Thank You

Thank you....

To everyone who made contributions to the Year 6 Enterprise Projects. They have made a staggering £1175.26 profit, a school record! The end of term party will certainly be one to remember!

The family technology challenge this year has been den building! Families worked together to construct a den that had to be waterproof,  a secure structure and have one metre head height inside. There was wood, nails, hammers, string, sticky tape, boxes, wooden pallets, carpets, tarpaulin (plenty of that) an axe and even a chainsaw being used! A great time was had by all, well done to all the families that took part and a huge thanks to the judge who had a particularly difficult task. We look forward to playing in all the dens in the weeks to come.

Beach hut style!

                                        Den for sale!

  How many can you fit in one den?

First Prize

                     Second Prize

Third Prize

Bike it Breakfast, Pedalling Picnic
Last Monday more than sixty children and adults came to school early for 'Bike it Breakfast' with Alan Barlow. Alan carried out some routine maintenance on bikes during the morning. All thirty Year Six children had an afternoon of fun on bikes including team pursuit races, slow bike race and a tricky mountain bike race round the perimeter of the school field.
This year's Pedalling Picnic (the ninth) is on the morning of Saturday 19th June.
Once again there'll be the choice of two routes - the longer route from Shotley Bridge (11 miles of largely gentle down slope) meeting those on the shorter route (through Derwenthaugh Park approximately 3 miles) before a picnic at the Green at Swalwell.
Details after the half term break.
This year we can access a 20 bike trailer from Sustrans which could be of use for transporting bikes to Shotley Bridge. If you have a tow bar fitted to a suitable car and wish to help with transporting bikes please contact school.
The bike raffle was a huge success raising £185 for our school fund. The bike was
won by Larissa Tait in Year 3. Well Done.

Receipts
We currently issue receipts for all payments made to school. However to ensure administration time is more time effective following Local Authority guidance we will in future only issue receipts for any payments over £15.00. We will of course continue to maintain records in school for all money received.

Academies
As you may be aware, the new government intends to extend the academies programme to
primary schools. Schools rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted are the first schools invited to leave Local Authority control and become academies. As a school in that category we have already received such an invitation from Michael Gove.
Our Governing Body meets for its regular summer term meeting on Wednesday 9th June and will give this matter due consideration.

Primary Review
Cabinet met on Tuesday 25th May and approved the recommendation outlined in the report distributed last week. Formal consultations involving those schools proposed for closure (Marley Hill and Sacred Heart, Byermoor) will begin next month

     

On the 7th of June, Fire Prevention Officer, Fire Fighter Lenny Smith came to visit Year One in their classroom.

He told the children about the dangers of matches, lighters and electrical appliances in the home. Year One could think of many things that could hurt and burn.

Year One leaned what to do if there is a fire:

 Shout, 'FIRE!'

 Get out

 Call the Fire Brigade out

  Stay out

Then Lenny told Year One all about Smoke Alarms after they had watched an episode of Fireman Sam. Smoke alarms can save lives but they need to be tested regularly.

Fire Fighter, Lenny, allowed some pupils to try on his uniform. The Fire Fighter is protected from head to toe.

Year One did have a giggle because the uniform was so very big for them.

Next the Fire appliance and White Watch arrived to talk about how fires are fought. Inside the Fire engine the children spotted banana, bottled water and Mars bars. Fire fighter, Kevin told us these were for the fire fighters because fighting fires is hot and thirsty work. Sweets and bananas give instant energy as fire fighting is very hard and tiring work.

Fireman Sam showed us what his breathing apparatus looks like. He sounded like Darth Vader we thought.

Then Y1 were allowed to squirt water with the huge hose.

We were supposed to hit a target but some of the teachers' cars were washed accidentally.

Since White Watch were on call they had to go but they left the school car park with their siren going, their lights flashing and a hoot of their horn.

Please post a comment and let us know what you most enjoyed about the day the Fire Brigade came to school.

