Latest News | Bishops Waltham Infant School

Weekly Update-Friday 26th June

Fri 26 Jun 2026

Well, this week has certainly not been without its challenges—both as a headteacher and as a school community.

It has been a truly history-making week, with record-breaking June temperatures. I found myself reflecting on the great heatwave of 1976, when I was in Year 1. I can still remember my friends and I pressing objects into the melting tarmac outside my house—we were amazed that it was melting and changed shape (I don't think my mam appreciated the tar all over my clothes though!).

This week, we received three messages from parents thanking us for how we managed the heat, alongside three complaints. In many ways, this perfectly captures the reality of leading a school—you cannot please everyone, however hard you try.

I never imagined I would be leading a school during a red weather warning during my headship. Despite delays in the delivery of fans, staff worked tirelessly to plan and adapt using the information available, whilst continually assessing risks. We monitored classroom temperatures carefully and ensured no child was working in a room exceeding 30 degrees. Throughout, the safety and wellbeing of both children and staff remained our top priority, while also being mindful of families who rely on school being open due to work commitments.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we are expecting a return to more typical summer weather.

We will continue allowing children to wear PE kits until the end of term, as this has helped them stay cooler. Children are also welcome to wear summer dresses, polo shirts, or shorts, provided they are in school colours. We feel that relaxing the uniform expectations slightly will support comfort during warmer days, and this will certainly give us food for thought when planning summer uniform in future years.

School Highlights

New Year R Stay & Play Sessions:
We welcomed our new Reception children for four “Stay and Play” sessions this week. Despite the heat, they had a wonderful time enjoying shaded activities alongside our current Year R children.
Year R Trip to Staunton Farm:
Our Year R children had a fantastic visit to Staunton Farm and returned full of enthusiasm and fascinating facts about the animals.
Lizzie from Staunton Country Park wrote to say:
“They were an absolute delight—so curious, enthusiastic, and a joy to spend time with!”
A big well done to the children, staff, helpers, and the Staunton team for making this such a memorable experience.
Year 2 Assembly Preparations:
Year 2 have been busy rehearsing for their end-of-year assembly. Pirate songs and cheerful “Ahoy Mateys!” can be heard echoing through the corridors!
The assembly is currently planned for 1:45pm on Thursday 16th July for Year 2 parents. We will keep an eye on the weather forecast and inform you at the start of that week if any changes need to be made.

Thank You

A big thank you to Claire, Kath and the PTA for organising the ice cream sale this week. We also let all of the children and staff who were in school this afternoon have an icy treat thank you very much- it was appreciated by all!

Transition Morning

Next week, we will be holding our transition morning, when children will visit their new classrooms and meet their new teachers.

A letter will be sent home at the end of Thursday confirming classes and teachers (our current Year 2 children have already received this information).

Social Media

Please can all parents be mindful that we have a school social media policy. Social media has a great many benefits, but it can also have drawbacks. As a school, we try not to overload parents with endless messages. If any parent would like further information about anything, you are very welcome to drop us a line.

Ofsted Winners

Lastly we would like to congratulate Mr Campbell and his team for surviving an Ofsted inspection during a red warning heatwave. If there was a medal for endurance, BWJS certainly would win it this week. It will be a while until results are published, but we are sure it was a great success. Well done to you, your staff, children and governors!

Wishing everyone a relaxing—and cooler—weekend!

Best wishes

Mrs Riches

Headteacher

This week's heat wave

Mon 22 Jun 2026

You will be aware that the following heat warnings remain in place this week, with extensions confirmed yesterday, and a further update this morning placing some areas within Hampshire as Red.

The Met Office Red Extreme Heat Warning - for some parts of north Hampshire
The Met Office Amber Extreme Heat Warning has been extended until 23:59 on Thursday 25 June 2026.
The UKHSA Amber Heat Health Alert is now in place until 23:00 on Friday 26 June 2026.

Current forecasts indicate that, while the most significant impacts are expected at the start of the week, there is potential for conditions to persist and intensify into midweek as the hot weather continues.

What this means

The period of extreme heat is now expected to be prolonged, rather than a short peak.
There remains a continued risk of increased pressure on services and infrastructure later in the week.

In light of this, we will be referring to all guidance to ensure our children remain safe and well.

