FBA Update
8th September 2025
Welcome back
We hope you all had a wonderful summer and were able to spend time with friends and family, making the most of the limited sunshine. It has been a great start to the Autumn term and it was lovely to see all the students return to school ready to learn and looking forward to what lies ahead. We extend a very warm welcome to our new students in Year 7 and Year 12 who are joining the school for the first time.
Although the school was shut to students, there was lots of work going on behind the scenes to improve the school environment. The major work this summer focused on refreshing a number of areas of the school which included a major refurbishment of the main school hall. It was so great to welcome all the students back in assembly with the hall looking so wonderful.
Thank you to all FBA and LIFE staff who worked so hard over the summer.
The newsletter will published each Monday and will include information about events and activities at FBA, student achievements, useful information for parents/carers, personal development updates and dates for the diary. The link will be posted on the school website, shared via social media and sent out via email. We hope this will give a flavour of all the great things that happen here at the school and the opportunities available for your daughters.
All the key dates for the year can be found on the school website at:
https://fbaok.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Key-Dates-for-Parents-2025-2026.pdf
Please find below some of the key dates for the first half term
Tuesday 9th September - Year 11 Snowdonia trip departs (returns Fri 12th Sept)
Thursday 11th September - Speech Night
Wednesday 17th September - Year 7 & 11 school photos
Thursday 18th September - Prospective Parents' Evening (17:00 - 20:00)
Friday 19th September - Late start 9:30
Monday 22nd September - Year 7 Welcome Evening for parents/ carers (18:00)
Tuesday 23rd September - Year 8, 9, 10, 6th form school photos
Wednesday 24th September - Year 12 Welcome Evening for parents/ carers (18:00)
Thursday 25th September - Personal Development Day 1
Thursday 2nd October - Sports Awards evening
Friday 3rd October - School Birthday (119 years). Early finish for staff training
Monday 6th October - Year 12 Settling In assessments start
Thursday 16th October - Year 11 Step Up to Sixth Form Day (Taster Day)
Wednesday 22nd October - Year 11 Parents' Evening
Thursday 23rd October - Black History Month event
Friday 24th October - Last day of half term 1
Key Information
Please watch out for a number of letters which will be coming out over the next week with key information, and details about upcoming events.
Key Stage 5
In August, the examination results were published for both Year 11 and Year 13. We were delighted with the results and enjoyed celebrating the successes of the students.
In Key Stage 5 (A-level & BTEC), the students achieved some brilliant results and outcomes for students overall have improved and are the best since 2019.
The top ten results were:
Student 1 - A* A* A*
Student 2 - A*A A*
Student 3 - A A* A
Student 4 - A A A *
Student 5 - A* A A
Student 6 - A*A A
Student 7 - A* A A
Student 8 - A A A
Student 9 A A A
Student 10 A A A
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4, the students performed well and got a wide range of excellent results across the subjects. Nearly 74% of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs (including English and Maths) at Grade 4 or above.
The results of our top achieving students can be found in the table below
Well done to all the students who received results in the summer and we wish you all the very best with your next steps.
Snack healthy
The tip of the week comes from the Sports Captains “Bring healthier snacks for break time!”
What you eat at break can really affect your energy, mood, and focus in lessons – so choosing the right snack matters.
Here are 3 easy and realistic healthy swaps you can try:
- Swap a chocolate bar for a banana or a handful of grapes (or any fruits of choice) – They're naturally sweet, give you a boost of energy, and help you stay focused without the sugar crash.
- Swap a fizzy drink for a small carton of no-added-sugar juice or flavoured water – You’ll still get flavour, but with less sugar and more hydration to keep your brain alert. Remember you can also use the Generation Juice machines available in the main canteen – just bring a reusable bottle to school!
- Swap crisps or biscuits for a cheese stick, yoghurt tube, or a cereal bar with less than 5g of sugar. These options have more protein or fibre to keep you full until lunch.
Inspirational Woman of the Week
Our inspirational woman of the week, nominated by Miss Meredith, is Michelle Agyemang a a rising star in women's football and a powerful role model for young girls. Having been raised nearby in South Ockendon, Michelle attended an all girls school (Southend High School for Girls), making her a local superstar! Starting her journey at Brandon Groves AFC, she joined Arsenal's academy at age six and made her senior debut at 16.
In 2025, she scored a stunning goal just 41 seconds into her England senior debut against Belgium. Her pivotal equalizer in the Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy helped propel England to victory. Agyemang's journey from a ball girl at Wembley to a European champion exemplifies determination and resilience. So much so, she has been nominated for the inaugural Women's Kopa Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards.
Glee Club Challenge
Do you love to sing? Do you love to dance? Do you want to perform at Chelmsford Theatre?
Miss Bradshaw is looking for 30 students who would like to be part of the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge.
• Auditions for Year 7 - 10 will be on Friday 12th September - 15.15 - 16.45 in G06.
• Auditions for Year 11 will be on Monday 15th September - 15.15 - 16.15. in GO6.
More information can be found here https://www.gleeclubchallenge.org/ or you can speak Miss Bradshaw.
