USE THIS: Newsletter Template 2025

| Issue 17 | Spring 1 | Week 2 |

Out and About…

Tuesday 13th January – Year 6 Trip to the Mousetrap Theatre Performance:

Year 6 enjoyed an exciting trip to St Martin’s Theatre to watch The Mousetrap, the world’s longest-running play, written by the legendary Agatha Christie. Her genre-defying murder mystery has kept audiences guessing for over 70 years – and our pupils were no exception!

Set in a secluded guest house during a snowstorm, the story follows seven strangers who find themselves trapped together as news of a murder shocks London. When a police sergeant arrives, it soon becomes clear that someone in the house is hiding a dark secret. As pasts are revealed and tensions rise, the big question becomes: who’s the murderer and who could be next?

Travelling in black cabs made the day feel even more special and the children were full of excitement as they arrived. During the interval, they enjoyed ice cream and took part in lively discussions about who they thought the culprit might be. As tradition demands, they made a promise not to spoil the ending – so no secrets revealed here!

This unforgettable experience will now inspire a series of creative workshops with Go Live Theatre over the next four weeks, where pupils will explore drama, character and storytelling through the lens of this classic mystery.

Wednesday 14th January – Year 6 Safety and Citizenship Visit from TfL:

Year 6 took part in a valuable Safety and Citizenship session delivered by a visitor from Transport for London (TfL). As part of the Independent Travel Programme (ISP), the talk was designed to prepare children for travelling safely and responsibly as they begin to move around London more independently – especially in preparation for secondary school.

The session covered a wide range of topics including journey planning, the importance of using a Zip card correctly and how to behave respectfully and safely on public transport. Children also learnt about real-life safety considerations such as staying safe near underground tracks, using escalators properly and what to do in case of emergencies or uncomfortable situations.

The talk also encouraged them to think about peer pressure, making smart decisions and showing respect for others when travelling. Delivered through engaging videos, discussion and visuals, the session left children more informed, more aware, and better prepared to become safe, confident and responsible young travellers.

Thursday 15th January – Year 1 & 2 London Sights Bus Journey:

Year 1 & 2 enjoyed a fantastic Big Bus Red Route tour of London as part of our local Geography learning. The experience brought our curriculum to life as the children explored the city from a whole new perspective, spotting famous landmarks, bridges, parks and buildings that they’ve been learning about in class.

Travelling through central London helped the children develop their understanding of where they live, how places are connected, and why London is such a unique and important city. There was great excitement as landmarks came into view, with lots of thoughtful observations, questions and enthusiastic discussions along the way.

It was a memorable, enriching experience that will support their Geography learning for the rest of the term — and one we’re sure they’ll be talking about for a long time to come!

Biscuits Bytes

Woof….

Wow, what a busy first full week back it has been – I’m exhausted!

There has been sooooo many 🐾 pawsome events, trips and visits happening in school this week, that not even the rainy weather has been able to put a dampener on anyones’ excitement!

We have made the most of our rain-free mornings in Breakfast Club this week, with lots of football, ball throwing and block building.

Please make sure you read the upcoming events carefully as I know there are lots more exciting trips and visits coming up. I really hope that I can take part in some of these too. All my paws are crossed!

Have a wonderful weekend and if you are visiting a park like I will be, have lots of fun jumping and running in all the puddles!

Biscuit x

Community Corner

This week we continue to recognise Epiphanytide. The first Sunday of Epiphany (last weekend) is observed as the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, where the baptism of Christ by John is remembered.

In church this week, we learnt about the Baptism of Jesus. Vicar David shared how he reminded his Sunday congregation of their baptisms, and showed us all the Holy Water from the grand font at the back of the church.

We learned how Jesus wanted to be baptised just like his followers, which reveals his humility as a King for all humankind.

Bible teaching of the week: Matthew 3: 13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Community Questions:

  • What does Jesus’ baptism teach us about humility and obedience?
  • How can we show love and encouragement to others this week?

Community Challenge:

  • Spend a few minutes together in your family or friend group, reading or talking about one thing Jesus did (for example, showing kindness, helping others, or forgiving). What do his actions reveal about the way Jesus was?

Spring Term Class Assemblies:

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

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

No filming or photography is permitted at any time.

  • 23rd January: Year 5
  • 6th February: Year 2
  • 6th March: Year 1
  • 20th March: Reception

1. Pupil Medications

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

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

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

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

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

2. Pupil Permission Forms for Trips

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for your understanding and support with this matter.

