Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Dyslexia Awareness Week
Thu 07 Oct 2021Today, Mr Beament and Sara Hibbs ran two assemblies on Dyslexia where the children discussed what dyslexia is and what difficulties it can create for children’s learning. We also looked at the awesome superpowers that dyslexic learners have and the huge success stories from famous dyslexic learners.
Mr Beament explained how teachers and staff have been reading, researching and learning about dyslexia and then reflecting on classroom practise. We will now look at making small but important changes that will support dyslexic learners and every other child in the school.
Mr Beament also took some time to share the difficulties and superpowers he has experienced at school and today as a dyslexia learner himself.
Over the coming months we will share more information with the children and families as we continue to develop and become more and more ‘dyslexic friendly’ – watch this space!
The photos below include some dyslexic friendly Junior School books that were bought by the PTA. They are printed on yellow paper and have a special code. For example, ‘RA7IA7-12’ which means ‘Reading Age 7, Interest Age 7-12’ allowing dyslexic reader the chance to read more interesting books for their age at their reading age level.
Watch the video from our assmblies: click here
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Made By Dyslexia
Fri 01 Oct 2021‘Dyslexics have minds made for the 21st Century. We are complex problem solvers. Big picture thinkers. With an ability to connect and inspire others’
#MadeByDyslexia, 2019
Next week is ‘Dyslexia Awareness Week’ and we are using this event as an opportunity to launch one of our key school development objectives for this academic year.
Over the last six months we have been observing teaching, speaking to children, training and surveying staff, reading new research and starting to plan how we can develop our learning environment and approaches to best support dyslexic learners. The great thing about this work is that changes we implement within our classrooms are proven to support all children even if they are not dyslexic.
Next week, Mr Beament and Sara Hibbs will be leading an assembly on Dyslexia for both schools on what a dyslexic learner is and what we are planning to do this year. Mr Beament is a dyslexic learner himself and will also share some of his experiences with the children as well.
As we progress through the year, we will be running information workshops for families and sharing developments through newsletters, our website and social media channels.
If you’re interested to learn more about dyslexia at home or trying some activities and games with your children, below is a list of useful resources you can explore.
Dyslexia Week 2021 - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Awareness week – European Dyslexia Association (eda-info.eu)
Dyslexia Awareness Week 2021 - Event Info and Resources (twinkl.com)
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Junior School Cresent Team Captains
Tue 14 Sep 2021The Year 6 children have selected their Crescent Team Captains for this academic year.
After discussing and considering the important of the Junior School values and how a Crescent leader would have to support and promote these the children keen to take on this leadership responsibility were asked to self-nominate.
An anonymous Year 6 vote took place and the captains were selected.
Well done and good luck to this year’s Crescent Team Captains.
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Back to school - important updates
Fri 03 Sep 2021Welcome Back!
We hope you have had a wonderful and relaxing summer break. We are delighted to welcome the children back to school on Monday 6th September ready for a fun filled and busy Term 1.
Below are a few key messages for parents regarding our updated COVID-19 risk assessment and ‘outbreak management plan’.
COVID Risk Assessment
The link to our updated risk assessment and ‘outbreak management plan’ can be found at the top of this page.
This is a significantly reduced risk assessment from previous versions but still includes important information that families need to be aware of. Please take some time to read this.
You can also read the DfE blog – ‘Back to school – what you need to know’.
Start and end of the day
We will no longer stagger the start or end of the school day and multiple entrance points will no longer be required. However, some of our COVID drop off and pick up locations are ‘COVID keepers’ as they have worked really well this year.
Information about where to drop off and pick up your child/children was sent out at the end of last term and can be found here.
Some key information for Monday
Here are some of the key messages from our risk assessment you need to be aware of for Monday:
Masks around school
Masks will no longer be required for parents around school. However, we will support adults who wish to wear a mask in these areas.
Drop off
Parents and carers will continue to be asked to drop their children at the doors and not enter the building to hang up coats etc.
PE kits/ bags and water bottles
These can be brought into school from the first day of term, so they are ready to be used.
We are looking forward to welcoming all the children back to school on Monday.
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End of year videos, transition videos and some goodbyes.
Wed 21 Jul 2021Today we have published some videos to celebrate the end of the year and to support children with September transition.
