Headteacher blog 10th July 2026

What an amazingly busy and brilliant 7 days!

Last weekend we had the annual Camp-Over. The dull weather didn’t dampen the spirits and we had a great time! We had over 600 people on site and 60 families camping as we spent the day and night playing, being entertained and enjoying our community’s company. We had lots more volunteers this year – many thanks to them – but it was still a huge effort by the PTA committee, many of whom were working Friday, Saturday and Sunday making this great event happen. We are so, so grateful to them for their efforts (more below).

This week we have had two trips to Malham for Year 5 and a trip to Burnsall for 4SL. On Wednesday, the whole school enjoyed three fantastic sports days. The weather was very hot, especially for KS2, but the PTA saved the day (again) by providing and erecting five gazebos for shade. Lots more photos of the infant sports days and the junior sports day are available but shouldn’t be posted on social media without permission.

Whilst most things this week are an annual event, we had a wonderful new addition to the calendar with a super first Junior art gallery on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mrs Kenvyn, Mrs Cairns and our former colleague Martin Durkin have worked so hard on this curriculum and this exhibition. It was great to see the wide range of art in the curriculum and the children’s obvious talents.

On Tuesday afternoon, a big team of volunteers from SISK, the company working on Dawson’s Corner, came along to Farfield Farm for a few hours to support the project with some raised bed rebuilds and some weeding. Using timber paid for by the PTA, they cracked on and made some valuable improvements. They are also supplying some lovely new top soil soon to help fill or top up our growing areas. Many, many thanks to SISK for their support. Whilst they were digging and constructing, Year 1 were elesewhere on the farm learning all about our chickens (and feeding the pigs and goats).

Finally, today will see the final of our Science Superstars competition in a packed hall with a judging panel of real scientists from our school community. Each class has had heats to find their champion. We are looking for new ideas, clear explanations and an engaging presentation. It should be an interesting and exciting event.

It’s a good job that term finishes soon: not sure we can keep up this pace! 440 reports to finish too!