NewsletterSummer Term - 23rd July 2024

Tomorrow, Wednesday 24th July, all our families are invited to have a picnic on the school grounds, from 3.30pm - 5pm. Please bring along a picnic blanket and your own food and drink and enjoy spending some time together in our lovely school grounds. Each class will have a stall and so please bring plenty of change.

The Year 1 choir will be doing a special performance, on the stage in the hall, at 3.30pm

We have limited change so please bring coins (including small change) where possible.

 

As shared on Tapestry previously, our Year 2 children will be having a very special leaving assembly on Thursday 25th July at 9am and we are inviting parents along to this. Please can we kindly ask that only 2 grown-ups attend for each child to ensure we have enough space in the hall.

Please note: This is for parents/carers of Year 2 children only.

Following my promotion to Head Teacher, and the retirement of our SENDCO, Mrs Marshall, I am pleased to tell you that we have now appointed staff to these positions for September 2024. Mrs Pilborough will be our Assistant Head Teacher. She has worked at the school for 10 years and has been a vital part of our school development, having worked as our English and Key Stage 1 leader for a number of years. Miss Holt will be taking on the role of Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO). She has worked at our school for over 3 years, with the last 2 working as the Deputy SENDCO. 

I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Mrs Marshall for the commitment and support she has shown both as a teacher and as our SENDCO. She has been an invaluable part of our school and shown true dedication to the children she works with. Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to Mrs Marshall, we know what a special space our school holds in her heart and are thrilled that she will continue to be a part of our school community as a volunteer.

 

      

Mrs Pilborough - Assistant Head Teacher                    Miss Holt - SENDCO

As shared in previous newsletters (7th June and 24th June) the government are bringing in new regulations to improve school attendance. In February 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) published ‘Working together to improve school attendance’, which provides statutory guidance for schools. It applies from 19th August 2024.

Under the new national framework, all schools will be required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 sessions (5 full days days or 10 mornings / afternoons) in a 10-week period, for unauthorised reasons. As term-time holidays are counted as unauthorised absence, except for in exceptional circumstances, they will be included in this. Although many other schools already have this in place, we have not yet referred any families to the local authority for fining purposes. From August 2024, we will need to ensure our procedures are in line with the new statutory guidance, which is that schools must refer a fixed penalty notice fine for term-time leave of 5 or more school days. This is then the decision of the local authority (Nottinghamshire) whether they issue the fine. It is important to note, the school does not receive any money from the fines. Money raised via fines is used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government.

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised term-time leave, the amount will be £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. This is reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. 

We appreciate that holidays are expensive out of term time but please note this guidance is national guidance and we have a legal responsibility to follow it.

Please consider this new legislation when thinking about booking holidays during term time from September 2024.

You can download a full copy of the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ document here and find out more information about penalty notices here.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thursday 25th July is our final day of term. As shared in a previous email, due to the roofing work, we are unable to offer any RMC holiday clubs and so, for next year’s Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children, we will see you back at school on Tuesday 3rd September.

The roofing work will be continuing through the first half term. We will keep you updated about the completion date.

We hope you all have a fabulous summer!

Congratulations on completing your time at Robert Miles Infant School! You've learned so much, made wonderful friends and had many adventures. As you move on to the next chapter in your education, we hope you will remember all the fun times and the important lessons you've learned here. We will all remember you and how far you have come since your very first day at school.

You are all amazing and unique, and we're so proud of you. Keep being curious, kind and brave as you start the junior school. I know Mr Evelyn and his team are very excited that you will be joining them. There are so many exciting things waiting for you and lots of new adventures to be had. We wish you and your families all the best for the future.

With lots of love and best wishes,

Mrs Ryan and the Robert Miles Infant School team.