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GA CASE CLOSED - READY TO LEARN 2.0 video

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Grove Academy Mobile Phone Policy - May 2026

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The Big Spin Final Event - S1 Business Enterprise & IT

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Last session the Grove Academy Teaching & Learning Community (TLC) designed our new Framework for Teaching & Leaning - the Grove Academy Learning Pathway. the Grove TLC worked with learners, staff and parents/carers in our community - as well as looking across Scotland for best practice to design and implement our new Learning Pathway to ensure we are preparing every leaner, in every lesson for a successful future.

Please view the attached video created by our Learner GALP Ambassadors.

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Dundee Science Centre x DJCAD

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L-R: Mrs Cunningham (DHT Orchar), Mrs Barbour (DHT Reres), Mr Robertson (DHT Gillies), Mr Woodcock (HT), Mrs Larkworthy (DHT Dawson), Mrs Preston (Business Manager)

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Upcoming – Key Dates

Holiday 25/05/26

New Timetable for S2-4 26/05/26

End of study leave and new timetable for S5/6 01/06/26

Last day of term! 03/07/26

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Headteacher’s Message – May 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we prepare to begin the new term on Tuesday, I would like to thank all members of our school community for the support, patience and engagement shown over recent months as we have planned for two important changes: our new school day timings and the introduction of our move to a phone free school environment.

Both of these developments have been taken forward through extensive consultation with parents/carers, learners and staff, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to contribute views, ask questions and engage so constructively with the process. The move to a 32-period week brings a clearer structure to the school day, with tutor time once again at the start of the morning and consistent timings across the week, including 8:45am starts, 3:50pm finishes on Monday and Tuesday, and 3:00pm finishes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Alongside this, our new mobile phone policy has been developed to create a calmer, safer and more focused environment for learning, with all mobile phones secured in QuietCases during the school day and access only at the end of the day, or at lunchtime for learners leaving the school grounds.

What has been particularly encouraging throughout this process is the shared sense that these changes are about improving the daily experience of school for our young people. The rationale for the mobile phone policy is rooted in reducing distraction, supporting wellbeing, encouraging face-to-face interaction and strengthening readiness to learn. It also reflects the wider national direction of travel, with schools increasingly taking proactive steps to improve focus, wellbeing and relationships across the school day. Thank you in advance to all learners, staff and families for helping to make these changes work in practice. Successful implementation will rely on all of us working together, and I am very grateful for that partnership.

This bulletin also captures a wide range of positive learner experiences from across the school. Our Young Enterprise team recently represented Grove Academy at the Tayside Regional Final and were awarded Best Company Report, a fantastic achievement and a fitting reflection of the commitment they have shown throughout the year. In Business Enterprise & IT, S1 finalists from the Big Spin Challenge were rewarded with a visit to the V&A, where they explored the Catwalk Exhibition and took part in a creative workshop, representing the school extremely well.

There have also been many successes in other areas of school life. In PE, learners have achieved strongly in badminton, cross country and football, while Ben Kelly was recognised as Best Player at the U16 HPC Tournament. In Modern Languages, learners have continued to benefit from a rich programme of experiences including film study, work with visiting author Dorit Linke, the UK–German Connection teacher exchange, and the excellent Passport to Europe transition event for P7 pupils. In Music and Drama, learners have engaged with industry-facing opportunities through the National Film and Television School access event, attended live theatre at Dundee Rep, and continued to shine through the Dundee Schools Jazz Band.

We have also seen learners continue to build important skills beyond the classroom, including through the Dundee Science Centre STEM trip and Emergency First Aid at Work certification. In Art & Design, learners remain actively involved in competitions and club activities, with recent success in the Young Artist and Young Photographer awards.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Senior Phase learners who have been engaging in an intensive diet of SQA exams over recent weeks. Support sessions prior to these exams have been very well attended and behaviour and engagement in all formal processes has been exemplary, as we would expect. I hope all of our learners achieve the rewards on exam results day to merit their hard work and commitment.

We also recently said Farewell to our S6 cohort. Final Day celebrations where emotional and followed recent traditions of shirt signing, presentation giving, pizza eating and our very own “colour run”. The atmosphere on the day was positive, celebratory and was a fitted end of school career for a wonderful group of learners. We look forward to celebrating with them 1 final time at our Final Fling in June.

As ever, thank you for your continued support. I look forward to welcoming our learners back on Tuesday and to working together as we begin this next phase for Grove Academy.

Yours faithfully,
Tim Woodcock
Head Teacher

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Following feedback from our learners, teachers and parents we have launched a new non-digital bullying reporting form. This can be found at all guidance offices and at the main reception. We have also updated our QR codes on our posters, so please don't hesitate to report bullying behaviour in a safe and discrete way.