Infant Newsletter
Friday 16th October 2026
Proverbs 2:6
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Headteacher's Update
It was wonderful that the community could come together at St Thomas' Church last week to celebrate Harvest Festival and collect items to donate to West Berkshire Foodbank.
The children performed superbly, including a variety of songs, poems, and art from across the Infant and Junior schools.
It was great to see the Church full and I would like to thank all of our families for supporting this event and donating so generously to such a good cause. Thanks must also go to Reverend Lisa for leading our Worship.
OFSTED
Ofsted has introduced a new grading system for schools. One of the most important things to understand is that the new grades should not be compared directly with the old labels of Good, Outstanding or Requires Improvement.
Under the new framework, Expected Standard is exactly that – the standard that all schools are expected to achieve, and it is a high bar. Ofsted has made clear that this means a school is doing what it should be doing well and providing pupils with the education they need and deserve. In other words, Expected Standard is not "ordinary" or "average" – it reflects strong, effective practice.
Similarly, Needs Attention should not be seen as the equivalent of the old Requires Improvement judgement. A helpful way to think about it is as an advisory note on an MOT: something has been identified that needs attention and action, but it does not mean the vehicle is failing. The new report cards are designed to give a more balanced and detailed picture of a school's strengths and areas for development, recognising that all schools are on a journey of continuous improvement while maintaining high expectations for every child.
Follow this link to watch a video from OFSTED on the new inspection system.
School Council News
Our School Councillors would like to say a huge thank you! For the donations for the Food Bank they collected at the Harvest Festival. When West Berkshire Food Bank collected the items, they were impressed with just how many crates we had filled up and how donations were really targeted on the urgent items they needed. Our Junior School Council will be visiting the local West Berkshire Food Bank next half term to learn more about food poverty and think as a team about how they can raise awareness of the issue and be courageous advocates for change!
Our School Councillors will now get busy organising their next event, Children In Need. Save the date Friday 13th November 2026.
Attendance Matters
Our school attendance target is 97% and above for all children and we are committed to:
Promoting good attendance and reducing absence, including persistent absence
Ensuring every pupil arrives at school on time and ready to learn
Ensuring every pupil has access to full-time education to which they are entitled good attendance means being in school at least 97% of the time (less than six day off per school year). Good punctuality means being in school at 08:45 am ready to learn.
Strong attendance is directly linked with stronger academic achievements as well as contributing to increased sense of belonging and strong social relationships. There are still a number of pupils who regularly arrive five or ten minutes late to school, this disrupts their learning and that of the class. We ask all parents to ensure pupils arrive on site before 8.45 am each day.
Safeguarding Updates
If you are concerned about a child then contact Hampshire Children Services:
Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: 0300 555 1384
Reminders
Smart watches or any device with a camera are NOT allowed in school. Such devices will need to be removed from a pupil and their parents will be asked to collect. This is inline with our safeguarding policies.
A reminder to all families that the Gym equipment machines and trim trail are not for access before or after school please. This is because our staff are not there to supervise and ensure the equipment is using in line with our school Risk Assessments. Please support us by not letting any children access the equipment at these times.
Scholastic Book Fair
This will take place at the Junior School w/b 20th October.
Christmas Events
We have now set dates for the following Christmas Events - please add them to your diary.
We have now set dates for the following Christmas Events - please add them to your diary.
Re
Wednesday 16th December: Infant School Christmas Jumper Day & Infant School Christmas Lunch.
INSET
Half term is w/b 26th October.
Monday 2nd November is a Federation INSET Day.
Pupils return to both schools at 8.45am on Tuesday 3rd November.
Pupil Premium
If you are in receipt of any of the following your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium which may provide support to help you with the cost of uniform, school trips etc as the school will receive additional funding from the Government for your child. If you think you may be eligible please click here to check. Thank you.
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit.
Support from NASS (National Asylum Support Service) under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190
Working Tax Credit run-on
Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium which will provide support to help you with the cost of uniform, school trips etc as the school will receive additional funding. If you think you may be eligible please click here
Friends Of The Schools of Woolton Hill
THE WOOLTON HILL SCARECROW TRAIL IS BACK!
Friends of the Woolton Hill Schools are very excited to announce that we’ll be holding another fantastic SCARECROW TRAIL during the October half term! 🍂👻
Fancy getting creative and joining in the fun? We’d love for you to have a go at making your very own scarecrow!
You can:
🎃 Make your scarecrow and position it somewhere outside your house around Woolton Hill.
🎃 Don’t live in the village? No problem! You can still make a scarecrow and we’ll give you a choice of locations where you can display your creation.
🎃 Scarecrows need to be in position by the end of Friday 23rd October, ready for the trail to begin.
🎃 The trail will run from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November.
🎃 Maps will be available from Woolton Hill Village Shop for £3 per family (cash only, please).
🍬Small prize for each child on completion of the trail (handing the map back into the shop).
🏅 There will be a prize for the best scarecrow!
To enter your scarecrow, please register with Rachel Ryan on 07833 767793.
All proceeds will go towards supporting our wonderful schools.
We can’t wait to see what wonderfully spooky and creative scarecrows you come up with this year! 👻🎃🍂
Starting Infant or Junior School in September 2027?
Does your child start Junior school in September 2027? Do you know someone who is looking for a school place starting in Year R at St Thomas' or in Year 3 at Woolton Hill Juniors next year? Come along to our open morning to meet staff and children and to see our brilliant Federation in action.
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
9th Oct: Jasper D, Iris L, Harlow W, Willow H,
16th Oct: Max A, Ophelia R, Arlo G, Olivia C
Life Learning
9th Oct: Edie C-G, Freya W
16th Oct: Eloise S, Ola K-A
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