Head's Blog

1st April 2022

Hi

Just when we thought everything was starting to be back to normal this week, the snow hit us! Thank you so much for all your support. Although it didn't last long, it was stressful for everyone, but by working together we got through it.

Unfortunately, because of the snow this week, we had to postpone the science day we had planned. After my assembly where we experimented with dropping eggs onto flour and then dropping eggs onto the floor and seeing what happened (which we did in Jason's office, because we knew what would happen!), we were hoping to take part in real life experiments with the scientist from 'Sublime Science' on Thursday. The weather got in the way however, and we are now looking forward to us having our Science day in the Summer term.

As you know the Government has now changed the guidelines on testing and isolation for COVID. I have attached the guidance that our Trust has created to help you and us to understand how it will affect your children.

Thank you this week for all your lovely messages about our Ofsted report which goes 'live' today. As staff, we started the week by hearing from our Trust CEO how proud she was of us which was lovely to hear, and we ended the week by taking a photo for the papers. You cannot imagine how many staff it took to get 6 children to look at the camera at the same time - and then when they looked, I didn't! We spend every day teaching children skills for life, but today showed us that we needed to do more on looking at a camera and smiling!

Don't forget - next Friday is when we break up for Easter, and during the Easter holidays, Jason will be running Stay and Play.

Have a great weekend.
See you all on Monday
Rachel :)

25th March 2022

Hi

I cannot believe that it is 2 years since the whole COVID pandemic and lockdown started. It has been a horrendous time for everyone, but at last it feels like we are getting back to normal. With the Prime Minister's announcement that masks are no longer needed, there is no longer a requirement to wear them in school unless you would like to. We are still being cautious however, and so we will keep the different openings into schools going in a morning and on an evening, and we are still spreading out events such as the very successful Mother's day afternoons, so that we are not overcrowding. Please continue to be wary of COVID and continue to test and isolate if anyone has symptoms. This week we have seen a rise in sickness and diarrhea so please keep up the washing of hands, and if you child does show any of these symptoms, please keep them at home for 48 hours to prevent the spread.

This week, we have received our Ofsted report. As head, I have been at Beckfoot Phoenix for the last 9 years, and it has been my privilege to see our lovely school go from strength to strength. This has been a team effort and we have only been able to do it with your support. You are an amazing group of families with fantastic children, and it is you, together with our very skilled and hard working staff that make up our Beckfoot Phoenix team.

As you read our inspection report, I hope you will feel like me, that the report really captures the essence of our school. As a school, we are very proud to have been described as 'a school of warmth, of care, and of ambition,' where 'there are no limits to what staff
believe their pupils can achieve', and where 'staff want the very best for the children.'

During the 2 days that the two inspectors were in school, they observed over 20 lessons, spoke to children, observed children who were non verbal, spoke to staff, listened to parents, and spoke to our Trust. At one point the inspector said to me - 'It must have taken you ages to prepare everyone for these two days' - to which I truthfully replied - 'This is what we do everyday' because it is. They saw everything from great teaching to confident children as well as observing first hand how we supported a couple of children who went into crisis. They saw us as we are with no airs and graces - and came to the opinion that 'there is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged OUTSTANDING if the inspectors were to carry out a section 5 inspection now'.

In the olden days, they used to just move a school to outstanding on the basis of a 2 day inspection, but since the new Ofsted framework came in a couple of years ago, they now make a decision about where the school is at and then come back in 1 - 2 years to do a 'section 5 inspection' to see how the school has progress which helps the school to sustain everything they are doing.

We know that we have things we want to work on - and as a great school wanting brilliant things for our children and families, we will never stop wanting to improve. A couple of parents told the inspectors that they would like more information about their child's learning, and we would agree that this is an area that we would like to look at, and we definitely want to get back to all the additional activities, groups and assemblies we had on within our wider curriculum from before the pandemic.

As head, I cannot be prouder of our Ofsted report and of the achievements of our school. Together with our Trust, we are making a real difference for our children and families, and I in no way underestimate the hard work of staff and yourselves in making this happen - thank you.

Please read the attached report knowing that you have all helped us to achieve the highest grading that we could have achieved at this inspection. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss it further, or want to know more.

Have a great weekend in this gorgeous sunshine.

See you on Monday for another Mother's day afternoon.

Rachel :)

18th March 2022

Hi.
Thank you so much to everyone who took part in our Comic Relief superhero day today. It was great to see so many children and staff dressing up and fantastic that we raised £69 for Comic Relief.

Thank you also to everyone for following our new car parking procedures this week. It seems so much calmer with everyone knowing where they park and thank you also for displaying your zone coloured cards. It makes it so much easier to monitor, although I do feel like I am turning into a traffic warden rather than a head teacher! Maybe that will be my next job!

I hope you have a lovely sunny weekend and for those of you who have booked in, don’t forget our special Mother’s Day afternoon tea event next Friday.

See you all on Monday
Rachel 👍

11th March 2022

Hi

This week we had lots of fun celebrating World book day. We had Mad Hatters, princesses, whales, cowboys, Harry Potters, little red riding hoods, cats in the hats, where's wally ... and lots more besides. Thank you for taking the time to dress your child up. We had a great day.

We're still doing zoom assemblies, and the children loved sitting watching me on their computers whilst I ran round school filming them all in each classroom. They were so excited when they knew it was going to be their room next. They love seeing themselves on the TV! For those of you old enough to remember, I was a bit like Anneka Rice off Challenge Anneka - although I wore a Snow White outfit rather than a shell suit!

And then we had our whole school parade where everyone paraded round school in their outfits for all to see. It was so exciting!

This term we are all learning about sculptures in Art and on Thursday green base went to see the large as life lego animal sculptures in Bradford. They had a great time. If anyone would like to go, the free event is on until Sunday - more information at https://www.visitbradford.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2180145&feature=1037

Nearer to home, this Sunday, 13th March there is a 'Swing into Spring' event in Keighley Town Hall square where between 11 and 2, there will be a range of attractions including archery, outdoor cooking, woodwork, arts and crafts, food and a space dome!

Over the next half term we have a few other events to tell you about:

Friday 18th March - bring at least £1 for Comic Relief and come dressed as a superhero.
Friday 25th and Monday 28th March - Mother's day afternoon tea.
W/b 28th March - Science week - more information to follow.
Friday 8th April - close for Easter holidays. Stay and play taking place.

For those of you who bring your children to school, the new car park arrangements start in school next week. Please park in your allocated areas and display your badge.

Something to make you smile - A child came up to me this week and said - I wish you were my mum! I was so touched and thought this child obviously thinks a lot of me. When I asked her why she wished I was her mum, she said 'Because then I wouldn't have to carry my bag myself because my mum always carries my bag for me!' - and there it is - she only wanted me to be her mum so I would carry her bag for her! So ... if you're the mum who carries your child's bag ... maybe it's time they should be carrying their own!

Enjoy the weekend
See you on Monday
Rachel :)

4th March 2022

Good Afternoon Everyone,
It is great to see the children back in school after the half term break. I hope you all enjoyed the holiday.

There has been a real buzz around school and the children have enjoyed getting into pancake mode! I'm grateful to report that the smoke alarms didn't go off like they do at my house!! But enough about my cooking skills.

After a fairly wet and miserable week we are due some sunshine this weekend, I hope everyone has a lovely time and manages to enjoy being outside.

Sarah 🙂

25th February 2022

A message from our CEO

Dear Families,

I hope you are keeping well. We are looking forward to welcoming staff and students back to school next week following the half term break.
Covid 19

On 21st February, the Prime Minister announced the government’s Living with Covid-19 plan and this has implications for schools nationally.

To manage the transition to living with Covid-19 our robust risk assessment is based on the following:

A request to families to continue twice weekly testing on a voluntary basis for those children who can cope with it. Whilst the government guidance to continue testing has been removed, we believe that a cautious approach is right for the time being to protect our communities.

From 24th February students and staff who test positive for the virus must stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least 5 full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received two negative test results on consecutive days, only returning to school at that point or after 10 days even if the LFT continues to be positive.

Anyone displaying the 3 main symptoms of Covid 19 (high temperature, new continuous cough, loss or change to sense of smell or taste) is advised get a PCR test in line with the guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Students and staff will be expected to ensure they clean their hands regularly; we will continue to provide hand sanitiser around our school buildings.

Students and staff will be expected to maintain good respiratory hygiene following the catch it, bin it and kill it approach that we have become used to.

We will continue to ensure that spaces are well ventilated.

Finally, we will ensure we maintain thorough cleaning programmes to ensure frequently touched
points are cleaned regularly.

We will continue to monitor infection rates in our schools, and if there are any local requirement to manage an outbreak within our schools, we will update you immediately.

Please be assured that we will continue to follow published guidance to support the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.


We are planning to revisit our risk assessment ahead of the 1st April.

Should you have any further questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact your school in the usual way.


It only leaves me to thank you once again for your understanding and support as we navigate our way to living with Covid-19.


Yours faithfully
Shirley Watson
Chief Executive Officer

18th February 2022

Hi

As you know, this week we had our visit from Ofsted. Thank you to the families who filled in the Ofsted questionnaire. It was lovely to hear all the great things you said about our school. I really appreciate your feedback and it was brilliant that Ofsted could see how highly you thought of the work we do. It was also good to hear about the areas you feel that we could improve on and we will be looking at these next term.

Over the two days that the Ofsted inspectors were in, they looked really closely at how we teach maths, reading and science. They also looked at behaviour, safeguarding and communication.

Although we do not know what the outcome will be until they have quality assured everything they saw, they were very complimentary about the school, especially how confident your children were, and how well they work in lessons.

As inspections go, it was a really positive experience and we look forward to sharing with you their report in the weeks to come.

Have a great half term
See you all on the 28th.
Any problems in the holidays, just get in touch.

Rachel :)

11th February 2022

Hi

A big thank you for your support this week with the changes in the car park. It has made a massive difference and the car park feels much safer this week.

This week the CEO from our Trust came to see us. She spent the day observing lessons, talking to children and looking at their work … and she was VERY impressed.

She absolutely loved her visit and saw that the children were really well behaved, that it was obvious that children were learning lots and from talking to children she could tell that they were also remembering what they had learned over time.

It was great to hear and wonderful to see the brilliant work staff are doing with your lovely children. Your children really are a credit to you!

Have a great weekend and don’t forget that next Friday we break up for half term.

See you all on Monday
Rachel 😀

4th February 2022

Hi

This week we had our Chinese New Year celebration. Children spent the morning making their Chinese New Year dragons and then we had a whole school parade round school with Chinese music playing over the tannoy. It was fantastic to see all the children enjoying themselves - they had a great time. We followed our parade with Chinese food for children to try at dinner time, and then a box of Chinese goodies including a fortune cookie for children to bring home.

What I didn't realise from doing these Chinese New Year parades over the years, is that some children have come to think that wearing the dragon's head is something they NEED to do before leaving our school. One boy came to see me in the week to tell me that he had NEVER been the dragon, and that this year would be his last year, and then he would NEVER be able to be the dragon EVER! So ... guess what - he was the dragon this year - and I can rest easy knowing that he will leave to go to secondary school in the summer, happy that this rite of passage has been observed!

As you can see from Jason's message, we are making some changes to the car parks in a morning and on an evening. When I am out in the car park in the mornings, it is lovely to see children playing together and it is great to see parents chatting. To make sure children are safe, we are locking down the car park, but we are also opening up green and blue base playgrounds to green and blue base children.

If you arrive before 9 and would like to take your children to play on these playgrounds before 9 am, please do so, however please be aware that your child is your responsibility until 9 am when staff will open the doors to receive them.

As usual, a member of SLT will be out and about on Monday morning, so see you then.

Enjoy the weekend!
Rachel :)

21st January 2022

Hi

According to Bradford Health authority, we are now reaching the peak of the pandemic in our area. Despite the Government's advice on reducing restrictions, Bradford has asked us to keep everything in please and review at the end of January.

Please continue to wear masks when picking up children and when in school, and the staff will continue to wear masks in communal areas. We will also continue to ask you to test your child on Sunday and Tuesday evenings or Monday and Wednesday mornings if they will allow it, and let us know if their test is positive.

