Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school
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World Book Day
Thu 07 Mar 2024Today was World Book Day! The children enjoyed bringing in books from home to share with their friends and teachers. We had a range of book-related activities going on this afternoon, too. The children took part in a 'Book Switcheroo!' where each teacher chose a book to read and the children selected the one they wanted to hear. What fun!
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Weekly Update Friday 1st March
Thu 29 Feb 2024This week the projects in every year group have been in full flow. Year R have been learning about growing their own plants and what plants need to grow. Year 1 have been finding out what life was like for children in Victorian times and Year 2 have been discovering about Naval life following their historic dockyard visit. What a busy week it has been.
We also had our annual NSPCC assembly where we learned about keeping ourselves and our bodies safe. Next week our Year 2 children will take part in workshops with NSPCC staff, to explore this further. An email was sent home to all parents with links to further information. There are also links to this on the safety pages under 'children' on our website.
Next week we will be having special book activities for 'World Book Day' on Thursday. Each teacher has planned to celebrate books and a love of reading in their class and children can bring in their treasured tales to share too. (Please note this is not a dressing up day).
We are currently a lot lower on voluntary donations for school trips this year and this could impact further trips and activities as we have to make up the deficit amount. Payments can be made on our Arbor App under donations. This tab can also be used if parents would like to make donations to school to help buy resources too.
Lastly, it was lovely to see so many parents attending our mid-year Parents' Evening this week. If you were unable to book a slot, please make sure you arrange to meet with your child's teacher to discuss their progress in school.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 23rd February
Tue 20 Feb 2024Dear Parents and Carers
The Year 1 and 2 children had a super time partying with Crazy M today in their disco. We have some brilliant dancers who couldn't wait to strut their stuff. Thank you to the PTA members who helped to organise such a great event and help tonight, and to the teachers who stayed to boogie too. A lovely memory for everybody.
Year 2 had an amazing (abeit soggy) trip to the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth this week, where they learned all about sailing life, Lord Nelson and his flagship 'HMS Victory'. They were full of facts on their return and couldn't wait to tell us all about it. I cannot wait to attend their learning outcome, which is one of the highlights of my year.
We have a lovely new sweetshop roleplay area in our playground, thanks to Mrs Ely and Miss Ely. If anyone has any role play items they no longer use, and would like to donate them to the school, they would be gratefully received. We also take;
Dressing up clothes
Lego
Toy cars
Toy dolls and dolls clothes
Outdoor games
Our PTA met in The Crown on Tuesday night as a social event for new volunteers. Anybody can volunteer, and it can be for lots of events, or just one. It is a great way to get to meet other parents and lots of parents have made friendships with other parents from the meetings. We have lots of lovely events on the horizon, so please pop along-if you missed Tuesday, keep a look out for the next social event.
We have our annual sponsored event on the 13th March and this year we are having a 'Bounce and Boogie'. Children are sponsored to bounce for a whole song on the disco bouncy castle, with dancing organised per class for the whole session too. Our fundraising this year will go towards replacing art, PE and play equipment which now needs replacing. Please help support this worthwhile cause, so that we can keep delivering our exciting curriculum and experiences to the children attending our school. Sponsor forms have come home with everybody this week.
Next week is our Spring Parent/Teacher meetings. please check your time and day, and arrive 5 minutes before your time, to look at your child's learning. there will be a creche in Rabbits class for all siblings. Entrance for all parents is through the main entrance door. Mrs Moth has returned from jury service this afternoon, and all Robin parents have been sent an email about rebooking their appointments for the original days next week.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Good luck to everybody supporting a team in the 6 nations. Some great rugby being played this year with new players coming through in all teams.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 9th February
Fri 09 Feb 2024Dear Parents and Carers
We have come to the end of a very busy half term in school, with lots of super learning. There has been an amazing smell of gingerbread in school this week, and one little gingerbread man made his way from Rabbit Class to my office! Well done to Year R for retelling their story this week- we were very impressed with your fabulous storytelling.
Our governors met last night and looked in detail at where we can make savings in light of our tightening budget, whilst maintaining our exciting curriculum. There will be some challenges ahead but everybody is working hard to achieve this. We also looked at policies that needed updating and our governor skills audit.
Please remember we have an INSET day on our first day bay after half term. Our first day back will be on Tuesday 20th February.
Our PTA are holding a disco on Friday 23rd February for Year 1 and 2 children. Please contact them to purchase tickets for this evening of fun with Crazy M.
I wish you all a lovely break next week and fingers crossed for better weather.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 2nd February
Fri 02 Feb 2024This week I spent time on the 'Parliamentary teacher Ambassador Course' in London. It was really interesting to see how infant children can become even more involved in making their voice heard, and understand how important it is for everybody to use their voice. Over the coming months I will be working with all our children about this and enhancing aspects of this in our planning in the curriculum. With elections happening at some time this year, it is more important than ever for all adults, young and old, to use their voice to let their feelings be known.
Our school is in this week's copy of the Hampshire Chronicle, if anybody would like to see it. We are also in the online version which can be found here;
We have started to welcome other schools to our school this week to share good practice amongst our primary colleagues. Staff from Ringwood Infant School came along to meet our English Manager and discussed writing and spelling. It was a productive meeting with lots of great ideas shared.
Year 1 went on their Victorian Trip to Manor Farm this week. When I asked them if our classrooms should be more Victorian, some children said yes! I will hold off ordering slates and chalk, as I don't think they meant for it to be permanent!
I was delighted to see Year R's amazing 'Gingerbread Endings' in their books this week-what talented writers we have emerging! Lots of children are using their letter sounds and sight vocabulary to write their sentences. the leaps in their writing is incredible-I'm sure you will all be amazed when you attend Parents' Evening next half term.
Year 2 have made the most detailed rescue vehicles in their 'Wacky Wheels' project this half term. They have really learned how to work interdependently in teams to realise their visions. Well done to Foxes and Hedgehogs for some brilliant designs!
I hope you all have a lovely weekend. As you have probably guessed, I will be cheering on Wales in the Principality Stadium this weekend. I have my fingers crossed for a win, but it is against a great Scottish team. Good luck to our other home nations too!
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 26th January
Fri 26 Jan 2024Storm Isha certainly made its presence felt in BWIS this week, with us losing one of our trees. The children were very interested in how the tree came down and lots asked 'why that tree?'. We didn't have any answers, and neither did the tree people who came out to help dispose of it. It was certainly a talking point for a few days! We are now waiting for our fence to be replaced, and have made sure the children are kept away from the area at lunch time.
Bishops Waltham Town team
There was an email sent out this week from Bishops Waltham Town Team. In case you missed it, please see the invite from them to attend their open meeting on the 16th March;
The Town Team, which has organised many events and activities in Bishop’s Waltham over the past 10 years, will be holding an Open Forum on Saturday 15th March at 10:30 in the United Free Church, Basingwell Street. You can see a summary of what has been achieved in a 2-minute video if you click: BW Town TeamTo learn more about the Town Team and the Open Forum, visit the website www.lovebishopswaltham.com/ideas. This includes an on-line form to offer your ideas on what you would like to see organised in the future, particularly events and activities for children.MeaslesWe sent an urgent health email out this week from the government regarding the rise of the cases of measles in other parts of the country.UKHSA have stated that measles is not currently circulating in the south-east, there are cases in London and a sustained outbreak in the West Midlands (specifically Coventry and Birmingham but now in all local authority areas in the region) but at the moment in the SE, rashes are more than likely to be for other reasons (particularly in children). However being prepared is important.
At a national level UKHSA are working on an outbreak pack for, similar to the packs for scarlet fever and gastric illness. We will cascade this when it is published.
In case you missed the link regarding measles' please click on below;Winter WarmerThank you to all the parents and children who attended our 'Winter Warmer' evening this week. It was lovely to share the importance of reading and tips to help at home. A big thank you to Mrs Labram and all the teachers who came to make the evening's activities so successful. Thank you also to Mrs Palmer for making all the goodie bags to take home. Despite the storm we had a really full hall, full of parents and children with big smiles!Parliamentary Teacher AmbassadorI am delighted to tell you that I was accepted on the Parliamentary Teacher Ambassador Course, which takes place in London next week. A little more about this is below. I look forward to bringing more knowledge about the parliament into BWIS on my return and I promise to take lots of pictures to share!UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme 29-31 January 2024
Teachers from across the United Kingdom are set to discover more about how UK Parliament works - and how they can engage their students in politics.
Participants on the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador programme will watch debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords, and learn more about the role of MPs and Lords, doorkeepers and select committees.
They will also tour the palace, meet fellow teachers, and have an opportunity to quiz Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and his counterpart in the Lords, Lord McFall of Alcluith.
Sir Lindsay said the three-day programme ‘offers a great opportunity for politicians and teachers to share experiences’.
‘In my view, you are never too young to get involved in democracy and to make things happen - so giving teachers an insight into our world is a great way to pass that message back to the classroom,’ he said.
‘We also appreciate having the chance to talk to teachers about their experiences, to thank them for their hard work - and to see how we can work together to get children interested in politics."
Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, said: ‘The Teacher Ambassador Programme is exceptionally well-regarded by the participants each year, and I welcome the opportunity to explore the work of the House of Lords with such a dedicated audience.
‘As a former teacher and one who has a continuing engagement with young people, I know how keen they are to understand how politics works in practice. This successful initiative is a great opportunity to encourage that interest.’
70 teachers from across the UK are set to take part in the programme, which runs 29-31 January 2024.
On that note, I wish you a peaceful weekend. Hopefully , it will not be as windy we can all get out for some fresh air!
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 19th January
Wed 17 Jan 2024Brrrrrrr, it has been a cold week this week in Bishops Waltham! We have made sure children are wearing the gloves, hats and scarves they have been bringing , when they go out to play, to ensure maximum warmth. Year 1 and 2 have been monitoring the temperature every morning and were excited to see a minus figure in the day. The concept of a 'minus' figure can be really tricky for children to understand, so it is a great opportunity to see one on our thermometers and explore what this means.
Just before Christmas, we were asked to send in our Nativity photographs to the Hampshire Chronicle. I was in Wales when they were published, so didn't manage to buy a newspaper with them in. I had a little check this week, and found them. The link is below if anybody would like to see them:
Hampshire Chronicle Nativity Photographs
On my learning walk around the school this week, I have seen some superb phonics teaching from all our staff. Our children love their phonics sessions in school. We teach these sessions in smaller groups and they achieve success. In the afternoon, our highly skilled Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), continue to reinforce the teaching from the morning, and teach individual and small group sessions, so that all children achieve success. One of the Year 1 children proudly came to show me the progress she has made since September, and how many words she can now read. Our English leads are Mrs Labram and Miss Turner and together with our Year Leaders they ensure continuity and progression in English across the school.
On Tuesday evening we had a governor training evening, with a focus on 'Inclusion, Attendance and Wellbeing'. These areas were very strong in our OFSTED report, and as a school we are always striving to to better. There were some excellent links to articles for the governors shared, with lots of bedtime reading and food for thought.
We have a date for our sponsored event this year. It will be on Wednesday 13th March, so please watch out for sponsor forms which will come home soon. This year we will be having a sponsored bounce!
Our Parent Teacher Meeting dates for this term are on Tuesday 27th February and Thursday 29th February. This is an opportunity to come and talk to your child's class teacher about their learning, and look at their books. Appointment booking will be open from 5pm this evening. (NB Robin class may need to be postponed due to a staff member's jury service. We will know more nearer to the time and will keep you updated. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause).
Our 'Winter Warmer' event for Year 1 children is on Tuesday 23rd January. Please fill in the form for this if you are intending to come along for this special evening with your child.
We wish you all a relaxing weekend.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 12th January
Fri 12 Jan 2024This is a very short update this week, as we have given you so much to read already. The children have delighted in the frozen water in the trays that the teacher left out to freeze this week. With the drop in temperatures, it was lovely to see our children wrapped up so warm and snuggly. If we have an extreme weather warning, we will let you know. It doesn’t look like there will be any snow for us, but as our last ‘big’ snow was 2018, I think all the children are hoping for it!
Our Regular Reading Raffle continues to be popular and the children look forward to seeing who will be picked out every Friday. Remember, they have to be in it, to win it- entry is by reading 3 times at home in the week, so everybody has a chance to enter every week.
Our PTA have been very busy planning their next events and are looking forward to putting them in motion, so please watch this space.
We had our Learning Leadership Partner visit this week from the local authority, and he was again very impressed with all aspects of our school. His visit consisted of a learning walk, talking to pupils, talking to leaders and talking to governors. It was very thorough and a good partnership visit where we looked at what are the next steps for our school.
Lastly, thank you to all the families who have written to our school to offer congratulations regarding our report. Thank you to everyone, and your kind words mean a lot to all of our staff.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend
Mrs Riches
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Ofsted Report
Wed 10 Jan 2024Dear Parents and Carers
On behalf of the staff, pupils and governors, I am delighted to share our latest OFSTED report with you, where we have been graded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas inspected and therefore maintained our overall grade of ‘Outstanding’. The official report will appear on the OFSTED site within 8 working days, but you will have received a paper copy and email copy today.
Due to the limited number of words that can be used, some of the amazing feedback that we received hasn’t been included. I would like to include a few extra comments from the feedback for you to read. I would also like to again let you know how brilliant your children were throughout the inspection. They acted as they normally do, demonstrating our BADGER and LEARNING values throughout. Both inspectors were wowed by them and they were a credit to you and the school. Our proudest moment in the feedback was when an inspector said they wish their son could attend BWIS
- High Ambition for all pupils
- Highly inclusive for all learners with high quality of education for all
- Excellent rigour within the subjects led to success for all
- Consistent high quality of teaching led to clear secure learning, where children were proud of their achievements
- Exceptional outcomes at the end of Year R and KS1 ready for the next stage in their education
- Transition from Year R to Year 1 was excellent, with the strongest model of integration between YR and YR 1 they had seen-highly consistent with no ‘disconnect’
- Our curriculum had breadth and ambition in the ‘truest sense’
- In each of the deep dives (Reading, Maths, Geography and Art), the inspectors praised the subject leaders for their knowledge and passion about the subjects, including their clear understanding of children’s start points.
- All subject leaders share common understanding of consistency, and openness amongst staff develops confidence and competence.
- The curriculum is taught with pace and expectations for behaviours of learning are high
- Our Early Years is highly ambitious, providing a strong start and excellent pedagogy and expertise, within a rich learning environment, strength in teaching and learning and high engagement. The inspectors called it an ‘exceptional offer’.
- There are shared policies, values and practice embedded across the school and 100% of the staff are proud to work in the school. There is expertise in the governors with different layers of rigour across the whole school.
- Strong leadership ensures high quality of education and ambition for all, in an open and transparent culture with wellbeing of staff well led. ‘The school cannot do any more’.
There were many more comments which have been shared with governors and staff. We do not have any actions to work on from this inspection (under ‘what do we need to do better?’). The inspectors said at the end of the governor and leader feedback ‘keep doing what you’re doing’. We recognise, however, that education never stands still and it is timely that we now revisit our school vision and what we need to do to equip our children for the future they will grow up in, and for jobs that haven’t even been invented yet!
I am extremely proud to be the headteacher of BWIS, and the last fourteen and a half years of working with the fantastic, caring, highly skilled staff team, many of whom have been with me from the start, has been a pleasure. I hope you enjoy reading the report, and if you would like to let us know your thoughts about the report via email to adminoffice@bishopswaltham.hants.sch.uk, we would be happy to receive them.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Big Ambition Survey
Wed 10 Jan 2024Please find a link to the 'Big Ambition' survey from Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England. She would like every child to let her know their views and the survey closes on the 19th January 2024. Parents can help fill in with younger children. Please click the link below to start:
