School Newsletter : 22 May 2026

| Issue 32 | Summer 1 | Week 6 |

World Day for Cultural Diversity & International Evening

A huge thank you to all of our families who joined us for our Cultural Day in celebration of World Diversity Day and our International Evening.

It was wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate the many cultures, traditions, languages and foods that make our school so special.

The evening was filled with warmth, pride, music, colour and connection, and it was fantastic to see so many families sharing and learning from one another. Thank you for your incredible support, contributions and enthusiasm in helping make the event such a memorable celebration of diversity and belonging within our school community.

A special thank you to Rachida and our wonderful PTA for organising and hosting the event, and to all of our staff for their support throughout the evening.

We look forward to seeing you all again at the Summer Fair on Saturday 20th June

Biscuits Bytes

Woof!

Hi everyone – wow the first half of the Summer Term has flown by!

What a busy term it has been with lots of trips and visits, Year 6 SATs and the wonderful International Evening on Thursday, which was a fantastic event to round off this busy half term!

We’re so looking forward to next half term with the following events planned:

  • Years 3 & 4 Disney Performances
  • Run Kids Run Event
  • School Summer Fair
  • Sports Day
  • Attendance Celebration Trips (KS2, KS2 and EYFS)
  • Individual class trips and visits
  • Year 6 Leavers Service
  • Year 6 End of Year performance
  • Founders Day Service

And so much more!

Wishing everyone a fun filled May Half Term break. The weather looks amazing, but please take care in this hot weather. Please look after yourself and others by:

  • wearing a hat
  • applying sunscreen regularly (especially if swimming)
  • drinking lots of water
  • staying in the shade during peak heat hours (12:00 – 15:00)

Please take extra care near water sources – pools, seaside/beach, lakes etc – always listen to your adults and only enter water with an adult there. Don’t play near streams or rivers, where the currents can often be unseen and risky. Enjoy splashing and swimming but please take extra care.

The same applies to our pets too!

Mr Nuno has ensured our chickens have their shade cover on, have lots of water and also a small water tray for them to paddle and sit in to help them cool down over the hot days.

I will definitely be making the most of my cool mat, having my walks either early in the morning or late in the evening. I overheat easily in the hottest parts of the day, so will sleep in the coolest place I can find. I will also be drinking lots of water and using my paddling pool to keep cool.

Have a pawsome holiday and see you back at school on Monday 1st June 🐶

Biscuit x

Run Kids Run 2026

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has already generously donated to our JustGiving fundraising page for this year’s Run Kids Run event.

We have had a brilliant response so far. More and more pupils are signing up to take part, and if you haven’t yet, there is still plenty of time to join us for this fantastic family event!

Run Kids Run is a charity initiative that brings school communities together through fun running events which promote healthy bodies, healthy minds and fundraising for schools. This year’s event will take place on Sunday 8th June 2026at Battersea Park.

All pupils from Nursery to Year 6 are warmly invited to take part. Nursery and Reception pupils will complete a 1km run with a parent or carer, while Years 1–6 will complete a 2km run. Older siblings are also welcome to join in, making it a brilliant afternoon for the whole family.

This year, our fundraising goal is to transform and refurbish the school Art Room for the benefit of all pupils across the school. We are hoping to raise £12,000 to support:

  • New carpets
  • Replacement sinks and work benches
  • Drying racks for artwork
  • Redecoration and painting
  • New art supplies and resources

These improvements will help create a brighter, more inspiring and creative space where pupils can continue to develop their imagination, confidence and artistic talents.

Don’t forget, there is still time to sign up, even if your child is not part of Running Club, and we would be hugely grateful if families could continue sharing our JustGiving page with friends, family and neighbours. Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps make a real difference to our school community.

We cannot wait to see everyone cheering each other on at Battersea Park!

Our Corporate Sponsor:

We have partnered with OPLM (Old Park Lane Management) ever since our first Run Kids Run in 2024. Like us, they are excited to be working in collaboration to create positive change through a vibrant and ambitious partnership for the benefit of our pupils and the wider local community.

OPLM will be supporting whole-school projects, including School Council visits to their Millbank site and a collaborative art project to design hoardings, with further opportunities for pupils’ artwork to be showcased.

Burdett-Coutts School Poster Design Competition

Well done to everyone who entered the Burdett-Coutts School Poster Design Competition.

We were incredibly impressed by the creativity, imagination and effort shown in the designs for our Disney Frozen production. Choosing the winners was not easy, as there were so many fantastic entries from across the school.

