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Welcome to Birkwood

An #IncredibleCommunity

The Birkwood Values

Welcome to the Birkwood News!

15th May 2026

A Message from the Headteacher

Please see the link above - Easy Fundraising can work for Birkwood!

I must start this week’s news by informing you of an absolutely brilliant week from our Year 6 superstars! We are bursting with pride for every one of them following their SATS. The dedication, resilience, and sheer hard work they've demonstrated throughout this challenging period truly embody our value - 100% effort.

The children approached every paper with such great focus and determination, a testament not only to themselves but also to the tireless support provided by our wonderful staff. A massive, heartfelt thank you goes out to all the children for their fantastic efforts, and of course, to the dedicated staff team who worked so brilliantly to guide and prepare them every step of the way. SATs will never define anyone and measure the school and our standards. 100% Effort is all we ask – we certainly had it in bucket loads!

Now, it’s time for a well-deserved celebration! We’re thrilled that their incredible effort and positive attitude will be rewarded with an unforgettable trip to London. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to create life-long memories and celebrate everything they’ve achieved together. Well done, Year 6 – you truly are amazing!

Our Leavers' Hoodies certainly proved popular! The children looked great!

See our guide to next week here.

The FA Cup

The children have again felt the excitement of our Attendance Rewards this week. Well done to the class winners – a range of prizes were definitely enjoyed. Keep attending and good luck! Next week is 'double points week' We will also be crowning the first winners of the FA Cup!

Year 5/6 Attendance Awards

To help keep our whole school community safe and happy, please park mindfully and considerately around school at drop-off and pick-up times. Your thoughtfulness makes such a difference!

At Dorothy Hyman Stadium, our KS1 Athletes were a magnificent 2nd place. The boys and girls were so excited and did themselves and the school proud. Well done everyone, it’s Year 3 and 4 today!

Year 1/2 Athletics

Many thanks to Miss Taylor & Mrs. Whitfield for organising our fabulous Quiz Night with the amazing Northern Funny Money. Please don’t be alarmed by the fact that the staff team didn’t win! Thank you to everyone who attended. A brilliant evening and a huge laugh!

Quiz Night Fun

Year 3 Obama loved the Joann Fletcher inspired Egyptian Exhibition at Experience Barnsley this week. Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip such a success. The Town Hall is a beautiful feature of Barnsley.

Get ready to treat yourselves! We're delighted to announce that three of our wonderful ex-pupils will be holding a special bake sale after school on Monday 18th May. They'll be selling delicious cakes to raise funds for the fantastic Outwood Out There Project – and Birkwood is the chosen place for their profits! It's a brilliant opportunity to support a great cause and catch up with some familiar faces!

Bake Sale this Monday

I wrote to families with RSE Information Dates. Please see the letter. This is an area of the curriculum that is sensitive. As always, I will share lesson materials to all parents via email in addition to the meetings that we have scheduled. Safety is the key message!

RSE Information Dates

Have a fantastic weekend, as ever, enjoy the family time!

Grass Roots Half Term are running Half Term Clubs.

The end of year RockSteady Concert is booked! Families of the rock stars – do not miss out!

Thursday 16th July 2pm

Our after school partners Groots are continuing to provide opportunities at Birkwood – have a look at their offer here.

SEND Support from Barnsley LA - we have been asked to share these opportunities. Take them up!

Breakfast Club is now open at 7:30 each morning. The cost will be £3.00 due to additional running costs.

See Arbor to book Breakfast Club places

Reminders

Our next SEND Parent Meeting is scheduled for this Monday - 11th May at 1:30pm.

After school care option

Community sessions delivered by Grass Roots are available. They take place on Darfield Road; the darts has caught my attention! Give it a go.

Information for Y6 Families re: London residential.

Fundraising Events
Summer Fair News
Celebration Assembly Winners
  • Headteachers Superstar EYFS/KS1 - MG Y1
  • Headteachers Superstar KS2 - CK Y4
  • Music Maestro - RW Y4
  • PE Star - PG Y2

House Points

Water and Fire are currently in joint 1st place for the end of year prize. The prize will be confirmed soon!

School attendance Target for the Year - 95.4% (as set by the DfE)

School attendance this week - 95.7%

School attendance this year so far - 95.3%

Fantastic Attendance (FA) Cup

2025/26 Events

Sports Days

Early dates in case of poor weather
Extras
Follow us on X

Our suite of X (formerly Twitter) Handles is here for you. Below is a link for 'all things Birkwood.'

PE & Sport

PE Timetable

Appropriate trainers must be worn. No crop tops – Sports t-shirts please and shorts. A tracksuit may be worn – please make a judgment on temperature. NO JEWELLERY.

Term Dates Below

This year's school dates
Next Year's School Dates

For current Year 6 children, SATs tests will be Monday 11th to Thursday 14th May 2026.

For current Year 5 children, SATs tests will be Monday 10th to Thursday 13th May 2027.

For current Year 4 children, SATs tests will be Monday 8th to Thursday 11th May 2028.

New Lunch Menus
Summer Lunches
Summer Lunches
Summer Lunches

After School Clubs

Our School Vision
Our School Values

SEND Support for Families