Today has been our Local Governance meeting where we have been talking about how we can improve parental engagement as we get back to normal. It would be great to have your views on what you think we should do.

This week, assembly has been about Energy Saving Week. We learnt about putting jumpers on rather than putting the heating on, turning lights and screens off when not needed and using less water by turning taps off in between teeth cleaning. It would be great if you could talk to your child about it at home and help them to save energy so that they can be superheroes and save money and save the world!

It goes without saying though, that even without energy saving week, your children are superheroes!

Have a lovely weekend - enjoy saving the world!
See you all on Monday
Rachel :)

14th January 2022

Hi

Some of you knew Kate Hobbs who taught in many classes round school. She recently left us to teach in the Orkney Isles and has sent a message this week to say hello to everyone and that she is loving her new job in the wet and windy Orkneys!

Today we say good bye and thank you to Jayne Bailey who has worked with us since 2010. Jayne will still be working with special schools, but is moving to work in the school nursing team. Jayne has been great at Beckfoot Phoenix, and I know she will be amazing in her new job. Thank you Jayne for everything and good luck.

This week staff have been thinking about teaching children to stay safe online.

When children are in my office and they ask to go on the internet, I have 3 conditions - they can only go on something as long as there is 'no killing, no hurting or no swearing'. For our primary aged children this seems to work and may be something you want to think about at home when children are playing on games or watching things online.

Earlier this week, one child came into my office and asked another child who was on the computer - 'Is that appropriate?' 'Should you be watching it?' - I think I'm going to have to start paying this child as a member of staff! Impressively the child at the computer said - 'I can watch this because there's no killing, no hurting or no swearing'! Amazing! I was so impressed by the first child for asking questions to keep their friend safe, and for the second child for knowing the answer!

I have attached something that we have been sent from the Police this week about an online chat room called Omegle. Omegle is not at all appropriate for children and is actually quite dangerous. Please read and ensure that your child is safe online.

Remember - one way of checking that programmes are okay for your child is to think - no killing, no hurting, no swearing.

If you would like to know more about keeping your child safe online, please get in touch.

Have a great weekend.
Rachel:)

7th January 2022

Hi

Hope you all had a lovely holiday and a happy Christmas. It already seems so long ago! Your lovely children have come back after the holidays and just got on with it! They are amazing.

From Monday 11th January, the rules around testing and isolation are changing. Those who are asymptomatic - ie. no symptoms, but receive a positive result on a lateral flow test do not need to book a confirmatory PCR test, but should immediately isolate. In line with previous guidance, they can stop isolating after 7 days following 2 negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart. The first LFD test should not be taken before the sixth day. Anyone displaying symptoms should continue to follow the existing guidance to isolate and book a PCR test.

Thank you for your support with the snow today. I am sure we will be having more of it, so watch this space.

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel :)

3rd December 2021

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We have had a busy week in school and we are starting to get into the festive spirit.

Firstly our Christmas Market was a great success and we raised a whopping £1,402.90. This is amazing and we are very grateful for every penny raised.

It is lovely to see the classrooms decorated and the children loving the Christmas Trees in the school. They loved the decorations and were very helpful in hanging the baubles on the trees.

We look forward to the next 2 weeks!

Have a great weekend,

Sarah

5th November 2021

Hi

This week we had our outdoor learning day – and what a great day it was! Luckily we had a bit of sunshine and we had classes outside painting Rangoli patterns for Divali, reading, doing science experiments and much more. It was lovely to see all the children enjoying the day, so thank you for sending your child into school dressed to learn outside.

Red base has also had a very exciting week with diggers and workmen outside their classroom creating our wheelchair friendly playground. It’s still under construction, but hopefully by the time parents come for parent’s afternoon on the week beginning the 15th November, you will be able to see it in action!

Dates for your diary:
Friday November 19th - we are going to be dressing up in sparkly clothes for the Strictly Come Dancing Themed Children in Need day. Don't worry if you haven't got sparkly clothes - just send your child in bright clothes, or if you prefer - school uniform.

Friday November 26th - Training day - school is closed to children.

