School Newsletter : 09 October 2026

| Issue 5 | Autumn 1 | Week 6 |

Harvest

A HUGE, heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated so generously to our Harvest appeal!

We were overwhelmed by the response and are so grateful for the kindness shown by our school community. All donations will go to The Passage to help people in need, alongside those collected at St Stephen’s Harvest Service on Sunday.

Thank you, too, to the many parents and carers who joined us for our Harvest Service this week. It was a joy to see children from across the year groups taking part through singing, Bible readings, prayers and a class poem all about Harvest.

We are so proud of our pupils for their wonderful contributions, and grateful to everyone who helped make this such a special celebration of gratitude, generosity and care for others.

EYFS Parent Workshop

We are delighted to invite all our Nursery and Reception parents and carers to a special EYFS workshop on Wednesday 21st October at 9am.

This session will explore our Early Years curriculum, focusing on practical ways to support early reading, writing, and mark-making skills at home. We will demonstrate how we use Google Classroom as a digital floorbook – giving you a wonderful, live window into the learning taking place at school!

This is a fantastic opportunity to gather easy, actionable strategies to foster a love of reading at home and see exactly what learning looks like in our classrooms.

We look forward to seeing you there and partnering together to support your child’s learning and development!

Autumn Term Parent-Teacher Meetings

Our Autumn term Parent Teacher Meetings will take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026 for all classes. Year 1 will also offer some appointments on Wednesday 21st October.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing your child’s progress.

You can book online via the Arbor App.

Each appointment lasts 15 minutes, with the first five minutes set aside for you to look through, discuss and comment on your child’s work before meeting with their class teacher.

Please complete the feedback slip provided before your discussion with the teacher.

If you need any help booking through the Arbor App, please contact the school office team, who will be happy to help.

Extended School Day Club News

KS2 Spanish Club

Over the first few weeks of Spanish Club, our Spanish explorers have been building their confidence in speaking and understanding Spanish. They began by learning greetings and how to ask and answer ¿Cómo estás?, before moving on to introductions using ¿Cómo te llamas? and Me llamo…

Through songs, games and activities, the children have been putting words and phrases together into short conversations. This week, they met some special new friends: our Spanish Club puppets! Using the puppets has encouraged them to practise with one another and respond in Spanish without always relying on English.

Over the coming weeks, the children will continue building their vocabulary and collecting examples of their learning in their own Mi pasaporte de español, creating a record of their progress throughout the club.

Attendance & Punctuality

Regular attendance is essential to every pupil’s success. At Burdett-Coutts, we place a strong emphasis on good attendance because being in school consistently supports wellbeing, friendships, a sense of belonging, academic progress and future opportunities.

Pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve well, build strong relationships and develop the confidence, resilience and social skills they need for the future.

Even small amounts of absence can add up quickly. For example, 90% attendance is equivalent to nearly four weeks of missed learning over the course of a school year.

Our expectation is that all pupils achieve at least 97% attendance, and we are very grateful to families for working with us to support this.

A reminder about punctuality: If your child arrives after the black gates have closed and enters through the school office, they will be recorded as late. A parent or carer will need to come into the office and register their arrival using the InVentry system.

  • Late arrivals on assembly days: To avoid disrupting assembly, pupils arriving late will be safely supervised by an adult in the hall and asked to read their home reading book quietly until assembly has finished. Please make sure your child brings their home reader to school every day.
  • Late arrivals: Pupils who arrive late to school will miss their morning playtime that day, using that time to catch up on the 5, 10 or 15 minutes of work they have missed.

Parents and carers, please help your children to be up and out of the house on time each day, ensuring you leave plenty of time for your journey to school. We hope to see everyone arriving on time, so please ensure your child is in school by 08:45.

Thank you for your continued support in helping every pupil make the most of each school day.

