Junior Newsletter
Friday 4th September 2026
Luke 6:31: "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Headteacher's Update
We are delighted to announce that The Schools of Woolton Hill Federation has been awarded the Global Neighbours Bronze Award from Christian Aid in recognition of our commitment to global citizenship, courageous advocacy, and helping pupils understand how they can make a positive difference in the world.
The award celebrates the work of our pupils and staff in exploring important global issues such as poverty, climate justice, equality, and sustainability, while taking meaningful action within our local community.
Throughout the year, children have engaged in projects through our Eco Teams, School Councils, collective worship, curriculum learning, and community partnerships, developing their understanding of what it means to be a good neighbour both locally and globally.
We are incredibly proud of all our pupils, staff, governors and wider community who have contributed to this achievement. This award reflects our shared belief that education should help children understand the world around them and inspire them to play their part in creating a fairer future for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue our Global Neighbours journey.
Attendance Matters
There are 190 days in a school year, which leaves 175 days to spend on family time, holiday, appointments and other things.
Persistent Absentees
The government defines persistent absentees as pupils with attendance of less than 90%. This equates to just 2 days off per month. This much absence from school has a negative impact on pupils learning.
Statistics show that persistent absentees are less likely to achieve their full potential, and it can affect GCSE grades and a child’s future prospects. Pupils with no absence at Key Stage 2 are 4.7 times more likely to achieve 'Exceeding' at the end of KS2, than pupils that missed 15-20% of sessions. At Key Stage 4, pupils with no absence are 2.8 times more likely to achieve 5+ GCSEs A*-C or equivalent including English and Maths, than pupils missing 15-20% of KS4 sessions.
Your Legal Responsibility
Parents/carers are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school on time every day. If your child has five days of unauthorised absence (usually because of term time holiday) the Local Authority can take action against you. This can be through a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) or a summons to appear at Magistrates Court. The fines have increased to £160 per parent per child; reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. If the £160 is not paid within 28 days a summons can be issued to appear in Magistrates’ Court. The Local Authority can decide to issue a summons to Magistrates’ Court, instead of a Penalty Notice fine, for families that repeatedly take holiday in term time.
There is a link between good school attendance and high levels of attainment. Regardless of the reason, if your child is absent from school it will impact on their learning.
As a school we regularly monitor pupils attendance and follow the following 'road map' to respond to any concerns.
SEN Updates:
Remember our school website has lots of information, advice and signposting for families with children with special educational needs. If you are concerned about your child's progress, well-being or access to education please initially make contact with your child's class teacher to discuss and then an appointment can be made with our school SENCO, Miss Knapp.
Children on the SEN Register have a 'Passport to Success' with targets identified by their previous teacher that they will work on until October half term and they will then be reviewed. If you need another copy of this document, please speak to your child's class teacher.
In school interventions and ELSA sessions will restart from the 7th September. Please continue to support your child at home with regular reading this is a vital skill for all children but especially those with SEND - if you need support with getting your child to read at home, please come and speak to us without delay.
A reminder that if you are asking for school staff to contribute to an assessment e.g. for ADHD/ASC assessment we ask for a minimum of 2 weeks to turn around the paperwork. Thank you for your support with this, it can be a time-consuming process and often needs several staff to contribute.
This year we welcome a new link Educational Psychologist and new link Speech and Language Therapist to Woolton Hill as Dr Alana Gallagher is relocating and Rebecca Simmons is on maternity leave. Many children and families will work with them this year.
We always try to keep up to date with the latest research and recently the use of many popular approaches in the classroom have been explored including the use of fidget toys such as fidget spinners and poppits. The research and our own experience in school suggests, that whilst designed to aid focus, they often are a distraction to learning and are ineffective in supporting improved concentration. We have therefore decided to phase out the use of fidget toys but will provide Thera putty for some pupils where we have evidence that it impacts positively on their focus and concentration.
Those pupils have been carefully selected by their previous teacher and school will provide them with Thera putty. Children should therefore no longer bring to school fidget toys, any that come into school will be returned to you. Some children will also access wobble stools, wobble cushions and TheraBands which we have seen to be highly effective in aiding concentration and focus for many of our pupils.
Children should not bring their own toys (including cuddly toys) to school.
Safeguarding Updates: Mobile Phones
As part of our Safeguarding responsibilities and in line with our school behaviour policy, the following procedures are in place around mobile devices.
As a general rule, children should not bring mobile phones into school.
If you believe your child has a valid reason to bring a mobile phone into school, you will need to complete a form from the office, giving permission.
Mobile phones must be switched off when pupils are on the school grounds.
Mobile phones must be handed into the school office where they will be kept in a tray for safe keeping.
Mobile phones must not be switched back on until your child leaves the school premises.
Children must not bring wearable technology such as smart watches, smart rings and smart glasses to school.
Our full policy can be read here.
The Clere School
Hampshire County Council is holding a consultation on the future of The Clere School, Burghclere. This non-statutory consultation will run from Friday 4 September 2026 to Friday 2 October 2026 during which time comments on the proposal may be submitted.
Details regarding the proposal can be found at this website from today including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document:
Meet The Teacher
Thank you to parents from Hazel & Hawthorn class who attended yesterdays Lower Key Stage Two Meet the Teacher event. This is an opportunity to find out about the year ahead and ask any questions that you might have.
Wednesday 9th September - KS1 (Owls & Otters)
Thursday 10th September - Upper KS2 (Oak & Ash)
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
We have arranged a Bag2School collection for Tuesday 15th September and your child should be bringing home an empty bag today. Filled bags can be left in the bike shed in the WHJS car park from Monday 14th September.
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.
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