New SEAL theme
As we start the new school year, our SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) theme focuses on new beginnings.
‘I make someone feel welcome’ is the first SEAL statement to launch the theme.
New Beginnings allows children the opportunity to discuss and reflect on how they or others may feel in a new situation or setting. This SEAL theme offers children the opportunity to see themselves as valued individuals within a community, and to contribute to shaping a welcoming, safe and fair learning community for all.
During the theme, the key areas of learning are empathy, self-awareness, social skills and motivation.
Through discrete SEAL lessons, circle times and across the curriculum, children will explore feelings of happiness and excitement, sadness, anxiety and fearfulness, while learning (and putting into practice) shared models for calming down and problem-solving.
New Beginnings supports the development of a learning community in each classroom where all members feel that they belong. Class contracts, produced at the start of the year, allow children to contribute to how they feel they can achieve a safe and fair learning community.
Ofsted's guide for parents
Ofsted updates its processes and procedures frequently. Here is the content from their latest document: School inspections – a guide for parents, dated September 2014.
Why does Ofsted inspect schools?
We inspect schools to provide information to parents, to promote improvement and to hold schools to account for the public money they receive. School inspections are required by law. We provide an independent assessment of the quality and standards of education in schools, and check whether pupils are achieving as much as they can.
When do inspections happen and how long do they last?
A school that was judged to be outstanding at its last inspection is exempt from routine inspection. We will not normally inspect ‘exempt schools’ unless we have a concern about their performance. Ofsted will also carry out an annual assessment of an exempt school’s performance (from the third year after the school’s last inspection) to determine whether an inspection might be necessary. Exempt schools continue to be inspected as part of Ofsted’s programme of surveys of curriculum subjects and aspects of the curriculum. Exemption from inspection does not apply to maintained nursery schools, Special Schools or Pupil Referral Units.
A school judged to be ‘good’ is normally inspected within five school years from the end of the school year in which it was last inspected.
A school judged as ‘requires improvement’ will be subject to monitoring from inspectors to check its progress and is inspected within a period of two years. If at that inspection it is still judged as ‘requires improvement’, there will be further monitoring, and another inspection will take place within a further two years. If at this inspection it is still not ‘good’, it is highly likely that it will be judged ‘inadequate’ and deemed to require special measures.
Most schools receive notice of their inspection on the afternoon of the working day before the inspection begins. However, Ofsted can inspect any school without notice where this is judged to be appropriate. The inspection usually lasts for two days and the number of inspectors on the inspection team will vary according to the size and nature of the school.
Who inspects schools?
Her Majesty’s Inspectors and additional inspectors carry out the inspections. All inspectors have been trained to, and assessed against, Ofsted’s standards.
What happens during an inspection?
Inspectors look at the school’s self-evaluation and analyse the pupils’ progress and attainment. They talk to the headteacher, governors, staff, and pupils, and consider your views as a parent. They spend most of their time observing a wide range of lessons and looking at the quality of teaching in the school, and its impact on learning and progress. They also look at the behaviour and safety of pupils at the school, the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; and how well the school is led and managed. Where applicable, inspectors will also look at the effectiveness of early years or sixth form provision in the school.
How can I make my views known?
If you are the registered parent of a child at the school, the school will send you a letter notifying you of the dates of the inspection. This letter provides you with details and options for providing your views. Our survey site, Parent View, is the main source of gathering parents’ views about a school. Inspectors will use the views expressed on Parent View when inspecting your child’s school.
Can I speak to the inspectors?
You may have the chance to speak to the inspectors during the inspection, for example at the start of the school day. The inspection administrators will be happy to pass on messages to the inspectors and may be able to arrange telephone conversations if you are unable to speak to them in person. Their contact details will be in the letter that tells you about the inspection. Please remember that inspectors cannot deal with complaints concerning individual pupils or settle disputes between you and the school.
What happens after the inspection?
We give schools an overall grade from 1 to 4:
- grade 1 (outstanding)
- grade 2 (good)
- grade 3 (requires improvement)
- grade 4 (inadequate).
The lead inspector reports her or his judgement to the headteacher and governors. The inspectors’ findings are published in a report for the school, parents and the wider community. Inspection reports provide information about the effectiveness of the school’s work and contain recommendations about what the school should do to improve further. The school must take all reasonable steps to make sure you receive a copy of the report. Reports are also published on our website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports.
What happens if Ofsted judges a school to be ‘inadequate’?
If inspectors judge a school to be inadequate it will be placed in one of the following two categories.
