Sphere Summer of Smiles…

Our weekly message: Friday 10 July 2026

What a busy week! We’ve seen some great performances…

This week, Year 5 and 6 put on a wonderful performance of ‘Gladis Baker, Gladiator’. The children entertained us: they made us laugh, they made us sing and they made us all very proud. Thank you to Mr Kilner and Mr Freeman for helping the children put on a wonderful show (and thanks to Lily’s mum for the pic!).

Year 2 showcased some wonderful reading yesterday in their ‘Ready to Read’ assembly. They demonstrated fluency, prosody and comprehension skills through a variety of texts. The children are now ready to take off with their reading as they transition into Year 3.

Dodgeball success

Some children in Years 3 and 4 took part in the Nerf dodgeball finals last week. This event saw them faced with finalists from other schools in a thrilling, action-packed showdown. The pupils had to show teamwork, resilience and a range of fundamental movement skills to succeed. We’re pleased to say that St James’ CE Primary came out victorious overall, winning the trophy for our local area!

What perseverance!

Perseverance is one of our Christian values.

Mr Kilner took part in an endurance running event last weekend. During Endure24, runners try to complete as many 5 mile laps as possible over 24 hours. Mr Kilner completed 20 laps, completing 100 miles in 22 hours and 45 minutes. He was raising money for the charity Tommy’s – the pregnancy and baby charity. Well done, Mr Kilner!

Our summer competition

For the past few years, our summer competitions involved taking a pic – this might be a pic of a letter spelling out ‘HAPPY’ or ‘HEALTHY’, a pic of ‘extreme reading’, or a pic of a ‘hidden’ smiley face.

This summer, it’s time to get even more creative. Over the summer holidays, we invite your child to re-create our school logo in some creative way – maybe a painting, a collage, even a mobile.

It could be anything – the only rules are:

• it needs to be ‘display-able’, so we can put it on display along with the other entries
• it needs to show our shells logo in some recognisable way (but the more original, the better

To enter, your child needs to bring along their pieces of art in the first week – no later than Friday 04 September. Entries will be displayed in a St James’ CE Primary shells logo display in school, and there are prizes for our favourites.

Have a happy and healthy weekend – stay cool!

Our weekly message: Friday 03 July 2026

This week, your child received their end-of-year report. We hope you find it a helpful summary of your child’s learning journey, perhaps with one or two areas highlighted where you can support at home.

Sports day

Also this week, we had our 2026 Sports Day. It was another fantastic event. We’re so proud of all the children taking part in the races and well done to team Brazil for achieving the highest score overall!

2026-27 classes

This section is a repeat of an earlier email, in case you missed it…

On Wednesday, your child spent the morning with their new class teacher for September. It was a great opportunity for the teachers to spend some time with their new class and for the children to experience learning in their new classrooms and get to know their new teacher.

The class teachers for next year:

• Reception: Mrs Kendrew
• Year 1: Mr Nash
• Year 2: Miss Ward and Mrs Bye – we’re recruiting someone to cover for Mrs Bye whilst she’s on maternity leave
• Year 3: Miss Hopper – we’re excited to welcome Miss Hopper to our happy and healthy place to achieve and believe!
• Year 4: Mrs Poole
• Year 5: Mr Freeman
• Year 6: Mr Kilner

Key Stage 2 assessments (SATs) results

Yesterday, we received news from the Department for Education about the SATs results:

Schools were due to receive their results on 7 July 2026. However, results will now be available on 16 July 2026.

I appreciate that schools have been waiting for these results and that this delay will be frustrating… The delay relates to the readiness of the system used to make results available to schools. Importantly, this delay is not due to any concerns about the quality of the tests or the accuracy of results.

It certainly is frustrating. we’ll aim to get results to parents and carers as soon as we possibly can.

As always, we hope you have a happy and healthy weekend.

Our weekly message: Friday 26 June 2026

It’s been a hot week and the children have coped incredibly well. The adults in school have been working hard to make the children as comfortable and cool as possible. Thank you to the PTA who kindly bought all the children and staff ice-lollies – they certainly helped cool us down.

