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Booth Wood Academy

March Newsletter 2026

  • Booth Wood Academy News
  • Gallery of Learning
  • Booth Wood's First Ever Bunny Hop!
  • Enriching our children's lives
  • Eco Warriors Launch New Recycling Campaign
  • Dates
  • Spotlight Attendance
  • Attendance Winners!
  • Class Winner of the Month
  • spotlight SAFETY
  • SPOTLIGHT SEND
  • Surviving ADHD children over the holidays!
  • Reminders and New Information
  • Holiday Bookings – A Gentle Reminder
  • Lunchtime and Afterschool clubs
  • Break or Lunchtime Clubs
  • After School Clubs
  • Family support
  • Loughborough Area Food Bank
  • New Springs Church
  • School Nurse
  • Universal Free School Meals and Free School Meals
  • Mental Health and Well-Being Support

Booth Wood Academy News

It has certainly been a fun‑packed month at Booth Wood Academy, filled with exciting experiences and wonderful achievements across the school.   A Very Special Visitor: The Air Ambulance! We started the month with an unforgettable surprise. Just after lunchtime, the Air Ambulance helicopter made an emergency landing on our school field. Two doctors and a paramedic were collected by a high‑speed police car to attend a nearby incident. While they were away, the pilot, John, very kindly spoke to the whole school. He delivered an impromptu assembly about the vital work of the Air Ambulance service and the lifesaving role it plays in our community. The children were captivated, asking brilliant questions about the helicopter, its equipment, and what it is like to be a rescue pilot. Before leaving, John invited the children to watch the helicopter take off from a safe distance. The excitement was clear as he waved goodbye and headed off to Nottingham for his next call. It was a truly memorable experience, and we are extremely grateful to John and the entire Air Ambulance team for inspiring our pupils during such a busy day.   Reception – Stonehurst Farm Visit Our Reception children had a fantastic time at Stonehurst Farm, learning all about farm animals and how they are cared for. The farmer was incredibly impressed with how attentive, polite and engaged the children were. She even gifted Miss Harlow some eggs for the children to look after until they hatch—an exciting learning journey ahead!   Year 3 – Conkers Trip Year 3 had great fun at Conkers, learning about mini‑beasts, local wildlife and the relationship between humans and the environment. The children represented Booth Wood brilliantly and behaved exceptionally well throughout the day.   Years 3 & 4 – Beaumanor Hall Residential Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a wonderful residential at Beaumanor Hall. Photos are available on the school website. The children challenged themselves, learned new skills, and worked brilliantly as a team. Activities included:

  • Team‑building challenges
  • Bouldering
  • Rock climbing
  • Archery
  • Canoeing
  • And even a very exciting game of hide and seek in the cellars!

All pupils showed great independence—and we think Mr Sharpe is nearly recovered from the lack of sleep! Year 5 Opera Project – Hansel and Gretel Our Year 5 pupils had the incredible opportunity to work alongside professional opera singers in Northampton. Months of hard work culminated in a spectacular performance of Hansel and Gretel with other DRET schools. The children - and staff - performed so confidently that audience members asked if any of them had professional stage training! A huge thank‑you to all the families who attended and supported this once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.   Years 5 & 6 – The Life Exhibition Year 5 and 6 visited The Life Exhibition in Loughborough, where they explored what Christians believe about Jesus and Easter. The children asked deep, thoughtful questions and strengthened their understanding of the Easter story.   Rock Steady Concert It was wonderful to see so many families supporting their children in our latest Rock Steady concert. The children have made excellent progress with their musical skills, and their confidence on stage really shone through.   Sporting Success This term has been filled with sporting triumphs!

  • Our Year 5 & 6 teams won the Small School’s Primary Cup for both football and netball.
  • Yazan, in Year 4, won the DRET award for the fastest Year 4 in cross‑country across the entire Trust—an incredible achievement.
  • Our whole cross‑country team competed brilliantly in their first event of the year.
  • Our school also reached the final of the County Dodgeball Competition, although they did not win they gave their all and worked extremely hard.

We are so proud of every pupil who represented Booth Wood with pride and determination. Easter Events Our Easter Coffee Morning and Booth Wood Bunny Hop were a huge success. Please see the section below for more details and photos of the day. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported these fantastic community events. A massive thank you goes out to all the staff that worked so hard planning, preparing and going above and beyond to ensure all these school events are memorable, magical and meaningful for all our pupils.

Gallery of Learning

Booth Wood's First Ever Bunny Hop!

Booth Wood Academy enjoyed a wonderful fundraising day on Tuesday 24th April, with events themed around Easter. The day began with our annual Spring Coffee Morning, where children, families and friends gathered to enjoy delicious cakes together. Key Stage 1 then delighted everyone with a parade of their homemade Easter bonnets. It was a wonderful sight, showcasing some very impressive young designers in the making! Key Stage 2 also shared their fantastic egg‑themed creations. There were many imaginative designs, including one inspired by the new shuttle launch into space! In the afternoon, all the children took part in the Booth Wood Bunny Hop  - a new annual event designed to raise money for the school through fun, active participation. Afterwards, the whole school enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. Children were paired with pupils from different year groups but within the same house colour teams, helping to build friendships, strengthen bonds and bring our school community even closer together. The highlight of the day, however, was watching our sports coach, Mr Wolfe, hop around the field in a bright pink bunny suit  - a promise he made if the school smashed its fundraising target! A huge shout‑out goes to Amelia, who played a key part in making this happen by going to work with her mum and grandad and visiting all the neighbours, raising an incredible £900 on her own. In total, the school raised just under £4,000 -  an amazing achievement for a small school in just one day! A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event. We are already excited for next year’s Bunny Hop Day in 2027!

Enriching our children's lives

World Book Day – ‘Bedtime Story’ Theme It was wonderful to see so many children dressed up for World Book Day—the creativity and enthusiasm were fantastic! The staff also thoroughly enjoyed joining in and dressing up alongside the children. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the parents and families who supported our Scholastic Book Fair, where children were able to spend their World Book Day vouchers. Your support so far has helped the school generate £300, which will be invested directly into updating reading books across the school and enhancing our class libraries. Thank you for helping us continue to foster a love of reading at Booth Wood Academy!

 

Red Nose Day – Whole School Joke Competition! There were lots of giggles in school with our BIG JOKE competition. The winner was Ruairi with his class supporting him to create a fun and memorable joke!

Eid Celebrations at Booth Wood Academy This month, our children enjoyed a wonderful time celebrating Eid together in school. It was truly special to see several of our pupils share their own traditions and celebrations with the whole school. We were incredibly proud of the children who led and contributed to our Eid assemblies. They spoke confidently about the meaning of Eid, how it is celebrated, and why it is such an important time for families and communities. Their confidence, maturity and enthusiasm shone through, and they helped everyone learn something new. A huge well done to all the pupils involved, and thank you for helping make our Eid celebrations so meaningful and memorable for the whole school.

Eco Warriors Launch New Recycling Campaign

Our amazing Booth Wood Eco Warriors have been working hard to help us improve the amount of recycling we do as a school. Recently, they teamed up with The Hut to learn more about community recycling efforts. The Eco Warriors visited Craig at The Hut, where he showed them the different types of recycling that take place there. The children were enthusiastic, asked thoughtful questions, and were keen to get involved in making a positive difference at Booth Wood. After half term, the Eco Warriors will be launching two new recycling banks in school:

  • Bread Bag Recycling Bank – for plastic bags that bread products come in
  • Tablet Blister Pack Recycling Bank – for empty medicine tablet casings

Both recycling points will open from Friday 17th April, and we hope all our families can help support this new campaign.Together, we can make Booth Wood Academy even greener!

