Headteacher's Welcome

Welcome to the curriculum newsletter of what has been another incredibly busy and successful half term!

The children have truly embraced every opportunity, and their enthusiasm has filled the school with energy. We've celebrated some fantastic sporting achievements, including brilliant performances at Chelsea football tournaments, impressive skill shown in our gymnastics competitions, and competitive spirit in the tag rugby events. Beyond the pitch, our academics have shone brightly; we are so proud of our Year 6 children who successfully progressed to the next round of the demanding SATRO Problem Solving Competition, and our budding mathematicians who have keenly participated in various maths challenges over the last few weeks. Furthermore, the children have all benefited from a host of exciting workshops, many of which were made possible through generous part-funding from our wonderful FOWA.

The festive season was beautifully started by the wonderful Nativity performance from our EYFS and KS1 children, and we thoroughly enjoyed the exceptional KS2 singing at St George's Church—a truly moving end to the term.

We wish all of our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we eagerly look forward to welcoming the children back in January.

Christmas at West Ashtead

The children greatly enjoyed Christmas Day at school, which began with the traditional Elf Run in freezing temperatures. At least it didn't snow, like it has in the past! It was lovely to be able to welcome our Nursery children to this event and we were very impressed that they ran around the whole field. Well done also to Puffins, who ran the whole course for the first time. They enjoyed it, but said it was a long way. A huge thank you to our Sports Leaders and Year 6 volunteers who helped the younger children run around the field and the Cross Country course. They then did their own run with Year 6, well done to all of you. It was fabulous to see everyone dressed in their festive jumpers too.

The children were also lucky to have a wonderful Christmas lunch made by Anita and Tracey. Thank you so much for making us all feel more Christmassy and putting on such yummy food! It was exciting for the children as they were served by their teachers at their tables, like a real restaurant. There was Christmas colouring at the tables and Christmas music in the background. There was a very festive atmosphere and the children greatly enjoyed their lunch.

Please enjoy all the photos of the day, as well as some of the Junior Carol Concert, the Infant Nativity and the Infant Christmas Party. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Communication Updates

Train to teach with LEO Academy Trust

Train to teach with LEO Academy Trust!

LEO Academy Trust is incredibly proud to work in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching as an Associate College to deliver Initial Teacher Training, (ITT) Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) from September 2025. Associate Colleges are successful school trusts, selected because of their wealth of in-house expertise in professional development and their deep relationships in their local areas. This collaboration allows us to be at the forefront of educational excellence, providing local teachers with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, learning and development. Together, we are shaping the future of teaching and learning, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education.

Applications for our primary ITT courses are now open for September 2025! Our initial teacher training is a fully immersive school-centred programme - aspiring teachers will be in the classroom from the very start. But full immersion does not mean that you will be thrown in the deep end: our trainees are mentored and have central training once a week.

To apply for a place on our ITT programme please click here.

In school we have been learning ...

Reception - Please click here to find out what Reception have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 1 - Please click here to find out what Year 1 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 2 - Please click here to find out what Year 2 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 3 - Please click here to find out what Year 3 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 4 - Please click here to find out what Year 4 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 5 - Please click here to find out what Year 5 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 6 - Please click here to find out what Year 6 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Are you interested in a career at LEO?

Playworker Vacancies

We have a number of Playworker roles available across the LEO Academy Trust, including at West Ashtead Primary - a full job description can be found on the LEO vacancy page (link below) or please arrange a meeting with the Principal to find out more!

https://www.leoacademytrust.co.uk/662/staff-vacancies

Learning Support Assistant/HLTA at West Ashtead

Exciting Hybrid Opportunity

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children? West Ashtead Primary Academy is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our team in a unique hybrid role that combines the responsibilities of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, a Learning Support Assistant and a Midday Supervisor. This position offers a varied and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the educational and pastoral well-being of our pupils.

https://ce0218li.webitrent.com/ce0218li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=506283GkCP

SCHOOL CALENDAR

We have lots of exciting events coming up next week/year, please click here for the latest calendar dates.

