Happy New Year!
Welcome back to another exciting year at Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School! We are grateful for all the joy and success we shared last year and optimistic about what the future holds.
Spring Term Overview
Curriculum Focus: Perseverance – How can we overcome problems?
Curriculum Implementation 2025-26 – Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School
This document outlines what we will be learning this term, including the books we’ll be reading. We are currently updating the writing section and will share this very soon.
You can support your child by discussing the topics listed here. Additionally, you can view your child’s learning journey on SeeSaw.
Our school website contains lots of useful information, including community events and whole-school news:
Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School – Together Everyone Achieves More and Whole School News – Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School
Feedback from Parents
At Parents’ Evening, we will once again welcome professionals from various teams who can offer help, support, and advice. We truly value and appreciate your feedback.
Feedback From parents
School Uniform Policy
Our uniform policy has been updated in line with the latest government guidance.
School Uniform Policy Update in line with Government Guidance
SEND Newsletter
SEND Newsletter
Mufti Days
Please remember there is never any pressure to buy anything for mufti days. This term, we have three themed days linked to our value of perseverance:

• Curl Up with a Good Book
• World Book Day
• NSPCC Maths Day

Educational Visits
We do not usually organise visits during this term to help families save money. However, we are planning a whole-school visit in the summer at minimal cost.
If you need any support, please visit What is early Help? – Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School on our website or speak to any member of staff.
Attendance Reminders
Please continue to support good attendance and punctuality. Attendance reminders
Year 4O Staffing Update
We are delighted to share some staffing news for Class 4O:

• Miss Price will return in January and teach on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.
• Miss O’Shea will continue teaching on Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays, and Fridays.
• The class will be renamed 4OP.

We are confident this transition will be smooth and positive, ensuring the class continues to thrive under their shared guidance.

Pupil Feedback
We are currently gathering pupil feedback and will share updates soon- but here is what we have so far.

Dates:
Tuesday 6th January: School Restarts, school start 8:25.
Wednesday 7th January: Warm/ Welcome Wednesday 8-9 (Free Breakfast)
Friday 9th January: Curl Up with a Good Book Day: A day focused on the benefits of reading to support mental health. MUFTI- come in comfy clothes.
Tuesday 13th January: Year 3 Stone Age Widget Workshop.
Wednesday 14th January: Warm Wednesday 2- 2:55
Friday 6th February: NSPCC Maths Day, mufti as a Maths Rockstar or Something math related. (Donations for NSPCC)
Friday 6th February: Selected Year 5 and 6, “Let Girls Play” event.
Monday 9th February: Children Mental Health Week
Tuesday 10th February: Safer internet Day
Thursday 12th February: Parents/Carer Evening 3- 530
Friday 13th February: Parents/Carer Open Afternoon 1- 5 (school shuts at 12:15)
Thursday 26th February: Selected Year 5 Haberdasher Spelling Bee.
Friday 6th March: World Book Day, Mufti and Reading Open Afternoon 1:45- 2:30
Thursday 26th March: Easter Concert Led by Year 5 and Poetry Performances by all. 1:45
Friday 27th March: Last Day.

Term Dates: 2025-2026 and 2026-2027! (note the 2026 and 2027 one does not have the PD days on yet)

Congratulations to our 2025 Christmas Card winners!

Christmas Card Competition Winners 2025.pdf

📘 School Uniform Policy
Effective from: November 2025
Reviewed by: Governing Board | In partnership with families
🎯 Purpose
This policy outlines our approach to school uniform, ensuring it supports inclusion, wellbeing, affordability, and legal compliance. It reflects updated guidance on the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and cost considerations for families.
👕 Core Principles

• Belonging and Pride: We believe that wearing a school uniform fosters a sense of community, pride, and equality among pupils.
• Equity and Inclusion: Our uniform policy is inclusive and adaptable, ensuring all pupils feel safe, comfortable, and able to learn.
• Legal Compliance: We uphold our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, ensuring reasonable adjustments are made for pupils with disabilities and that all pupils are treated with dignity.
• Affordability: In line with government guidance, we require only one branded item to reduce costs for families.

