Welcome from Mr Henry Haydon, Headteacher

As the new Headteacher of Avon Valley Academy, I am delighted and incredibly proud to join such a special school community. I am continuously struck by the warmth of relationships, the strength of our values and the genuine sense of belonging that makes Avon Valley unique. I am excited to work alongside our students, staff, families and wider community as we build on these strong foundations and shape an ambitious future together.

At Avon Valley Academy, our vision is to prepare young people for their world, in their time, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, character and confidence they need to thrive in the next stage of their lives and beyond. We are committed to ensuring every student leaves us ready to pursue their chosen pathway with ambition, resilience and purpose.

At the heart of everything we do are our three core values:

Respect: being kind and caring towards ourselves and others.

Determination: working hard, embracing challenges and never giving up.

Excellence: striving to be the very best we can be in everything we do.

As a smaller secondary school, Avon Valley offers something truly special. We are proud of our strong family feel, where every student is known, valued and supported as an individual. Inclusion, kindness and belonging are central to our ethos, ensuring all students feel safe, respected and able to flourish.

Alongside this nurturing environment sits a relentless commitment to excellence. We have high expectations of behaviour, effort and achievement, creating calm, purposeful classrooms where all students can succeed. We refuse to place limits on what young people can achieve and encourage every student to be ambitious, resilient and proud of their accomplishments.

Education at Avon Valley extends far beyond the classroom. Through a rich programme of extracurricular activities, clubs, educational visits and wider opportunities, we help students develop confidence, character and a sense of responsibility, while broadening their horizons and inspiring future aspirations.

As a proud member of the Acorn Education Trust family, we benefit from working collaboratively with like-minded schools that share our commitment to providing outstanding opportunities for young people. Together, we ensure every student benefits from being part of a successful, innovative and values-driven organisation rooted firmly in the communities it serves.

While our open events provide an excellent opportunity to experience life at Avon Valley, our doors are always open. We warmly welcome prospective families to visit throughout the year, meet our staff and students, and see first-hand what makes Avon Valley such a special place to learn and grow.

I am genuinely excited about the journey ahead and privileged to be leading Avon Valley Academy at this important stage in its development. Together, we will continue to nurture a community where everyone feels they belong, where aspiration and opportunity go hand in hand, and where we strive every day to provide the very best for our young people.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Avon Valley family.

Mr Henry Haydon, Headteacher