Heads Up
Canning CBE
CEO’s Welcome
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the half term break, I would like to thank you for all for your hard work since the beginning of the academic year. Having two weeks rest at mid-term is a real joy and I know many of you will be travelling and also celebrating with your families.
If you and your family are celebrating Diwali at this time of year, I wish you a happy and prosperous Diwali! For all our staff and trustees, I wish you a peaceful and relaxing break with family and friends
Best wishes,
Tom
Tom
Attendance
Attendance Data
Below is the attendance and persistent absence data from across the Trust for the period of Monday, 29 Sep 2025 to Friday, 10 Oct 2025.
Tollgate Primary
Cleves Primary
The Clara Grant Primary
Shaftesbury Primary
Ravenscroft Primary
Rosetta Primary
New City Primary
Monega Primary
Book Fair
We recently held a book fair which raised over £600, and this means we will be able to restock our libraries with new books to support the children’s learning Prior to the book fair starting, the children took part in an exciting competition, where they had the chance to win vouchers to spend during the fair Each entry was bursting with imagination and creativity, showcasing the incredible storytelling talents of our young writers From magical adventures to heartwarming tales, it’s clear that Tollgate is home to some future best-selling authors!
Cake Sale
We held a successful cake sale to raise funds for school initiatives, with enthusiastic support from pupils, staff, and families A variety of homemade and donated cakes were sold, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere The event not only helped generate funds but also fostered community spirit and teamwork Proceeds will go towards enriching learning experiences and supporting future school projects
Coffee Mornings
Recently, we have hosted a series of coffee mornings on a range of subjects from Mental Health to meeting the Teachers for our EYFS and Key Stage 1 parents Through hosting these coffee mornings, we are aiming to strengthen relationships between staff, parents, and the wider school community These informal gatherings provided a welcoming space for conversation, sharing updates, and discussing school initiatives Each session focused on a different theme ranging from curriculum developments to wellbeing support encouraging open dialogue and feedback Attendance has been positive, with parents appreciating the opportunity to connect and contribute to school life in a relaxed setting
Resource Provision
Children in our Resource Provision had an exciting lesson recently where they explored the concept of cause and effect in science by observing what happens when they mix different liquids They applied this understanding by making their own lava-style lamps, using a range of different liquids to create bubbling, colourful effects This hands- on activity helped them see how what happens when liquids combine and allowed them to show their creativity
Pre-formal Pathways
This week in our Maths lessons, children in the preformal Pathway setting have been exploring colours through a range of fun and engaging activities
The children enjoyed sorting colourful bears into matching pots and parking the right coloured cars with their matching garages, developing their colour recognition and sorting skills They also showed great creativity by making vibrant animal collages using a variety of coloured papers
For our sensory explorers, there were exciting opportunities for visual and tactile engagement through colour-themed sensory bags and boards, which the children explored with curiosity and enthusiasm
Semi-formal Pathways
Children in our Semi-formal and Semi-formal Plus Pathways have been exploring the changing seasons as autumn arrives, inspired by our story The Leaf Thief. They’ve been noticing signs of autumn all around them falling leaves, cooler weather, and changes in colour. To bring their learning to life, the children collected a variety of leaves from our playground and used them to create a beautiful leaf tree. This hands-on activity helped their creativity, and discussion about nature and seasonal change.
Hello Yellow Day
We marked Mental Health Day at Cleves with a range of fun and thoughtful activities for our pupils, all put together by our Senior Mental Health and Personal Development Leads. The day was all about helping children understand the importance of looking after their mental wellbeing and giving them space to talk, reflect and enjoy time together. From calming mindfulness sessions to journaling, every activity was designed to help children feel supported, connected and confident in expressing themselves. It was a lovely reminder that mental health matters every day and that we ’ re all here to support each other.
