Parent/Carer Notices for all Year Groups
25th September 2026
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers
Enriching Minds: The Power of Words
Part of our development plan this year is further strengthening our teaching across the College of vocabulary. We want all students to develop a ‘treasure trove’ of vocabulary that gives them the power to articulate themselves fully, build confidence and deepen their learning. You may wish to ask your son or daughter the key words they have learnt that day for each of their lessons – this is also great retrieval practice for them and will help your young person’s learning stick in their long term memories. Central to this building of knowledge, is Home Learning tasks, that we are renewing and improving across the curriculum. If your son or daughter is struggling to complete their Home Learning for any reason, please do contact the relevant subject teacher, who will be able to support.
Uckfield’s first Chamber of Arts and Culture session
Yesterday, an incredible inaugural Uckfield Chamber of Arts and Culture session was held at the College. About 40 staff members, parents, community representatives, and local arts and cultural leaders gathered with the shared goal of networking and building belonging through arts and culture across our whole community. This ambitious and inspiring initiative continues our work linking inclusion with the Arts. We already have some fantastic projects underway, starting today with an intergenerational opera project bringing together care home residents and some of our students, alongside the exciting launch of a new steel pans group.
I have been touring prospective families around the College and it has been wonderful to see students working hard and thoroughly engaging with their learning. It’s been a purposeful and highly positive first month of the academic year – well done to all of the students for their efforts!
Best wishes
Sara Marshallsay
Principal
Save the Date: Parents and Carers of Young People with SEND Session
We invite parents and carers to join us on Tuesday, 13th October 2026, for our SEND and Inclusion Evening. Whether your child has an identified Special Educational Need or Disability or is showing emerging needs, you are very welcome to attend.
This evening offers a relaxed opportunity to meet Jonathan Pearson, Assistant Principal for Aspiration and Inclusion, alongside Victoria Hopkinson, Leader of Inclusion and Strategic SENDCo. We will outline the tailored support available to help your child thrive and answer any questions you might have. You will also get a tour of the newly renovated Learning Plus, which serves as our dedicated inclusion space.
Working closely with families helps us give every student the exact care, support and provision they need.
The session runs from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Learning Plus in C Block.
Please report to the main reception area when you arrive. Hot drinks will be provided, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Reminder: Chewing Gum
We have recently noticed an increase in students bringing chewing gum into College. We kindly remind all parents and carers that students should not be in possession of chewing gum on the College site.
Chewing gum can create significant issues. When disposed of incorrectly it damages College property and it can spoil the appearance of our shared spaces, making our College less welcoming for everyone. We ask for your support in speaking with your child to ensure they leave chewing gum at home. Students found with gum will be asked to dispose of it immediately and will be issued with a sanction.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our environment clean, hygenic, and welcoming for everyone.
Uckfield College Super Curricular Activities 2026-27 - Mr Harvey
I am delighted to share with you the list of super curricular activities on offer for Uckfield College students in 2026-2027. As a super curricular school, we want all students to take part in at least one weekly activity (they are very welcome to sign up to more than one). These mostly take place during lunchtime, but some are offered before and/or after college.
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Please have a good look at the activities on offer and discuss which students would like to try. This information has also been shared with form mentors, who have been discussing this in PDT. Almost all clubs are now up and running, so students can go along and try out a club; perhaps bring a buddy too!
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We believe that the benefits to students taking part in super curricular activities are huge. They can boost confidence to interact socially with others; provide new skills and abilities; help students develop talents and aspirations; improve literacy, numeracy and oracy skills; make a positive contribution to improving the school and wider society; and offer an important space to have fun and relax.
To celebrate their involvement, students will be awarded certificates later in the year for excellent contribution and engagement, and some activities will have their own awards too! We will also hold an in school celebration of super curricular clubs in November where students can find out about clubs they might like to join.
There is a fantastic range of opportunities, and students will also be given the chance to sign up for term 5 & 6 summer sports activities later in the academic year.
Links for activities lists:
Photo of the Week
Year 13 Photographers are in full swing developing their own self initiated projects.
This striking abstract image by Maddie feels like a burst of joy, as we head into the darker months.
