SCHOOL TRANSPORT

SCHOOL CLOSING FOR ALL PUPILS

Friday 26 June at 1.30 p.m.

As you are aware, the school will be closing to all pupils tomorrow from 1:30pm. Hampshire School Transport and transport providers have been informed; however, we cannot guarantee that return transport will be available. 

 

We would recommend that you contact the providers directly to discuss arrangements, please speak to the escort in the morning if you are unable to contact the providers directly.

Thank you for your understanding.

You are invited to the

Year 4 Music Concert

Date - Friday 26^th June 2026

Time – 10:45am - 11:15am

Venue - Junior School Hall

From - The Year 4 Team

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

I am writing to clarify the arrangements for this week due to the extreme heat warning which has been issued by the Met Office.

 

Firstly - It will come as no surprise that I have taken the decision to postpone the junior school sports day. Ironically the infant sports day was postponed only last week due to rain, now the junior one is being postponed due to excessive heat! We hope to try again on Friday 3^rd July.

 

Secondly - We have been provided with some guidance by the DfE for hot weather and heatwaves, to ensure all children remain safe, comfortable and well hydrated. Neither of the main school buildings has air conditioning, only the community room does – but not enough space for 500 children!

To help manage this unusual situation:

• Children do not need to wear school uniform. We suggest they wear clothing which is light and airy, preferably no strappy tops (as they will be outside at some point and more prone to being sun burnt) and ensure they have a sun hat. (Infant children are provided with one)
• Ensure your child has sun cream, with high sun protection factors, applied before they come to school.
• Inform us if your child has a medical condition which may be affected by the heat.
• Sunglasses and hand-held fans are not brought into school as they can be a safety issue when out playing.

In school we will:

• Be ensuring that all classrooms are well ventilated, with fans on where possible.
• Hold PE lessons either in the morning, or, in the school hall during the hottest parts of the day and they will have reduced impact activities.
• Ensure children will be having regular drink breaks to ensure they stay well hydrated.
• Modify lessons as necessary
• Issue guidance to all staff on heat related medical conditions in children so they can look out for signs and address them quickly.
• Ensure children have access to shaded areas at lunchtimes and playtimes, if they so wish.
• If parents so wish, they can collect their child at 1.30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from their usual collection points If you would like your child to finish early please complete the permission form.    Early Finish Permision Form – Fill out form
• Any children not being collected at 1.30 will remain at school until usual end of day.
• Please note all after school clubs will be cancelled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

 

Year 6 Induction Day

Please note – The Vyne Induction Day on Thursday has been cancelled, so year 6 children are expected to attend school as usual but can be collected early as mentioned above.

 

BPSM

Children involved in the BPSM concert will be expected to attend the full day rehearsal as planned, tomorrow, however they do not need to wear school uniform for the rehearsal, but they will for the performance in the evening.

100% Attendance Project

Everyone in school 100% of the time for the first 10 days in September!

 

This year the federation will be taking part in the 100% Attendance Project, which will focus on supporting children to attend school every day in the first 10 days of term.

 

Why attendance is so important in the first 10 days of the academic year?

1. Early Attendance Sets the Tone for the Year

Children who attend school every day in the first week are significantly more likely to maintain good attendance throughout the term. This early pattern helps establish routines, builds confidence, and fosters a sense of belonging.

 

2. Progress is Strongly Linked to Attendance

Children with 95–100% attendance are 1.3 times more likely to meet expected standards in reading, writing, and maths at Key Stage 2 compared to those with lower attendance. Missing even a few days early in the year can limit achievement.

 

3. Less Than 100% Attendance in the First Two Weeks Increases Risk of Persistent Absence

Children who miss days in the first fortnight are more likely to become persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions across the year).

4. Social and Emotional Impact

The first two weeks are critical for forming friendships, understanding classroom expectations, and building trust with staff. Pupils who miss this period may feel disconnected, increasing anxiety and reducing ability to learn.

 

Our project: Working Together. 

The aim of this project is simple:  

To help your child achieve 100% attendance in the first 10 days of next term

We will:

•  if needed, work closely with you to understand any barriers to attendance.

• offer support where needed (for example, around routines or transitions).
• celebrate children’s successes
• make sure your child feels welcomed, confident and ready to learn.

 

Some parts of the project will involve the whole federation whilst other parts will focus on children whose attendance is lower than we would like. If your child is identified as one of the focus children, we will be writing to you, to invite you and your child to an attendance discussion.

Junior School Sports Day 2026

Dear Parents,

Great news! Sports Day is on Wednesday 24th June.

 

On Wednesday morning, we are having the usual relay races on the field. Your child will be in their house point team in their class. They will do each relay race, as part of their team, and you are welcome to follow your child around the field as they do these activities. This will start at 10am and should finish by 11am.

 

In the afternoon, we will have races on the field and it will be in two parts. Lower school (Year 3 and Year 4) will start their Sports Day events at 1:15pm and finish at 2pm. Upper school (Year 5 and Year 6) will then come out and start their Sports Day events at 2:15pm - finishing at 3pm.

 

If your child is in lower school, please arrive ready for a 1:15pm start. You are then welcome to leave when lower school have finished their races. If your child is in upper school, you should arrive ready for a 2:15pm start. If you have children in upper and lower school, you are welcome for both.

 

All children will be expected to return to class and will be sent home at 3:20pm, as usual. Obviously, your child will need their PE kit for the whole day and if possible, they may wear a T-shirt in their house colour.

 

If it is raining, on the Wednesday morning, then Sports Day will be called off as the ground will be too slippery to sprint on. We will put a notification on the school website.

 

Yours in sport,

Miss Mann

Sports Day Event Leader

Our INSET days for the next academic year are:

• Tuesday 1st September 2026
• Friday 23rd October 2026
• Monday 22nd February 2027
• Tuesday 4th May 2027
• Monday 21st June 2027

 

In light of the recent tragic loss of young people in open water across the UK, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society UK, have produced a letter with links to vital lifesaving water safety advice.

 

Please click here to read the letter and access the guidance.

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

We would like explain the upcoming changes to eligibility for benefits based Free School Meals (FSM). It also outlines what you need to do to apply or check your child’s eligibility.

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Upcoming Changes

From September 2026, the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals will change. All households receiving Universal Credit will be included, but eligibility will be divided into two groups:

• Targeted Free School Meals
  For households receiving Universal Credit with an annual income below £7,400.

• Expanded Free School Meals
  For households receiving Universal Credit with an annual income above £7,400.

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What You Need to Do

• If your child already receives Free School Meals and you have applied through the Hampshire portal, you do not need to do anything.

• If you think your child may now be eligible, please submit an application through the Hampshire portal:
  Free school meals | Education and learning | Hampshire County Council

• Please note: children eligible under the expanded criteria will only begin to receive Free School Meals from September 2026.

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If You Disagree with a Decision

If you have applied and believe the decision is incorrect, please contact your child’s school. The school can contact Hampshire County Council on your behalf to request further advice.

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Important Information for Reception and Key Stage 1 Parents

All children in Early Years Foundation Stage or Key Stage 1 already receive free meals under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. However, we still encourage you to apply.

 

This is because schools receive Pupil Premium funding for children who qualify under Targeted Free School Meal eligibility. This funding helps support your child during their time at school.

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Transitional Protections (until August 2026)

Transitional protections have been in place since 1 April 2018 and will continue until the end of the 2025 to 2026 school year.

During this time:

• Any child who becomes eligible for benefits based Free School Meals will continue to receive them until July 2026.
• This will not change even if household income increases.

From September 2026, these protections will end. From this point, all families must meet the new eligibility rules for their child to receive Free School Meals.

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For more information on Free School Meals please follow this link to the Government Website -Apply for free school meals - GOV.UK

If you require a paper copy please contact either school office.

Our latest newsletter is out!  Please visit our newsletter page to see some of the exciting things the children have been doing!

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Free webinars for Screentime and Tech.

 

• Year R & KS1 - Tuesday 9th June - 8-8:45pm - "How to Get the Balance Right with Screens from the Start" - Register free here
•  
• KS2 - Tuesday 16th June - 8-8:45pm - "Let's Talk About Our Kids and Their Tech" - Register free here