Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• It's beginning to look a lot like.....Parent Consultation Week!

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  Spirit levels are out in force this week as school staff begin displaying the children's fabulous learning in time for Parent Consultations next week, and we're sure our parent community will be mightily impressed.

   

  Below is a small taste of what you'll be able to view and enjoy next week.  

   

  Well done to the staff for their creative, eye-catching displays and very well done to the pupils for the pride and care they've taken to provide the learning for everyone to enjoy and learn from! 

  

• Minutes from Parent / Carer Forum on Monday 14th October 6:00-7:30pm

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  Parent/Carer Forum Minutes: 14/10/24

   

  Attendees: Mr Hornsey, Mrs Woodcock

  8 Parents of children in Bumblebees, Owls, Nightingales, Otters, Nursery, Oaks, Robins, Rabbits, Dragonflies

   

  Mr Hornsey shared key information and headlines about the school.

   

  Leave of Absence Requests

  • A parent shared challenges relating to requesting a Leave of Absence for children to travel, at short notice, abroad because of a bereavement.  Request was denied which caused emotional stress at a very difficult time. Parent felt there should be different rules in place for bereavement.

  • Mr Hornsey thanked parent for sharing situation and offered condolences.
  • Mr Hornsey then shared processes and protocols as outlined by the Department of Education in its policy called ‘Working together to Improve School Attendance’.  All schools have to adhere to government guidelines.
  • The Local Education Authority in Solihull help local schools to interpret that guidance in a document called ‘Attendance Enforcement Team: Leave of Absence Practice Guidance for Schools’.
  • The key phrase in the guidance is ‘exceptional circumstances’ but these have not been defined by the DfE or the Local Authority.  
  • Mrs Scott spends a significant amount of time considering and deliberating each LOA request.
  • Mr Hornsey made it clear that the school response to parents about their request is a government template which seems quite generic and not personal.  This is to retain consistency and fairness and is aligned with all other schools.
  • Mr Hornsey then shared data about how many LOA requests there were in 23-24 which was over 170.
  • Mr Hornsey then shared information, he’d sourced from a school in Birmingham who receive similar requests, to ensure expectations were consistent which they are.  
  • A parent shared that in their profession, it would be a panel of people who considered similar requests.  However, government guidance stipulates that it’s the Headteacher of a school needs to make the decision to be as consistent as possible.
  • There was then a discussion about whether there should be a change in the law regarding bereavement and school shared that parents have the right to appeal penalty notices, however the point that the DfE sets the statutory guidance was reiterated.
  • Mr Hornsey then spoke about the need to take children out of school for a long period of time for such circumstances is still a choice, however difficult that may be and encouraged parents to consider all possible alternatives which would in turn avoid the need to refer absences of five days or above to the Enforcement Agency.    
  • There was a question about the different reasons which families request LOA: bereavement/funerals, weddings, religious observance, exams – music/school, holidays.
  • Question about whether there could be a list of exceptional circumstances that we could share in the attendance policy? Follow up discussion about whether this may lead to further difficulties.

   

  Action: Mr Hornsey and Mrs Woodcock to share feedback from discussion with rest of Senior Leadership Team.

   

  AOB

   

  Drop-off at KS1 gate

  • Drop-off can be a little hectic and it’s difficult to see the children actually going through the gate because of parents congregating close to the actual gate. Parents are aware that they can wait a little later but some have already waited after dropping off for Nursery.
  • Staff do remind parents to stand back/to the side and it can be busy at the start of the year but it doesn’t seem to have settled down.
  • Similarly, parents are standing in the doorway to Nursery or coming into the porch area which can block children – staff do ask parents to move to the side.
  • Could we create a system whereby parents stand back and there is a parent-free zone e.g. ask parents to wait at the edge of the grass.
  • Would a one-way queueing system coming in through one gate and out of the other help?

   

  Action: Mr Hornsey and Mrs Woodcock to communicate reminder to parents about standing back and also the fact that at 8.43/44 it is a lot quieter.  They will also consider other amendments if things don’t get easier.  

   

  Homework (Y5)

  • Discussion around children not knowing how to complete homework or haven’t been taught homework topic yet. This was mainly related to Maths.  Some English homework was felt to be a bit repetitive.  
  • There was some confusion about phonics homework in Y2 where one group had a sheet but the others didn’t.
  • Discussion around avenues of communication for children if they don’t understand in class but are reluctant to tell their teacher.
  • Mr Hornsey shared that the Home Learning Policy was to be reviewed soon anyway.

   

  Action: Include feedback in Homework Policy review

  INSET Day – discussion with staff about homework communication.

   

  Pupil Productions

  • Always popular with parents but this has reduced since Covid. However, an increase in opportunities is planned for this year.

