School Newsletter : 12 June 2026

| Issue 34 | Summer 2 | Week 2 |

Run Kids Run 2026

Well Done and Congratulations to All Our Runners!

What a wonderful afternoon we had at the Battersea Park Running Track on Sunday 7 June. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Run Kids Run fundraising event.

An incredible 127 pupils and adults took part, with everyone successfully completing their age-group distance. We were so proud to see the enthusiasm, determination and support shown throughout the afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who registered, took part and cheered from the sidelines. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of family and friends who have supported the event through donations and encouragement.

So far, we have raised an amazing £2,045 through our JustGiving page! We know that some supporters are still planning to donate, so we will continue to accept donations via the JustGiving page and through the school office until 1 July 2026.

Please do share our JustGiving link as widely as possible. Every donation will help us raise much-needed funds for our school. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Out & About..

Year 6 Trip: LYG Inspire Festival at Gunnersbury

Year 6 had a fantastic day at the London Youth Games Inspire Festival at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub. Although the rain started shortly after we arrived, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits and carried on taking part in all the activities. Later, the sun came out, allowing us to dry off and enjoy the rest of the day in much better weather! Throughout the festival, the children took part in a variety of sports, including lacrosse, dancing, netball, handball and rugby. In each session, they first learnt and practised new skills before putting them into action through games and challenges. At lunchtime, we enjoyed sitting together with our friends in the sunshine before continuing with the afternoon activities. It was wonderful to see the children showing resilience, enthusiasm and teamwork throughout the day while trying new sports and having lots of fun.

Year 5: Trip to St Paul’s Cathedral:

On Thursday this week, Year 5 visited St Paul’s Cathedral to take part in a special event “Organ Day”. After travelling by bus, we began with an exciting demonstration of the Cathedral’s famous organ and were amazed by the powerful sound and echo beneath the Dome. We also enjoyed a tour of the Cathedral, visiting the Crypt, the Great West Door and Horatio Nelson’s Sarcophagus. Afterwards, we met the organist, Mr Pipe, who showed us how the different stops create a wide range of sounds. We even had the chance to play the organ ourselves!

After lunch, we took part in a singing workshop, learning new songs and preparing for a performance with two other schools. To end the day, we sang Fire! by Jonathan Dove beneath the Dome to an audience made up of members of the public. It was a wonderful experience, and we feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to perform in such an iconic building.

Summer Fair

Disney

Tickets are now on sale for the Disney performances this term. Prices are £5 per adult and £3 per child. Children under 3 years go for free but will have to sit with an adult.

Performance Dates & Times:

  • Monday 29th June at 14.15
  • Tuesday 30th June at 14.15
  • Thursday 2nd July at 18:00

 

 

Swimming Lessons for Years 4 – 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 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’s reading focused on Jesus’s radical mission of extending grace, compassion and healing to those who were marginalised and suffering. We also sang the worship song Let There Be Love Shared Among Us, which helped the children reflect on and deepen their understanding of the message explored in today’s teaching.

Meanwhile, our oldest pupils have been busy preparing for the Year 6 Class Assembly, which takes place on Friday. We look forward to seeing all their hard work come together and sharing this special occasion with our school community.

Bible Teaching of the Week: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus calls a despised tax collector to follow Him, dines with “sinners,” heals a chronically ill woman, and raises a dead girl back to life.

Community Questions:

  • How did Jesus invite people to follow Him?
  • What changes can happen when we follow Jesus?
  • How can hope and love help us grow?

Community Challenge:

This week, help others grow. Look for ways to encourage someone or show kindness, helping them feel hope and support, just like Jesus showed to those He met.

Class Assemblies 09:00 – 09:25

  • 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:

  • 17th June

Upcoming Events

June 2026:

  • 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:

This week, Preschool have enjoyed making their own musical instruments using recycled paper plates and bottles. They used their creativity to decorate and assemble their instruments before exploring the different sounds they could create. During music group times, the children had great fun using their handmade instruments to follow rhythms, sing songs and make music together. This activity supported creativity, fine motor development and an understanding of how everyday materials can be reused in imaginative ways.

