Dear parents,

I hope you enjoyed the holidays and had a lovely summer. The staff team have two INSET days this week on Thursday 1st and Friday 2^nd September and we are very much looking forward to seeing the children in Years 1 – 6 return to school on Monday 5^th September. The arrangements for new Nursery and Reception children are slightly different and parents have already received information about starting dates and times.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new teachers, Sofia in Year 1 and Craig in Year 4 and also to Angelina, a new TA in Year 2. We are delighted that they are joining us and hope that they will be very happy at WP. I am also delighted to welcome back Asima, who was a teacher at WP until 2018, when she left to go on maternity leave. She will be working two days a week covering PPA.

Meet the Teacher meetings

Parents of children in Years 1 – 6 have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher next week and the information about these meetings was sent home in July and is on the website. We do hope you can come, if you are not able to attend, the information about your child’s new year group will also be emailed home.

Drop off and collection

The arrangements for the start and end of day remain the same as last year, with a ‘soft’ start for all children. This had a huge effect on punctuality with very few children arriving late, as well as ensuring a very calm start to the day. It was also helpful for families with children in different keystages, as the older children could come in at the same time as any siblings, rather than waiting around.

• Children in KS1 start school at 9am and finish at 3.20pm.
• Children in KS2 start school at 9.10am and finish at 3.30pm

Start of day

We will open the gates on Lancell street and Dynevor road at 8.55am and they will be closed at just after 9.10am. Families can decide which gate is the most convenient for them to use.

Children come into school on their own and go up to their classrooms. Teachers plan for a variety of activities during the soft start, such as reading, puzzles, having a chat, listening to music and mindfulness. The KS1 registers are taken at 9am and the KS2 registers at 9.10am. Children arriving in the classroom after this time will be marked as late.

For the first TWO weeks of term, Year 1 parents should use the Lancell Street gate to drop off their child. Parents will say goodbye to their child at the gate and then their child will line up in front of their teacher. The teacher will then walk children into school. Parents should stay outside the gate. After two weeks parents can drop off via either gate.

Collection arrangements

Keystage 1

Year 1 classes will be in the small playground and parents can come in the playground at 3.20pm to collect and leave via Lancell street, Dynevor road or Church street. One class will be on the waves and the other near the bars. Parents can enter via either gate and line-up to collect their child. The class teacher will note the adult that collected the child, this is really important as we need to ensure the safety of children during these end-of-day procedures.  We would ask that parents stay back, so that teachers can see the adult collecting the child, and that you are patient. This procedure always takes longer at the start of the term!

Year 2 classes will be in the little houses near the fire gates and parents can come in the playground at 3.20pm to collect and leave via Lancell street, Dynevor road or Church street

Parents of children in KS1 who have older siblings to collect can wait by the designated area (see below) for that year group.

Keystage 2

Year 3 and 4 classes will be brought down to the football pitch at 3.30pm. Families can leave using which gate is most convenient.

Year 5 and 6 children will be brought to the small playground at 3.30pm. Families can leave using which gate is most convenient.

Year 6 children may walk home alone, if we have written permission and children can use which gate is the most convenient.

We would be grateful if families could leave as soon as possible after collection, as Fit For Sport use both playgrounds for activities.  We would also be grateful if children did not play on the climbing frame or gym equipment after school.

If you have any further queries about anything or need to get in touch, then please email admin@williampatten.hackney.sch.uk  and we will get back to you as soon as we can or speak to your child’s teacher at the end of the day to book a time to see them.

I will be sending more information about general reminders next week. Details about the curriculum, which can be found on the website, will also follow shortly.

Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Best wishes

Karen