the jna blog
Helping Hands At St. Augustine’s - 12 May 2026
Our boys made a welcome return to St. Augustine’s Church this week continuing their fantastic work in the local community. This time, they took on the important task of cleaning and restoring the historic graves in the churchyard. Armed with scrubbing brushes and buckets of water, the team worked hard to clear away overgrown moss, wash down headstones and tidy the surrounding pathways.
Zip Lines & Campfires: Year 6 Residential - 22 May 2026
This week our KS2 boys headed off for an action packed stay at Bradley Wood. The energy was high as they flew down the zip lines and tackled the assault course, cheering each other on through every challenge. They even went caving! After a busy afternoon of outdoor activities; the day wrapped up around the campfire, where the boys tried their hand at campfire cooking and toasted marshmallows. It was an jam packed trip filled with great teamwork, plenty of laughs and inevitably a lot of muddy shoes!
Attenborough at 100: A Tiny Legacy - 15 May 2026
In honour of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we’ve celebrated his legacy by building a tadpole habitat down on the farm. By creating this tiny nursery, we’re supporting local biodiversity and witnessing the "micro-miracles" David has championed for decades. It’s a small but meaningful way to protect the natural world right outside our doors.
The Great Warm Up - 08 May 2026
Our Key Stage 2 pupils enjoyed an exciting "sneak peek" at Bradley Woods this week to familiarise themselves with the site ahead of their upcoming residential. During a guided tour of the grounds, the boys explored the new environment and engaged in a Q&A session with staff to settle their nerves and spark their curiosity. This hands on preview has left everyone feeling confident, prepared and eager for the main event!
Inside Our Classroom : KS4 - 01 May 2026
A huge well done to our KS4 pupils for an incredible performance as their showcase this week. It was a great opportunity to celebrate their progress and see the confidence they have developed over the year. Whilst being on the farm the school welcomed some special new arrivals as for the fourth year in a row JNA have welcomed ducklings.
Friction In Motion - 24 April 2026
Our young scientists have been busy investigating the invisible forces around us by testing friction across various surfaces. By comparing how objects move on different textures, the boys gained hands on insight into how surface resistance affects speed and motion.
JNA Unlucky To Lose - 17 April 2026
Despite a 6–3 loss, the team showed fantastic grit and improved skill in the second half. Jake scored twice including a stunning goal direct from a corner while Jack added a third, with Kyron providing all three assists. The players reflected maturely on the performance and are already eager for their next fixture!
Egg-cellent Action - 27 March 2026
Simon's Instructor Day was a massive success! Staff and students brought incredible energy to the activities, with highlights including boccia, dodgeball, boxing, and an Easter Egg Hunt. A huge thank you to everyone who organised and participated in this memorable event!
Inside Our Classroom : KS3 - 20 March 2026
Our recent KS3 Showcase was a huge success! It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers engaging with our students and getting a real insight into their curriculum. Our pupils took great pride in explaining their current areas of study and demonstrating the independence they’ve built in their work. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate their progress.
Groundwork For The Future - 06 March 2026
Our pupils recently visited the local church to support the community through some heavy duty gardening. Using shovels and grit, the group cleared out old plant beds to make way for new growth. This is just the beginning of their efforts, as the team is already busy planning their next ambitious task: building a new wall on the grounds.
A Milestone In Steel - 27 February 2026
This week Todd, Head of School, and Sarah, Executive Principal, attended the signing of the steel ceremony at the new school. This marked a key point in the build as we move closer to the new building in early 2027.
Hearts, Flowers & Homemade Treats - 13 February 2026
Our KS2 boys brought plenty of smiles to the local care home this week! The group delivered handmade Valentine’s cards, wool and pipe cleaner flower bouquets and a delicious batch of homemade brownies. Beyond the gifts, the boys spent time chatting and sharing stories with the residents, making it a truly heart warming morning of community spirit. Well done, boys!
Inside Our Classroom : KS2 - 30 January 2026
Our recent KS2 Showcase was a huge success! It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers exploring the classrooms and getting a true feel for daily life in Key Stage 2. Our pupils took great pride in presenting their latest work, from creative projects to independent research. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate their progress, the smiles on the children's faces as they shared their achievements said it all! Keep an eye out for our next showcase coming soon.
Building Blocks Of Language - 16 January 2026
Group 3 explored the Greek alphabet. They used Play Doh to recreate the different letters in the alphabet. The Group learned how the English language was developed through many other languages, including Greek. We looked at where the Greek letters developed from, such as Delta is shaped like a triangle as it was developed from the shape of the river Delta.