Nursery:

This week has been full of excitement as Nursery explored their five senses through hands-on learning. They had great fun making popcorn in the microwave, building on last week’s activity where they predicted what popcorn might look, smell, feel and taste like. It was wonderful to see the children compare their predictions with what actually happened as the popcorn popped! They also developed their sequencing skills by using words such as first, next, then and finally to describe the steps involved in making popcorn. The children enjoyed putting the process in order and talking through each stage, helping to develop both their language skills and understanding of everyday routines.

Reception:

In Maths this week, Reception have been learning about greater than and less than. The children explored what these terms mean and discussed the symbols used to compare numbers. They have been developing their confidence in identifying which number is larger and explaining how they know. The children also enjoyed working in pairs to play a snap card game, where they had to quickly identify and snap the card showing the larger number. There was lots of excitement and laughter as they challenged one another and practised their number comparison skills.

Year 1:

This week in Science, Year 1 became bird experts! The children learned about the different features of birds and used scientific vocabulary to identify and label parts such as the beak, wings, feathers, legs, feet and eyes. They also explored the difference between birds that can fly and those that cannot. The children enjoyed observing different species, completing a birdwatch survey and creating detailed bird drawings. We were particularly impressed by the care they took when labelling their diagrams using the correct scientific vocabulary. It has been wonderful to see the children’s curiosity and enthusiasm as they discovered what makes a bird a bird and how different species are adapted to their environments. Well done, Year 1, for your fantastic scientific thinking and beautiful artwork!

Year 2:

In PSHE, Year 2 have been learning about growing and changing. The children discussed some of the physical changes that happen as we get older and learned that these changes are a natural part of life. The class also talked about the older people in their lives and why they are important to them. They enjoyed sharing stories about grandparents, relatives and family friends, reflecting on the care, support and kindness they receive. They also considered how we can show kindness, care and respect to people of all ages.

Year 3:

It has been another busy week in Year 3, with the children continuing their learning across the curriculum while also preparing for their upcoming production of Frozen. Rehearsals are well underway, and we are excited to share the final performance with you in a few weeks’ time. In Maths, the class completed their unit on time and will now move on to learning about geometric shapes. In writing, the children have become writing detectives, identifying features such as prepositions, adverbs, personification, and powerful vocabulary in a range of texts. Next week, they will use these skills to write their own stories about being lost in a forest. In PSHE, they discussed what babies need to grow and thrive, leading to some thoughtful conversations and lots of curiosity. In Art, the pupils began a new collage project by mixing colours and painting paper, which will be used to create their collage animals over the coming weeks.

Year 4:

It has been another busy week in Year 4! In PSHE, the class has begun the Changing Me unit, exploring how people grow and change throughout their lives. Pupils have been submitting thoughtful questions to Jigsaw Jaz’s BrainBox, leading to some mature and engaging discussions.The class has also been enjoying daily D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time, helping to further develop their reading and comprehension skills as they prepare for Year 5. Finally, a huge well done to everyone for completing the Multiplication Tables Check this week. Pupils approached the challenge with confidence and determination, and we are incredibly proud of the effort, resilience and times-table knowledge they demonstrated.

Year 5:

Year 5 have had another wonderful week, filled with exciting events and lots of learning. In writing, we have continued our work on King Kong, exploring the language features and structures of different text types in greater depth. We also wrote contrasting character descriptions, developing a dilemma between two characters in preparation for writing our own dilemma narratives next week. In Maths, we have continued our unit on decimals, focusing on adding and subtracting numbers with different numbers of decimal places. In Science, we explored the solar system and learned about the different planets. To help us remember their order, we created our own mnemonics. In RE, we have continued learning about the commitment Christians make to God. We also enjoyed an exciting visit from Peter Daniels, who taught us about the history of London and the artist Walter Greaves. We all left feeling inspired and fascinated by what we had learned, and we look forward to welcoming him back for more events next year.

Year 6:

As writers this week, Year 6 have been exploring balanced arguments. We began by analysing model texts and identifying the key features of discussion writing, including formal language, cohesive devices and balanced viewpoints. They then gathered and organised arguments both for and against the question: Should SATs remain part of primary education? After carefully planning their ideas, the class wrote their own balanced arguments, considering different perspectives before reaching a reasoned conclusion. They worked hard to present each viewpoint fairly, supporting their arguments with clear explanations and evidence. A particular focus was maintaining balance throughout their writing and ensuring that one side of the debate did not outweigh the other.