Special measures: This means the school is failing to provide its pupils with an acceptable standard of education, and is not showing the capacity to make the improvements needed. Inspectors will visit the school regularly to check its progress, until it can be removed from the category. We will inspect it again after about two years.
Serious weaknesses: This means that one or more of the key areas of the school’s performance require significant improvement, but the leaders and managers have demonstrated the capacity to improve. Inspectors will visit the school regularly to check its progress, until it can be removed from the category. It will be inspected again within 18 months of its last inspection.
Where can further details be found about school inspections?
The Framework for school inspection sets out the statutory basis for inspections. It summarises the main features of school inspections and describes how the general principles and processes of inspection are applied. The School inspection handbook sets out what inspectors must do and what schools can expect, and provides guidance for inspectors on making their judgements. Both documents are available on Ofsted’s website www.ofsted.gov.uk.
What happens if I have concerns about the inspection?
Complaints are rare, but we treat them very seriously. You can find out more on our website at www.ofsted.gov.uk, or by calling our helpline on 0300 123 4666.
If you need any more information about our work, please visit our website or call our helpline.
What happens if I have concerns about my child’s school?
If you are concerned about your child’s school, you should start by talking directly to the teachers or headteacher or, if necessary, the governing body or the local authority. If you are not satisfied with the responses you receive Ofsted may be able to help.
You can find out more on our website or by calling our helpline: 0300 123 4666
Ready to learn
It’s the summer holidays and, in line with our homework policy, there is no formal homework set over the six-week break.
That doesn’t mean that your child won’t be learning! We learn all the time – and so do children, whether it’s through play, day-trips, independent reading, discussions at home…
And of course, you’ll be keen to support your child at home so the basic facts aren’t forgotten. Please think about key English and Maths knowledge that you can gently practise over the holidays:
- number bonds: knowing pairs of numbers that add to make ten, like 3+7=10 and therefore 10-7=3). When your child is secure with pairs that total ten, can they extend this knowledge to pairs which make 20 (13+7=20, for example) and 100 (such as 30+70=100) – make this fun by using some sweet treats or how about stringing ten loom bracelets on string and then hiding some and making the link with the ones that are left (how many are hidden if you can see three bracelets?)
- times tables: Year 2 children should have an emerging knowledge of the 2 times table and the 10 times table at least, and children who have just finished Year 4 should know all their times tables (up to 12 x 12) and the division facts, too (7×8=56 so 56÷7=8) – think about chanting some times tables or buying an app to practise just a few minutes every day to keep your child’s knowledge sharp!
- reading: lots of reading over the holidays will help your child in lots of different ways – visit the local library; take part in our Extreme Reading competition; if you’re going to a theme park or museum, read the leaflet and the website… there are loads of opportunities to build in reading as a daily activity!
- writing: reading will help your child’s spellings and writing style, so don’t force lots of writing, but do try to encourage some useful, purposeful writing – write some postcards to friends and relatives , or send some emails instead, and make lists for what to pack on holiday, or what to buy if planning a sleepover.
Check out this guide about supporting learning, useful whether it’s term-time of holiday time!
Finally, make sure you enjoy the summer break!
Extreme reading
This summer, we want everyone from Moortown Primary to be reading! Reading in bed, reading in the garden, reading at a relative’s house, reading on a train or plane – reading anywhere and everywhere!
Whilst we teach reading skills at school, every child needs lots and lots of opportunities to practise their reading skills and, of course, to read for pleasure. It’s important that your child reads regularly – it’s a life skill we use all the time, after all. It doesn’t matter whether they’re reading a good story, some fascinating factual books, websites, comics, or anything else. In fact, the more they read and the wider they read, the better.
This summer sees the return of the Extreme Reading competition! We want you to send us a picture of your child reading… in the most extreme place they can think of! A few years ago, someone was captured reading on top of a letter box, in a tank, buried in sand… There’s a book voucher for the best pic from Reception (that’s next year’s class!), Y1,2 and Y3,4 and Y5,6 and next year’s Y7 – so our current Y6 pupils can enter!
Send your pic to headteacher@moortown.leeds.sch.uk
Amazing attendance!
Thank you to all parents / carers (and children) who have supported us this year: we are proud to have the highest attendance rate for the last 7+ years (the best since I’ve been headteacher).
The school total is 97.3%. Here is the class breakdown:
Reception: 96.1% – a high figure for Reception, where children tend to be less resilient to illnesses
- Year 1: 97.2%
- Year 2: 98.2% – the highest figure here, so special well done to all!
