We’re fast approaching the end of half-term, marking the half way point of the school year. Despite the dark and cold mornings (this morning being one of them!), it’s lovely to see our children coming in happy and healthy with a smile on their faces. The positive energy in school was noticed by our Chair of Governors who paid us a visit recently.

2026-27 training days

Last week, we let you know that the 2026-27 holidays are in our school calendar. We can now confirm the five training days are all confirmed and in the calendar, too. They are:

• Tuesday 01 September 2026
• Friday 02 October 2026
• Friday 23 October 2026
• Monday 07 December 2026
• Friday 28 May 2027

There are three in Autumn 1 half-term because this is a long half-term (eight weeks), giving children a chance to have a couple of longer weekends to rest.

A happy and healthy place to work

As well as welcoming helpful constructive questions, comments and concerns, every year we invite you to complete a survey. We do the same with staff – sometimes just teachers and sometimes all staff. Here are a few comments from this year’s survey of teachers:

• ‘It’s great to work with such supportive colleagues.’
• ‘I am very happy at Moortown and appreciative of the opportunities that have been given to me over my time here.’
• ‘I feel extremely supported by school leaders at Moortown and have had them regularly check-in.’

Moortown Primary is a happy and healthy place to learn and also to work!

Charging, remissions and outstanding payments

We’ve recently updated our policy. Check this out, especially if your child attends wraparound care, after-school clubs or Nursery, or has tuition for an instrument. Main updates are around what we do if we’re waiting for a payment for these services.

Happy, healthy and safe

Do you have to use a car to drop off and collect your child? The best way to travel to and from school is to walk, scoot or cycle. If you do drive, here’s a reminder of a recent message we emailed to you all…

1. If you park on the double yellow lines or zigzags anywhere round school, this causes danger to our children, pedestrians, and other drivers. Please don’t park on them or across the road from them. Read more about these road markings and the law.

2. Allerton Avenue (the road next to school) is access only. This means that you can only drive down this road to visit a residence or if you live there.

As well as this, there’s no parking in this street (between 08.30am and 4.30pm) unless you have a permit. This road is being used so much for parking that residents can’t get out of their own driveways, emergency vehicles would not be able to access if needed, and it is very dangerous for families who are walking down the pavements.

3. Cars shouldn’t be waiting, or dropping children off, in the entrance to the flats opposite school – this is the entrance to a private residence and is not safe.

4. The car park next door is private property and none of our families should be parking there – there’s a risk of you being clamped if you do this.

5. Please make sure you park in a legal and safe manner. There’s always space in Marks and Spencer car park – you can leave your car there and walk over to pick up your child.

We know that the lack of parking is frustrating but please help us to keep the environment safe, our children safe and show that we consider the residents who live around school. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

You might want to report a problem to Leeds City Council – the more who do so, the more likely something will be done. We suggest using the link to Report a Traffic Management Issue – it only takes a minute.

Have a happy and healthy weekend.