3. School & PE Uniform:

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

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

Girls:

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

Boys:

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

On PE days, pupils must wear the school PE kit only.

This is especially important for safety.  Having the correct shoes for physical activities, and clothing that is not restrictive, for completing physical activity are essential for helping us to ensure pupils complete all PE lessons safely.

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

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

Please note that pupils who do not have the correct PE kit will not be able to participate in their PE lesson. They will be given alternate work to do, and a note will be sent home highlighting why they were not able to complete their lesson that day.

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

Our PTA: The Friends of Burdett-Coutts

If you are a parent, carer or a guardian of a child that attends our school, then you are automatically a member of our Parent Staff Association, Friends of Burdett-Coutts.

Being part of our PSA offers an exciting opportunity for you to meet other parents, whilst supporting our school, through organising fundraising events, volunteering and much more.

Even if you can only give a small amount of time, you will be making a difference to the school experience for your child and other pupils in our school.

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

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

Spring term meeting dates

  • Wednesday 28th January
  • Wednesday 11th February
  • Wednesday 25th February
  • Wednesday 11th March
  • Wednesday 25th March

Upcoming Events

January 2026:

  • Monday 19th: Year 6  Abbey Centre Intergenerational Project, session 2/4 from  13:30 – 14:30
  • Tuesday 20th: Go Live Theatre Workshop 1/4 – Year 6 from  13:30 – 15:30
  • Wednesday 21st:  Year 5 Trip to the Gudwara Sikh Temple – 09:30 – 15:15
  • Monday 26th: Year 6  Abbey Centre Intergenerational Project, session 3/4 from  13:30 – 14:30
  • Tuesday 27th: Year 6  Trip: Secret of the Thames: Mudlarking Artefact Stories – 09:00 – 12:00 (in school).
  • Tuesday 27th: Go Live Theatre Workshop 2/4 – Year 6 from  13:30 – 15:30

February 2026:

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

March 2026:

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

Term Dates 2025-2026

Please find here the agreed term dates set by our school’s Governing Body for the upcoming academic year, starting September 2025.

Please remember that holidays will not be authorised during the school term, and that all children should be in school (on time) every day.

Alternatively, you can click on the image thumbnail on the right to view the PDF (please note this will open in a new window) or you can click on the link below:

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

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

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

If you are looking for a Preschool, Nursery or Reception place for your child, please come along for a 30-minute bespoke EYFS tour. Here, you’ll have the chance explore our Early Years setting, speak to key staff and ask any questions regarding admissions, and your child starting with us at Burdett-Coutts.

Contact us to register for our tours which take place every Thursday, with times available from 09:15 – 14:30 during term time.

Online Safety

Did you know that not all apps are safe for children, with many popular ones having certain age restrictions. For example, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook operate a minimum age of 13+ years, and therefore primary school children should not have their own, nor access to, such apps or accounts.

As parents, you can help safeguard your children online by researching these apps and their purposes, as well as their age restrictions, BEFORE agreeing to download them. If you do choose to download them, remember that parental controls such as password protection, can be set up so that in-app downloads or purchases, cannot be completed by the children themselves.

For example, to prevent iTunes, Apple App Store purchases or downloads, all you need to do is:

  1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & App Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.
  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  4. Select a setting and set to Don’t Allow.

Tips on how to install parental controls on other apps and devices (Android or Apple) can easily be found online, or even from the app developers themselves.

Funding eligibility letter for Pupil Premium, Early Years Funding & Free School Meals

Due to changes in the eligibility criteria for Pupil Premium, Free School Meals and qualifying for 30 hours of funding for Nursery provision, many pupils currently enrolled at our school may now be entitled to one of these funding allocations.

We will be issuing letters to families who are currently not in receipt of the above, asking you to complete the registration for the identified funding option your child/ren maybe eligible for. Thank you so much in advance for your help in completing this.

This funding allows us to increase additional staffing hours to run booster groups, and an exciting range of extended day activities, that benefit our school and your child, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated at this difficult time for school budgets.

  • If you should have any queries with regards to the letter sent to you, please contact Mrs Deary or the school office.

Preschool:

This week our two-year-old Preschoolers explored frozen ice paints! They watched the colours melt, talked about how cold they felt, and observed how the melting ice changed the paper underneath. It was a lovely sensory activity that encouraged curiosity, language, and careful observation.

