From 8.30am - 8:50am each morning, students can enjoy warm toast and hot chocolate to help them start the day in the best possible way.

Take a look back at some of the highlights from this term, celebrate our students’ achievements, and find key information for the start of the new academic year.

Thank you to all our students, parents, carers, and staff for your continued support this year. We wish you a relaxing and enjoyable summer break – we’ll see you in September!

The event began on a high note with a stunning live piano performance by Scott and Jayden in Year 9. Their musical talent set an uplifting tone and brought the audience together for what was a memorable and inspiring morning.

The ceremony recognised students who have gone above and beyond in their subjects, showing not only academic excellence but also resilience, effort and a positive attitude throughout the term. Teachers across the Academy nominated students for a wide range of subject awards, along with special commendations from senior staff.

This prestigious national award celebrates the academy’s commitment to delivering high-quality cyber education and inspiring the next generation of digital talent. The CyberFirst Schools programme recognises institutions that are dedicated to embedding cyber security into the curriculum and promoting career pathways into the tech and digital industries.

Dr Morris brings with him nearly two decades of leadership experience in secondary education, having served as Vice Principal of a large secondary school in Staffordshire and, most recently, as Headteacher of a school in Warwickshire. His career spans four local authorities and three multi-academy trusts, giving him a broad and deep understanding of school leadership, curriculum design, teaching and learning, assessment, and behaviour management.

A total of 120 students from BOA Digital entered the challenge, competing against thousands of students from schools across the country. The challenge is designed to inspire a love of problem-solving by encouraging mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency. It offers accessible but thought-provoking problems to stretch students of all abilities.

As part of the academy’s digital-first approach, Maths is taught not only as a core subject, but as a skill set that supports problem solving, critical thinking, and future success in a tech-driven world.

As part of the academy’s forward-thinking curriculum, learners are encouraged to explore new languages and cultures, with Spanish firmly embedded as a key area of study. This not only broadens their horizons but equips them with communication tools essential for the digital and international workplace.

Reading is not just a pastime; it is a gateway to new perspectives, knowledge, and imagination. Books have the ability to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to unforgettable characters, and challenge our ways of thinking. They can provide comfort, inspire change, and ignite a lifelong love of learning. In a fast-paced digital world, reading remains an essential tool for personal growth and understanding.

Here’s what our teachers had to say about the books that have left a lasting impact on them:

This edition highlights online safety, encouraging families to have open conversations about staying safe online over the holidays. We also reflect on our recent Safer Internet Day, where students engaged in activities to develop their digital awareness and critical thinking skills.

For those looking for half-term activities, we’ve included some great suggestions to keep students engaged over the break. Plus, a reminder about our uniform policy and where to find official uniform items.

Don’t forget to check out the key dates section for important upcoming term and holiday information.

A full copy of the bulletin is below - stay informed and enjoy the break!

Designed to give students a voice, the council serves as a platform for sharing opinions, contributing to decisions, and making meaningful improvements to the school environment. By fostering leadership, teamwork, and inclusivity, the council aims to ensure every student feels heard and empowered.

The event highlighted the exceptional talents and hard work of students across various disciplines, showcasing their dedication and growth throughout the year.

The 14-19 academy, specialising in Creative, Digital and Performing Arts, first opened its doors in 2011 and has marked its 10^th birthday with a celebration event for students, staff and industry partners.

For the past decade, the academy has been dedicated to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds and academic abilities, with a passion and aptitude in creative, digital and performing arts, to reach their full potential. 

Since opening, over 3000 students have graduated from BOA Academy and forged successful careers across a diverse range of industries. BOA alumni include BRIT Award nominees, TV and West End stars, and work across a broad range of roles in the creative sector. 

Gaynor Cheshire, CEO of the BOA Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to mark this special anniversary at BOA Academy and celebrate a decade of success with our students, staff and partners. 

“When we opened BOA Academy 10 years ago, our vision was clear: to support, encourage and nurture the talent of young people with a passion and aptitude for the creative arts. I’m so proud to see the wonderful achievements of our talented students and the incredible dedication of our teaching staff, who work in collaboration with our industry partners to deliver an unrivalled learning experience.

“BOA Academy is truly unique in its approach to education, with performance, production, creativity and excellence placed at the very heart of the curriculum. We’re committed to ensuring that every learner leaves us fully equipped to pursue their ambition and I’ve no doubt that we’ll continue to see great things from our past, present and future students.” 

BOA Academy is part of the BOA Group, a Multi Academy Trust of specialist academies in Birmingham city centre, which has also seen exciting expansion in the past 10 years. As well as managing the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, the Group has extended its family of academies to include BOA Stage & Screen Production and BOA Digital Technologies. 

BOA Stage & Screen Production opened in September this year, specialising in technical theatre, film and broadcast production. A 16-19 academy, it takes an industry-led approach to developing the skills of young people in both existing and emerging production techniques and broadcast technologies. 

BOA Digital Technologies, a 11-18 academy opening in September 2022, will deliver a digital-first curriculum - bringing all academic subjects to life through the use of cutting-edge technologies. Every student will benefit from unrivalled access to state-of-the-art resources and facilities, coupled with collaborative industry partnerships to create an educational experience where innovation is placed front and centre.

Gaynor Cheshire continued:

“We are so excited by the ambition and aims of our new academies - both designed to deliver a pioneering curriculum in collaboration with leading industry and academic partners. We know that this method of teaching - where academic excellence and on-the-ground industry experience work hand-in-hand - can create unrivalled opportunities for young people, allowing them to excel in their chosen field and make an important contribution to the city’s thriving creative sector.”

For more information about Birmingham Ormiston Academy and the BOA Group, visit https://www.boa-academy.co.uk