SCHOOL FUND

As a state school, our budget from the Surrey Local Authority is calculated on a ‘per pupil’ basis and, in inflation adjusted terms, has not risen commensurately with our costs for several years. Despite considerable efforts by the school’s staff to rigorously control costs while maintaining high standards of educational quality, costs have risen.

We are establishing a voluntary contribution fund to advance the education of pupils at West Ashtead Primary Academy by the provision of resources, equipment, teaching and facilities for education in addition to those provided out of public funds. The voluntary contributions are essential if our school is to maintain its current standards and provision. Our intention is that the fund has a specific focus, this year it is technology and specifically raising funds to upgrade our interactive boards.

Request - what are we asking of you?

Contributing to the fund is voluntary. We’re aware that many families already contribute generously to the school through supporting the Friends’ initiatives. This is an invaluable source of funding for us that has financed some fantastic additional resources for the pupils, such as iPads, our library, STEAM room and classroom resources. We also know that not all parents are able to attend and support the Friends’ events and may wish to support the School in other ways.

We are suggesting a donation of £50 annually per family. You may wish to contribute less or more, annually or monthly. Every contribution will go towards us being able to invest in additional technology to enhance our children's learning. Parents can pay for School Fund online via our Arbor payment system, go to Accounts - School Fund - Top Up Account.

We would like to thank you for your support.

LEO LOTTERY

Help raise funds for the LEO Foundation by joining our lottery.

Join our weekly lottery from just £1 a week
It’s an easy way to support our Trust and help raise funds for LEO Foundation projects
40% of ticket sales come back to us
There’s a guaranteed winner every week as well as the chance to win £25,000
It’s easy to sign up online so start supporting our Trust today!

This year, funds raised by the LEO Foundation supported our LEO PRIDE Awards in EYFS, our ECB All Stars Cricket Development Centre for Year 2 pupils, Mandarin lessons for Year 5 pupils and our Year 6 Junior Citizenship Programme.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we wish you good luck!

To purchase a ticket please click here.

HELP US / SOCIAL MEDIA

Please..........help your child:

Regularly listen to your child(ren) read
Encourage your child(ren) to complete their homework / Doodle Activities / Timetable Rockstars
Ask your child about their day and talk about the amazing things they have learned
Talk positively to your child(ren) about school and their progress / praise their achievements
Speak to your child(ren)'s class teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team if you have any concerns regarding your child(ren)
Avoid taking your child(ren) out of school during the school day / term time for appointments and holidays
Drop your child(ren) off to school on time and in the correct uniform / collect your child(ren) on time / if you drive to collect your child(ren), ensure that you park safely respecting our neighbours and local businesses

Please..........help us:

Carefully read all communications to ensure that they are fully understood and actioned (if required)
Promptly report your child(ren)'s absence
Ensure you pay for school meals / trips / events on time via Arbor
Update your personal information via the Arbor App if there are any changes

Please..........help raise funds:

Contribute towards the School Fund
Consider taking part in the school lottery
Support the FOWA in attending events / or even better support the FOWA in helping to organise events

Social Media

To be kept up-to-date with all of the exciting activities, learning and events that the children are participating in please follow on social media:

X: WestAshtead

Facebook: WestAshteadPrimarySchool

Instagram: west.ashtead.primary.school

Our social media platforms are used when the KS2 children are away on residential trips - seeing how much fun the children are having makes missing them not quite so bad, the children definitely do not look like they are missing home!

Please note that we only share photos of children who have photo permission and we only ever use their first name. Also, we do not keep the photos that we share so if you see a photo of your child that you would like you can save these onto your own device by clicking on the 3 dots on the photo and selecting save. Also if you see a post that interests you, please can we ask you to share/retweet.

If you would like your child to be included in our social media posts, please ensure that you have consented to social media. If you are unsure please look at your child's profile on the Arbor app and contact the school office if you wish to make a change.

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