Welcome to the June edition of The Heights Primary newsletter. It has been a productive, rewarding and challenging month for the Heights team, but with every detail we finalise, large or small, it is a tremendous feeling for all those involved, and of course the parents of our first intake of children. Karen Edwards, Ruth Rosewell, Mark Richards and Nick Walden met the DfE for a very positive Readiness to Open Meeting so we are very pleased and excited to be less than three months from opening in September.
This month you can find out, the latest news on: our appointed governing body, our induction day, our breakfast club, school uniform, locations, Ofsted inspection, and more.
We make every effort to keep our community updated about their new school so we hope you enjoy reading. And of course, if you need any more information or have any comments please do get in touch.
Many thanks
The Heights Primary School team
Email: info@theheightsprimary.co.uk
Visit: www.theheightsprimary.co.uk
Following our recruitment process, we can now announce that we have appointed three new governors to the governing body. There are many schools around the country who have difficulty recruiting sufficient governors to fill their vacancies, but we were very pleased to receive so many strong applications and we would like to thank everyone who expressed an interest. The three successful candidates demonstrated a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm and they will join Mark Richards, Karen Edwards and Matt Gale in forming the governing body. The Trust is delighted to have such a strong team, and we have included some brief information about them all below:
Nick Walden – Nick was appointed a National Leader of Governance in 2014, by the National College for Teaching & School Leadership. He has been a governor of a local secondary school for 11 years, including 8 years as the Chair of Governors. He also has considerable experience in construction and construction law.
Linda Glithro – Linda has extensive experience of primary education and school management, having taught in the local area for over 30 years. She is currently an inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate, as well as co-author of a primary level maths series of books.
Dr Winnie Wang – Winnie is currently a lecturer in human geography at the University of Bristol, and has previously taught at universities in the USA and China. She is an expert when it comes to analysing data, which is a key task of governing bodies.
Matt Gale – Matt has been a governor of a local primary school for 2 years and also has experience of working with Trustee boards in his role as a pensions consultant. He is a member of the Trust and has been appointed as a governor of the Heights to provide some continuity between the team that are setting up the school ready to open, and the governing body, who will be overseeing it going forward.
Karen Edwards – Karen is the Headteacher for the Heights. She has been in the teaching profession for 23 years, and was Headteacher at another local primary school for the last 7 years.
Mark Richards – Mark is our Chair of Governors, and also a Deputy Head at Queen Anne’s School, an independent boarding and day school in Caversham. He has been a governor of another school for 4 years and has 23 years’ experience in education. He is also an experienced inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
The induction day for reception class children took place on 18 June and it was a resounding success. The children were able to not only meet their class teacher, but also the Teaching Assistants, Headteacher Karen Edwards and their fellow classmates. A big thank you to St Anne’s School who allowed us to use their Reception class for the duration of the day. Thanks to them we were able to give the children a taster of what the future holds and everyone had an amazing day, particularly Mr Crispin and Mrs Rizvi who comments that she enjoyed, “A wonderful afternoon in brilliant sunshine spending time with the gorgeous children who will be in my school family from September. The induction day was a chance for me to find out about their interests and preferences so that I now have masses of plans and ideas to start us off on our learning journey.”
In advance of the induction day set to take place in July, several events were organised to bring the year 1’s together.
The Year 1/s were invited to an informal BBQ, one Year 1 parent enthuses,
‘The year 1 BBQ was a great afternoon. It was lovely to see the children making new friends and the parentsplanning social events. Really nice to finally have our own community school.’
The BBQ’s host comments, ‘The BBQ afternoon we had at our place for the year ones was great, it was very nice to see all the kids playing around and the parents all enjoying a sunny afternoon together for the 1st time.The BBQ went well, it was perhaps manned by the tallest set of chefs I’ve ever seen I’m 185cm and felt dwarfed by the two other dads.’
A meeting was also scheduled where year 1 parents met with the new headteacher, Karen Edwards. One parent commends Karen Edwards’ for her‘drive and vision,’ elaborating that they view her as, the glue holding us as transferee parents together.’
Karen and her team are looking forward to the Year 1 Induction Afternoon on Wednesday 9th July and are also busy preparing to welcome all parents for the Parent’s information evening on Wednesday 9th July.
