Dear Parents and Carers

We finally received the call from Ofsted on Tuesday morning, but more about that later.

Although the temperature has clearly dropped, we have had a lovely dry week of weather which has enabled all of our planned activities including our after-school clubs to go ahead as usual, which is always a good thing.  On Monday after school our Year 6 Boys managed to fit in a football match with the children from Green Park, many thanks to Mr Parry for refereeing which was a most enjoyable and exciting game.  It ended up a 1:1 draw however on another day Jimmy could have bagged himself a hat-trick.  Behaviour from both sets of children and parents was exemplary and we shall look for more opportunities to play against our neighbours as it is so convenient to organise and great fun too.

And so, to our Ofsted Inspection, whilst I was at the November Sefton Headteachers Meeting, I received a message from Mrs Greenwood informing me that Ofsted had called the school to inform us that they would be inspecting our school on Wednesday and Thursday.  I returned to school and set up the appropriate phone calls with the Inspector in order to plan the two-day inspection.  The Inspector was in school for both days from 8.00am – 6.00pm and she conducted a rigorous inspection of all aspects of our school and particularly focusing on the quality and delivery of our curriculum. 

She presented her findings to our Governing Board and Senior Leaders, yesterday, at 5.15pm.  Whilst we are unable to share her findings I am able to tell you that we are pleased and I would like to thank the many parents, staff and children who completed the appropriate online surveys.  The Inspector did comment that she was pleased with the response and how pleased that both parents and children were with the provision that is provided.  She informed me that it is unlikely to be published until after Christmas and as soon as I am able to share some detail, be assured that I will. 

Our Year 3 and 4 children received a visit from the Police on Thursday morning.  The children were taken in groups and reminded how to cross the road safely as well as classroom workshops to deepen their road safety knowledge.  Each class was given a chance to go in the Police Vehicle and I understand they were able to turn on the flashing lights, which you can imagine was tremendous fun.

So we have finally received our school inspection and this will not happen again for at least another four years or so.  I do hope that all the staff are proud of their collective efforts and hope that they have an enjoyable weekend as they must be exhausted.

We can now look forward to making the next two weeks an exciting preparation for Christmas.  Next Monday we shall start our First Advent Collective Worship, where children will build their own Advent Wreath in the school hall.  The whole school will enjoy going to the Pantomime at the Everyman on Tuesday and can I remind the Junior children to bring a packed lunch.  Please check that you have our Junior Carol Concert in your Diary for Monday 12^th December at 6.00pm at St Gregory’s Church.  Our Infant Nativities are on Wednesday 14^th & Thursday 15^th December at 1.45pm.  The Christmas Disco’s will be on Monday 19^th December – Infants 4.30pm-5.30pm and Juniors 6.00pm-7.30pm.

May I wish you all a safe and peaceful weekend

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher