Headteacher Newsletter Issue 2
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: 25.9.26
Welcome
We would like to welcome the Robley family to Reception class.
Meet the Teacher
Thank you for attending our Meet the Teacher event last week. We hope you found it informative.
Congratulations
We are excited to announce and introduce our Head Boy and Head Girl along with our Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl. These Year 6 children are school ambassadors and will be meeting with the school leadership team on a regular basis so we can share ideas and work on projects together for our school.
Congratulations to:
Head Boy – Isaac
Head Girl – Willa
Deputy Head Girl – Elizabeth
Deputy Head Boy – Max
Secretary – Bailey
Harvest Food Collection at Clavering School
We will be celebrating harvest at school during the week of 12th October. We will hold an assembly to show our appreciation for the area we live in and the food we eat.
At this time, we kindly ask for food donations which will be donated to Uttlesford Food Bank, if you feel you can. The food bank supports people in our local community who are facing hunger and hardship.
This year, each class are going to donate a particular item of food:
| Reception | Noodles and Rice |
| Class 1 | Cooking Pasta and Pasta Sauces |
| Class 2 | Cereal and Oats |
| Class 3 | Tinned veg and fruit |
| Class 4 | UHT Milk |
| Class 5 | Long life juice and squash |
| Class 6 | Puddings and custard (long life) |
Please send any donations into school from the start of October where we hope to collect them in crates outside each classroom.
Many thanks, for your continued support, Alison Course
Parent Forum
We will be having our first Parent Forum for the new academic year in due course. Please see below the list of our class representatives. Thank you to all of these parents for their support.
Reception Jennifer Davey
Year 1 Ceri Morgan
Year 2 Laura Hagger
Year 3 Amelia Berner
Year 4 Holli Thomas
Year 5 Claire Briggs
Year 6 Maria Lawrence
SAFEGUARDING – No Mobile Phones in School – updated DFE guidance and school policy
In line with new DFE guidance, mobile phones are not permitted in school. If a child needs a phone, as they are walking to and from school (years 5 and 6, as per our School Travel Plan) then it must be handed in to their class teacher upon arrival and collected before they leave school at the end of the day. Please note this has always been our policy, but it has now been released as an expectation by the DFE, which is active from September 2026.
Families are strongly encouraged to choose a non-smart (call/text) phone if a device is needed. The school is looking to join the Saffron Walden schools in becoming a Smartphone Free School due to the risks to mental health, sleep, attention, exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, and reduced play/social interaction among children. Families are encouraged to delay social media access until legal ages and to consider non-internet ‘retro’ phones if contact is essential for travel.
Staff, Parents, Governors and visitors can only use mobile phone(s) and other devices with camera functions in designated areas and never in front of the pupils. When not in a designated area, phones must be switched off and out of sight. Any exception must be pre-arranged.
Sickness
The school office should be notified on the first day of each absence before registration at 8.50am and this should be followed up in writing on the day of return.
If your child has been vomiting or had an upset stomach a 48-hour leave of absence from the last episode is required. For guidance on other illnesses please contact the School Office or refer to the document on the website in the ‘Attendance’ section – “Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings”.
School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year
Secondary school places for September 2027
From 12 September 2026 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 31 October 2026. Applications received after this date will be considered late and you may reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school.
Primary (Reception) places for September 2027
From 9 November 2026 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 15 January 2027. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.
Free School Meals Update – Criteria Change from September 2026
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal. There will no longer be an income threshold of £7400 for the purposes of free school meals. Your child may, therefore, be eligible for free school meals if you receive certain benefits. In addition, eligibility may provide the school with extra funding (Pupil Premium) to support your child through initiatives such as additional teaching, tuition, or extracurricular activities.
The information provided will be used to assess eligibility for free school meals and may be shared with relevant Council departments to help identify other support you may be entitled to.
Please note, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive free school meals, regardless of the earnings or benefit status of their household. However, we encourage you to still apply for benefits-based free school meals as, if eligible, the school could receive additional funding.
Please click on the link below to apply via Essex County Council.
Free school meals: Apply for free school meals | Essex County Council
Free October Half Term Clubs with Essex ActivAte Will Soon be Live to Book
Essex ActivAte half term programmes provide free, fun and engaging activities for eligible children and young people during the October half term break. From sports and crafts to outdoor adventures and more, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active, make friends and try something new, alongside receiving nutritious meals and snacks.
Spaces are limited and can be booked directly with local clubs when they go live, with no Holiday Activities voucher code or referral required.
To find a club near you, visit the Find Your Active Activity Finder on the Active Essex website. Simply select ‘Programmes’ to view the upcoming half term activities, enter your local area, and book directly with the club using the contact details provided.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
1st September INSET day – school closed to pupils
2nd September Autumn Term begins
4th September Non uniform day for house point and sports day winners
W/b 7th September Year 6 Bikeability
17th September Meet the Teacher Years 1-6, 7-7.30pm and repeated 7.30- 8pm. Reception Class – one session 6.15-7pm.
7th October Year 6 Football – boys am and girls pm
8th October Sport Ambassador training am
13th October Harvest
14th October KS2 Cross Country
20th October Parents Evening
21st October Year 3 Egyptian Day
21st October Years 5 and 6 Dodgeball pm
21st October Parents Evening
26th Oct – 30th Oct Half term
2nd November INSET day – school closed to pupils
4th November Years 5 and 6 Tag Rugby am
5th November Open Morning
9th November Flu Vaccine
9th, 11th and 23rd November SEN Learning Plan Meetings
11th November School Council Memorial visit
11th November Years 3 and 4 Dodgeball pm
12th November The Two Johns E-safety sessions for pupils, staff and parents
20th November Sharing Assembly – Year 6 parents invited
13th November Children in Need
24th November Tray Day
25th November Years 3 and 4 Sports Hall Athletics pm
1st December Year 5 Parliament Trip
7th December Governor Focus Morning
15th December KS2 dress rehearsal am, KS1 dress rehearsal, KS2 evening performance yrs and parents 6-7pm
16th December Christmas Lunch
17th December Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents 6-7pm
18th December End of Term
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 11th September 2026
Reception Leo – Super listening
Year One Maya G – for having a great start to Year 1 – hard working, contributes in lesson and listening well.
Year Two Ethan – for an amazing start to Year 2, especially his enthusiasm for a challenge in Maths and fantastic writing
Year Three Ariella – for fantastic effort within her handwriting and lovely creative writing
Year Four Sydni – for her creative presentation displaying her knowledge of electricity in her Science work.
Year Five Liza – for her amazing effort in all lessons, excellent presentation and positive contributions to class discussions
Year Six Elsie – for a fantastic start to Year 6 – consistently working hard
Week ending 18th September 2026
Reception Felix – for super manners
Year One Frankie – for great attitude to learning and work ethic
Year Two Rocco – for amazing effort and focus in all areas, especially his reading
Year Three Ivy – for thoughtful contributions to lessons, particularly in PSHE
Year Four Naomi – for considered colour choices and careful application of collage
Year Five Louis – for a fantastic start to Year 5. Brilliant Maths this week – well done
Year Six Torben – for amazing contributions to class discussions and focus in lessons
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
