.colllege.

Thank you for your generosity, commitment, and ongoing dedication to Uckfield College.

Best wishes,

Sara Marshallsay

Principal

Considerate Parking Reminder

Local residents to the College are understandably often concerned about inconsiderate, potentially unsafe parking in the area, which is particularly challenging when it is term time. If you drop your child off by car in the mornings, please do consider parking further away and asking your children to walk a little way to help ease the congestion – We know that the residents would appreciate it, and fewer cars will lead to a safer environment for everyone.

Exciting News from the Reading Room - welcome to Accessit!

We are thrilled to share that our Reading Room has upgraded to Accessit, an interactive, cloud-based Reading Room system. This new platform makes it easier than ever for your child to explore, borrow, and engage with reading materials from any device at school or at home.

With Accessit, students and families can:

Search the Catalogue: Browse our entire collection of physical books.
Track Borrowing: Log in to see current loans, historical reading lists, and check when books are due.
Reserve & Renew: Safely reserve their next book or renew current loans online to avoid overdue notices.

How to Access the Platform

Visit our library web portal here: Accessit Click the blue “Login with school details” or Single Sign-On (SSO) button in the top right corner.
Your child can log in using their normal school computer username and password.

We encourage you to log in with your child and explore the platform together! If you or your child have any questions, feel free to contact our school librarian at M.Izzard@uckfield.college

Happy Reading!

FLU VACCINATION PROGRAMME - Important information for parents and carers

Years 7 to 11 Nasal Flu Vaccination

The Sussex Immunisation Service is coming into Uckfield College to offer your child the Flu vaccination

Included in this message from the Immunisation Service is a parent/carer letter which contains information about the upcoming vaccination session and instructions on how to complete the online consent form.

To complete a consent form click the link below, you will need the school code found within the parent/carer letter to complete the form.

For information about the Flu vaccine and frequently asked questions.

You must provide consent by Monday 9th November for your child to be included in the vaccination clinic which takes place on Thursday 12th November.

Please find attached information supporting vaccination for children and young people with SEND.

Art of the Week

Our Year 9 GCSE Art cohort has been diving headfirst into experimental techniques and mixed media this term, and the results speak for themselves. The layering, texture, and creative confidence shown here are top-tier!

This masterpiece is by Chloe P. The placement of subject matter and experimentation of materials is amazingly well done.

Exciting holiday activities available this October half term - reminder

A programme of free holiday activities for children and young people across East Sussex is available this October half term.

Funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), the programme provides eligible children and young people with a food offer and develops their resilience. It gives them a chance to try new activities, make friends and gives parents and carers the confidence that the children they care for can have cost-effective engagement during the school holidays. Families can explore a wide range of activities through the EEQU booking platform, and bookings will open on 21st September at 8.30am. Information has already been sent directly to eligible families.

Who can take part?

The programme is available to children and young people who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Receive benefits-related free school meals (including both the new “targeted” and “expanded” categories)

Have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Are a young carer

Are on a Child Protection Plan

Are a Child in Need (CiN)

Are a child we care for

Have been referred to CAMHS

Have low school attendance

Are a Ukrainian guest living in East Sussex

Changes to free school meals eligibility

Families may be aware that national changes to benefits-related free school meals came into effect from September. There are now two categories of eligibility: targeted and expanded. However, for this October half-term programme, we are pleased to be able to offer places to children and young people who are assessed as being in either category of benefits-related free school meals, alongside some other locally determined groups of children.

If families would like more information about free school meals eligibility, they can visit the East Sussex County Council website Free School Meals | East Sussex County Council or contact the HAF team at HAF@eastsussex.gov.uk.

Did You Know?

Refectory Weekly Menu

Useful Links for Parents/Carers

Year 7 Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Thursday 12th November – Year 7 Meet the Mentor Evening (Remote) 4.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

Year 8 Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

What Next Sussex Online Events - Y8 GCSE options, post 16 options and 18+ options

The What Next series is a set of free online events designed to help young people – and the parents and carers supporting them – feel confident about their next steps in education.

Each session is run by Get Career Confident’s qualified Careers Advisors and takes place via text-only chat, so you can join in from anywhere and ask questions at your own pace. The attached poster outlines the four events that are taking place. You can sign up for these via this link.