Children across school are busy practising their sewing skills in their Design and Technology lessons. We’re looking forward to seeing the final products.

Key Stage 2 children are in the middle of rehearsals for the end of year production. It’s sounding and looking great – the audience are in for a real treat!

Tremendous times tables

Every year across England, children in Year 4 do an online Multiplication Tables Check. Last year, the national average was 21 out of 25. Just over a third (37%) achieved top marks.

At St James’ CE Primary, our Year 4 pupils have achieved an average of 23.3 out of 25 – way higher than last year’s national average.

Just as impressive, 41% of pupils got top marks – 25 out of 25.

Amazing! Well done to all our Year 4 pupils and thank you for your support at home.

Leeds SEND WhatsApp channel

Leeds has launched a new WhatsApp channel for families to find out more about the Leeds local offer. There’s news about Local Offer developments, SEND service updates and information about events for families. Join the WhatsApp channel here.

Earrings

Last week, we let you know about our updated Uniform Policy, so you’ve plenty of time to start thinking about any changes ready for September. This week, we’d like to focus on just one part of the policy – earrings.

Discreet (small, not brightly coloured) stud earrings are allowed. However, earrings can cause serious injury: imagine a bang against the ear… serious accidents occur as a result of contact between pupils wearing earrings or studs and other pupils or equipment, thus damaging the ear, or where items of jewellery have caught in apparatus and torn the ear lobe.

We expect your child to remove earrings before PE lessons and put them back in after the lesson. This will be carried out by your child. If they’re unable to remove or put their earrings back in by themselves, they must not wear them on the day they have PE.

Please consider the risk of injury during other active times such as an after-school club or class trip.

If you do want to pierce your child’s ears, please do so at the start of the summer holidays so sleepers and studs can be removed in September.

Have a happy and healthy weekend.

Thank you from the PTA…

A huge thank you to all children and grown-ups who attended and helped with the PTA disco last week. We managed to raise a staggering £521.91.

Our weekly message: Friday 19 June 2026

Thanks to everyone who completed the annual survey. We’ll review the results and update you soon.

Dates for your diary

Here’s an example of how we’ve previously acted on your feedback… In previous annual surveys, you’ve said the earlier you know dates, the better. That’s why we’re busy adding dates for next year into our calendar.

Most of the 2026-27 dates are already there. On rare occasions, we sometimes have to change a date. For next year, we’ve had to move a training day due to a clash out of our control. The training days when school is closed are now:

• Tuesday 01 September 2026 – straight after the summer holiday
• Friday 02 October
• Friday 23 October – just before the October half-term break
• Monday 07 December
• Monday 07 June – just after the Summer half-term

There’s a lot going on as we approach the end of the school year. Please check our calendar for what’s going on.

And don’t forget the school photographer is in next Friday to take class pics.

Uniform update

Another thing we’ve done based on feedback in previous annual surveys… Around this time of year, we review and update our Uniform Policy. This is so you’ve plenty of time to start thinking about any changes ready for September. Please read our updated policy.

The main points haven’t changed:

• Pupils should dress appropriately and respectfully for school (including on non-uniform days)
• All clothing should be clearly labelled
• Avoid expensive items – we don’t accept responsibility for any loss or damage to an individual’s property

Staffing update

We’ll soon be letting you know the class teachers for next year. In the meantime, we’ve a couple of updates…

We’re saying goodbye to Miss Gilliland who’ll be leaving the UK in a few months to go and teach abroad. We’re so thankful for all her hard work at St James’ CE Primary and we wish her all the best with her new adventures. Last week, we successfully recruited a new teacher, Miss Hopper, who will join us in September.

Mrs Bye, who teaches two days a week in Year 2, will be going on maternity leave in the Autumn term. (Some of you might have started to expect this news!) Congratulations to Mrs Bye. We’re currently in the process of recruiting a teacher to cover Mrs Bye.

SEND inspection

Yesterday, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission published their Area SEND Inspection report for Leeds. Its inspection outcome is:

There are widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which the local area partnership must address urgently.

