Junior Newsletter
- Mr Davies
- 18 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Friday 12th December 2025
"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." – Luke 2:11
Headteacher's Update
You may have heard that OFSTED has made significant changes to how schools are inspected. One of the biggest changes is that overall grades have been removed. Instead, schools will now receive judgements for individual areas such as quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
It’s important to understand what these new standards mean:
Expected Standard: This is a very high bar. OFSTED sets this level to ensure that every pupil receives the highest quality of education. Meeting this standard means the school is doing an excellent job in most areas.
Strong Standard: This is only awarded where a school’s work is excellent and consistent across the whole school. It reflects sustained, high-quality practice in every classroom.
Exceptional Standard: As the name suggests, this is reserved for schools where OFSTED sees practice that is among the very best in the country. It is rare and represents the very best provision nationally.
The new grades cannot be compared to the old ones because of the manner in which the new grades are awarded.
Although our next OFSTED inspection is about a year away, we wanted to share this update now. These changes raise the bar for everyone, and rightly so—every child deserves the best possible education.
This helpful video from OFSTED helps explain these changes in more detail. We will continue working hard to provide the highest standards for our pupils.
End of Term
The Autumn term finishes on Friday 19th December. As this is the last Newsletter of term, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our children and families a very Merry Christmas and a happy start to 2026! Monday 5th January 2026 is an INSET Day. The Spring term begins at 8.45am on Tuesday 6th January 2026.
Little Pioneers
🌟 Exciting News for Families! 🌟
Little Pioneers Pre-School is opening at St Thomas’ C of E Infant School in April 2026, offering places, initially for children aged 3 and 4.
✅ Beautiful new setting and outdoor space, ready for visits from March 2026
✅ Introductory event: 9th January 2026 at 9:00am – Meet our EYFS Teacher and learn more!
👉 Book your place here:
📅 Registration opened 1st December 2025
To secure your child’s place:
✔ Complete the booking form (available from: adminoffice@st-thomas.hants.sch.uk)
✔ Pay a non-refundable registration fee
We are looking to extend the age-range of our provision later in 2026.
We can’t wait to welcome your little pioneers! 💛
St Thomas Infant School Christmas Fair
Christmas Dates
We have a packed programme of events taking place across the Federation next week. Here are the dates for your diary:
Mon 15th Dec 9.30am | KS1 Nativity Dress Rehearsal |
Mon 15th Dec 2pm | KS1 Nativity Performance to Parents |
Mon 15th Dec 5pm | Lower KS2 Carol Concert to Parents |
Tues 16th Dec 5pm | KS1 Nativity Performance to Parents |
Weds 17th Dec | Infant Christmas Jumper & Lunch day |
Weds 17th Dec 5pm | Junior Musical Extravaganza |
Thurs 18th Dec | Junior Christmas Jumper and Lunch Day |
Thurs 18th Dec 9.30am | Christmas Church Service - pupils only |
Fri 19th Dec | Junior Ambassador Charity Fund Day |
Could you be a Governor?
We have some opportunities for both parents and members of the wider community to join our Governing Body. If you would find out more, please click here.
Safeguarding Matters
Safeguarding is the core purpose of the school.
Safeguarding is what we do as a school or community to protect individuals (in particular, children and vulnerable adults) from harm such as abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation. Safeguarding ensures children grow up with the best life chances and that all individuals are given safe and effective care.
Child protection is very similar—however, child protection is what we do as a school or community to protect children who have already experienced abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or have otherwise been harmed.
If you are concerned about the wellbeing of a child, it is important that you talk to someone about this.
If you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm, you should call 999.
To report a concern about a child who attends The Schools of Woolton Hill please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy DSL as detailed below. You can also contact Hampshire Children’s Services by telephoning 0300 555 1384.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead across The Schools of Woolton Hill is Mr Paul Davies
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Miss Knapp, Mrs Jones and Mrs Dickson
The Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding is Mrs Nicola Weeks.
These people can be contacted by telephoning the school office by telephone (01635 253364) or via email (adminoffice@whjs.hants.sch.uk).
All members of staff receive full safeguarding training on a yearly basis with regular updates and refresher training and activities throughout the year. We are chiefly guided by the Government's document Keeping Children Safe In Education
The school's Child Protection Policy and the Safeguarding Policy can be found on our Policies and Key Information page via this link.
Bags2School
The next collection will be on Friday 23rd January. This time please can all donations be left at the Junior School. Many thanks for your support with this.
Starting Infant or Junior School in September 2026?
Does your child start junior school in September 2026? 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.
Thurs 8th January 2026 @9am
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
5th December: Noah G, Mollie F, Lilly M, Arlo B, Ella M, Sofia F, Mollie W, Isabelle G, Ellie B, Josh L, Kitty S, Henry B, Noah P and Etta B-N.
12th December: Amy L, Aiden F, Ben N, Zac H, Daisy B, Matthew W, Archie C, Georgie M-C, Gabriella A, Noah P, Dylan M, Oliver B, Henry B and Evie H
Life Learning
Resilience
5th December: Layla D, Lottie C, Immy H, Jacques M-C and Thomas H
12th December: Hugo G, Artie E, Georgia M-C, Isla H and Ellis D.
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