Year 9 Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

WWI Battlefields Trip - Enrichment Week July 2027 - Miss Dann

I am thrilled to inform you that the History Department will be running a WWI Battlefields Trip in 2027 and this is open to all current Year 9 students. We will be visiting battle sites in both Belgium and Northern France and the trip offers students a unique chance to take part in the global commemoration of the Great War. It will be of particular interest to those taking GCSE History as it coincides with the unit of study on the Western Front where we specifically examine the trenches, weapons and difficulties faced in the war. The trip will run for two days and one night during enrichment week, departing early morning on Monday 5th July and returning late in the evening on Tuesday 6th July.

We have been taking trips to the battlefields for over a decade and they have all been highly successful, with our students’ learning greatly enriched by the visits. During the visit to the Ypres Salient we plan to see Tyne Cot, the largest British cemetery in the world, Sanctuary Wood, an authentic preserved section of the trenches and ‘In Flanders Fields Museum’ which offers an interactive experience of aspects of the First World War.

To view the full letter and complete our expression of interest form please click here.

Year 10 Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Thursday 26th November – Year 10 Parents’ Evening (At the College, in person) – 4.30pm to7.30pm

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

Science Live! at The Brighton Dome - 26/1/27

Year 10 students have an exciting opportunity to take part in a trip to Science Live! 2027.

Please click this link for further information and to register your interest for a place at the event for your child.

Year 10 Work Experience – week commencing 5th July 2027

Year 10 students have now been launched on their Work Experience programme for w/c Monday 5th July 2027 and are encouraged to start approaching employers and securing a placement as soon as possible.

A full information letter has been emailed to parents/carers today and is attached, including key dates, guidance and information on how to support your child.

'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!

For further information please click this link.

Year 11 Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Wednesday 11th November – 6th Form Open Evening – for all Year 11 students and parents/carers

Monday 16th November (2 weeks) – Year 11 Trial Exams

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

Year 11 subject interventions and after school detention clashes- Miss Brown

We recognise how vital subject interventions are for Year 11 students and therefore if an after school detention clashes with an academic intervention, students must sign into detention and then attend their subject intervention. The detention will then automatically roll over to Friday afternoon for a duration of 40 minutes.

If there are two clashes within the same week, the detention still remains fixed at 40 minutes on Friday rather than increasing in time.This structure ensures that academic subjects are rightly prioritised during this crucial GCSE year, while also deterring students from receiving multiple after-school detentions.

Year 11 students have had this explained to them by Mr Buntain in assembly.

Year 11 Maths Revision Books - Mr Littlejohns

We are pleased to offer GCSE Maths revision books through ParentPay at approximately half the standard retail price.

Revision guides are an essential tool for supporting your child’s preparation and boosting their confidence ahead of exams. To make selection straightforward, ParentPay has been configured to display only the books relevant to your child’s current Maths set (e.g., Foundation tier items will only appear for students in Foundation sets).

Below is the list of available titles.

Please note that the Revision Guides and Workbooks are sold together as a bundled package; they are specifically designed to be used side-by-side to maximise your child’s preparation and progress.

Important Information

Order Deadline: The deadline to place your order on ParentPay is Monday 2nd November 2026.
Teacher Advice: If you are unsure which book is best suited for your child, please contact their Maths teacher directly.
Financial Assistance: If you require financial support—particularly if your child receives Pupil Premium funding—please contact the Finance Office in confidence to discuss available options.

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Foundation Revision Guide and Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Foundation Revision Workbook – £7.14

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Higher Revision Guide and Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Higher Guided Revision Workbook – £7.14

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Grades 7-9 Revision & Practice – £3.32

Important! 6th Form Open Evening - Wednesday 11th November 5.30pm to 8pm: Mr McLachlan

In the coming weeks, we will be talking to Year 11 students about the opportunities that are available in the 6th Form at Uckfield College. Every student will be given a 6th Form prospectus. It may seem rather early to be looking at choices for next year, but with the complexity of courses now on offer for 16+, students do need the time to make their initial choices and then, with the data from trial exam results and predicted grades, ‘firm up’ those choices a little more in the Spring term.

