Embedded Files
Message from the Headteacher
Message from the Headteacher
At Grafton, we continue to focus on our vision to GROW: Grow and learn every day, Respect and understand your rights, Open up to the world and follow your dreams, Work together for success. We are committed to ensuring every pupil grows and learns every day, reflecting our school vision and values.
We are incredibly proud of the progress our pupils are making across all areas of their learning and development. In particular, we celebrate their growing confidence and curiosity, which are vital attributes for lifelong learners. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential.
Together, we are building a school community where every pupil can thrive academically, socially, and personally, embodying the values of respect, gratitude, determination, curiosity, kindness, and honesty. We are committed to ensuring that every child not only grows and learns every day but also develops the skills and character to succeed in their future endeavours.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Warm regards,
Junaida Bana
Headteacher
🎉Celebrate Mr. Nourish's Birthday! 🎉
Thursday 2nd Oct - Special Lunch Menu
We invite all pupils to join us for a special lunch menu in honour of Mr. Nourish’s birthday!
What’s happening on Thursday 2nd October?
🍽️Pupils will enjoy a delicious, specially prepared lunch menu created to celebrate Mr. Nourish’s birthday.
😋A fantastic chance to try tasty new dishes while joining in the birthday celebrations!
🧑🎨Pupils are invited to create a birthday card for Mr. Nourish.
🎨Express your gratitude and send warm birthday wishes with your creative artwork and messages.
📮The kitchen team will provide special postboxes in the dining area for pupils to safely post their birthday cards.
🏆Exciting prizes will be awarded for the most creative and thoughtful birthday cards. Let your imagination shine for a chance to win!
Let’s come together and make Mr. Nourish’s birthday a joyful and memorable day for everyone!🥳
🔊Pupil Premium Funding 2025/2026
The Government provides Pupil Premium Funding to support children from low-income families in achieving higher academic standards.
Registering for Free School Meals can raise an extra £1,515 per child
At Grafton, this vital funding helps us to:
📘Boost children’s learning and attainment
🎒Provide additional learning resources
🚞Fund school trips and visits
🥞Offer breakfast and after-school clubs
🧑🏫Support staff professional development
✅Who Can Apply?
Your child may be eligible if you receive one of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
🌍You may also qualify if:
You are an asylum seeker
You live outside Barking and Dagenham but your child attends a school here and meets the criteria
Your main income is from one of the listed benefits
📝How to Apply
You can apply for Free School Meals be clicking on the link below
Pupil Premium Registration Link
If you’re unsure, speak to the office team – we’re happy to help!
✨By registering, you’re helping us unlock additional funding that goes directly into supporting your child’s education.
🚗Park Safely and Considerately
🚗Park Safely and Considerately
As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our pupils, we kindly ask for your cooperation with parking safely when dropping off and collecting your child each day.
To keep our pupils safe and maintain good relationships with our local community, please remember:
✅Park only in designated areas – Avoid unsafe locations or areas marked as no-parking zones.
⛔Do NOT block driveways – Be mindful of where you park and respect the access needs of our neighbours.
⛔Avoid double parking – This creates unnecessary congestion and poses a risk to children and pedestrians.
🙂Be patient and considerate – Allowing a little extra time can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.
Thank you for helping us keep Grafton a safe and welcoming place for all.
Together, we can make a difference!
☕ SEND Coffee Morning
We’d love to invite you to our SEND Coffee morning at Grafton primary. It is a relaxed chance to meet the team, hear about how we support children with special educational needs and disabilities, and ask any questions you might have.
🗓️Date: 2nd October 2025
⏱️Time: 9:00am
📍Place: KS1 Hall
Whether you’re new to SEND or just want to connect, we’re here to support you and your child every step of the way.
“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, they make this world a beautiful garden.” 🌼
Admissions Requirements for Schools
Admissions Requirements for Schools
Booklet for Parents and Carers on Applying for Reception School Places - Admissions Booklet
This booklet is designed to provide a clear and comprehensive guide for families applying for reception places. It explains the application process step-by-step, including important dates, how to complete the application form, and what information parents need to provide. The booklet aims to make the admissions process accessible and understandable, helping parents to navigate the system with confidence.
The admission criteria document outlines the specific rules and priorities that the school uses when processing applications and allocating places. This includes details such as catchment areas, sibling links, looked-after children, and any other factors that influence the order in which places are offered when demand exceeds supply. The criteria are designed to be fair, transparent, and compliant with the School Admissions Code.
Grafton Home Learning
Supporting Pupils Beyond the Classroom
We believe that learning is a lifelong journey that extends beyond the classroom walls. Our commitment to the REAL curriculum—Relevant, Engaging, Aspirational, and Life-long—guides us in encouraging pupils to grow and learn every day, both at school and at home.
Why Home Learning Matters
Home learning plays a vital role in reinforcing what pupils learn in school, helping them consolidate knowledge, develop new skills, and foster a love of learning. It also provides an opportunity for families to engage with their child’s education, strengthening the partnership between home and school. Please find below link to Home Learning Grid.
End of Day Collection Procedures
The safety and well-being of every pupil is our highest priority. To ensure your child is collected safely and smoothly, please inform the school office by 2pm if someone other than the usual authorised adult will be collecting your child.
