Year 7 Intake 2026
I am delighted to welcome our new Year 7 cohort to Outwood Academy Kirkby. I am excited about the future here at the academy and seeing it go from strength to strength. The Academy is in the top 1% of most improved schools nationally, and new students are joining us at an exciting time.
You may also be aware that we are currently in the process of a new school build, funded by the Department for Education. This is a significant development for our community. Our first step in this process begins in October 2026, when we will move into brand-new, purpose-built temporary accommodation on our academy site.
Please note: Year 7 will begin the September term in our current building and will transition to the new site following the October half-term. Your child will be part of the first cohort to access these state-of-the-art facilities. While this is a temporary building, it has everything you would expect of a modern academy, including high-quality science labs, a design technology workshop, IT labs, a food technology room, and modern interactive classrooms for subjects such as English, Maths, and Modern Languages.
We have also developed close relationships with local partners to enhance our curriculum. Partnering with Active Leisure and Ashfield District Council, we deliver PE lessons, enrichment, and fixtures at the new Kingsway tennis courts, astroturf pitches, and Kirkby Leisure Centre.
Whilst we are excited about the current developments we also plan to move into our brand new school building in September 2028. I am sure that the building and the facilities are a key part in your decision making and plans to join our Outwood Academy Kirkby community, but our most important asset is the people that are in it, both our young people and our adults. I am in no doubt that the transition from primary to secondary school is a huge step. To support this, we provide a comprehensive transition program. This includes:
● Vulnerable Transition: For students who may feel particularly anxious or have additional needs, a series of short visits with our inclusion experts. This is an additional transition experience for students identified by Primary school leaders in conjunction with our Inclusion and SEND leaders at the academy.
● Two-Day Transition Event: A chance for all students to meet their new tutors, experience lessons, and tour the site.
● Primary Visits: Our staff and student voice ambassadors will visit Year 6 students in their current schools to answer questions and provide reassurance.
● Parents’ Information Evening: This is for parents/carers only. The purpose of this event is for you to meet the senior leadership team, who will answer any questions you may have.
Take a look
I’m sure familes current focus is on the pivotal year that is Year 6 with SATs and the events that are planned over the next few months. But you’ll likely also be thinking about what Year 7 and life at Outwood Academy Kirkby might look like. Here are a few links to review with your child:
Our Instagram site: Follow for updates of life at the academy: @outwoodacademykirkby
Uniform
We are pleased to offer a free uniform bundle for all new starters. Families will be asked to come and collect their uniform bundles during the week commencing 6th July 2026. This also coincides with our Year 6 Parent Information Evening on Wednesday, 8th July. This provides an opportunity for families to check items and ensure everything is suitable ahead of September.
Should any items require exchanging, Trutex will be on site at the academy on Friday, 17th July, with allocated appointment times available for families between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Further information on booking time slots will be shared in advance.
Data collection prior to attending
Included in your letter that has been posted home is a link and QR code to a data collection form that we require completing with information about your child. It is vital that you complete this before your child starts so that we have correct personal details and contact numbers.
That link can also be found here
https://bit.ly/3PMM5zZ
Deadline: Please complete this by 30th April 2026
We will be contacting you soon with a series of dates for upcoming transition events and our Parents' Information Evening. I know that transition can be an anxious time, but I assure you that the staff at Outwood Academy Kirkby will do everything we can to make this as simple and worry-free as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you to Outwood Academy Kirkby.
Mr A Scruby, Lead Principal