Our Vision and Values
Ambitious for excellence
Ambitious for excellence
Ambitious for excellence
Ambitious for excellence
Welcome to
UPLANDS
ACADEMY
At Uplands Academy, we are proud of the excellent relationships between our staff and our students. Our staff have high expectations, are ambitious for our students, and know them well. We are proud of our relentless commitment to having a rigorous focus on the child as an individual.
Support at every level
News, views & insights
View all news
@Uplands Academy
Uplands Academy / Published 6 Jun 2025
🌮 Street Food Pop-Up - Tuesday 10th June!
Get ready for a flavour-packed lunch next week! 🎉
Our catering team, Chartwells will be serving up street food inspired favourites like chipotle & fajita fries and BBQ pulled chicken.
✨Vegetarian & vegan options available - just speak to our catering staff!
#streetfoodpopup #trysomethingnew
Uplands Academy / Published 5 Jun 2025
💃♻️The Preloved Prom Hire Shop has officially opened! Here are some of the gorgeous gowns, suits and accessories available for students in Years 11 to hire.
Students can hire an item for a small deposit which is refunded once the item is returned with a dry-cleaning receipt.
We are so delighted to be able to support some of our students with this initiative and hope that it will build year on year.
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported our new preloved prom hire service with donations so far. A special shoutout to Scarlett's Frocks & Threads, a bridal and prom dress boutique located in Mayfield, for donating a number of beautiful dresses.
Please contact Mrs. Huxford at chuxford@uplands-academy.org who will arrange a suitable time for you to visit the shop.
#preloved #prom #RecycledFashion #Year11
Uplands Academy / Published 5 Jun 2025
🌎This week, our Year 10 Geographers embarked on an exciting fieldwork trip to Eastbourne and Birling Gap, for their GCSE course! 🌊 🏖
They explored the differences in quality of life in Eastbourne and investigated the reasons behind the high erosion levels at Birling Gap.
Mrs. Huxford, Head of Geography, commented 'These insights will be invaluable for their Paper 3 Geographical Investigations next year. Great job, everyone!'
#Geographyfieldwork #GCSE #learningoutsidetheclassroom #Year10 #Eastbourne #birlinggap #Geographers
Uplands Academy / Published 4 Jun 2025
💌National Thank A Teacher Day💌
On Wednesday 18 June, families and schools across the UK will take time out to thank teachers and support staff on #ThankATeacherDay.
This event is an opportunity to celebrate all the amazing teaching and support staff in our school.
If you would like to thank a special teacher, support staff member or even a whole school team, you can send a free thank you e-card on the Thank A Teacher website: https://tinyurl.com/5b5psthf
On the website, students and parents can also find lots of free activities to do, competitions to take part in, and school prizes to win!
Uplands Academy / Published 3 Jun 2025
✨At the end of last term, our dedicated Sports Leaders wrapped up a truly inspiring series of primary school athletics events. This final event, held at St. Barnabas Primary School in Tunbridge Wells, was the vision of Sebby (Year 10), who wanted to share his passion for sport with primary schools that have faced barriers to attending the other primary school events this year.
Pupils from Year 2 and 4 enjoyed an afternoon filled with exciting, athletics-inspired challenges, and both the Sports Leaders and primary school children were very sad when it came to an end.
A big thank you to Ms. Lewis, North Wealden School Games Organiser, for all her hard work this year in ensuring that these primary school events took place, and for giving our Sports Leaders the opportunity to be involved in such inspiring experiences.
🏅Well done to all involved - a superb team effort!
Uplands Academy / Published 3 Jun 2025
We are delighted to share that Uplands Academy has officially achieved Healthy School Status!
This achievement recognises our whole-school commitment to promoting health and wellbeing through:
✅ High-quality PSHE education
✅ Healthy eating
✅ Regular physical activity
✅ Support for social, emotional and mental health (SEMH)
Mrs Harrison, Head of Personal Development, commented:
“Achieving Healthy School Status is a fantastic milestone for our academy. It reflects the hard work of our staff and students in creating a learning environment where health, wellbeing, and personal development are truly at the heart of what we do. We’re committed to building on the feedback from completing the School Health Check and continuing to support our students in their growth.”
