Issue 1136: 9th October 2026

HEADLINES

Free Schools Meals - Important Update

I would like to make parents and carers aware of some important changes to the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals, which could make a real difference to families in our school community.

From September 2026, the Government has expanded Free School Meal eligibility, meaning that all children from households receiving Universal Credit are now entitled to a free school meal, regardless of household earnings.

If your household receives Universal Credit, your child may now be eligible for Free School Meals, even if you have previously applied and been unsuccessful.

Importantly, families must still apply to receive this support. Eligibility is not automatically registered simply because a household receives Universal Credit.

We recognise that the cost of living continues to place pressure on many households, and we want to ensure that every family is aware of the support available to them.

If you are unsure whether you qualify or would like some guidance on how to apply, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We will be very happy to help.

Please do take a moment to check your eligibility – you may be entitled to support that you were not previously able to access.

Driving and Parking Around the School Site

Please can I ask parents/carers to drive and park responsibly when dropping off/collecting your children from school. We place great value on our relationship with our neighbours and ask that you always park with care and consideration in the surrounding roads. In particular, please do be mindful of not parking so as cause an obstruction and/or to block the driveways of local residents. Thank you, in advance, for your ongoing support.

Half Term

Just a reminder that we will break for the two week half-term at 3.05pm on Friday 16th October. We will look forward to welcoming all pupils and students back to school, ready to learn, for 8.35am on Monday 2nd November 2026.

And Finally….

Have a great weekend.

What do you do when you're not in school?

We would love to hear about your hobbies, interests and achievements...

If you have any stories and/or photos that you would like to share, please contact us at pupilservices@sweynepark.com

A Fantastic First 10K for Tommy

On Sunday, Tommy (in Year 11) took on his very first 10K race, the Southend 10K, and what an incredible debut it was.

Competing against thousands of runners from across the region, Tommy completed the challenging 10-kilometre course in an impressive 51 minutes and 32 seconds. For a first-ever 10K race, this is a fantastic achievement and a testament to Tommy’s determination, commitment and natural ability.

The Southend 10K is one of the most popular races in the local running calendar, attracting runners of all ages and abilities. The route takes participants along Southend’s iconic seafront and through some of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. Adding to the challenge was the unusually warm weather for this time of year, with sunshine and higher temperatures making conditions tougher for everyone taking part. Despite this, Tommy produced an outstanding performance from start to finish.

We are incredibly proud of Tommy’s achievement. Taking on a first 10K can be daunting, yet Tommy approached the event with confidence and determination, demonstrating resilience, perseverance and ambition throughout. Completing the race in just over 51 minutes is a remarkable accomplishment, and everyone at school congratulates Tommy on this fantastic achievement. We look forward to seeing what challenge Tommy takes on next. Congratulations, Tommy!

Outstanding Swimming Success for Kian

Kian (in Year 8) recently competed in the Romford Season Opener Gala, entering the competition with a number of ambitious target times. The weekend proved to be a tremendous success, with Kian delivering a series of superb performances and achieving several important qualifying standards.

Competing across six events, Kian produced an incredible six personal bests and achieved five Regional Qualifying Times alongside one County Qualifying Time, an outstanding return from a single competition.

Kian’s results were:

50m Butterfly – Regional Qualifying Time achieved
50m Breaststroke – Regional Qualifying Time achieved
100m Breaststroke – Regional Qualifying Time achieved
50m Backstroke – Regional Qualifying Time achieved
200m Breaststroke – Regional Qualifying Time achieved
50m Freestyle – County Qualifying Time achieved

Achieving so many qualifying times in one gala is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects both Kian’s talent and dedication to the sport. Everyone at school is incredibly proud of Kian’s achievements and the commitment he continues to show in the pool. We congratulate Kian on an excellent start to the season and look forward to hearing about his future successes. Congratulations, Kian!