School Newsletter : 23 May 2025

| Issue 30 | Summer 1 | Week 5 |

World Day for Cultural Diversity

We had such a wonderful afternoon of celebration with many of our school community joining in our World Day for Cultural Diversity events.

It was so lovely to see pupils, staff and parents wearing clothing and accessories, in expression of their countries and heritage, showcasing and celebrating the rich diversity of cultures that make up our wonderful school community.

Thank you to all families who also donated cultural food dishes. There was a truly international table of delicious treats for all to sample!

The afternoon concluded with pupils, as well as parents and staff, completing an amazing fashion walk, set to the music of their respective countries. It was wonderful to see the wide range of nationalities making up our school community, thank you to everyone who took part.

A HUGE thank you too to our wonderful PTA, Friends of Burdett-Coutts, and school staff for their hard work in organising and planning, to make this event possible. Your enthusiasm and commitment to all wider school events are very much appreciated by all of us.

We’re so looking forward to the Summer Fair on Saturday 12th July!

Run Kids Run 2025

A HUGE thank you to those who have already generously donated to our Just Giving Fundraising Page for our Run Kids Run Event.

Over 40 pupils have signed up for this event so far, and we are happy to have more enrol!

Please inform the school office if you would like to join the running club (there is an extended school day club fee) and also sign up for the actual Run Kids Run Event on the 8th June, using the link below.

Remember you can still sign up for the Run Kids Run Event without joining the school running club.

Please share our Just Giving Link with as many friends and family as possible to sponsor either your child or others who maybe competing in this wonderful event:

Friends of Burdett-Coutts Just Giving page @ https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/runbcrun2025

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!

What are we fundraising for?

After a successful fundraising campaign for the EYFS and KS1 pupils last year, the playground seating has been purchased and the sandpit is being installed this May.

Therefore our 2025 project focus is for our KS2 pupils, to build a dedicated comfortable seating area (similar to the one in the KS1 playground) as well age appropriate creative, construction and games based resources.

This will include sensory planters, which will support and develop the work undertaken by our Gardening Club.

We need to raise £8300 for this project. All donations can be made at:

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.

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:

  • Make your donation via the Friends of Burdett-Coutts Just Giving page @ https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/runbcrun2025
  • 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

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.

Thames Water: Street Closure

Please note that from Monday 19th May, Thames Water have notified us of works that will be beginning on and around Rochester Street. The works are anticipated to continue for approximately 8 weeks.

  • There will be temporary lights on Elverton Street, with reduced access at times to Rochester Street.
  • Please note that Rochester Street is also still closed off at the intersection with Rochester Row so there is no through traffic on this road either.

This is likely to impact those who currently drive and drop off outside school from Monday 19th May. Should you drive, please take extra care when stopping and dropping off children, and be mindful of other road users and pedestrians.

Parking around the area may also be difficult, so please allow additional time to ensure you are on time for the school start and collection times each day.

Out and About…..

Thursday 22nd May Reception Trip to Kew Gardens:
This half term, Reception immersed themselves in the wonderful world of minibeasts and gardens, exploring core texts such as Yucky Worms and Errol’s Garden. The children have loved learning about the insects and creatures that call our gardens home, as well as the plants that grow there.

To bring our learning to life, we ended the half term with a very special trip to Kew Gardens. During a fantastic workshop led by one of the Kew teachers, the children learned to identify different parts of a plant and carefully described trees, leaves, and flowers in amazing detail.

This hands-on experience gave them the chance to connect classroom learning with the natural world in a meaningful and exciting way. The children were also thrilled to create their own nature bracelets using grass, leaves, and petals they found around them. It was a joyful opportunity to observe, explore, and celebrate nature up close.

Of course, no trip to Kew would be complete without a visit to the greatest playground of all time! The children ran, climbed, balanced and laughed their way through a truly magical end to our half term. A huge thank you to all involved for helping us make such special memories.

Year 4 Multiplication Test: Parents Guide

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.

After School Cubs (ASC):

Pupils who do not bring in their PE kit to change into for ASC clubs will not be able to participate in theirASC sports lesson. They will be allocated to a different club on these occasions.