Why is this important?
Pupil Safety: Advance notice helps us verify the identity of the collector.
Smooth Dismissal: Early communication prevents delays and confusion during busy times.
Clear Communication: Ensures your child is only released to authorised individuals.
If we do not receive notification by 2pm:
Your child will only be released to the usual authorised adult(s) on their contact list. We cannot allow collection by anyone unknown without prior consent.
Thank you for helping us keep all pupils safe and ensuring an efficient end to the school day. For any questions, please contact the school office.
PTA Coffee Morning ☕Tuesday 30th September, 9am
PTA Coffee Morning ☕Tuesday 30th September, 9am
✨You're Invited!✨
Come and join us for the Grafton PTA Coffee Morning – a relaxed and friendly gathering for all members of our school community. This is a wonderful opportunity to:
Meet new people
Catch up with familiar faces
Strengthen the bonds that make Grafton
Whether you’re a parent, carer, or staff member, everyone is warmly welcome. Come along, enjoy a cup of coffee, and feel part of the vibrant Grafton community.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Nursery and Reception Welcome Meeting
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the Nursery and Reception welcome meeting. It was wonderful to see so many of you engaging with us as we begin this exciting new academic year. For those who were unable to attend, please find the slides from the meetings linked below. If you have any questions or would like further clarification on any of the points discussed, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher or the school office.
Messages for Reception Parents and Carers
Morning Drop-Off – What to Expect:
A yellow box will be marked on the ground by the classroom doors – this is a safety zone.
Adults must not cross into the yellow box. Please remain behind it at all times to keep the entrance clear and safe for the children.
Only one adult from the Reception team will come out to bring the line in, while another staff member remains inside with the Breakfast Club children.
Once the line has been brought in, any children arriving afterwards will walk into the classroom independently as part of a soft start.
Speaking to a Member of Staff: If you need to speak to someone from the team:
Please wait behind the yellow box and be patient.
Staff may be busy supporting children as they come in and will speak with you as soon as they are available.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us provide a safe, calm, and positive start to each school day. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Autumn-Themed Collages
Reception children will be creating Autumn-themed collages next week, and we would greatly appreciate your help in gathering some seasonal materials. To make our collages as colourful and unique as possible, we are asking for donations of Autumn items that the children can use. Some ideas include:
Fallen leaves in various shapes, colours, and sizes
Small pinecones or pine needles
Acorns or conkers
Dried flowers or seeds
Pieces of bark or small twigs
Colourful feathers
Autumn fruits (such as small pumpkins, gourds, or even apples)
Corn husks or dried corn kernels
Any other autumn-themed natural items
If you're able to contribute, please ensure the items are clean and safe for the children to handle. We would kindly ask that all donations be brought into school by Thursday 2nd October. Thank you very much for your support.
📅 Dates for the Diary
Keep up with key events and activities this term
Tue 30 Sept
☕PTA Coffee Morning 9:00am
Thurs 2 Oct
🎉 Special Lunch Menu – Mr. Nourish’s Birthday Celebration🎉
☕SEND Coffee Morning 9:00am KS1 Hall
Fri 03 Oct
🏊♂️ Swimming: Year 5 Bonnin & Attenborough 10:30 – 11:15am
Wed 15 Oct
⚕️Height and Weight Team Visit Year 6
Fri 17 Oct
🪔 Year 4 Diwali Assemblies to Parents
Simmonds: 9:10am
Ali: 2:45pm
Tue 21 Oct
🪔 Year 4 Diwali Assemblies to Parents
Worthington: 9:10am
Farah: 2:45pm
Wed 22 Oct
👨👩👧👦 Parent’s Evening 3:30 – 7:00pm
Thurs 23 Oct
👨👩👧👦 Parent’s Evening 3:30 – 7:00pm
🍲 Special Lunch Menu – Celebrating Black History Month
🛑 Half Term
🏫School Closed: 27th – 31st October 2025
🛑Mon 03 Nov
🧑🏫Staff Training Day - School closed to children
Thurs 06 Nov
📚Year 6 SATS prep workshop for parents/carers
Mon 10 Nov - Fri 14 Nov
👥Anti-Bullying Week
Mon 10 Nov - Thurs 13 Nov
🧩Reception 'Phonics & Play' parent sessions 9:00-10:00am
Mon 10 Nov
🧑🏫Headteacher's Forum 4:00-5:00pm
🧦Odd Socks Day - Wear Odd Socks with School uniform
Thurs 13 Nov
🧑🏫Headteacher's Forum 9:00-10:00am
Mon 17 Nov
🍜Special Lunch Menu -Harry Potter Themed
Thurs 27 Nov
🚑London Air Ambulance Talk (Rights Ambassadors)
Wed 03 Dec
🎄Christmas Fayre 3:30-5:30pm
Thurs 11 Dec
🍽️Christmas Dinner/Christmas Jumper Day
Mon 15th & Tue 16th Dec
🧑🎤Reception classes Christmas Sing-a-Long
Thurs 18 Dec
🧑🎄Non-uniform (party clothes) Class parties
Fri 19 Dec
❄️End of Term 12:30pm
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