School Newsletter : 25 April 2025

| Issue 26 | Summer 1 | Week 1 |

Welcome back!

Welcome back to the Summer Term!

We hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing Easter holiday, making the most of the wonderful Spring weather ☀️ to visit local parks, catch up with friends and family, and enjoying the time to ‘just be’.

We have a very busy term ahead, with a HUGE range of trips, visitors, fundraising events and in-school projects, including hatching chickens, installing a new sandpit and so much more!

Many thanks to all who have signed up for our Extended Day menu of activities for this term. We’ve been very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive sign-up!

School & PE Uniform:

As we start our new school term, we would like to remind everyone to ensure that all pupils are wearing the correct school uniform, including shoes, to school each day.

The summer term uniform options for all pupils in Nursery to Year 6 are:

Girls:

  • Dark grey shorts, trousers, skirt or skort
  • Short-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy logo school sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Or dark blue & white gingham dress
  • Plain black shoes

Boys:

  • Dark grey shorts or trousers
  • Short-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy school logo sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes

On PE days, pupils must wear the school PE kit only.

This is especially important for safety.  Having the correct shoes for physical activities, and clothing that is not restrictive, for completing physical activity are essential for helping us to ensure pupils complete all PE lessons safely.

The summer term PE kit for all pupils from Year Reception to Year 6 consists of:

  • A school navy logo t-shirt
  • Navy shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms or skort (no logos etc)
  • Plain black trainers
  • A school logo sweatshirt (not v-neck jerseys for KS2 pupils. Sweatshirts are available from the school office).

Please note that from Monday 28th April, pupils who do not have the correct PE kit will not be able to participate in their PE lesson. They will be given alternate work to do, and a note will be sent home highlighting why they were not able to complete their lesson that day.

We thank you in advance in supporting our school’s uniform policies.

Parents Evening

A reminder that Parents Evening is taking place next Thursday 1st May.

Thank you to all those who have signed up to meet with class teachers next week.

If you have not yet signed up, you can do so via the Arbor App, or speak to either Ms Fatma or Ms Elisabet in the school office.

World Day for Cultural Diversity

To celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures in our school community, on Wednesday 21st May we’d like to encourage all students, staff, and families to join us in honouring cultural diversity by wearing traditional clothing that reflects your heritage.

Whether it’s a small accessory or full attire, every expression is welcome.

Let’s make the day vibrant, meaningful, and inclusive!

Year 6 Parents SATs Meeting

KS2 SATs exams for Year 6 pupils will begin on Monday 12th May.

To support our pupils as they prepare for this crucial public exam, we request the attendance of all Year 6 parents & carers at an important meeting on Tuesday 29th April at 09:00 in the Ground Floor Hall.

The meeting will cover essential information for both you and your child, including the process & timings during exam week, how best to support your child during this time etc. The meeting will last approximately 30 minutes.

Thank you in advance for your attendance.

Pimlico Choir

Online Safety Pupil Workshops

This week, students in Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in a 45-minute Internet Safety workshop led by Julie, an Education Prevention Officer from Westminster Council.

The session focused on online safety, encouraging students to reflect on their digital habits and learn how to stay safe and respectful online.

It was a valuable opportunity for students to ask questions and deepen their understanding of responsible internet use.

Run Kids Run 2025

We are thrilled to announce that once again, we have registered to participate in Run Kids Run on Sunday 8th June in Battersea Park.

Run Kids Run is a registered charity helping primary school communities connect with long term corporate benefactors, through a fun running event that promotes a healthy body and mind, while fundraising for our school!

How does it work?

All pupils from Nursery to Year 6 can register to compete in this fundraising event. Nursery & Reception will complete a 1km run, with a parent, and Years 1 – 6 will complete a 2km run. Older siblings can also take part, making it a fun day for all the family.

Time to get training and fundraising!

Our  in-school (for pupils only) running club as part of the Summer Term Extended School Day Menu starts next Wednesday 30th April.

Pupils will train each week, with 2 school staff and volunteers from Ranelagh Harriers, who are once again generously donating their time and expertise in supporting our pupils develop their enjoyment for running.