 

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

Pimlico Choir

Community Corner

Class Assemblies:

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

  • 13th 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 11 June 2025
  • Wednesday 25 June 2025
  • Wednesday 09 July 2025

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

Upcoming Events

May:

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

July:

  • Tuesday 1st July: Almshouse Founders Day Service @ 14:30 – 15:15
  • Tuesday 1st July: Y6 Trip to Rochester Cathedral
  • 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 have been exploring animal patterns, inspired by our core text Animal Boogie. To bring this learning to life, we created a fun and sensory experience where the children walked through paint, made footprint trails across large sheets of paper, and finished with a splash in a bucket of water! As they moved, stomped, and danced just like the animals in the story, they explored how patterns are made through shape, repetition, and movement. It was a joyful, messy, and meaningful way to connect their learning to the natural world.

Nursery:

Nursery had a wonderful time creating our very own flower gardens using tissue paper, inspired by our core text, Lulu Loves Flowers. The children were encouraged to use their imagination and think carefully about how they wanted their gardens to look. They paid special attention to the different types of flowers they wanted to include, considering colour, shape, and detail. It was a lovely activity that allowed them to express creativity while connecting with the story!

Reception:

In Reception, we’ve been creating self-portraits inspired by the beautiful picture book The Boy with Flowers in His Hair. Using black marker pens, the children drew themselves with joyful expressions, then explored a range of mixed media to bring their artwork to life. They experimented with chalk pastels, watercolour paints, and vibrant drawing inks to add imaginative floral details to their portraits. This creative process gave the children a chance to express their individuality and explore colour and texture in a completely open-ended way. The results are truly stunning – full of personality, warmth, and joy.

Year 1:

Year 1 have been busy scientists this term as we explored and learnt all about the role of a garden. We have had lots of fun planting seeds and watching how they grow. We have learnt all about the different parts of a plant – roots, stem, leaves and flowers. We have explored the difference between garden plants like roses and tulips, and wild plants like daisies and dandelions. Pupils have also been spotting different types of plants all over our school.

Year 2:

As Writers, Year 2 have been thoroughly enjoying Roald Dahl’s The Twits – a brilliantly mischievous story full of exaggerated characters and outrageous pranks. Inspired by Dahl’s writing style, the children analysed the structure of a trick-based chapter, identifying how humour, suspense and vivid description are used to keep the reader hooked. They then put their creative hats on to write their own trick chapters, imagining a brand-new revenge prank that Mr Twit might play on Mrs Twit. Using time connectives, adverbs, expanded noun phrases and dialogue, the children brought their ideas to life – capturing Mr Twit’s sneaky personality and the hilarious consequences of his tricks. To finish, they designed front covers and bound their work into a class book full of truly Twit-tastic tales!

Year 3:

We have concluded our Charlotte’s Web Writing unit with another newspaper article about mini beasts. We completed research and used the findings to help us write our articles. We have been continuing our Maths unit on time, using digital clocks and then looking at years, months, days and hours. In Science, we have completed our topic of “How Does Your Garden Grow?“, reflecting on our kidney bean experiment and all that we have learnt this term. It’s been very busy but very rewarding.

Year 4:

In Writing, Year 4 became brilliant advertisers! They wrote persuasive adverts that grabbed attention and convinced the audience to buy their amazing robot. They used snappy slogans, rhetorical questions and persuasive language to make their writing stand out. Pupils had to decide what their robot would do to sell their product – everyone had lots of fun with this activity.

Year 5:

Year 5 have been busy wrapping up our learning units and it’s been fantastic to see the hard work paying off! We’ve loved our life cycle Science unit; and last week dissected some flowers to determine how a tulip would reproduce and what parts are involved. We are also patiently waiting for our caterpillars to finish their metamorphosis and become butterflies. In Writing, the class have been working on a diary entry from Magnus’ perspective and have learnt to use a dash for emphasis. Well done Year 5 – wishing you all a lovely break!

Year 6:

Year 6 began their Mud Larking project with a visit from local historian Peter Daniel and illustrator Kate Monk. This was the first of our three-part project, where we learn all about the history of Mud Larking along the River Thames. Sadly, we learnt that people in many other parts of the world continue to have to do this to make their living. We discussed the role of a lighterman and why this is no longer a job that exists anymore. We really enjoyed handling some of the artefacts discovered at Tilbury Docks and what they would have been used for and during what period in history. We can’t wait to go Mud Larking ourselves in July on the foreshore of the Thames.