Congratulations to our winner, Nuraa in Year 5, whose beautiful artwork truly captured the magic and spirit of Frozen. Her design will be displayed around the school and featured on the front cover of the official show programme.

Congratulations also to our runner-up, Raina in Year 4, for her fantastic and creative design.

A huge well done to every child who took part and shared their artistic talents with us.

Out and About……..

On Thursday 21st May, Year 5 visited the Buddhapadipa Temple to deepen their understanding of Buddhism as part of their RE learning.

Throughout the term, the children have been exploring Buddhist beliefs about suffering and the idea that, while everyone experiences challenges in life, it is how we respond to them that matters most. During the visit, the Head Monk explained key Buddhist teachings in greater detail and led the children in a calming meditation accompanied by a traditional chant.

The children were introduced to the Noble Eightfold Path, focusing on the three key areas of wisdom, mental discipline and ethical conduct, which encourage kindness, honesty and compassion towards others. They also learnt about the three stages of gaining wisdom: listening carefully, reflecting deeply on learning, and using meditation or writing to process thoughts and experiences.

To conclude the visit, the Head Monk gave a holy water blessing before the children enjoyed a peaceful walk along the meditation path, taking time to reflect on all they had learnt. The experience was both calming and inspiring, and the children returned to school eager to learn even more about Buddhism and its teachings.

Extended School Day Clubs: Summer 1 Updates

KS2 Games Club: This half term in Games Club, our KS2 pupils have enjoyed exploring a wide range of games while developing teamwork, strategy and communication skills along the way. Two standout favourites have been Articulate, where the children loved the fast-paced descriptions, and Monopoly, where they battled it out on the property ladder while making clever financial decisions. It has been a fantastic way to build Maths skills through counting, budgeting and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way.

It has been wonderful to see the children showing such great sportsmanship, resilience and enthusiasm each week, and we are already looking forward to discovering new favourites next half term!

Running Club: Running Club has continued to thrive this term, with over 50 students regularly attending training sessions each week. The children have shown fantastic enthusiasm, commitment and determination as they prepare for upcoming events.

Throughout training, students have been developing important running skills such as pacing themselves over longer distances, improving stamina and endurance, warming up and cooling down correctly, and building perseverance when challenges arise. They have also focused on teamwork, encouragement and growing in confidence.

It has been wonderful to see runners of all abilities supporting one another and celebrating their progress together. The positive energy and excitement has been incredible, and we are extremely proud of how hard the students are working.

New runners are always welcome, and we would love to see even more children challenge themselves and become part of the fantastic Running Club community next term.

KS1 Athletics Club: Our KS1 Athletics Club has been full of energy, excitement and smiles this term, with students enthusiastically taking part in a wide range of activities and events. It has been fantastic to see the children growing in confidence, developing new skills and enjoying being active with their friends.

During sessions, the children have practised sprint races, relay activities, discus, javelin and shot put events, as well as taking part in fun team challenges such as sack races and egg-and-spoon races. These activities have helped students improve their coordination, balance, teamwork and resilience, whilst encouraging them to try new experiences in a supportive environment.

The children have shown excellent sportsmanship throughout the club, cheering one another on and celebrating everyone’s achievements. Their enthusiasm and positive attitudes have made KS1 Athletics Club a wonderful success.

We hope to see even more KS1 pupils getting involved next term as we continue building confidence, teamwork and enjoyment through athletics.

KS1 Dodgeball Club: Our KS1 Dodgeball Club has been a huge success this term, with children showing fantastic enthusiasm, teamwork and energy during every session. It has been wonderful to see so many students getting involved, building confidence and learning new skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Throughout the club, students have developed their throwing, catching, dodging and movement skills through a variety of exciting games and activities. They have also learnt the importance of teamwork, communication, quick decision-making and good sportsmanship, whilst encouraging and supporting one another during matches.

The children have shown excellent determination and positivity each week, and it has been fantastic to watch their confidence and skill levels continue to grow. KS1 Dodgeball Club has created a fun and inclusive atmosphere where all children feel encouraged to take part and challenge themselves.

Next term promises even more exciting games and activities, and we would be delighted to welcome new children to join the Dodgeball fun.

KS2 Racquet Games Club: Our KS2 Racquet Games Club has been a fantastic success this term, with students showing great enthusiasm, determination and teamwork during every session. It has been wonderful to see so many children enjoying the opportunity to develop new skills while staying active and having fun with their friends.