The Classroom Marketplace - 09 January 2026
Our young mathematicians have been busy mastering money matters this week! The pupils have been learning how to add and subtract amounts using both £ and p in various practical scenarios. From running mock shop stalls to calculating the correct change, they are developing essential life skills while gaining confidence in their mental arithmetic.
Flip It & Fire It - 12 December 2025
What an exciting week for our KS2 learners! They stepped into the woods to learn all about staying safe outdoors. Crucially, they practiced and mastered the skills needed for safe fire use. The best part? Putting that knowledge to the test by cooking and devouring some absolutely amazing pancakes!
Elves, Enigmas & English - 05 December 2025
Key Stage 3 pupils had an engaging week! Group 5 explored 'Do You Know Me?' in English. Group 6 showed creativity, designing Christmas baubles for their class tree and demonstrated ingenuity by solving a cipher. The cipher led them to successfully locate Jimbo and Jimmy the elves, who are now enthusiastically joining the class for the festive season.
Big Screens & Big Missions - 28 November 2025
This week included a highly successful community outing for our boys, who enjoyed watching "Bad Guys 2." The excursion provided a valuable real world opportunity for students to practice essential community behaviour, focusing on good manners, respectful interactions, and following guidelines in a public setting. Back in the classroom, the learning continued with an engaging unit exploring endangered animals and the critical conservation efforts dedicated to their protection
JNA Conquers First Expedition - 21 November 2025
We're thrilled to celebrate the success of our Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award participants who recently completed their first practice expedition! The group showed incredible teamwork, resilience, and navigational skills on their journey from Deffer Wood to Cannon Hall.
The expedition was a fantastic opportunity for the students to put their extensive training into action. They were responsible for planning their route, carrying all their equipment, and navigating their way independently.
A huge well done to every student who took part. Completing the practice expedition is a significant step towards achieving their DofE Award. They should all be immensely proud of their achievement. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who accompanied and supervised the group.
Comparing Cultures & Continents - 11 November 2025
KS2 has embarked on an exciting geographical journey! They have been busy comparing and contrasting the United Kingdom with various other countries around the globe, discovering the fascinating differences that make each place unique. In addition, the students successfully identified and located all the major continents, cementing their knowledge by placing them accurately on their class globes. It's wonderful to see their understanding of the world expand!
Freaky Friday Fun Day - 17 October 2025
What a day! Our very first Instructor Drop Down Day dubbed Rob's Freaky Fun Day was a huge success, filled with energy and enthusiasm from both staff and students. Despite the initial humorous 'urging of calm and restraint' beforehand, everyone jumped right into the activities! Highlights of the day included the thrilling Zombie Escape challenge, the competitive Scavenger Hunt, a surprisingly tricky round of Pumpkin Bowling, and the deliciously spooky Monster Mocktails station. It was fantastic to see so many pupils fully involved. The smooth running of the day is a testament to the excellent organisation and quick communication from those leading the activities and the participating class groups. Thank you to everyone who made this day a truly memorable and fab event!
Mastering The Wok - 03 October 2025
In the first Chinese cooking session this week, Group 7 pupils prepared duck pancakes and salt and pepper chips. The session introduced pupils to new knife skills and cooking techniques, along with an exploration of various Asian flavour combinations. It was a fantastic opportunity for many to try new flavours, broadening their culinary horizons.
Ground Breaking Ceremony - 26 September 2025
Shay and Jamie represented JNA at the ground breaking ceremony for the new school building in Deighton. The machinery has been on site over the summer holidays preparing the ground for our new school building. The boys did an amazing job of representing themselves and the school.
Beyond The Play - 19 September 2025
Group 9 had a focused BTEC Sport session diving into the difference between skills and techniques. The class explored a variety of skills used in popular sports such as football, rugby and dodgeball. They discussed how these skills are put into practice and what makes them different from the techniques used to perform them. Following a class presentation, the boys put their knowledge to the test. They each chose a sport and listed two skills and one technique in their work books, demonstrating a clear understanding of the concepts.
The Annual Carrot Harvest - 12 September 2025
Its been all hands on deck down at the farm with our pupils pitching in to help with the annual carrot harvest. The boys have been working incredibly hard, pulling up lots of carrots. This hands on experience teaches our pupils about where their food comes from and the hard work that goes into farming. Their efforts will help stock our school cafeteria with fresh healthy vegetables. We are so proud of their dedication and teamwork!
