Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you have all had the most amazing summer break!
I enjoyed a wonderful balance of work and play, including a gorgeous week in Cornwall with Murphy, his mum Lottie and sister Olive, along with their owner Sally, while our own children were enjoying Boardmasters.
We officially returned to work on Tuesday for our first INSET day of the year. We began by exploring our why – why we do the jobs we do. The answer was simple and powerful: “Unlocking the Potential in Every Child” – our school vision. It is this vision that remains at the heart of everything we do and is the driving force behind every decision we make.
As part of this, I was able to share with staff one aspect of that potential being realised: the academic achievements reflected in our incredible statutory outcomes for 2026. I am immensely proud of what our children have achieved. The results are significantly above national averages across key measures, reflecting the hard work, dedication and commitment of our children, staff and families. Alongside these excellent academic outcomes sits something equally important: their wider personal development. Each year, more of our children leave us for the next stage of their educational journey more confident, more resilient and better prepared to embrace the opportunities ahead of them. Together, these achievements demonstrate what is possible when we remain focused on our vision of Unlocking the Potential in Every Child. Our statutory results can be viewed on our website here:
https://wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/WHPS-Data-2026.pdf
The day also included our annual statutory safeguarding updates from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), along with subject leader sessions focused on mathematics, writing, reading and science. It was a fantastic first day back, but nothing compared to when our children returned on Wednesday!
The school was alive once more and it felt wonderful. Our children have settled exceptionally well into their new classes, and the focus over these first few days has been on establishing strong routines and building positive relationships. These foundations are so important and will support children throughout the year ahead.
It has also been a pleasure to welcome our new Reception children and their families into our school community. I am incredibly pleased, alongside the Reception team, with how well the children have transitioned into school life. Their enthusiasm, smiles and eagerness to learn have been a joy to see.
I would also like to draw your attention to an important curriculum consultation. The updated statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance from the Department for Education came into effect on 1 September 2026, replacing the previous 2019 framework. You will recently have received a link to our RSHE Policy and curriculum consultation materials. Please do take a few moments to review these documents and share any feedback, as this remains a vital aspect of our curriculum and plays an important role in supporting children’s personal development and wellbeing.
https://wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk/curriculum/subjects/rse/
Looking ahead, our year group curriculum newsletters will be shared with you next week. These provide detailed information about what your children will be learning throughout the Autumn Term and how you can support their learning at home.
That just leaves me to say thank you for your continued support. It has been a wonderful start to the new academic year, and there is a real sense of excitement and positivity across the school.
Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you all next week.
Warmest regards,
Georgina Flooks
Headteacher