Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Book Fayre Coming Soon!

  Thu 21 May 2015 S Baker

  We will be holding a Summer Book Fayre in school, week commencing Monday 1st June to Friday 5th June. The books will be on display in the main hall and will be open to parents/children from 8.15am - 8.45am (Tues-Fri) and 3.20pm - 4.20pm every day. Travelling Books are giving a special summer bonus - buy 2 books and get the 3rd FREE!

   

  For those parents who cannot get into school due to work commitments, you can use the Click and Collect Service at www.travellingbooks.co.uk which allows Parents to choose at home, pay online and have their books delivered to the Book Fair. Please note that if you wish to make use of the 3 for 2 offer, you should only order the first 2 books online and then you can come into school during the Book Fayre week and choose your 3rd book for FREE!

   

  The school receives a small commission for every book sold, so you are helping us buy more books for the school library. Stock up on your summer holiday books now!!

• Class teachers for September 2015

  Wed 20 May 2015 Miss Purdy

  I am delighted to be able to let you know which teacher your child will have in the year ahead. All children will move into their new class on Monday 22nd June, which is always a very exciting day for us all. Our two new teachers will spend a day or two with their classes during this transition month before leaving the schools where they are currently working. Mrs Tough is returning part time in September and will help us to provide one to one support and cover teachers' PPA.

   

  Class	Transition Month	From September
  Reception 2015	Mrs Wilson, Mrs Taylor , Mrs Brown and Miss Hastings	Mrs Wilson, Mrs Taylor , Mrs Brown and Miss Hastings
  Year 1	Mr. Ashton	Mr Ashton
  Year 2	Mrs Cruddas	Mrs Cruddas
  Year 3	Miss Seel	Mrs Houston
  Year 4	Mr. Howe	Mr. Howe
  Year 5	Miss Brunton	Miss Bliss
  Year 6	Mr Smith	Mr. Smith

   

• Plans for the Future

  Mon 18 May 2015 M. Purdy

  Now that Year 6 SATs are over we have a breathing space to consider how we can further improve children's learning and experience of primary education. We are very proud of the standards our children reach in the basic skills and of the opportunities we provide yet we rarely stand still. Here are some of the ideas we are exploring.

   

  Singapore Style Maths Teaching

  Last year 100% of our pupils achieved the national level and beyond in Year 6. Primary Assertive Mentoring with its Big Maths certainly had a massive impact on raising standards but we are intrigued by the methods which are at the core of the success in maths in Singapore. There are still children who find maths difficult and, until they have an understanding of basic computation, they will be unable to work with more complex questions and problems.

   

  In July, Mr. Ashton and Mr. Smith will begin 5 days of intensive training in these methods so that they can be introduced into Year 1. Gradually in the next two years, all staff will receive the same training. We plan for Year 3 to embark on the scheme as soon as Mrs Houston receives her training in the Autumn term.

   

  For the past year we have streamed throughout the school for maths. As the new system is being introduced in September this will no longer be possible so children will be taught maths by their classteacher. However, we will keep Friday Big Maths for children not learning through the Singapore method.

   

  The New National Curriculum

  In September 2014 the new curriculum was rather rushed into schools. Developing the curriculum is my passion! Now is the ideal time to reflect on what we are teaching and look at how topics can become more creative and exciting for children. I am working with Mr. Howe on this later in June but have made a start and thoroughly enjoying it. Last week I was exploring volcanic activity and art in Ecuador!

• Plans for the Future

  Mon 18 May 2015 M. Purdy

  Now that Year 6 SATs are over we have a breathing space to consider how we can further improve children's learning and experience of primary education. We are very proud of the standards our children reach in the basic skills, and of the opportunities we provide, yet we rarely stand still. Here are some of the ideas we are exploring.

   

  Singapore Style Maths Teaching

  Last year 100% of our pupils achieved the national level and beyond in Year 6. Primary Assertive Mentoring with its Big Maths certainly had a massive impact on raising standards in our school but we are intrigued by the methods which are at the core of the success in maths in Singapore. There are still children who find maths difficult and, until they have an understanding of basic computation, they will be unable to work with more complex questions and problems.