Have a great bonfire weekend - stay safe.
See you all on Monday

22nd October 2021

Hi

Hope you have all enjoyed the first day of your holidays. It was great that nobody turned up 'by accident' this morning!

As you know, today has been a training day for staff, and it has been brilliant that staff have been trained in Rebound, NARS - for swimming, and in the curriculum. A big thank you to staff who have worked so hard today because it is really going to benefit what we do in school.

Thank you so much for your harvest gifts this week. We had an amazing zoom assembly during which I went round school with my supermarket trolley to collect all the food for our homeless friends. We talked about how some people don't have a house and have to live on a bench, how others don't have a bed, and have to sleep on the pavement, and how others can't go and buy food and have to be helped by people by us. The trolley was so full by the time all the classes had put their contributions in that we couldn't even push it! Green base will be contacting the Salvation Army to arrange for it all to be picked up and we know that our homeless friends are going to enjoy it.

The other thing you have supported us with this week was sending your child to school in non uniform or hallowe'en outfits. The children loved it and it was fantastic that staff took part too. Even the kitchen staff joined in. It felt like the school was back to the community feel we used to have and it was lovely to see.

As you know Kate has left us from Yellow base this week, and so from after the holidays Caroline will be the teacher in there. She already works in a different part of school and knows the children well so I know that they will still enjoy their learning. From later in the term, we then have Sarah who will be new to our school and who will be starting with us to take on the lead of that base.

After the holidays, we are joining in with the National Outdoor classroom day on Thurdsay November 4th. This means that every class will have at least 1 lesson outside on that day. Please send your child in clothes so that they will stay be dry and warm outside.

And don't forget - the week beginning November 15th will be parent afternoon - so your child's teacher will be in touch when we get back about how that will work in your child's base.

Thank you so much for your support this term - especially to our new parents. We do not take the privilege of teaching your children lightly, and we are so glad that you are all working with us.

Have a lovely half term
See you on Monday 1st.

Rachel :)

15th October 2021

Hi

Hope you've all had a good week.

Dates for your diary:

On Wednesday we are going to be collecting for harvest. Please send your child to school with a can/tin of food or dried goods, eg. pasta so that they can put it in the harvest trolley.

Thursday is going to be a dressing up day and since we are so close to Hallowe'en, if children want to come dressed up in Hallowe'en costumes they can, or if not any costume or non uniform is fine.

Advance notice - week beginning 15th November is going to be a parents week, either in person or on zoom or phone. This is a chance to find out how your child is doing and catch up with your child's learning. Your child's class teacher will be getting in touch soon.

Please remember that next Friday - 22nd October - is a training day, so school closes for half term on Thursday 21st October.

Other news

This week our new CEO - Shirley Watson - came to visit our school for the first time. She, and the Trust's school improvement director - Nikki Flynn - went into classes, met children and staff and learnt about our school - they thought it was lovely. They thought your children were brilliant and they were very impressed with how calm and purposeful every class was. Great feedback.

Many of you will know Kate Hobbs, one of our teachers who has worked at Beckfoot Phoenix for the last 10 years and who has brought so much to our school. It is with great sadness that we say that Kate will be leaving us on Thursday for a whole new adventure, when her and her lovely family will be moving to Scotland to start her new job. I am sure like us, you will miss her and want to wish her well.

Helina - who you may also know is also leaving us on Friday to start her maternity leave. We all hope that you enjoy your new baby when he/she comes Helina.

Today was school photos day. We had children with plaits, spiked hair, gelled hair and ribbons. And we had staff working very hard doing silly dances, singing songs, jumping up from behind a screen and even turning on bubble machines to entice your child to look at the camera and smile! Hopefully you will be pleased with them! It was very busy - but also lots of fun.

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel :)

8th October 2021

Hi

It is great that despite the fact that COVID infections appear to be rising in some schools, we as a school are managing to keep ours down.

As you know, we came back to school with some restrictions still in place, eg. separate entrances, bases not mixing, assemblies still on zoom, whilst also relaxing some parts by sharing spaces and the removal of social distancing.

