A Message from Miss Cooksley
Welcome back to our weekly Briar Hill Bulletin. Last week was another brilliant week and the children continued to shine. Thank you again for your continued support.
Pupil Premium Eligibility Check and Application
There are many circumstances that can mean that your child’s school is entitled to receive additional funding for their education. The education sector is under much financial strain. For that reason, we are keen to ensure that we have explored every funding possibility. The Pupil Premium is additional school funding, and it is paid directly to your child's school to improve the quality of their education. As a school we use evidence of ‘what works’, evaluated by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), to use this funding effectively.
If you are on low income and in receipt of one of the benefits listed below, a student completing a college or university course, or a member of the armed forces your child may be eligible to Pupil Premium and/or free school meals to help support their education and gain vouchers for your child each full term. Please note that if know that you have already had an application accepted for your child then this means you cannot reapply.
You may be entitled to free school meals for your child(ren) if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Child Tax Credit Only (with income up to £16,190) with no element of Working Tax Credit
- National Asylum Seekers Support
- Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit (Income Related)
Also, if you would have previously fallen into the listed entitled groups but are no longer, your child may still be entitled. You may also be interested to know that if your circumstances change at a later date and you find you are no longer entitled to free school meals, your child’s Pupil Premium funding allocated to the school will continue for 6 years after. To see whether you are eligible for the pupil premium, please click the button below and complete your online application for each child.
The education that we aim to offer at Briar Hill Primary School and Nursery is world-class and the funding we receive ensures this is the case; please help us to ensure that this can continue.
Home Learning at Briar Hill
Reminder: Our home learning has been reviewed and improved. For more information about your child's home learning, please read the information sheet below (this is also available in your child's home learning book). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to speak to your child's class teacher.
Friendly Reminders
Reminder: We are a non-smoking and non-vaping site, we will take further action if we see smoking or vaping whilst on the school groups. We also expect all children and adults to treat others with kindness, tolerance and respect. If you see, hear or concerned anything you experience on the school grounds please do raise to school staff immediately so it can be dealt with swiftly. Thank you.
Please may we remind all parents and carers that pick-up and drop-off times are busy. This can cause an increased safety risk to both children and parents. Parking restrictions outside schools are there to keep you and your children safe. Parking inconsiderately can put people in danger and you also risk being fined. It’s important that motorists follow the Highway Code.
Safety tips for parking outside schools
When picking up or dropping off children at schools, you should do the following:
- Allow yourself plenty of time as the area is likely to be busy.
- Do not park on yellow zigzag lines and avoid parking opposite them.
- If you decide to park further away, please be considerate of local residents and avoid blocking driveways/accessways or pedestrian crossings.
For further advice, from the Police, please click the link below.
A friendly reminder that we expect children to read at home at least 5 times per week, 20 minutes a day. This must be recorded in their reading record and signed by an adult.
Our Book and Biscuit event will continue to run on the first Friday of every half term. Due to its popularity, and to make it accessible for as many families as possible, we will run both a morning session from 8:45am - 9:00am and an afternoon session from 3:00 - 3:15pm. We look forward to seeing as many families on our next Book and Biscuit event which will be Friday 8th November.
It's important to think about your child's safety in the dark, particularly road safety. This is why we have asked that all parents/carers collect children from after school clubs.
We also have an exciting upcoming end of Autumn Term raffle draw for all children who have 100% attendance over the term and also arrive at school punctually every day. All eligible children will be entered into the prize draw for the chance for one lucky winner to win their family a food hamper at the of term.
We always enjoy seeing and speaking to parents and carers, if you have any questions do just ask the teachers on the door at the end of the day, via Class Dojo or chat to a member of the pastoral team or leadership team if you need to. We are always here to listen and happy to help.
Friendly Reminders
We know lots of you also like to send children with a packed lunch, so below you'll find some information about how to plan for healthy packed lunches.
A reminder school starts at 8.45 a.m. - every minute counts so please ensure your child is on time for school. Thank you all.
A reminder, if you send children to school with earrings they must only be a small stud. This is for health and safety reasons. Children may wear a watch. Thanks.
Votes for Schools
Each week, our children (Year 1 - 6) participate in topical talk. To find out more about Votes for Schools, please read below.
Votes for Schools at Home
To celebrate Second Hand September, voters consider whether they are willing to part with their belongings, and how open they would be to buying second hand items. The assembly explores how charity shops run, and how they came to be a staple of the British high street.
Voters will explore the questions:
- Could pre-loved clothes become more popular than buying new? (KS2)
- Would you give away your belongings? (KS1)
If you would like to continue the conversation and discussion around each week's topical talk, please refer to the information provided below.
