13th October 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
As you will be aware Ofsted inspectors have been with us for two days; the outcome of which will be shared with you when they write their final report which we will receive in 30 working days. Thank you for contributing so positively and sharing your views. It was lovely to hear that 98% of you would recommend our school to others. The staff team continue to work tirelessly to provide the best that they can for our pupils and we are proud of the wonderful school that Palatine is.
The children have been fabulous this week and have shown the inspectors what they are learning. The inspectors focussed on communication, language, early reading, maths and sensory and physical development alongside considering safeguarding and the pupils’ personal and social development. Some of our pupils have read to inspectors. Others have shown them great work in the pool. Others have shown their number development and others their physio programmes. The inspectors have observed children on the playground and lunch and have been to a range of lessons. They have observed staff supporting children when they have found it hard to regulate and the Head boy and Head girl have given them a tour. I am so proud of them all!
In other news, one child has been making good vocalisations and using words in context. Another has been initiating interaction with adults. Two children learnt how to spell the word because. Another retold all of Little Red Riding Hood using key language. Another has been independently engaging with books around the classroom this week. A child has gone to the toilet independently and another has been much more settled in school. Some of our children have been transitioning well to the playground. One child brought me a beautiful picture he had done (including a picture of me) labelled with the names of each person he had drawn; he had drawn this in his own time.
Attendance Focus
Best attendance last week:
Explorers Hub – Leopards class 100% and Polar Bears – 100%
Investigators Hub – Stingray class
Engineers Hub – Sloth class
If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to be in school, please check out the NHS guidance ‘Is my child too ill for school?’
Just a reminder to please phone school on each day of your child’s absence by 9am; there is a voicemail facility to leave a message. If we haven’t heard from you and your child is not in school, we will work our way down your list of contacts. We will not assume that because your child was absent due to illness one day that they are still ill the next.
Safeguarding Spotlight
Half a million children suffer abuse and neglect a year in the UK. But there’s something we can all do to change that. The NSPCC have got information and advice on different types of child abuse and how to spot the signs on their website.
Abuse and neglect are preventable, and everyone can play their part in keeping children safe and that’s why the NSPCC launched their Listen Up, Speak Up campaign. Every adult in the UK is encouraged to take the NSPCC 10-minute digital training because that little bit of knowledge can help keep a lot of children safe. To take part in the training click here – it only takes ten minutes!
The advice is based on the mnemonic DOTS which is designed to address the barriers to people acting on concerns. DOTS stands for:
- Don’t ignore it
- Observe the situation
- Think: If not you, then who?
- Speak up
Reminders about social media
The world is consumed by social media. Schools are no different. Social media offers a mix of useful information, reminders, school events and it is also a great way to celebrate successes and fun activities. With access to and use of social media being so common these days almost second nature to many of us, we all need to ensure that we do not put ourselves at risk when posting things online. Comments made online are not safe and secure and should never be considered as such. We all want to set the best example for our children, so please do think carefully before typing/posting on social media.
From time to time, you may have concerns, worries or frustrations about a matter in school and when such circumstances occur, we want to know about it and look into the situation in order to resolve things as speedily as possible. Please speak to your child’s class teacher or email them asking they give you a call rather than expressing your concerns online. You can also speak to our Family Liaison Officer or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Posting a concern on social media will not resolve the matter and sometimes posts can cause unnecessary worry for other parents/carers.
In ensuring that staff and children are protected at all times, please refrain from posting negative comments, using inappropriate language and not naming or tagging other children in posts. We are all working in partnership to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children and we all want to be strong role models for them.
The use of apps can spread misinformation, moreover, it can bypass the necessary safeguarding and data protection checks that we work so hard to use. Posting any comments or questions personal to a specific child, no matter how innocently it is intended, can be distressing, an invasion of privacy and something that the child or parents concerned may not wish to be common knowledge. Adding or commenting on posts can mean that a child’s confidentiality can be broken which is contrary to normal GDPR requirements.
FSM voucher scheme October half term
Utilising funding from governments’ Household Support Fund, West Sussex County Council will be supporting families with Free School Meal eligible children this half term with a £10 voucher for each FSM child. The vouchers will be issued during week commencing 16 October.
Those children and families that are not eligible for FSM will be able to access urgent support for food via the WSCC Community Hub.
The Community Hub can be contacted on 0330 222 7980 and is open 09:00 – 17:00 seven days a week (except bank holidays, when they are open between 10:00 – 14:00).
Further information can be found via West Sussex County Council website.
Date reminders:
- Thursday 19th October: Parents evening for those parents who do not have an annual review this term
- Friday 20th October: Spooky Fancy Dress Party £5 – please purchase tickets in advance
- Half term: Monday 23rd October – Friday 27th October
- Inset day: 24th November (School closed to pupils)
Sign of the week: lunch
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Very best wishes
Catriona