Year 2 PSHE
This week, our Year 2 pupils have been learning all about healthy lifestyles Through lively discussions and engaging activities, they explored the importance of balanced diets, regular exercise and good sleep habits To share their learning with the wider school community, the children created vibrant and informative posters to raise awareness about making healthy choices
Year 4 - Postimpressionism
This week in Year 4, we have been exploring PostImpressionism an art movement that developed from Impressionism, focusing on the expressive use of light, shadow, and colour to bring emotion and depth to artwork
Black History Month Competition Celebration
We were thrilled to host our Black History Month Competition this year, and the response was truly inspiring! The number of entries we received from our talented pupils was phenomenal, showcasing creativity, thoughtfulness and a deep appreciation for Black history and culture
Choosing the winners was no easy task every submission was powerful in its own way Our winners received a special book celebrating Black history, along with a certificate to honour their outstanding contributions
We are incredibly proud of our diverse school community and the way our pupils embraced this opportunity to learn, reflect and express themselves Thank you to everyone who participated You made this celebration unforgettable!
Breadmaking Workshop
As part of their upcoming Autumn 2 unit on bread making, our Year 5 children took part in a hands-on workshop where they learned how to make bread from scratch Guided through each step of the process, they had the opportunity to choose their own fillings and personalise their creations The children were thrilled to see their finished loaves and proudly took them home to share with their families
Hello Yellow Day at The Clara Grant
Our children celebrated Hello Yellow Day with joy and positivity, taking part in a range of wellbeing activities throughout the morning to support their mental health From mindfulness exercises to creative expression, the day was filled with moments that encouraged reflection and connection Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we raised over £200 for charities dedicated to supporting young people’s mental wellbeing A huge thank you to everyone who took part and donated!
Mathematician Workshop
To celebrate Black History Month, our KS2 pupils took part in an inspiring online workshop where they met real-life mathematicians and explored the legacy of influential Black figures in mathematics such as Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were critical to NASA’s space missions. The children engaged in live maths challenges and reflected on how the skills they use today are built on the discoveries and contributions of those who came before them. A powerful blend of history and learning!
Cycling
Year 6 pupils have been learning an invaluable life skill this week at Shaftesbury. With the help of external instructors, year 6 students have been learning to ride bikes in a safer and efficient manner. New and experienced cyclists have been up and down the playground, the streets and parks of the local area to fine-tune skills that will stay with them forever.
MacMillan
On Friday 26th September, Shaftesbury Primary School joined thousands of people all over the nation to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support We held a non-school uniform day at school and children wore green, white or purple on the day to show their support All donations were greatly appreciated
Thank you to all the parents/governors who donated cakes/biscuits/baked goods to help our school fundraiser
Online Safety and Attendance
Shaftesbury hosted a coffee morning for parents on Online Safety and Attendance.
Ms Hussain and Ms Patel informed parents on how to keep children safe online, and what precautions/safety measures are in place to protect children online. We also informed parents about the importance of excellent school attendance and how missing even half a day of school affects your child’s learning. Furthermore, we illustrated to parents the penalties and court procedures the government introduced last year, to ensure all parents are aware of the penalties they will receive if pupils are taken out of school during term time. Together, we can help keep our pupils safe online and improve every child’s attendance so they can have a better future.
Met Police
Year 6 were visited by the Met Police on Friday to inform pupils about the dangers of knife crime and what is meant by ‘County Lines’ Police discussed how pupils can keep themselves and others safe; what to do if they felt they were not protected or in danger They informed pupils what the legal age to arrest a child is and the penalties of carrying a knife
Pupils engaged in talking to the police and had lots of their questions answered about knife crime and safety in general
Y5 Science
Over the last few weeks in Year 5, the children have learnt all about properties and changes of materials in Science. They have planned and conducted investigations exploring processes such as dissolving, evaporation and irreversible chemical changes. The children show excellent observation skills and have asked some exceptional scientific questions!
Fairplay House
Fairplay House visited our Year 3 pupils last week with the emphasis on ‘Team Building’ They took part in various different team games, including:
Bridge building using crates to create the bridge.
Fire making using flint and steel which they then helped to make the fire to cook the chapatis they’d made. The children loved eating them and choose their own toppings, which varied from sweet to sour.
The tennis ball and drain pipe game helped them to listen to the other team members. They made a run from the drain pipes to allow the tennis ball to pass through, whilst not dropping it.
Taking turns in being blindfolded whilst being given directions by their team members – a good way to build trust in each other!
The day was a great success and both children and teachers enjoyed their day
Money Ready Workshops
Ravenscroft had a visit from the Money Ready team to provide workshops on learning all about money and how it affects everyone in their everyday life.