Why Attendance Matters

Being in school every day helps pupils to:

  • Build secure friendships and social confidence
  • Develop teamwork and communication skills
  • Support positive wellbeing
  • Gain essential knowledge and life skills
  • Broaden their understanding of the world

Out and About……

Year 1 History Trip to the Tower of London:
Year 1 had a wonderful day at the Tower of London, bringing our history learning to life with a trip back to medieval times! Through our Knights and Castles workshop, we explored what life was like hundreds of years ago and compared it with how we live today.

The children discovered what it took to become a medieval knight, learnt about armour, weapons and castle life, and even had the chance to be knighted themselves! As we explored the Tower, they asked brilliant questions and loved spotting evidence of the past around them.

It was a special opportunity to experience history in the place where it happened. We returned to school with 25 newly appointed knights and plenty of stories to tell!

Year 2 History Trip to the Tower of London:
Year 2 braved the rain for an exciting trip to the Tower of London! Despite the soggy start, spirits stayed high as we explored this incredible historic landmark.

During our Fire! Fire! workshop, the children were transported back to 1666, as the Great Fire of London crept closer to the Tower and its stores of gunpowder! Through role play, songs and storytelling, they explored the experiences of people who witnessed the fire, including Samuel Pepys, and compared life in the 1600s with life today.

It was a brilliant day of learning, laughter and plenty of puddles, and a memorable way to bring history to life!

Year 6 History Workshop with Peter Daniel:
This week, Year 6 began their Not Forgotten project with Peter Daniel from Westminster Archives. Working as historians, the children explored how the First World War began and the role of the suffragettes during this period, before investigating the story of Private Ernest Richard Boots.

Using original historical sources, they traced Ernest’s life from growing up in Belgravia and working for Westminster Council to joining the King’s Royal Rifles and serving in the war. They also handled historical artefacts, examined medals and original soldiers’ tins, and tried on army jackets, hats and suffragette badges.
It was a fascinating session, encouraging the children to examine evidence, ask questions and begin discovering how the war changed one local man’s life.

EYFS Trip to Smith Square Hall:
On Thursday, Nursery and Reception enjoyed a lively performance of Rhymes Live at Smith Square Hall. The children joined in with songs and movement, exploring musical instruments and discovering how their voices and bodies could create different sounds. Throughout the performance, they practised listening carefully and responding to the music. It was a lovely opportunity to experience live music together and become part of the performance!

Biscuit’s Bytes

Woof…

Happy Friday, everyone!

I think we can safely say that autumn has arrived, with the temperatures dropping just like the leaves! 🍁 It’s been a pawsome week of activities, visitors, church services and plenty of fun and laughter.

On Tuesday, our school and wider community came together at St Stephen’s Church for the annual Blessing of the Animals service, led by Graham.

A whole service celebrating animals was definitely my kind of occasion! 🐶 We reflected on the many roles animals play in our lives, past and present, and gave thanks for their companionship and unconditional love.

I especially loved seeing the police horses again. They are REALLY big, but super friendly, and do such an amazing job helping to keep our community safe.

Lots of animals came along with their hoomans, including dogs and cats (no fighting to report, and only a few barkers!), a hamster, a guinea pig and several birds. I also saw my very first stick insect. Sadly, it wasn’t the sort of stick I could play with!

We all received a special blessing, and there was lovely singing, with prayers read by children and adults from the congregation. What a woof-tastic celebration!

Meanwhile, the children have been here, there and everywhere!

There have been trips to the Tower of London, live music at Smith Square Hall and a chance for Year 6 to explore more of London’s rich history with Peter Daniel. Add in our Harvest Service and all the usual learning, playtimes and lunches, and it’s been quite a week!

Have a wonderful weekend, wrap up warm and enjoy the lovely autumn days!

Biscuit x

Google Classroom & IXL access

All pupils from Reception to Year 6 have received their Reading Record Book. Their Google Classroom login details are inside the front cover.

Google Classroom is where we share class updates and homework, along with weekly floor book updates for Early Years. Please log in to your child’s account so you can keep up with their learning and news.

Pupils in Years 1–6 will also find their  IXL login details inside the front cover. These are needed to access maths and spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) homework. Reception’s IXL accounts will be activated after the October half term.

When accessing Google Classroom, please sign out of any other Google accounts first, or use a private/incognito browser window, then sign in with your child’s details.

If you have any difficulty logging in, please email or contact the school office. We’ll be happy to help.

Healthy Packed Lunches

If your child brings a packed lunch to school each day, please take a moment to read the guidance below on what can and cannot be included.

These guidelines support our commitment to healthy lifestyles and pupils’ wellbeing, while also helping us to keep everyone safe from known allergens.

Kindly note we are a nut-free school. Please check ingredient labels carefully, particularly on cereal and muesli bars.

Packed lunches should include:

  • At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables
  • A healthy source of protein, such as meat, fish, eggs, beans or hummus
  • A carbohydrate, such as bread, pasta, rice or wraps
  • A dairy item, such as yoghurt or cheese
  • A small dessert, for example two standard-sized biscuits, a small piece of cake or a single portion pack of biscuits/cookies
  • Water only

Healthy packed lunch ideas include:

  • Fresh fruit or vegetable sticks
  • Rice cakes or crackers
  • Cheese cubes or yoghurt
  • Wraps, pasta salads or sandwiches
  • Water in a reusable bottle

Please do not include:

  • Crisps, sweets or chocolate bars
  • Fizzy or sugary drinks, including juice drinks such as Capri-Sun or Fruit Shoot
  • Probiotic drinks such as Actimel, Yakult or kefir drinks
  • Desserts in excess of the guidance above
  • Any nut products, including chocolate spreads containing nuts

School Trips and Packed Lunches

Packed lunches for school trips should also be healthy and balanced, following the guidance above. However, one small packet of crisps may be included on a school trip, whether the lunch is provided from home or by school.

All other items listed above as unsuitable should not be included in trip packed lunches. A balanced lunch will help pupils stay focused and energised throughout the day.

Thank you for your support in helping us encourage healthy habits and keep our whole school community safe.

Upcoming Events

October:

  • Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th: Individual and sibling school photographs. More information to follow.
  • Tuesday 13th: Year 6 trip to Benjamin Franklin House 11:00–15:00.
  • Thursday 15th: Pupil Christmas Card Orders and Envelopes with artwork to be returned to school.
  • Thursday 15th: Year 4 trip to the Science Museum 09:00–15:15.
  • Monday 19th October: All class projects are due and need to be brought into school. These will be on display in the first floor hall for parents and pupils to view during Parents Evening on Thursday 22nd October.
  • Thursday 22nd: Parents Evening. Please sign up via the Arbor App
  • Friday 23rd: INSET day. School CLOSED to pupils.
  • Monday 26th–Friday 30th: October half term.

November:

  • Monday 2nd: Go Create Workshop for Year 5 (1/6). In school.
  • Thursday 5th: Year 4 ITSU Youth Kitchen Program (Session 1/5). In school.
  • Friday 6th: Year 6 Trip to Westminster Abbey (Not Forgotten Project). Pupils will have lunch before they leave.
  • Monday 9th: Go Create Workshop for Year 5 (2/6). In school.
  • Wednesday 11th: Remembrance Service. Families are warmly invited to join us for this service. Please arrive at the black school gates for entry to the playground (outdoor service; weather permitting), at 10:40.

November (continued):

  • Thursday 12th: Year  4. ITSU Youth Kitchen Program (Session 2/5). In school.
  • Thursday 12th: Children in Need. Non-unifom day. More information to follow.
  • Friday 13th: Y6 Trip to the Royal Albert Hall 13:00 – 17:00. More information to follow.
  • Monday 16th – Friday 20th: Anti – Bullying Week. More information to follow.
  • Monday 16th: Odd Socks Day
  • Thursday 12th: Year 4 ITSU Youth Kitchen Program (Session 3/5). In school.
  • Thursday 19th: BC Choir & Westminster Music Partnership Filming Session. The Manoukian Music Centre,  15:00 – 16:30. More information to follow.
  • Monday 23rd: Go Create Workshop for Year 5 (3/6). In school.
  • Thursday 26th: Year 6 Moving the Dust Away Musical Show at Kensington Town Hall. 09:30 – 14:00. More information to follow.
  • Thursday 26th: Year 4 ITSU Youth Kitchen Program (Session 4/5). In school.
  • Friday 27th: INSET DAY. School CLOSED to all pupils

Community Corner

Week beginning 5th October 2026: Harvest Festival Celebration.