Please note that if pupils do not wish to join the weekly in-school running club, they can still register to participate in the event on the 8th June. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

A Just Giving page will be set up soon, making donations and sponsorships easy for everyone. This will go live next week.

You can seek sponsorship from as many friends, family & neighbours as possible, as every donation will go towards raising funds for our school.

Who can run?

Everyone! All pupils from Nursery to Year 6 can register to compete in this fundraising event. Nursery & Reception will complete a 1km run (with a parent), and Years 1 – 6 will complete a 2km run.

All you need to do is register your child using this registration link:

You can register up to 4 runners on one form and older siblings can also take part (please select the 2 km Y5 & Y6 option).

On Sunday 8th June, bring your child/ren to Battersea Park from 2 – 4pm. The children will run their races and on completion, will receive a medal and snack at this fun family day out.

Our Corporate Sponsor:

In 2024, when we were selected to join this wonderful initiative, we were partnered with OPLM (Old Park Lane Management).

Like us, they are excited to be working in collaboration with our school community to bring about positive changes, through a vibrant and ambitious partnership for the benefit of the young people and wider groups who live in our local community.

OPLM will be supporting us with various whole-school projects, starting with School Council visits to their Millbank construction site, and a collaborative art project to design images for the hoarding, plus other opportunities for our pupils’ artwork to take centre stage!

Their representatives will be leading a whole-school assembly before the Easter break, where they will introduce themselves, their roles, industry and the construction project they’re currently working. We will keep you updated, as projects and visits develop and take place.

Since 2020, Run Kids Run have:

  • Raised over £500k to enrich the education provision
  • Rallied 6,700 children & their families to run
  • Supported 44 schools across 7 London boroughs
  • Mobilised 350 volunteers

All funds raised will be donated directly to our school:

  • Sponsorship can be made via the Friends of Burdett-Coutts Just Giving page, which will go live shortly.
  • You can seek sponsorship from as many friends, family & neighbours as possible, as every donation will go towards raising funds for our school

Other fundraising events:

  • 17th May: International Evening
  • 6th July: Summer Fair

Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken 🐣

Our school eggs are hatching!

We’ve been so 🐣egg-cited to accept our delivery of chicken eggs earlier this week. Since Tuesday, and as we write, all but one has hatched, meaning we have 8 fluffy – and very cute – chicks chirping away in our entrance area!

The children have been thoroughly enthralled by the hatching, drying and fluffing up process the chicks have completed.

The chickens will be with us until next Friday, and some pupils have already had class visits, giving them the opportunity to hold the chicks, and to discuss further any questions they may have. The other classes will be having their class visits next week.

Community Corner

Graham started our church service by saying Happy Easter, which surprised everyone, but he explained that it is in fact still the Easter period.

The huge Paschal candle was lit at the front of the church, which will continue to be lit at the start of every service during Easter, as well as at every Baptism and Funeral service throughout the year, to remind us that Jesus is with us.

Community Questions:

  • Where is your favourite place to walk?
  • Do you find going for a walk or being in nature inspirational?
  • How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when they met him on the road after he had died?

Challenge:

  • Try to find time to go for a walk or be in nature and take a moment to consider the important things in life

Prayer:

Father God,
Help us to use peaceful moments to understand your plan.
Amen

Class Assemblies:

Fridays @ 9am, please be seated in the First Floor Hall by 9am:

  • 2nd May: Year 5
  • 16th May: Year 3
  • 06th June: Year 2
  • 20th June: Year 1
  • 4th July: Year 4
  • 11th July: Year Reception
  • 18th July: Nursery & Preschool

PE Lessons

Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct PE kit to school each week on their allocated PE day.

Pupils not wearing their full PE kit will not be able to participate in lessons, and a note will be sent home indicating why they were not able to participate.

Please ensure that all items of school uniform are clearly labelled with either a permanent pen or label.

The full PE Kit for the Spring/Summer Term is as follows:

  • Plain navy blue leggings or tracksuit bottoms or navy blue shorts or skort
  • School navy blue PE t-shirt
  • School navy blue sweatshirt (all year groups)*
  • Plain black trainers (velcro or slip on if they can not do their laces).

