Well, that’s it – the final day of the 2025–2026 academic year is here!
The last week has been another busy one, and we started it in the very best way with our fabulous Celebration Assembly on Monday. Our school community came together to celebrate the children who have been awarded our Progress Awards this year. It is always such a special occasion, listening to staff share the significant achievements of their pupils and seeing parents and families able to share in those proud moments too.
We then moved on to the presentation of some of our most prestigious cups and trophies. These included the Mitchell Award for Overall Progress, the Andrews Award for the Arts, the Swimming Cup, the Downie Shield for Sporting Excellence, the Matilda Cup for Services to the School, and the Tri Values Cup, which recognises a pupil who truly lives and breathes our core values of Belong, Explore, Succeed.
This year’s worthy winners were Vincent, Ella, Henry M, Henry H, Henry M and Lola respectively. All of our award recipients are Year 6 pupils who have consistently demonstrated excellence, commitment and determination throughout their time at our school. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them. These presentations are not only a fitting way to celebrate the achievements of our oldest pupils, but also a wonderful opportunity for our younger children to see what lies ahead. They provide an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved through hard work, resilience and embodying our school values throughout their journey with us.
Our final Interhouse event of the year took place this week – Tug of War – and what a competition it was! To kick things off, the staff teams gave a demonstration (or perhaps a competitive battle of their own!) to show the children how it was done. This certainly set the tone for an exciting and energetic event. All of the houses showed fantastic determination, teamwork and house spirit throughout the competition. A huge congratulations goes to Coln, who pulled their way to victory and were crowned this year’s Tug of War champions! Well done to everyone who took part and helped make the event such a memorable way to round off our Interhouse competitions.
Mrs Redman has also been working exceptionally hard over the last term, bringing together the final changes to our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Policy. Throughout this process, she has consulted with both staff and pupils to ensure that the policy reflects the needs of our school community, and we are now extending this consultation to parents and carers.
From September 2026, all schools will be legally required to have an up-to-date written policy for Relationships Education or, where applicable, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), alongside an updated curriculum. These changes are important because high-quality RSHE plays a vital role in preparing children for adult life, supporting their moral, social, mental and physical development. Crucially, it is also an important safeguarding tool, helping young people to recognise when something is wrong and understand how and where to seek help.
I would encourage all parents and carers to visit our website to read the draft policy and explore the curriculum that will be delivered. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we look forward to hearing your views as part of this consultation process.
As we come to the end of another school year, we would like to take a moment to say a very special thank you and farewell to Mrs Redman and Mrs Jones.
Mrs Redman retired on Wednesday, and we were delighted to celebrate her remarkable career and the incredible contribution she has made to our school community. During her time with us, she has taught more than 960 children, nurturing, inspiring and supporting generations of pupils. She has worked alongside four Headteachers, seen many changes, and been a constant source of dedication, care and professionalism throughout. While there may have been four Headteachers, there has only ever been one Mrs Redman. Her impact on our school will be felt for many years to come, and we thank her for the difference she has made to so many lives.
Mrs Jones leaves us to begin an exciting new chapter at another school. Whilst we are sad to see her go, we are proud to see her take on a new challenge and opportunity. We thank her for all that she has contributed to our school and for the positive difference she has made to our children, families and colleagues. We wish her every success and happiness in her new role and know that she will be a wonderful asset to her new school community.
To both Mrs Redman and Mrs Jones, thank you for everything you have done for our school. Your commitment, kindness and dedication have touched the lives of so many children and families. We wish you both every happiness for the future and hope that the next chapter brings you joy, success and many wonderful memories.
We had the most amazing Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly today, led entirely by our Year 6 children. The atmosphere was warm, joyful and full of laughter, and I could not have been prouder of them all. They reflected on their time at school with confidence, humour and maturity, reminding us all just how much they have grown over the years. From their first days in Reception to their final weeks in Year 6, our pupils have travelled an incredible learning journey. Along the way, they have explored new ideas, discovered their strengths and embraced challenges with curiosity and determination. Success has come in many forms—through achievements in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage, through creative pursuits, or simply through showing resilience and kindness every day. As they have grown, they have found a true sense of belonging. They have been valued members of their classes, year groups and teams, supporting one another and celebrating each other’s successes. Most importantly, they have been proud members of our school community, building friendships, creating memories and leaving their own unique mark. The experiences, achievements and connections they have made here will remain an important part of who they are as they move on to the next stage of their journey. That sense of belonging matters because our vision as a school is to unlock the potential of every child.
One of the things we champion with great passion is reading—whether through our taught curriculum, class reads, author visits, pop-up bookshops, the Bookwagon monthly book drop or the enthusiasm that our teachers share for books. Through this, we hope every child can see themselves reflected in a story, identify with characters and connect with themes that help them understand both themselves and the wider world. Reading is one of the most powerful ways to make our vision a reality. Through stories, children discover their strengths, challenge their thinking and learn to see the world through different eyes. As Anna James reminds us, “Books are doors… and reading is the key.” As they leave us and begin their next chapter, I encouraged them to keep striving, keep learning, keep growing and, above all, keep reading. Secondary school will bring new challenges, opportunities and adventures, and they are more than ready for them. Their story is only just beginning. The pages ahead are blank, the possibilities are endless and the words that will fill them are already inside them. I hope they leave us believing in themselves, carrying the joy of reading and never forgetting that stories—including their own—have the power to change the world.
Before we bring this academic year to a close, I would like to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our parents and families for the incredible support you have shown throughout the year. Schools simply cannot achieve what they do without the partnership, trust and encouragement of their parent community. Whether it has been supporting learning at home, attending events and performances, volunteering your time, helping with fundraising, cheering from the sidelines, reading with your children, or simply ensuring they arrive each day ready to learn, your contribution makes an enormous difference.
That just leaves me to say: have the very best summer. Thank you for all of your support throughout this academic year. We wish our Year 6 children every success and happiness as they begin their next adventure, and we look forward to welcoming everyone else back in September for another exciting year of learning, belonging, exploring and succeeding. Murphy and I are off on holiday with his mum and sister down to Cornwall for a week. We will take lots of photos!
Have a wonderful break and stay safe.
Warmest Regards
Georgina Flooks
Headteacher