Dear Berkeley Primary School Community,

As we approach the end of another successful academic year, I am delighted to share with you some of the exciting developments and achievements that have taken place at our school. It has been a year filled with growth, accomplishments, success, and memorable moments, and I am incredibly proud of our children, staff, and the entire school community.

School Sport Lifetime Achievement Award - Simon Leek

Firstly, I am thrilled to announce that our very own Simon Leek was awarded the School Sport Lifetime Achievement Award at the Get Ahead Partnership Sports awards at the beginning of July. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Simon's dedication and outstanding contributions to school sports over the years.  We are incredibly proud of his accomplishment and grateful for his contributions to our school community.

Year 6 end of year Statutory Assessment Test (SATs) results

I am also pleased to share some excellent news regarding our Year 6 students' performance in their recent SATs. The results, which we received last week, demonstrate the hard work and dedication of both our students and staff. I am delighted to report that we are either at or above the national average in all areas. What's particularly noteworthy is that an impressive 34% of our Year 6 children achieved greater depth in reading. This means that a third of our students excelled in this crucial area, which is a clear indication that our Book Club initiative is yielding fantastic results. This achievement not only reflects the students' capabilities but also highlights the effectiveness of our teaching methods and the support provided by our staff and parents.

The Reading Pledge Silver Award

I am delighted to share some exciting news with you all. Our school has just been awarded 'The Reading Pledge Silver Award' by Witham St Hughs English Hub for successfully completing the Silver Criteria for Reading for Pleasure. This achievement builds upon the bronze award we received last year and sets us on course for the Gold award next year.  This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire staff, particularly Amy Marsh and the 'Reading Change Team'. Their commitment to fostering a love of reading among our students is truly commendable.  We look forward to continuing our journey in promoting reading for pleasure throughout the school.

Parent Survey

I would like to extend my gratitude to all the parents who took the time to complete our recent parent survey. We received responses from 245 families, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. It's encouraging to see that the vast majority of parents believe we are doing a great job. However, we always strive for continuous improvement, and we have taken note of the areas where we can enhance our performance. We will be focusing on improving communication regarding your child's progress, addressing behaviour concerns, and providing more information about what your child is learning. We are particularly pleased that 92% of parents would recommend our school to others. This vote of confidence means a great deal to us and motivates us to continue striving for excellence.  For those interested in viewing the detailed results, please refer to the attached document.

Ofsted

Last week, we welcomed Ofsted inspectors to our school. While we cannot disclose the outcome just yet, we anticipate being able to share the results with you in September once the report has been finalised. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the parents who reached out to wish us well and provided positive feedback about our school to the inspectors. Your support means a great deal to us, and we are grateful for your ongoing trust and partnership.

Summer works

As we look ahead to the summer break, I'm pleased to inform you that we will be having a quieter summer in terms of school maintenance this year. For the first time in several years, we don't have any major works planned. However, our dedicated team of cleaners and caretakers will be working diligently to ensure that the school is in pristine condition when we welcome the children back on Tuesday, 3rd September 2024.

Year 6 Leavers

To our departing Year 6 students, we wish you the very best of luck as you embark on your journey to secondary school. You have been an integral part of our school community, and we are confident that you are well-prepared for the exciting challenges that lie ahead. We will miss you and hope that you'll carry fond memories of your time at Berkeley Primary School with you.

And finally...

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead - feeling very lucky to be in a job I love with an amazing team supporting the work we do. The achievements we've celebrated, the challenges we've overcome, and the improvements we continue to make all contribute to the vibrant and nurturing learning environment we strive to maintain at Berkeley Primary School.  Your engagement and partnership play a crucial role in our children's success and the overall positive atmosphere of our school community.

I would like to wish all of our children, families, and staff a wonderful summer break. I hope you have the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, create lasting memories, and embark on exciting adventures. We look forward to hearing about all the interesting experiences our children will have to share when they return in September.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of our school community. Have a safe and enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another exciting year of learning and growth.