Newsletter 11th November

Woodland School

Every pupil in Years one to six enjoyed a session in our woodland area with a brilliant outdoor activity facilitator on Friday. They learned how he makes fire with a bow drill, got to handle a tanned badger skin and think all about the wildlife we share our landscape with. They explored the area and made little shelters - which were tested with a watering can! HUGE HUGE thanks to the PTFA for making this possible and to Anna Goudge and Chloe Brooks-Warner without whom it would not have happened. Thanks to Kael who ran the sessions - they really were very much appreciated by the children and we'd love to do more of this going forward. Do enjoy this gallery of gorgeous photographs from the day - we are really blessed.

Thanks
As most of you will know, we have been struggling with staffing at Chagford Primary this week. Lots of people have been poorly and we have been working very hard to keep the school fully staffed and safe for all the children. Sadly, as a result, we had to cancel our attendance at the Castle Drogo Cross Country Competition. We just didn't have enough staff available to make sure it could happen safely. At the end of the day, the children's safety is our very top concern and if we can't be really sure we've done everything we can to mitigate risk we have to cancel. I'd like to say a big thank-you to everyone who helped to keep us going this week: the volunteers who came to help us cover lunch break; the supply teachers who did such a professional job; the colleagues who supported them; and, by no means least, the children who dealt with new adults in their classrooms with grace and flexibility - you made us proud.

Three Hares LSB
It was great to introduce two new governors to our Local Stakeholder Board at our half-termly meeting held yesterday.  These meetings follow a set agenda prescribed by the Trust which help keep us focused and ensure we don’t get side-tracked by discussions that may make the meeting overrun…  Last night, our meeting lasted about 1½ hours, and we often find that we are joined briefly by children or pets that require our attention, and usually earn a little “aaaah” from the rest of the group!

Leonie McGowan was formally appointed on Wednesday this week, which was perfect timing for her first meeting.  Lennie is our new SEND Lead Governor, replacing Dr Ben Morris who recently stood down.  Lennie has particular expertise in this area, as she has a child with autism, and therefore brings a wealth of knowledge and real-life experience with her.  We are very lucky to have her join us. 

The SEND Lead Governor role takes the lead on monitoring SEND provision (although the LSB retains collective responsibility) and:
 
• is the link between the LSB and the schools (Principals and/or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), reporting to the LSB on steps being taken to ensure compliance;
• ensures appropriate challenge to leaders so that SEND remains high on the schools’ agendas and that the schools have high aspirations for SEND pupils;
• understands how the schools identify who is a SEND pupil, including at points of transition;
• familiar with the individual school’s SEND policy;
• understands how specific money (e.g. Pupil Premium) is allocated;
• discusses with the Principals / SENCo the outcomes of the schools’ monitoring and evaluation of the provision and effectiveness made for pupils with SEND;
• understands how the schools approach teaching to SEND pupils and makes reasonable adjustments to ensure SEND pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum;
• knows what additional support is available to SEND learners.

We agreed as a Board that we will commence our school visits again this half term, and hope to meet some of you at the school gates, or at one of the upcoming events, be that the Remembrance Day Services or Christmas festivals – or anything in between!

Mel & Liz
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Remembrance Day
At school, we marked Remembrance Day three times this week. On Wednesday in our Collective Worship, the Vicar, Reverend Paul, spoke about what we choose to remember and how we choose to remember it. Mrs Armstrong took a Collective Worship and focused more on understanding the specifics of Remembrance Day- what it marks and what we need to remember. On Friday morning at 11:00, all the children from Years One to Six stood in perfect rank on the playground and observed the two minute silence. We heard the bells from St Michael the Archangel and then the sounding of The Last Post. Children's behaviour was perfectly respectful and they had interesting thoughts to share. 

Pupils and families are very warmly welcomed to join the service of Remembrance at the church on Sunday morning. People will gather from 10:30 before the service which will take place outside at the War Memorial. The service is intended to be fully inclusive for children and to those of many faiths and none. There will be readings and a few words. It will be all over by 11:30 at the latest. Please do go along if you are able to.