Newsletter - Friday 2nd October
Issue 2 - Autumn term 2026
Dear families,
We've had a busy two weeks in school! Children are settling well into their classes and routines with a few exciting events along the way including a visit from the Animal Man, European Languages Day and Year 6's last residential!
Thank you for signing pupils up for clubs - I look forward to seeing what they get up to this term! Year 6 boosters have also begun to support pupils preparations for their SATs in May.
Parent consultations will be held before half term - look out for a letter coming out soon with details of how to sign up on Arbor. We look forward to seeing you in school for the opportunity to discuss your child's learning and progress so far.
Staff have been busy writing ADPR targets for our pupils with SEND - these will be shared with families soon. Early Years staff have also been completing basline activities with Nursery and Reception pupils to ensure we know all pupils' starting points. Next week, staff from Years 1-6 will set end-of-year targets for each pupil to enable us to provide appropriate challenge and support, helping every child make strong progress throughout the year.
Staff are looking forward to school discos from Monday 12th October! Thank you in advance for your support with these - all funds raised will be put towards resources/events for your children to enjoy in school. Please note that only Dance and Archery clubs will run that week due to discos taking place.
You may notice some changes to access around the site. The 'exit button' on the main front door has been deactivated and can now only be exited by staff, parents and visitors by either fob access or by the office. The exit button for Raeburn gate has also been deactivated - signage will be updated. Please press the intercom button for the office to release the gate.
Thank you for your continued support. Enjoy your weekends,
Miss Foster
Curriculum and Teaching
Children have had a lovely day celebrating European Day of Languages! Each year group focused on a different language, taking part in fun activities, exploring different cultures and learning some key words and phrases. Some children also enjoyed bringing items from home to share and talk about, helping everyone discover more about different countries, languages and cultures.
It was wonderful to see the children so enthusiastic and curious as they celebrated the diversity of languages and cultures from across Europe. A big thank you to Mrs Shariff for organising such a fantastic day!
Personal Development and Wellbeing
The whole school had a very exciting visit from the Animal Man company! The children were introduced to a wide variety of fascinating creatures, including an owl, a honey bear, snakes and even a tarantula! The visit sparked lots of curiosity and excitement as the children learned interesting facts about each animal.
Our Year 6 pupils had an action-packed three days at Laches Wood, taking on new challenges, trying things they had never done before and making memories they will treasure. From high ropes and BMX riding to axe throwing, there was something to challenge and excite everyone. The children showed fantastic courage as they tackled activities outside their comfort zones and discovered just how much they could achieve.
It was a fantastic few days filled with adventure, laughter and plenty of proud moments. Well done, Year 6. You were amazing! A huge thank you to the staff who gave up their own time to make this residential possible. Your commitment and support are greatly appreciated.
Hello Yellow
Join us for ‘Hello Yellow Day’ on Friday, 9th October 2026 as part of our recognition of World Mental Health Day. On this day, staff and children are invited to wear a yellow item alongside their uniform (e.g. socks, T-shirt, hair accessory) for a £1.00 charity donation. No onesies, football shirts or cropped tops should be worn. Please ensure that if it is your child's PE day, they are wearing suitable clothing for their PE lesson. Donations should be made via the School shop within Arbor. Cash donations on the day will be accepted however online payment is preferred.
We are hoping that by wearing yellow, we can make the day a little bit brighter and raise funds for 'Young Minds', a charity which supports young people who are struggling with their mental health and advises the parents, carers and professionals supporting them. Let's show young people that they are not alone with their mental health.
During the day, children will have the opportunity to engage in activities which have been suggested by our Well-Being Champions (a team of Year 6 children who have completed Reflexions ‘Be A Mate Training’) to promote well-being.
Attendance and Behaviour
Attendance
Our overall attendance so far is 95.7% - below the most recently published national average for primary schools 96.3%. It'd be great to see this improve over the next few weeks!
Well done to Years 1, 2 and 3 who have the highest attendance so far this term.
Year Group | Attendance (up until 30.9.26) |
Whole School (Aged 5+) | 95.7% |
Nursery | 89.6% |
Reception | 92.8% |
Year 1 | 96.0% |
Year 2 | 96.1% |
Year 3 | 96.2% |
Year 4 | 95.9% |
Year 5 | 95.8% |
Year 6 | 94.4% |
Punctuality is vital to ensure that pupils have a calm and organised start to the day, and can make the most of every minute in school! Our doors open from 8:40 until 9am. Anyone arriving after this time should enter through the main office where a Late mark will be recorded. Please note that any pupils arriving after 9:30am will receive a 'U' mark which affects their attendance.
Behaviour
Excellent behaviour is vital to ensure that pupils can achieve their very best. Children are settling into new routines and expectations well and we will be working on some key things over the next few weeks including calm transitions around school, excellent listening in assemblies and smart routines at the end of play and lunchtimes. Our school rules have been shared with pupils; we'd appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of following these at home:
Inclusion
Safeguarding
Site safety
Please can we remind families that electric bikes and scooters are not permitted on site at any time.
We'd also like to remind families to take extra care when walking on and off site at the start and end of the day. Despite a staggered end to the day, gates can get quite crowded at busy periods, especially through Wimperis gate. Please take extra care as you enter and leave the site and avoid blocking walkways and gates. Thank you for your support with this.
From West Midlands Police
As Halloween and Bonfire Night approaches, West Midlands Police would like to encourage you to talk to your child about staying safe and sensible during this time.
Remember…
Stay visible at night by wearing fluorescent clothing or head torches
Supervise children with sparklers and at firework displays
Warn your children about stranger danger and only trick or treating in well-lit, known areas
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess a firework, flare or smoke bomb.
You can download our free parents’ guide of safety tips here: Darker Nights | West Midlands Police
If you want to report something suspicious call 101 or 999 in an emergency. For more information about how West Midlands Police are helping keep you safe this Halloween,
search ‘WMP Darker Nights’.
Safety outside of school
We have been asked by West Midlands Police to share an important safety message with families about the dangers of entering abandoned or derelict buildings.
While empty buildings may seem interesting places to explore, meet friends or film videos, they can be extremely dangerous. Serious hazards can include:
Unstable roofs, walls and floors
Hidden holes, shafts and sudden drops
Exposed electrical wiring
Dangerous materials and substances
Broken glass and other sharp objects
Structures that could collapse without warning
Entering private property without permission can also have legal consequences and may result in police involvement.
Please talk to your child about these risks and remind them never to enter abandoned or derelict buildings. If they are aware of others accessing unsafe sites, encourage them to speak to a trusted adult.
If you become aware of an immediate risk to safety or a crime in progress, please contact the appropriate authorities and use 999 in an emergency.
Thank you for helping us keep our children and young people safe.
Arbor
99% of families are using our parent portal - thank you!
Some families have reported issues logging in. This article may help: Troubleshooting Login Issues for Arbor Parent Portal and App – Arbor Help Centre
Please note: parents cannot use the same email address, each user needs a unique email address in order to be able to login and receive emails. Please add email addresses to any parent/guardian's profile on Arbor in order to receive emails and to gain access to the parent portal.
If you are able to login via login.arbor.sc but not into the Parent App, you may not be using the latest version of the app. Please update the app and try again.
If you continue to experience difficulties logging in, or are not receiving any emails from school, please contact the school office.
Transition
Primary school applications are now open for September 2027
Parents and carers are advised to submit applications before 15 January 2027 for entry to reception or to move from infant to junior school in September 2027. Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 are due to commence reception in September 2027. Children in year 2 and on roll in an infant school will be due to transfer to junior school in September 2027.
Parents and carers will need to submit their application to the home Local Authority where their child lives. We always advise parents and carers to list up to the maximum of three preferences available and include at least one local school they believe their child would have qualified for in previous years.
The applications process is online, and our Admissions and Education Sufficiency team are hosting drop-in sessions to support parents and carers with any questions they have, so please do make use of the support available.
Primary school drop-in sessions
1 December 2026 - Lichfield Street Hub – 9am-5pm
3 December 2026 - Willenhall Library – 1pm – 5pm
8 December 2026 - Blakenall Village Centre- 1pm – 4pm
10 December 2026 - Brownhills Library – 1pm – 5pm
7 January 2027 - Darlaston Library – 1pm – 5pm
12 January 2027 - Lichfield Street Hub – 9am-5pm
Offers will be sent by email to on-time applicants on 16 April 2027 for reception and junior school places.
Secondary school applications for September 2027.
Parents and carers are advised to submit their applications before the 31 October 2026 closing date.
Children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 are due to start Year 7 in September 2027.
As always, we recommend that parents and carers make use of all five preferences available to them.
The application process is online, and the Admissions and Education Sufficiency Team will be hosting drop-in sessions throughout the autumn term to support parents and carers with any questions they may have.
School Admissions drop-in sessions
Tuesday 29 September 2026 – Lichfield Street Hub, 9am–5pm
Wednesday 7 October 2026 – Willenhall Library, 1pm–5pm
Tuesday 13 October 2026 – Blakenall Village Centre, 1pm–5pm
Tuesday 20 October 2026 – Brownhills Library, 1pm–5pm
Thursday 22 October 2026 – Darlaston Library, 1pm–5pm
Friday 30 October 2026 – Lichfield Street Hub, 9am–5pm
On-time applicants will receive their secondary school offer on 1 March 2027.