* Kindly note: Pupils in KS2 (Years 3-6) must wear a school sweatshirt for PE lessons and not the v-neck jumper from their main school uniform (if needed).

Summer Term 1 – PE Lessons:

  • Monday: Year 1
  • Tuesday: Year 3
  • Wednesday:  Year 5
  • Thursday: Year 6
  • Friday: Reception, Years 4 & 2

Our PTA: The Friends of Burdett-Coutts

Welcome back to the new school year and a warm welcome to all our new families who have joined our school’s community this term.

If you are a parent, carer or a guardian of a child that attends our school, then you are automatically a member of our Parent Staff Association, Friends of Burdett-Coutts.

Being part of our PSA offers an exciting opportunity for you to meet other parents, whilst supporting our school, through organising fundraising events, volunteering and much more.

Even if you can only give a small amount of time, you will be making a difference to the school experience for your child and other pupils in our school.

Our School Summer Fair will be held on Saturday 12th July 2025, from 12:00 – 16:00!

We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event, as we all being to look forward to the long summer holidays ☀️🙂

Meeting dates:

  • Wednesday 30 April 2025
  • Wednesday 17 May.2025
  • Wednesday 11 June 2025
  • Wednesday 25 June 2025
  • Wednesday 09 July 2025

All meetings are in the Ground Floor Hall @ 9 – 10am

Upcoming Events

April:

  • Tuesday 29th April: SATs meeting for Year 6 parents @ 9:00 – 09:30.
  • Wednesday 30th April: Year 1 Trip to St. James Park

May:

  • Thursday 1st May – Parents Evening: Parents can sign up via Arbor from Monday 31st April.
  • Friday 2nd May: Year 5 Class Assembly
  • Monday 5th May: May Bank Holiday SCHOOL CLOSED TO ALL PUPILS
  • Tuesday 6th May: Year 3 Trip to Kew Gardens. Letter to follow.
  • Monday 12th – 16th May: KS2 SAT’s Week
  • Friday 16th May: Year 3 Class Assembly
  • Monday 19th May: Year 6 Mudlarking Project starts in school.
  • Tuesday 20th May: Go Live Theatre Workshops (for selected pupils)
  • Wednesday 21st May: World Day for Cultural Diversity
  • Monday 26th – Friday 30th May: May Half Term

June:

  • Friday 6th June: Year 6 Trip to Docklands as part of the Mudlarking Project
  • Sunday 8th June: Run Kids Run Event at Battersea Park from 14:00 – 16:00.
  • Monday 9th June: Year 6 Transition to Secondary School Workshop, led by Chance UK.

June (continued):

  • Monday 16th June:  Year 3 ITSU Kitchen Project (in school).
  • Friday 27th June: Whole School INSET Day SCHOOL CLOSED TO ALL PUPILS

July:

  • Wednesday 9th July: Almshouse Founders Day Service @ 14:30 – 15:15
  • Thursday 10th July: Go Live Theatre children attending Theatre Visit to see My Neighbour Totoro.
  • Friday 11th July: Last Day of Extended School Day Enrichment Clubs and Boosters.
  • Saturday 12th July: FOBC (PTA) Summer Fair, from 12:00 – 16:00 in the school playground.
  • Tuesday 15th July: Whole School Sports Day at St. Vincents Square (more information to follow).
  • Thursday 17th July: Running Club trip to Richmond Park for Cross Country Event, led by Ranelagh Harriers.
  • Tuesday 22nd July: School ends for the Summer Holidays @ 13:30.

Term Dates 2025-2026

Please find here the agreed term dates set by our school’s Governing Body for the upcoming academic year, starting September 2025.

Please remember that holidays will not be authorised during the school term, and that all children should be in school (on time) every day.

Alternatively, you can click on the image thumbnail on the right to view the PDF (please note this will open in a new window) or you can click on the link below:

Term Dates 2024-2025

Please find here the agreed term dates set by our school’s Governing Body for the upcoming academic year, starting September 2024.

