3rd June 2009 NEWSLETTER NO.25 Dear Parents I was delighted that so many of you were able to join with us at yesterday’s special assembly, attended by Archbishop Sentamu, to celebrate our school’s 150th anniversary and our affiliation with the York Diocese. It was a wonderful experience, especially in the glorious sunshine, and I would like to thank the staff and pupils for their help in making it such a success. I understand that you have received a letter from Alison Waller, director of Children’s Services for the East Riding, regarding future school building improvements at this site. I wish to provide you with the following explanation: The Governing Body and I have always had the policy that by providing as much additional support as funds allow for pupils in their early years at school we can ensure that many initially identified learning or social problems can be either lessened, or even eradicated, as the children develop. We were concerned that a group of our 61 new admissions for September have various and considerable special needs which might impact upon that of the other children if placed in 2 large classes. Due to a recent unexpected reimbursement from our flood damage expenditure of 2007, it was decided to use this to ensure that for their first year in school, this year group could be placed in 3 smaller classes – the Governing Body has the right to organise classes as they deem fit providing that they do not exceed 30 pupils to a KS1 class. It seems that as a result of this decision, pupils of siblings in our school whose parents were appealing for admission as well as a couple of other children on our waiting list, were then granted places for September by the LEA. Consequently, next year this year group will be funded by the Age Weighted Pupil Unit provided for each child within the school’s budget, which will then allow the continuance of 3 classes with no impact upon the resourcing needs of other year groups providing that the number on roll for this year group is maintained. The Governing Body and I have always accepted in our submissions to the LEA that from 2010, only 60 pupils should be admitted in each subsequent new year group. We have accepted this situation and will not retract from it. This will allow the LEA to carry out its intention to reduce capacity here. Furthermore, prior to our decision regarding classes for the September admission, I contacted the LEA’s Principal Building Surveyor, on behalf of the Governing Body, to ascertain whether the proposed future refurbishment of our school was still on course. He informed me that the budget for our school’s Capital programme would have to be amassed over 2 years – 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Unfortunately, even then, all the options to be considered for our school would cost considerably in excess of the amount which would be set aside. Consequently, the work would have to be carried out over 2 phases, the timing of the second phase would depend upon future funding allocations. As, logically, the proposed reorganisation of our Foundation classes/admissions for 2009 should only really delay the proposed refurbishment for one year, I would suggest therefore, that it could very well be possible for the work to be carried out in one single phase rather than two, ensuring a similar final completion date whilst providing a shorter period of disruption to our school life. We are very proud of Hannah Newton (3B) who took part in the Race for Life at the weekend. She ran most of the race and hopes to raise £100 for the charity. Well done to Hollie McCulloch (6S), Scarlett Honour (5H), Lauren Hartley (4WP), Jessica Burton (3MH) and Poppy Bamforth (3MH) who also took part. We are also proud of Saskya Bush (3B) who will be appearing at Bridlington Spa Theatre on 12th and 13th June in a show called ‘Feel the Magic’ and Emily Clarkson (3B) who will be appearing at Middleton Hall on 13th and 14th June in a show called ‘Northern Stars’. Emily will also be appearing at Northern Academy in a production of ‘Song and Dance’ on 19th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th and 29th June. Due to staff health problems which could be exacerbated through contact with the Chicken-Pox or Conjunctivitis viruses, would parents please ensure that no pupil or younger sibling suffering from either of these is brought onto the school site and that the school office is informed immediately of any such cases. I have been asked to remind you that St Andrew’s Church, Kirk Ella, invite you to their Mid-Summer Fair to be held in the Church grounds on Saturday, 13th June 2 – 4 pm (leaflets have already been distributed). Watch the Punch and Judy show, join in the games, listen to the brass band and enjoy an ice cream or a cup of tea. A great afternoon for all ages. Yours sincerely
S A Bush Headteacher