End of year videos
Click here to watch the Year 2 Leaver’s Assembly
Click here to watch the Junior School Leavers and memories assembly.
Click here to watch the Year 6 Leavers slide show (the one from the Leavers assembly above)
Transition Videos
We have created and published 9 transitional videos for the children to watch over the Summer holiday to support them with September transition.
They can be found here.
Our YouTube channel
All these videos and lots more from last year can be found here on our channel.
Some Goodbyes
This year we are saying good by to two members of staff and a Governor.
Miss Judd
Miss Judd has worked at the Junior School for just over 7 years, and has been a fantastic support to so many children during her time here. She has played an important role in developing our OPAL play, making sure everyone has a great playtime and lunchtime whilst staying safe and having fun using the loose play parts—she is the OPAL Queen!
Miss Judd is kind, patient and works really hard to make sure children are happy at school and getting the support they need with their learning. We wish Miss Judd all the best as she moves on to start her PGCE—we know she will make a fantastic teacher. Thank you for everything you have done for all of the staff and children at the Juniors Miss Judd—we will miss you.
Mr Brosnan
Mr Brosnan has worked at the Junior school for a year, and has provided invaluable support to the children and teachers he has worked with during this time. Mr Brosnan is kind, always makes learning fun (he can often be seen on a scooter alongside the children!) and has built brilliant relationships with the children he has worked closely with. We will miss you next year as you head off to University, Mr Brosnan, and would like to thank you for all of the hard work you have put into your role at the Juniors this year.
Claire Henwood
Claire has been Chair of Governors for many years working hard behind the scenes supporting the school leadership. She has worked tirelessly and been committed to supporting staff and making the St Saviour’s experience the best it can be for our children. She has made such an impact over the years and we can’t thank her enough for this.
Claire has reflected on her time as Chair and written a message for everyone:
‘Summer term is so often the time to say “goodbye”, as children and staff move on to new pastures. It’s also time for me to say goodbye to the St Saviour’s governing body, having been part of first the Infants, and then the joint governing board for 8 years. I’ve been Chair of Governors for the last 4 years, which has seen a huge amount of change and challenge for both schools. It’s fair to say that I didn’t expect my term to be quite so eventful!
Being a governor is a real privilege – you get an insight into how schools work, and the broader education system, that is fascinating. The best thing, of course, is seeing the impact on the children of the work you do with the school leadership team. Christmas lunch is always a highlight too!
We’re so lucky in Larkhall to consistently have a brilliant group of governors, who have such enthusiasm to use their skills and time for the benefit of all the children in our schools. I’ve been really fortunate to work with some incredible people over the last 8 years, including Danielle and Amy, who I know will make an amazing team as co-chairs.
The staff teams at both schools deserve a special mention – particularly for the dedication they’ve shown through what must be one of the most challenging periods for schools in memory. The leadership team have worked so hard to bring the two schools together over the last 2 years, while dealing with school closures, remote learning and ever changing guidance. Mr Beament, Sophie and Mrs Simmons – you all deserve a proper rest this summer!
Finally, a huge thank you to all the children. It is WONDERFUL to come in to school and talk to you, and to get to see what you do in the classrooms and playgrounds. That’s definitely what I’ll miss the most!’
Have a great summer
We wish every member of our community a wonderful summer and see you all in September. Best of luck to our Year 6 leavers as they continue their learning adventures at secondary school.
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Summer and September - school updates
Tue 20 Jul 2021The sun is shining, and the summer holiday is just hours away!
With the changes in COVID guidance, I am emailing to share with you some details regarding September.
COVID Risk Assessment
In line with the relaxation of other national measures, schools are also having a significant relaxation and removal of most measures from the DfE guidance. Four control measures remain in place:
1. Ensure good hygiene for everyone.
2. Maintain appropriate cleaning regimes.
3. Keep occupied spaces well ventilated.
4. Follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
During the Summer Holidays, we will update our COVID risk assessment to reflect these changes. I will not send this to families until the end of August or the beginning of September as the current national picture appears to be very uncertain and not confirming our risk assessment until the start of September seems the sensible option.
However, there are some details I can share with you today.
