Starting school in September 2011?
Parents / carers of Reception 2011 children:
Thank you to those parents and carers who attended one of our two Open Mornings. If you didn’t attend and would like to visit, you’re very welcome to arrange a one-to-one visit – we’re always happy to show people around our happy and healthy learning community. The Headteacher, Mr Roundtree, or another member of staff will make sure all your questions are answered. Contact us to make an appointment.
In addition, the Admissions Team are running drop-in sessions for parents / carers applying for their Reception place. You can go along with questions and ask for advice. No appointment is necessary – call 0113 2475560 for details.
Parents / carers of children currently in Year 6, starting at secondary school in 2011:
By now, you will have visited secondary schools and made your choice about where your child goes after their time at Moortown Primary. The deadline for application is 31 October 2010.
When applying for a place at primary or secondary, there are a few important points to remember:
- Applying online is the quickest, easiest and safest way to apply – use the Education Leeds website to support you. You can apply online for primary schools between 1 November 2010 and 15 January 2011. (If your child is currently at Moortown Primary and you’re applying for secondary schools, the same procress applies but the deadline is 31 October 2010.)
- It’s important to apply on time for your preferences to be considered.
- Even with older brothers or sisters at the school of your choice, you must still apply.
- You should put the school you most want as your first choice.
- You should consider putting down your nearest school, even if it is your third preference. If you don’t, you may be allocated a school out of your area.
- You must use your home address; any offers made will be withdrawn if it’s later shown that a false address was used.
Please get in touch if there’s anything you’d like to ask us about our school and what we can offer you and your child.
Test results
On Tuesday, 06 July, the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) released 2010 Key Stage 2 National Curriculum test results. We will shortly send home the results for our current Year 6 class – at the moment, it appears our children have done extremely well. This is thanks to their great efforts, and also the exemplary teaching and support we offer at Moortown Primary.
Regarding the results, Education Secretary Michael Gove has said:
I am delighted that all National Curriculum test results were made available to schools today.
Almost three quarters of schools administered the tests this year, showing that the vast majority of headteachers did not support industrial action. It’s unfortunate parents and pupils in the schools that boycotted the tests will not benefit from the information that can be taken from test results.
Rigorous external assessment provides the public and professionals with valuable objective data and plays a vital role in the accountability system.
The best school systems generate rich quantities of information which enable us all to make meaningful comparisons, learn from the best and identify techniques which work.
I do accept there are flaws with the current testing system so I am committed to reviewing National Curriculum tests to ensure they are as rigorous as possible and in the best interests of schools, children, parents and the public.
We want to consider what we can learn from other countries, to compare our tests with standards set elsewhere, and to look at how we can make the tests more useful.
I believe headteachers and teachers will agree the solution to strengthening the tests is to work together and agree on how they can be reformed.
While we work to improve and strengthen the tests, it is crucial that there is no gap in information provided to parents, pupils and teachers next year.
I can therefore confirm that tests in 2011 will take place in the week commencing May 9.
The week of the SAT tests is already noted in our calendar; as are school holidays and training days for next year. More important dates will be added soon.
More information about the 2010 SAT tests, including a list of schools which did not carry out the tests, can be found on the Department for Education website.
SEAL statement 5 July
As changes in school are fast approaching, ‘I know strategies to deal with feelings to do with change’ is the SEAL statement for this week.
- What could you do if you are feeling anxious and nervous about a forthcoming change?
- You may be looking forward to a change that is happening to you – how do you contain your excitement?
SEAL statement 28 June
‘I can make the most of an unwelcome change’ is the SEAL statement for this week. How could you turn an unwelcome change into something positive?
Feedback about our happy and healthy school
At Moortown, people often compliment our happy and healthy school. It was great to recently receive this message from a parent interested in sending her son to our school in September 2011:
I just wanted to email you to pass on my thanks for showing both my son and I around your school on Friday. We really appreciated you taking the time to speak to us.
Both my son and I left with very positive feelings about the school and we would both be happy if he was allocated a place at Moortown.
Thank you to everyone at Moortown Primary for all the kindness and attention they showed us. Everyone we met was extremely kind and friendly, which gave an impression of a welcoming and positive culture. I was very impressed by how well-behaved the children were and how eloquently they expressed themselves and I am still amazed how quickly they answered the maths questions! All the children seemed engaged and interested in what they were doing and they were credit to the school, the staff and themselves.
Everyone is obviously striving to create a nuturing and rewarding evironment for the pupils and it is clearly paying dividends. We will certainly recommend Moortown Primary to others!
That’s great feedback – thanks!
SEAL statement 21 June
‘I can change my behaviour for the better’ is the SEAL statement for this week, continuing our Changes theme. By taking responsibility for your own behaviour this can be a quick and easy change.
Food tasting at Harvester restaurant
Some of the Year 3 and 4 pupils recently visited Harvester restaurant at Colton, Leeds. This was part of our drive to make packed lunches at Moortown Primary even healthier.
The session involved tasting different fruit and vegetables and learning all about how important it is to have these in our diets.
The children came away with a selection of vegetables and lots of knowledge about healthy eating. They were very keen to encourage their family to eat well, too!
We’ve already noticed quite a few with extra portions of fruit and vegetables in their packed lunch. Children tell us they want to try healthier foods – why not try something new and nutritious each week?
Class Assemblies
With only one class assembly left in the year, you might like to read some of the comments parents and carers have made this year so far…
‘We really enjoyed learning lots about how to stay safe.’
‘Fantastic counting in French – it was clear and the accent perfect. I really enjoyed the assembly, as usual.’
‘Entertaining and factual… Very educational.’
‘Fantastic interpretation of Shakespeare into bite size three minutes definitely got all the children switched on and engaged with Shakespeare.’
‘Great assembly, especially when the pupils speak so loudly and clearly.’
SEAL statement 14 June
This week our SEAL statement is ‘I can get better at my learning.’ Which of the following circle time skills could you improve to get better at your learning?
- Looking skills
- Listening skills
- Thinking skills
- Speaking skills
- Body language
- Concentrating
SEAL statement 7 June
Our SEAL theme this half term focuses on Changes and the first weekly statement is ‘I can cope with an unexpected change.’ With the end of the school year approaching, this SEAL theme helps to prepare children to deal with changes they will face at school. These may be a new high school, a new Key Stage or a new classroom and teacher.