The current DfE guidance (linked below) provides practical advice on working with pupils in extreme heat, including measures to keep buildings cool and mitigate overheating

The most recent advice from the HCC Corporate Health and Safety and Public Health teams is linked below,

H&S Newsletter and Hot Weather Guidance

In summary, the following is advised from Hampshire County Council:

Schools are not normally expected to close in hot weather, but they should take sensible steps to keep children safe and comfortable.
Children are more vulnerable to hot weather than adults, particularly very young children, those with health conditions, and those taking certain medications.
Encourage children to drink more water than usual and make sure fresh drinking water is readily available.
Encourage children to stay in the shade as much as possible, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Consider relaxing uniform rules so children can wear light, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and sun hats where appropriate.
Ensure high-factor sunscreen is used to protect skin when children are outdoors.
Avoid or adapt vigorous physical activity on very hot days; more sedentary activities may be more suitable.
To keep classrooms cooler, open windows early in the morning and, where possible, open doors as well as windows to improve airflow.
Close windows when the air outside becomes warmer than indoors and use blinds or curtains where possible without blocking ventilation.
Keep lighting and electrical equipment use to a minimum where possible, as these can add to indoor heat.
Staff should be alert to signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Signs of heat exhaustion can include tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and pale clammy skin; move the child to a cool place, give cool water, and cool them quickly.
If symptoms are worsening or there are concerns, contact NHS 111. If heatstroke is suspected, call 999 immediately.

At Bishops Waltham Infant School

In light of all the guidance from all of the authorities, this week in the extreme heat at BWIS we will be following all of the above advice. Children can wear PE Kits to school from tomorrow if they find it cooler (white T shirts/navy shorts-if kit gets dirty, please wear a light tshirt and suitable shorts). Our solar glass on all new windows and doors is helping a little. We will have all water bottles on the desks and children encouraged to have more hydration breaks. We will be adapting tasks to suit our children. We have briefed all staff to be extra vigilant, and check in with children frequently-we are very aware that some of our children are not so good at recognising when they are hot.

We will not be using our tarmac areas of any of our playgrounds, and will be playing on the grassy areas only, which has a lot more shade from trees. We are very aware that some of our children are not so good at recognising when they are hot and all staff will be extra vigilant of checking on them frequently.

Please can all parents ensure their child has sun cream on, sun hat and water bottle every day.

School Trip-For Year R children

We will still be going on our trip. We have contacted Staunton Farm. They have adapted the activities that they are going to do, and have confirmed that there are lots of shady grassy areas for the children to be in. For adults helping on the trip, please ensure you too look after yourselves, and let a staff member know if you are feeling unwell.

Ceilidh Dancing-Year 2 children

Currently this event is still happening. We will ensure children are well hydrated and there is a shady area for us to rest in between dancing. We will cut the timing that we are there to 1 hour, and the organisers have said they will offer more rest breaks.

Adults helping in school

Please ensure you observe safety from above and let a staff member know if you are feeling unwell.

Hopefully we will get through the next week and we will do our very best to look after all of the children in our care, as always

Weekly Update-Friday 19th June

Fri 19 Jun 2026

What a wonderfully busy and exciting week it has been in school!

Our Year 2 children have continued with their swimming sessions and are having a fantastic time in the pool. It has been lovely to see their confidence growing each week as they develop such an important life skill.

Year 1 enjoyed their Geography-focused trip to Southsea this week. We were very lucky that the weather stayed dry for them! The children had a brilliant time learning about human and physical features in a real-life setting and were especially excited to take in a bird’s-eye view from Portsdown Hill.

Meanwhile, our Year R children have been busy welcoming our new starters during their “stay and play” sessions. It has been a pleasure to see them settling in so happily and beginning to feel part of our school community.

On Wednesday, we were treated to the amazing NED Show with Thomas, who travelled all the way from Virginia to visit us. The children were captivated by his incredible yo-yo tricks and magic, but most importantly, they learned a powerful message about resilience.

NED stands for

Never give up,

Encourage others

Do your best

This was definitely a message we continue to reinforce in school. If your child would like to practise their own yo-yo skills, NED yo-yos are available to purchase via Arbor or with cash at the office.

Today, we certainly put our NED values into action during our Sports Day! It was a fantastic event filled with energy, enthusiasm and teamwork. We were so proud of the children, who showed great resilience, determination and, most importantly, excellent sportsmanship—supporting one another, celebrating successes and keeping going even when things felt challenging.

A big thank you to all the parents and carers who came along to support—the cheering made a huge difference and created such a wonderful atmosphere. The children have been full of excitement, chatting happily about the day back in class.

Finally, a huge thank you to all of our staff and to Miss Turner, the school teachers and CM Sports for organising such a fantastic and memorable event. It truly was a wonderful way to end a very busy and successful week in school.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! Fingers crossed we have another great game to watch by England in their upcoming match!!!

Best wishes

Mrs Riches

Headteacher

Weekly Update Friday 12th June

Fri 12 Jun 2026

🌟 We have had another busy and exciting week in school!

This week in assembly, we learned all about the FIFA World Cup. The children were amazed to discover that 48 countries will be competing! To make it even more engaging, we held a team draw for each class, so every class now has countries to cheer on—please see your child’s class allocation below.

If your child would like to explore further at home, you can find the World Cup videos on our website here:
👉 https://www.bwis.org.uk/football-world-cup/

Our INSET training this week focused on Sensory Circuits, helping staff to support children who benefit from this approach. It was wonderful to update our practice and to welcome colleagues from our cluster schools to join us—great teamwork and shared learning for the children’s benefit.

