Associate Principal’s Message
Dear parents/carers,
Many of you will have noticed that after-school netball has really taken off at Astrea Academy Dearne. Our teams have shown fantastic perseverance, and it’s been brilliant to see their hard work paying off. Their results continue to improve as the season goes on, and the teamwork and dedication they’ve demonstrated remind us all that success takes time—progress isn’t always immediate, but effort and resilience usually win out.
Next week, we’re putting a big focus on responsibility. We’ll be focusing on making sure every scholar is prepared, equipped and confident in what it means to be successful at school every day. We also know we can do even more to celebrate the young people who consistently do the right thing every single day—so we’ve decided to go big on rewards! Scholars will receive full details on Monday. As always, they’ve got to be in to win, so if your child is excited about the fantastic prizes we have lined up, we look forward to seeing them in school every day next week.
Finally, your voice is incredibly important to us at Astrea Academy Dearne. Thank you again to every parent and carer who completed the survey last half term. To keep the conversation going, I’ll be sharing one short survey question each week. We’ll use your feedback to reflect on and improve our practice in school.
This week’s question is:
“My child knows what support is available if they’re struggling at school.”
Parent Voice Question 30th January 2026 – Fill in form
Have a fantastic weekend, whatever you are up to.
Kind regards
Mr Arezoo
Associate Principal
Key Dates
- Monday 2nd February – Wednesday 11th March – Year 11 mock exams
- Thursday 5th February – Year 8 HPV vaccinations
- Wednesday 11th February – Year 7 Scholar Review Evening
- 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
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
SEND Parental form
Please use the form here to report any SEND concerns/queries to the academy:
https://forms.office.com/e/P9Kp7F7h50
Free Bike Checks
Frozen water safety
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 24th February click here to register
For Wednesday 4th March click here to register
Goldthorpe Library Event
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.
Barnsley College Junior Chefs
Year 10 University of Cambridge programme
Please see the poster below for details of an academic (online/afterschool) opportunity for Year 10s, delivered by the University of Cambridge.
Nut free school
A reminder that Astrea Academy Dearne is a nut free zone. We have scholars and members of staff in school who have severe nut allergies. Please do not allow children to bring in any products containing nuts.
Vaccination clinics (All year groups)
HPV vaccinations (Year 8 only)
Booster Vaccinations (Year 9 only)
Family Hubs What’s On Guide
Please see the link below for the Family Hubs Spring Term Digital “What’s On” Guide. This is full of great activities and support for families in our communities across the Barnsley area.