19th September 2025

19^th September 2025

 

Dear Parents and carers,

 

The first term of the year is where we think about love in action, and how our actions can show love to others. A big well done to Year 1, as last week they managed to demonstrate this the most times in their classroom, earning love pebbles, and as a result were awarded with our golden candle.

 

Uniform

Although the children have come back very smart this term, there are a few places where uniform could be improved, particularly on PE days. I have attached the uniform policy to this letter as a reminder. It is important to remember that on PE days, what we wear to school is still considered our PE uniform and must still follow the policy.

 

Staffing

At the end of next month, Mrs. Woodman will be leaving us for a time to begin her maternity leave. We'll definitely miss her at Clatford, but we're also all really excited for her! After the half-term break, Mrs. Eadsforth, an experienced teacher who is new to the school, will be teaching Year 3 on Mondays and Tuesdays. She'll be popping in to meet the children before then and says she's looking forward to getting to know you all. As well as teaching Year 3, Mrs. Woodman also teaches Year 2 on Fridays. Luckily for all of us, Mrs. Armstrong has agreed to step in and teach on Fridays while Mrs. Woodman is away.

 

Safeguarding

Last week, all of the staff team had refresher training on safeguarding and child protection. We always say that at Clatford, safeguarding is everybody’s job, and so in order to include you all in that, I wanted to remind you who to contact if you had any concerns about a pupil at the school.

 

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mr Kirk

 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs): Mrs. Coles, Mrs. Britten, Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Walkom.

If you have any concerns about a pupil, you should contact any of the above people (via the school office), and they'll be able to help.

 

If you have a concern outside of the school day and believe a child may be in immediate danger, you should call the police on 999.

 

You should know that we always take any concerns raised by a pupil seriously. As part of my job, I often have to review some quite upsetting case studies from across the country. In many cases where abuse was allowed to continue, the child had reported it, but adults had wrongly assumed that all must be well at home because the family was known to be personable and friendly.

 

Despite not wanting to believe that abuse can happen, we know that it can and does. Therefore, we treat every concern a child raises as if it could be true, no matter what our personal beliefs might be. We do this because it's the best way to keep all of our children safe.

 

Hoping you all have a happy and restful weekend.

 

Mr M Kirk

 

Dates for your diary

 

1^st October: Individual & family photos

2^nd October: YR-2 Drama workshop (in school)

10^th October: Hello Yellow Day (children may wear a yellow accessory to school)

14^th October: Parents Evening (more information to follow)

16^th October: Parents Evening (more information to follow)

16^th October: Year 3 Stonehenge

20^th October: INSET Day

22^nd October: Open Morning (for September 2026 intake)

22^nd – 24^th October: Year 5 Residential to Hooke Court

24^th October: PTA bake sale and non-uniform day

27^th October – 31^st October: Autumn Half Term

4^th November – Year 3 Orchestra Unwrapped at The Anvil

10^th November: Whole School Flu Immunisation

10^th November: Anti-bullying Week

11^th - 18^th November: Bookfair

13^th November: Year 4 Ufton Court

27^th November: Year 6 Steam Museum

17^th December: Whole School Panto at The Anvil

18^th December: Carol Concert after school

19^th December: Christmas Lunch

22^nd December – 2^nd January 2026: Christmas Holiday

5^th January 2026 : INSET Day

16^th February – 20^th February: Spring Half Term

24^th February: O2 Young Voices Concert

4^th March – Year 3 Pizza Express Trip

30^th March – 10^th April: Easter Holiday

13^th April: INSET Day

25^th May – 29^th May: Summer Half Term

15^th June: INSET Day

24^th June: Year 6 Leavers Service at Winchester Cathedral

29^th June – 1sy July: Key Stage 2 Play at The Lights

2^nd July: Year 5 Taster Day at John Hanson School

6^th July: Year 5 Taster Day at John Hanson School

7^th July: Year 6 Transition Day – Andover Schools

12^th – 15^th July Year 6 Residential to Osmington Bay

23^rd July: Summer Holiday