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Phonics

Posted on Friday 13 January 2012 by Mrs Wood

This term, most children will be learning at Phase Three of the government’s Letters and Sounds programme. They already know nineteen sounds and can blend and segment two and three letter words. The purpose of this next phase is to teach another 25 graphemes, most of them comprising two letters (e.g. ‘oa’ as in ‘boat’), so the children can represent each of about 42 phonemes by a grapheme.

Children will also continue to practise CVC (consonant – vowel – consonant) blending and segmenting and will apply their skills of blending and segmenting to reading and spelling simple two-syllable words and captions. They will learn letter names during this phase, learn to read some more tricky words and also begin to learn to spell some of these words.

Some children will continue to work at Phase 2 and will be given extra support to help them progress.

If you have any concerns about your child’s progress with reading please ask.

This week, we are learning the phonemes j, v, w, x, y, z, zz, qu and the tricky words he and she.

We’re outstanding!

Posted on Thursday 08 December 2011 by Mr Roundtree

Mrs Rush, the Chair of Governors, writes: 

‘Moortown is an outstanding primary school’ (Ofsted, November 2011)

I’m delighted to tell you that the recent Ofsted inspection of MoortownPrimary School concluded that our children attend an outstanding school.  The report was extremely positive about the school:

Learning

Based on Key Stage 2 SAT results for 2010 and 2011, we already know that progress and attainment at Moortown Primary is extremely high.  It’s good to have this confirmed by Ofsted:  ‘All pupils attain highly by the time they leave the school, having achieved outstandingly well both academically and in their personal and social skills… Pupils are happy at school because they really enjoy learning and take great pride in their work.’ 

Other outcomes

As well as achievement, the inspectors conclude: ‘A number of aspects of their personal development are outstanding, including the extent they feel safe, their behaviour, the contribution they make to the community and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.’  Unsurprisingly, the extent to which they adopt healthy lifestyles was also judged to be outstanding.  In addition, thank you to all parents and carers who have avoided term-time holidays in recent years: attendance over the last three years is now judged to be good.

Teaching

The quality of teaching is judged to be good overall with instances of outstanding teaching.  As part of the inspection process, Mr Roundtree observed some lessons with an inspector to make sure his judgements were accurate; feedback to us (not in the final report) is that his judgements are very accurate and reflect high expectations of his staff.  This is good for us long term because we know we can rely on the school’s own monitoring and evaluating process in the future, and on the high standards expected by the school’s leaders.

Curriculum

The school’s curriculum was radically overhauled in 2008-09 so that children could learn through topics and themed weeks.  The new curriculum is described as ‘exciting’ whilst retaining ‘excellent attention to the basic skills of literacy and numeracy’.

Leadership

The report praises the governors’ good leadership which has led to ‘the development of an exceptionally strong staff team which is totally committed to ensuring the best for each and every pupil’.  In particular, it refers to Mr Roundtree’s high expectations and his ‘visionary’ leadership, and cites this as one of the main reasons why our school has gone from ‘good’ (Ofsted, 2007) to ‘outstanding’ now. 

An area to develop

The previous inspection (2007) had two areas to develop, one of which was to improve the teaching of basic skills of learning and writing in the Foundation Stage in order to speed up progress in Reception and Year 1.  The inspectors this time reassured us that teaching in the Foundation Stage is good.  This is something with which local authority advisors and school leaders agree.  Inspectors now think the provision (which is more about making best use of space and resources to enable challenging learning to take place) can be improved further, with better use made of outside activities and greater challenge for more able children.  Some of the feedback given from different inspectors about the Foundation Stage appears a little contradictory.  Also, some of the findings appear to conflict with the principles of learning through play and with the assessment data (Moortown’s Reception children attain higher than the local authority and national averages); however, we’ve already begun to consider how we can put these actions in place, bearing in mind the limited space we have. 

(The report also states: ‘Many improvements have been made since the previous inspection, including the management of provision for pupils with special educational needs’ – this was the other area to develop from the last inspection.  We’d like to say well done to Mrs Weekes, who is responsible for all aspects of inclusion.)

Parents’ and carers’ views

We’re happy to note that the inspectors were impressed by the school’s attempts to engage all parents and carers, from its ‘first class website and use of new technologies’ to its more traditional ‘family’ ethos.  You’ll be able to see a summary of parents’ and carers’ responses to the Ofsted questionnaire in the final report.  In the meantime, it’s perhaps best summed up by the fact that 99% said that ‘overall, I am happy with my child’s experience at the school’.  A sole respondent disagreed with this statement, and only a very small number of parents and carers (always less than 5%) disagreed with others.  It’s impossible to deal with each individual concern in an anonymous survey, but please be assured that if you follow our school policies (whether they are for uniform, term-time absences, behaviour or some other aspect of school life) and if you raise your concerns in the way set out in the school’s complaints policy, then school teachers, leaders or governors will be ready to listen.

 

I’m sure some of you would like to read more.  The inspection report will soon be available on our own school site and on Ofsted’s website.  You might be interested to hear more about the inspection, its report and the next steps forMoortownPrimary School– we’d like to invite you to an informal meeting led by governors: either Wednesday 11 January 2012 at 2.30pm or 6.30pm.  You don’t need to confirm attendance.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big well done to all school children and staff on this wonderful achievement.

 

Another big well done to…

Posted on Friday 02 December 2011 by Mr Wilks

…everyone in Year 3.

I was so proud of the class during our recent Ofsted inspection. They weren’t bothered by our visitors at all. They showed off what fantastic learners they are and the inspectors were very impressed by their enthusiasm for learning. Special praise must go to Madison, Amie and Abigail who amazed the inspectors with their mature and articulate answers to the inspectors’ questions.

Animation at Allerton Grange

Posted on Wednesday 16 November 2011 by

Year Six were lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to the City Learning Centre at Allerton Grange to try their hand at animating. Their work included making models, backgrounds and using ‘I Can Animate’ to create Mini Movies about Greek Myths.

The work they completed was excellent. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of how great their marvellous models were.

vikram

adamcyd

 


‘Packed lunches lack fruit and veg’ – not at Moortown

Posted on Sunday 16 October 2011 by Mrs Taylor

Research published earlier this month suggest that ‘children’s packed lunches lack fruit and vegetables’.

At Moortown, a packed lunch survey carried out last week showed a massive 86% of our packed lunches had at least one portion of fruit or vegetable with 43% having two or more portions.  One of our Year 6’s packed lunch even contained her five-a-day of fruit and vegetables!  Children excitedly and proudly showed their fruit and vegetable choices.

It has been one year since we introduced our packed lunch guidance which includes advice and ideas for healthy packed lunches.  As part of the guidance, we encourage children to bring at least one portion of fruit and / or vegetables.  Our guidance was introduced, for parents / carers and children, as packed lunches do not follow the same nutritional guidelines introduced for school dinners.   Data collected prior to producing the guidance has been used as a comparison to assess the impact of our work on improving packed lunches.

Results from the latest survey have shown some positive results:

  • 86% of packed lunches now contain at least one portion of fruit or vegetables (compared to 80% in 2010).
  • There is a greater variety of carbohydrate items within packed lunches eg pasta salads.
  • The number of children bringing snack items has reduced slightly with children commenting they don’t bring these items in every day, but as a treat.
  • The major impact we have seen in the results has been the reduction in the number of children bringing sweetened drinks eg Fruit Shoots (65% 2010 to 25% in 2011) and now choosing water which we provide on the tables at lunchtime or their own water bottles.  Did you know that over a year these parent / carers will be saving approximately £48 by not providing a daily fruit shoot drink?
  • We have also seen an increase in the number of children choosing to take a school dinner (flexible packed lunch / school dinner combinations are also available).

