Dear Parents,
On Wednesday, we will host our first Parent Partnership of the year. Parents are invited to drop into school between 2:15pm and 3:00pm to spend time with their children in class. This will give you the opportunity to view the classroom environment, meet the class teaching team and look at your child’s learning so far. Mr Fenton, Mrs Kerr (SENCo) and I will all be available in the hall should you wish to ask any questions or provide any feedback.
For those of you that know me, you will know that I am always keen to work with parents to ensure the very best for everyone at Horsmonden, so any feedback is received openly.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
For those new to Leigh Academy Horsmonden, I thought it would be helpful to recap on how we teach the National Curriculum at Horsmonden. The whole school curriculum is mapped out for each year group and is framed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. It is a framework guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, as well as transdisciplinary skills, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry.
One of the reasons we chose to use this particular framework to deliver the National Curriculum is not only because it is a world renowned programme of education but also because of the focus it places on inquiry based learning. Teachers now teach the National Curriculum subject specific skills and knowledge through their lines of inquiry in the classroom. Each term there are three lines of inquiry that progress to deepen childrens’ understanding of the skills and concepts within. They also encourage children to ‘think big’ about global issues and life beyond Horsmonden.
The benefits of teaching in this way:
- Allow integrated development of cognitive skills
- Enable us to develop a curriculum appropriate to meet childrens’ learning needs
- Develops autonomous and critical learners
- Content can be chosen by teachers but is developed within a concept-driven curriculum to bring coherence across subjects
- Assessment drives learning and teaching positively.
Using the PYP Framework supports our shared thinking to ensure we achieve our mission statement to ‘encourage lifelong learning and develop inquiring, knowledgeable, caring individuals that understand the world around them while demonstrating respect.’
For more information about IB PYP and the curriculum at Leigh Academy Horsmonden, please see our website.
READYCALL NEEDS YOU! (A message from Jenny Dixon)
Readycall is a voluntary organisation run by the village for the village and was set up nearly 30 years ago. It is run by a committee, and we currently have over 60 volunteers on our database. We offer help to anyone resident in Horsmonden, mainly with transport to the local hospitals, doctor, hair, dental appts etc. It is a great way of engaging with and helping other members of the village. We hold a very sociable AGM supper for all our volunteers each November and we also host a Cream Tea for the village each July. Being a Readycall volunteer is never an onerous task, and you might only be called a few times a year. The service is depended on by so many people in the village, and to keep this invaluable service running, we are always looking for new volunteers and committee members. You could be that person.
Readycall really is a fantastic organisation to be a part of and contributes to making Horsmonden a very special place to live.
Do please contact Jenny if you would like more information:
Jenny Dixon
07944 268479
allatpenhall@supanet.com
KCC Attendance Flyer
Message from FoHPS: ‘You are Amazing!!’
What a great start – we have already raised £1,020 for the fun run. Currently in top position and winning the movie afternoon so far is Year 3 with £435!!
Also a huge thanks to everyone who has signed up to the Asda Cashpot so far we have raised £116.79!!
Happy Friday and huge thanks to everyone at Leigh Academy Horsmonden – let’s keep this up!!
Kind Regards,
Hayley Sharp
Principal
2024-25 Diary Dates
Term 1
- Wednesday 25th September, 2:15pm – Parent Partnership Afternoon, drop in session for all parents
- Friday 4th October – FoHPS Fun Run
- Wednesday 9th October, 9am-11:30am – Open Morning for Prospective Parents
- Friday 11th October – Harvest Box Delivery, parent volunteers needed please
- Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th October – Year 5 Residential to Kingswood
- Friday 18th October, 9am – Year 5 Class Assembly
- Friday 18th October – FoHPS Scary Hair Day, End of Term 1
Term 2
- Monday 4th November – Start of Term 2
- Wednesday 6th November – Parent Consultation Meetings, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Thursday 7th November – Open Morning for Prospective Parents
- Thursday 7th November – Parent Consultation Meetings, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Monday 11th November, 10:50am – Remembrance Service
- Thursday 14th November, 3:20pm to 5pm – FoHPS Autumn Disco
- Monday 25th November – NHS Flu Immunisations
- Friday 6th December, 8:45 to 9:30am – Christmas Coffee Morning for Q and A with Leadership Team (Hayley Sharp and Sam Fenton)
- Friday 13th December – FoHPS Christmas Present Fair
- Tuesday 17th December, 5pm – KS2 Carol Service
- Wednesday 18th December, 2:15pm – EYFS Nativity
- Thursday 19th December, 2pm – KS1 Nativity (Year 1 and Year 2)
- Friday 20th December – End of Term 2
Term 3
- Monday 6th January – INSET Day for Staff
- Tuesday 7th January – Start of Term 3 for children
- Wednesday 12th February, 9am – Year 4 Class Assembly
- Thursday 13th February – End of Term 3 for children
- Friday 14th February – INSET Day for Staff
Term 4
- Monday 24th February – Start of Term 4
- Friday 28th March – Fabulous Females Afternoon, drop in between 2:15pm to 3:00pm
- Monday 11th March – Class Photos
- Wednesday 26th March – Parent Consultation Meetings, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Thursday 27th March – Parent Consultation Meetings, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Friday 4th April – End of Term 4
Term 5
- Tuesday 22nd April – Start of Term 5 for children
- Monday 5th May – Bank Holiday, school closed
- Monday 12th May – Year 6 SATs Week
- Friday 23rd May – End of Term 5
Term 6
- Monday 2nd June – INSET Day for Staff
- Tuesday 3rd June – Start of Term 6 for children
- Friday 13th June – Marvellous Males Afternoon, drop in between 2:15pm to 3:00pm
- Wednesday 16th July – Year 6 Production, 2pm and 5:00pm
- Tuesday 22nd July, 2pm – Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly
- Tuesday 22nd July – End of Term 6