Throughout the club, students have been learning and improving a range of key racquet skills, including grip control, hand-eye coordination, serving, rallying and accurate shot placement through a variety of exciting games and activities. The children have taken part in team challenges and mini matches, helping them build confidence, communication and resilience whilst learning the importance of good sportsmanship.

The progress made by the students has been excellent, and it has been fantastic to watch their confidence and ability grow each week. The club has created a positive and inclusive environment where all children feel encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another and celebrate their achievements together.

We would love to welcome even more KS2 students next term. It has been fantastic watching the children develop both their racquet skills and confidence over the term. We are looking forward to seeing their progress continue next term as they take on new challenges and games together.

Year 4 Multiplication Test: Parents Guide

Swimming Lessons for Years 3 – 6

We are delighted to announce that swimming lessons will begin again this term, for pupils in Years 3 to 6. Please see the table below for your child’s swimming weeks.

These lessons are an important (and statutory) part of the national curriculum and provide an opportunity for pupils to develop key skills and knowledge about water safety and learning basic swimming skills and strokes.

Pupils are issued with certificates at the end of each unit of swimming, which acknowledge the skill level that they have met.

All swimming lessons will take part at the Queen Mothers Sports Centre. Classes will complete their lessons in blocks (6 consecutive lessons over two weeks), instead of one lesson per week (over 6 weeks).

This arrangement ensures pupils have the best chance to consolidate and make the most of their lessons, with the opportunity to build on learning over sequential days, as opposed to having a week between each lesson.

On the weeks that your child’s class is swimming, they will need to wear their bathing costume to school with their PE kit over the top. They also need to bring in a bag; a towel, underwear and goggles, plus a cap (if they choose to use one).

Children will change into their PE kit after each lesson and put their towel and bathing suit in their bag to return to school.

If you have any questions or queries about your child’s swimming lesson, please contact the office to arrange a time to meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Year 4

  • Tuesday 02 June: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 03 June: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 04 June: 12:00 – 13:00
  • Tuesday 09 June: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 10 June: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 11 June: 12:00 – 13:00

Year 5

  • Tuesday 16 June: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 17 June: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 18 June: 12:00 – 13:00
  • Tuesday 23 June: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 24 June: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 25 June: 12:00 – 13:00

Year 6

  • Tuesday 30 June: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 01 July: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 01 July: 12:00 – 13:00
  • Tuesday 07 July: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Wednesday 08 July: 09:30 – 10:30
  • Thursday 09 July: 12:00 – 13:00

Community Corner

This week in Collective Worship, we reflected on Pentecost, which takes place on Sunday 24th May.

Year 6 readers Ciaran and Eleen shared this week’s passage with excellent expression and confidence, retelling the story of the Holy Spirit visiting the disciples as a mighty wind and tongues of fire. Inspired by the moment in the story when the disciples began speaking in different languages, Vicar Graham invited the children to say “Come!” in as many languages as they could.

We heard a wonderful variety of languages, from Albanian to Arabic, Italian to Icelandic, and Spanish to Shona. It was a lovely celebration of the diversity within our school community and a reminder of the global nature of the Christian faith.

Bible Teaching of the Week: Acts 1:6-14

Jesus prepares His disciples for His ascension, promises the Holy Spirit, and sends them to share His message of hope with the world. After Jesus is taken into heaven, the disciples return to Jerusalem and pray together constantly.

Community Questions:

  • Why do you think the disciples prayed together after Jesus left
  • How can prayer help us share hope with others?
  • How can we be like the disciples in our daily lives?

Community Challenge:

Take time each day to pray for someone or something. Look for ways to show hope and kindness to people around you, just like the disciples did.

Class Assemblies 09:00 – 09:25

  • 12 June: Year 6
  • 19 June: Year 1
  • 25 June: Reception (Thursday as Friday is an INSET day)
  • 03 July: Year 2
  • 10 July: Nursery

Please arrive on time, as late entry can disrupt the children and the flow of the assembly. Photos must not be shared on social media.

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 meetings take place on  Wednesday mornings from 09:00 – 10:00 in the Ground Floor Hall, with refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

Our next event is:

School Summer Fair – Saturday 20th June @12:30 – 16:00

Meeting Dates:

  • 10th June
  • 17th June

Upcoming Events

May 2026:

  • Monday 25th – Friday 29th: May Half Term – School Closed to all pupils.