Indeed, we believe that the guidance and support we give to our students in choosing their 16+ options here at the College is also very important and believe that this is reflected in our 6th Form students gaining such high standards in their A-level and other post-16 results.

This process really starts in earnest for Year 11 students and their parents/carers at our 6th Form Open Evening on Wednesday 11th November (5.30pm-8.00pm). This is the best chance to find out about all of the courses we offer, as teaching staff and current students will be present to answer any questions.

Students and parents will be given a personalised timetable for the evening. This will include the opportunity to attend: 1, four subject-specific sessions that students will select. 2, a presentation and 3, a session in the “market place”, where there will be a range of different subject stalls for you to walk around, as well as a chance to talk to our pastoral support team about any questions you may have. The four subject sessions will be 15 minute presentations from the subject specialists talking through what is required for their subject and what your son/daughter can expect from the course. To get the most out of the evening, you and your son/daughter should attend the whole evening from 5.30-8pm please.

For the letter with full information and the link to our Google form please click here.

Year 11 applications to local FE colleges

Any Year 11 students applying to local FE colleges that use the Careers East Sussex website for their applications need a username and password.

These are available from either Mr Buntain or Miss Geer.

What Next Sussex Online Events - Y8 GCSE options, post 16 options and 18+ options

The What Next series is a set of free online events designed to help young people – and the parents and carers supporting them – feel confident about their next steps in education.

Meet the Russell Group Webinars: Tuesday 20th October - Thursday 29th October 2026

UK University Search are collaborating with the Russell Group once again to bring you popular, informative and inspiring webinars that cover a range of key topics.

Taking place from the 20th to 29th October, they have five 90-minute sessions each featuring five or six expert panellists who will offer clear, impartial guidance for students looking at taking the next step in their educational journey.

The schedule is as follows:

20th October – An introduction to the Russell Group and why choose to study there? 16:45 to 18:00
21st October – Student life at University 16:45 to 18:00
22nd October – Advantages of Going to University & Grad employability 16:45 to 18:00
27th October – Researching university options 16:45 to 18:00
29th October – Personal Statements and applying to a Russell Group university 16:45 to 18:00

Full details and registration are here.

Sixth Form Notices

Key Dates

Friday 23rd October – Last day of Term

Monday 2nd November – First day of Term

Wednesday 18th November – Year 12 Art/Photography Trip to Dungeness and Hastings 9.30am – 3.30pm

Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th November – Year 12 Practical food exam

Friday 27th November – PLD Day 3 (INSET) College closed to all students

Monday 30th November – PLD Day 4 (INSET) College closed to all students

Winter Wonderland At Bluewater - Thursday 10th December 2026

Our first 6th Form trip this academic year is to the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent on Thursday 10th December. The evening will consist of a 45 minute session of ice skating and then time for shopping and the ability to enjoy the many and various dining outlets in the centre.

The trip is available to all 6th Form students and so places are likely to go very quickly. To ensure a place please book promptly as ParentPay will close when all places have been paid for, or at 3.00pm on Monday 16th November, whichever is sooner. The trip should be visible if you click on the ‘items for payment’ button for your child. Without the financial support of parents this trip or activity will not be able to go ahead. In cases of financial hardship, please contact the Finance Office (finance.info@uckfield.college) to discuss. If you require a copy of your log-in details please also contact the finance office.

For more information please see the attached letter.

What Next Sussex Online Events - Y8 GCSE options, post 16 options and 18+ options

The What Next series is a set of free online events designed to help young people – and the parents and carers supporting them – feel confident about their next steps in education.

Meet the Russell Group Webinars: Tuesday 20th October - Thursday 29th October 2026

UK University Search are collaborating with the Russell Group once again to bring you popular, informative and inspiring webinars that cover a range of key topics.

The schedule is as follows:

20th October – An introduction to the Russell Group and why choose to study there? 16:45 to 18:00
21st October – Student life at University 16:45 to 18:00
22nd October – Advantages of Going to University & Grad employability 16:45 to 18:00
27th October – Researching university options 16:45 to 18:00
29th October – Personal Statements and applying to a Russell Group university 16:45 to 18:00

Full details and registration are here.