Instead of Homemade Pork Cheese Burger every third Wednesday

there will be Tuna and Salad Wraps

mmm!

Please post a comment if you like them.

School BBQ to be held on 16th July

Further information regarding time, tickets for BBQ  will follow. 

On Thursday May 27th Joblina Begum came to our school to talk to Year 5 and Year 6 about Muslim culture. Jo taught us to write our names in Arabic. She also told us about her arranged marriage and how she had never met her future husband before the actual wedding.

After our chat Jo demonstrated a Bollywood dance for us, then she let us all try. We did really well and she was very impressed at our dancing skills.

Enjoy the photographs of our Bollywood dance experience.

Muhammad is an Imam (prayer leader) from mosques in Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland, and he is from the Muslim community.

The children enjoyed listening to Muhammad talk about his community They  asked him many questions about his culture and religion and learned many interesting facts about the Muslim way of life.

  

As part of their food & farming topic, on Thursday 20^th May, Year 1 and Year 2 went on a visit to Hall Hill Farm. We had all wished for good weather and our wish was granted, the weather was perfect, it was sunny, warm and dry!   

Hello children, welcome to our farm, hope you have a good day..  baa baaa ba baa! 

We enjoyed looking at the deer. 

We had fun feeding the horses.  

One of the lambs decided to come out of the field to see us.

We gave the sheep their food pellets. 

  We were allowed to nurse the rabbits. 

We all took turns in bottle feeding the lambs.

No matter how hard you try,

you will never get through that small gap!

We had a ride on the tractor train. 

 There were other animals too, do you know what they are?

If you would like to look at the farm, please click on the link below.  www.hallhillfarm.co.uk 

On Friday 23rd April the "Great Potato Race" began ! Three children from Year 1 and three children from Year 2 planted two types of potato to see which kind would grow first. Our photographs show the start of the race ! !

Watch this space to see how the race progresses.

READY, STEADY... GO !

1 potato,  2 potato,  3 potato   4,  now let's see if we can grow a few more !

  READY, STEADY... GROW !

At last, one by one our chicks started to hatch!

They looked funny at first from being inside the egg but within a few hours they looked lovely and fluffy.

The chicks liked to look out of the incubator to see the Nursery children 

The chicks were moved into the brooder box with a light to keep them warm.  After having some food and a drink of water, they liked to snuggle up together for a little sleep 

Peace perfect peace!

They soon became cheeky little chicks and enjoyed running around in soft play 

They also loved a cuddle from the children.

After two  weeks the chicks were big enough to go and live on a farm.

We were sad to wave them goodbye.

We had a lovely time looking after the chicks, hope you enjoyed looking at them too.   

Planning the designs for the bride's dress.                         Choosing some designs for the dress.

Cutting the willow to the right size.                                       Starting to make the hoops.

Bending the willow.                                                             We're very proud of our hoop!

 Making the structure.                                                         Covering the tissue paper with glue.

 Adding the tissue paper to the structure.                             Nearly covered !

Painting over the tissue paper.                                           Painting designs onto an acetate tile. 

Printing onto the sari.                                                        Adding the designs on the dress

   Year 2 and the "Happy Couple" !

We all felt a little bit nervous on Friday morning as we walked into the full hall, but we knew our lines and rose to the challenge to perform with confidence.

Our play not only helped us learn more about the Tudors, but through our assembly we were able to share our learning about all those marriages, the sinking of the Mary Rose, and the Tudor kings and queens that followed Henry with all the other children in our school. We also sang songs and our flute players performed 'Greensleeves'. It was great fun and a brilliant end to our topic. 

 A whole array of different sorts of fruits was kindly donated by parents and grandparents and we had such good fun peeling and cutting food and making up our fruit dishes. The best part, of course was when we had the chance to sample our ware. Delicious ! Many children tried fruits they had never had before and found them to their liking.

Year One made Nadim.

