Weekly Update 295 June 2023 (by admin) |
Dear parents and carers,
We had a wonderful final week of this half term and hope that everyone has had a restful week off! Well done to the Year 2 children who completed their tests over the last few weeks. These are only used to check our teacher assessment of pupils. We will send papers home at the end of the year when all of the children take their final tests.
We will now be completing the phonics screening check for pupils in Year 1 and some of the pupils in Year 2. Year 4 pupils will also undertake their times table test.
We have spent today reviewing how we teach reading in the school to ensure that our pupils make as much progress as possible.
Changes to lunchtime
In response to the warmer weather and us identifying that not all children are able to sustain the full hour of lunchtime without structured activities, we have made the decision to trial 15 minutes of indoor activities in their classrooms before the end of lunchtime. This will be a time for pupils to have a drink and use the toilet as well as taking part in quieter activities; ready for the afternoon.
To help with this, please ensure that your child has a water bottle in school – please do not allow your child to bring Prime bottles into school as this causes unease with the older pupils. If you must use these bottles, please remove the outside wrapping.
Future Planning
Following on from our successful Ofsted inspection late last year, Governors and the School Leadership Team are currently exploring options on how we continue to develop and deliver the very best educational experience for all current and future pupils. As part of our long-term strategy for the school, this includes whether we remain part of the Local Authority or, like many schools across the country, the school becomes part of a Multi-Academy Trust.
Such considerations are in the very early stages, with no decisions taken. Once this has progressed, we will engage with you all to seek your views and answer any questions or concerns you might have, as we want to ensure you have a voice, along with teachers and staff, in any future decision.
Drama Club
Scratch built theatre will be trying out their drama club after half term starting on Monday 12th June -17th July 3.15- 4.15 the cost of the workshops will be £4 discounted places are available so if you would like your child to attend please contact. Beckykitter@me.com
Communication for Parents
We are aware that some of the communication in the school can be confusing and then potentially misinterpreted on Whatsapp groups. Some of the content on the groups can cause unnecessary anxiety for parents who are concerned that by leaving groups, they may miss out on information.
For that reason, we would like to hold a meeting to redesign how communication in our community works. This may lead to establishing carefully monitored whatsapp groups with official communication only. This will also involve clarifying how the website, School jotter, Arbor and SCOpay are used.
The meeting will be Wednesday 21st June at 9am under the canopy. Refreshments will be served and we hope that as many parents as possible can attend.
Staffing Changes
This is the time of the year when staff make decisions about where they will be in September.
We are also sad to say farewell to the following staff members:
Miss Ross is relocating to a different local authority, in August, and will be taking up a position as a teacher in a different school.
Miss Rees has made the decision to leave the teaching profession and we look forward to hearing about her future next steps.
Miss Barlow will be moving to a school in another Local Authority as a class teacher.
We would also like to welcome the following people to our school:
Mrs Powers and Mr Ezem who have already started in the school as Learning Support
Assistants.
Mrs Read and Miss Watkins, who will be joining us as teachers in September.
We are pleased to announce that Tracey Kitchenton will be taking over from Terri Hope as Home- School Link Worker.
We will now be allocating teachers to year groups and will aim to send out the list to parents by the beginning of July.
We look forward to seeing you back in school tomorrow – please remember to apply sun cream and fill water bottles for your child.
Yours sincerely
Miss Kelly Dillon
Headteacher
