BPS Newsletter

Please report absences using the absences@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk email by no later than 9am.

School Development Plan 2025/2026

As part of our continued journey of improvement I have identified the key areas of development for the school in our School Development Plan. The full version of this document sets out our key priority areas which have been identified as next steps from out Ofsted inspection in June 2025 along with other key evidence bases. These key areas will be the focus for much of the improvement work we do this year, alongside the ongoing changes we make to improve our offer better for our children and our community. Please log onto our website  to see what improvement areas we have identified this year. If you have any questions, please contact me via the school office.

This Week

What a busy two weeks it has been at Byfleet Primary and only one week to go until the end of term and festive celebrations have started.  Alongside the normal curriculum, there have been two fantastic Nativity performances to parents and carers and a dress rehearsal to the rest of the school. The children did absolutely brilliantly remembering all of their lines, actions and songs. It was a pleasure to watch it on both occasions. We must also thank Mrs Mumby, Miss Taylor, Miss Hussain, Mrs Powell, Miss Saunders, Mrs Wyatt, Mrs Munro and Mrs Scott for all of their hard work behind the scenes for supporting our children to perform at their best, and organising and selling tickets.

Year 3 and Year 4 enjoyed two of our favourite trips in the past couple of weeks visiting Stonehenge and Butser Farm respectively. The children had a fantastic time and came back from both trips buzzing with what they had learnt and discovered. Year 3 are also immersing themselves in everything Stone Age as they take part in their 'WOW' day this Friday painting some excellent pictures of Stonehenge, as well as building their own miniature versions of Stonehenge. We were delighted to receive reports from the staff at both of these venues that the behaviour of our children was exemplary and they were a pleasure to work with.

As always, a massive thank you to the Friends for hosting the Year 4 Cake Sale, selling refreshments at the Nativity and all the work that has gone into preparing the Christmas Grotto. Again, they put in so much work behind the scenes and at weekends, it really is appreciated.

Other updates and highlights:

• Thank you to those pupils that purchased book(s) from our book fair that ran last week.  The school is looking forward to being able to purchase additional books for the school.

• Yesterday, the school held our final Open day with a good turn out again. I provided details of our school and a tour for potential families whose children will start in Reception in September 2026. I was immensely proud walking round to see how engaged, calm and purposeful the school was and our Year 6 Tour guides did a fantastic job too!

• What is to come next week : Christmas Jumper Day & Christmas Lunch – Thursday, 18th December. Please ensure your child’s festive lunch is ordered as soon as possible.

• Parent Governor - The governors play such an important role in the school and we do have a vacancy for a parent governor. If would be interested in supporting the school please get in touch via the school office.

As always, thank you for your continued support and have a lovely weekend.

Mr Bowman

Over the past two weeks in Reception, the children have been busy exploring a wonderful range of learning experiences as we head towards the festive season. We began by finding out why and how people celebrate Christmas, discussing familiar traditions such as decorating trees, giving gifts and spending time with family. The children also learned about Hanukkah, discovering the story behind the festival and exploring how people celebrate with the lighting of the menorah, special foods and time together. It has been lovely to see the children developing an appreciation for different celebrations and the values they share.

In phonics, we have been focusing on digraphs, including th, sh, ng and nk. The children have enjoyed spotting these sounds in words and practising them during reading and writing activities. In maths, we have been learning to sequence events, using everyday routines to help children understand order and time.

One of the highlights of the fortnight has been our Nativity performances. The children were fantastic—confident, enthusiastic and full of festive spirit. We are incredibly proud of all their hard work.

We have also had a lot of fun each morning coming in to find where our cheeky elf has hidden and what mischief he has been up to! The excitement it brings has added an extra sparkle to our days. 

To finish our busy fortnight, the children have been creating their own Christmas decorations to hang on their trees at home. They have shown great creativity, and we hope these keepsakes will be treasured.

Year 3 had a fantastic day out at Stonehenge!
The children took part in a wide range of activities, including exploring the Neolithic houses, holding a replica axe, and crushing wheat seeds to make flour just as people did in the Stone Age.

A big thank you to our parent volunteers for their support!

Year 6 looked space-tastic for their War of the Worlds themed 'Wow Day'!  They spent the day dressed as a variety of characters, from a member of the military to aliens to scientists. 

Throughout the day, they embarked on a mission set by an alien, which included writing a letter and creating a piece of artwork - they created some beautiful pieces. We hope they enjoyed the day! 

Year 4 had a fantastic school trip to Butser Ancient Farm where they spent the day as Vikings and Anglo-Saxons. Throughout the day, Year 4 took part in immersive activities such as wattling, Saxon quill and ink, handling artefacts and spinning to make bracelets out of wool. 

The children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have had a very busy week putting on their Nativity play.  On Monday, they performed to the children from King's Nursery and on Tuesday to the children in KS2.  We then had two really well attended performances to friends and family.  The children did an amazing job; acting, singing and dancing, all whilst sharing the Christian story of the first Christmas.  Thank you to everyone who came and watched and a big thank you to the staff and children for their hard work. 

Just to remind parents/carers that if they take their children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), they will be liable to receive a penalty notice. The issue of a Penalty Notice will also be actioned where a pupil has incurred 10 or more unauthorised sessions during the preceding 10 school weeks. These also included 'lates' after the register has closed. 

**Changes to the National framework for Penalty Notices came into force for Penalty Notice Fines on 19th August 2024**

• First offence within a 3 year rolling period will incur a charge of £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, Increasing to £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days.

• Second offence within a 3 year rolling period will incur a flat rate of £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. 

• The third time an offence is committed within a 3 year rolling period for term time leave or irregular attendance the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates Court. 

Please view the letter from Surrey Inclusion Services and our Attendance Policy for further information.