Sadly, one or two children don’t have any fruit or vegetables in their packed lunches – often, these children tell us they want some, and usually blame mum or dad!

Please chat with your child about how they might make one small step to a healthier choice.

For further guidance, School Food Trust, change4life, World Cancer Research Fund and Netmums all provide ideas and advice for healthier packed lunches.

SEAL statement 3 October

Posted on Sunday 02 October 2011 by Mrs Taylor

‘I can do something brave’ is the SEAL statement for this week. 

Following our Staying Safe themed week we are now returning to our New Beginnings SEAL theme and this week also sees the start of our new topics. 

As children are settling in to their new classes and getting more familiar with their new routines they may be more comfortable to try something brave, maybe working with someone different in their class, trying to answer a question they are not 100% sure about or attempting to move up their learning mountain.

A Year 3 Learning Video

Posted on Sunday 25 September 2011 by Mr Wilks

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1Ilw_Kd3e8′>Petal Method Video

08 July 2011

Posted on Thursday 07 July 2011 by Mrs Weekes

This week’s homework is Creative Homework.   Please hand in on Wednesday 13 July.

I can show my learning journey.

This is the final homework of this academic year.  It’s an opportunity for your child to reflect on their learning over the year.   Their reflections could include:

  • what they have learned
  • when they learn best
  • how they learn something new
  • how they know they have learned something new
  • how they approach learning something

We look forward to sharing these learning journeys with the children.

Thank you for all your support with homework over the past year.

Don’t forget learning can still happen in the holidays:

  • take your children to the park and talk about what they can see, hear and smell;
  • take a trip using a bus or train, and take time to look at the timetable (Why is it in the 24 hour clock? How long will the journey last? When will we arrive?)
  • enjoy visits to the local library;
  • spend time baking (What unit of measurement will we use to weigh? If we want to make twice as much, how much will we need? When will the food be ready?);
  • encourage your child to write some postcards to friends and family;
  • take a trip to a museum or art gallery.

Research shows that the long summer holidays can mean some children’s learning regresses and they might struggle in the autumn term to keep up.  Frequent talk-times, reading, counting and tables practice are so important!

Our Summer Fair

Posted on Monday 20 June 2011 by Mr Roundtree

The Moortown Primary Summer Fair is on Friday 01 July 2011, 3pm – 5pm.  A big thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to help out so far.  Without your support, events like the Summer Fair can’t happen – we really appreciate it.

We need donations for our Tombola stall, so we will be having a non-uniform day on Friday 24 June. Instead of each child paying money, we’re asking children to bring in an item for the tombola. We’ll welcome donations such as wine, unwanted gifts, toiletries, old jewellery, books…

The Cake Stall has got competitive this year!  There’ll be two competitions:

  • most donations per class
  • best home baking voted for on the day

Parents of children in Reception and Years 1, 2 and 3 are invited to bake biscuits and buns.  Parents of children in Years 4, 5 and 6 are encouraged to bake cakes and tray bakes.  Please bring donations to the school office on Thursday 30 June and Friday 01 July.

Each class has been allocated a class stall varying from decorating doughnuts to selling hotdogs. If you feel you can assist in helping (by volunteering to help on the day or supply a raffle prize, bake a cake etc) please contact your child’s class teacher or Mrs Maver, who will point you in the right direction.

We’re also offering advertising opportunities in the Summer Fair Programme for any parent and carers who have their own business and would like to promote it to the rest of the school. For information, Mrs O’Malley in the office will be able to help.

Please support this fantastic fundraising opportunity. Money raised goes direct to school. It makes school trips affordable, it pays for sports day medals and prizes and one-off purchases.

25 March 2011

Posted on Friday 25 March 2011 by

Homework this week is Practice Makes Perfect.

Children have a worksheet in their homework books to complete. The worksheet will reinforce phonics that we have learnt about in class.

Homework is due in on Wednesday 30 March 2011.