Last time I wrote I informed you that HMI had visited the school to evaluate our success in meeting the targets left us by the last OfSTED inspection. I am pleased to inform you that we are very pleased of the outcome of this visit, and that the school was given an endorsement that it is on the right path, and must continue in readiness for the next full inspection in the new year.
The report states:
“Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils’ achievement…
“The school operates calmly and happily. Pupils want to please and succeed. They are polite, welcoming, feel safe and value the help and support the teachers and helpers give them in lessons and at break times…
“Work to improve the quality of teaching is clear, appropriately focused and having a positive impact…
“Leadership and management, including governance, have several strengths. Most notable are the accuracy of self-evaluation, the resolute stance being taken by all staff to raise pupils’ achievement, and the well-formulated plans for further school improvement.”
The full letter will be published on the OfSTED website (www.ofsted.gov.uk) any day now. We will also place a link on the website.
School Meals – The price of school meals rises, as of 1st November, to £2.20. Please ensure children bring in the correct money. Plea from the office: we carry very little cash in the office, and cannot always offer change, especially on a Monday morning. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Attendance – Our attendance figures are, I am pleased, to say, rising significantly. However, our work on attendance will continue. In the week beginning 15th November, I shall conduct a sweep of all attendance certificates of pupils whose attendance is below 90%, and should those certificates bear more than 8 unauthorised absences, I shall refer this matter to education welfare, who may choose to serve a fixed penalty.
Half term – Finally, may I say a massive well done to everyone for enormous efforts in term 1, and continuing the brilliant uniform. Attached to this letter are some potential holiday activities. School reopens for everyone on Monday 1st November.
Have a fantastic, well earned, (thoroughly wrapped up) October break everyone.
Zak Willis
Monday, 18 October 2010
Harvest Festival
We are holding our annual Harvest Festival on Wednesday 20th October at 2.00pm.
Everyone is welcome and if you can spare some cans or packets of food then please bring them along!
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Yesterday, we were visited by HMI inspectors, measuring the school’s progress in addressing the key issues identified at the last inspection. A letter will be sent to us next week with the findings, which we will instantly display in the playground board and put an internet link on our website.
Inset
In response to your requests to know about the remainder of the year’s inset days, they are as follows:
4th January 2011
28th February 2011
6th June 2011.
We will ensure they are published on the website, and you are given additional notice well in advance.
Attendance
I am pleased to say that our attendance shows signs of improving. At the end of September, attendance for the whole school was above 90% - a big turn around. (if we count only the children whose attendance is above 85% the total is 97% - way above the national average.) Thank you all so much.
In fact, we have noticed that the issue has changed slightly, and that whilst attendance improves, punctuality is an issue. An example of this is that, for the four days last week, 32 people were late (arrived after 9.05am). These sessions are marked as ‘U’ – meaning your child / children are recorded as having an unauthorised absence for the whole morning. That’s 32 unexplained absences in our registers. This is an issue that will be flagged up by Education Welfare officers. Now that more and more of us are getting here, please let’s get here on time!
Harvest Festival
We will, as ever, celebrate Harvest Festival at the end of term 1. We will hold our annual Harvest Fesitval at 2.00pm on Wednesday 20th October in the assembly, and families and friends are always welcome. Any donations of tinned / packet produce are warmly welcomed. We will start collecting them in school from next Monday – 11th October.
Finally, I have to say it – the uniform is still excellent. Thank you all very much indeed.
Zak Willis
Inset
In response to your requests to know about the remainder of the year’s inset days, they are as follows:
4th January 2011
28th February 2011
6th June 2011.
We will ensure they are published on the website, and you are given additional notice well in advance.
Attendance
I am pleased to say that our attendance shows signs of improving. At the end of September, attendance for the whole school was above 90% - a big turn around. (if we count only the children whose attendance is above 85% the total is 97% - way above the national average.) Thank you all so much.
In fact, we have noticed that the issue has changed slightly, and that whilst attendance improves, punctuality is an issue. An example of this is that, for the four days last week, 32 people were late (arrived after 9.05am). These sessions are marked as ‘U’ – meaning your child / children are recorded as having an unauthorised absence for the whole morning. That’s 32 unexplained absences in our registers. This is an issue that will be flagged up by Education Welfare officers. Now that more and more of us are getting here, please let’s get here on time!
Harvest Festival
We will, as ever, celebrate Harvest Festival at the end of term 1. We will hold our annual Harvest Fesitval at 2.00pm on Wednesday 20th October in the assembly, and families and friends are always welcome. Any donations of tinned / packet produce are warmly welcomed. We will start collecting them in school from next Monday – 11th October.
Finally, I have to say it – the uniform is still excellent. Thank you all very much indeed.
Zak Willis
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