Author: Mr Roundtree

Is your child in Year 4?

The government is introducing a new assessment for Year 4 pupils. In June, each child in Year 4 is set to complete an online multiplication tables check (MTC). Read more about this new assessment.

There will be 25 questions covering the full range of facts children are expected to know, which means questions going up to 12 x 12. However, there​’​s slightly more weighting towards multiplication facts involving 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 due to these being the most difficult to learn. For example, there will be between 2 and 4 questions involving multiplying by 6.

For each question, children are presented with a multiplication fact and an empty box. This may be written as __ x 6 or as 6 x __ .

If you’d like to practise at home, our own website has lots of spreadsheets you can download.

There are also lots of websites that you can use. This one is very similar to the MTC. It’s possible to alter the settings on this website to focus on particular times tables.

Another exciting way to practise times tables is through the ‘Times Tables Rockstars’ website. Every child has their own individual login details that enables them to access their account at school and at home. Feedback so far is that this is proving an enjoyable way to practise times tables facts at home!

Does your child Swiggle?

Swiggle is a child-friendly search engine – it’s aimed at children in Key Stage 2.

Swiggle gives children a great start in encouraging responsible online searching. The internet is a vast resource, and some content is not appropriate for children.

The search engine has been designed and developed by South-West Grid for Learning, a charity dedicated to empowering the safe and secure use of technology. SWGfL recommends adding Swiggle to your browser or put the Screen Cover link on your bookmark bar.

It’s powered by Google Custom Search, the results are filtered using Google SafeSearch, and SWGfL has configured the results to prioritise educational resources. Swiggle also filters the search terms to check that it’s not being used to search for inappropriate content.

Childline – not just a ‘line’

Childline isn’t just about making a phone call!

The Childline website has lots of valuable information, but one area we like is their Calm Zone. The activities aim to help children feel better when they’re feeling anxious, scared or sad. Although children could be encouraged to visit the website themselves, these are good techniques for you to use with your child. Ideas include breathing exercises, a ‘let it go’ box and creating a ‘sense drawer’.

Period products

You might have read that the Department for Education has launched a scheme which will provide access to free period products in schools in England. Alongside this, Leeds Council launched a similar scheme a few months ago.

This scheme will ensure that period products are available to young people if they need them, when they need them. This will include supporting those who have started their period unexpectedly, forgotten to bring products with them and those who can’t afford to buy them.

Although there are some restrictions around how many products we can order, we’d like to assure you that the products are in school if your child needs to use them unexpectedly, or has forgotten them, or can’t afford them.

Scholes Peace Cards

In November last year, members of Scholes Parish Council came to visit our school during our Community Week. They worked with all of our children, from Year 1 through to Y6 on a range of creative activities.

They talked to the children about the Scholes Peace Flame and their roles in the community.

The councillors were so impressed with our artwork, and are pleased to announce that six of our children have  their peace designs made into cards – Harry, Emilia, Esme, Dolly, Olivia and Archie from Y1/2V.

If you would like to buy a set of 6 peace cards, then they are available from the school office.

Is your child in Year 2 or Year 6?

If your child is in Year 2 or Year 6, they’re in the final year of Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) or Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). This means that towards the end of the year, they’ll be doing end of key stage assessments, often called the SATs.

These short videos help to explain more – just be aware the videos are a couple of years old so some details like dates won’t be accurate.

In the past, parents have said they’ve found the videos helpful. Nevertheless, if you’ve any questions, comments or concerns, speak with your child’s class teacher or Miss Hague.

Does your child use TikTok?

If you’re child uses TikTok, read this guide for parents.

TikTok is a video-sharing social media app available on iOS and Android which lets users create, share, and view user created videos much in a similar manner to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. It’s main draw, however, is that users can record and upload bite-sized looping videos of themselves lip-syncing and dancing to popular music or soundbites, often for comedic effect, which can then be further enhanced with filters, emojis and stickers. TikTok has been designed with the young user in mind and has a very addictive appeal. At the beginning of 2019 it skyrocketed in popularity to become the iOS store’s most downloaded app with over 33 million downloads. Estimates suggest that it now has anything between 500 million and over 1billion monthly active users worldwide.

Attendance matters

Our school’s overall attendance rate this year so far is 96%. Well done to the classes with attendance that matches or exceeds the average:

  1. 3,4C (Mr Gathercole’s class): 97.1%
  2. 2KN (Miss Lowry and Mrs Lake’s class) and F2M (Mrs Palmer’s class): both 96.6%
  3. 3,4E (Miss McCormick’s class): 96.4%
  4. 5,6M (Mr Lindsay’s class): 96.1%
  5. 5,6S (Mrs Hogarth’s class): 96.0%