Friday 12th September 2025
We have had another great week at school and I’ve been really impressed with how hard children are working! This week in EYFS, the children have settled brilliantly into their new routines and are enjoying exploring all the areas of provision. Team Nidd had an exciting first visit to the library, which was a big hit with everyone! Their topic, ‘All about Me’, has sparked lots of engaging discussions. We’ve been learning about our likes and dislikes, and exploring how everyone is unique. The children have shown wonderful understanding and respect for the fact that it’s okay to have different preferences to our friends. They also loved this Forest School session today painting pictures using blackberry juice as their paint.
Meanwhile in Key Stage 1, this week Team Aire has been learning about different parts of the human body. They then used sticky notes to label these different body parts on their friends. They have been having lots of fun and we are so proud of how hard they have been working.
In other news, I am also delighted to announce that we have a new team of Year 5 and Year 6 Sports Champions for the school! We are incredibly proud of our PE and Sports curriculum at our school. We have worked hard in recent years to ensure that children receive quality PE lessons alongside regular fitness opportunities and inter-school sports experiences. As part of our desire to see children’s health, fitness and happiness continue to improve, we have asked our Sports Champions to support and extend play and sport on the playground at lunchtimes. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their pupil leadership. Working on a rota, they will plan, set-up and engage our younger pupils this year in a variety of sports, games and activities outdoors. They are receiving a full day’s worth of training soon from Beyond the Physical and we look forward to seeing how they get on, under the supervision of Mrs Caffrey and Mrs Jeff! Thank you and well done Sports Champions!
Finally, please take a look below at some of this term’s calendar dates. There is lots to look forward to and we will have more dates for you next week. We are looking forward to welcoming you into school again this year to share in your children’s learning journey!
Have a great weekend, Mr Greene
Attendance
Update
Our school target is 97%
This week our attendance was : 94%
Nidd – 99%
Aire – 94%
Ouse – 9%
Derwent – 94%
Foss – 93%
Calder – 97%
Humber – 91%
Dates for your diary:
| Friday 12th September 2025 | Applications open for applying for High School places
NYCC website link for School Admissions https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/starting-secondary-school |
| Monday 15th
September 2025 |
4pm – Team Nidd – Parent Reading Information Meeting – Join us in the hall to find out more about our phonics programme ‘Little Wandle’ and how you can support your child with their reading at home. |
| Tuesday 16th
September 2025 |
4pm – Team Aire – Parent Reading Information Meeting – Join us in the hall to find out more about our phonics programme ‘Little Wandle’ and how you can support your child with their reading at home. |
| Wednesday 17th September 2025 | 3.15pm (in school) Team Foss Willersley Castle Residential Information Meeting – Parents/Carers and Children please join us to find out more about our exciting residential! |
| Friday 26th September 2025 | We would like to invite you to take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.
Please join us from 08:30 am on the playground for a drink and a treat and make a donation to MacMillan. |
| Languages Day in School | |
| Friday 24th October 2025 | School Breaks Up 3.15pm |
| Monday 27th October 2025 – Friday 31st October 2025 | Half Term Holiday |
| Monday 3rd November 2025 | Back to School |
| Friday 14th November 2025 | Training Day – School closed to pupils |
| Friday 19th December 2025 | School Breaks Up 3.15pm |
| Monday 22nd December 2025 – Friday 2nd January | Christmas Holiday |
| Monday 5th January 2025 | Training Day – School closed to pupils |
Please ensure you pre-book school lunches and breakfast club on Parentpay 48 hours in advance of the day required.
School Admissions for Secondary School for September 2026
Applications for those requiring a Secondary School for September 2026 need to be actioned and completed by 31st October 2025
Here is the link for the admissions and application page for North Yorkshire :
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/starting-secondary-school
Portal for applications opens 12th September 2025 and closes 31 October 2025
Here is the link for the admissions and application page for Wakefield :
Portal for applications opens 1st September 2025 and closes 31 October 2025
For pupils living outside North Yorkshire: Parents must apply to their home authority and obtain information about their application process. If they wish for their child to attend a North Yorkshire school, they still need to apply through their home authority. Information will be shared between local authorities as part of the coordinated admissions scheme.
For your information open days as follows :
De Lacy Academy – Thursday 18th September 2025 5pm – 8pm
Selby High School – Thursday 18th September 2025 4.30pm to 8pm
Sherburn High School – Thursday 2nd October 2025 5pm – 8pm
