With over five weeks in school, we’re now well and truly settled into the school year. School leaders have been busy doing observations of teaching and learning around school – there’s lots of great teaching and even greater learning going on! You can get a chance to see some of this next week…

Watch us while we work

We’re looking forward to seeing lots of you on Tuesday next week for another of our popular Watch Us While We Work sessions. These are a chance for you to visit your child’s class and see some teaching and learning.

• Start time: 9am (please arrive promptly)
• Focus: Reading and Maths (later in the year, the focus will be Phonics or Spelling and one of our Feelings First sessions)

Teachers will try to make the activities home-friendly so you can continue to support your child at home if you’d like.

There will be two short sessions, each about 15 minutes, and you can attend two classes, swapping half-way, so you can see two of your children if you need to.

The vast majority of children enjoy sharing their learning – it’s a cause for celebration and feeling proud. We recognise there might be one or two who struggle with the change or the extra people – please consult your child’s class teacher if you’ve any concerns.

Parents and carers of children in Reception should look out for Stay and Learn sessions across the year.

Is your child in Year 6?

The deadline to apply for a place in secondary school is approaching: 31 October 2026. Find more information on the Leeds City Council website.

Me and my community

Our next themed week, based around identity, diversity and community, will be take place from Monday 02 November. This is the first of two themed weeks in the year. The rest of this week’s message is a preview of the themed week…

In Me and My Community week, children will learn about what it means to belong to a community, from family to national or even international communities. Importantly, our children will also learn to respect and celebrate different communities.

A variety of events and visitors are planned to help us deliver this aspect of our Living and Learning education. Events and learning during the week will include looking at our own identity including belonging and self-esteem, and the diversity of people around us, including race, age, religion and disability. Children will also be getting out into the community working with local organisations and taking pride in the local area, for example by litter picking.

Active travel in the community

We encourage children to get out in the community in an active way on their way to and from school, with prizes available as part of the themed week. By walking/scooting/biking to school, families will be keeping our community safer and healthier by reducing congestion at the school gate. Maybe even pick up a piece of litter on the way! Even by parking further away from school, your child could then travel the final part of their journey by foot, bike or scooter. Bike and scooter storage facilities are available beside the Year 3 and 4 classrooms.

Email us using [email protected] with a picture of your active travel, maybe by a landmark in our community on your route to school, for the chance to win one of three vouchers. Entries to be submitted by 4pm on Thursday 05 November.

New school charity

At the end of the themed week, classes will have the chance to discuss our charity shortlist and the Junior Leadership Team will have the final vote for which charity they would like our school to support, replacing our current charity, Martin House Hospice.

Identity day

Friday 06 November will be a non-uniform Identity Day. Children are invited to dress in clothing that represents part of their identity, for example uniform from a club they attend, a team they are part of or support, or traditional dress to represent their heritage. There is no donation or contribution required for this day.

SAVE THE DATE: PTA coffee morning Monday 02 November 9-10am

As part of the week, we welcome all parents and carers to an informal coffee morning to meet other members of our school community including representatives from the PTA. A whole school community Wake up Shake up will follow at 9:50am in the main playground.

Can you help?

Maybe you speak another language and you’d be happy to speak to children about this or you’d like to share about your own family culture and heritage. If so, please contact the office to pass on your details. Also, do you have any local community links that may support our week?

Lots to look forward to. In the meantime, have a happy and healthy weekend!