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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

Firstly, an apology. We have been having real difficulties with our emails this year. I am aware that for some of you, our emails are going to your junk folder rather than your main inbox. We have had a lot of back and forth with our providers and hope that by early next week, this will be resolved. Thank you for your patience and indeed your ingenuity, as I know some of you have been extracting messages and sending them through WhatsApp.

Secondly, a thank you to you and your children. Without fail, every child in the school has shown kindness towards me and my knee injury. Thankfully, I have an operation scheduled just before half term, and I hope to be on the mend ASAP from then. What is interesting is that I actually feel less stressed at the moment. I am sure, like me, you are always in a state of family organisation and scheduling. Rushing from place to place, constantly on the move. Well, I can’t move, and it feels as if the world has slowed down with me. For instance, this weekend I have a real urge to find a nice spot by a river and just be. Hopefully, you can carve out some quiet time for yourself this weekend.

You will have seen Laura and Kelly in their high viz patrolling our zigzag lines outside the school gates before and after school. This was after four cars parked here for pickup early this week. One of our values is Equality, and it is simply not fair that some parents think that it is ok to park in this space while others have to drive further and find space. The zigzags are there for a reason. If cars are parked, it obscures the view of children and adults crossing the road. Thank you for your support with this.

I have to finish now as I am on break duty, and I do not want to miss this. The sun is shining, every conversation will be magical, and I will return to my desk reinvigorated and ready to shine. Have a lovely weekend.

Joe Porter

Moving up to secondary school in September

Applications for September 2026 start

Children who were born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 are eligible to begin Year 7 at a secondary school in September 2026.

Applications open on Monday 1 September 2025 and close at 11:59pm on Friday 31 October 2025.

You must apply through the local authority which is responsible for administering the council tax for your home, even if you intend to name a school located in another area.

If you are applying for children of a multiple birth, a separate application is required for each child.

You do not need to complete an application if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Instead contact your assessment coordinator to discuss your child’s school placement.

For a summary of the admission arrangements for all state-funded schools in the borough, please refer to the relevant school brochures provided below. Each brochure includes a link to the respective school's website, where the complete admission arrangements are published. It is your responsibility to read these arrangements thoroughly before submitting an application to understand the allocation process.

In your application, inform us if your child will have a sibling attending your preferred school(s) in September 2026. This will allow us to apply the correct priority.

National Offer Day is on Monday 2 March 2026. You will receive your outcome via email which the eAdmissions system sends in batches after 5 pm. If you applied online, you can also log in to your eAdmissions account after 5 pm to view your outcome and submit your response.

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/school-admissions/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place-in-september

Office Updates

Morning Drop off

We would like to remind all parents and carers that dropping off children in the middle of the road and sending them into school is not permitted.

Please park your car and walk your child onto the school premises. This rule applies even if you are late (after the register has been taken at 8:50 AM); in that case, you must enter through the main office and check your child in on the inventory system.

Additionally, please remember that the school doors open at 8:40 AM. Parents and children arriving when the gates open must stay with their children until the internal doors open.

Thank you for your continued support

Breakfast Club

At Darell, our Breakfast Club operates from 7:30 AM to 8:40 AM. You must book a spot at least 24 hours in advance for the session you wish to attend. All children need to be registered in order to participate.

Children from Reception to Year 6 who are eligible for the Pupil Premium grant are entitled to a free space in the Breakfast Club. However, you still need to book through Arbor for your child to attend the desired sessions.

We are unable to admit any children into breakfast club on the day unless they have a booking.

If you have any issues booking a session, please speak to a member of the office staff.

Thank you.

Medical Update

One of our pupils has a compromised immune system. With this in mind, we kindly ask all parents and guardians to inform us immediately if their child is diagnosed with any childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox, scarlet fever, slapped cheek syndrome, or if they experience sickness or diarrhoea.

Additionally, we request that you follow the recommended guidelines regarding school attendance. For instance, if your child has experienced sickness or diarrhoea, they should not attend school until at least 48 hours have passed since their last bout.

Email Parent Hack

One of our wonderful parents has shared an email tip to prevent our messages don't go to your junk or spam folders. Please follow the instructions below:

Communications Sent Home

Years 1, 2 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Parent Teacher Meetings
Whole School - Clubs update
Whole School - Email temporary fix instructions

Diary Dates

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

19
September

Year 1 & 2 - Meet the teacher

2:50pm – 3:10pm

23
September

Year 3 & 4 Meet the teacher

2:50pm – 3:10pm

24
September

Year 5 & 6 Meet the teacher

2:50pm – 3:10pm

25
September

Reception Phonics Talk

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

03
October

Reception & Nursery Open Morning

9:15am – 10:30am

07
October

The Reading Corner

Welcome to our weekly section of the newsletter all about reading. Every week, we will share a question (or two) with you about the book your child is reading in school. Please use these questions to help you find out a little more about what your child has been reading in school and continue to develop their love of reading.

Reception - In our story, 'When's My Birthday?' what presents do the children want? (a pony and a necklace, a chicken, a ball to bounce and bounce) What do they want to eat? (a big cake with lots of chocolate, berries and tiny sandwiches with soup) When is your birthday?

Year 1 – Do you think Leonard is like the other lions in the story How to be a Lion? Why or why not?

Year 2 – What adventures could Traction Man go on in your home?

SRP 1 - our sensory story this week has been ‘all about me’ and thinking about our senses. What part of your body do you taste with? I taste with my …(mouth) can you try a new taste or texture this week?

SRP 2 – What would you do with The Everywhere Bear if he came to you for the weekend? Where would you take him?

Year 3 – Now that we've finished reading 'The Seed of Doubt', what can we learn from the boy in the story?

Year 4 – What adjectives can you use to describe Paddington?

Year 5 – Rosa Parks said, "People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically... No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in". What did she mean by that?

Year 6 – 'The Girl of Ink and Stars' - What are the 'Forgotten Territories'?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 95.1%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Reception for the highest attendance of 100% this week.

Let's do our best for next week!

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Harper- for a fantastic start to Reception class. Harper is responsible, kind and always ready to listen.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Asiya – for showing enjoyment in your learning when constructing your entire family using junk modelling materials. You have a wonderful imagination and demonstrated great problem-solving skills. Well done, Asiya!

Year 2

Ritu - for being an excellent role model for your new class this year. Your ambition to learn and achieve is reflected through your positive attitude and listening behaviours. We are lucky to have you in our class!

SRP 1

Hakim - for working really hard with all your learning this week, all the grown ups are really proud of you. Well done Hakim!

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP 2

Caleb - for your superb work in maths!

Year 3

Katie - for the kindness you have shown to others this week! From cheering your friends up when they’ve felt sad to helping others feel included, you have been a great friend. Well done, Katie!

Year 4

Daniel - for being ambitious in improving his handwriting. Keep it up!

Year 5

Layla - for being an ambitious learner with her writing.

Year 6

Shelia - for her exemplary attitude to all her learning, being ambitious and focused.

Nurture Star

Junior - for always having a go and trying his best even when he finds something tricky. Junior is a kind and very much welcomed member of the group!

What's going on in the community?

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 3 – Friday, 19th September 2025