Nursery:

What a fantastic start of spring term its been for Nursery, with everyone returning to school excited and ready to learn. We have kicked off the term by focusing on numbers 1–5, practising counting in order and recognising number numerals. The children have been developing their understanding of numbers by building and representing them in different ways. Using practical resources such as linking cubes, they have been able to visually see quantities and explore how numbers can be made in a variety of ways. These hands-on experiences have helped to strengthen their confidence, understanding, and enjoyment of early maths learning.

Reception:

Our focus text is Blue Penguin, and it has taken us on an exciting journey to Antarctica! We’ve been learning all about this icy setting and discussing how animals and people survive in such a cold environment. We were lucky enough to be greeted with snow on our first day back at school, which made our learning extra special and helped us make real-life connections to what we’ve been exploring in class.

Year 1:

To kick off the Spring term, Year 1 have begun exploring non-fiction writing through our local geography topic, London. The children have been looking closely at non-fiction books, learning how information texts are organised and how facts are shared clearly with a reader. Using what they already know from living in London, alongside facts discovered in books, the children have started practising writing their own non-fiction texts about our city. They have been recording simple facts, drawing and labelling landmarks, and thinking carefully about what information would be helpful to include if they were creating a non-fiction book of their own. This work is helping to build strong foundations for writing to inform, while celebrating the children’s growing knowledge of this city we all call home.

Year 2:

Year 2 have made a great start to our new Science topic Animals – Including Humans. The children are enjoying learning about different animals and their offspring, sorting (classifying) them into groups based on whether the babies looked similar to their parents or looked different. This sparked lots of thoughtful discussion and careful observation. In activities this week, the pupils classified animals into the different animal categories (mammals, amphibians, reptiles. fish and bird) using what they noticed about their features. The children have demonstrated brilliant teamwork, curiosity and scientific thinking throughout our lessons. We are looking forward to continuing this exciting topic over the next few weeks!

Year 3:

Year 3 are back in full swing for another term after a lovely break. We are putting a big focus on our handwriting and presentation, so we can get our pen license! It’s been great to see the children taking pride in their work and showcasing their best handwriting and book work. We are continuing multiplication and division in Maths and are now looking at multiplying by 10, and 100. In Writing, we have started writing our own pet poems based off Michael Rosen’s poem ‘A Cat‘. We have started our new RE unit and looked into the Amrit Ceremony and it’s importance for Sikhs. We then made our own promises for our classroom and had a mini ceremony too.

Year 4:

Year 4 have made a fantastic start to the Spring term and have quickly been getting stuck into their new learning. In Writing and Geography, we’ve been exploring the amazing Amazon rainforest, discovering its unique features, wildlife and indigenous communities. In Science, we’ve begun our topic on states of matter and had great fun imitating the particle behaviour of solids, liquids and gases to help us understand how they work. Maths has been full of energy as we take on the challenge of drilling our times tables in preparation for the upcoming MTC check. Letters with full details were sent out on Tuesday – please do take a moment to read them. We’re also very excited for our upcoming trip to the Buddhist temple in February, which will bring our learning to life even further!

Year 5:

Year 5 have had a great start to the term. In writing, we began The Bear and the Boy in the Boat. The children practised creating their own comics before identifying eight key events of the story as the focus for each panel of a new comic strip, showing great understanding of the text. In Maths, we started multiplication and have been working hard to multiply 2-, 3- and 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers, showing excellent perseverance. In Geography, we launched our La España unit, locating Spain in Europe and identifying key landmarks, mountains and bodies of water. In Science, we began our materials unit, exploring whether we could be Crime Scene Investigators. In RE, we are learning about Sikhism and the three Golden Rules, and are looking forward to our trip to Ealing Gurdwara next week.

Year 6:

This week, Year 6 have been deeply engaged in our class novel The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf. Through our reading lessons, we’ve explored the story using a range of comprehension skills – answering retrieval, inference, and vocabulary based questions, and even competing to see who can find the best evidence in the text the fastest. To deepen our understanding of the story’s context, we also carried out research into the war in Syria and the global refugee crisis. This background knowledge has helped us connect more meaningfully with the characters and themes, while also enriching our writing lessons as we begin crafting thoughtful and empathetic responses inspired by the novel.