Please remember that holidays will not be authorised during the school term, and that all children should be in school (on time) every day.

Please refer to the table below for the term dates, including INSET days and Bank Holidays when the school will be closed to pupils.

Alternatively, you can click on the image thumbnail on the right to view the PDF (please note this will open in a new window) or you can click on the link below:

 

AUTUMN TERM 2024

Start of Term (for Years 1-6)

Tuesday

03 September 2024

To

Thursay

24 October 2024

Half Term

Monday

28 October 2024

 

Friday

01 November 2024

Return on

Monday

04 November 2024

End of Term

Friday

20 December 2024

 

SPRING TERM 2025

Start of Term

Tuesday

07 January 2025

To

Friday

14 February 2025

Half Term

Monday

17 February 2025

 

Friday

21 February 2025

Return on

Monday

24 February 2025

End of Term

Thursday

04 April 2025

 

SUMMER TERM 2025

Start of Term

Monday

22 April 2025

To

Friday

23 May 2025

Half Term

Monday

26 May 2025

 

Friday

30 May 2025

Return on

Monday

02 June 2025

End of Term

Friday

22 July 2025

INSET DAYS
Teaching & Learning: Curriculum & Safeguarding

Monday

02 September 2024

Teaching & Learning TBC

Friday

25 October 2024

Teaching & Learning: Wellbeing

Friday

29 November 2024

Assessment & Pupil Progress

Monday

06 January 2025

Teaching & Learning: Curriculum, Assessment & Pupil Progress

Friday

27 June 2025

BANK HOLIDAYS (school closed)
May Bank Holiday

Monday

05 May 2025

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

We currently have the following availability for places in our Early Years provision:

Reception class:

  • 2 places (from April 2025)

Nursery Class (3-year olds):

  • A waiting list is now in place for full-time places. Please contact the office for information on how to join the waiting list, and also with regards to upcoming vacancies.
  • Although we are currently full, we are in the process of extending our intake numbers, so please keep in touch.

 Preschool (2-year olds)

  • A waiting list is now in place for full-time places. Please contact the office for information on how to join the waiting list, and also with regards to any upcoming vacancies.
  • Although we are currently full, we are in the process of extending our intake numbers, so please keep in touch.

If you are looking for a Preschool, Nursery or Reception place for your child, please come along for a 30-minute bespoke EYFS tour. Here, you’ll have the chance explore our Early Years setting, speak to key staff and ask any questions regarding admissions, and your child starting with us at Burdett-Coutts.

Contact us to register for our tours which take place every Thursday, with times available from 09:15 – 14:30 during term time.

Online Safety

Did you know that not all apps are safe for children, with many popular ones having certain age restrictions. For example, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook operate a minimum age of 13+ years, and therefore primary school children should not have their own, nor access to, such apps or accounts.

As parents, you can help safeguard your children online by researching these apps and their purposes, as well as their age restrictions, BEFORE agreeing to download them. If you do choose to download them, remember that parental controls such as password protection, can be set up so that in-app downloads or purchases, cannot be completed by the children themselves.

For example, to prevent iTunes, Apple App Store purchases or downloads, all you need to do is:

  1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & App Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.
  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  4. Select a setting and set to Don’t Allow.

Tips on how to install parental controls on other apps and devices (Android or Apple) can easily be found online, or even from the app developers themselves.

Funding eligibility letter for Pupil Premium, Early Years Funding & Free School Meals

Due to changes in the eligibility criteria for Pupil Premium, Free School Meals and qualifying for 30 hours of funding for Nursery provision, many pupils currently enrolled at our school may now be entitled to one of these funding allocations.

We will be issuing letters to families who are currently not in receipt of the above, asking you to complete the registration for the identified funding option your child/ren maybe eligible for. Thank you so much in advance for your help in completing this.

This funding allows us to increase additional staffing hours to run booster groups, and an exciting range of extended day activities, that benefit our school and your child, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated at this difficult time for school budgets.

  • If you should have any queries with regards to the letter sent to you, please contact Mrs Deary or the school office.