The local authority fully accept the findings and welcome the report as ‘an important and independent assessment of our services and a clear starting point for the next stage of improvement’.

The report identifies areas where the wider system must improve. It does also recognise that important steps are already being taken to strengthen leadership, governance and partnership working.

We know that some parents are unhappy with the support that we’ve provided for their child with SEND. We hope you recognise we’re working in a very challenging context. Locally and nationally, we’re told systems and support will improve.

Summer savings

The Great British Summer Savings scheme starts next week. Running from 25 June to 01 September 2026, its aim is to help families feel a bit less squeezed this summer.

The scheme includes reduced VAT on days out, including tickets at attractions like soft play, adventure centres and theme parks, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas, and children’s meals in restaurants. Children aged 5 to 15 in England will also be able to travel free on local bus services throughout August.

Finally this week…

Some of our Year 6 children led a collective worship based on David and Goliath this week. They focussed on our Christian value of courage. Throughout the assembly, they spoke clearly, displaying oracy skills they have developed this year. They invited the rest of the school to reflect on the ‘giants’ in their own lives. This could be worrying about SATS, feeling lonely or being afraid to try something new. Finally, children were sent away from the hall with something to remember:

Whatever your giant is, take one small brave step, just as David did.

Have a happy and healthy weekend.

Our weekly message: Friday 12 June 2026

You’ve still time to complete our parent/carer survey – it closes on Monday at noon. We really want to hear your views, especially about mobile phones in school.

Near the start of each half-term, we like to give you an overview of the topic in Key Stages 1 and 2…

What is this half-term’s topic?

Design and Technology is the driving subject for this half-term. It’s a great topic to finish the year! The focus for all classes this year is textiles (next year, it’s construction). Children will be busy designing and making products using fabric.

A key aspect of the Design and Technology curriculum is the understanding that products don’t just get made. Instead, they go through a design process that includes three key elements: evaluate, design and make. Think of this process as a cycle. For example, Sphere Motors want to create a new family car. Before the car is made, they need to evaluate existing products and talk to customers so that they’re clear about what the new car needs to have. They will then design the car and evaluate those designs. They may make a prototype of the car to help them evaluate the designs. Next, they’ll decide on a final design that will go into production and get made. This finished product will be evaluated and the whole process starts again.

Each phase has age-related specific knowledge, skills and vocabulary that they’ll learn, use and apply across the topic. See page 14 and 15 of the Topic Curriculum Guide.

Years 1 and 2

The product the children will be designing, making and evaluating is a hand puppet. They’ll start by learning about the design process before looking at and evaluating existing hand puppet products. They’ll then learn to use an over stitch and practise threading needles and tying knots. Following this, they’ll be introduced to all the materials they can use to create their puppet. Once they’re familiar with the materials, they’ll design their puppet. Next, it’s on to the making stage. They’ve already honed their sewing skills so they should be confident making and then decorating their puppets according to their designs. Finally, it’s evaluation time: children will compare their designs to their finished products. They’ll reflect on successes and things they’d do differently next time.

Years 3 and 4

The product the children will be designing, making and evaluating is a pouch. The function of this pouch is entirely up to them. It could be used to store some pens, trading cards, a shell collection. Children can be as creative as they like – as long as the pouch can be made using a 20cm² piece of felt!

Before they begin to design their pouch, they’ll learn about a famous designer and how they became a designer. They’ll also learn some important skills that a designer needs to have. Children will then evaluate existing pouches, with a focus on fastenings, and then design their pouch. They’ll practise their sewing skills, becoming proficient using a running stitch. They’ll then begin to make their pouches. First, they’ll create a template which they’ll use to cut out the pieces. Next, they’ll join the pieces using their running stitch and create a fastening for their pouch. Finally, they’ll evaluate their designs by comparing them to their designs, testing whether they’re fit for purpose and reflecting on their successes and areas to improve.