Three full days in March were taken up making the structure of the bridegroom out of willow rods, covering this with papier mache 'skin', painting and printing his clothes. We made a 'magic carpet'  out of Ragoli patterns using a wax batik technique and created beautiful patterns to look like decorated 'Hennaed' hands just like those that would be painted on the hands of a real Sikh bride for her wedding. The boys made a red turban headress and the girls Hindi tiaras like that of goddesses.

Our Colourful Rangoli designs 

 Shirley Wells and helpers making the willow skeleton.

Mono-printing Indian patterns     

 Our beautiful bride and groom were blessed with good wishes from 'gods and goddesses'.

Here is the happy couple signing the register.

  Friends posing for the Wedding shots all dressed in the Sunday best 

 Back at school the bride and groom led the dancing with a waltz. 

The reception went smoothly with toasts from the father of the bride and the best man.

The wedding cake looked gorgeous and Year Two's bride and groom joined our bride and groom for the cutting of the cake.

When the wedding was over, all the girls in Year one stood in a line as our bride threw her bouquet.

The Ushers greet the guests.

The arrival of the bride.   

 The service begins.

Exchanging rings. 

The Blessing.

                                     Dodging the bubbles.                                  

  Our wedding album! 

 We began by bending and moulding the willow to create a frame. 

Once we had created our willow frame of Queen Elizabeth she was ready to be dressed.

 We all work to make designs for her dress using pictures of Tudor fabrics.  

When we had covered the frame with papier mache she was ready to be painted.   

 Finally, Elizabeth I was finished and looking splendid! She now takes pride of place in our school hall.  

During our workshops we also made Tudor hats from foam. We really enjoyed wearing them and had had a fabulous time! 

The adults had arrived and everyone had a hand to hold.  

Once, twice, three times around the school !

Everyone had enjoyed a long walk,

now it was time to walk the plank !

 The money from the sponsored Toddle will

buy toys for the nursery.

A big thank you for all your support.

 Once upon a time in Nursery...

The nursery children are having fun playing in the fairy castle. 

 The king and queen are sitting on their thrones at the feast.

The brave knights are protecting their king and queen.

The royal feast was magnificent ! The kings, princesses and knights all enjoyed chicken legs, ham, fruit and bread. The goblets were filled with water.

 Everyone enjoyed the food and they all lived happily ever after.

              The End. 

Year 5 took part in a Tudor Music workshop on Thursday 14th January

Merry Christmas to all and a peaceful New Year.               

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

(November 2009 Draft for approval by Govs March 2010)

We provide an inspiring, caring environment in which we are all challenged to maximise our potential. (School Mission Statement)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Fellside Community Primary School fully recognises the contribution it makes to Child Protection.

There are three main elements to our policy:

a) Prevention through the teaching and pastoral support offered to pupils.

b) Procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse. Because of our day to day contact with children school staff are well placed to observe the signs of abuse.

c) Support to pupils who may have been abused.

1.2 Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the school, LA staff and governors. Teaching Assistants, Mid-day supervisors, administration staff as well as teachers can be the first point of disclosure for a child. Concerned parents may in some circumstances contact school governors.

2.0 PREVENTION

2.1 We recognise that high self esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult helps prevention.

The school will therefore:

a) maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to;

b) ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty;

c) include in the curriculum, activities and opportunities for PSHE which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and to know to whom to turn for help;

d) include, in the curriculum, material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to child care and parenting skills

2.2 Our PSHE Curriculum programme reinforces essential skills for every child. Self esteem and confidence building, thinking independently and making assessments of risk based on their own judgements are encouraged.

3.0 PROCEDURES

3.1 We will follow the procedures set out in Gateshead's Interagency Child Protection Guidleines available in the headteacher's office in hard copy and on the intranet on admin PCs

3.2 The school will:

a) ensure it has a designated senior member of staff as Child Protection Officer, who has undertaken training provided by the LA.

