END OF YEAR Message from Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers

We’re very nearly at the end of another academic year. I’m sure you’ll all agree that 2020 has not been what we may have hoped for - so far!! We have been extremely proud of the fact that our school has been open during ‘school closure’ for the children of key workers and other identified children and then for children in selected year groups since the beginning of June. Our staff have been working tirelessly during this period, many without a prolonged break having worked through both the Easter and half term holidays, either in school or preparing work for your children to complete remotely. Hopefully, you would have been in  regular contact with a member of school staff whilst the school has been closed to ensure that you have been well supported and to provide your children with an education whilst they have not been at school. We cannot wait to see you all upon your return on the 7th September.    

At this time of year we have to say goodbye to our fantastic year 6 children and some of our wonderful staff. It is such a shame that our year 6 children have not been able to receive the traditional year 6 ‘send off’ that they so thoroughly deserve. On behalf of the staff, Governors, pupils and parents of Drapers Mills Primary Academy, we wish them all the very best of luck at their new Secondary Schools. Please remember your time with us fondly and we hope to see you all again soon! We are hoping that, social distancing guidelines allowing, we may be able to invite them back in September for an opportunity to say a proper ‘Goodbye’. Please watch this space - we will not forget you!  

Some of our staff are leaving too. Miss Lamb and Mr Day will be leaving us after successfully completing their Teacher Training with us. We congratulate them both for this fantastic achievement and wish them both the very best of luck in their new teaching roles. We also say goodbye to Miss Husband, Miss Hayes, Mrs Love, Mrs Harris, Mrs McGee, Mrs Grainger, Miss Wong and Miss Laura Johnson. We wish them all the best of luck in their new ventures. 

We must also congratulate Mr Wilson for securing the role of Safeguarding Lead for our Academy, The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). This is a massive achievement for Mr Wilson as he will now be supporting all of the 45 Primary and Secondary Academies in the TKAT Family. Although we will not be losing him completely, it is likely that we will be seeing less of him as the year progresses and his commitments elsewhere keep him away from school. We wish him all the best of luck in his new role. 

We are also saying goodbye to Mrs Fassam who retired during lockdown after 20 years at the school. We thank her for everything she has done for the school over the years and hope she will not be a stranger! 

Now, looking forward to September … 

Our classes will be named after famous authors. This will help children take an in-depth look into the author and enjoy some of their texts throughout the year, in addition to the wide range of texts that they study through their Literacy learning. A love of reading is an essential part of the culture we promote at Drapers Mills Primary Academy

Classes for academic year 2020 -2021

The school and what we do in it will look different in September. Along with the restrictions in place because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic we will also be introducing new schemes for the learning of maths (Mathematics Mastery), home reading (Accelerated Reader) and phonics (Read Write Inc.). There will also be a greater emphasis on the completion of homework and a continued drive to raise the levels of attendance for children in our school. We will communicate these changes with you in due course.

Until then, I wish you a wonderful Summer Break and we look forward to seeing you all at school on Monday 7th September. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mr J Manclark