Author: Mr Roundtree

Governing Body review

An external review of governance was carried out on Scholes (Elmet) Primary School on 13 March 2017, following a recommendation from the Ofsted inspection in January 2017. There was not exactly the same recommendation from the St James’ inspection in March – this is because the schools share the same Governing Body and the review was already taking place. However, the St James’ inspection recommended: ‘recommendations from the review of governance are used to improve the school’s overall effectiveness to be good’.

A follow-up review was arranged to consider progress since then. This took place on 27 September 2017. A summary of the findings is presented here (with key points added in bold – not part of the original text).

The reviewers found a good deal of evidence to demonstrate rapid development of the effectiveness of the governing body.

The governors who had completed the skills audit evidenced a good representation of essential and specialist skills and experience as described in the DfE’s Competency Framework for Governance and the Ofsted report, December 2016, “Improving Governance”.

There was one vacancy on the governing body for an LA governor due to a recent resignation. The governing body identified that they would benefit from someone with skills and experience in buildings and property management…

The governors’ knowledge of the school showed a marked improvement since the March 2017 audit in a number of areas…

Governors were aware of the importance of self-development and a governor has been assigned responsibility for training. The training governor will consider the completed skills audits alongside allocated responsibilities with a view to mapping out a training and development programme for the year.

This is a great conclusion for the Governing Body review: well done and thank you to our current team of governors. School leaders all report feeling supported but also challenged and held to account by current governors.

It’s the half-term holidays…

…and so there’s no specific homework next week. This is in-line with our Homework Policy.

During the half-term, please encourage your child to read each day, even if just for 15 minutes. As well as their current book, reading comics, newspapers, websites are all good – and why not take a trip to the library!

It would also be really helpful to help your child brush up on their times tables. Children in Year 2 should know x2, x5 and x10 (and the related division facts) by the end of the year – so give them a head start now! By the end of Year 4, children should know all their tables up to 12 x 12 (and the related division facts).

And make sure they enjoy the break, too: perhaps an autumn walk, a day out, a trip to the cinema… There are lots of things going on in Leeds – check them out.

Whatever you get up to, we’re looking forward to seeing you again on Monday 30 October.

 

Harvest festival

On Tuesday, Year 1 and 2 visited St James’ Church to participate in a Harvest Experience. During the experience, the children visited five different stations around the church, each with a different theme: Harvest of the Ocean, Harvest of the Earth, Harvest of the Garden, Harvest of the Flocks and Harvest of the Grain.

The children enjoyed participating in an activity at each station including making clay pots, paper boats and weaving wool. Ask your child which was their favourite activity and why.

The children were well behaved and a credit to our school. Mrs Sharp, the youth worked at St James’ Church said: “What a delight your class were today! We really enjoyed welcoming you all into church”. Well done, Year 1 and 2!

 

13 September 2017

This week, we have begun splitting the spellings into four groups. Look inside your child’s book or ask me to see which spellings they need to learn. Practise writing these spellings in a sentence.

Group 1:

that
all
with
are
we

Group 2:

that
jumped
all
hunter
with
jumping
are
cracker
we
  buzzing

Group 3:

should
would
could
any
many

Group 4:

should
ice
would
circle
could
space
any
face
many
city

13 October 2017

For all children in Year 1 – Year 6, the homework this week is talk time and is due in on Thursday 19 October. There are two options:

  • I can prepare a speech for the School Council elections.
  • I know the importance of voting.

It’s time for children to consider if they would like to stand for election for our new School Council.  With two representatives from each class, chosen democratically by their peers, all children at St James’ Primary are encouraged to take an active part in pupil voice.

Elections for our new school council will take place on Thursday 19 October with our polling station and ballot boxes at the ready.  Candidates will have the opportunity to give their election speech to their class on Thursday 19 October.

What makes a good school councillor has been considered by our classes:

  • ‘use all the 8 Rs for learning’
  • ‘be respectful’
  • ‘help others’
  • ‘be a good speaker and listener (to members of your class and in the meetings)’
  • ‘tell the truth’
  • ‘be confident with your ideas’
  • ‘accept the views of others even if you don’t agree’
  • ‘be friendly and approachable’
  • ‘make good choices in class and around school’

Hints for your speech include:

  • What skills and abilities would a good school councillor have?
  • What are you particularly good at that would help you to be a great school councillor?
  • What do you think would make the school better?
  • What could you do that people would really like?
  • Think of things that are realistic, maybe that you could do yourself, rather than having to ask other people to do

Any current school councillors are welcome to stand for election again.

Good luck to all children who decide to stand in the elections.

If you choose not to stand in the election then you should consider the importance of voting.

06 October 2017

This week’s homework is creative and is due on Thursday 12 October.

I can show what human and physical features are.

We’ve looked at the human and physical features of Wetherby and Filey. What can your child tell us or show us about what they know?

This can be done in any creative way they wish: making models, drawing, writing or anything you can think of.

 

Seaside Adventures

What a super trip to Filey we had!

Last Tuesday, Year 1 and 2 visited Filey.

The day started on the beach by looking for physical and human features. The children took photos of the physical and human features that they found. They noticed lots more physical features in Filey than when they were looking in Wetherby!

The children enjoyed exploring the beach, building sandcastles, writing in the sand and, most of all, eating their ice-creams.

The children were well behaved all day and they were a credit to our school.

 

29 September 2017

This week’s homework is Talk Time and is due Thursday 05 October:

I know my address.

Our Explorers topic allows your child to explore their local environment and contrasting environments.

It’s important for your child to know where they live (house name/number and street name as a minimum) in case of an emergency.

Please ensure your child is aware that they should never reveal their address to someone they don’t trust.