School Newsletter : 23 January 2026

| Issue 18 | Spring 1 | Week 3 |

Out and About…

Tuesday 20th January – Year 6 Go Live Theatre visit:

This week, Year 6 took part in their first (of four) Go Live Theatre playwriting workshop, building on their recent trip to see The Mousetrap. Over the next four weeks, they will work together to write their own play – and to their amazement, they’ve just discovered that their finished script will be brought to life by professional actors in a live performance!

In this first session, the children explored the difference between a story and a play. They listened to a short story, then read the script version to identify key features such as dialogue and stage directions. Through interactive activities and drama games, they built confidence and deepened their understanding of scriptwriting. They then practised writing lines of dialogue and stage directions, and acted them out as a group.

A simple paper plate became a creative prop used to inspire scenes, characters and setting ideas. Later, surprise props were pulled from a bag and they worked together to develop the beginning, middle and end of a potential play. It was a wonderfully positive and engaging session, filled with teamwork, creativity, and excitement. We’re looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life in the weeks ahead!

Always look up! – Years 4 & 6 Planetarium visit

This week, Years 4 & 6 had the exciting opportunity to visit the inflatable planetarium at Westminster School, tucked away in the basement of their sports centre. Led by students under the guidance of Professor Kevin Walsh, Westminster’s Astronomer-in-Residence, the session introduced our children to the wonders of the universe in a truly memorable way.

Inside the dome, pupils were taken on a fascinating journey through space – learning about how stars are born, the different shapes people have seen in the constellations, the phases of the Moon and exploring planets in our solar system.

We looked closely at Mars, Saturn with its impressive rings, and the vast planet Jupiter, where they discovered the Great Red Spot – a powerful storm larger than Earth. When observing the Moon, they learnt that different cultures around the world have, since ancient times, found one or more rabbits hidden in the dark spots of the lunar surface – an idea that sparked lots of imagination and discussion.

Most importantly, we turned our attention to Earth, reflecting on its beauty and uniqueness and the responsibility we all share in looking after our home planet. The session was filled with awe and curiosity, and our pupils asked thoughtful, deep questions that impressed everyone in the room.

It was a brilliant opportunity to spark imagination and inspire scientific thinking, and we are incredibly grateful to the Westminster team for sharing their knowledge and passion for the universe with us.

Biscuits Bytes

Woof….

Happy Friday everyone. What another pawsome week of fun, learning and playing we’ve had, which as usual, has just whizzed by!

The rainy weather has meant there were several wet play days this week, which meant we’ve been stuck indoors and haven’t been able to run around outside and play our favourite games with our friends. Personally I think rain is great for puddles and running through so imagine my disappointment at not being able to do this.

Hopefully we will get the chance to visit some outdoor venues over the weekend without any wet play interruptions. If you can, do make the most of any opportunity to run, play and explore – it’s great fun.

Have a pawsome weekend, enjoy splashing in puddles like I most certainly will be doing!

Biscuit x

Community Corner

This week, after the Second Sunday of Epiphany, we look at the descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove after Jesus’ baptism, which John attests as witness. As he does so, Simon, Andrew, and his brother Peter, begin to follow Jesus as his disciples.

What they discovered, and began to share, is that Jesus wants to make his home in them. We learned how Jesus wanted to be baptised just like his followers, which reveals his humility as a King for all humankind.

In church this week, we began with Mr Carden, along with our head choristers Sab and Zaeem, leading us in a lovely rendition of Lamb of God. Vicar Graham spoke to us about the very beginning of John’s gospel, where he says: ‘Here is the Lamb of God.’

For us today, that name appears a lot in our worship and in the songs that we sing. Jesus is the one who, by his sacrifice and rising, will complete the whole story of God’s people.

We might remember the mention of the lamb in the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac. When Abraham lifts the knife to sacrifice his own son, God promises that he will provide a Lamb for the sacrifice instead. Jesus is that Lamb.

Bible teaching of the week: John 1: 29-42

John points to Jesus as the lamb of God; his disciples follow Him. “Andrew said, We have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus.”

Community Questions:

  • Who helps us learn about Jesus today?
  • Why is listening important when we are learning something new
  • What might we discover when we take time to learn more about Jesus?

Community Challenge:

  • Vicar Graham spoke this week about the secret meaning behind names. Can you find out the secret meaning behind your name?

Spring Term Class Assemblies:

Class assemblies take place on Fridays, starting at 09:05.

Please ensure that you are on time and that your mobile phones are turned off.

No filming or photography is permitted at any time.

  • 6th February: Year 2
  • 6th March: Year 1
  • 20th March: Reception

1. Pupil Medications

A polite reminder to parents and carers that we are unable to give over the counter or prescription medicines to pupils unless they have an agreed medical plan in place.

Should your child requires medication to be taken 3 times per day due to winter season illnesses, please give them their doses before school, after school and before bed time.

Alternatively, if you’re able to do so, you can pop into school during your child’s lunch break (12:30 – 13:30) to administer a midday dose if required.

Please do not put any medications, creams, ointments etc in your child’s book bag. This can be very dangerous for other pupils or adults who may have allergies or if other children access these items.

