One of the great privileges of being a secondary school teacher is seeing students arrive at our school as children, and leave it as young adults. This week, I have seen both the beginning and the end of that journey – and had a glimpse of the world beyond.

This week we have welcomed next year’s Year 7 students to Churchill on their transition day, and their families for the new parents’ information evening. I always love this time of year, as we see the future of Churchill Academy & Sixth Form in front of us.

I spoke to the Year 6 students in their first assembly about making a positive difference. I spoke to them about making a positive difference to themselves, through the things that they learn and the improvements they make in their confidence, knowledge and skills every day. I spoke to them about the positive difference they will make to our Academy through the unique personalities, abilities, interests and enthusiasms they will bring with them. And I spoke to them about the positive difference we hope they will go on to make in the world as adults, as a result of the education they have received at Churchill.

Each aspect of that positive difference was underlined on Thursday evening this week, when I attended the annual Strictly Dance Fever competition in the Academy Hall. I saw the positive difference our students had made in the development of their dance skills, with the incredible performances from Year 7 right through to Sixth Formers. It was clear what a positive difference these students were making to our Academy, bringing their talent and enthusiasm to bear in and beyond the curriculum. As ever, student leadership was at the forefront, with Dance Captain Lilah joining the judging panel of Mrs Lippe and Miss Sanderson, whilst next year’s captains were appointed on the night: Mair and Ollie for the Sixth Form, Sadie for key stage four, and Charlotte for key stage 3.

Finally, at the end of the night I was surrounded by ex-students who had come back to watch – some of them in work, some at university, and some having finished their graduate studies. All of them were happy and excited and brimming with the possibility that being on the brink of the future brings; and all of them had previously been Year 6 students, on their own transition days at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form. Seeing the beginning, the end, and glimpsing the life of our students beyond the Academy, has made me prouder than ever of the work we do at Churchill.