One of the workshops concentrated on different jobs and why some jobs pay more than others. They then went onto role play where they could earn, spend, budget and save money, learning the importance of each one.
Mental Health DayNursery
Our Nursery pupils took part in activities on Friday to mark National Mental Health Day.
They talked about what things they do that make them happy and then they made a picture of it by drawing, using stickers and colouring in.
The pictures are now on display in our Nursery for everyone to see.
SEND Coffee Morning with L.C.I.S.
We held a coffee morning for our SEND parents and carers with Vicky George from L C I S to bridge the gap between what us as a school can do and what services L C I S can offer, from family workshops to training
It was a lovely chance also for parents to talk and support each other
Year 6 ScienceLight
This term, Year 6 have been exploring the fascinating topic of light Through hands-on investigations, they discovered how light travels in straight lines and how shadows are formed when an object blocks the light Using torches and everyday materials, pupils experimented with changing the distance between the light source and the object to see how this affected the size and shape of the shadow
They were amazed to find that shadows grow larger when the object moves closer to the light and smaller when it moves further away It’s been a bright and brilliant way to deepen their understanding of how light behaves in the world around us
Reception Learning1
What a wonderful and busy week we ’ ve had in Reception!
In Maths, the children learned all about AB patterns (for example, red–blue–red–blue). Recognising, predicting, and creating patterns is an important early mathematical skill that helps children notice relationships and connections in numbers and shapes. We explored patterns found in colours, shapes, sounds, movements, and everyday objects. The children practised spotting, extending, and correcting patterns in different arrangements, such as lines, circles, and zigzags. At home, many children continued this learning by noticing patterns around them stripes on clothes, tiles in the kitchen, or petals on flowers and creating their own patterns with toys, blocks, or snacks.
In Literacy, our story of the week was So Much by Trish Cooke, a warm and lively tale that celebrates the joy of family life. The book captured the excitement of a big family
gathering, as each relative arrived with love and laughter to share. Its rhythmic and repetitive language helped the children join in and anticipate what came next. We talked about the themes of love, togetherness, and celebration. The children practised identifying and writing initial sounds for words linked to celebrations (e.g. s, s –sing) and family members (d, d – dad). On Friday, we ended the week by learning and singing a joyful song from Ghana!
In Phonics, we focused on the sounds d, g, o, and u, and our tricky words for the week were she and me.
In our Topic, How do I use my hand?, we shared ideas during circle time about all the wonderful things we can do with our hands.
In Art, the children created beautiful African tribal patterns, and in The World, we read about Nini and designed colourful carnival masks for her. We finished the week with our own mini carnival showcase of music and dance what a fantastic celebration!
Year 1 Maths
In Maths, Year 1 have been adding using number stories We have been learning how to use manipulatives to support our understanding of the Explore problem as well as using them to help us with our independent work We have also been using part, part-whole diagrams to solve addition problems
Year 2 Stratford Visit
This term, Year 2 have been exploring how Stratford has changed over time. As part of their learning, they planned a route and practised using directional language to locate key landmarks, while comparing old and new maps to spot changes in the area. To bring their learning to life, the children visited Stratford Olympic Park, where they were excited to recognise real-life buildings and locations they had learnt about in class.
Celebrating Black Voices: “Lyrics of Change”
This week, Year 6 students have been celebrating Black History Month Students explored the power of Black voices through rap, music, and spoken word in a project titled “Lyrics of Change ” They engaged with the work of influential artists like Little Simz, Tems, Stormzy, Dave and poet Warsan Shire Students began by creating mood boards highlighting themes of identity, pride and justice, drawing inspiration from the artists’ powerful messages They then wrote and refined their own rap lyrics or spoken word pieces, focusing on rhythm, rhyme and meaning The project culminated in a printed anthology and a classroom listening session, where students proudly shared their voices
Hello Yellow and Zones of Regulation Day
At New City Primary School, we proudly celebrated Hello Yellow and Zones of Regulation Day, a vibrant and uplifting day dedicated to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing across our school community. Pupils and staff alike embraced the spirit of the day by wearing yellow, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and participating in creative activities that explored emotions, selfregulation, and kindness. The Zones of Regulation framework helped children better understand their feelings and develop strategies to manage them, while Hello Yellow reminded everyone that it›s okay to not be okay and that we ’ re never alone. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, laughter, and connection, making it a truly meaningful experience for all.
