Nursery

4 months ago
Posted on 06th Jan 2026 by

Communication – Arbor

From next week our main communication to parents/carers will be through Arbor using the app instant message which will be similar to the previous text message service. Our website and Facebook page will continue to be used as additional forms of communication alongside Arbor.

 Please ensure you have set up your account by next week in order to receive communication from school.

If you are experiencing any issues with setting up your account, please get in touch with the school office and we shall do our best to help.

 

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4 months ago
Posted on 05th Jan 2026 by

Stay Connected with Newdale – Arbor App Update

Following our announcement on Friday 19th December about the Arbor App, we’re pleased to let you know that log-in details have now been emailed to parents/carers this afternoon.

To get started, please follow the steps outlined in the email. The message may appear in your inbox or your junk folder, so please check both.

If you haven’t received the email or if your email address has changed, please contact the school office so we can update our records. Once your details are correct, we’ll resend your log-in information.

Please see below parent/carer guides for using the Arbor App

4 months ago
Posted on 05th Jan 2026 by

Parking Concerns

Dear Parents and Carers,

As many of you know, our school is located in the centre of a busy and continually expanding residential area. This makes access and parking at drop-off and pick-up times particularly challenging, and we already struggle to accommodate all staff vehicles on site.

We continue to receive concerns from local residents regarding parking and access around the school. While we fully appreciate that the location is not ideal and that there is no simple solution, it is important that we maintain positive relationships with our neighbours. We have advised residents to contact the police if they experience ongoing verbal abuse or repeated illegal parking.

We kindly ask for your support in helping us reduce these issues. Please take extra care when choosing where to park and consider alternatives such as parking slightly further away, car sharing, or encouraging children to walk or cycle where possible.

We will also continue to contact our PCSO team to request additional support during busy periods.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding with this ongoing challenge.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

 

4 months ago
Posted on 05th Jan 2026 by

Share Aware Week

Dear Parents/Carers,

A key aspect of our curriculum at Newdale is to educate children about how to stay safe. One of the many ways in which we do this is through themed weeks. Last term, we delivered our Expect Respect Week, where we worked sensitively with children, looking at the importance of healthy, non-violent relationships.

This half term, we will be delivering our Share Aware Week during the week beginning Monday 12th January 2026. Over the week, we will be looking specifically at the importance of consent, sharing our worries and other safeguarding issues around sharing information online using materials provided by the NSPCC.

Lessons will be taught in an age-appropriate way. A common theme throughout each year group is centred around ‘consent’ and the PANTs rule.  Higher up in the school, children’s basic understanding of consent will then be developed through learning about cyberbullying, modern-day slavery, peer pressure, healthy and unhealthy boundaries, child criminal exploitation and grooming.

Please see below for the theme for each year group. Please feel assured that the sessions are very much age-appropriate for your child.

Year Group Theme
Nursery Consent: personal space

Songs: Emotions e.g. If you’re happy and you know it
Reception Consent: personal space

Sharing of emotions/discussing what to do if you are feeling worried
Year 1 Consent: My body is mine (PANTS Power -NSPCC Resources)

E-safety- what to do if you are worried about something you see online
Year 2 Consent: safe and unsafe secrets and surprises  (PANTS Power-NSPCC Resources)

E-safety –  what to do if you are worried about something you see online
Year 3 Consent: is it okay? (Different types of touch- NSPCC Resources)

E-safety- information sharing
Year 4 Consent: My body, my choices  (Different types of touch- NSPCC Resources)

Modern Day Slavery (Mo Farah)

E-safety- online gaming safety
Year 5 Consent: Your body is your own

Peer Pressure

Grooming
Year 6 Consent: My body is mine (UNICEF’s child rights)

E-safety- Grooming

Child Criminal Exploitation including County Lines

Healthy and unhealthy boundaries

Please click on this link to see an example of just one of the areas we address during Share Aware Week and within our daily curriculum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqqnxQzz17c

We know the value of preventative work and the real importance that early conversations can have on children and young people’s lives. We are committed to keeping our children at Newdale safe and believe that our curriculum offer helps to safeguard children from the onset. This themed week is just one of the many ways we regularly teach children about keeping safe.

If you need more information, or are suffering from the effects of any of the safeguarding issues mentioned, please contact the school or visit the NSPCC website for further support and guidance.

Yours sincerely,

Miss R Cook

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5 months ago
Posted on 19th Dec 2025 by

Stay Connected with Newdale – Introducing the Arbor App!

We’re excited to be launching the Arbor Parent App on Monday 5th January.

The app is designed to make communication between school and home easier and more effective.

What can you do with Arbor?

Receive instant in-app messages, replacing our current text and email system

Update your contact details to allow school to always have the most up-to-date information

View your child’s attendance percentage, allow parents to keep track of attendance at a glance

Coming Soon!

As everyone becomes familiar with Arbor, we’ll be adding even more features, including:

Parents’ Evening booking

Getting Started
All parents will receive an email with their login details and a link to get started on Monday 5th January 2026.

 

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5 months ago
Posted on 12th Dec 2025 by

Finance & Personnel Governor Involvement

On Wednesday, our Finance & Personnel Governors met in school. A key focus of their discussion was the Pupil Premium Strategy, which will be shared on our website very soon.

The Governors spent time looking at how our leaders and staff teams are working to support our most vulnerable learners. Like many schools across the country, we are seeing a growing number of children with SEND needs. This naturally means we must ensure we have the right expertise and enough staff capacity to meet those needs.

The Governors reviewed both current and future staffing requirements across the school and nursery and considered how this affects the way finances are allocated. They were reassured that staffing is being directed to where it is most needed, and that our inclusive school continues to provide a strong offer for all children.

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5 months ago
Posted on 10th Dec 2025 by

Curriculum Governors Involvement in School

The Curriculum Committee Governors met today to review a range of aspects linked to teaching and learning. As part of their visit, they spoke with a wonderful group of pupils from Years 1, 3, and 5 about their Literacy work.

The children shared how their learning is adapted to meet their needs. For example, they explained that they sometimes use word banks to support their writing, or that a teaching assistant may work with them before a lesson to help them feel more confident and prepared.

In addition, the governors placed a particular focus on Pupil Premium, reviewing the policy and spending plans for this year. They considered how funding is being used and the expected impact on pupils’ learning and progress.

It was fantastic to hear directly from the pupils and to see the governors’ oversight ensuring that strategies and resources are making a positive difference.

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5 months ago
Posted on 08th Dec 2025 by

Grapes and Young Children: A Safety Tip for Parents

Why Grapes Can Be Risky

Grapes are delicious and healthy, but their size and smooth shape mean they can block a child’s airway if swallowed whole. Because they are slippery, they are also hard to remove with first aid techniques.

Why Little Ones Are More Vulnerable

  • Toddlers don not yet have all their teeth and are still learning to chew well
  • Their swallow reflex is still developing
  • Their airways are smaller, so blockages happen more easily

That is why it is safest to cut grapes lengthways into halves or, even better, quarters before serving them.

How Long Should Grapes Be Cut

Children under five are at the highest risk, but even older children may still have small airways. While school‑age children are usually better at chewing and swallowing, there is not a set age when grapes suddenly stop being a hazard.

A Simple Habit That Helps

If you are packing grapes for nursery or school, always chop them into quarters. It is a quick step that makes snack time safer — and lets children enjoy grapes without worry.