- Year 3: 97.5%
- Year 4: 97.1%
- Year 5: 97.4%
- Year 6: 97.4%
Leeds and national figures for the last four years have also improved. In 2010-11, national attendance was at 94.4% and this year it’s at 96.3%. Our attendance used to be lower than nationally. It’s a terrific achievement that our attendance is now higher.
10 minute shake up
Change4Life and Disney have teamed up to help your kids have fun and move more this summer. Sign up for the 10 Minute Shake Up Pack and you’ll get a FREE stopwatch, fun activity cards, Disney themed wall chart and stickers – all inspired by your kids’ favourite Disney characters!
The 10 Minute Shake Up games are a fantastic way to help your kids get the recommended 60 minutes or more of physical activity they need every day. Being active helps your kids maintain a healthy weight and helps their heart and bones stay healthy. Visit the 10 Minute Shake Up Zone for loads of fun game ideas.
Moortown field / proposed park
A message from Janice Rush, Chair of Governors:
Dear parents / carers
I write to inform you of the most recent news regarding the former Yorkshire Bank sports ground.
A meeting was held on Tuesday 15th July between the school, representatives of Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside department, representatives of Moortown Community Group, local councillors and the developers.
Agreement was reached that a small piece of land behind the school and extending towards Shadwell Lane would be given for exclusive use of the school – the rest would become a public park. Although probably not big enough for large sporting events like Sports day, the land will be for outdoor play and learning activities and will not be able to be built on.
The school will be responsible for fencing, landscaping and maintaining this area. Initially we need to find at least £16,000 to fence the perimeter. Local councillors have very kindly donated £5,000 from funding they have available, meaning we have to raise £11,000 – so have a look down the back of the sofa and see what you can find (!).
The PTA will be looking for grants over the summer and will begin fundraising next term; if you have ideas, please get in touch with them.
Regards
Janice Rush, Chair of Governors
Inspired by the Tour de France?
What an amazing spectacle the Tour de France has been this weekend.
If you have been inspired to get on your bike then next week we are having a bike, scooter and walk to school week alongside our Staying Safe week.
Each day this golden lock will be placed on a random bike or scooter, in our storage area. If it is your bike or scooter you will be the lucky winner of a £20 voucher, kindly donated by the Chapel Allerton branch of Edinburgh bicycle cooperative.
On Wednesday, from 8:30am, Edinburgh bike cooperative will be visiting school for a Dr bike event. Children who bring their bike to school can have a free bike maintenance check to ensure their bike is in its best condition. Edinburgh bike cooperative will be with us all morning checking bikes and also providing bike maintenance sessions for Year 5 so they can maintain their own bikes.
Would you like to explore cycle routes across the city? Leeds City council have produced a series of local cycle maps. Additionally, Go:cycling offer a range of free cycling services.
Staying safe themed week
Next week, we have another themed week in school. Your child will be learning all about staying safe in lots of different situations, such as…
- Monday: water safety, e-safety
- Tuesday: safety whilst taking part in sports such as skateboarding and trampolining
- Wednesday: bike safety checks, first aid, safety at sea
- Thursday: school is closed due to industrial action
- Friday: road safety, drug education, how engineering can make buildings safe
(Not all children will participate in all the sessions – we can’t fit it all in!)
A few things for you to bear in mind:
On Monday, Y5 and Y6 parents are invited in to watch an e-safety performance.
Every day, we want children to be walking, cyycling and scooting to school – your chance to encourage good road safety skills as they do so. Each day, a golden lock will be placed on a random bike or scooter. The winner will get a £20 voucher to be spent at the Edinburgh Bicycle shop in Chapel Allerton.
On Friday at 2.30pm, it’s the PTA Summer Fair. At the Summer Fair, there will be a stand run by the police about road safety.
And your challenge? Make sure you encourage your child to stay safe, but in ways which mean they can still have freedom to be adventurous and independent!
Are you a recycling hero?
To celebrate Recycling Week and Le Grand Depart, Leeds City Council is giving away a fantastic prize to one of Leeds’ recycling, reducing and reusing heroes.
Sharing a recycling ‘selfie’ could win tickets for two of the best seats in Leeds to watch Le Grand Depart, and inspire the rest of the city to recycle for Leeds, too. Just take a quick picture of any way you reduce, reuse and recycle to save waste from landfill and cash for our city’s services, then post it on facebook.com/leedswastedocs or tweet them to us at @LeedsWasteDocs.
It could be a photograph of your child recycling waste electrical equipment through our WEEE Bank or using the schools recycling bins… anything that keeps waste from going to landfill sites. Whether you’re doing this for the first time, or you’re a committed recycler – we want to see and share your efforts.
Closing date is early next week so get snapping and sharing.