If you have any questions, please email the school office and a member of staff will get back you. Many thanks for your understanding with this important Health & Safety issue.

2. Pupil Permission Forms for Trips

Parents & carers, please ensure that when pupil trip letters are sent home requesting permission for trips or visits, that you correctly read and complete the forms attached and return them to school by the date requested.

When forms are returned late, it is a challenge to manage and accurately provide the required confirmation / information to venues – which are usually requested 48 hours in advance. Furthermore:

  • Our admin and catering teams face additional pressure to prepare lunch orders and first aid.
  • These are difficult to amend at the last minute, and it also pulls them away from other duties & responsibilities they have.
  • Teachers are also unable to assign group pupil:adult ratios to ensure a smooth trip briefing with other staff/parents supporting the trip.

Because of this, pupils will miss out on attending a trip if the correct permission slips are not returned by the designated deadline. Instead they will be assigned appropriate class work to complete in a supervised buddy class.

Many thanks for your understanding and support with this matter.

3. School & PE Uniform:

Please ensure that your children are wearing the correct school uniform to school each day. It is important that all pupils are also wearing the correct school shoes – which are black shoes, and not trainers.

The Autumn/Winter term uniform options for pupils in Nursery to Year 6 are:

Girls:

  • Dark grey trousers, skirt or skort
  • Long-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie (Years 3 – 6)
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy logo school sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes (not trainers)

Boys:

  • Dark grey shorts or trousers
  • Long-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie (Yers 3 -6)
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy school logo sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes (not trainers)

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 Autumn/Winter term PE kit for all pupils from Year Reception to Year 6 consists of:

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

Please note that 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.

Our PTA: The Friends of Burdett-Coutts

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 first meeting for 2026 will be on the morning of Wednesday 26th January from 09:00 – 10:00 in the Ground Floor Hall, with refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

Our next event: School Easter Fete Thursday 26th March @ 15:30 – 17:30.

Spring term meeting dates

  • Wednesday 28th January (Meeting will start with AGM)
  • Wednesday 11th February
  • Wednesday 25th February
  • Wednesday 11th March
  • Wednesday 25th March

Upcoming Events

January 2026:

  • Monday 26th: Year 6  Abbey Centre Intergenerational Project, session 3/4 from  13:30 – 14:30
  • Tuesday 27th: Year 6  Trip: Secret of the Thames: Mudlarking Artefact Stories – 09:00 – 12:00 (in school).
  • Tuesday 27th: Go Live Theatre Workshop 2/4 – Year 6 from  13:30 – 15:30

February 2026:

  • Tuesday 3rd:  Sound of Music Performance at Westminster School.  Selected Year 4 & 5 pupils attending, 14:15 – 16:45 (more information to follow).
  • Tuesday 3rd: Go Live Theatre Workshop 3/4 – Year 6 from  13:30 – 15:30
  • Wednesday 4th: Go Live Theatre Workshop 4/4 – Year 6 from  13:30 – 15:30
  • Friday 6th: Year 4 Trip to Jamyang Buddhist Centre
  • Thursday 12th:  LDBS Annual Schools Church Service at St. Pauls Cathedral: 13:00 – 16:00.  Year Campanology Club pupils and Head Choristers attending.
  • Friday 13th:  Last day of Spring 1 half term.
  • Monday 16th – Friday 20th February:  Spring Half Term Holiday
  • Tuesday 17th February:  Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day
  • Tuesday 17th February – Wednesday 18th March:  Ramadan Celebrations
  • Tuesday 17th February – Tuesday 3rd March:  Chinese New Year Celebrations
  • Wednesday 18th February:  Ash Wednesday
  • Monday 23rd: Year 6  Abbey Centre Intergenerational Project, session 4/4 from  13:30 – 14:30
  • Wednesday 25th:  Proms Praise Workshop (in school) for all Choir Club pupils.

March 2026:

  • Thursday 5th:  Year 3 Trip to the Natural History Museum: Volcanoes Exhibition – 09:15 – 13:30
  • Monday 9th:  Happy 5th Birthday Biscuit
  • Monday 9th  – Friday 13th March: Science Week – This year’s theme: Curiosity: What’s Your Question?  Keep an eye on the newsletter for more information about events and activities taking place.
  • Tuesday 10th:  Choir Club at the Royal Festival Hall, singing Bach Magnificat with Westminster School (more information to follow).
  • Tuesday 17th:  Proms Praise Concert at the Royal Albert Hall – Choir Club pupils performing, (more information to follow), 16:00 – 20:00
  • Friday 20th:  Last day for all Extended School Day and Booster Clubs for the Spring Term.
  • Wednesday 25th: Pimlico Music Foundation Concert: Disney at St. Gabriels Church. Choir Club pupils performing 18:00 – 20:00 (more information to follow).
  • Thursday 26th:  School Easter Fete: 15:30 – 17:30
  • Friday 27th:  Last day of school for the Spring Term.  School finishes for all pupils at 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:

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

We currently have the following availability for places in our Early Years provision from January 2026:

  • Reception class: We have 1 place available.
  • Nursery Class (3-year olds): 2 full-time places, 3 part-time  part-time (afternoon) places available
  • Preschool (2-year olds): 1 full-time place and 3 part-time (afternoon) places available

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:

This week, there was much excitement when Preschool discovered a butterfly outside. The children took turns carefully and gently holding and observing the butterfly’s beautiful colours and delicate movements. Later, we investigated and learned more about butterflies, including reading everyone’s favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Nursery:

As our topic is Winter, Nursery have been exploring the changes that happen during this season. We have been talking about what we might see during winter and how it feels, such as colder temperatures and changes in the weather and environment around us. The children have enjoyed sharing their own ideas and experiences, helping to deepen their understanding of the world during the winter months. Alongside this, they have had lots of fun experimenting with different tools and materials to create winter-themed displays, using a range of winter colours including whites, blues, and silvers. These activities have supported fine motor development, creativity, and self-expression while linking closely to our topic.

Reception:

This week Reception stepped into the magical world of fairytales, focusing on developing their storytelling skills. They explored the classic tale Little Red Riding Hood and worked in groups to create story maps to plan their ideas. The children then showed wonderful confidence as they jumped on stage to perform their own versions of the story to the class. We were incredibly proud of their bravery, creativity, and teamwork. Throughout the term, the children will continue to build on these storytelling skills while also developing confidence in speaking and being thoughtful, supportive audience members.

Year 1:

This week, Year 1 have been exploring what winter really feels like as part of their Science unit. Wrapped up in coats and scarves, they headed outdoors armed with their weather thermometers to investigate the temperature first-hand. They carefully observed the numbers, learned how to read the scale, and talked about what those temperatures actually feel like on their skin. Was it chilly, cold, or freezing? How did it compare to what we might feel in summer? Back in the classroom, they discussed their findings, made links between temperature and clothing choices, and began to understand how weather affects our daily lives. The children showed wonderful curiosity, teamwork and enthusiasm as they compared readings and shared their ideas. It has been a joy to see them learning through real experiences — questioning, observing and making sense of the world around them like true young scientists.

Year 2:

This week, Year 2 have been learning how to write to inform. The children wrote a letter to the Mayor of London about plastic pollution in the oceans and how it is harming wildlife. We read Clean Up! by Nathan Bryon, and were inspired by Rocket’s bravery and determination to help protect the environment. We discussed how even one person can make a difference and how small actions can lead to big changes. Building on this learning, the children shared thoughtful ideas about how we can all help protect the planet. They learned that everyone can play their part by reducing plastic use, reusing items, and recycling wherever possible. In ICT, they made bright posters to help raise awareness about plastic pollution and remind others how we can look after our oceans.

Year 3:

It’s been another busy week for Year 3. Pupils have made great progress with their handwriting and presentation, and are working hard to secure a pen license. We are just finishing up our multiplication and division unit, and we’re proud of the learning growth the class have made with some difficult concepts, including multiplying 2 digits by 1 digit with exchanges. In Geography, we have enjoyed exploring the hemispheres, equator and countries and next week will look at volcanoes. In Science, we completed a scientific investigation about whether magnets are contact forces or not. The children also had the opportunity to share their presentations they had been working on with Mr Raheem. Spelling test and library day continue to be on Friday, and it’s been great to see the children reading after school and signing their log. Thank you to all parents & carers for their support with reading, spelling and IXL.

Year 4:

Year 4 have had a fantastic time learning across the curriculum this week. In Science, we’ve been continuing to investigate the nature of particles in the different states of matter, and discovering how materials change between them. Ask your child how the particles in melted chocolate might behave differently from the particles in a solid Mars Bar! In Geography, we all pulled out our best Michael Fish impression as we explored the climate of tropical rainforests. The classroom was full of confident forecasts as pupils presented the weather to their classmates. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone’s Rainforest home projects; the class are thoroughly enjoying this topic, and we’re sure their enthusiasm will shine through in their creative work.

Year 5:

What an exciting week for Year 5! We started our brand new writing unit on The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. We’ve pretended to be Watson and put new vocabulary that we’ve learnt into context within sentences. In Maths, we have worked really hard on multiplying three and four-digit numbers by 2 digits. Although tricky at first, we are getting the hang of multiplying by the ones first, then the tens. In RE, we looked at self-sacrifice and putting others first within the Sikh religion. In PSHE, we looked at our dream job and how we are going to achieve it. It’s been interesting seeing the different salaries and responsibilities different jobs have. In Geography, we looked at the different compass points and used these to describe where different cities in Spain are. It’s been a very busy week but we’ve enjoyed it a lot.

Year 6:

As writers this week, Year 6 have been developing persuasive writing skills through our class text The Boy at the Back of the Class. Stepping into the shoes of one of the characters, pupils wrote informal letters to Ahmet, a refugee from Syria, encouraging him to join their friendship group. Before writing, they carried out research into the refugee crisis and the situation in Syria to help them understand Ahmet’s background. They explored a modelled example to identify key features of persuasive writing and planned their letters carefully, focusing on structure, tone and purpose. The pupils were encouraged to use persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, emotive language and ambitious vocabulary – while also showing empathy, compassion and understanding through their words.