Whilst we have had a few people around school catching COVID, our COVID outbreak management programme has so far been successful in reducing the spread round school which is great news. Thank you for all you are doing to help us.


As parents you are really important to everything we are doing in school and we are looking for parents who would like to join our Local School Committee to help us even more. If you would like to come to 4 meetings a year and work with us to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help our pupils, families, staff and community, I would love to hear from you. We already have some parents who do a fantastic job, and it would be great to have more. Please message me privately and I will get back to you.

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel :)

17th September 2021

10th September 2021

Hi

I cannot believe that we have already been back a week. It feels like we've never been away.

Hopefully your children have all had a great week and you are all getting back into a routine.

It has been lovely to start to meet you all and I cannot thank you enough for your patience with transport and with picking up and dropping off your lovely children.

Enjoy the weekend.
Any problems, just get in touch.

Rachel :)

23rd July 2021

19th July 2021

Dear Parent/Carer,

Re- BECKFOOT PHOENIX SCHOOL VISION

Thank you to those parents who have already completed the below questionnaire. We would really appreciate it if everyone could look at this when they get time and contribute with their thoughts and opinions regarding our SCHOOL VISION.

https://form.jotform.com/211942875474364

Thank you

Jessica
School Office



Previous message from Rachel Stirland-
We are currently writing our school vision for the next 3 years and would love your input, thoughts and ideas.

As a school that is part of the Beckfoot Trust, our Trust mission is to ‘create remarkable schools where no child is left behind’. We do this through our Trust values of wanting everyone to work and learn in an environment where everyone enjoys, learns and succeeds.

Over the last 3 years, we feel that we have done loads of work on our curriculum, on our classes and on our work with families. Our school has always tried to put your child at the centre of everything we have done. Over the next 3 years, we would like to think wider and so we are putting the ‘24 hour child’ at the centre. I know that we already do a lot of work with families, however, we would like to know from you what else you need and want from us, both for your family and for especially for your child.

Attached is a jotform for you to complete and I would be grateful if you could fill it in with your thoughts and comments and return it to us before the end of term-
https://form.jotform.com/211942875474364

Thank you,

Rachel Stirland

11th July 2021

Morning.
A few parents have asked about their child having a lie in in the morning after watching the football tonight. I know that some schools are saying children can come in later if they want. With our children at Phoenix, coming in later can really upset them and others in the class because everyone needs their routine, however if you feel your child needs to sleep longer because they have been up late watching the football, please do what you would normally do if they have had a bad night, and either decide to bring them in a little bit later if they will be able to cope or keep them at home because they would struggle with the day because of tiredness.
Thank you
Rachel 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

6th July 2021

Morning. As I sit here listening to the news this morning, I know that all the discussions of ‘freedom day’ when there is talk of all restrictions because of Covid, being dropped on the 19th, might be causing some of you some anxiety.

As far as school of concerned, there will be no changes to our risk assessment regardless of what the Prime Minister says. Until we break up for the summer, we will still be adhering to our 2m rule, still wearing masks on site and still doing temperatures on arrival even after the announcement on the 19th.
Thank you for your support
Rachel

2nd July 2021

Hi

This week, we have found that even though we haven't had any cases in school since returning to March - touch wood! we have still had to partly close some bubbles because of the track and trace Government system. This has meant that staff have had to self isolate through the Government's app, but because supply agencies are running out of staff because they are also isolating because of the app, then we have not had enough staff in school in some bubbles to keep everybody safe. I cannot thank enough those parents who have volunteered to move to remote learning for a day or two - it has really helped out. Thank you.

This week, we have had a WONDERFUL week travelling around the world. Children have taken part in all sorts of activities this week, including barbecues and scavenger hunts in Australia, visiting volcanoes and Northern lights in Iceland, going on safaris and elephant hunts in Africa, celebrating Chinese new year and making Chinese music in China, windmills and clogs in the Netherlands, and swimming in the coral reef in India.

Each day a base has travelled the world with their passport and collected stickers from each country round school. Whilst we have all kept separate in our bubbles, it has been lovely to get out of our bubble classrooms and see what other classes are doing.

