Low Ash weekly update

This week has finally felt like summer at Low Ash with the children making the most of the full school grounds. Although this is encouraged in all weathers (so long as pupils have the correct footwear and clothing), it definitely makes it more appealing when the ground is dry and the sun is shining! A reminder to please send water (not juice) into school with children, sunhats and apply sun cream in this warm weather.

This week's attendance is 95.4%.

This year's attendance so far is 95.2%.

Classes of the week (and their attendance) - well done to 6LC and Reception Base 2.

A reminder that we aim for at least 96% attendance. Thank you for supporting us in this.

Nursery and Reception had a lovely time on Wednesday taking part in their annual May Day Parade. It was wonderful to see all of the costumes. A lot of effort had certainly gone into them. Thank you to all parents and carers who supported the event and to the Early Years team for organising the parade.

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The NSPCC's new updated video, which can be used to support conversations at home, can be found by clicking on the link below.

Let's talk PANTS with Pantosaurus! | NSPCC

Last half term, we shared the responses from the most recent parent / carer questionnaire. At that point, we said we would discuss the areas for improvement some of you offered and respond in due course.

Not always child first. Can feel like it's target focussed.

We are genuinely concerned if this is felt by any parents and carers of our children. Academic achievement is important - and schools are expected to aim high - however Low Ash is about so much more than this. That is why we offer a range of extra curricular clubs, Fantastic Friday enrichment afternoons, the My Happy Mind mental health curriculum, are adopting Forest Schools provision and provide exciting playtime opportunities through OPAL. We are always striving to improve however. If you feel there are further things we could offer to improve your child's experience, please let us know.

I believe the one-to-one sessions with the teacher should be more than 10 minutes as it feels rushed .

Although parents' evening appointments are only 10 minutes, all teachers would be happy to speak to any parent and carer at other points in the year should you feel you need a lengthier conversation. If this is the case, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment.

Instead of non-uniform days reward kids with extra play time as, for them, this is more important .

From this half term, the winning house will have an extra playtime in addition to their non-uniform day.

Explore more museums parks and other activities as kids learn more this way.

We appreciate, this year with only having one minibus and the cost of transport, our off-site visits have been reduced. Our second minibus is due to arrive very soon however. Next year, we plan to increase our off-site visits once more as we can transport a whole class at the same time.

One thing that could be improved is the provision of the hot school lunches. My child has always had a hot school lunch however as he moves further up the school he regularly complains there is never enough and is often left with something he doesn't like. This happens mostly with the hot desserts. He has complained that these are always gone by the time his year has their lunch.

Our catering is provided by Facilities Management at Bradford Council. We spoke with their kitchen manager who did agree there had been an issue with this when the new menu began. She explained that, with a new menu, it is sometimes hard to judge what will be the most popular hence, at times, they ran out of items. She stated that she hoped this situation had now improved.

School have not made parents aware when a member of staff has been on long term sick and no long term solution was put into place, consequently some days my child was having 3 different teachers.

Due to data protection we cannot go into detail about teacher absences. However, when this situation arose, we felt that we did communicate the plan as to who would cover the class. We made the decision not to use a supply teacher as they are unknown to the children and therefore we didn't consider this to be the best option. We communicated to parents and carers that, instead, we were using a retired, experienced teacher (known to the children) along with other internal members of staff. Although the class were taught by 3 different adults, they were taught at the same time each week by the same adult to avoid confusion. Obviously any absence is not ideal however and we try to deal with it in a way which will have the least impact on the children. We are sorry however if you feel you were not kept fully informed or if your child suffered as a result of the absence.

Pupil behaviour is not managed effectively.

We are sorry you feel this way. We always aim to be consistent in the application of our behaviour policy. However, should you feel this is not the case, please contact school and the most appropriate person will meet with you. Before the end of the school year, we will be asking parents and carers for their feedback on our behaviour ladder in order that we can discuss any potential amendments before the new academic year.

Merits do not seem to be given very much. My child has only just got their bronze award, half way through the year, whereas my other child in year 1 has already got their gold.

Whilst children are still settling into school life (especially the transition from Reception into Year 1 which can be difficult) more merits might be awarded than in the older year groups.

A reminder of some of the many positive comments we also received.

-A wonderful school. The teachers are doing a great job in difficult economic and social times. Our kids love coming to school everyday.

-My child is learning a lot and enjoying time at school and after school clubs. Thank you.

-The school looks at the child as a child and not just a pupil. All staff know all children. They provide education and social education through after school clubs, discos and activities.

-Low Ash is a wonderful school. Both children are thriving and are happy to go to school each morning - that' so important.

-It is a very good school.

Thank you to all of those who completed the survey. It is very much appreciated.

A huge well done to our dance teams who took part in a competition at Blakehill Primary last night. They showcased full routines they had learnt - with the help of Miss Henry - and did a great job.

A well done also to the Low Ash Lionesses who showed off their footballing skills playing against Blakehill last week. A number of our Year 3 and 4 girls represented school for the first time. All who played were a credit to Low Ash.

Sunday 12th May - Low Ash Team runs the Leeds half marathon to raise money for school

Week commencing 13th May - Year 6 SATs week

Week commencing 20th May - STEM week

Friday 24th May - non-uniform day in aid of Diabetes UK

Friday 24th May - break up for the May holidays (school closed for 2 weeks)

Monday 10th June - School re-opens

Week commencing 10th June - Year 1 phonics screening check and Year 4 multiplication check

Thursday 13th June - 2M school trip

Friday 14th June - FOLA Father's Day Secret Room

Thursday 20th June - 2B trip

Thursday 20th June - New Reception intake parent / carers evening (6.00pm-7.00pm)

Monday 24th June - 3T school trip

Tuesday 25th June - Reception Base 1 school trip

Wednesday 26th June - New Nursery intake parent /carers meeting (6.00pm-7.00pm)

Thursday 27th June - 3B school trip

Friday 28th June - Reception Base 2 school trip

Week commencing 1st July - Year 6 'show' week (more details to follow)

Thursday 4th July - 1P school trip

Tuesday 9th July - 1RW school trip

Wednesday 10th-Friday 12th July - Year 6 residential

Thursday 11th July - Summer discos - Nursery to Year 5 (more details to follow)

Week commencing 15th July - Healthy Schools Week

Thursday 18th July - Year 6 leavers' event (more details to follow)

Friday 19th July - 'Break a rule' day (more details to follow)

Monday 22nd July - Low Ash summer fair (from 3.45pm - more details to follow)

Tuesday 23rd July - Year 6 leavers' assembly

Finally, we want to wish the Year 6s the best of luck for their SATs tests next week. They have worked so hard and should feel very proud of themselves. Whatever happens next week, they are all stars in our eyes.

We hope to see some of you on the half marathon route on Sunday. If not, have a lovely weekend and we will see you all on Monday. Enjoy the sunshine!