Years 5 and 6

The product the children will be designing, making and evaluating is a cushion. However, before they get stuck into their cushion, they’ll learn about some designers who changed the world. They’ll learn about their creations and their impact and look for things that link the designers. Following this, children will learn about the importance of design criteria when designing a product. After this, they’ll be practising their sewing skills and develop their skills in using a running stitch and possibly a backstitch. Next, they’ll evaluate existing cushions to get inspiration for their designs. They’ll then decide on the specific design criteria for their cushions and create their designs using an annotated sketch, detailing the dimensions of their product. They’ll learn about the importance of using sustainable materials when researching the filling used for their cushion (the plan is to use old, unwanted pieces of fabric to stuff the cushions rather than Polyfill so please have a look through your wardrobe and keep hold of any old t-shirts or other clothes as we’ll need them later in the half-term).

Children will use a template to cut out the shapes, use a running stitch or backstitch to applique decoration to their cushion before finally sewing the pieces together and stuffing them. The final stage is to evaluate the designs against the design criteria.

How can you help?

Talk to your child about what they’ve been learning in class. The Class News page of the school website is a good place to go to find out more about what the children are doing.

The school library and local libraries will have some books about Design and Technology which your child will be able to borrow and develop both their reading skills and design knowledge.

Finally, there’s a lot of programmes on CBBC and CBeebies with a Design and Technology focus:

• Bitz and Bob
• Grace’s Amazing Machines
• Junk Rescue
• Maddie’s Do You Know?
• The Dengineers

Our weekly message: Friday 05 June 2026

We hope you enjoyed a happy and healthy half-term break, whatever you and your family got up to.

Just before the half-term break, we had our Staying safe themed week. During this, all classes learnt important knowledge around water safety. To emphasise this and in light of recent events in the warmer weather, here are some top tips for keeping children safe around water.

From baking to books

From sweet treats to really good reads… The Junior Leadership Team have chosen new books for the library using the funds raised at the Easter bake sale. They’ve chosen books based on suggestions shared by children across school. We can’t wait to get reading the new books!

Next, a couple reminders…

Your views matter

There’s still time to complete our whole-school parent/carer survey. This year, as well as questions closely related to what Ofsted might ask, we’re asking a few extra questions about mobile phones – we really want to hear your views.

Complete the St James’ CE Primary survey here. The closing date is Monday 15 June at noon.

Relationships and Sex Education

In the first three weeks of this half-term, children in Years 1 to 6 are taking part in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons. Please be assured that RSE is delivered at a level appropriate to both the age and development of pupils. Lessons are led by children’s class teacher and take place in a safe learning environment.

Please check out these sections of our RSE policy:

• Section 9 provides a list of the vocabulary that will be used (pages 7 and 8)
• Section 11 includes an overview of the topics that will be covered (page 11 includes a table to show the learning across each year group)

If you’d like to find out more, discuss any concerns, or speak to someone in more detail, please contact your child’s class teacher or Miss Beatson.

Staying safe on our roads

Sadly, not everyone parks their car safely or respectfully. If you’re aware of an ongoing problem, make your views heard: please report it to Leeds City Council. There are various options, including:

• report a road safety issue
• report a speed concern

Attendance matters

The national attendance rate for primary schools is 94.9%. The St James’ CE Primary attendance rate is 93.0%. Last year (2024-25), our attendance was 95.2%, so we know we can get better!

Lunch and learn

In Leeds, most schools opt in to some support via an extended services cluster. Ours is called EPOSS. Check out the two online sessions coming up:

• Technology Time: Wednesday 24 June at 12pm
• Pre-teens and Teenagers: Wednesday 22 July at 12pm

Log on with a cuppa and your lunch. The log-in details will be sent to you via email. Contact eposslunchandlearn@wetherbyhigh.co.uk

Messy church

Finally this week, look out for Messy Church, this Sunday at 4pm.

Our Christian value focus this half-term is…

…courage.

At St James’ CE Primary School, we learn about Christian values that help us to become well-rounded citizens in society. Each half-term, we have a new Christian value that will be embedded into our collective worship and our reflection areas.

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9

One of the Hebrew words translated as ‘courage’ means ‘to show oneself strong’.