Preschool:

Preschool enjoyed their first week back exploring the wonderful story “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen. We explored the story through our senses with different textures. While exploring these textures we used language from the story to extend our vocabulary, “Thick oozy mud” and “squelch squerch“. The children enjoyed exploring these sensory containers together and building their communication and social skills.

Nursery:

What a lovely start to the term! Nursery came back full of excitement and couldn’t wait to check on the caterpillars. They were thrilled to see that the caterpillars had emerged from their chrysalises and turned into beautiful butterflies. We spent some time watching them before letting them go, and some of the children were even lucky enough to gently hold the butterflies before setting them free.

Reception:

Reception are entomologists for the next few weeks, immersing themselves into the teeny and powerful world of mini-beasts, learning about how (not) yucky worms really are. They have spent hours engaged in small world play and exploring the variety of new scientific skills, observations and tools. They are excited to see what they will uncover in the coming weeks.

Year 1:

Year 1 have had a fantastic start to the Summer Term and are excited to be back, ready to learn. It has been great to hear about all the fantastic experiences the pupils have had over the holidays. We have dived into our Science unit, learning all about gardens and plants. The children are very excited to see how plants grow, how we can take care of them and different types of plants around us. They’ve also enjoyed drawing and labelling the different types of plants that they know. We are looking forward to a fantastic term together.

Year 2:

Year 2 became Scientists once again, this time investigating the importance of hygiene and handwashing. They began by exploring the meaning of the word hygienic and learning about how germs spread and why it’s so important to wash our hands thoroughly. Using a fun and visual experiment, children used glitter to represent germs and tested three different methods of cleaning their hands: using a paper towel, using water and using soap and water.

Before beginning, they made predictions about which method would be most effective. Then, through careful observation and discussion, they discovered that while paper towels and water removed some of the glitter, soap and water was by far the most effective. Children recorded their predictions, results and conclusions, and reflected on what they had learnt. This hands-on investigation helped them understand that germs can spread easily – and that proper handwashing is one of the best ways to stay healthy.

Year 3:

What a fabulous start to the Summer Term! Year 3 have launched straight into Maths, adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominators. In Writing we are doing a little study of the story Charlotte’s Web, writing diary entries from the perspective of Fern using all that we have learnt about in past tense and first person grammar lessons over the course of the year. We have started our Science unit, ‘How does our Garden Grow?‘ by looking at the parts of a plant and the job each of these parts play in allowing the plant to grow and thrive. We have started our new Art unit by drawing some objects, using geometric objects to help us build the shape and then adding detail and shading.

Year 4:

This term, Year 4 are already diving into new learning adventures with curiosity and enthusiasm. We’ve begun exploring the world of The Iron Man by Ted Hughes in Writing and Reading. The children have been immersing themselves in the story through drama and hot-seating, stepping into the shoes of the characters to understand their thoughts and feelings. We’re now using these insights to write persuasive letters to the Police Commissioner to save the town’s machinery from the Iron Man’s chomping jaws!

In Maths, we’re strengthening our understanding of decimals using knowledge of number bonds to 1, 10 and 100 as we will soon explore how decimals link to pence and pounds. Our new Science topic is all about power. We’ve started by investigating mains and battery-powered appliances and thinking about how electricity helps us in our everyday lives. There have been some brilliant discussions already!

In RE, we’ve introduced our new topic, Judaism. We’ll be learning about the promises Jewish people make to their God and their religion, and we’re looking forward to thoughtful conversations and discoveries along the way. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic term, full of curiosity, creativity and learning. We can’t wait to get stuck in.

Year 5:

Welcome back! In Maths, Year 5 have started a new topic about angles and the pupils are thoroughly enjoying their lessons. Parents, please test your children on what obtuse, acute and reflex angles are! We have also been in full swing practising for our assembly next week! We can’t wait to showcase our learning with you on Friday.

Year 6:

In Maths, we have been learning about how to find the area of a triangle using the formula: base x perpendicular height divided by 2. We found this challenging when three numbers were given for each of the edges, and we had to decide which edge was the base and which was the perpendicular height.