✅ Our School’s Uniform
All children are expected to wear the correct uniform daily. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure this. The standard uniform includes:

• Purple school sweatshirt or cardigan (only branded item, purchased from school)
• White shirt or polo shirt
• Black trousers or knee-length black skirt
• Black shoes
• In the summer term:
  • Purple and white summer dresses or
  • Tailored black shorts

Price lists are available from the school office.
🏃 PE Kit
For Physical Education, pupils are required to wear:

• White top
• Black shorts

🎁 The school provides each pupil with their first PE kit when they start
🧩 Flexibility and Adjustments
We recognise that some uniform items may pose challenges for pupils with SEND or EBSA. Therefore, we commit to:

• Offering adaptations or alternatives to standard uniform items.
• Allowing more comfortable or less restrictive clothing where needed.
• Providing a range of uniform options rather than a rigid list.
• Avoiding fabrics, seams, or footwear that may cause sensory discomfort.

Requests for adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with families and relevant professionals.
🤝 Consultation and Co-Production
This policy is co-produced with families and reviewed annually with input from:

• Parents and carers
• Pupils
• SENCO and pastoral staff
• Governing board representatives

📘 School Uniform Policy
Effective from: November 2025
Reviewed by: Governing Board | In partnership with families
🎯 Purpose
This policy outlines our approach to school uniform, ensuring it supports inclusion, wellbeing, affordability, and legal compliance. It reflects updated guidance on the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and cost considerations for families.

We are holding a free Christmas themed, family glow ride on the 18th December (6pm -7pm) and I would be really grateful if you could share the attached flyer with your staff and parents 😊

It’s completely free to attend – we just ask people to book a ticket for all attending, so that we know how many to expect on the night. Bike hire is available at the discounted price of £3 per hire – bookable by emailing thebikehub

Please see our report

We are still awaiting our Writing data, it was around 50% but has not been included on the gov data. The Local Authority is establishing why.

Disadvantaged Action Plan 25 26.docx

I can’t believe how quickly the end of term is approaching.

Wednesday 10th December: Dress Rehearsal for infants and family friendly dress rehearsal

Wednesday 10th: Warm Wednesday 2- 2:55 in the Library.

Thursday 11th: Concert day you will need a ticket.

Friday 12th: Open Afternoon for Maths. 1:45 – 2:30 (a very nice simple fun afternoon). Please note gates will be open for entrance from 1:45- 2 (after that they will only be for exit).

Friday 12th: Mufti for the Christmas Fete

Tuesday 16th: Donnington’s Got Talent (just for us)- children performs and show a wide range of talents. Pupils can enter art and craft, but they need to bring these in on Tuesday.

Wednesday 17th: Warm Wednesday 8-9 Free Breakfast in Library!

Wednesday 17th: Magic Show for the whole School! and Dojo Party after.

Wednesday 17th: Christmas Jumper Day

Wednesday 17th: Christmas Dinner Day

Thursday 18th: Christmas Fayre and Rudolph Relay 1:45 onwards

Friday 19th : Last Day (normal day and times)

Return

Tuesday 6th January 2026- gates open at 8:22 and school starts 8:25!

Current Year 5 pupils and families are warmly invited to visit Haberdashers’ Adams during our Open Week from 19th-21st January to discover the opportunities that we offer. Enjoy a tour of the school, hear from current pupils and meet the headteacher. Book your visit at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FPIK . More information about joining us in year 7 can be found at https://www.adamsgs.uk/join-us-year-7/

Dear Parents and Carers,

Warm Wednesdays (attached posters )

Year 5 enjoyed a taste test of beans and bagels this morning in preparation for welcoming parents to our Warm Wednesdays, starting tomorrow (3rd December). It’s safe to say they went down well!

Join us for a warm drink and a hearty breakfast between 8:00–9:00am, before, during, or after the school drop-off. We look forward to seeing you there!

Family hubs Drop in (attached poster)

We wanted to let you know that at this week’s Family Hubs Drop-In, which takes place during the first week of the month as part of the Live Well Hub, there will be some excellent support available for families.

The Family Hubs DWP Advisor, Kayt Wain, will be on hand to provide information and clarity around benefits. If you would find this helpful, please do go along and take advantage of this support.

In addition, with finances as their theme this month, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) will also be present to offer debt advice for anyone who may need it.

This is a great opportunity to access free, friendly guidance and support.

Rudolph Relay and Christmas Fete (attached posters)

You should have received printed letters and posters for the Christmas events earlier this week. If not, they are attached for your reference.

We would appreciate any donations of unwanted toys or household items for our bric-a-brac stall.

On 12th December, children may come to school in mufti if they bring a raffle or tombola prize.

Warm Wednesdays – parents.pdf

Warm Wednesday Year 5 2.12.25.pdf

Live Well Community Hub Donnington Community Hub.pdf

Letter to Parents- Rudolph Relay 2025.pdf

christmas fete 2025 poster.pdf