Parent Newsletter 12/02/2026

Associate Principal’s Message

Dear parents/carers,

After half term, there will be some changes to the leadership team at Astrea Academy Dearne, and I wanted to take a moment to update you.

From 23rd February, my secondment as Associate Principal will come to an end. Mrs Glover will resume full oversight as Principal of Astrea Academy Dearne, while I return to the Trust’s central team to support Curriculum and Assessment across all our secondary schools. Given Mrs Glover has continued to provide strategic oversight throughout the past few years, I want to reassure you that the school’s stability, momentum, and direction will remain strong for staff, scholars, and the wider community.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have played even a small part in the journey this school and community are on. Education is at the heart of any community, and the regeneration happening across Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton-upon-Dearne needs ambitious, knowledgeable young people to drive it forward. Being involved in securing the school’s strongest outcomes since COVID, bringing back experiences such as the Showcases, building relationships with community leaders, and simply talking with so many of you has been a truly rewarding experience.

I will continue to work with the school on interventions, school improvement, and in partnership with leaders, so this isn’t farewell. Whatever the future holds, Astrea Academy Dearne – its scholars, staff and families – will always have my highest respect.

Wishing you all a fantastic half-term break, whatever your plans may be.

Kind regards

Mr Arezoo

Associate Principal

Key Dates

Monday 2nd February – Wednesday 11th March – Year 11 mock exams
Friday 13th February – INSET Day
Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February – February half-term
Wednesday 25th February – Talent Showcase
Wednesday 4th March – Year 9 Scholar Review Evening
Wednesday 11th March – Year 6 Welcome Evening
Friday 20th March – INSET Day
Wednesday 25th March – Year 9 Options Event
Monday 30th March – Friday 10th April – Easter break
Wednesday 29th April – Year 8 Scholar Review Evening

INSET Day

Please be aware that Friday 13th February is an INSET day and the academy is closed to scholars.

Lunch Menu

A Meal Deal consists of the following:

A meal meal and either a pudding or water
A sandwich and either a cookie or water
A pasta pot and either a cookie or water

Youth Work in School

The Youth Work in Schools team have been busy this half term trialling some new enrichment, our After Bell Club and working with some Year 8 scholars to start a baking and cooking club enrichment next half term. We have been working with some Year 9 scholars in partnership delivering the Raising Aspirations programme, where scholars are building resilience and confidence through informal education and physical activity.

We have an exciting event in the February half term at Dearne IKIC Centre on Monday 16^th February, 12-3pm. We will be doing a number of activities which will include pancake making, arts and crafts, darts and pool tournament. We do have a baking and cooking club enrichment starting Thursday after half term. Sign up is essential, scholars will complete 3 weeks in total to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to access the baking and cooking club.

Have a great half term.

SEND Parental form

Please use the form here to report any SEND concerns/queries to the academy:

https://forms.office.com/e/P9Kp7F7h50

Adult Learning Courses

Gender Space

If a trans young person or their carers asked you where they can get support, would you know where to signpost them to?

Gender Space is a service by Barnardo’s Positive Identities team which offers a therapeutic social model of support for trans and gender questioning young people, aged 13-18 in Yorkshire. They also support Parents and Carers of trans young people.

They recognise the importance of gender identity being validated and expressed in a safe space, which is what they seek to provide in this service. The provision is online and is a mixture of therapeutically informed one-to-one and group work support with youth workers and therapists.

Want to know more? They are holding some information sessions where they will chat more about Gender Space and you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions.

For Tuesday 24^th February click here to register

For Wednesday 4^th March click here to register

Goldthorpe Library Event

Relationship Counselling

Shared Lives Carer Recruitment

Parent App

The Pause Parenting app, developed by experts at the University of Warwick with NHS trusts and local authorities, helps parents apply evidence-based techniques to improve children’s behaviour and reduce stress. It offers personalised support and interactive activities, acting as a “pocket” tool for managing challenging moments.

Key Features and Benefits of the Pause App:

· 🧠 Evidence-Based Tools: Provides techniques for anxiety, positive parenting, and behavioural issues based on 40 years of research.

· 🤝 Personalised Support: Offers in-the-moment advice tailored to specific family needs and situations.

· 💬 Peer Support: Connects parents and carers with other local parents to offer and receive peer support.

· 🛠️ Skill Implementation: Helps parents, particularly those in parenting programmes, apply skills learned in sessions to daily life.

· 📔 Reflection Journal: Features a tool for parents to track moods and behaviours to understand what triggers issues.

· 📱 Availability: Accessible on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

FREE to access for Barnsley parents/carers using the access code: BARNS. See the attached flyer for more info.

How does it work?

Parents and carers tell the app what their parenting challenge is. The AI feature gives parents information about what might be going on for their child and suggests a practical daily plan of actions to promote real change.

Want to know more about Pause?….