Briar Hill rated OUTSTANDING!
' a culture of excellence' (Ofsted, November 2022)
Attendance Matters
Your child’s attendance at school each day is important – every day counts. We place a high value on classroom based learning at Briar Hill and expect every parent to share this commitment by supporting your child to attend each day and arrive on time. We ensure that from the start of school at 8.45 am, fast paced learning is taking place within all our classrooms and because of this, if your child is absent, they are likely to miss out on significant learning that day.
Government research has shown the impact that just a handful of days absence each year has on primary aged children’s attainment and progress. Below we have included a simple guide for parents indicating what each level of attendance means and hours of learning lost:
We’re here to help! Your child’s learning and attendance at school is also important to us. Please let the school know as soon as possible if you require any support to ensure your children's arrival at school or, if you know of any issues, home or school related, which may be preventing your child from attending each day. Thank you for your continued support to ensure your child attends school, on time, every day. If you require any further information or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Leslie (Attendance Lead).
Our Uniform Expectations
The basic Briar Hill uniform consists of:
- a plain grey jumper or cardigan or, a jumper or cardigan with the Briar Hill logo
- plain white polo-shirt or plain white shirt
- black trousers or knee length skirt
- black shoes (not trainers)
- blue check summer dresses or smart black shorts (only in summer months)
- a Briar Hill school book bag
- Year 5-6 - will be given a teal tie - please see the office if you need to reorder one.
Our PE Uniform
- plain white t-shirt
- black shorts or trousers
- jumper or jacket can be worn outside
- trainers or plimsolls
A Lens into Learning at Briar Hill
Our Reception children really have loved their hook for our first Talk for Writing unit: The Little Red Hen. The children have been making bread and learning about animals that live on a farm! What an exciting week!
Last week, Year 1 learnt all about primary colours. They also learnt how to mix them to create secondary colours. This week, they are testing our understanding and seeing whether we can make secondary colours independently in continuous provision.
Year 2 have really enjoyed their learning in science where they have been learning all about forces, specifically pushes and pulls.
Last week, Year 5 have been learning all about rounding to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000! Their maths skills are on point.
In Year 3, the children completed the first stage of their sculpture project. They decided on poses and created figures focussing on proportion. Next, they will add the modroc to set their definitive shapes!
Nursery have been exploring our school grounds on foot and on bike. It has been great fun!
In Year 4 the children have produced their own text maps for their model text for Adventure at Sandy Cove. Just look at their wonderful class text map!
Take a Tour of our School
Celebrations
Star of the Week
A huge congratulations to all the children who have been presented with a star of the week award. You are all shining role models and the school is incredibly proud of you all. Well done and THANK YOU!
- Year R Donaldson – Leon
- Year R McKee – Chloe
- Year 1 Rosen – Vlad
- Year 2 Potter - Aegis
- Year 2 Dr Seuss - Savannah
- Year 3 Dahl – Stephanie
- Year Horowitz - Jasmine L
- Year 4 Kinney – Rowan
- Year 5 Tolkien - Lexi
- Year 5 Morpurgo – Sirat
- Year 6 Pullman – Adil
Reading Rocks Winners
- 1st place - Year 2 Dr Seuss
- 2nd place - Year 1 Rosen
- 3rd place - Year 3 Dahl
Attendance Winners
- 1st place - Year 5 Tolkien
- 2nd place - Year 4 Kinney
- 3rd place - Year 2 Potter
Behaviour Winners
- 1st place - Year R Donaldson
- 2nd place - Year 4 Kinney
- 3rd place - Year 5 Tolkien
Uniform
The class who made the best effort with wearing the correct uniform this week is Year 3 Horowitz - well done!
Mr Bump
The class with the fewest accidents this week are Year 5 Morpurgo – well done!
Handwriting Award
- Year R Donaldson - Namasvi
- Year R McKee - Flynn
- Year 1 Rosen – Sofia
- Year 2 Potter – Irha
- Year 2 Dr Seuss – Minnie
- Year 3 Dahl – Phoebe
- Year 3 Horowitz - Beatrice
- Year 4 Kinney – Isabella
- Year 5 Tolkien - Resego
- Year 5 Morpurgo - Anaiah
- Year 6 Pullman – Georgi
Positive Points
How can you be rewarded for being positive?
Being POSITIVE is so important here at Briar Hill. Having brilliant behaviour is a skill for life and we support children in this. Children can earn these positive points throughout the school day. Once they reach each threshold, they will be awarded a special certificate. At the end of the academic year, the bronze, silver and gold winners will all receive a special treat!
Reading Rocks at Briar Hill
At Briar Hill Primary School, we expect all children to read at home five times per week for 20 minutes. Reading is promoted, within school, in a number of ways, including reading for pleasure sessions, class novel time and the DRET Reads reading for pleasure challenge.
Reading books are sent out on a Friday and are to be returned on a Thursday. We expect that all home reading to be recorded within your child's reading log, this allows us to monitor reading at home and also helps to decide which class wins our weekly reading competition 'Reading Rocks'.
The house system is an integral part of Briar Hill and is predominately utilised during inter-school competitions, each with a different focus.
Our children are proud to be part of their house teams. Every child and member of staff is allocated to one of four houses, which they then support. Our houses teams are grouped vertically which enables children to socialise and engage with peers and staff beyond their everyday environment. It is an essential part of school life as it facilitates a growing community spirit and enables children to participate collectively, involving children from all year groups who are contributing to something bigger than themselves.
It was important for the house teams to be named after relevant, diverse and inspiring individuals, from different backgrounds. Therefore, the houses are all named after four successful artists. These artists each have a different discipline within art, they are: Gormley, Hockney, Banksy, Wiltshire. The House captains each year are members of Year 6.
Food Allergy Information
Please remember that at Briar Hill children are not allowed to have nuts or nut products at school. If staff see products containing nuts, the will need to remove these. This is in order to protect pupils at school who have nut allergies.
Dates for the Diary
- Please return reading records and home learning books to school each Thursday, thank you.
- Wednesday 11th September: Parents and Carers Read Write |nc. phonics workshop at school, 3.30-4.00pm
- Thursday 12th September: Flu vaccinations for Year 1 - 6 children who have consented
- Week commencing Monday 23rd September: After school clubs begin. Collection is 4pm. Please see MCAS for sign up
- Thursday 19th September: Film night, information will be shared via MCAS
- Friday 27th September: McMillan coffee morning, 9am - 10:30am, information will be shared in due course via MCAS
- Wednesday 2nd October: Reception tours for new intake 2025-2026
- Wednesday 2nd October: Reception tours for new intake 2025-2026, 10am and 1pm
- Thursday 3rd October: Reception tours for new intake 2025-2026, 10am and 1pm
- Monday 14th October: Parents' Evening 3:30 - 6pm, information will be shared in due course via MCAS
- Tuesday 15th October: Parents' Evening 3:30 - 6pm, information will be shared in due course via MCAS
- Wednesday 16th October: Additional Reception Parents' Evening
- Thursday 17 October: Non-uniform day, information will be shared in due course via MCAS
- Thursday 17 October: Reception tours for new intake 2025-2026, 10am and 1pm
- Thursday 17th October: After school disco 3.30-4:45pm and 5:15-6:30pm, information will be shared in due course via MCAS
- Friday 8th November: Book and biscuit event, 8:45am - 9:00am and an afternoon session from 3:00 - 3:15pm
Useful links from the STEM Team
Messages from the Pastoral Team
Below is our school Mental Health Strategy as well as useful bank of helpful contacts to guide, advice and training around mental health and well-being.
Home Learning
Useful Links for Parents and Carers
Sunshine Club (Breakfast Club) and Premier Education After School Care
Breakfast club and after school care is extremely popular and is regularly full. Please book in advance as we are sometimes unable to accommodate late bookings for breakfast club.
Breakfast Club is available every school day during term time and is run by Briar Hill Primary School.
Breakfast club opens at 7:45am and closes as the school day starts at 8.45 am. The club costs £5.00 per day and children are provided with a healthy choice of breakfasts and drinks.
Premier Education's After-School Care (External Provider)
Premier Wraparound will bring the following:
- Access to a wider range of activities for children from gymnastics to gardening alongside the traditional play activities you would expect such as board games, toys, Lego etc.
- A simple online bookings system where parents book and receive instant email confirmation to easily track any bookings and reduce administration.
- A fully responsive support team who will be ready to take any calls, queries and reply to emails with a quick turnaround.
- Bookings available up to 60 minutes before the session in case of any last-minute changes of plan.
- No questions asked refunds for missed session with our ‘flexi bookings’ option.
The costings for the rest of the academic year will be:
After-School Club (3.15pm – 4.45pm) - £6.00. Children will receive tea after the school day.. They will have access to a wide range of toys, games, and activities to keep busy until collection time.
Extended After-School Club (3:15pm – 5:30pm) £9.00. We also offer an extended after school club where children will receive a small snack before reflecting on what they have learnt at the after-school club.