Message from Mrs Bana

Dear Parents and Carers,

A very big and warm welcome back to all our Grafton families — both those who have been part of our community for some time and those joining Grafton Primary School for the first time.

I hope you had a wonderful summer break and were able to enjoy precious time with your loved ones, creating happy memories together.

As we begin a new academic year, I would like to remind everyone of our GROW vision and values. GROW represents what we want for every child at Grafton and guides the way we learn, work and grow together as a school community. 

Please see below for further information about our GROW vision and values, as well as our Leadership Team and school structure. 

🎉 Celebrating Our Children’s Achievements🎉

I am delighted to share that our SATs results and other end-of-year assessments show that Grafton continues to make good progress and is on an upward trajectory.

In a number of areas, our outcomes are above local and national figures, and this is something of which we are incredibly proud. Some particular highlights include:

• Year 1 Phonics: 87%

• Year 6 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS): 81.2%

• KS2 Reading at Greater Depth: 33.5%

• Year 6 Science: 89%

• Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC): 57%

These results are the culmination of a great deal of hard work, high-quality teaching and learning, and the commitment and determination of our children and staff.

However, we also recognise the incredibly important part that you, our parents and carers, play in your children's education. Reading together, practising times tables, supporting homework, ensuring good attendance and simply encouraging your child to do their best all make a difference.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We could not do it without you!

 A Busy Summer at Grafton!

While our children have been enjoying their summer holidays, Grafton has certainly not been quiet! Our school site has been extremely busy, with a number of exciting projects completed or nearing completion.

New Toilets
We have installed new boys' toilets for Reception/KS1 and KS2, providing improved and modern facilities for our pupils. See photos below.

Our New Inclusion Base
We have created a purpose-built Inclusion Base to better meet the needs of our pupils with SEND. This includes specially designed toilet and changing facilities, with all four rooms providing access to smaller breakout and sensory spaces. See photos below.

New Playground Equipment
New playground fixtures have also been installed for children accessing our Inclusion Base and for our Reception children in EYFS. These additions will provide further opportunities for play, physical development, sensory exploration and enjoyment. See photos below.

Our New Library
Our newly built library has now been fitted with beautiful customised furniture, with the final touches being prepared ahead of its official Grand Opening. We cannot wait for our children to begin enjoying this wonderful new space and developing an even greater love of reading. More information about the Grand Opening will follow soon!

A Fresh Look Around School
We have also completed a range of internal decoration and improvements to give areas of the school a fresh uplift.

Grafton is almost 100 years old, and we are very proud of our school's history and heritage. At the same time, these ongoing improvements are an important part of ensuring that our children learn in modern, welcoming and inclusive spaces where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Looking Forward to the Year Ahead

There is so much to look forward to this year. Our focus remains firmly on providing the very best education and opportunities for every child while continuing to strengthen the partnership between school, home and our wider community.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support, encouragement and trust in us.

I wish you and your families a happy, successful and enjoyable Autumn Term, and I look forward to seeing our children continue to GROW throughout the year.

“Behind every child who believes they can succeed is someone who believed in them first.”

Parent/Carer/Grandparent Volunteers Wanted – School Trips & Sporting Events

We are looking for parents/grandparents and carers who would be interested in volunteering to support our children on school trips and sporting events throughout the school year.

Parent/carer volunteers play an important role in helping us provide children with exciting opportunities to learn, explore and participate in activities outside of the classroom. Your support can make a real difference and help us ensure that our trips and events run safely and smoothly.

What would volunteering involve?

Volunteers must:

• Be willing to complete First Aid training provided by the school before attending trips or events.

• Be available to support school trips for part of a day or a full day, depending on the activity.

• Be comfortable supporting children while travelling and taking part in activities away from school.

• Understand that some school trips may involve walking to local venues or travelling using public transport, including local buses, the tube and trains.

• Follow all school guidance and safeguarding procedures while volunteering.

If you are interested in becoming a parent/carer volunteer, please complete the Google Form by Friday 11th September to register your interest.  To complete the form, click on the link https://forms.gle/1JWjFGsEdYLrnS4M9 

Please note: Registering your interest does not guarantee that you will be selected for a trip or event. We may not be able to provide First Aid training or use all volunteers who register, depending on the number of volunteers, the needs of individual trips and the requirements of each event.

Thank you to all parents and carers who are willing to give their time and support our children. We really appreciate your help in making these experiences possible!

Autumn Term Curriculum Maps

To help you to support your child's learning at home, the Autumn Term Curriculum Maps are now available on the school website. We encourage you to take a look, as they offer valuable insight into what your child is learning and how you can reinforce this at home. You can also access the maps by clicking on the link below: 

Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

📚 Reminder: Book Bags

A gentle reminder that all children need to bring a book bag to school each day, rather than a rucksack.

Book bags are easier for children to manage and help us to keep classrooms, corridors and cloakrooms organised. Please ensure your child brings their book bag to school each day so that they can safely carry their reading books and other essential items.

Thank you for your continued support.