Dear Parents and Carers, 17th April 2023
I hope you all had a great Easter with your families, and managed to enjoy the sunshine in-between the showers! Last term seemed busier than ever in school, and I hope you like some of the changes that we have been implementing. Some of the most visible being the increase in lunchtime and after school clubs, sporting activities (including inter school competitions) and new equipment in the playground. I thought the Spring concert at the end of last term was amazing and I personally had no idea we had so many children who could play the piano, the drums
or sing so confidently.
Behind the scenes with Mrs Wilson now having been with us for two ‘big’ terms, we have also been making changes improving our focus and rigor on the curriculum. We are now working more closely with other local school’s subject leaders to share best practice. It has been a busy time for the teaching staff, adapting to these changes and learning some new ways of doing things. We have also planned and had visits from some external experts to give us further feedback on where we are currently strong and where we could improve. You will see further changes this term, as
we work to make the school and nursery the best they can possibly be.
Thank you to those of you who completed the recent parents survey, there were many lovely comments at the end about the teaching team, which I have been able to share with them. 93% of the comments were either strongly agree or agree, and everyone who completed the survey said they would recommend the school and nursery to
other parents.
In the comments section you highlighted what you saw as strengths and things you would like to see more of.
Strengths were, the community feel, the welcoming and calm environment, the experienced caring and nurturing
staff, the nursery, and breakfast and after school clubs. Where you thought we could improve were, to stretch the
more able children further, more sport / music etc. opportunities, and more frequent and detailed updates for
parents on tapestry.
Thank you for the feedback, which we will (and are already!), incorporate into our planning.
The governors have been visiting school to review the impact of the curriculum changes we are making, discussing
those with the subject leaders, staff and children. We have also started initial discussions on the potential benefits of
academisation at some point in the future (as we have to do by 2030!).
The school’s financial budget year runs from April, so the F&P committee have been reviewing and signing off the
financial budget for the year to ensure the available funds are focused on the right things, to deliver the curriculum
(and extra-curricular) priorities. We have also been reviewing all the cost lines, and third-party suppliers, making
some changes for example to the supply of IT services, aimed at improving wi-fi connectivity across the school.
We are fortunate to have a full team of dedicated and experienced governors, who give their time to help improve
the school. I am very grateful to them and our wonderful teaching team led by Mrs Wilson. I should also thank our
wonderful PTFA, who have arranged some great fun events for us, and in the process have raised over £5,000 for the
school so far this academic year. Thank you finally to you, our parents and carers, who support the school and help
make it what it is.
From Neil Kinlay,
Chair of Governors.