The Child Protection Officer at Fellside Community Primary School is the Headteacher or the Deputy Headteacher in the HT's absence.

c) ensure every member of staff and every governor knows:

- the name of the designated person and her/his role

- that they have an individual responsibility for immediately referring child protection concerns to that person

- where the Interagency Guidelines are located

d) ensure that members of staff are aware of the need to be alert to signs of abuse and know how to respond to a pupil who may tell of abuse

e) ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus, available at www.fellsideprimary.co.uk

f) provide training for all staff so that they know (i) their personal responsibility, (ii) the reporting procedures, (iii) the need to be vigilant in identifying cases of abuse (iv) how to support a child who tells of abuse

g) work to develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at initial case conferences and child protection review conferences;

h) keep written records of concerns about children (noting the date, event and action taken), even where there is no need to refer the matter to Social Services immediately;

i) ensure all records are kept secure and in locked locations;

j) adhere to the procedures set out in the LA's guidelines when an allegation is made against a member of staff. Our Confidential Reporting Code should be referred to should a member of staff suspect abuse from the Headteacher. All other concerns about staff should be reported to the headteacher.

l) ensure the school complies with all legislation and guidance on safe recruitment of staff, governors and volunteers.

m) designate a governor for child protection who will oversee the school's child protection policy and practice.

4.0 SUPPORTING PUPILS AT RISK

4.1 We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth and to view the world as benevolent and meaningful. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of self blame.

4.2 This school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Nevertheless, when at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn.

4.3 The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:

a) The school ethos which (i) promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment in which there is mutual trust and respect
(ii) gives pupils a sense of being valued

b) The content of the curriculum which encourages self esteem and self motivation.

c) The school's behaviour policy supports vulnerable pupils in the school. All staff will agree on a consistent approach which focuses on the behaviour of the offence committed by the child but does not damage the pupil's sense of self worth. The school will endeavour to ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable.

d) Liaison with other agencies who support the student such as Social Services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the Educational Psychology Service, Behaviour Support Services and the Education Welfare Service.

e) Keeping records and notifying Social Services as soon as there is a recurrence of a concern.

4.4 When a pupil on the child protection register leaves, we will transfer information to the new school immediately and inform the relevant agencies.

Bullying

4.5 Our policy on bullying is available to all on www.fellsideprimary.co.uk

4.6 Physical Intervention

Our policy on physical intervention is set out in a separate document

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

4.7 We recognise that statistically children with behavioural difficulties and disabilities are most vulnerable to abuse. School staff who deal with children with specific learning needs, disabilities and or emotional and behaviour problems will be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse.

A very useful website all about the various shapes...

from Priory Woods school in Middlesbrough.

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when....

Years 5 and 6 held their first ever street party to celebrate VE day and the end of their 'Bombs Away' topic. They invited grandparents and great grandparents to join them for an afternoon of singing, dancing, eating and memories. What a wonderful afternoon it was, the children learned a huge amount by listening to the many stories and tales of childhoods past. Many thanks to everyone who came along from near and far!

All aboard to Home Farm.

We were feeling both excited and a little bit apprehensive as we began our evacuation experiences. We could imagine how it would have felt for children in World War II.

We stuffed the mattress with straw and blacked out the windows.

                       We enjoyed making cottage cheese.                                        We enjoyed looking at real World War II artefacts. This school pinafore looked uncomfortable.  

At the end of our trip we loved our visit to the sweet shop!  

We enjoyed playing with the Autumn leaves in our outdoor area.

Richard showing us the stained glass window in St. Mary's Church before the fire.

Looking at the site of the warehouse where the fire started.

Standing on the Newcastle side of the river, where the flames from the explosion spread.

In Bessie Surtee's house which didn't burn in the fire.

Examining artefacts. What jobs did these people do?

Beating the carpet! 

Thanks to Richard we had a fantastic day!

We learned to use a saw.                                

Look at our Buzz Lightyear!

Our Iron Man was as tall as a building.