The only thing missing from this was ... YOU! - but each class has made a video that will be uploaded to our website this weekend - so have a look and see what you missed.

Next week, we are starting our Beckfoot Phoenix Olympics which will run over the next couple of weeks. Children will be taking part in lots of different sports activities with the aim of improving their personal best to become the best Olympic champion they can.

We can't wait!

Have a lovely weekend - see you on Monday
Rachel :)

25th June 2021

18th June 2021

Hello Everyone,

Another busy week has finished and even though Boris didn't give us the go ahead to return to normal we have had lots more activities taking place in school. It is fabulous to see!

The weather looks changeable next week so we need to be prepared for sun and rain. Can we remind you to send your child into school with a sun hat for those hot days.

As football fever takes over I am sending my luck to the England team tonight, I hope the 3 lions bring the lads some goal scoring skills!!

It is Father's day this weekend so we hope everyone who has a Dad in their lives has a wonderful day celebrating.

See you on Monday,

Sarah

11th June 2021

Hi

Hope you have had a lovely week enjoying the sun. We’ve definitely been making the most of the weather in school with lots of outside activities this week.

This week assembly has been about being SunSmart. We learnt about slipping on summer clothes, slopping on the sun cream, slapping on a sun hat, seeking out some shade and sliding on our sun glasses. It would be great if you could share the video again with your child to help them understand what to do.
https://youtu.be/Fwa49vPr-3I

As the hot weather continues, it would also be good if you could help us by applying sun cream to your child before they come to school as well as sending your child with a sun hat each day.

Some of you may remember that next Friday 18th June was originally a training day when the holiday dates were set. In March, we made the decision to move this training day to prepare for reopening school after lockdown and so Friday 18th June is now a school day. If any families booked something for this day thinking it was a holiday, please contact the school office for a leave of absence form so we can look at whether we can authorise it or not.

Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget to keep slipping, slopping, slapping, seeking and sliding to help your children to learn about keeping safe in the sun.

See you all Monday
Rachel 😀

28th May 2021

Hi

In one last attempt to get more parents to complete our survey, if you haven't done so already, please click on the link below and tell us what you think about our school. It is great that 68 parents have already done it, but that means there 34 who haven't - it doesn't take long so please have a go.

Parents/carers
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BeckfootTrustFamily2021

As you know, we are now closed for the holidays until the 7th June.

Enjoy the sun that's been forecast this week, and please remember to keep following the guidance that the Government keeps telling us to do - washing hands, keeping 2m and wearing face coverings. We have done really well this half term with no bubble closures, and we'd like to keep it that way. If your child or anyone in your household develops COVID over the week, please let me know as we still need to do the track and trace through the holidays.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support since we came back in March. You are an amazing group of families and your lovely children are so lucky to have you. I know it's been hard, but we are getting there - slowly, and carefully, but surely.

See you on the 7th :)

21st May 2021

Hi

This is the time of year when we want to find out what you think about Beckfoot Phoenix. It is really important to us that we hear what you have to say so that we can build on what we are doing well, and address what might need changing.

Thank you to the 20 parents who have already completed the survey, however we have over 100 families in school, so we really need more to fill it in. It is really easy to do and doesn't take long.
Please click on the link and tell us what you think! - oh! that rhymes! Maybe that should be our new catchphrase! - anyway - just click on the link .... please!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BeckfootTrustFamily2021

Despite the very wet end to the week, we have had a great week in school.

It was lovey that on Wednesday, we had lots of children and staff wearing bright clothes to celebrate Eid. Everyone looked amazing. For those who came in more traditional Eid clothes, you looked beautiful. Thank you to all of you for making such an effort.

The school was decorated with Eid celebration bunting and lanterns, and the children took part in lots of activities and learnt about praying, fasting, and what it is like to be Muslim.

Thank you also to all of you who sent food in for our Eid parties in the afternoon. Together, with all the Asian food that the kitchen cooked for us, everyone agreed that it was a great day and we cannot wait to celebrate ‘big Eid’ in July.

Don't forget that we have 5 more get-ups next week before we break up on Friday 28th May for a week's holiday.

Enjoy splashing in the puddles this weekend.
See you all Monday.

Rachel :)