I hope by the time that parents read this that World Book Day has been a brilliant success and that the children have come home excited to read and be read to. I am more than a little disappointed that I was not able to be there although I did enjoy dressing up and recording a video for the children to watch about one of my favourite books from childhood, Danny the Champion of the World (the original copy!) I hope you enjoy the photos from the day as much as I am looking forward to the display which will appear in the School reception to celebrate both the day and children’s reading in general.

Thank you for your understanding of the blocked driveway on Monday, which went as smoothly as it could have thanks to our collective efforts. The end of the week has seen blocked loos in the Coles building, necessitating temporary facilities and supervision until the blockage is fixed this weekend we hope. I am proud that we managed to continue to operate the School and am as ever grateful to Mr Betts and others for ensuring this was the case. I would also like to draw parents’ attention to the email about some of the local road closures which we know will be causing difficulties in the mornings especially; we will continue to update you if we become aware of other disruptions to allow you to plan ahead as much as possible.

One matter we have had to deal with in school has been children bringing expensive and inappropriate items into School, most notably bottles of Prime (but also other electronic and personal items). Please ensure that children do not bring these items into School. If they are caught with them in School, the items will simply be removed from them until the end of the day and other sanctions may sometimes be appropriate. Thank you for your assistance.

This has of course also been a week of local school offers for our small number of pupils in Year 6 who will be leaving the Sutton Valence family at the end of the academic year. Whether the children will be going to SVS or other schools, the imminent change is both exciting and potentially a little nerve-wracking. We are of course encouraging kindness in school and will continue to support each child on their individual journey. If we can help any parents with their decision making then we would be only too pleased to do so.

And finally, I have had a taste of being back at school myself this week, with visits to Solefield Prep to meet the Heads of other IAPS schools in Kent on Monday and then an Ofsted inspection in one of the schools where I am a governor on Wednesday. The week has ended with further required IAPS training and the opportunity to hear from some influential speakers within the education sector. Being a lifelong learner is I believe vital and empathising with children as we all navigate the 21st century’s myriad distractions is no bad thing either! Thank you and I hope you have a good weekend.

And finally, I have had a taste of being back at school myself this week, with visits to Solefield Prep to meet the Heads of other IAPS schools in Kent on Monday and then an Ofsted inspection in one of the schools where I am a Governor on Wednesday. The week has ended with further required IAPS training and the opportunity to hear from some influential speakers within the education sector. Being a lifelong learner is I believe vital and empathising with children as we all navigate the 21st century’s myriad distractions is no bad thing either! Thank you and I hope you have a good weekend.