The new Reception class have enjoyed many activities during their first week at Fellside. They have shared a variety of experiences both inside and outside and have made new friends already.
We hope they continue to flourish during their time at Fellside.

We had a great time making a rail transport timeline, looking at engines and carriages from early railways to the present day and even climbing aboard the footplate of a steam locomotive!

 Here is a display made after visiting St. Mary's Heritage Centre, Gateshead. Year One have created their own city of Gateshead burning in the year 1854. This was inspired by a workshop led by Mr. Richard Stephenson. The children learned all about the terrible, great fire that devastated the quayside that year and of the people who were involved.

Here the children are seen examining and handling artefacts from the past. These related to the main groups of people who were affected. From the housewives who had to flee from their homes grabbing their children as they ran to the over worked firefighters who came to the rescue. From the miners, who as far away as Monkwearmouth heard the blast of the explosding warehouses to the poor policeman who discovered the fire in the early hours. 

 "Hands up all those who can tell me facts about how far the fire spread and how it was able continue for so long!"

Below, Richard, dressed as Charles Bertram, a key character in the event, explains to the children just how far the fire spread - over to the Newcastle side of the Tyne!

Using interactive computer imagery, dramatic portrayals, handling artefacts and walking the actual route of the fire from the Gateshead riverside to Newcastle Quayside, the children were introduced to this local historic event. The day was rounded off with some song writing - 'London's Burning, London's Burning' became 'Gateshead's Burning, Gateshead's Burning!'

Our thanks to Richard Stephenson for a very enlightening day! As one of the children remarked - we learned so much and didn't even have to write a thing!  

Children studying the Bo-bo electrified Locomotive

                                                           I'm all alone!

                                                  Is it time to return yet?

 Blacking out the windows.                                                  All friends together!

                                             Preparing for the blackout.

Making cottage cheese.

Wrapping potatoes.

How much sugar could a child have during WW2?

Today we said goodbye to a terrific group of young people, our Year Six class. We wish them lots of luck as they move on to secondary school. They've been a hard working, polite, creative, successful group who have been superb role models to all within our school.

Here comes the flame again!

Long route or short, it's clear that the impact of training through our involvement in the Bike it scheme has greatly improve confidence and competence on bikes.

A memorable morning and the best attended to date. The weather was kind too. Thanks to all who took part and particular thanks to Gary Haley for his organisation of yet another successful event.

School Terms School Opens School Closes
Autumn Mon 7/9/09 Fri 18/12/09
Spring Mon 4/1/10 Thu 1/4/10
Summer Mon 19/4/10 Fri 23/7/10

Half Term
26-30 October 2009
15-19 February 2010
1-4 June 2010
May Day Holiday - Mon 3 May 2010

In-Service Training Days for Teaching Staff

Two days within the above terms are to be used for in-service training activities. These dates are to be determined and agreed by the School Governing Body. School is closed to children on Monday 7th September 2009 for staff training.

Occasional Days

In addition, one day within the summer term 2010 is to be utilised for the purpose of closure in the event of Government elections. This day to be used near the end of the summer term at the discretion of the Head Teacher and Governing Body.

Special Advice

Last night our cricket team sailed through to the regional cricket finals at the Riverside Cricket Ground in Durham. Well done to them, team work, postive attitudes and superb skills all came into play. Good luck to them all for Monday.

Today Year Six began their teacher training as they introduced the Reception class to the Mathletics programme in the ICT suite. What a joy it was to watch our oldest and youngest children work together. 

Speaking, listening, patience and

understanding all came into play.

We began our stories just as the sheriff crept up behind Robin, with a sword in hand, and gleefully announced that they were 'trapped'.

Have a look at just a few of the wonderful, gripping stories we wrote. 

  Annabel.doc  

  Anna.doc

  Ellen.doc

  Daniel.doc

Liberty.doc 

We chose rock and roll from America in 1959. We danced to 'Rock around the Clock' by Bill Haley and The Comets.