Bible reading: Revelation 22:1–5: The river of the water of life

What a wonderful Harvest celebration we shared in church this week! Together, we gave thanks for food, water and the many blessings in our lives, while remembering those facing hardship.

Year 3 reminded us of the importance of Harvest, encouraging us to be thankful for what we have and to share with others who need our support.

Our Bible reading introduced the beautiful image of the river of the water of life. Graham helped us reflect on its meaning, while Reception brought the image to life with a river they had created, which was placed in the church aisle.

We considered how water can bring nourishment and life, but can also be dangerous. We remembered the devastating floods in Nepal, where many villages lost their crops and livelihoods.

Using our river, we thought about the rubbish that can pollute waterways and our responsibility to care for God’s creation. We discussed how our actions affect other people, animals and the environment, reflecting on things we need to say sorry for and how we can make better choices.

Each class wrote and shared a prayer, giving thanks for all we have and praying for those in need. Graham explained that our Harvest gifts would be shared within our local community. Just as the river of life brings nourishment, our kindness, generosity and care can make a difference to others.

We are very proud of all the children for their contributions and warmly thank our families for their generous donations and for joining us in this special celebration.

Community Questions:

  •  I wonder how we can take care of Gods creation?

Community Challenge:

  • This week lets take our kindness and work together to help those in need.

Class Assemblies:

  • 16th October: Year 1
  • 06th November: Year 4
  • 20th November: Year 2
  • 4th December: Year 3
  • 11th December: Year 5

Assemblies are from 09:00 – 09:25. 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.

School & PE Uniform:

Pupils are welcome to continue to wear their school summer uniform until the end of September. However, as the weather changes to more cooler and wetter patterns, all pupils will need to be wearing the Autumn/Winter School Uniform from the beginning of October, or sooner if they wish.

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  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 guardian of a child at our school, you are automatically a member of Friends of Burdett-Coutts, our Parent Staff Association (PSA).

Getting involved is a lovely way to meet other families and support our school through fundraising events, volunteering and sharing ideas. Whether you can help regularly or spare a little time now and then, your contribution can make a real difference to school life for all our children.

Our meetings take place on Wednesday mornings, from 09:00–10:00 in the Ground Floor Hall, with refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome, and we would love to see you there!

Dates for your diary:

  • Thanksgiving Event: Thursday 26 November, 15:30–17:30.
  • School Christmas Fair: Tuesday 8 December, 15:30–18:30.
  • KS2 Winter Disco: Wednesday 16 December, 16:30–18:30.

More information about the Thanksgiving Event and Christmas Fair will follow.

Meeting dates:

  • 7th October
  • 21st October
  • 11th November
  • 25th November
  • 2nd December
  • 16th December

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, and on time, every day.

You can also click on the link below to view:

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

We currently have the following Early Years places available for September 2026:

  • Nursery Class (3-year-olds): Four full-time places and three part-time afternoon places
  • Preschool (2-year-olds): Two part-time afternoon places

Reception: September 2026

We currently have a waiting list for Reception places. Families are very welcome to book a tour and submit their admissions documents to join the waiting list.

If you’re looking for a Preschool, Nursery or Reception place for your child, we’d be delighted to welcome you for a 30-minute personalised EYFS tour.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore our Early Years setting, meet key staff and ask any questions about admissions or your child starting with us at Burdett-Coutts.

Contact us to register for a tour. Tours take place every Thursday during term time, with appointments available between 9.15am and 2.30pm.

