Since the last Executive Headteacher’s blog in April, we have continued to work hard to improve outcomes for all pupils. We have also seen some positive developments within our governing body. Amy Whyte has been appointed as our new Parent Governor following a successful nomination process, and we would like to thank all parents and carers who engaged with this. In addition, Simon Slater has applied for a Co-opted Governor position, bringing valuable skills and a wider community perspective. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bryony Gilbert and Melanie Cotterill as they step down from their roles this year—their support and contribution have been greatly appreciated.

​

Operationally, the school successfully completed a planned IT system migration during May. This involved a change in domain and led to a small amount of temporary disruption to communication systems. However, this was carefully planned to minimise any impact on teaching and learning, with contingency arrangements in place to support families throughout.

​

Earlier this term, we were proud to celebrate our staff at a dedicated Staff Awards Evening. This event gave us the opportunity to recognise the exceptional commitment, teamwork and care shown across our school. The response from our community was overwhelming, with over 100 nominations received. This truly reflects the strength of our staff team and the positive relationships we have with our families.

​

Professional development continues to be a key priority. During our recent INSET day, staff focused on handwriting and presentation to ensure consistency and high expectations across the school. Safeguarding training, including CEOP materials, strengthened our approach to online safety, whilst work with the updated Ofsted toolkit supports our ongoing self-evaluation. Staff have also received training in PSHE and RSE to ensure teaching in these areas remains consistent, inclusive and appropriate for all ages.

We are also very pleased to share that our kitchen has been awarded a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating. This reflects excellent standards in cleanliness, food safety and staff training, and is a testament to the dedication of our catering team in providing safe, high-quality meals for our pupils.

​

Pupils have continued to benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Our Year 6 pupils recently attended a two-night residential visit to Standon Bowers, where they took part in exciting outdoor activities while developing independence and resilience. Experiences such as these support children’s personal development and allow staff to see pupils thrive in new environments.

We are also delighted to announce that Fountains Primary School has achieved the Gold School Games Mark Award for the 2025/26 academic year. This national award, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, recognises schools for their commitment to sport and competition both within school and across the community.

​

This year, pupils have taken part in a wide range of sporting opportunities, including inter-school competitions, intra-school events and leadership roles such as sports and play leaders. We are incredibly proud of all pupils who have taken part, as well as those who have supported events through volunteering and leadership roles. This award recognises the collective effort of pupils, staff, families and partners who have supported school sport throughout the year, and we look forward to applying again in 2027.

​

In addition, we are proud to have received a Bronze award for Relational and Restorative Practice, recognising our strong commitment to building positive relationships across the school. As a Rights Respecting School, this approach is central to our ethos and helps ensure every child feels safe, valued and listened to.

​

At Fountains, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to build trust and strong connections between staff, pupils, families and the wider community. This creates a calm, supportive and nurturing learning environment where children can thrive.

Through our wider work, including our involvement in SEDIS, we also support and collaborate with other schools, sharing best practice and promoting relational and restorative approaches. We are proud to prioritise positive behaviour support, early intervention and understanding individual needs, rather than using suspensions or exclusions. This recognition reflects the ongoing dedication and care shown by our whole school community.

​

As we move into the final half term, we are looking forward to a busy and exciting period. This includes our whole school Sports Day at Shobnall Leisure Complex, sharing end-of-year reports with families, and celebrating all the progress and achievements of our pupils. We will also be preparing for our Year 6 leavers’ assembly, marking an important milestone for our oldest pupils.

​

Thank you, as always, to our staff, pupils, parents and carers for your continued support. It is this strong partnership that makes our school such a positive and successful community.

​

​