Thomas Russell Junior School
Inspiring all, achieving together.
Newsletter
Headteacher Mrs S Sharpe
Issue No. 3
05 February 2016
At our Governors Curriculum Meeting this week we were analysing the performance of children
across the school in Maths, Reading, Writing and English. I felt it would be positive to share
with parents the analysis of achievement of last year’s leavers compared with the County and
National levels of achievement. I am sure you will agree the results make very good reading and
we are understandably proud of the children’s achievements.
Comparison of School, County and National Achievement in 2011 KS2 SATs
TRJS 2011
Staffordshire
National
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
Percentage
These are the best
results the school
has ever achieved
and we believe they
are a result of all of
the hard work that
went on both at
school and home last
year, between
children, staff and
parents, and are
strong evidence of
the progress and
improvement in
standards being
made across the
whole school.
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Maths Level 4 and above, % Reading Level 4 and above,
Writing Level 4 and above,
English Level 4 and above,
%
%
%
Subject
The Governors and staff are now working to implement a clear strategic development plan for
the coming year to allow us to continue to build on our successes and address areas which still
require further development.
Cycle or scoot!
Don’t forget the children are encouraged to cycle or scoot to school, rather than come by car if
possible. We have cycle racks inside the children’s gate, which is
locked at approximately 9:00 and unlocked at 3:20. Please would
parents remind children cycling that they must wear a helmet.
Children must also dismount their ‘vehicles’ and push them from the
crossing through the gate, for their own and other people’s safety.
Find Newsletters online at:
www.thomasrussell-junior.staffs.sch.uk
Do you or any grandparents have an hour or so a week that you wouldn’t mind giving up to help
with listening to children read? This is a really enjoyable and relatively easy job, but is incredibly
beneficial for the children. We have proven results showing that through reading everyday for just 510 minutes and having quality time to discuss reading together, children’s development and
understanding can progress at a superb rate. We have a small number of parent helpers who carry out
this valuable role, but if there is anyone who feels able to give up some time on a regular basis we would
really appreciate it. Even if you can only spare 30 minutes before pick up, one day a week on a regular
basis, we would really value that.
Coats
The weather has definitely turned now and is much colder and wetter; however
we still have a large number of children who are coming to school without coats.
There is plenty of room in lockers to keep coats, so we would appreciate it if
parents could ensure that all children have a coat in school every day.
Consultations
Thank you to those parents who have returned their consultation slips already. Please ensure these are
returned by Monday 26th September. Appointments will be issued next week.
Parent Forum
It has been superb to see such a positive response to this and thank you to those parents who
have put forward suggested agenda items for the group to discuss. The deadline for
‘Expression of Interest’ forms is Monday 3rd October.
Friends
Thank you to the small group of parents and staff who came to support the Friends meeting
last night. After a useful meeting we have set some dates for forthcoming events and also
planned some proposed spending which the children should really benefit from.
The Friends first event of the year is the Macmillan coffee morning next Friday. If there are
any parents able to make cake donations it would be really appreciated.
Following the coffee morning, we will be having our Division workshops in classes. Parents who
have more than one child are welcome to split their time between the two classes.
Please would it be possible to return the small slip below so each teacher has an approximate
idea of the number of parents attending.
Best wishes,
Mrs S Sharpe
Division workshop
Child’s Name(s): _______________________
Class: _______
I will / will not be attending the division workshop with my child(ren).
Person attending: ________________
Find Newsletters online at:
www.thomasrussell-junior.staffs.sch.uk