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 continued exploring Handa’s Surprise through outdoor play this week. The children loved washing the animals in the tuff tray, then used brushes and sponges to clean the outdoor tables and walls. It was lovely to see them taking such care of their surroundings! They also rearranged a little village of wooden houses, moving the animals around and using pasta to feed the pigs. Our bikes came out for the first time this year, giving the children opportunities to practise taking turns and develop their gross motor skills. At carpet time, we have enjoyed singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes at different speeds, alongside Slippery Fish. Why not ask your child to share the song and actions with you?

Nursery:

What an exciting week for Nursery! We celebrated a special milestone with our very first trip to Rhyme Live at Smith Square Hall. The children loved singing, clapping and dancing along with the live performers. We were also proud of how safely they walked near roads, listened to instructions and looked out for one another. Back in class, circle time focused on our emotions. Jenie Jigsaw shared stories about what makes her happy and sad, helping the children explore their own feelings and express them through drawings. Inspired by Mr Gumpy’s Outing, we also became authors, creating our own version called The Nursery Outing. The children swapped the boat for a submarine, inviting their teachers and the story’s characters to join them for a deep-sea adventure!

Reception:

This week, Reception have been exploring size and measurement. The children compared and ordered objects, using “tall” and “short” to describe height, and “long” and “short” for length. They also used rulers to measure more accurately, learning how to check comparisons made by looking alone. The children enjoyed making predictions, testing their ideas and using mathematical language to explain what they discovered.

Year 1:

This week in RE, Year 1 explored how caring for our planet is important to people of many different faiths and beliefs. We discussed why our world is special and how we can all take responsibility for looking after it. The children then created posters showing ways to help, including recycling, protecting nature and using less plastic. It was lovely to see them turn our discussions into thoughtful messages and pictures, sharing their own ideas for caring for the Earth.

Year 2:

This week, Year 2 have begun writing their own circular narratives, inspired by A River by Marc Martin. The children are checking that each sentence makes sense and includes capital letters and full stops in the right places. They are also using imaginative vocabulary and expanded noun phrases to bring the settings along their river journeys to life. We can’t wait to read their finished stories!

Year 3:

Year 3 have enjoyed thoughtful discussions in RE and PSHE this week. In RE, we retold the story of the Buddha and considered its most important lessons for Buddhists. The children shared ideas about kindness, bravery, generosity and why money alone cannot bring happiness. In PSHE, we explored how our brains make connections as we learn, alongside the importance of positive self-talk and a growth mindset. Elyn used “bubblegum brain” and “rock brain” to describe different ways of thinking. Her idea of stretching and growing through perseverance has become a favourite reminder to believe in ourselves, learn from mistakes and keep trying. We now talk about using our “bubblegum brains” whenever we tackle a challenge!

Year 4:

Year 4 have had a fantastic week! In maths, they are nearing the end of their place value unit, while in writing, they have completed magical portal narratives inspired by Leon and the Place Between. Their stories bring imaginative ideas to life through descriptive language and carefully crafted sentences. In history, pupils created detailed fact files about Hadrian’s Wall. In science, they worked together, using information sheets to map the digestive system and trace the journey food takes through the body. The class have also developed their xylophone skills in music. In RE, they can now explain how regular prayer supports Muslims in their everyday lives.

Year 5:

Year 5 have enjoyed a busy week of learning! In writing, we have begun exploring space mission logs, comparing Apollo 11’s journey to the Moon with Curiosity’s mission to Mars. In maths, we are developing mental strategies for addition and subtraction with numbers up to four digits. In history, we have explored the pagan gods and goddesses worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons. In RE, we learnt why the River Ganges is sacred to Sanatanis, while our reading of Kensuke’s Kingdom has prompted discussions about characters and their motivations. Music with Mr Carden has helped us develop our teamwork and performance skills, listening to one another and keeping in time as we create a song together.

Year 6:

This week, Year 6 have been working as theologians, exploring Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. We learnt about reflection, prayer and forgiveness, alongside traditions such as blowing the shofar, Tashlich and sharing symbolic foods, including apples and honey. The class then wrote a paragraph explaining the festival’s significance and how it is celebrated. They created their class fish prayer and joined the rest of the school in church for our Harvest Festival, coming together to celebrate and give thanks.