Dates

Reminders:

  • 15th April - Year 2 Manor Farm Trip
  • 20th April - Football League
  • 21st April - Netball League
  • 23rd April - Music Recital (7-8pm)
  • 28th April - Tennis Competition
  • 30th April - Multi sports competition
  • 11th - 14th May - Key Stage 2 SATS (year6)
  • 18th May - Year 6 Bring and Buy Sale after school
  • 18th - 21st May. -Year 5 Bikeability
  • 19th May - Year 6 Warning Zone Trip
  • 20th May - Yr5 and Yr6 Parents White Hall Residental Meeting
  • 21st May - Yr4 Think Tank Trip

Please click on the links to be taken to the school calendar.

Spotlight Attendance

Attendance Winners!

The class with the best attendance each week wins 15 minutes extra break time.   It has been so close between all the classes this month but year 3 have taken the lead with 98%!

Class Winner of the Month

Cherry Class - 94% Year 1 Class - 88% Year 2 Class - 93% Year 3 Class - 98% Year 4 Class - 92% Year 5 Class - 97% Year 6 Class - 96% Whole School - 94%

spotlight SAFETY

Easter is a time for family fun and celebrations, but it's also important to prioritise safety for primary school children during the holidays. Here are some safety tips to keep children and families safe during Easter: Stay Safe in the Kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended, especially when children are present. Keep flammable items away from cooking areas and ensure children are supervised when cooking.   Fire Safety: Never leave candles unattended or within reach of children and pets. Ensure cooking areas are clear of flammable items and have an escape route planned in case of fire.   Easter Egg Hunts: Ensure the area is free from hazards like uneven ground or slippery surfaces. Encourage children to be careful when racing around during the hunt.   Outdoor Activities: Stay together as a family and avoid wandering off alone, especially in unfamiliar areas. Stick to well-lit and populated areas and be mindful of traffic and pedestrian crossings.   Emergency Preparedness: Have a plan in case of emergencies, such as a mini first aid kit and teaching children what to do if they get separated from you. Consider wearing identification tags with emergency contact information.     By following these safety tips, families can ensure a fun and safe Easter holiday for primary school children.

SPOTLIGHT SEND

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Surviving ADHD children over the holidays!

Here is your updated newsletter section, now including the line about the article and website link:

As we enter the Easter break, we know that the change of routine and busy holiday activities can sometimes be challenging for children with ADHD. Here are some helpful ideas to support a calm, inclusive and enjoyable holiday:

Easter Egg Hunts

Create a fun hunt at home using sensory‑friendly eggs. These might include different textures, colours or gentle sounds to make the activity more engaging and comfortable.

Sensory Egg Making

Provide materials such as playdough, foam or textured craft items so children can enjoy making their own eggs in a calming, hands‑on way.

Quiet Spaces

Set up a small area at home where children can take sensory breaks, such as a quiet corner, a cosy room or a sensory tent.

Calming Activities

Have calming resources available—colouring books, puzzles, drawing materials or fidget tools—to help children reset when they feel overwhelmed.

Role‑Playing Social Scenarios

Use simple role‑play to practise social interactions in a low‑pressure environment. This can help children feel more confident when meeting family or attending events. These ideas can help create a more inclusive and supportive Easter holiday for children with ADHD, allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities while meeting their sensory and emotional needs. Please click the link below for a fantastic article and a helpful website with further support and ideas:

Reminders and New Information

Holiday Bookings – A Gentle Reminder

As the rain sets in again, I’m sure many of us are already dreaming of brighter, warmer days ahead! If you are starting to think about booking a holiday, can we please kindly remind families to book trips during the school holidays and not in term time. We are very fortunate in Leicestershire, as our school holidays often begin earlier than many other parts of the country, particularly at Easter, Summer and October. This means families can often benefit from cheaper holiday prices simply by travelling when our term dates allow. This year, we have a two‑week break in October, giving families:

  • an earlier start to the holiday period
  • the chance to take advantage of mid‑week, lower‑cost deals (e.g., Tuesday–Tuesday or Wednesday–Wednesday)
  • more flexibility when planning trips abroad or UK breaks

Your child’s education is extremely important to us, and regular attendance makes a significant difference to their progress. At the same time, we fully appreciate the value of exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and enjoying experiences that broaden children’s horizons. This is one of the reasons we have built in a longer break in October—to support families in being able to enjoy holidays without children missing learning time. Thank you for working with us to support both excellent attendance and wonderful family experiences.

Lunchtime and Afterschool clubs

Break or Lunchtime Clubs

  • Sports activities with Mr Wolfe
  • Lego Club (Monday)
  • Chess Club (Tuesday)
  • Art Club (Wednesday)
  • Creative Club (Wednesday)
  • Board Games Club (Thursady)
  • Litter Picking Club (Friday)
  • Gardening Club (TBC/ Weather dependant)

After School Clubs

  • Monday - Tennis (Years 3-6)
  • Tuesday - Golf (Years 3-6)
  • Tuesday - Year 6 SATS Club
  • Wednesday - Cricket (Years 3-6)
  • Thursday - Multi Sports (Years 1-2)
  • Thursday - Science Club (Years 1-6)
  • Thursday - Year 6 SATS Club

Family support

Loughborough Area Food Bank

Booth Wood Academy is an E-Referral partner with the food bank.

The foodbank provides a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced tinned and dried food that has been donated by the local community. THIS SERVICE IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTAL.

If you would like to use this service, please contact Mrs Morley on Cmorley3@boothwoodacademy.co.cuk and she will provide you with further details.

New Springs Church

New Springs Church offer a local food bank. No referral needed. You can buy 12 items for £3. Address: 4 Belton Road (W-EXT) Next to the new Home Bargains by the canal Timings: Thursday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-12noon

School Nurse

The school nurse services can offer a range of help and support for families. They can be contacted by leaving a message on: 0116 215 6290 or they offer a Parent Chat Text Service on: 07520615382

Universal Free School Meals and Free School Meals

As you may be aware, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are eligible to access the Universal Free School Meals Scheme  (UFSM) which gives free meals for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. In addition to this, some of these children may be eligible for free school meals (as well as universal school meals) which entitles families to apply for additional support from the Loughborough Welfare Trust and school  for uniform, school trips and 50% off breakfast and after school clubs.   Regardless of eligibility, if you are struggling financially then please call the school office and complete our form for financial assistance. 

Mental Health and Well-Being Support

Mrs Morley provides support with mental health and wellbeing for both parents and children.  Please call the school office or email for further information at: cmorley3@boothwoodacademy.co.uk

Credits:

Created with images by Bulbul - "Rustic wooden background with colorful easter eggs and spring blooms" • Victor - "Little boy using the base 10 method to do addition at home" • peopleimages.com - "High five, sports and team with support, motivation and solidarity during a game with a blue sky.,Group of people, athlete friends or men with hands together for a win, success and partnership" • selentaori - "Illustrated Book Page for World Book Day" • mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date." • stockimgahnaf - "Attending school concept,cheerful kids in school in classroom giving attendance" • Studio Romantic - "Human hands protecting and guarding small wooden toy figures placed on white desk as metaphor for creating safe, supportive community of people.,Close up, closeup shot.,Care, support, safety concepts" • Studio Romantic - "Human hands protecting and guarding small wooden toy figures placed on white desk as metaphor for creating safe, supportive community of people.,Close up, closeup shot.,Care, support, safety concepts" • Daisy Daisy - "Ear Defenders Or Headphones And Fidget Toy To Help Child With ASD Or Autism On Table In School Classroom" • david_franklin - "Summer beach smiling sun happy smiley face drawing drawn in sand with accessories holiday vacation photo" • JJAVA - "Sports Equipment" • Me studio - "Asian family holidays at the beach.,Happy family in asia Traveling, resting after the virus crisis, living life with family"