January began with pupils, staff and families returning after the holiday full of enthusiasm and ready for learning. It was wonderful to see such positive engagement across the school, and the term offered many opportunities for pupils to make progress, build confidence and enjoy their learning.

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The winter months brought some challenges, including one day when we had to close the school due to snow. Although this was unavoidable, the disruption was kept to a minimum. We are grateful for the understanding shown by our families during this time.

Alongside the daily running of the school, we continued to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our pupils. A particular focus this term has been on car park use during the busy drop off and pick up periods. We have received ongoing reports from families, staff and our wider community about traffic around the school, and we appreciate everyone who has worked with us to promote safer behaviour and ensure that pupils, families and staff can move safely around the site.

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Uniform was another topic of discussion this term, especially in relation to comfort and individual needs. While uniform plays an important role in promoting belonging and routine, we understand that some pupils may require adjustments. We encouraged reasonable adaptations including softer fabrics, different fastenings and the use of supermarket alternatives. Branded uniform was not required, and we were pleased to continue offering pre loved items to support families. Our approach remains flexible, inclusive and reflective of the diverse needs, cultures and identities within our school community. We also thank families for supporting our newer practice of pupils attending school in their PE kit on their designated PE day.

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A key highlight of the term was the Year 4 and 5 one day residential at Standon Bowers, held on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 March. To help families prepare, we hosted a meeting on Wednesday 4 February to share information packs, forms and kit lists. Parents also had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the activities planned. Later in the term, we provided another opportunity for parents to visit school, speak with staff and gain a deeper understanding of the learning taking place across classes. The residential was a great success and gave pupils valuable opportunities to build confidence and independence through new and adventurous experiences. It also supported teamwork, communication and emotional resilience, helping pupils bring these skills back into the classroom.

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This term we also gathered feedback from pupils, parents and staff. This feedback has helped to guide further development and improvement across the school, ensuring that the voices of our whole community are reflected in our decisions. A summary was included within this report and shared with governors for more detailed review.

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As we come to the end of a busy and productive term at Fountains Primary School, we are proud to continue providing an environment that focuses on learning, resilience and community spirit. As we approach the Easter break, we would like to thank our entire school community for their ongoing support, patience and collaboration. Governors, families and staff all play a vital role in maintaining the positive, nurturing environment that makes our school special.

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We wish everyone a peaceful and restful break and we look forward to welcoming pupils back for the start of the new term.

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Mrs Price 
Executive Headteacher​