   

  In July, Mr. Ashton and Mr. Smith will begin 5 days of intensive training in methods used in Singapore so that they can be introduced into Year 1. Gradually, during the next two years, all staff will receive the same training. We plan for Year 3 to embark on the scheme as soon as Mrs Houston receives her training in the Autumn term.

   

  For the past year we have streamed throughout the school for maths. As the new system is being introduced in September this will no longer be possible so children will be taught maths by their classteacher. However, we will keep Friday Big Maths for children not learning through the Singapore method.

   

  The New National Curriculum

  In September 2014 the new curriculum was rather rushed into schools. Developing the curriculum is my passion! Now is the ideal time to reflect on what we are teaching and look at how topics can become more creative and exciting for children. I am working with Mr. Howe on this later in June but have made a start and thoroughly enjoying it. Last week I was exploring volcanic activity and art in Ecuador!

   

  Changes Nationally

  In 2016 there will be no such grade as Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 for any child as national curriculum levels are being scrapped. Instead Year 6 parents will receive a standardised score along with the nationally expected standardised score. There will be no level 6 papers. However, we understand that the standard is being raised across the board so that questions which are the equivalent of Level 5 are to become the expected standard. If you would like to see samples of SATs question papers for 2016 please click here.

   

  Schools will see the reintroduction of tests in science for Year 6 in 2016.

   

  And Back to This Week....

   

  A group of our Year 6 pupils have left for Derwent Hill residential centre this morning with Mr. Howe and Mrs Smith. All groups have a terrific time and, whenever I meet former pupils, they always recall the Derwent Hill week as the best in their primary school.

   

  This afternoon an external assessor will be arriving to look at the evidence in our Basic Skills Primary Quality Mark application. Mrs Dutton will be talking to several staff, children, parents and Governors. We are confident that not only do we teach these subjects well, but we also continually plan to improve our teaching in the key subjects of English and maths.

   

  This afternoon Year 5 will be learning essential life saving skills with the RNLI as they "Hit the Surf" down on the coast.

• Sats at Last!

  Mon 11 May 2015 M. Purdy

   

  This week is completely dominated by the Year 6 SATs tests. They take place between Monday and Thursday with some children sitting tests before and after lunch. Our Year 6 children could not have worked any harder this year and are really focused. Whatever the outcome, we are proud of them as the grow into responsible and polite young people with talents that stretch way beyond English and maths tests.

   

  Drama Club

  As our Year 6s have so much on their plate with the SATs, Drama Club has been reduced to one hour so we will finish at 4.30pm for this week only. Snacks are not needed. Fabulous costumes are beginning to arrive so all we have to do is to stage and learn the play!

• May has Blossomed!

  Tue 05 May 2015 M. Purdy

   

  Heading into the sunset..

  ...is Miss Brunton who will be leaving us at the end of this term. Having visited Mrs Kaye in Dubai earlier this year, she too decided that this was the life for her. Last week Miss Brunton accepted a teaching job in an international school in Dubai so her wishes have come true. We will miss her quirky humour and sporting challenges but, of course, wish her every happiness as she prepares for her new adventure.

   

  School Grounds

  It may be very damp and soggy yet the trees and shrubs in our school grounds are bursting with new life. There's a robin building a nest in one of our garden equipment containers too. He's exceptionally busy carrying his nest materials into the dark, dry container. Thanks to Gentoo the grass on the field is looking good..waiting for dry sports lessons and sports day.

   

  A Sad Farewell

  On Friday the chicks left us for their new home on a farm. Like all new-born creatures they brought us much joy as they developed their own little characters. We will miss them.

   

  A New Teacher

  Last week we were delighted to appoint a new teacher for September, Miss Gemma Bliss. Miss Bliss currently teaches Year 6 in an outstanding school north of Newcastle and has a particular interest in computing. As she was sought after by several other schools, we were delighted to be her first choice of school and look forward to her joining our team. We now have all the staff we require for September.

   

  Bikeability

  Year 5 are undertaking their Bikeability course this week. We hope they are able to cycle without being soaked each day. Fortunately, today is more theoretical than practical. Good luck and happy cycling everyone.