Art of the Week
Sussex Immunisation Service - Immunisation Programme for Children and Young People
Exciting holiday activities available this October half term
A programme of free holiday activities for children and young people across East Sussex is available this October half term.Â
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 21 September at 8.30am. Information has already been sent directly to eligible families. Â
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Who can take part?Â
The programme is available to children and young people who meet one or more of the following criteria:Â
- Receive benefits-related free school meals (including both the new “targeted” and “expanded” categories)
- Have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)Â
- Are a young carerÂ
- Are on a Child Protection PlanÂ
- Are a Child in Need (CiN)Â
- Are a child we care forÂ
- Have been referred to CAMHSÂ
- Have low school attendanceÂ
- Are a Ukrainian guest living in East Sussex Â
Changes to free school meals eligibilityÂ
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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.
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 linkÂ
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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.
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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
Message regarding Year 7 and 8 fitness club - Mr Galbraith-Gibbons
After super curricular club selection during PDT last week, we have had a large number of students that have signed up to Year 7 and 8 Fitness Club.
After a previous message in these notices, students should have emailed Mr Galbraith-Gibbons in advance of last week to sign up to the club. The club is now full, so students will need to email Mr Galbraith-Gibbons (g.galbraith-gibbons@uckfield.
Unfortunately, if students arrive to Fitness Club and are not on the register, there will not be space for students to take part in the club until later in the year.
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
Message regarding Year 7 and 8 Fitness Club - Mr Galbraith-Gibbons
After super curricular club selection during PDT last week, we have had a large number of students that have signed up to Year 7 and 8 Fitness Club.
After a previous message in these notices, students should have emailed Mr Galbraith-Gibbons in advance of last week to sign up to the club. The club is now full, so students will need to email Mr Galbraith-Gibbons (g.galbraith-gibbons@uckfield.
Unfortunately, if students arrive to Fitness Club and are not on the register, there will not be space for students to take part in the club until later in the year.
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
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.Â
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.Â
To view the full letter and complete our expression of interest form please click here.
Year 9 Spanish Educational Visit to Seville: Expression of Interest - Miss Brown
I am delighted to write to you with details of an exciting opportunity for our Year 9 students studying Spanish. During Enrichment Week, 5th-10th July 2027. We are planning an immersive educational trip to Seville, Spain, running from Monday to Saturday.
This visit offers a wonderful chance for students to broaden their horizons, gain independence, and truly bring their language learning to life in one of Spain’s most historic and vibrant cities.
To view the full letter and complete our expression of interest form please click here.
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
'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. Enrolment is open until Monday 5th October.
Unifrog University Fair Online Event - 14th October, 4pm to 6.30pm
The Unifrog UK University Fair is a great opportunity to find out all about studying at university, and get all your questions answered by the experts in just two and a half hours! 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
Essential Information Evening for Year 11 Parents/Carers
Autumn Series of Free Careers Webinars from My Great First Job
My Great First Job are running a series of free careers webinars on Tuesday evenings over the next three months. The free webinars are designed to support 16-19 year olds. They are on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm and cover useful topics such as:- How to Write Your Great First CV
- How To Develop Your Personal Brand
- How To Absolutely SMASH! Your Interview!
Unifrog University Fair Online Event, 14th October, 4pm to 6.30pm
The Unifrog UK University Fair is a great opportunity to find out all about studying at university, and get all your questions answered by the experts in just two and a half hours! Year 11 Careers Meetings - Mr Simmons - reminder
The Careers meetings for Year 11 start on Monday 14th September and we 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.Â
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.Â
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
Sixth Form Parents' Evening - Thursday 15th October
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.Â
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. Â
Autumn Series of Free Careers Webinars from My Great First Job
My Great First Job are runninga series of free careers webinars on Tuesday evenings over the next three months. The free webinars are designed to support 16-19 year olds. They are on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm and cover useful topics such as:- How to Write Your Great First CV
- How To Develop Your Personal Brand
- How To Absolutely SMASH! Your Interview!
Unifrog University Fair Online Event, 14th October, 4pm to 6.30pm
The Unifrog UK University Fair is a great opportunity to find out all about studying at university, and get all your questions answered by the experts in just two and a half hours!Â