Start and end of the day
We will no longer stagger the start or end of the day and multiple entrance points will no longer be required. However, some of our COVID drop off and pick up locations are ‘COVID keepers’ as they have worked really well this year.
The plan for the children is as follows:
Infant School
Drop off between: 8:50am – 9:00am
Pick up: 3:15pm
Location (drop off and pick up):
Nursery
Nursery Garden
Reception
Carpark – Reception Garden gate
Year 1 and 2
Classroom doors from the playground (enter playground through large black gates or side blue gate)
Junior School
Drop off: 8:45am – 8:55am
Pick up: 3:25pm
Locations (Drop off):
Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 Thunberg Class (Miss Drake)
Main entrance (by the crossing) in at the side door
Year 5 Cowell Class (Miss Williams) and Year 6
Bottom gate by the playground
Locations (pick up):
Year 3
Same as drop off
Year 4
Top playground (parents enter via side gate – not the car park)
Year 5 and Year 6
Bottom playground
Positive COVID and close contacts
Children and staff who test positive for COVID will still be required to isolate in line with national policy.
From August 19th all under 18s who are considered close contacts will not need to self-isolate. Information can be found here (this information will be updated by the NHS when guidance and rules change).
Home Learning
We will maintain our home learning capacity for children who have to self-isolate. If a child goes into isolation, we will contact the family to make arrangements for home learning.
…and a summer freebie for families!
White Rose Maths (the maths followed at St Saviour’s) have teamed up with Morrisons to give primary pupils a series of exciting and FREE workbooks to use at home. These colourful and engaging workbooks are perfect for revisiting and practising work that children have covered earlier in the year, or to prepare them for the new school year ahead.
Click here to find out more: https://whiterosemaths.com/morrisons/
Have a great Summer Holiday
If I don’t see you before the end of term, I hope you all have a great summer break. Thank you to the parents, carers, staff, children and our wider school community for your understanding and support through what has been a ‘different’ kind of year.
Best of luck to the children and staff leaving St Saviour’s this year and keep an eye out for some videos soon to be uploaded to our YouTube channel (I will share them on social media as well). I am personally planning to have a long rest and spend some quality time with my family and friends over the summer break, recharge my batteries and look forward to seeing you all in September.
Best wishes,
Mr Beament
Executive Headteacher
St Saviour’s Infant Church School and St Saviour’s Junior Church School
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RSE Consultation feedback
Mon 19 Jul 2021Dear Parents and Carers,
Parent and Carer Consultation outcomes – Relationship Education
We recently invited you to complete our RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) Parental
Consultation and would like to thank you for taking part.
As a school community we are committed to working in partnership with parents and all
stakeholders and as such, your feedback is invaluable.
We had an overwhelmingly positive response and appreciate your time and consideration of
this Jigsaw PSHE scheme of work and how we plan to fulfil the changes in this area of the curriculum.
The details of this consultation are still available on our website and can be found here. This information will remain on our website at least until the end of Term 1 2021-2022.
The results analysis and summary of common themes can be found below. Now the consultation has been completed and the views of our community have been considered our final policy has now been published.
Best wishes,
Mr Beament
Executive Headteacher
St Saviour’s Infant Church School and St Saviour’s Junior Church School
Click here for the results and analysis of the consultation feedback
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Fruit Kebabs
Fri 09 Jul 2021Finland Class have been leanring about healthy food and making yummy fruit kebabs.
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£450 raised for a great charity
Fri 25 Jun 2021Round of applause 👏👏
We raised £448.59 by wearing denim on our 'Denim for Dementia' non-uniform day during Dementia Awareness Week in May.
This was a combination of non-uniform money and sale of the pin badges which had been donated by a parent. The money is being sent to Reminiscence Learning to go towards our next Archie Project.
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Year 5 Enterprise Day
Fri 18 Jun 2021The Year 5 children have completed their traditional Enterprise Day where they used a small financial investment from the school to create a business and then sell projects or services to other children.
These businesses are usually opened up to the whole school but due to COVID restrictions they were only visited by other Year 5 children and some members of staff.
The children made £144 and after they paid back their £26 school investment they have made a profit of £118.
There will now be a Year 5 vote on how to spend the money!
The children had to work extra hard this year to make these businesses a success - well done to all the amazing Year 5 entrepreneurs!