Here we are performing at 'The Sage' and again in front of the whole school!

Are we nearly there yet?

Hooray, lap four!

Time for the play area.

Back to the nursery for scones with jam and milk.

With the money raised from the toddle, a new water tray and toys will bought for the nursery children to enjoy.
A big thank you for all your support.

The ushers greet the guests and show them to their seats.

 The service begins.

The best man and the pageboy.

Exchanging rings!

The bride's parents watch anxiously.

The Blessing.

Signing the Register.

The photographer in action!

The 'Happy Couple' lead the procession.

Dodging the bubbles!

The 'Happy Couple' with their families. 

The guests. 

Cutting the cake. 

Congratulations!

Pictured above are our rocking Mr. Grinling models made in our technology lessons.

The 'sea' is made from a paper plate which is covered in stripes of coloured tissue paper. The layers of PVA glue make it strong so that when the plate is dried and folded it is strong enough to rock. The boat with the sail is made by folding a single cardboard square and carefully coloured. We know that boats are female so we have given them our own Mums' names. Mr. Grinling is seen fishing with a cocktail stick 'fishing rod' and he has caught a rainbow fish.

We have been reading the whole series of Lighthouse Keeper stories. After reading, 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Cat', we wrote missing pet posters. After reading, 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Rescue', we wrote recounts about the rescue of the beached whale and after reading 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch', we had such fun designing and writing a recipe for the most disgusting sandwiches we could possibly imagine! 

Year 5 have just finished learning all about the Tudors, and to celebrate we held a lavish Tudor banquet.

Fellside Fun Club Price Structure January 2009 (Word: 26KB)

Rachel Wilson the owner/manager works with parents, school staff and Governors to continue to provide a quality, secure and friendly setting for breakfast club and after-school care.

Opening Times are 07.50 to 9.00am and 3.15 to 5.50pm.

Rachel can be contacted on 07541227842 or e-mail at fellsidefunclub@blueyonder.co.uk

Here's a little of what Ofsted had to say following the inspection in June 2009: "The staff team work together very effectively to safeguard children's welfare ... Children are exceptionally content, happy and secure in the setting." The full report is available at www.ofsted.gov.uk

Any help in providing 'Tudor' costumes will be much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

Sally Moore

Year One pupils had a go at making their own toys to play with. They made old fashioned peg dolls. These started off as traditional wooden pegs. At first Year One boys were not so excited about making 'dolls' but when they began making 'Ghost Peg dolls', they had great fun.

Here are the next set of peg dolls - our Princess range! Dainty, pretty and great fun to make...

We looked at a selection of types of wrapping paper. For example : Birthday, Christmas, Halloween and Christening. Here are some of our designs:-

James found some great dinosaur images for his birthday wrapping paper design.

Pippa used animal images to design her birthday wrapping paper.

 Luke found these Christmas images on Clip Art and used them in his repeating pattern.

 Emily decided to use horizontal lines for her repeating pattern using three Christmas images.

Each day fruit is washed,chopped and placed on a tray for everyone to enjoy.

Apples, oranges, bananas everyone has a favourite fruit.

In the kitchen four children are making dough.

 Long worms and spiders were favourite creations made from black dough.

The children carefully gave the clay hedgehogs spikes using modelling tools.

Outdoors, everyone enjoys climbing, digging or floating boats.

Some children are drawing plans or chalking pictures.

Soft play is always fun, hiding numbers is the game today.

Watch out! Three bears live in the cottage at nursery.

Friday is library day. Everyone chooses a book to take home.

We take the books home in our new library bags.

Colour in the puppet parts carefully.

Cut round the puppet pieces, following the outline.

Pin your puppet parts together, using paper fasteners. 

Finally attach the lever and have lots of fun moving the arms and legs of your new puppet!

Cleaning shoes!

Making cottage cheese.

Pickling eggs!

Making mats.

Many thanks to all the staff at Beamish who made the evacuation possible and ensured the children all had a great time.

Watch this space for more photographs of the evacuees. 

Download file

Click to enlarge images from the event below:

Click below to see further images of the event.

The majority of participants opted for the long ride - 10 miles from Consett to Swalwell - riding at a cracking pace (for children as young as 5) to reach Swalwell in just over an hour.

The sun shone for the picnic element of this enjoyable event.

Thanks to all who took part and particularly to Gary Haley for his work on the organisation of what has become a traditional summer event at Fellside.

Download Newlsetter (Adobe 189KB)

Nationally there has been considerable media and parliamentary interest in SATs this year. Issues have been raised around curriculum content in Year Six classes, the purpose of the tests and concerns about stress on children.

From our prospective … We retain a full, broad curriculum as long as is sensible in Year Six with full access to sport and the arts—their residential visit was in the second half of last term. Naturally we ensure appropriate teaching and learning, and revision and practice opportunities in the approach to tests.

The purpose of the tests? Do they test schools or children? I could write pages on this one. Within school we are assessing children and individual results are important to children, parents and teachers. There is no doubt that at a regional and national level results are used to rank schools (newspapers, etc.) and judge school performance (Ofsted, DCSF etc.).

We currently operate at a very high level in these crude rankings (5th Nationally in 2007), which is nice, but are such ‘league tables’ useful or necessary? Probably not.

Are the tests stressful? Well what test taken seriously isn’t? In my experience a combination of full curriculum coverage, expert teaching and massive commitment from children enables every child to enter the tests confident in their own ability to succeed. Our result bear witness.

It seems certain that SATs in their current form have just about outlived their usefulness. Another one, maybe two years left of the current system I should guess. I know that any teacher at Fellside can give an accurate assessment of levels for individual children without any test and we are currently refining this process. Equally I’m certain that government (of any political persuasion) will wish to retain a system for comparing schools and judging performance.

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Today saw the first ever bring your bike and have your breakfast event! There were over forty children and parents who cycled to school and then enjoyed fresh juice, croissants, toast and time to chat with friends. Many thanks to James, our Bike-It officer, who organised and ran the event. Watch out for more activities during Bike-It Week, week beginning Monday 16th June.

Doubtless you’ll have applied a simple test of progress, and one we encourage all children to use—”look back at your work in September and look at it now”.

In many cases, and this is often most obvious with our youngest children, this can and does show an astonishing rate of progress in writing and maths.

Expert teaching at school, combined with that essential support from home and of course the enthusiasm of our children enable almost all our children to achieve our aim of ‘learning to read’ in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, enabling them to ‘read to learn’ and develop advanced skills in Key Stage Two.

We were delighted at the response from parents of younger children to our Phonics for Families workshops run by Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Balkwill. Similar workshops are sure to take place in the Autumn Term.

As you are aware we make every effort to enrich and enhance our curricular and extra curricular provision and always celebrate success and progress in the arts, sports and social aspects of school life. We never lose sight of one of our core purposes—ensuring our children are literate and numerate. The ‘nuts and bolts’ of primary education.

Download Newsletter (Adobe 190KB)

Doubtless you’ll have applied a simple test of progress, and one we encourage all children to use—”look back at your work in September and look at it now”.

In many cases, and this is often most obvious with our youngest children, this can and does show an astonishing rate of progress in writing and maths.

Expert teaching at school, combined with that essential support from home and of course the enthusiasm of our children enable almost all our children to achieve our aim of ‘learning to read’ in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, enabling them to ‘read to learn’ and develop advanced skills in Key Stage Two.

We were delighted at the response from parents of younger children to our Phonics for Families workshops run by Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Balkwill. Similar workshops are sure to take place in the Autumn Term.

As you are aware we make every effort to enrich and enhance our curricular and extra curricular provision and always celebrate success and progress in the arts, sports and social aspects of school life. We never lose sight of one of our core purposes—ensuring our children are literate and numerate. The ‘nuts and bolts’ of primary education.

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