Issue 449: 19th January 2024

Dear parents and carers,

Woolly hats, scarves and gloves have been a requirement this week! I'm glad to see that the weather is turning a little warmer over the weekend. Despite the cold, we have had another great week in school. It has been lovely to see parents of our youngest children come into school for some 'Stay and Play' sessions and our Spring Term clubs started this week. 

Bikeability

Each year we run Bikeability (cycling proficiency) for our Year Five pupils. It is a great way to learn how to ride a bike safely on the roads and the children always enjoy the daily sessions that run over four days. All the children that took part this year did exceptionally well and the two adults running the training were very complimentary about them and the school. The children demonstrated the PRIDE Code, listened well and followed the instructions. Because of this, they all enjoyed the week and became better and safer cyclists. Well done! 

Curriculum Evening

Thank you to all those parents that joined us for our Curriculum Evening on Wednesday. Our focus this year was on history, geography and RE and Mrs Granville, Mrs Ironside and Miss Strike planned the evening and presented to the group in the hall at the start of the session. Parents then had the opportunity to visit classrooms through the school to see examples of what lessons, activities and learning looks like in these subjects for different year groups. These subjects have been a focus for us this year and we are already considering which other curriculum subjects we will turn our attention to next year. 

School Open Day-Date Change

Due to clashes with events happening in the school, the Open Day has been changed to 28th February 2024.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Mr. Marks

Headteacher 

^{Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash}

Each week, we publish the latest achievements of the children at Orton Wistow Primary School.

OWN Trust News Update

Behind the Scenes at OWN Trust – The Leadership Group

We hope you all enjoyed the Christmas holidays and wish you a happy new year for 2024.

This week sees the start of a series of articles looking behind the scenes at OWN Trust so that you can get to know more about how OWN Trust is structured.

OWN Trust Governance and Leadership is arranged according to the following structure:

• Trust Members
• Board of Trustees
• Human Resources Committee
• Finance and Audit Committee
• Leadership Group
• Schools’ Local Governance Committees

This week, we are focussing on the Leadership Group and discovering more about what it does.

Who is in the Leadership Group?

The Leadership Group includes:

• Becky Ford, Headteacher at Woodston Primary School
• Colin Marks, Headteacher at Orton Wistow Primary School
• Neil Reilly, Headteacher at Nene Valley Primary School
• Stuart Mansell, Chief Executive Officer at OWN Trust
• Trevor Goakes, Executive Deputy Headteachers at OWN Trust
• Nick File, Executive Deputy Headteachers at OWN Trust

What does the Leadership Group do?

The Leadership Group meets monthly to share information and discuss topics such as the Trust’s 5-year strategic plan (the long-term goals for the Trust and its stakeholders; especially children) and the progress of the Trust Improvement Plan (which includes the Trust’s short-term goals for improving outcomes for children and how best to support them). The Leadership Group also quality assures curriculum and education, and analyses standards of attainment and progress.

Where can I find out more about the Leadership Group?

The latest Leadership Group meeting took place last week on Thursday 11th January. The meeting agenda included:

• Aligning the schools’ social media platforms
• Building the membership of the Trust ‘Growth Group’ that will start to implement the Trust Marketing Strategy for Growth
• Responses to our recent cybersecurity audit that identifies how we are keeping children and the Trust safe and where we can develop further
• Plans for a cross-Trust arts project that will involve all schools
• Challenging the current pupil outcomes forecasts (SATs) so that we are aspiring for the best from our children

You can read more about that meeting here: OWN Trust - Leadership Group Meeting 11.01.24 

Regular updates about Leadership Group meetings and other Trust news are posted on the OWN Trust website here: OWN Trust - OWN Trust News.

By Fiona Schneider, Marketing and Communications Officer, OWN Trust

FOWS School Disco

Thursday 1^st February School Disco

Its time for pupils to get those dancing shoes on.  £3 per child with a drink and snack included.  Fully supervised by teachers and volunteers so children can be drop off at reception for an evening of fun (sorry but we don’t have the space to allow parents to stay)   

• Foundation/KS1 4.30-5.30
• KS2 5.45-7pm

Games of the Week

^{Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash}

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.