${item_alt_tag}$

Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are well. It feels a bit strange to be writing the last newsletter on a Wednesday, but in fact, this week is often extremely busy, so it is good to get it done now.

Thank you all for your support this academic year. Darell goes from strength to strength and that is down to the great relationships that have developed between staff, children and parents at this school. Great staff, great children, great parents. Long live Darell School!

One of the reasons for the success of the school is the voice given to your children, and I am really pleased to announce a new initiative led by Emma Claridge, our deputy head. Please see the Junior Leadership structure that will be in place in September. Our Year 5 children have spent the week going through an arduous interview schedule for these roles. As you can see, they are closely tied to our school values. We will be announcing the successful candidates in the assembly tomorrow.

This will be something we do every year, so all children will get the opportunity to fulfil these positions of responsibility during their time at Darell School.

I have more exciting news. One of our lovely teaching assistants has written a book and I would like to share it with you.

It is lovely to see one of our staff members being aspirational, and I can’t wait to have a look at the school’s copy when it arrives.

Have a lovely summer break. Stay safe, be as happy as you can and enjoy every moment with your lovely children. We will see you back on the 7th September. Enjoy.

Joe Porter

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is Read to the Beat!

This exciting new theme encourages children to explore the link between stories and songs, showing how reading and music can spark imagination and creativity.

This year’s theme is brought to life through illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Harry Woodgate.

The challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries, with support from Universal Music Group UK.

From Saturday 4 July 2026, children in the borough can sign up for the challenge at their local Richmond upon Thames library and receive a Read to the Beat pack.

To take part, a child needs to be a member of the library and have their own library card.

For each of six library books they read or challenges they complete, they can collect a sticker for their collector pack.

Children can update their progress through the challenge at any library in the borough.

Everyone who reads six library books or complete six challenges is rewarded in the library with a medal and certificate.

Office Updates

School Office Entrance Gate: New Button Release

We would like to inform all parents and carers about a change to our school office entrance gate.

You no longer need to type in a code to exit. Instead, simply press the green button located on the wall to the left of the building. The gate remains open for plenty of time once pressed, allowing you to leave the premises safely.

We hope this update makes getting in and out of the school a lot easier for everyone moving forward!