June 2026:

  • Tuesday 2nd: Reception trip to London Zoo (Rescheduled date)
  • Wednesday 3rd: KS2 Attendance Celebration Trip to ABBA Voyage: 12:00 – 16:30
  • Monday 8th – Friday 12th: Year 1 Phonics Screen Assessment Week
  • Wednesday 10th: Year 6 participating in Walter Greaves workshop led by Peter Daniels, 09:00 – 12:30 (in school)
  • Friday 19th: Y6 Trip to Wapping – Thames Foreshore Mudlarking with Peter Daniels.
  • Saturday 20th: School Summer Fair: 12:30 – 16:00
  • Wednesday 24th: Year 4 & Year 5 Tate Britain Animation Workshops (in school)
  • Wednesday 24th: School Choir Singing Morning (themed on storytelling and literature – including songs from Matilda: The Musical at St. Gabriel’s Church 09:00 – 12:00.
  • Friday 26th June: INSET Day – SCHOOL CLOSED to all pupils
  • Monday 29th: Disney (Frozen) Matinee Performance 14:15 – 15:15 (details to follow)
  • Tuesday 30th: Disney (Frozen) Matinee Performance 14:15 – 15:15 (details to follow)

July 2026:

  • Tuesday 2nd: Disney (Frozen) EveningPerformance 18:00 – 19:00 (details to follow)
  • Tuesday 7th: Year 1 Trip to the Florence Nightingale Museum.
  • Thursday 9th: Whole School Sports Day
  • Friday 10th: Last day of Booster and Extended School Day Clubs
  • Tuesday 14th: Founders Day Service – Year 6 (Time TBC)
  • Wednesday 15th: Year 3 and Year 6 KEIR site visit, 09:15 – 12:00
  • Thursday 16th: Y6 Trip to Rochester Cathedral
  • Friday 17th: Last day of school for the summer term. School finishes at 13:30 for all pupils

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. Enrichment Clubs: Late Collection

  • We understand that on occasions you may be running late due to circumstances outside of your control.
  • If this should occur, please email or phone the school office to inform them and of your expected arrival time.
  • This helps us ensure staff who work until 18:00 will be able to leave on time, with a member of the SLT providing cover if needed if they are unable to stay.
  • We thank you for understanding with this request.
  • A reminder that that a £5 late charge is applied to your fees for every 5 minutes that you are late.

4. School & PE Uniform:

With the warmer weather now settling in, pupils are welcome to switch to their summer school uniform options.  Please ensure that all pieces of school uniform are named.

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 Summer term uniform options for pupils in Nursery to Year 6 are:

Girls:

  • Navy blue and white gingham dress
  • Dark grey trousers, skirt or skort
  • Short-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)
  • Navy logo school sweatshirt (for PE lessons: Years 3 -6)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes (not trainers)

Boys:

  • Dark grey shorts or trousers
  • Short-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)
  • Navy school logo sweatshirt (for PE lessons: Years 3 – 6)
  • 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.

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 2026-2027

Please find here the agreed term dates set by our school’s Governing Body for the upcoming academic year, starting September 2026.

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 link below:

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

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

  • Nursery Class (3-year olds): We have a waiting list for Nursery  places for September 2026.  Please feel free to book a tour and submit admissions documents to secure a place on the waiting list.
  • Preschool (2-year olds): We have 1 full-time and 2 part-time (PM) places available for September 2026.

September 2026 Reception:  We have a waiting list for Reception places for September 2026.  Please feel free to book a tour and submit admissions documents to secure a place on the waiting list.

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.

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:

Over the past two weeks, Preschool have been enjoying the story Animal Boogie as their core text. They helped transform the classroom into a vibrant jungle by creating animals and jungle backdrops, bringing the story to life through creativity and imagination. The children loved exploring the jungle space through movement, dancing, stomping, swinging and moving like the animals in the story. Through these experiences, they developed creativity, confidence and collaboration skills, while also strengthening their language and communication through storytelling and discussion. Exploring movement in this way also supported the children’s gross motor development, coordination, body awareness and self-expression.

Nursery:

This week, Nursery have been learning about shape, space and measure through a range of hands-on activities. The children particularly enjoyed exploring puzzles and thinking carefully about how different pieces fit together to create a complete picture. We focused on face puzzles, where the children looked closely at different facial features and worked out which parts matched and where they belonged. The class showed great concentration and perseverance as they completed the activity. These activities helped to develop the children’s problem-solving skills, spatial awareness and communication through purposeful and engaging play.