Further information and support with school admissions can be found on the council’s website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions
School Meals
Our school new menus can be found here: School Meals | Pheasey Park Farm
The school meal cost from September is £2.66 per meal.
For parents who pay for school meals, please could payment be made the week before meals are taken to prevent debts accruing. Please be aware that, should your child's debt reach £30, then school will no longer provide school dinners until the debt is cleared.
Please can we remind families to cut up grapes if they are sent into school for lunch or snack time.
Key Dates
Autumn 2026
Monday 5th October | Y4 MTC parent workshop 2:45pm |
Thursday 8th October | Y1 Phonics parent workshop 9am |
Friday 9th October | Hello Yellow |
Monday 12th October | Y1 and 2 Disco 4-5pm (No clubs today) |
Tuesday 13th October | Y3 and 4 Disco 4-5pm (No clubs today) |
Wednesday 14th October | Street Dance club |
Thursday 15th October | Y5 and 6 Disco 4-5pm (No clubs today) |
Friday 16th October | Archery club |
Monday 19th October | Parent consultations 4-6:20pm |
Wednesday 21st October | Parent consultations 3:40-5:40pm |
Friday 23rd October | Y1 Harvest assembly 9am |
Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October – Half term | |
Thursday 5th November | Reception Phonics workshop 9am |
Friday 6th November | Y1 History workshops |
Monday 9th November | EYFS Nursery Rhyme week begins |
Wednesday 11th November | Remembrance assemblies |
Friday 13th November | Children in Need |
Monday 16th November | Anti-Bullying week – Odd Socks Day |
Tuesday 17th November | Photographer – individual / family photos |
Thursday 19th November | Sibling photos |
Monday 23rd November | Christmas Fayre donation day |
Wednesday 25th November | Y1 trip |
Thursday 26th November | Photographer retakes Reception eye tests |
Friday 4th December | Christmas Fayre |
Thursday 10th December | Reception production 2:30pm |
Friday 11th December | Reception production 9am Christmas dinner day Wear a Christmas item |
Tuesday 15th December | KS2 achievement assembly |
Wednesday 16th December | Y5 Carol service KS1 achievement assembly |
Thursday 17th December | Nursery breakfast with Santa |
Friday 18th December | Christmas party day – own clothes |
Monday 21st December – Friday 1st January – Christmas break | |
Spring term 2027
Monday 4th January | INSET day – school closed to pupils |
Tuesday 5th January | Pupils return to school Y2 Victorians history workshop |
Wednesday 6th January | Y5 Trip |
Week beginning Monday 1st February | Children’s Mental Health Week |
Wednesday 3rd February | Y2 Trip |
Monday 8th February | Y3 A* Training |
Tuesday 9th February | Y3 A* Training |
Thursday 11th February | Y3 A* Training |
Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February – Half term break | |
Tuesday 23rd February | Y4 Romans history workshop |
Monday 15th March | Reception A* walk |
Thursday 18th March | Reception A* walk |
Friday 19th March | Reception A* walk |
Friday 19th March | Comic Relief – Red Nose Day |
Friday 26th March – Friday 9th April – Easter break | |
Summer term 2027
Monday 12th April | Pupils return to school Y6 WWII history workshop |
Tuesday 13th April | Y3 Egyptian workshop |
Monday 3rd May | Bank holiday |
Tuesday 4th May | Y4 residential |
Wednesday 5th May | Y4 residential |
Monday 10th May | Y6 SATs – GPS Papers 1 and 2 |
Tuesday 11th May | Y6 SATs - Reading |
Wednesday 12th May | Y6 SATs – Maths Papers 1 and 2 |
Thursday 13th May | Y6 SATs – Maths Paper 3 |
Friday 28th May | INSET Day – school closed to pupils |
Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June – Half term break | |
Monday 7th June | INSET Day – school closed to pupils |
Tuesday 8th June | Pupils return to school Y4 Multiplication Checks – week 1 Y5 Viking Workshop |
Monday 14th June | Y4 Multiplication Checks – week 2 Y1 Phonics Screening |
Thursday 17th June | Y4 Bikeability |
Friday 25th June | Y6 Trip |
Monday 28th June | Y5 Bikeright week 1 |
Monday 5th July | Y5 Bikeright week 2 |
Monday 5th July | Y1 Scootability |
Monday 12th July | Y5 Bikeright week 3 |
Thursday 22nd July – Wednesday 1st September – Summer break | |
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