Category : Front Page News

Circus Skills Workshops

We are delighted to share that our Circus Project with Jacksons Lane had an amazing start last week! The level of student engagement and lesson objective success went well beyond our expectations.

Pupils took on challenging hand–eye coordination activities that required real focus and perseverance, and the vast majority achieved them brilliantly. 

It was wonderful to see so much positivity and determination in action.

The sessions continue every Friday at Duke’s – A great example of a Connect activity – driving positivity and connection to the world of circus skills!

Sporting Excellence at Duke’s 

We’ve had a week of sporting success here at Duke’s. Petruta in 11V competes to a high amateur level in Kickboxing and last weekend travelled to Wales to earn a stoppage win in the 3rd round against an older opponent. 

Petruta explained that her opponent was very powerful and threw a lot of body shots early in the fight but she wore her down earning a knockout stoppage in round 3. An amazing achievement Petruta. 

Also this week our Year 10s went over to Alexandra Park School to play in the Haringey Borough Table Tennis Tournament. The team was made up of 4 boys: Darius Gabriel Winsan & Jeremy. All four demonstrated teamwork and Determination in action

#Aldridgeconnect

Groundswell Workshops

This week year 9 students have been involved in workshops with ‘Groundswell’ a London based organisation specialising is working against extremism. The workshops were informative and thought provoking and our year 9 students left feeling a sense of empathy and understanding. The work was focused around Groundswell’s mission to bring peace and harmony to all communities through a shared understanding and sense of belonging. A great way to begin our first Personal Development workshop of the academic year. 

Extra Curricular Activity

We’ve seen lots of our extra curricular activities in full swing this week with the Haringey Music Hub, Instrumental Lessons, Chess Club, Computing Club, Art Club, Swimming Club, Netball, Football, Badminton, Basketball and Volleyball all having students along to experience additional activities. All students who have been attending clubs and groups have commented on what great experiences they have had. We’ll be reporting soon on more of our exciting additional activities. 

Year 7 Theatre Trip – My Neighbour Totoro

A very lucky group of year 7 students this week got to travel into London’s West End to watch the enchanting show ‘My Neighbour Totoro’. It was an amazing trip and the first theatre trip of the year for Duke’s. Students absolutely loved the production – full of puppetry and magical creatures. What a fantastic experience!

Linklaters Employability Programme 

This week our first Employability session with Linklaters kicked off at Duke’s. A group of year 10 students took part in the first workshop aiming to build their employability skills. They will continue on with 12 sessions including a presentation and workshop at Linklaters later in the term. 

Welcome Back to All Duke’s Students and Staff

We’ve had a great first full week back to Duke’s this week – students and staff have been welcomed with assemblies and positivity. It’s been wonderful to see all of our students back at the academy ready for a productive and exciting year ahead. We know that 2025-26 will be a year full of opportunity and success. 

Linklaters Success – Social Mobility Awards 

We were delighted this week to learn that Linklaters Law have been nominated for a Social Mobility Award. We are very proud of our partnership with Linklaters and all of our students benefit from the work we complete with them around careers and aspiration. The award nominations are for Social Mobility Network of the Year and Community Programme of the year. The work we have completed over the last few years with Linklaters has led to these prestigious nominations and we’re very much looking forward to hearing the outcome on the 2nd October.