School newsletter: term 4, 2024 (Pdf)

School newsletter: term 3, 2024 (Pdf)

School newsletter: term 2, 2023-24 (Pdf)

School newsletter: term 1 2023-24 (Pdf)

As you may already aware, we are currently going through a consultation about the proposed transfer of Aspire Academy to North Star Academy Trust. 

As part of this work, we are seeking to lower the age range at the school to 4-16 years, reducing the number of places stated in our admissions policy to 104, reflecting current numbers within the school. 

If you would like to find out more and take part in the consultation, please complete our consultation form. The consultation is open between 23rd November 2023 and 3rd January 2024. Please note that results will be anonymised before being shared with the Department for Education. 

• Complete our consultation form

Thank you for your time and participation. 

Proposed transfer of Aspire Academy from Futura Learning Partnership to North Star Academy Trust letter (Pdf)

Posted: 6th November 2023

On behalf of our entire community of schools, we offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We are profoundly grateful for the life and legacy of  Her Majesty and we offer His Majesty King Charles III our very best wishes as he becomes our Sovereign.

A £2.2m redevelopment at Aspire Academy in Bath means that more of the area’s most vulnerable children and young people will be able to receive the education and support they need.

The school has been expanded and refurbished so it can offer places for up to 120 pupils, aged four to 19, who have complex needs.

The new facilities include therapy and sensory spaces as well as specialist provision for art, drama and music, design technology and cooking, and vocational facilities such as a hairdressing salon and a construction unit.

This increased range of opportunities is important for the students at Aspire, many of whom have challenging backgrounds that have led to negative experiences of education.

The school’s approach, backed by research into trauma and attachment, is to develop the whole child, building self esteem and confidence and removing barriers to learning.

Headteacher Peter Headeach said: “Staff work hard to build strong, positive relationships and model positive attitudes and behaviours. This provides an environment where the children can feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

“Through the curriculum, students can develop their social and communication skills as well as their ability to regulate their emotions through learning activities that are broad and engaging.

“The choice of courses, support offered by staff and broader opportunities offered by this expansion mean children and young people at Aspire have never had such a fantastic opportunity succeed as they do today.”

The expansion of Aspire Academy, which is run by the academy trust Futura Learning Partnership, was funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council and approved by the Regional Schools Commissioner. The redevelopment project was led by Tim Howes, the trust’s chief operating officer, and Julie Dyer, the trust’s executive lead for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with site supervisor Gerry Mitchell.

The completed facilities were officially opened in March by the Mayor of Bath, Councillor June Player. The vice chair of B&NES Council, Councillor Shaun McGall Stephenson and the cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Dine Romero, also attended,

Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura Learning Partnership, said: "This is a much needed provision for children and young people experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties and other conditions such as autism. We are very grateful to B&NES Council for providing the funding that will help Aspire to provide the education, support and encouragement its pupils need".

“Futura Learning Partnership is very proud of Aspire Academy. It does an amazing job in supporting and nurturing children and young people who find school and education a challenge and it makes a very valuable contribution across our trust as a member of our family of schools.

"When Aspire joined our trust in 2014, as The Link School, it was a 22-place school. Since that time, Aspire has expanded and now offers places for 80 children aged 4-19 with complex needs. From September 2022, the school will be able to offer 120 places.

“We are grateful to the staff and pupils for their fortitude during the building process and we are delighted that they are rewarded with these fantastic, state-of-the-art facilities that will support these children’s engagement with education and help to prepare them for a successful adult life".

PHOTO: Futura Learning Partnership’s chief executive Andrea Arlidge, board chair Malcolm Broad, and SEND executive lead Julie Dyer with the Mayor of Bath Councillor June Player and the headteacher of Aspire Academy Peter Headeach at the official opening of the revamped school.

Thursday 3rd of March marked the celebration of World Book Day. This year the children and staff made a fantastic effort to dress up as characters from their favourite books. Hedgehogs class came as characters from Roald Dahl books including the Enormous Crocodile, Willy Wonka and the Giraffe from 'The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me'.

New vocational qualifications begin at Aspire for students in years 10, 11 and 12

This term, we have started to deliver our new range of vocational qualifications.

The qualifications are in Construction, Hair and Beauty, Land Studies, Creative Digital Media and Hospitality and Catering and teach the students the relevant skills they need to work in those areas and transferrable skill they can take with them to any work place. The courses are delivered in our new facilities and will develop strong links with businesses and companies  leading hopefully to real life work experience.

The team have arrived at Aspire and have started on the groundworks as part of the Aspire developments.

Over the next few months, work will continue as we prepare to welcome more children to the school.

We will be expanding into the old Studio School site and the children will benefit from more space and improved facilities  for science, cooking, art and sports. Through the expansion, we will also be able to broaden our curriculum offer, eventually being able to deliver vocational courses such as construction and hair and beauty with brand new purpose built facilities.

We are all really excited about the future and it is great to see the work starting. We look forward to welcoming the new students from September this year!

• Information about opening in September parents and carers Pdf)
• School opening procedure (Pdf)

3SG passionately believe that everyone in Bath and North East Somerset should have access to the support and advice they need.  

Their Hub team, partners and local charities are working in partnership via the Compassionate Community because together we're stronger. 

You can access support via their helpline t: 03002470050 or via email.

Undertaking a daring space mission but who is up to the challenge?

School nursing service information (Pdf)
Posted: 24 March 2020

Dear Parent/ Carer

We continue to work closely with our health and safety advisers to monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus.

We will follow the guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England and update you if anything changes.

Year 9 and 10 students learnt of all the different options available to them for post 16 studies.

Key stage 3 enjoyed an educational trip to the University of Bath where they took part in various workshops on how to keep safe online and on the internet.

It was great to see the students mix so well with students from other schools. Well done!