Learning HUB
Now that it is Autumn, the learning hub are exploring how the season changes in their outdoor environment. The children went to the school garden to explore the falling leaves and their different colours. They saw lots of different shapes, sizes and colours from green to yellow, orange and brown. The children went back to class with the leaves they collected and in art they had the opportunity to use the leaves as inspiration to make an Autumn leaf of their own.
Year 5 Pizza Workshop
This week, our Year 5s took part in a pizza-making workshop. The children started by discussing how the dough is made and discussed the process of making their pizzas. Having decided on what healthy toppings to add the children then kneaded their dough before shaping and layering their pizzas.
Once they were cooked, the children then got to the best bit, which was of course to enjoy them!
They all had a great time and this will prepare them for further cooking topics in DT later in the year.
National Poetry Day
Last week, New City celebrated Poetry Day by studying a variety of different poems by Benjamin Zephaniah. Our Year 6s studied the poem ‘We Refugees’ and then created their own versions of the poems. They showed amazing respect, equality and tolerance when writing meaningful poetry and these are a few examples from some of our Year 6s: Tianna, Nusrat, Eni and Zahra.
Year 5 British Museum
This week, our Year 5 pupils have been on an exciting educational visit to the British Museum in London The visit was an unforgettable experience, allowing the children to engage with some of the world’s most iconic artefacts The focus of the visit was Ancient Egypt, an area that the children have been learning as part of their History curriculum One of the most popular sights on the visit was the Rosetta Stone, the children were fascinated by its history and significance
Playground Buddies Launched at Monega Primary School!
Our Playground Buddies have officially been launched at Monega to help make playtimes even better for everyone!
The new Playground Buddies are a group of specially chosen pupils who wear bright, easy-tospot vests and are always ready to lend a helping hand during break and lunchtime Their job is to make sure all children feel included, safe, and happy while they play outside
Whether it’s helping someone find a friend, sorting out small disagreements, or coming up with fun games for everyone to join in, the Playground Buddies are there to support all pupils They’ve been trained to be good listeners, kind friends, and positive role models for others
This new initiative is already making a big difference in the playground, creating a more caring and inclusive environment for everyone at Monega Well done to all the new Buddies
Year 1 Explore Science Through Leaves!
Year 1 pupils have been diving into the world of science by learning all about deciduous and evergreen trees!
As part of their science topic on seasons and plants, the children explored the differences between the two types of trees They discovered that deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn, while evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round
Well done, Year 1 scientists – keep exploring!
Year 6- Oracy
This term in Oracy, we have been sharing our presentations Here is a lovely example of Eliza talking about her ambitions
https://youtu.be/8OQa9dkSVXI
National Professional Qualification for Headteachers
There are currently two cohorts of NPQH running via LDE Teaching School Hub and this week we held one of the sessions at The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls in Havering It was an inspirational visit and complemented our session on Curriculum and Assessment Participants thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the farm and the school's own railway line, constructed as an engineering project in conjunction with TFL The Executive Head Teacher, David gave a talk on the Sixth form and the session was co-led by Craig Lilleymand and Anthony Henry, Head Teacher at Redden Court School, also on Havering
Year 1 ECT Conferences at Excel
This week, LDE also welcomed a new Keynote Speaker to our Year 1 ECT Conferences at Excel London Harry Hudson, Head of History at West London Free School, and author of the A to Z of being an ECT, as well as a writer for The Times, welcomed our ECTs to the start of their ECT programme We held four conferences across 4 days with 100 ECTs each day We welcomed all of the new Boleyn Trust ECTs to the sessions
Year 1 ECT Conferences at Excel
In addition we had our second visit from the new Ambition Institute National Director of ECT Programmes - Jo Facer, who joined us to assess how the new interation of the ECTP was 'landing' with ECTs. Jo used to be the Deputy Head at Micheala School in Wembley and previously worked for the National Institute of Teaching as Head of their NPQ programmes.
We currently have the following ECTs starting in Year 1 on our ECT Programme
Out and About
Over the past few weeks, the LDE team has been intrepidly scampering across Newham, Havering and Barking and Dagenham, conducting Quality Assurance visits, and meeting with mentors and trainees.