Find out more about our Healthy Schools journey here: https://tinyurl.com/4f9damkz
#HealthySchools #uplandsacademy #WellbeingMatters East Sussex School Health Service
Uplands Academy / Published 2 Jun 2025
🥾🏕Before May half-term, fifteen of our amazing Year 10 students completed their silver #DofE practice expedition - and what an inspiring journey it was! Over three days, they hiked from Hassocks to Steyning, bracing the steep climbs of the South Downs and the heat with determination, resilience, and teamwork.
Their first night was spent camping in the middle of Plumpton Racecourse followed by a second night at Parkwood Scout Camp. Students pitched their own tents, cooked their meals, and enjoyed some well-earned downtime to rest and prepare for the next day's challenge.
Our Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager, Miss. Buckley reflected on the expedition, 'What stood out most was their attitude. Not a single complaint, just positivity, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to supporting each other. They demonstrated respect, inclusivity, and a strong team spirit that made us incredibly proud.'
A huge well done to all involved! We can't wait to see you take on your assessed expedition in September with the same energy and enthusiasm.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award #MakeYourMARK #SilverDofE #Year10 #TeamSpirit MARK Education Trust
Uplands Academy / Published 2 Jun 2025
🌷🪻Looking for something to do this weekend?
Why not visit a selection of stunning private gardens in and around the local area - all opening their gates in support of a great cause.
All proceeds will go towards supporting the incredible work of Carillon Cottage, a vital hub of help and care for our local community.
For more information and tickets please contact: 01892 785658.
#communitymatters #CommunityEvent #wadhurst
Uplands Academy / Published 23 May 2025
EDITED 16:20: The UP40 has just left Uplands Academy and is now on route.
🚨 Transport update for the UP04 Eastbourne Coaches service
We’ve just been informed by Eastbourne Coaches (approx. 5 minutes ago) that the UP04 coach has broken down on the way to Uplands. A replacement vehicle is on its way, but please be aware that there may be a delay of around 30 minutes.
At this time, we do not have any further details but will keep you updated as soon as we receive more information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Uplands Academy / Published 23 May 2025
Our Term 5 newsletter is now available to view and download via the link below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/3jjb9z7s
A big thank you as always to everyone that has contributed this term.
Wishing our students, staff, trustees and their families a relaxing half-term break.
#MakeYourMARK MARK Education Trust
Uplands Academy / Published 21 May 2025
🥗🍝🥪Last week, we held a Student Voice session with our catering provider, Chartwells.🍕🥙🍜
These sessions provide a valuable opportunity for students to share their thoughts and feedback directly with the catering team. Topics discussed included the new menus, food variety and pricing, potential new items, ideas for themed days, and ways to promote healthy eating and allergen awareness.
It was great to hear that many students are choosing healthy options such as mini fruit pots, veg pots and our new range of smoothies.
Following feedback from a previous session, we're pleased to share that every menu now includes a vegan option - an improvement from our previous vegetarian-only listings. Students were also reminded that gluten-free and vegan items are available daily, with easy-to-spot stickers for quick identification. Both hot and cold gluten-free options are offered regularly.
The Chartwells staff also made it clear that if a student has a particular dietary requirement, they can speak to the team to discuss options for the following day - and staff will ensure something suitable is provided.
We'd also like to remind everyone that:
🍏 Menus & price lists are available in the canteen, on our school website, and in the weekly bulletin.
🍏 Students can check their balance on their account at the balance checker machines in the canteen.
🍏 Pop-up events and themed food days are always promoted through the student bulletin, in the canteen, and across our social media channels.
Thank you to all students who took part - your feedback will help shape the catering experience for all students. A big thank you to Chartwells for taking the time to join the session!
#studentvoice #healthyeating #MakeYourMark
MARK Education Trust
Uplands Academy / Published 20 May 2025
We’re proud to work closely with the brilliant team at Listen-Hear!, who support some of our most vulnerable students each week at Uplands Academy.