Reception:

This week in Reception, we continued our discussions about what we would like to be when we grow up. The children explored the role of a tailor, learning about different fabrics, measuring tools, and how clothes are designed and made. They also discussed the importance of careful measuring and how to use fabric scissors safely. A huge thank you to Fatma, who led the session and created such a fun, hands-on experience for the class. She brought in little people for the children to design outfits for and, using fabric, the children created their own unique clothes for their mini-me characters. To finish the session, the children proudly took to the “catwalk” to show off their fantastic designs!

Year 1:

Our Year 1 botanists have been hard at work growing their very own plants from seeds, and we are so proud of the care, patience and enthusiasm they have shown throughout the project. The class explored what plants need in order to grow and took responsibility for nurturing their seedlings each day. From quirky cress heads and eggshell gardens to thriving mini greenhouses, the classroom has been transformed into a wonderful indoor garden full of creativity and life. Pupils loved observing the changes over time and were amazed by how quickly their tiny seeds began to sprout and flourish. We have certainly discovered some very talented young gardeners in Year 1!

Year 2:

This week in Maths, Year 2 have been learning all about fractions. We explored how fractions show equal parts of a whole, focusing on halves, quarters and thirds, and practised finding fractions of shapes and amounts. The class also explored equivalent fractions, discovering that some fractions can represent the same amount, such as 1/2 and 2/4. Pupils enjoyed comparing fractions and explaining their reasoning. As part of our learning, we introduced unit and non-unit fractions. The children learnt that a unit fraction has a numerator of 1, such as 1/4, while a non-unit fraction has a numerator greater than 1, such as 3/4. The class showed great confidence using mathematical vocabulary and explaining their thinking during discussions and activities.

Year 3:

Year 3 have had an incredibly busy and exciting final week of the Summer 1 term. We absolutely loved seeing everyone’s plant projects and would like to say a huge thank you for all your help and support with these at home. It was wonderful to see such a variety of creative ideas, from plants being grown and large plant models to beautifully presented posters showing the different parts of plants. In Science, the class learnt about the male and female reproductive parts of plants and explored the process of pollination. Pupils even dissected tulips to identify the different parts in real life, which they found fascinating. In Maths, we have continued our learning on time, focusing on converting between analogue and digital times and understanding whether times are past or to the hour. This is a tricky concept, so any extra practice at home would be hugely beneficial. In Writing, the class continued their persuasive writing unit and produced some wonderfully passionate letters arguing for a longer playtime during the school day! The children did a fantastic job using the persuasive techniques they have been developing throughout the term.

Year 4:

Year 4 have had a really fabulous half term. The class has shown fantastic creativity and scientific understanding through their Science projects, particularly when exploring electricity and circuits. A special congratulations goes to Robyn, who created an impressive working electrical circuit complete with a switch, bulb and fan, all incorporated into a fantastic dollhouse! In RE, pupils have been reflecting on their enquiry question linked to Judaism and have learnt a wide range of new vocabulary to support their understanding, from chuppah to mitzvot. As we head into our final half term of the year, we will be hitting the ground running with preparation for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). The children have worked incredibly hard on their times tables this year, so any fun multiplication practice over the break would be hugely beneficial and help their confidence continue to grow. Well done for such a brilliant half term, and we hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable break!

Year 5:

Year 5 have had another fantastic week of learning! In Writing, the class finished and published their survival guides, using the vocabulary and grammar skills they have developed this term to create detailed instructions on building shelters, making campfires and preparing survival kits. In Reading, pupils continued exploring Street Child, answering inferential questions to deepen their understanding of the main character’s thoughts, feelings and experiences in 1860s London. In Maths, the class completed their unit on position and direction, confidently translating and reflecting shapes, as well as drawing accurate lines of symmetry. In RE, pupils concluded their Buddhism unit by designing a refuge space for the school and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Buddhapadipa Temple to further enhance their learning. They also completed their PSHE unit on online relationships and staying safe online, learning important strategies to help keep themselves safe, positive and respectful online.

Year 6:

As Scientists this week, Year 6 explored how light travels and how humans are able to see. The class learnt that light travels in straight lines and investigated this through a practical experiment using torches and cards with holes, observing how light could only pass through when the holes were perfectly aligned. They also explored how light enters the eye through the pupil and how we see objects when light reflects off them and into our eyes. They discovered that white light is made up of all the colours of the spectrum, and that objects appear different colours because they reflect some colours while absorbing others. For example, a red object reflects red light while absorbing the remaining colours. The pupils asked thoughtful questions about how colour-blind people perceive colours and were fascinated to learn that some animals can see far more colours than humans. They explored the example of the mantis shrimp, which has up to 16 different colour-detecting photoreceptors compared to the three found in humans.