Sport Day
At the end of the summer term, we held our annual Sports Day. For a change the weather was kind to us, although a little too hot for some of the shade loving members of our school; however, the students performed brilliantly.
The day started with the hotly contested banner parade. The creativity and ingenuity improves year on year and the judges had a tough call to make. The banner winners were:
Year 7 - E Year 8 - O Year 9 - W Year 10 - S
In the sporting events, the winners for each year were:
Year 7 - O
Year 8 - E
Year 9 - O
Year 10 - R
The overall winner was R (Rowen) House.
Well done to all the participants and thank you the PE Department and friends for organising such a fun and successful day.
At the end of last term we said goodbye to a number of members of staff who have moved on to pastures new. We are incredibly grateful to all of them and here are a few words about each of them.
Mr Bains (Teacher of Maths) - Mr Bains was a maternity cover teacher in Maths and we would like to thank him for all his hard work and support over the year
Ms James (Teacher of Music) - although only with us for a short time, Ms James brought her experience as an examiner and former Head of Department to Music to enhance the lessons and extra curricular activities for students. We wish her the very best in the future.
Ms Bandele (Teacher of Health & Social Care) - Ms Bandele joined the school in 2022 as a teacher of HSC but expanded her repertoire to include PSHE and Child Development. She has been a great colleague and a committed teacher especially guiding the 6th form HSC students to excellent results. We wish her the very best for the future.
Miss Moore (Teacher of Maths) - Miss Moore joined the school as a trainee teacher and became a member of staff in 2022. She has worked incredibly hard over the past couple of years (especially on her Sports Day banners) and of course in her Maths lessons. She acted as Head of KS3 Maths over the past year and has gained a promotion in a local school where she will help with staff training especially new teachers to the profession.
Miss Belcher (Teacher of Geography) - alongside her teaching in Geography, Miss Belcher has made a fantastic contribution to the extra-curricular life of the school in her role of PDD coordinator and helping out with DofE, geography trips, the ski trip and Young Explorers camping outs on the field. Miss Belcher is moving on to another girls’ school and we wish her all the very best for the future.
Mr Burrows (KS5 lead Maths) - Mr Burrows joined the school as a trainee teacher and completed his A Placement with us before joining as a new teacher in 2020. He showed his talent straight away and gained a promotion to lead A-level Maths. Outside of the Maths Department, Mr Burrows has been a tremendous support to the extra-curricular life of the school. He has run the badminton club, helped on DofE, co-organised the ski trip and much more. Mr Burrows is relocating away from Romford and moving to the dark side – an all-boys school. We wish him all the very best.
Mrs Sinnott (ASO) - We/ the school is saying goodbye to Mrs Sinnott for a second time as she used to be a student at the school. Mrs Sinnott started at FBA as an ASO in January 2020 and has played a crucial role in supporting her year groups in a whole myriad of ways - she has dried tears, provided first aid, made calls, sent letters, counselled students, been incredibly supportive to the progress managers she has worked with. Mrs Sinnott is retiring today and we are so delighted for her and wish her a long and happy retirement.
Ms Tauheed (PM/ Teacher of English) - Ms Tauheed joined FBA back in 2019 as a Teacher of English; however, was soon persuaded to become a Progress Manager. Over her 6 years in the school, she has supported hundreds of students in different year groups to become the best versions of themselves. Ms Tauheed is moving to work for a local Trust and has the great title of Super Teacher – not all super heroes wear capes but the best ones are armed with a board pen! We wish her the very best in her new role.
Miss Williams (Teacher of RS) - Miss Williams joined FBA in 2019 and was an excellent addition to the team. She has been a champion of students and worked as the Gifted and Talented coordinator, helping many students to be aspirational and has run an incredibly successful programme called the Brilliant Club. Miss Williams has also helped on numerous trips and has been a great support with D of E and the Snowdonia field trip. Miss Williams is having a break from teaching and heading overseas to Australia, New Zealand, numerous countries in South East Asia to name just a few places - we hope she has an amazing time.
Miss Gaskin (Head of Biology) - Miss Gaskin joined FBA in 2018 as a Teacher of Biology. She brought her energy and passion for the subject along with her very high standards and expectation; as a result she was promoted to Head of Biology in 2021. Miss Gaskin leaves us to take up a promotion as Head of Science at a school in Essex and we wish her all the very best in her new role.
Miss Harris (Head of Health & Social Care) - Miss Harris joined FBA in 2018 as Head of HSC. The subject was transformed under her leadership and the results have been outstanding for a number of years which is testament to her commitment and talent. Miss Harris has had two wonderful children whilst being at FBA and is leaving to pursue a different career with her own business in Sports Massage. We wish her all the very best with her new career.
Ms Moss (Gallery Curator and Teacher of Art) - Ms Moss joined the school in 2013 as a School Display Technician before being promoted to become the School Gallery Curator. Under her leadership and vision, the gallery has moved to the heart of the school and hundreds and hundreds of students have been exposed to some brilliant art and creativity thanks to Ms Moss’s vision. Latterly, Miss Moss has taken on some teaching as part of her role which has led her to train to become a qualified teacher this year. She is leaving FBA today to take up a position of Teacher of Art at a local school and we wish her all the very best in her new role.