Keep up to date with the Latest News

• Meet the Teacher

  Fri 08 Sep 2023 Dr James Inglis

  As is our custom, we would like to provide you with an opportunity to meet your child's teacher. After a short presentation in the classroom while pupils are supervised outside, you are welcome to ask questions about events and other arrangements this year. We plan to admit parents and carers at 2.45 and draw things to a close just after 3, so the children can ready themselves for home time. Each class has a separate day for meet the teacher:

   

  Willow

  Tuesday 12 September - Please note this is change to what was on the calendar.

   

  Apples & Pears

  Wednesday 13 September

   

  Oak

  Thursday 14 September - Please note this is a change to what was on the calendar.

   

  We very much look forward to seeing you then.

• Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND)

  Wed 06 Sep 2023

  Since joining the school as headteacher. I have been reviewing every aspect of what we do. Last term, I arrived at Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND).

   

  Here at Northaw, the percentage of pupils with SEND is well above average. As Mrs Jo Rush, our SEND Coordinator (SENDCo), is employed part-time, this has stretched resources, occasionally leaving parents and carers frustrated with procedures. I am, therefore, introducing a new structure for the administration of SEND, aimed at releasing Mrs Rush to concentrate on those areas she is uniquely qualified for, including funding applications, while nurturing the closest possible relationships with parents and carers.

   

  Highly experienced, Mrs Lauren Whitaker, who supports children in Willow, is now our Inclusion Leader. Working full-time, she is better placed to be the main point of contact for parents and carers, responding to enquiries and updating on developments. Mrs Whitaker regularly opens the black gate in the morning; however, she can also be contacted electronically (lwhitaker@northaw.herts.sch.uk) and is planning on replying within 48 hours on weekdays to messages received.

   

  I hope these measures along with other steps taken internally will further improve the service we provide.

• Updates and Reminders

  Mon 04 Sep 2023 Dr James Inglis

  I hope you had a great summer, and we look forward to welcoming pupils back to school tomorrow. I am just writing with some key updates and reminders, making for a smooth start to the year.

   

  Attendance Matters

   

  We want every child to be a HERO - 

  Here Every day Ready On time 

  (minutes late to school are minutes lost from learning) 

   

  Gates continue to open at 8.35am, and it is expected every child has passed through by the time they are closed (8.45am). Children who arrive after this must enter via reception and are subsequently marked as late; parents and carers must also complete a confidential late-book entry before leaving. Registration closes at 9.00am, when unexplained absences are automatically recorded as unauthorised.

   

  Please contact the school when your child is absent to explain the reason. 

   

  You can send your child to school with a cold, cough, headache or sore throat if they do not have a fever; cold sore or head lice, but please let us know, so we can look after them.

   

  Lateness patterns and unauthorised absences trigger a communication from the headteacher. Failure to improve or non-engagement with the school in offering support can lead to involving the Local Authority Attendance Officer and even legal sanctions.

   

  You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

   

  Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

   

  We now house an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), located in reception.

   

  Calendar

   

  Upcoming events for the year ahead have already been added to the calendar on our website. Please note the house winning most credits last half term (Oz) can wear their colour on Friday.

   

  Church Worship

   

  First thing every Monday, we attend worship in church. Parents and carers are very welcome to join us.

   

  Extreme Reading

   

  This summer, I have once again been challenging the children to do some extreme reading.

    

  Here is what they need to do:

    

  • Pick a book.
  • Find an extreme but safe place to read it, like in another country, on a bus or with an animal.
  • Ask their parent or carer to photograph them and email us (admin@northaw.herts.sch.uk), or they can bring a copy to school after the summer holiday.

    

  Photographs will be used both for a display by my room and on our website.

   

  Healthy Snacks

   

  Parents and carers are welcome to send their child to school with a snack for break; however, healthy choices are strongly recommended for this point in the day.

   

  Homework

   

  You probably remember I surveyed parents and carers about homework in June. Responses indicated overwhelming satisfaction with the approach we take, described on our website along with expectations for each year group. Reinforcing class-based learning is the main purpose of homework; however, where a pupil would benefit from stretching, please explore the remote education area of class pages, updated half-termly.

   

  Parking Considerations

   

  Please avoid parking opposite the school given the dangers this poses to our children.

• Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

  Sat 02 Sep 2023 Dr James Inglis

  You are no doubt aware from the news the Department for Education suddenly changed their guidance regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) on Thursday. RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete; because it is weaker than regular concrete, concerns have been raised about its long-term durability.

   

  I apologise for the delay in communicating with you on this matter at what must be a worrying time; however, I wanted to be sure of the facts, checking records, consulting directly with the diocese (who act as the responsible body for maintaining our school) and personally reinspecting every building - no risks can ever be taken when it comes to the safety of our children.

   

  I am now able to confirm RAAC is not present in our school, and we are, therefore, not affected by the contingencies triggered at other settings.

   

  We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on Tuesday.