Listen-Hear! is now featured in Tesco’s Stronger Starts blue token scheme, and your vote could help them secure up to £1,500 in funding to continue their vital work supporting young people in our community.
👉 If you’re shopping in one of the 9 local Tesco stores (including Crowborough, Uckfield, Lewes, Forest Row and more), please pop your blue token in the Listen-Hear! box.
🎥 Hear from Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill about why this campaign matters: https://tinyurl.com/yc6mjckv
Groundwork #StrongerStarts #StudentSupport #ListenHear!
Uplands Academy / Published 20 May 2025
Our official uniform provider, Monkhouse is offering an exclusive 20% discount on all orders, both online and in-store, until midnight on 25th May!
It's the perfect chance to get ahead on your back-to-school shopping and save some money while you're at it.
✅ Shop early and avoid the summer rush.
✅ Worried about growth spurts? Don't be - they've got extended returns until 12th September.
✅ One-stop shop: All your school essentials in one place.
Please visit their website: https://www.monkhouse.com, and use code SAVE20 at checkout.
Uplands Academy / Published 20 May 2025
✨On Thursday 15 May, our wonderful Year 9 and 10 Sports Leaders did a fantastic job leading a fun and energetic LTA Tennis Festival event for Year 3 & 4 students from four of our local primary schools.
A big thank you to Sparrows Green Tennis Club for kindly hosting the event. It was a joy to see the excitement from the younger students as they stepped onto a real tennis court, many for the first time!
Our leaders encouraged, coached and motivated the teams during a variety of tennis related challenges. All teams worked hard hoping to gain the most points for their school. It was a fantastic afternoon with our Sports Leaders once again, leaving a positive MARK!
#MakeYourMARK #inspiringyoungergenerations
Uplands Academy / Published 20 May 2025
🌮A big thank you to our amazing catering providers Chartwells for bringing the Muchos Mexican pop-up event to Uplands last Friday! 🎊
It was a great success and fantastic to see so many students and staff enjoying the menu and trying new flavours. The vegetarian option was very popular along with the chocolate swirls.
Stay tuned for the next pop-up event!
Uplands Academy / Published 20 May 2025
On Friday 9 May, our Year 10 photography students spent the day at Kew Gardens, exploring one of London’s most diverse environments. The trip offered them a valuable opportunity to develop and challenge their practical skills in a new and visually rich setting.
Students explored many aspects of the park, from the gardens and the lush tropical climate of the Palm House to the vast and varied plant life inside the Temperate House. The Treetop Walkway was a particular highlight—offering a wide
view of the gardens from 59 feet above, and a fun challenge for those brave enough to capture photos from a high angle, with glimpses of the London skyline.
Throughout the day, students practised using their cameras in rapidly changing conditions—adjusting to different lighting, working with humidity, and thinking creatively about composition. They experimented with close-ups and wide
shots, focusing on detail, texture, light, and reflections. From delicate South African Proteas, towering Traveller's Palms from Madagascar, to the striking Himalayan Blue Poppies, the variety of plants from around the world gave students plenty of inspiration.
They observed and captured shapes, patterns, and colours in the natural forms around them—whether it was the symmetry of a cactus, the surface of a lily pad, or the vibrant structure of tropical leaves. Many students took impressive images of plant life, trees, friends, wildlife, and the architectural beauty of Kew’s glasshouses.
At lunchtime, students enjoyed a relaxed picnic under the shade of an old oak tree—made even more memorable by the appearance of a group of geese and their fluffy goslings, who weren’t shy about joining in.
Miss Finnegan, Teacher of Art & Photography reflected on the day, 'It was a brilliant day of learning beyond the classroom. Students supported one another, worked independently in a new environment, and produced some outstanding images. A big thank you to Ms. Reilly, Mrs. Ijtiba Garcia, and Mr. Gander for accompanying the trip and encouraging students throughout the day. Their support helped make the experience such a success'.
📷All photos were taken by our talented Year 10 photographers.
To read about our latest school trips and news please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2vhvp5a3
#Year10 #MakeYourMARK #photographygcse