  • Year 1/2 Spring production planned – Y2 will take the lead
  • KS! Father’s and Mother’s Day Stay and Play.
  • Y3/4 will have performance opportunities to showcase their whole class instrumental lessons.
  • Year 5 curriculum production
  • Year 6 Production and Leavers’ Assembly planned for Summer as usual
  • Reception and Nursery Christmas performances – parents would like dates/times asap to book time off work.
  • Discussion around how we promote instrumental (peripatetic) opportunities to parents. Open afternoon? Fayres?

   

  Action: share dates with parents once confirmed and consider recording instrument assemblies or showcasing music lessons at whole school events.

   

   

• Year 5 pupils combine their skills to produce writing to be proud of!

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  Pupils in Year 5 this week have impressed their teachers with their ability to combine knowledge of the Mayans with fantastic grammar and presentation as well as the ability to design a non-chronological report.

   

  The children had time to research key aspects of a Mayan city and organise this into a plan; they then went onto write and design a double page spread showcasing their knowledge and understanding of Mayan cities.

   

  Here you can see a selection of children's work from Elms. Mr Hobbis was very impressed.

  

• Our Year 6 pupils demonstrating their 'green-fingered' prowess!

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  This week, year 6 pupils spent an afternoon clearing our school allotment in readiness for fresh planting later on in the year.  below are some very impressive before and after shots!

   

  Year 6 parents, take note! We're sure the children will be eager to help you out at home with your gardens too! 

   

  Well done children, it's lovely to see our pupil community coming together to look after our wonderful school grounds and demonstrating our school value of Belonging. 

  

• Greyhounds help to bring autumn to Greswold!

  Thu 17 Oct 2024

  We may not have been able to take in the beautiful colours of Coldlands Woods on our way to St Helen's Church on Monday for our Harvest Festivals, but the pupils of Greyhounds are certainly doing their best to bring autumnal colours back into school! 

   

  Parents picking up at Greyhounds should look out for the wonderful display made by children at the entrance of Greyhounds.  Thank you children, your creativity has put a smile on everyone's faces!

  

• Helping parents to understand the grammar their child is learning

  Wed 16 Oct 2024

  The course advertised below has been organised by Solihull College and University Centre for parents who would like to understand the grammar their children are learning better. Contact details are available on the flyer.

  

• Cross Country success marks the start of the sporting calendar for 24-25!

  Wed 16 Oct 2024

  After numerous cancellations due to bad weather, the annual Cross Country events involving all schools in Solihull were finally completed yesterday evening. 

   

  The event involves girls and boys teams from year 5 and year 6 competing against each other over the course of a mile distance at Old Silhillians.

   

  All of the Greswold pupils involved gave their best in what's regarded as one of the most difficult sporting events of the year. 

   

  In terms of Greswold's results, the Y5 girls' team finished 5th in their race with the Y6 girls' team also finishing 5th.  The Y6 boys' teams finished 9th and 11th, however the Y5 boys' team finished a brilliant 2nd in their race with the school receiving a certificate to celebrate their achievements. 

   

  A massive well done to all the pupils who represented school so well, for the staff who organised and attended each event and for the families who gave such wonderful support. 

  

• Inclement weather didn't spoil another successful Harvest Festival

  Mon 14 Oct 2024

  This morning, pupils from years' 1-6 were involved in our annual Harvest Festival assemblies hosted by representatives of St Helen's Church. 

   

  Unfortunately, we weren't able to walk through the woods by the church this year which is a wonderful way to see autumn at its finest, however all the pupils very sensibly walked on the pavements to the church and back and enjoyed very celebratory and informative assemblies.

   

  Thank you to Reverend Sue, Reverend Nick and Chris from St Helen's Church who were wonderful hosts and who delivered messages and reflections which everyone could relate to. 

   

  Thank you to Mrs Rochelle for arranging the fabulous display and a big thank you to parents for donating food products, which will be sent onto Helping Hands, our local food bank. 

  

• The Mayor of Solihull and Solihull Council open their chambers to year 6 pupils

  Fri 11 Oct 2024

  This week, all year 6 pupils were extremely fortunate to get the chance to hold a debate at the actual council chambers belonging to Solihull Council.  This wonderful opportunity was courtesy of  the Mayor of Solihull, Shahin Ashraf MBE who was also in attendance.  

   

  This opportunity is exactly the type of experience Greswold thrives on, as it matches the school's commitment to enhance our curriculum offer with situations which add context and purpose which help pupils apply their skills and learning in situations which mimic real life situations. 

   

  Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen for the children. 

   

   

  

• Greswold pupils praised by Seven Trent after annual assembly

  Tue 08 Oct 2024

  School have received a lovely message from Andy at Severn Trent after he visited school to deliver his annual water conversation assembly with the whole school, linking in nicely with our work on sustainability.

   

  He commented on how well behaved and engaged the children were this morning across both assemblies. He was really pleased with the warm welcome he received from the office team, staff and children.

   

  It's really pleasing when school's commitment to providing real-life opportunities to enhance our curriculum offer is so appreciated by the children.  Well done to everyone involved.