The Bible abounds with stories of courage. Moses was courageous when he confronted the Pharaoh of Egypt and commanded him to let God’s people go (Exodus 5). Joshua was courageous when he conquered Canaan (Joshua 1). Young David was courageous when he faced and fell the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

The Bible says we can be courageous by having faith and confidence in the fact that God is with us and for us. This value promotes the act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard.

A Junior Leader in school thinks this value is important because, ‘It’s all about being brave and you have to be brave to get through something hard in life’.

Help at home!

Talk together about a time when you have been courageous or you have seen someone being courageous.

Have a think about times that are coming up when you can show courage.

Our weekly message: Thursday 21 May 2026

This week’s message is a day earlier because of the training day tomorrow.

Your views matter

Every year, we invite you to complete a short survey. Your views matter. They help to shape what we do in the forthcoming year(s).

This year’s survey features a series of questions closely related to what Ofsted might ask parents during an inspection. Towards the end, we’re asking just a few extra questions about mobile phones – we really want to hear your views.

Complete the St James’ CE Primary survey here. We’ll send a few reminders before the closing date, which is Monday 15 June at noon.

It’s worth bearing in mind that if you raise in the survey something very specific that needs to be addressed, we can’t easily act on this without your child’s name. In fact, the survey isn’t the best place to raise individual, specific concerns – hopefully, you’re comfortable to speak with your child’s class teacher or Miss Beatson about these instead.

Here’s a couple of actions we’ve taken following last year’s survey…

You said, we did

Last year, you asked if signing up for after-school classes could be done electronically. This is now done on Arbor.

Last year, you shared some concerns about school dinners and food at Fun Club. We’ve talked with other catering providers but weren’t convinced their offer would be any better or value for money. We’ve also raised your concerns with Catering Leeds and since then we’ve seen some improvements – we’ll continue to monitor this.

School meals prices

To enable Catering Leeds (our school meal service provider) to ensure the financial sustainability of the service, we’ve been informed that, unfortunately, school meal prices are going to increase from September. The increase in prices is to cover rising food costs and increased labour rates for all frontline catering staff.

From September, the price of a school meal for children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be £3.20 per day. (Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to receive Universal Infant Free School Meals.)

As you’ll no doubt have heard in the news, school budgets are becoming increasingly tight. We have no choice but to pass on the cost increases to parents/carers, to ensure we have as much money as possible for teaching, learning and providing a varied curriculum for our children.

Relationships and Sex Education

Nationally, all primary schools are required by law to teach Relationships Education and Health Education. In Sphere Federation schools, we’ve provided RSE lessons successfully as part of Living and Learning for many years.

In the first three weeks of Summer 2, children from Year 1 to Year 6 will take part in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons. Please be assured that RSE is delivered at a level appropriate to both the age and development of pupils. Lessons are led by children’s class teacher and take place in a safe learning environment.

In the latest update to the statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education, we welcome the inclusion of correct terminology for body parts, including genitalia. This reflects established best practice when it comes to giving children the knowledge they need to stay safe, including the ability to identify and report signs of abuse. We’ve been teaching the anatomical names for body parts for many years.

We refer you to these sections of our RSE policy:

• Section 9 provides alist of the vocabulary that will be used (pages 7 and 8)
• Section 11 includes anoverview of the topics that will be covered (page 11 includesa table to show the learning across each year group)

We know that you may have some issues / concerns. If you’d like to find out more, discuss any concerns, or speak to someone in more detail about the teaching and learning planned for this important aspect of your child’s education, please contact your child’s class teacher or Miss Beatson.

Similarly, you have the right to request that your child be withdrawn from some or all of the lessons that can be regarded as ‘sex education’. For our school, this comprises lessons in Year 6 on what human reproduction is and how babies grow. Please see the government’s factual guide to RSE for parents: Understanding Relationships and Health Education in your child’s primary school: a guide for parents. If you wish to withdraw your Year 6 child from RSE, please contact Miss Beatson to discuss the matter. (See page 6 of the RSE policy for more information about your right to withdraw your child.)

We’re committed to working in partnership with parents. Parental feedback indicates that the overwhelming majority of parents are highly supportive of our Relationships and Sex Education programme.