Newsletters

23/24 - Autumn 1 - Week 7

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Dear parents and carers,

We have reached the first half-term holiday! I don't know about you, but I cannot believe how quickly the last 7 weeks have passed.  As ever, this has been a busy time with a lot going on and a lot to come.  Above all, we are all very impressed with how quickly our new Year Three pupils have settled and with the progress they are making.

Inclusion Quality Mark - Centre of Excellence

Following on from last week when I shared our recent success in gaining the Inclusion Quality Mark at the highest level, I am now delighted to share a news article summarising our full assessment report.  The full document is around 13 pages and available upon request.

William Ford Junior Achieves Centre of Excellence | IQM (iqmaward.com)

Teaching and Learning review

As part of the school's continuous evaluation of our teaching and learning, this time each year we welcome headteachers and other senior leaders from local schools to William Ford in order to seek an external perspective on all we do.  In particular, we were focusing on the subjects of reading, maths, geography and art.  Our visitors interviewed leaders, reviewed books, visited lessons, looked at our curriculum and, most importantly, spoke to pupils.  The feedback was excellent to hear:

  • Inclusion and special needs provision is now a real strength of the school (I can tell you this was not the case two years a go).
  • Consistently high standards across all year groups, subjects and classes.
  • Every subject is high profile in the school, and this is demonstrated within classes.
  • Pupils are excited to talk about reading.
  • Lessons are engaging. Pupils remember previous knowledge well and use impressive vocabulary.

We also had some lovely comments from pupils:

  • Behaviour is good.  We have free will here, but we do not abuse it.
  • I feel like I can talk to my teacher or any adults about problems I have and they will listen.
  • They do not take away your childhood.

We have also got a couple of things to address around some of our curriculum documentation that leaders are currently working on and how we model expectations in books for some subjects.  Overall, a hugely successful day- well done again to everybody at William Ford.

Trip to France

Parents, many of you may well be wondering whether we will be travelling to France next year.  I am aware that normally we would have a visit confirmed and parents would be making payments towards this wonderful experience.

Currently, this is a source of great frustration for us here at William Ford.  Last year, our travel provider stopped offering day trips to France, meaning we could only run a one-night residential which we were unable to offer to Years 3 and 4.  Sadly, this is still the case and the cost of this particular excursion has increased to a point where we do not feel it would be affordable for the majority of our families.  Rest assured we are still in liaison with this company to negotiate a deal as well as looking at other providers.  

We do hope that we will be able to provide some form of visit to France, but need to warn families that the time to pay for this trip will be reduced and that the overall cost could sadly be more.  To those families who are likely to be interested, please could I advise that you begin saving now, so you are able to make the necessary payment.  I will do my absolute best to keep you updated about this situation.

Trewern Year Six residential

Although our France trip has not yet materialised, our residential will be leaving on the first Monday back after half-term.  All families who are attending will have received a kit list of what to pack.  A reminder that no phones are permitted (they will not work in the middle of nowhere anyway) and that this trip is certainly not a fashion show so please do not pack your child's favourite clothes, football kit etc.  Judging from previous year six residentials, children will get very wet and rather muddy!  As this trip is to Wales, and Wales is one of the wettest parts of the UK, I think a good amount of spare clothes and a waterproof coat will be essential!

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the half-term break.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

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Philippians 4:6

"Don't be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks."

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Diversity Month Project

As October is Black History Month in the UK, here at William Ford Junior School we have looked at  many significant people of different cultures and the influence they have on our lives and throughout British society. We would like to use this opportunity to celebrate our school’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

We have asked the children to complete a project at home and would like to remind them to complete these over half-term. This project could be anything relating to the cultural heritage of your children, and we are challenging the children to research people that they do not already know about. We are hoping that the children will take this opportunity to talk to you about people that inspire you too. This project could also be a piece of work relating to your family’s culture rather than specifically about an influential person. We would love for artwork and written projects to be included – the more the creative the better!

On returning to school after half-term, we will be putting together an exhibition of the children’s work and home projects. Parents and carers will be able to visit the exhibition after school on Friday 3rd November.

 

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If your child is part of a morning booster group, please ensure that they arrive at school at 8.35, so they can register in their classroom and make their way to the allocated intervention space. This will ensure your child is getting the support they need for the maximum amount of time. 

Year 6 boosters are from 8.25, please enter via the school office. 

Congratulations to the amazing pupils who are part of the William Ford Female Football Team and their coach, Mr Young. They played their first game in the Appleyard Shield. Having only been practising for a few weeks, they did an amazing job, and we are all brimming with pride. 

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In 5P we have been reading Hidden Figures. This book is really interesting because it has 3 women that are incredible at maths. The 3 women used their maths skills and became recognised for their work after hard struggles.

Bethany 5P

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Black history Showcase event - Times TBC
All Day
20
October
Diversity Month
8:00am – 8:30am
From 02 Oct until 31 Oct
02
October
October Half Term
All Day
From 23 Oct until 27 Oct
23
October
Children return
8:30am – 9:00am
30
October
Trewern Residential Trip
9:00am – 3:00pm
From 30 Oct until 03 Nov
30
October
UK Day
All Day
31
October
Bikeability Yr5 Group 1
All Day
From 06 Nov until 07 Nov
06
November
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20 Oct 2023
Girls that Can!
William Ford's girl's football team headed off to their first match.
Read more
19 Oct 2023
Inclusion Quality Mark - Centre of Excellence
William Ford achieve the Inclusion Quality Mark at the highest level
Read more
17 Oct 2023
Future Makers conference at the Royal Albert Hall - William Ford Choir Trip
The William Ford Choir had the privilege of attending the Future Makers conference at the Royal Albert Hall!! 
Read more
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Year Three

This week we finished reading Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx and have written our first writing assessment. They tried really hard to write an exciting adventure story. Next term we will be starting our new book 'James and Giant Peach'.

In maths we are continuing with addition and subtraction skills. The children have been using part whole models to add across boundaries. We will continue to use different strategies for adding and subtraction after half-term.

In our history lesson we used our enquiry skills to find why Egypt is often known as 'The Gift of the Nile'. They considered the important role that the Nile played in the lives of ancient Egyptians.

Sadly we have come to the end of our workshops with the Royal Ballet. The children consolidated all of their learning from the previous weeks.

In art, the children have planned a design using Egyptian motifs to make their own Egyptian scroll after half-term.

The children are continuing to enjoy our French lessons and can now have a simple conversation with a friend.

The year three team would like to wish you all a happy and restful half-term.

Year Four 

This week, Year 4 have had an exciting end to the term, finishing off multiple units across subjects and completing a few assessments. In English and Reading, pupils finished their study on Nell and the Cave Bear, by writing their own adventure story, as well as completing a book review!

In History, pupils researched Skara Brae and in Geography, pupils looked at various different pictures, categorising them into things from the UK and things from India. Pupils then studied and compared the similarities and differences between India and the UK. In maths, pupils have now completed their unit on addition and subtraction, with a mini assessment. In RE, pupils learnt about an important value: Ahimsa and how Hindus believe that we should never do any harm. 

As we go into the half term break, we want to say a massive well done to all the pupils for all their hard work and effort and we want to wish you a lovely time together over the next week!

Year Five

We have reached the final week of our busy first half-term and the children in Year 5 have been working as hard as ever!  

We have now completed reading 'Hidden Figures', ready for a new book after half-term, and have been busy writing our own biographies about our chosen character to demonstrate everything we have learnt in English and grammar since September.

We have been doing lots of multiplying this week in order to use square and cube numbers as well as multiplying and dividing larger numbers by 10, 100  and 1000.

The culmination of our Science studies about space has been the production of class group presentations in the form of a television show explaining all we have learnt about the Solar System. They were all very informative as well as entertaining.

Our art work this week has been researching the work of Friedensreich Hunderwasser and designing our own buildings in his style. Not sure about him - ask your children!

We wish you a happy and safe half-term.

Year Six

This week in English, we have come to the end of our unit of work based on the text ‘Street Child’. The children planned, wrote and then edited a piece of extended writing in which they continued Jim’s story.  It was great to see so many of the children using all they have learned this half term in their own creative writing.

In maths, the children have continued to work hard on long division.  Many of the children have made steady progress with this rather difficult area of maths.  After half term we will move on to fractions.

In science, the children have come to the end of their unit looking at evolution and inheritance.  During our final lesson, we examined how cladograms visually demonstrate evolution.  We started by making cladograms of biscuits (yum!) before making our own cladograms explaining the evolution of a variety of animals.  Our new unit of work in science after half term will be light.  

Linked to our science lessons, this half term’s R.E. lessons have explored religious and scientific explanations of creation.  The children have discussed and written very thoughtfully around this topic. 

As we approach the end of our first half term, the Year 6 team have been reflecting on the progress so many of the children have made across the curriculum.  We can already see the effort many are putting in to their work and behaviour in order to have a successful final year at William Ford.  We are sure this will continue after the half term break and wish the children an enjoyable and good rest.

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Each week, staff select three children from each class who have shown effort and commitment to upholding an aspect of our school vision, shown at the bottom of the page. Congratulations to this week’s ‘stars of the week’ for their tremendous endeavours!

 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Three

3F

Name: Mikail

For: working very hard in maths to use part whole models for addition.

 

Name: Avantika

For: being generous with contributions to whole class discussions

 

Name: Iqrah

For: always being a good role model and promoting peace.

3M

Name: Kurtis

For: working hard across the curriculum

Name: Alex

For: being kind to others and always having impeccable manners

Name: Gloria

For: learning to ignore distractions around her.

3N

Name: Alexander

For: approaching all lessons diligently

Name:  Quinn

For: being supportive and kind to her peers.

Name: Irina

For: a quiet approach to her written work
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Four

4D

Name: Yikanmi

For: trying really hard in his maths this week

 

Name: Mohammad

For: being kind and helpful to others

 

Name: Arbi

For: improving his attitude towards his learning and being much calmer in class

4IW

Name: Rosie

For: working consistently hard in all lessons this week

Name: Morgan

For: for being kind to her peers in class

Name: Zayn  

For: being calm and focused during all lessons 

4W

Name: Kayla

For: always working diligently in all elssons, showing great effort.

Name: Demilade

For: acting generously and helping others in geography, with their understanding. 

Name: Chikaima

For: always showing a peaceful temperament and showing great effort in maths and English.
       
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Five

5A

Name: Daniella O

For:  Living at peace and being a good role model for her peers

 

Name: David

For: excellent work in Maths this week 

 

Name: Zechariah 

For: being generous with his time and helping other in need.

5H

Name:  Zain

For: making a much improved effort with his work this week.

Name: Joanna

For: always being the first to offer to assist with tidying up, giving out and collecting up!

Name:  Tausif

For:  always being ready and prepared to start work,, commencing quietly on the given task.

5P

Name: Aneisha

For: great improvement in maths.

Name: Ahmad

For: showing generosity with his thoughts and ideas.

Name: Maria

For: being a calm and peaceful member of the class.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Six

6B

Name: Alexandra

For: approaching all lessons with diligence

 

Name: Zaiya

For: sharing her ideas with her group in geography

 

Name: Aliyah

For: behaving in a calm and respectful manner

6F

Name: Eva

For: great explanations of her work in science.

Name: Rares

For: great teamwork in PE.

Name: Joanna

For: having  a calm and peaceful presence to her learning. 

6I

Name: Nasreen

For: Working hard in lessons and doing extra work at home.

Name: Amar

For: Always being willing to help others.

Name: Arth

For: Making better choices.
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