The PTFA is forming nicely. We have had invaluable support from the Emmer Green PTFA and have lots of exciting plans already in motion to benefit the children. Please note the first general meeting of the PTFA (when we elect the roles and get started) has been rescheduled from 3rd July to WEDNESDAY 16th JULY. Please let Jeni Carter know if you will be attending – jeni.carter122@gmail.com
We are pleased to announce we have recruited all the staff needed for September, from teaching staff and TAs to administrators. The Heights staff had their first social get-together at the Alto Lounge recently, and the overall feeling was certainly one of excitement as everyone is thrilled and enthusiastic about being part of this fantastic journey.
We have now signed an agreement with Energy Kidz to run our breakfast and after school clubs. As many of you will be aware, due to the location of the temporary Heights site the Trust felt it was important that we made dropping their kids off at school as easy as possible. Therefore, in addition to the flexible starting time we have arrange a subsidised breakfast club. The breakfast clubs will have a range of games and activities organised and staff will ensure everyone enjoys a tasty snack. Following the session, which runs from 7.30am, KS1 children will be escorted to their class ready for the school day. For the first year the Heights Primary are subsidising the club with regular bookings (same day every week) priced at just £2 per session. Non-subsidised sessions are priced £5 for a regular booking or £5.50 ad hoc. For more information or to make a booking please go to: http://www.energy-kidz.co.uk/breakfast-clubs/caversham-heights-primary-school/.
Just a quick note to say our uniform supplier, Stevensons, have confirmed stocks should be available by end of June. All those who have registered online with them will receive automatic notification when stocks are in. Anyone still wanting to register should go to here.
This is obviously an important issue for all parents and we are very happy to say we have agreed terms with a local supplier, Crumbs food company, to provide hot meals for the Heights Primary. They will happily cater for all dietary requirements (as long as they know in advance), and we are looking forward to working with them.
Following the public meeting, where members of the Caversham community could air their opinions on the Highridge location, we’re aware that many parents are concerned about the uncertainty created by the vocal debate that resulted.We want to take the opportunity to assure you that if for any reason the Highridge development does not go ahead, the Education Funding Authority are committed to finding an alternative home for what promises to be a great, and much-needed school. With 2 ½ years before our planned move in date, we have plenty of time to resolve this, so rest assured that the Heights is here to stay. We also urge you to have your say by completing the questionnaire which was distributed in the local area (and contact Rob Wilson: robwilsonmp@parliament.uk). (Don’t forget to include your address to make your voice count).
We have been disheartened by the tone of debate amongst a few members of the community on both sides and would like to plead for tolerance and respect of each other’s opinions. However, we are pleased by the positive steps taken by parent and community groups to meet and discuss their views on the selection of Highridge. We’re very encouraged that they were able to agree areas of common ground and that a joint letter was sent to Rob Wilson MP raising their concerns, but ultimately supporting the establishment of a school in Caversham Heights. We very much welcome this constructive and considered approach and encourage everyone to write to Rob Wilson and their Ward Councillors to ensure they have an accurate representation of everyone’s views. It’s important that everyone’s voice is heard.
The Trust is in the process of putting together a document clearly explaining the rationale behind the original “evidence of demand” survey, and the subsequent formation of the catchment area and school’s datapoint and a special issue of the newsletter will follow shortly. In the meantime, The Trust and the staff are busy preparing for our opening for the temporary site in September.
Few teachers welcome an Ofsted inspection, but when it represents the difference between opening and, well, not, the staff at the Heights welcomed the recent visit by Ofsted inspectors. The hugely anticipated Ofsted Pre-Opening Inspection took place on Monday 23 June and went very well, the Inspector leaving happy and confident that the staff and the school were ready for the September opening. Headteacher Karen Edwards would like to say thank you to everyone involved with helping to prepare the evidence and documentation needed for the process. The Heights’ Readiness to Open meeting also took place on 12 June and everyone felt this was a huge success.
Although the permanent Heights site is the hot topic for many, things are also progressing with the temporary location. The temporary build and ICT requirements have been progressing through the design stage, and the last details have been now finalised. Planning applications for the temporary site have also been submitted and are due to be considered on 23 July. The contractors have an impressive schedule and will be working throughout the remainder of July and all of August to prepare the site. Please don’t be alarmed in any way by this timeframe – our contractors are used to putting up modular buildings in a very short space of time and this is a common occurrence in the setting up of free schools. We are pleased to announce that work has begun on the site!
And finally…
No one can say we’re not organised, especially as we’re already looking ahead to Christmas and booking the panto at the Hexagon.
If you are a parent of a child starting The Heights in September, look out for a postcard of Hector the Bear with a message from your child’s teacher landing in a letter box near you.
