So here we are nearing the end of a busy but enjoyable Autumn term and Christmas is beckoning.

I continue to be so impressed by the number of additional activities and events that the children at school get involved in and know that things are getting even busier in the lead up to Christmas. For me a particular highlight of the early Autumn term was the visit of the Archbishop of York to the Harvest Festival in Naburn Church. I always feel so proud of the enthusiasm and confidence the children show in events like this and they are developing skills that will support them well in the future. In the Archbishop’s letter of thanks to the Head he expressed his pleasure in our outcome in the recent SIAMs inspection and referred to how this spoke well of ‘a school that is determined to provide the best all round education rather than just a schooling for tests and league tables’. Praise indeed!

Last week I attended the School Nativity, ‘Prickly Hay’……what an absolute delight! Not only were the children performing confidently and with such energy but they were clearly enjoying themselves as they did it!

During this term the Headteacher and her team have been working on the annual evaluation of the school provision (the ‘SEF’) – this process is where we assess the outcomes of the school in the previous year and identify any emerging issues that we need to work on and also celebrate those areas that are working well. This then leads into the School Development Plan, which is our ‘to do’ list for the year. We will make sure that you, as parents and guardians, are provided with a summary of this work and are assured that continual self-improvement is a focus in the school.

Finally, I would just like to thank you all for your continuing support for the school and wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Jane