Year 11: A Year of Opportunity!

Welcome to Year 11! As you embark on your final year of secondary school, it’s time to focus, work hard, and make the most of every moment. Year 11 is a significant milestone in your educational journey, and it’s your chance to take charge of your future by preparing for the next steps.

Key Events and Milestones

This year will be fast-paced and full of key events. You'll start with your mock exams, a vital opportunity to assess where you are and identify areas for improvement ahead of the real thing. These exams will give you a clear sense of what to expect when you sit your final GCSEs, so be sure to take them seriously. Alongside your studies, you'll be completing college applications—a crucial step in securing your path after school, whether that’s further education, an apprenticeship, or entering the world of work.

Reward and Celebration

Year 11 is also a time to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. The Christmas reward trip is the last major excursion of your time at school, so make sure you stay on track to secure your place. As the year progresses, all eyes will be on your GCSE exams, the culmination of everything you’ve worked towards since Year 7. And of course, once the hard work is done, you’ll be able to celebrate at the Year 11 Prom—a fantastic way to mark the end of your school journey with friends and teachers.

Leadership and Responsibility

But Year 11 isn’t just about exams. You’ll also have exciting opportunities to develop leadership skills, such as being a prefect or supporting the Student Leadership Group. These roles allow you to contribute positively to school life, take on responsibilities, and be a role model for younger students.

Learning and Growth

In terms of your learning, this year will challenge you to sharpen your subject knowledge, build resilience, and improve time management—all essential skills for success in your GCSEs and beyond. You’ll develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the confidence to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

Make Every Minute Count

As you move through Year 11, remember to stay focused, embrace the opportunities that come your way, and keep your future goals in sight. This is your year—make every minute count!

Welcome to Year 10!

Year 10 is an exciting time in your school journey—this is when your GCSE studies truly take shape, and you begin to lay the groundwork for your final exams. It’s a year full of new opportunities, challenges, and experiences designed to help you succeed not just academically, but also in your future career and personal growth.

Maintaining High Standards

As you start Year 10, you'll continue to focus on maintaining high standards, both in your studies and around school. The foundation you built in Year 9 around uniform, equipment, and readiness for learning will carry you through. After Christmas, we'll be offering learning skills workshops to help you sharpen your study techniques and prepare for the year ahead, especially as you work towards your mock exams in June 2025. These mock exams will give you a vital early opportunity to assess your progress, so be sure to use the time wisely and stay on track with your studies.

Careers-Based Activities

Alongside your academic journey, Year 10 will offer a variety of careers-based activities throughout the year, providing you with valuable insight into different career sectors. These have included sessions focused on digital careers, healthcare, medical careers, and engineering as a profession, with even more exciting events to come. You'll have the chance to explore your future options and consider the pathways that most interest you.

Leadership and Extracurricular Opportunities

In addition to the careers events, there will be opportunities to engage in leadership roles and extracurricular activities. Year 10 students are encouraged to take part in a range of clubs and join the student leadership team. We’ve also arranged exciting career-based experiences, such as an Engineering Day with BAE Systems and a Digital Careers Day at Fraser House.

Deepening Knowledge and Preparing for the Future

As you move through Year 10, you'll be challenged to deepen your knowledge, refine your study habits, and take ownership of your learning. You’ll also begin to think about your future, with college, apprenticeships, or employment options becoming more real. Now is the time to build the resilience, problem-solving skills, and independence that will help you succeed in Year 11 and beyond.

Make the Most of Year 10

Make the most of every opportunity this year—embrace the challenges, take part in new activities, and stay focused on your future goals. Year 10 is your chance to set yourself up for success, so give it your all!

Welcome to Year 9!

Year 9 marks a pivotal moment in your school journey—it’s a year of choices, challenges, and exciting opportunities as you begin to shape the direction of your future.

Choosing Your GCSE Options

One of the most important aspects of Year 9 is choosing your GCSE options. This is the first time you get to decide which subjects you want to study in Years 10 and 11, and these choices can have a big impact on your future. Picking subjects that match your passions and interests will not only make your timetable more enjoyable but could also shape your career path. Take the time to explore your strengths, ask questions, and seek advice from your teachers and parents to make sure you choose wisely. You will find out more about the Compass Curriculum, which will offer you the chance to do some of your learning at a local college—Blackpool and The Fylde or Myerscough.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award

Year 9 also brings an exciting opportunity to participate in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This programme is all about developing yourself and gaining valuable life skills. You’ll work across four key areas:

• Skills: Choose something you’re interested in and want to improve—whether it's cooking, learning an instrument, coding, or even starting a new language.
• Physical Activity: Focus on improving your fitness and health, either through a solo activity like jogging or a team sport such as football or dance.
• Volunteering: This is your chance to give back, whether it’s through helping out in your local community or supporting people within school.
• Expedition: The adventure culminates in a two-day expedition where you’ll camp in nature, carry all your own equipment, and work as a team. Whether it rains or shines, this experience will build your resilience and independence.

By taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, you’ll develop confidence, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility—all while having fun and making great memories.

Growing and Challenging Yourself

As you move through Year 9, remember that this year is about more than just preparing for GCSEs. It’s a time to grow, challenge yourself, and discover what you're truly passionate about. Embrace the opportunities ahead, stay curious, and take ownership of your learning and future.

Make the Most of Year 9

Year 9 is your year to start shaping the future you want—make the most of every moment!

Welcome to Year 8!

Welcome back to Garstang Community Academy! After a year of settling in, making friends, and getting to know your teachers, Year 8 is the time to dive a little deeper and start thinking about the future.

Becoming Role Models

Now, as experienced GCA students, you are role models for the new Year 7s who will be looking up to you. Show them what it means to be positive, respectful, and dedicated students, and help them find their way just as others helped you.

Exploring Your Interests

This year is also an opportunity to explore what you enjoy and excel in. Think about which subjects interest you the most and where your strengths lie—this will help you when it’s time to make your options choices. Whether it's Science, History, Art, or any other subject, make the most of this year to build on your skills and discover your passions.

Getting Involved

Outside the classroom, there are even more opportunities for you to get involved. GCA offers a wide range of clubs and activities, including debating, drama, and sports, to name just a few. Getting involved in these can help you develop new skills, make friends with similar interests, and find balance outside of your academic work. You can also look forward to our annual trip to Boreatton Park!

Stepping Up in Year 8

Year 8 is all about stepping up, challenging yourself, and starting to think seriously about where you want to go. Make it a fantastic year by embracing all the opportunities in front of you!

Welcome to Year 7!

Welcome to Garstang Community Academy! Year 7 is an exciting and transformative year as you settle into your new school, make new friends, and try lots of new subjects. This is the start of your GCA journey, and it’s packed with adventures, opportunities, and milestones.

Adventures and Trips

At the start of the year, you’ve already experienced your first big adventure with the trip to Hothersall Lodge—a great way to build confidence, resilience, and make friends. And there’s even more to look forward to, with trips like the Christmas reward trip and the Bude trip in July 2025, where you'll get to experience new challenges and create memories with your classmates. These trips are fantastic rewards for your hard work and positive attitude throughout the year.

Exploring New Subjects

In the classroom, you’ll be exploring lots of new subjects as part of your transition to secondary school, like Design Technology (DT) and many others. These new experiences will help you discover what you enjoy and where your strengths lie. You’ll also have the chance to earn reward points throughout the year. Your first challenge? Aim to earn 100 reward points and achieve Bronze by the middle of November—a great way to stay motivated and celebrate your efforts.

Getting Involved Beyond the Classroom

Beyond the classroom, Year 7 offers plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re interested in joining one of the many clubs on offer or taking part in sporting competitions, there’s something for everyone. As you grow in confidence and settle in, you’ll also get the chance to step up as a buddy for the new Year 7 students arriving next year, helping them transition just like you did.

Building Confidence and Resilience

This year is about more than just learning subjects—it’s about building your confidence, developing resilience, and making lifelong friendships. There will be challenges along the way, but with every challenge comes an opportunity to grow and succeed.

Make the Most of Year 7

So, dive in, embrace all the opportunities that come your way, and make the most of your first year at GCA! The year ahead is yours to shape—make it a great one!