Dear Parents and carers, 

It's the end of another busy and productive week at Ellingham. I can't quite believe how quickly this year is going by! 

I am incredibly proud of our Year 4 children for their outstanding focus and determination this week. They have been working tirelessly on recalling their times tables in preparation for the Multiplication Tables Check. Seeing how embedded their recall is, both in the multiplication facts but also  the inverse division facts, is wonderful to see. Their hard work in daily practice is paying off, and they should all be very proud of their achievements! Thank you to the class teachers, and other members of the support staff team, who have worked with Year 4 to ensure they were ready for this key assessment point in the primary calendar. 

On Wednesday, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our new 2026 Reception families to the school. It was wonderful to see both the new and the familiar faces, and to feel the shared excitement as we prepare for their children to start their primary school journey with us in September. Thank you to everyone who attended; we are thrilled to welcome you into our school family.

There has been an electric buzz of anticipation in the air this week as our Year 6 pupils anticipate their residential trip this weekend! This trip is a momentous milestone in their final year of primary school, designed to build independence, teamwork, and lifelong memories. We wish them, and the staff members accompanying them, a safe, exciting, and unforgettable time of adventure.

Finally, I must take this opportunity to reinforce the absolute importance of excellent school attendance. In line with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, Working Together to Improve School Attendance. I would like to remind all families that holidays must not be taken during term time.

The DfE framework makes it clear that building a "whole school culture" of high attendance is a joint responsibility. Every single day of school missed creates gaps in learning, places unnecessary pressure on children, and impacts their academic progress and social development. Headteachers are legally restricted from granting leaves of absence unless there are truly exceptional circumstances. We ask for your full cooperation in planning family holidays strictly during the scheduled school break periods so that your child does not miss out on vital classroom instruction.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in making our school a vibrant place to learn. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful weekend.

Best wishes,

Margaret

Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing