Royal Wedding Preparations.
Whilst our Reception children enjoyed a ‘Royal Wedding’ party in the summer sunshine, our Year 6 children became wedding dress designers and made some exceptional wedding dresses out of rolls of toilet paper! I must say that the Year 6 dress designs were much better than the real thing and a lot cheaper too!
School Closure – Friday 2nd March 2018
Due to the continuing adverse weather conditions and further weather warnings for snow showers, icy conditions and high winds the school will be closed tomorrow (Friday 2nd March 2018). The safety of pupils, parents and staff is paramount, especially when considering the travelling to and from school and the accessibility around the school site. The school will re-open on Monday 5th March.
Thank you.
Mr L J Duncan
School Closure
Due to the continuing adverse weather conditions and further amber warnings for heavy snow, icy conditions and high winds the school will be closed tomorrow (Thursday 1st March 2018). School will reopen on Friday 2nd March if the weather conditions improve. Please keep checking our school app and website for updates. Temporary school closures are also published on the County Durham website. Please stay safe if you need to travel.
Mr L J Duncan
School Closed – Adverse Weather!
Due to the adverse weather conditions and further amber warnings for heavy snow the school will be closed today (Wednesday 28th February 2018). School will reopen on Thursday 1st March if the weather conditions improve. Please keep checking our school app and website for updates. Temporary school closures are also published on the County Durham website. Please stay safe today if travelling.
Mr L J Duncan
Weather Update – School Open
School is open as usual today (Tuesday 27th February) – please wrap up warm!
After school clubs, including Year 6 booster classes, are cancelled today due to the weather.
Our EYFS parents evening has also been cancelled today due to the weather. An alternative date will be forwarded to parents once finalised. Thank you.
Mr L J Duncan
Swimming Success!
A BIG well done to our fabulous swimming team who were winners at the recent swimming gala.
More information about this will be in our next parents newsletter so do look out for this
Industrial Action
Industrial Action of Unison and ATL members – Wednesday 30th November and Thursday 1st December
As you will be aware, following a recent ballot, Teaching Assistants across Durham County Council, who are affected by the proposals to change terms and conditions, have voted to take industrial action in the form of a strike. I would like to inform you that strike action is planned to take place this week on Wednesday 3oth November and Thursday 1st December.
How will this affect my children?
As headteacher, I am responsible, in consultation with the Chair of Governors, for deciding what will happen in our school during the strike period. This strike action will lead to a significant reduction in staffing levels and consequently there will be health and safety implications for all pupils within our school.
My decision, therefore, has been informed by the risk assessment that I have carried out to determine the impact of the strike on the health and safety of pupils and staff.
On Wednesday 30th November
The school will remain open to all pupils.
On Thursday 1st December
Reception Class will be closed to pupils. The school will remain open for all other year groups (Yr1 –Yr6).
Can I also remind parents there will be no Breakfast Club on Thursday 1st December.
I appreciate that closing the school to some pupils will cause inconvenience for families. However, can I assure you once again that in forming my decision I have taken into account the safety and well-being of all pupils and school staff. I will inform you if further developments arise.
There will be further industrial action next week on the 6th, 7th and 8th December. I am currently assessing the impact this will have on school and will inform parents in due course of any closures if necessary. Please check our school website and school APP for updates.
Mr L Duncan
RE: Industrial Action Unison and ATL – Wed 23 & Thur 24 November
As you will be aware, following a recent ballot, Teaching Assistants across Durham County Council, who are affected by the proposals to change terms and conditions, have voted to take industrial action in the form of a strike. I would like to inform you that strike action is planned to take place on Wednesday 23rd November and Thursday 24th November.
How will this affect my children?
As headteacher, I am responsible, in consultation with the Chair of Governors, for deciding what will happen in our school during the strike period. This strike action will lead to a significant reduction in staffing levels and consequently there will be health and safety implications for all pupils within our school.
Following the industrial action held last week, and the resulting closure of the school to all pupils, school Health and Safety procedures were evaluated and measures planned for to prevent whole school closure in future industrial actions. However, due to the current planned industrial action being carried out so soon after the first, relevant Health and Safety training and procedures have not, as yet, been fully completed.
My decision, therefore, has been informed by the risk assessment that I have carried out to determine the impact of the strike on the health and safety of pupils and staff.
The decision I have made is that the school will be open only for pupils in the following year groups and they should attend school at the usual times.
Can I also remind parents there will be no Breakfast Club on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th
| Industrial Action of Unison and ATL members – Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 November | |
| Classes which will attend school at the usual times | Classes which will not be in school on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November |
| Redacre – Miss Cooper | Reception |
| Fleetrock – Mrs Sharp | Year 3 |
| Featherbed – Mrs Thompson | Year 4H |
| Year 4W | |
| Year 5 | |
| Year 6 | |
I appreciate that closing the school to some pupils will cause inconvenience for families. However, can I assure you once again that in forming my decision I have taken into account the safety and well-being of all pupils and school staff. I will inform you if further developments arise.
Yours sincerely,
Mr L Duncan (Headteacher)
Children in Need 2016
The children had a great day doing all things spotty! Our school house groups competed to see which could cover the most spots with copper coins. Who was the winning house? – Well all the money raised will be counted and the totals revealed next week! Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day a big success and for donating towards a very charitable cause. (Congratulations to Milbanke House for winning the House Total – £74.22! Altogether we raised a fantastic £192.38 in copper change. Added to other money raised our school total to Children in Need is £210. Well done everyone!)
