Headteacher News
Dear Parents and Carers
Our school has seen a lot of activity over the last few weeks: trips to the RAF museum, the Verulamium museum, Our Lady of Muswell Church, Park Road Swimming Pool, London Zoo, The Royal Albert Hall, and we have welcomed in specialists to run a Tudor workshop. All of these trips and special events are planned as part of our enhanced curriculum which benefits children’s Personal Development. Thank you to those parents who have supported these trips and events. We look forward to continuing our work with you in the summer term. Please read on for full details of these trips.
Tetherdown is well on its way to “business as normal”. And we continue to build our offer which we see as “beyond normal”. Our curriculum subjects are all being reviewed as part of our ongoing work to ensure skills, knowledge and understanding are retained, reflected upon and applied in children’s learning journeys from Reception classes to Year 6. We know that by the end of Year 6 our children are ready for secondary school: they lead with kindness, they have fun whilst at school, enjoy strong friendships and go on to exceed expectations.
Next term is a busy term for many children as we resume the government’s national testing regime in Year 1 (Phonics Check), Year 2 Tests (Reading, Writing and Maths), Year 4 (Multiplication Times-tables Check), and Year 6 (Reading, Maths and SPAG). Further information will follow in the summer term providing advice and guidance as to how you can support your child best. We are confident that the work we have been doing in class since the covid lockdowns is enabling more and more children to catch up and get back on track. And we intend that many of our children will exceed our expectations.
In the summer term we fully anticipate an Ofsted inspection. This is our opportunity to demonstrate excellence in all the areas of our work, our relationships and our plans for the future. All staff have been working incredibly hard to prepare for this opportunity. There will be a chance for parents to provide feedback to the Ofsted inspection team, and you will be advised accordingly. We want our school to be “outstanding” and we are confident that with your support we will achieve this exceptional accolade. Please watch this space!
And finally, we celebrate a number of children who have entered into the spirit of building resilience, developing creative skills and honing their love of reading. The results of our Annual Film Competition, organised by Catriona Delbridge, were shared with children this morning. Films were screened for all children in Years 1-6 and medals and trophies handed to winners and runners-up. We also announced the class and individuals who read the most during our Readathon. Later in the morning children celebrated the artistic talents of all those who entered the Easter Eggstravaganza! It was lovely to be able to see the smiles on the children’s faces and hear the applaud and support for their friends. Thank you parents for your continuing support and helping to make our school a fun place to be.
It leaves me just to wish you a well-deserved Easter Break and remind you that we finish school at 2.00pm today, Friday 1st April. We look forward to seeing children return to school on Tuesday 19th April.
Kind regards
Tony Woodward
Headteacher
