Headteacher blog 14th May 2025

It has been such a busy week at school! On Tuesday we had our Nursery Open Evening and we did the same for our new Reception cohort on Thursday. Both meetings were busy and positive: excited and engaged 3 and 4-year-olds exploring new environments with parents and carers wanting the best for their young children. It is a privilege to be trusted with families’ children and we look forward to many years of productive partnership.

Nursery and Reception is known as the Early Years Foundation Stage. The classes and shared outdoor area were looking fantastic at the start of the meetings – maybe, a little less so after half an hour of excited play! Improvements in the EYFS outdoor area and resources have been led by our new nursery teacher Mrs Emma Tomlinson who has raised lots of money herself through weekend training. She also has a tremendous talent: being able to get ‘free stuff’, particularly from Wickes. Mrs Tomlinson is doing a great job!

Next week we have Y5 residential up in the Yorkshire Dales. The weather looks set fair this year after last year’s partial wash-out. We have an exciting and educational itinerary including walking and map reading, caving, mountain biking and a river study. 5KH are practising for residential by mountain biking today on Otley Chevin. Most importantly, the children spend some time away from their families on residential, developing some independence and self-reliance. Residentials take a lot of organisation, particularly this Y5 one, and many thanks must go to Mrs Hawkhead who does the vast majority of the preparatory work – including a set-up session on Sunday!