News

Latest news from around the school

Active playtimes

Posted on 18 April 2019 by Mrs Latham

We have enjoyed lunchtimes on the field this week and it has definitely increased the physical activity levels of the children. It has also been dry enough for us to use the KS2 adventure playground, which everyone was excited about!


Scholes in Bloom - design a flowerbed competition

Posted on 17 April 2019 by Mrs Latham

Larraine from Scholes in Bloom came in to school yesterday to present prizes to winners of the competition. Look out for the winning design being planted in the flowerbed outside school. You can support the lovely volunteers who make the village look so beautiful by attending their coffee morning on 27 April, 10-12 at the village hall.


Topic review open afternoon

Posted on 25 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

We were delighted to welcome so many of you to the open afternoon today. You had a chance to join in a reflection session as we approach the end of the second Big Topic of the school year, which has been based around a class novel. Here are some of your comments:

  • ‘It was great to see the children recalling and reviewing what they’d learnt. Great how children were all involved. Very impressed with their understanding and discussion on resilience.’
  • ‘I was very impressed with the children’s ability to evaluate their progress and work and how well they work as a class.’
  • ‘I love these opportunities to come in.’
  • ‘It was nice to see the full context of some of the work they mention at home.’

Marvellous maths! Fab feedback!

Posted on 25 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve welcomed around 30 teachers and deputy head teachers from schools across Leeds wanting to find out more about our approach to maths: teaching for mastery. As well as hearing about our approach there were opportunities to observe lessons in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in our school. We’ve received some fantastic feedback.

  • ‘Seeing the lesson was invaluable. I’ve learnt so much that I can’t wait to apply in my own classroom.’ (Leeds teacher)
  • ‘I loved observing the lessons this morning, seeing how mastery looks in a school where it’s really embedded. Thank you, Scholes.’ (Leeds deputy headteacher)
  • ‘Just wanted to give you some feedback from my staff. They absolutely loved the session! In particular, seeing the lessons and reflecting on their own practice. Thank you.’ (Leeds headteacher)
  • ‘Thanks again for another brilliant morning. All the delegates loved it. Can I say a huge thank you to you and your school.’ (West Yorkshire Maths Hub specialist teacher)

Our children were brilliant, not at all fazed by large groups of teachers observing them learn. We’re very proud of them.

Thinking of a holiday in term time?

Posted on 22 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

If so, please: think again.

Amongst the continued talk about Brexit (or not to Brexit!), you might have missed this news story from yesterday: The number of fines issued to parents in England for taking children on term time holidays has almost doubled in a year, statistics show.

Penalty notices rose by 93% to almost 223,000 in 2017-18. In Leeds, there were 2620 fines for term-time absence caused by holidays – that’s 25 pupils in every 1,000, which averages out to about eight pupils at Scholes (Elmet) Primary.

“Unauthorised family holiday absence” was the most common reason for attendance fines, the Department for Education (DfE) said.

In our school, governors have agreed an attendance policy that’s clear: we can’t authorise a holiday in term time – we value learning too much to authorise a disruption in children’s education. If you do anticipate your child may have to have a day or more off school (to attend a funeral or a parent’s graduation, for example), please do speak with the Head of School and also ask at the office for a form to complete.

Year 6 Real Friends performance 

Posted on 21 March 2019 by Mr Lindsay

The Real Friends performance by Leap One and Bright Sparks Theatre Arts was a fantastic opportunity for Year 6 to learn about hate crimes and mate crimes.

During the performance, the actors asked children what manipulation means:

‘Manipulation is where someone is being controlled beyond their own will.’ – Seth

At home, you might want to follow up this performance by asking your children some questions:

  • Which part was the most powerful / emotional?
  • What do you know about the word ‘vulnerable’?
  • What are protected characteristics?

Marvellous Maths spreading to other schools

Posted on 21 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

At Scholes (Elmet) Primary, we’re proud of all our great teachers who are doing such a good job. Mrs Allaway not only teaches in school, but she also regularly supports other schools as a Specialist Leader in Education and as a Maths Mastery Specialist.

Last week, lots of teachers from other schools came to visit. We’re happy for this to happen as we want the best for all children, not just our own. We’re even happier when we receive great feedback!

One of the delegates commented, ‘I loved observing this morning – not only to see how effective Maths looks in an experienced school but also to see how the classroom and resources are set up. Thank you, Scholes!’

And a headteacher also sent some feedback: ‘Just want to give you some feedback from my staff yesterday… they absolutely loved the session! In particular, seeing the lessons and reflecting on their own practice. Thank you.’

Thanks and well done to Mrs Allaway and Mrs Latham, who taught Maths whilst the visitors were present in her classroom.

Amazing Allaway!

Posted on 21 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

As most of you will know, Mrs Allaway is a Leading Maths Teacher and as Specialist Leader in Education. This means that she supports other teachers, sometimes in their own school and often at Scholes (Elmet) Primary.

Yesterday, teachers from a few schools across Leeds came to observe Mrs Allaway teach. Here’s one comment: ‘Had a lovely visit to Scholes today to observe Paula teaching Year 4. She really is as good as you made her out to be – our Y3 teacher was blown away!’

Well done, Mrs Allaway!

Positive pupils

Posted on 15 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

Our governors play an active role in our school – find out more about the governing body and what they do. One of our governors is responsible for collecting the views of pupils – an important role because we value the views of pupils so much. As well as staff in school, it’s useful for a governor to do this because children sometimes prefer to talk to an ‘outsider’.

Here’s what our governor found following a recent visit where she spoke with a group of pupils:

All of the children said they enjoyed school all of the time.

  • Y2: ‘It’s cool because we get to go on school trips.’
  • Y4: ‘I like the homework because it’s creative!’
  • Y5: ‘We have people come into school like authors and stuff so that’s enjoyable.’

All children strongly believed all of the teachers helped them to do their best.

  • Y3: ‘If you don’t get something right, the teacher always helps.’

All children said that their learning is challenging.

  • Y5: ‘Sometimes, we have cold tasks and that’s where we have to have a go on our own before our teacher helps us. That’s helpful because we become more confident to do learning that is challenging.’

All children enjoy learning and were keen to say their reasons.

  • Y1: ‘I like my learning because it is fun.’
  • Y3: ‘We do lots of different subjects so every day is different.’
  • Y4: ‘We get to do lots of things in our topic lessons so it’s never boring.’
  • Y5: ‘The learning is exciting and sometimes we have people come into our school to help us with our learning.’
  • Y6: ‘It’s loads of fun! We learn all sorts of subjects so we’re never ever bored.’

All children thought that their teacher listened to what they have to say.

  • Y4: ‘Sometimes, my teachers listen when I’ve got a worry that’s stopping me from learning.’
  • Y6: ‘In reading sessions, my teacher listens to lots of things people in my class have to say, including me.’

All children knew to speak to an adult if something was worrying them.

  • Y5: ‘If we’re worried or anxious we can use our Living and Learning boxes to tell someone we’re worried without actually having to tell anyone, which is good.’
  • Y2: ‘I would tell my teacher.’
  • Y4: ‘I would tell someone that I trust.’
  • Y6: ‘I would tell Miss Hague or Mr Roundtree or Mrs Allaway.’

Regarding behaviour, all children thought that the behaviour of other children was good. They reported that they weren’t aware of bullying being a problem but knew that if they did become aware of it they would tell an adult or write a message in the Living and Learning boxes in the classrooms.

Regarding staying safe, all the children said they felt safe at school (‘Adults have to wear a lanyard and if it’s red then that person can’t be left on their own with children but if it’s green we know they’re safe. Teachers have a black lanyard.’). When asked what made them feel unsafe, one pupil mentioned the speed of cars outside school; another said, ‘Well, I know I will always be safe at school so not much at school makes me feel unsafe’.

The children were able to talk about lots of ways we promote health, whether physical activity or emotional health.

Finally, all of the children were certain they would recommend the school to someone else.

  • Y3: ‘It’s a great school and you get to make loads of friends.’
  • Y2: ‘All of the teachers are really nice and friendly.’

Attendance Matters

Posted on 08 March 2019 by Mr Roundtree

Well done to Mr Gathercole’s 3,4C class who have the highest attendance in school so far this year! The whole school attendance figure is 96.1%, so all the Y5,6 classes are above average – great stuff!

Up to the beginning of March, the average attendance for each class is:

  • F2L: 95.3%
  • F2M: 96.2%
  • 1K: 96.3%
  • 1,2V: 96.7%
  • 2KL: 95.6%
  • 3,4F: 95.6%
  • 3,4C: 97.2%
  • 3,4EK: 94.8%
  • 5,6O: 96.5%
  • 5,6NK: 96.3%
  • 5,6M: 96.7%

Also impressive is Mrs Latham’s 1,2V class and Miss Eckersley’s F2 class – well done to these younger children, too.

Don’t forget that for this half-term and up to the Easter weekend (25 February – 18 April), we’re running our Amazing Attendance competition. All the pupils with attendance during this period that’s 98% or more will be entered into a prize draw. There’ll be four lucky winners: one from each phase in school (Foundation; Year 1-2; Years 3-4; and Years 5-6). Each winner will earn themselves and their family a £20 voucher for Pizza Express.