Latest Newsletter

 

Newsletter 17 – 12^th January 2026

 

Knowledge begins with respect for God (Proverbs 1:7)

 

This half-term’s value is ‘Compassion’ (Colossians 3:12)

 

 

Ofsted

As you will know, our school was inspected by Ofsted last Tuesday and Wednesday. What you might not know is that Ofsted are now using a very different inspection framework, called a ‘toolkit’. The key differences to the new toolkit are as follows:

• Schools no longer receive an overall grade.

• Instead of four further judgements about different areas of a school’s work, there are now seven, as well as a judgement about safeguarding.

• These seven areas are Inclusion, Curriculum and teaching, Achievement, Attendance and behaviour, Personal development and wellbeing, Early years, Leadership and governance.

• The old grades (Inadequate, Requires Improvement, Good and Outstanding) have been replaced by five new grades: Urgent Improvement, Needs Attention, Expected Standard, Strong Standard and Exceptional.

• The new grades do not correspond to the old grades. It is widely accepted that ‘Expected Standard’ is more challenging for a school to achieve than the previous ‘Good’ grade.

• Ofsted have explained that a ‘Needs Attention’ grade does not mean failure, but rather serves as an advisory, highlighting areas where further attention might be needed to prevent further issues.

• Previously, inspectors used a ‘best fit’ approach when deciding on a grade for an aspect of the school’s work. This means that a grade would be given if the majority of the criteria were met for that grade. Now, every criterion must be met for a school to be awarded that grade.

We will receive our inspection report card in a few weeks’ time. I will share it with you as soon as I receive it.

 

 

Admission to Reception – September 2026

A final reminder that if you have a child due to start school in September 2026 (born between 1^st September 2021 and 31^st August 2022), please go to www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions for information about primary schools and how to apply for a place online.

 

The deadline to complete this form is Thursday 15^th January 2026 – that’s this Thursday! You need to do this as a matter of urgency to secure a school place for your child.

 

School Meals

A big thank you to all the parents and carers who regularly order their child’s school meals and pays for them in advance – your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

 

Sitting down with your child to choose their lunches together makes sure that they will get something they will particularly enjoy. This ensures that your child eats a good amount at lunchtime; something very important for their health and wellbeing, as well as their concentration in their afternoon lessons.

 

Class Newsletters

Your child will soon be bringing home a class newsletter for the spring term with important information about homework, PE days etc. Please read this carefully. Class newsletters are also available on the class pages on our school website.

 

Missing glasses

A pair of glasses has been handed in to the main office. They appear to be adult’s glasses and were found near the entrance on Withers Street near the KS2 playground and staff car park (the gate I stand at each morning). Please call in at the office if you think these might be yours.

 

Mental Health Support Team

The Mental Health Support Team’s most recent newsletter is attached to this newsletter. 

 

This week’s Amazing Achievers!

 

You’ve Been Spotted! Children who have been demonstrating one of our school values:   Hira Noor Kayani & Mariam Rafiq – Robins Zakariya Latif – Woodpeckers Mohammed Bhamji - Kingfishers Laiba Nasir – Swallows Harris Khan – Doves  Iqra Aziz – Owls Umamah Bhamji - Kestrels Hooria Abbas – Hawks Ritaj El-Morchidi – Falcons Amina Thazhathethil - Eagles	Headteacher’s Award Children chosen for a special achievement:   Minahil Farhan & Juwayriyyah Noori – Robins Haadiyah Khan – Woodpeckers Abeera Chaudhry - Kingfishers Deen Hussain – Swallows Haniya Syed – Doves Azaan Qureshi – Owls Keyan Shah – Kestrels Kristofers Kilpe – Hawks Subhan Nain – Falcons Richard Szileczki - Eagles
Recent Reading Badges       Doves Sapphire - Yusuf Bismillah Emerald - Khadija Nawaz     Hawks Abu Bakr Malik & Ahmed Mulla – Sapphire Fatima Hussain – Jet Sulaiman Kheratkar & Zaeem Patel – Bronze Star Hooria Abbas, Ahmad Mahmood & Anaya Faisal – Gold Star	Remarkable Readers   Children who have impressed their teachers with their reading this week:   Zuneyah Khan - Woodpeckers Uzair Bilal – Kingfishers Salahuddin Nawaz – Swallows McKenzie Mulleny – Doves Amna Hussain – Owls M. Essa Hussain – Kestrels Fatima Geloo – Hawks Hawa Atif – Falcons Faizaan Abdulghafoor - Eagles
Mrs Martin’s Class of the Week: The Whole School	Mr Ulhaq’s Ultimate Achiever: Jasmine Akhtar (Owls)
Mr Richardson’s Lunchtime Awards: Huda Hooti (Swallows) & Fatima Geloo (Hawks)

 

Last Week’s Attendance

 

	Best attendance	Best punctuality
Infants	Robins & Woodpeckers	Robins
Juniors	Doves	Owls & Eagles

 

 

Best wishes   Julian Rogers Headteacher