We are a busy and lively school with lots going on to enrich the experiences of all of our children.

In this section of our website, you can find out about what has been happening in and outside of our school and lots of things that we have planned for the coming weeks.

Mrs Shaw (Head Teacher)

• Industrial Action Wednesday 1st Feb

  Thu 26 Jan 2023

  Following on from texts that have been sent to all parents and carers and our weekly newsletter, I am writing to inform you that I anticipate that as a school we will be significantly affected by industrial action on Wednesday 1^st February.

  The well being and safety of the children will always be paramount to myself, governors and our staff.

  Many of you will be aware that on Wednesday 1st February at least one teaching union will be joining many other public sector unions in calling for industrial action. Please understand that teachers are striking against the national education policy, funding and resources in school, not against the children whom they work so hard for every day. Currently the Government stance is that any proposed pay rises are to be funded from existing school budgets and no additional funding has been allocated to cover the associated shortfall in school budgets. This obviously has massive implications for the quality of education and levels of support that ourselves and many schools are able to provide for our wonderful children.

  Unions are understandably campaigning for any pay rises to be directly funded by Government, this may not always be apparent in the media and the information that is shared by Government with the public.

  At this stage I am not yet able to determine which classes will be able to attend school on Wednesday 1^st February due to the large numbers of staff who are members of the union which is involved in making the difficult decision to take industrial action. 

  After much consideration we will be unable to offer places to children of critical workers if their class has to close. Breakfast club and after school childcare will not be available on Wednesday 1^st February and other scheduled dates for industrial action.

  It is important that as parents you have appropriate childcare plans in place on the following dates as school will undoubtedly be closed to the majority of children and potentially all children if there is not a resolution agreed by unions and Government:

  • Wednesday 1^st February
  • Tuesday 28^th February
  • Wednesday 15^th March
  • Thursday 16^th March

  Parents of children who are required to attend school will be contacted directly.

  Children who are not able to be at school because of the industrial action will be not be marked as absent and it will not affect their attendance. We recommend that children spend their time purposefully with activities such as reading, practising counting and times table facts or even baking.

  Understandably no remote learning will be set by teachers when industrial action is taking place.

  This information could change at any time and I will communicate with you at the earliest opportunity if this is the case.

  Thank you very much for your understanding.

  Yours sincerely,

  Mrs H. Shaw

  Head Teacher

• Clearance Stock

  Thu 15 Dec 2022

  We have a few items of brand new logo'd uniform in stock in a limited number of sizes.  We are looking to make room in our stock room so are selling at a reduced price.  Please contact the office to check sizes and reserve your items then pay via ParentPay.

  

• All Aboard the Polar Express

  Mon 05 Dec 2022

  As a special treat we would like to invite all children in Nursery, Reception, Year One and Year Two to take part in our Polar Express Day.  

  On this day we welcome children to come dressed in their pyjamas to take part in lots of exciting activities and collect some wonderful keepsakes and make memories with their friends.  The children will still have lunch breaks and playtimes on this day so please ensure they have warm clothing underneath their pyjamas and/or warm layers to go on top of their pyjamas on this day.   

  

• Christmas Pantomimes:

  Fri 02 Dec 2022

  Monday 19th December

  This year we have arranged for 3 professional pantomime performances in school which we always think are an important part of our Christmas celebrations.

  Children in Nursery, Reception and Years 1 and 2 will watch ‘The Clumsiest Elf’ and Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will watch ‘Dib and Dab’.

  So that we can continue to provide such valuable experiences for all of our children we welcome any contributions via ParentPay.

  Many thanks to those parents who have already contributed.

  If your child is not normally at Nursery on a Monday afternoon they can still come and watch the pantomime as long as an adult is able to come and stay with them whilst the pantomime is on. Due to limited numbers only one parent should attend with their child. Only parents of children who would not normally be at Nursery on a Monday afternoon are able to attend. The pantomime for Nursery children is due to start at 1:10pm and should finish by 2pm. If you are wanting to do so and your child normally would attend only mornings, they must still be collected as normal at the end of their morning session and brought back for the pantomime in the afternoon. Please let Nursery staff know if you wish to do this.

  

• Household Support Fund

  Fri 02 Dec 2022

  The government have again made a 'Household Support Fund' available to local authorities to assist with the Cost of Living Crisis.     

   

  Durham County Council have agreed that households with a child in receipt of Free School Meals will receive a voucher payment of £110 to support with costs over the winter period. Children in nursery in receipt of Early Year Pupil Premium will also be eligible for a voucher.  Schools have once again been asked to send out these vouchers.

  An email will be sent to eligible families in the coming weeks, which will then be followed by the vouchers.  If you do not receive an email and think you may be eligible (eligibility criteria can be found on our website:  https://www.shottonprimary.durham.sch.uk/school-meals/ ) then please contact the office who will provide you with the relevant paperwork.

   

  

• Santa Fun Run - Thursday 8th December 2022

  Fri 18 Nov 2022 Mrs Dooher

  This year we will be holding our Santa Fun Run on Thursday 8th December 2022.

   

  Key Stage 1 children and morning Nursery children will run at 10:30 am

  Key Stage 2 children and afternoon Nursery children will run at 2:00 pm

  Nursery children that attend at the beginning of the week are welcome to come along to the morning session with a parent / carer.

   

  Children taking part in the Fun Run can come to school that day in their PE kit or 'suitable for running' Christmas fancy dress.  They will also need to bring a spare pair of shoes to school that day to change into after the run.

   

  Your child will receive a lovely Santa Fun Run medal for taking part.

   

  If you would like your child to take part could you please pay a minimum donation of £3.50 on ParentPay, to cover the cost of the medal.  Any additional donations received will go towards Christmas gifts and parties for the children.

   

  Deadline for entries is Thursday 24th November, via the Operoo link which has been emailed, so that medals can be ordered.  If you can't access Operoo please contact the office.  Unfortunately it will not be possible to accept any payments after this date.

  

• It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas...

  Thu 17 Nov 2022
  

• Children in Need

  Thu 17 Nov 2022

  Friday 18th November We will be having a grocery collection again to help our local foodbank. Last year everyone was so generous.   if you wish to donate directly to Children in Need you can use the following ParentPay link https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Foc/Default.aspx?shopid=8146

   

  

• Anti Bullying Week (14th - 18th November 2022)

  Thu 17 Nov 2022

  This week all of our children have been exploring the theme of Reach Out, knowing that we should be kind and thoughtful and that no-one should ever feel alone, making sure that there is always someone to help. We are making sure that we know who to reach out to if we are ever faced with or see bullying behaviour.