Teachers are currently busy writing the children’s End of Year Records of Achievement. These will be shared with you during our Open Afternoon on Wednesday 8th July—we look forward to celebrating your child’s progress with you.

We are also excited that our Stay and Play sessions begin next week, and we look forward to welcoming our new Year R children and their families into our school community.

🏃‍♀️ Sports Day – Friday 19th June

We are really looking forward to Sports Day next Friday!
Please see the timings below:

Reception: 9:15am
Year 1: 10:45am
Year 2: 1:30pm

We will be running a tea, coffee and cake stall for donations—please remember to bring some cash, as we do not have a card reader.

Children will bring their PE kits home the evening before, so they can come to school already dressed and ready for a fun, active day.

☀️ Staying Safe in the Sun (and Rain!)

With the warmer weather returning, please remember:

Water bottles (with water)
Sunscreen applied before school
Sunhats

And just in case of any showers—a light raincoat is always a good idea!

Catering Audit

We had a highly scored Catering Audit this week, and our new chef, Laslo, came for very high praise. Laslo comes from a commercial background and used to cook for a famous Italian chain. He has brought a wealth of expertise to the role and the food smells and tastes even more delicious. Remember school lunches are free to all infant children and we are very lucky to have such a wide ranging menu!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We’re looking forward to another lovely week ahead and to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.

With best wishes,

Mrs Riches

Headteacher
🌈

Weekly Update-Friday 5th June

Fri 05 Jun 2026

It has been so lovely to welcome everyone back after the half term break. The glorious sunshine already seems like a distant memory, and the weather has certainly kept us on our toes this week! Please remember to send children in with both sunscreen and raincoats, as we’ve experienced everything from bright spells to heavy showers—and even some thunder and lightning!

Year 1 have had a wonderful time celebrating the outcome of their ‘From a Tiny Seed’ project. There has been so much growing going on, with a fantastic array of plants brought into school—we think they must all have green thumbs! Well done to Year 1 for such a successful and enjoyable project.

We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about the children’s half term adventures. It sounds like many of you made the most of the sunshine and had a truly lovely break.

Our ‘New to Year R’ Parents’ Evening took place this week and was very well attended. It was a pleasure to meet so many of our new families, who had the opportunity to connect with key members of our school community, including the Year R team, governors, PTA, and Clever Chefs. We will be starting our ‘Stay and Play’ transition sessions over the coming weeks, and all of the information from the evening can be found on the Parent section of our website.

Year 2 also had an exciting start to their swimming sessions this week. A great time was had by all! The children were excellent at listening, and staff were very impressed with their positive attitudes—well done, Year 2.

Finally, it is with immense sadness that we share the news of the loss of a prominent member of our BW football community, Aaron Cook (‘Cookie’). Aaron was not only a dedicated player for many teams, but also a highly respected youth coach. Known to many as ‘Coach Cook’, he inspired countless children through Dynamos, including many from BWIS and BWJS, teaching respect and always leading by example. Aaron was a loving dad, husband, and friend to many, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his children, his wife, his family, and the whole Dynamos' community.

In Aaron’s honour, a nationwide football fundraiser—‘90 Minutes for Cookie’—is being organised to support Cancer Research UK and The Football Federation. Please see the details in the photo below and consider signing up your youth teams to support this very worthy cause.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Mrs Riches

Headteacher

Water Safety

Mon 01 Jun 2026

Water safety

What a glorious half term break we had last week, and I am sure you had lots of fun with your families. In light of recent events regarding open water, schools have been sent a toolkit to share with parents. We have shared 3 short clips from the toolkit with the children today in Assembly, and created a 'Water Safety' page on our 'Keeping Safe' section under the children tab on our website.

Please find the link to our page below-the three short clips are at the bottom of the page. It would be good to go over them with your family too.

BWIS Water Safety

Please read the message below from Hampshire County Council. The Toolkit link can be accessed here or on our 'waterr Safety' page

As the weather warms up, children and young people are more likely to be around water – whether at home, on days out or on holiday. Almost half of drownings occur during the summer months when temperatures are higher. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children in the UK, but most incidents are preventable. Babies and young children are most at risk at home, while older children and teenagers are more likely to encounter dangers in open water such as rivers, lakes and the sea. Research shows that teenagers and young adults are at increased risk during very warm weather, particularly when temperatures reach or exceed 25°C.

Most drowning incidents can be prevented with the right knowledge, supervision and preparation. The Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) Water Safety Toolkit for parents and carers offers simple, practical advice to help families stay safe.

The toolkit is designed to be clear and accessible, helping families build confidence and make safer choices around water. It includes guidance on:

Everyday risks at home – including bath time safety and garden hazards
Staying safe outdoors – such as the beach, around rivers and in open water
Practical safety advice – including the Water Safety Code and how to “Float to Live”
Age-specific guidance – for babies, young children, older children and teenagers
What to do in an emergency – including simple first aid steps and where to find further support

WATER SAFETY TOOLKIT FOR PARENTS