W. Will. Willow H. Haz. Hazel M. Man. Mangrove R. Row. Rowan B. Blos. Blossom J. Jun. Juniper C. Che. Cherry L. Lau. Laurel S. Spr. Spruce E. Eld. Elder
01473 353440 Show Audio
See the latest lunch menus Check out our extracurricular activities Upcoming events for students and parents/carers See the latest lunch menus Check out our extracurricular activities Upcoming events for students and parents/carers See the latest lunch menus Check out our extracurricular activities Upcoming events for students and parents/carers See the latest lunch menus Check out our extracurricular activities Upcoming events for students and parents/carers
Home > Woodbridge Road Academy Newsletter

Woodbridge Road Academy Newsletter – October 26

October 23rd 2026

Our autumn term has been a busy one as usual.

We welcomed 20 new pupils and families to our community. Everyone is settling in well, we have been very impressed with how quickly they have made new friends and become accustomed to the new routine.

Swimming Lessons

Willow and Juniper will be swimming at Crown Pools after half term. These lessons are on Thursday afternoons. Those able will walk there and back. Each child will need their swimming kit, and a £1 coin for the lockers.

Visit from Jen Healy - Careers in Construction

Jen Healy visited the school this term, she talked to all the pupils about the variety of jobs available in construction. The visit was extremely helpful to give pupils ideas about career paths that they may not have considered previously.

Pupils set off walking from Dunwich with pleasant sunshine. We are so proud of how our pupils handled the two days of walking as well as camping overnight and cooking their own food.

Plans are already in place for next year’s expedition.

Suffolk County Council Archaeology Visit

Our pupils got a chance to meet with the Suffolk County Council Archaeology team. They enjoyed “digging” for artefacts and were astounded by the bones our visitor brought in.

Framlingham Castle Visit

This term Blossom and Juniper classes visited Framlingham Castle after the visit was postponed due to the hot weather in July. Pupils enjoyed the visit, we understand that taking our pupils away from their usual routine and location can be unsettling but everyone coped very well.

GCSE Photography Trips

We have had two GCSE photography trips this half term.

Our year 10 photography pupils walked down to the waterfront and took some amazing photographs of the boats, wildlife and architecture. Our year 11 pupils travelled by train to Felixstowe. They were inspired by the sea and pier and even had an ice cream treat before they caught the train home.

Hygiene Bank Donations

You may have been puzzled why your child came home one day with a tube of toothpaste. We occasionally receive donations from The Hygiene Bank, this includes period products, deodorants, showering items and even toilet rolls at one point.

Find out more about the charity

End of Term Certificates

At the end of every half term we hold an assembly on the last day in school and present the end of term certificates.

There are:

  • 72 Certificates for attendance of 92% or above this term.
  • 25 Valued behaviour awards – for no detrimental behaviour points this term.

Well done to all our students, we are proud of every one of them.

Please clearly label all school uniforms, lunchboxes and water bottles.

Please can you make sure you clearly label EVERY item your child brings into school as all uniforms look exactly the same and pupils can get very distressed if they think they have lost their water bottle or lunchbox.

Discretionary grant vouchers – Free School Meals from Suffolk County Council

Dear Parent/Carer

Discretionary grant vouchers during school holidays are coming to an end.

We are writing to let you know about a change to the support available during school holidays for families whose children receive free school meals.

Since 2020, Suffolk County Council has been able to provide discretionary grant supermarket vouchers through temporary government-funded schemes. We know this support has helped many families during the school holidays. The Government has now replaced the Household Support Fund with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund. This means Suffolk County Council will no longer be able to provide discretionary grant supermarket vouchers during school holidays.

The summer 2026 school holidays was the last time these supermarket vouchers were available.

We understand this news may be worrying for you. Free school meals during term time are not affected, and children who are eligible will continue to receive their usual meals at school.

From 1 October 2026, if you are experiencing financial hardship you should apply to Suffolk’s Local Welfare Assistance Scheme via their website https://suffolk.gov.uk/lwas. If eligible, you may be able to receive a cash payment or cash-out voucher to help with essential costs. Support is also available from Citizens Advice with issues such as budgeting, debt, household bills and making the most of your income. If you are struggling financially, please seek help as early as possible so that you can access the support available.

Yours faithfully
Lucy Nicholas (she/her)

Resource Manager (Admissions and School Travel)
Children and Young People’s Service
Suffolk County Council

Parent/Carer Survey

Our parent/carer survey launches on 10th November. We will share more information about this after half term.

Food Tech

Thank you to everyone who has paid the £10 donation towards the cost of the food tech supplies this term. This is a termly request and the option is available all year round, so if you can afford to, but haven’t had a chance yet the donation can be made at any time of year.

Please pay on the My Child At School app in Products – look for the photo of a cake. Thank you.

Please can we also remind you that pupils need to bring a labelled tub, with a lid, on the days they have Food Tech.

Dates for Your Diary

We open the Visitors Room and supply biscuits, tea and coffee for parents and carers every Wednesday from 9am to meet with each other and a member of the team. We hope by offering this space to meet you can get to know, and support, one another.

Monday 23rd November 9am: HepB (2nd vaccine) – year 9-11 only
Wednesday 11th November: Parent/Carer Coffee morning in the hall
Thursday 26th November: Parent/Carer evening
Thursday 3rd December 1pm: Red Rose Chain panto (tbc)
Thursday 10th December 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Christmas Disco

How to report your child as absent

We are really proud of our school attendance and love seeing our pupils in school. However, we understand that sometimes pupils cannot attend. If you feel your child is not well enough to attend, please

stating the reason for the absence as early as possible in the day.

For continued absence please keep school updated each day.

Please use the link below for guidance regarding illness in schools.

Read the guidance for illness in schools