Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Christmas Party

  Wed 04 Dec 2019

  Christmas Party!

  Christmas Party Information   - Thursday 12th December -   Please could children wear their school uniform in the morning and bring their party clothes in a bag to get changed after lunch. Thank you.   PARTY FOOD: Only packaged food to be sent in please.   We would be very grateful if each child could bring one item of packaged food for the party please:   Ø Reception/F2 to bring juice/pop please Ø Year 1 & Year 4 to bring buns, cakes or biscuits please Ø Year 5 & Year 3 to bring crisps/snacks please Ø Year 2 & Year 6 to bring savoury items please (sausage rolls, quiche,pork pies, scotch eggs etc - no food that requires heating/cooking)   Ø NURSERY/F1 :  Please bring one item of food/drink each. Thank you.

   

• Letter from our Governing Board regarding School Trips

  Wed 04 Dec 2019

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  Re: Funding for School Visits

   

  On behalf of the Governing Body of St Oswald’s C of E Academy I am writing to you to ask for support regarding our children’s school visits. At present, despite asking for voluntary contributions, these visits are running at an overall net loss to the school each year. This means that they have to be cross subsidised from other areas of funding.

   

  In 2018-19 this subsidy amounted to over £1000 which could have been used for additional resources to help our pupils.

   

  In addition our expected Government funding compared with last year has decreased by £75,000 despite the rises in salary and inflationary overhead costs. We are lucky compared to most schools; we have an active PTA and in the past have been successful at obtaining commercial capital grants and sponsorship so we can absorb some of this reduction.

   

  We hope you agree that school visits bring your child’s learning to life, plus additional social and academic benefits which practical learning brings compared with classroom learning.

   

  As a Governing Body, we took the difficult decision last week that trips which were insufficiently funded, would be cancelled and not subsidised from other school funds. We explored a number of alternative options before doing this including (amongst others):

  • Reducing staffing hours across the school to fund the cross-subsidy
  • Not offering school trips at all

   

  None of these we felt matched our school’s Christian ethos or our desire to offer a varied experiential learning environment.

   

  Therefore, unfortunately we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel a trip with Y1 and FS2 to the Yorkshire Museum. As less than half of parents had paid before the due date, despite a number of reminders, this trip was financially unviable. Sadly, this situation will be repeated in the future if we do not receive sufficient voluntary payments before the due date. However, be reassured, if a trip is cancelled due to insufficient payments any funds paid will be refunded (less non-refundable deposits where previously advised). This does not apply in situations where specific pupils are not allowed to attend due to behaviour issues.

   

  Please remember, we will never stop a child from attending a trip due to their parent’s financial situation. If you require either assistance to pay the fees or would like a bespoke payment plan, please either speak to Mrs Patton or the school office. I assure you that any conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

   

  Kind Regards

   

  Dave Moore

  CoG – on behalf of the Governing Body

   

• Y3/4 Follow The Star

  Wed 04 Dec 2019

  Dear Parents/Carers,

   

  Y3/4 ‘FOLLOW THE STAR’ WALK

   

  As part of our Christmas celebrations this year we have organised, with the help of local residents, a Nativity Themed walk for our Year 3 and 4 children. This will take place on Friday 6^th December and will involve the children walking around the local area, to collect clues which build up the story of the nativity, whilst sharing in the spirit Christmas as they interact with the local community. The journey will end back at school, with a special surprise for the children.

   

  All children will need to bring a packed lunch on this date.  The children will be eating at Holy Trinity & St Oswald’s Church and lunch will be delivered to them by a member of school staff. During the walk children will be accompanied by members of staff, Governors and Parent volunteers (please see your child’s class teacher if you are able to help). Uniform must be worn, but children will also need a warm coat and suitable footwear for this time of year.

   

  Please let us know if you do not wish for your child to take part in this activity.

   

  Yours Sincerely

   

   

   

   

  Mrs S Patton

  (Head Teacher)