A word from James

September always feels like a bit of a reset.

There’s a new academic year to get stuck into, routines to settle back into and plenty happening across Positive Impact from the moment everyone walks back through the doors.

It’s always a busy one, but there’s something really nice about having everyone back and seeing things start to fall into place again.

What has stood out to me this month is how well everyone has settled back in across Positive Impact.

At the Academy, we’ve seen pupils embrace new ways of learning, take real pride in their work and start working towards their Blueprint awards. Across the Foundation, we’re back in schools we already know well, alongside new groups who are getting stuck into SHINE and the Prosperity Award. The Hub has been busy too, with new groups starting, a brilliant quiz night and, importantly, a very shiny Food Hygiene rating of 5.

There’s a lot happening, but the thing connecting all of it is people.

Young people feeling comfortable enough to engage. Staff putting the time into getting to know them. Families being part of the conversation. People from the local community walking into the Hub and feeling welcome.

That’s what Positive Impact is about.

September has given us plenty to feel positive about. Now we keep going!

James Armson
Founder & Director, Positive Impact

Back to The Academy

The 2026/2027 academic year is officially underway, and pupils across our Kineton and Southam sites have made a really positive start! 

There have been new approaches, new expectations and a few changes to get used to, but pupils have taken it all in their stride.

At Kineton, pupils have adapted brilliantly to our new I Do, We Do, You Do teaching approach.

One of the biggest things we’ve noticed is the pride going into their workbooks. The written work and portfolios being produced have been phenomenal, with pupils really taking ownership of what they’re doing.

That matters so much to us. It’s been great to see pupils taking real pride in their work and building portfolios that show just how much they’ve achieved already.

We’ve also introduced our new Blueprint awards this term.

Each week, pupils’ engagement and understanding across academic subjects and regulatory activities are reviewed using our RAG system. Achieving green across the relevant activities earns them a Blueprint.

The challenge this half term is to earn five Blueprints across eight weeks and achieve Blueprint Standard.

There is, of course, a little extra motivation involved! Those who reach Blueprint Standard will enjoy a wellbeing activity towards the end of term, including a trip into the local community and the chance to choose something from The Corner Cottage Bakery in Kineton.

Turns out progress and pastries make quite a good combination.

A big shoutout this month goes to EH, EDP and FC, who are all making positive progress towards Blueprint Standard.

We also want to recognise ML and KL for some standout performances during regulatory activities. Keep going. We’re watching those Blueprints stack up!

Over in Southam there have been a few changes, with Sabina heading off on maternity leave and Connor moving on to pastures new.

Change can take some getting used to, particularly when trusted adults and familiar routines are such an important part of feeling settled.

Millie and Kim have thrown themselves into getting to know the pupils they’re now working alongside, and the early signs are really encouraging.

They’re putting the time in, building trust and creating consistency. No shortcuts, no forcing it. Just showing up and letting those relationships develop properly. That’s exactly how we like to do things!

One change we’re particularly pleased about this term is how we’re communicating with parents and carers. Following the introduction of our new People and Culture Framework, we’ve moved away from standardised weekly reviews. That has created more space for conversations that actually mean something, including being able to pick up the phone and tell a parent when their child has had a great day or achieved something they should be proud of.

The response from families has been really encouraging. Our ongoing onboarding process is also helping parents and carers understand how we approach education, why engagement matters and how we build learning around each pupil.

Families should feel part of the journey, not like they’re receiving updates from the sidelines.

One final September win is that our new mobile phone policy and lockbox system has landed brilliantly.

We know. A new phone policy and teenagers. What could possibly go wrong?

Thankfully, quite a lot less than you might imagine. Pupils and staff have managed the change fantastically, and it has contributed to what feels like a really positive atmosphere across the Academy.

There’s a strong sense of togetherness at the moment, and we’re excited to see where that takes us this term! 

The Foundation is back in schools

September has meant getting back into partner schools, and it has been brilliant to return to eight schools we worked with last year.

There’s something really valuable about that continuity. We already know the schools, they know us, and we can get back to doing the work rather than starting from scratch.

Our 1:1 students have made a positive start, while our new groups have been working hard in their SHINE sessions and Prosperity Award groups.

New groups always take a little time to find their rhythm, but we’re already seeing plenty of engagement and effort.

A little success story from Jade, one of our Foundation Coaches: Sometimes progress is easiest to spot when you have the privilege of knowing a young person for a little longer.

This is our second year working with one pupil at Race Leys Infants, and his transition from Year 1 into Year 2 has been fantastic to see.

Year 2 has brought more work and higher expectations, but he has adapted brilliantly.

His independence has grown enormously, and he is becoming increasingly confident in managing tasks for himself and navigating what is expected of him.

The difference hasn’t just been noticed by us. Both his school and family have seen how positively he has settled into the new academic year too! 

There isn’t always one big moment where you can point and say, “There it is. That’s progress.”

His growing independence has been one of the biggest changes we’ve seen, particularly in how confidently he’s approaching his work and managing the expectations of Year 2. It’s been lovely to hear that his family and school are seeing that progress too.

We’re looking forward to seeing where he goes from here.

Meanwhile, at The Hub...

September has been a busy one at The Hub.

We had a brilliant result at The Hub this month, receiving a Food Hygiene rating of 5!

A huge well done to everyone involved. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep The Hub running, so this was a lovely bit of recognition for the team and definitely something worth celebrating.

We’ve also launched our new Movement Mondays, which have already had a great turnout.

Our Wednesday craft group is now underway too, giving people another reason to pop in, spend some time together and get creative.

The Hub isn’t about filling every minute with an activity. Sometimes people want to join in. Sometimes they want a brew and a chat. Sometimes just being somewhere familiar is enough.

That’s exactly what the space is there for! We rounded things off with a successful quiz night, with more than 15 people joining us.

Whether everyone agreed with the quizmaster’s answers is another matter entirely.

Not bad for month one...

September has given us a lot to smile about.

Blueprints are being earned. New groups are finding their feet. Familiar faces are back. Independence is growing. The Hub is getting busier. Parents are more involved in the conversation.

None of those things happen overnight.

They come from people showing up, putting the time in and building trust.

So, we’ll keep doing exactly that.

Here’s to October! 

The Positive Impact team. 

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