Harvest Festival

To end this term we had a lovely Harvest Festival for the students at Love Lane. The festival involved lots of singing and presentations from classes about what they had made. We also made food collections to be distributed to people who need it most.

Below are a selection of the work that the students produced along with some photos of the singing.

Have a lovely half term and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 3rd November.

Numicon training adds up to success

Last night a group of parents learnt how to use Numicon to support their children at home in developing their understanding of number.  We all had good fun learning all the exciting and practical ways it can be used. 

A home kit is around £15 from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Numicon-Homework-Activities-Intervention-Resources/dp/0198487061/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414133968&sr=8-2&keywords=numicon+home+kit

 

A range of free resources, including the subtraction covers can be found at https://global.oup.com/education/content/primary/series/numicon/?facet_type_facet=Teaching+Support&facet_subtype=Teaching+and+classroom+resources&facet_subtype=Activities&region=uk&view=ProductList 

 

We look forward to hearing all the innovative ways you've used it at home to support your child.

Castle School is OUTSTANDING!

Dear parents, carers and friends,

It is with great pleasure that I can now tell you that following the recent inspection by OFSTED that The Castle School has been rated as Outstanding in all areas.

This is an amazing achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, the pupils, the governors and of course yourselves for your support.

I am sending home the report to parents tomorrow and it will then also be put onto the school website.

Well done to everyone, it is a real achievement and really recognises the amazing job that all the staff do here at The Castle.

From a very proud Headteacher,

Jon

Pendragon off to a flying start

On Thurday Pendragon class spent the day at the British Airways Learning Centre in Harmondsworth.  They learnt the different jobs the people do at an airport.  Did you know at Heathrow they make 50,000 cups of tea a day! Pupils got to act out the different roles including check in, cabin crew, pilot and passengers.  They all looked super smart in the British Airways uniform.  In the afternoon they went to British Airways headquarters.  They learnt about the history of planes including Concorde and the plane that transported the Olympic frame.  They also got to experience what it's like in 1st class - they even have their own wardrobe!

 Our British Airways Captains welcome you on the flight

 

 Checking in

 

 The luxury of First Class

 

 Safety First! Trying on the lifejackets

 

Ready for take off!

Madejski Stadium match update

I just thought I would update you on the final results of the football match that we took part in last Friday.

The football match lasted for a whole 12 hours with 24 teams competing in total. The final score was Reds 69 - Blues 86.

We represented the Blues for 1 hour and, as you will know, scored 10 goals during our hour. This means we contributed to 12% of the goals! That is quite an extraordinary feat.

I would again like to say thank you to all our young people who took part to help promote World Mental Health Day. You can find out more about the day by clicking here

Madejski Football Tournament

Today, 14 of our Key Stage 4 students travelled all the way to the Madejski Stadium to take part in a 1 hour of a 12 hour football match to promote World Mental Health Day. At the event our students spent time looking at how to stay healthy as well as playing.

The 1 hour match was tough, without a break. We played against Manor Green School from Slough. Players were substituted during the match so that they did not get too tired. Excitingly, at the end of the 1 hour match I am proud to say that The Castle School Team won!!! With the score line at 10-7 we were triumphant.

However, winning aside, our students were exemplary and we are extremely proud of their behaviour, manners and sportsmanship at the event. True ambassadors for the school community.

Well done to Jake, Jamie, Kallum, Brandon, Ricky, Kirra, Bradley, Lily, Alisha, Justin, Laura, Luke, John and Ryan for all being amazing. Also, a huge thanks to Lisa, Sue, Chris and Emma who supported and encouraged the team to their victory.

A special mention must go to Justin, who spent the whole game in goal and did not come off once!

Here are some photos of what happened

The triumphant team celebrate

 

 Our amazing team coaching each other

 

 The teams meet the Reading mascot Kingsley Royal

 

 The team behind the team - Sue, Lisa, Emma and Chris meet Kingsley

 

 Breaking through the defence!

 

 Ready to pass

 

 The under-cover venue at Madejski

 

 Great footwork

 

The teams have a photo together

OFSTED inspection update

Dear parents and carers,

Thank you for your support over the past two days. The staff and children have been amazing.

OFSTED have now completed their inspection and will be reporting back in the next two weeks. As soon as we have the report you will be the first to know how we did.

Many thanks,

Jon Hewitt
Headteacher

OFSTED Inspection

As part of the normal schedule we are being inspected by OFSTED over the next two days (7th and 8th October). This visit will involve looking at teaching and learning and seeing what we do at The Castle School.

I will send out the standard OFSTED letter to parents tomorrow, but you can access it by clicking here http://www.thecastleschoolnewbury.org.uk

I see this an a very positive opportunity to show all the amazing things that go in at our school.

As soon as I have any further details I will, of course, keep you informed.

A parent's view of the new EHC plan meetings

As you know, there are changes to the way that statements are reviewed from this year. Over the next 3 years the local authority are changing all statements to the new EHC (Education, Health and Care) plan. The main reason for this change is to enable young people to have even more input into their own plan and also to try and increase the involvement of health and care practitioners where appropriate.

Tracey Mann is a parent of a year 11 pupil at The Castle School has some reassuring words for any parents who may be worried about the new process:

"As a parent of a child that has had their EHC Plan transition meeting I would just like to say to other parents how positive the new plan is. My feelings are that it is a vast improvement on the statement and takes into account everything about your child, including the family. So don't be worried or scared when your child's review comes, you will be pleasantly surprised and come away feeling positive"

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact Shannon Booth at school.

Help your child with Maths

Maths can be a challenging subject for all of us. Things change over time and are different from when we are at school. At The Castle we are now using a wonderful maths resource called Numicon. This is a superb programme to enable everyone to become good at maths. In order to help support your child the best you can we are offering free training on Numicon along with many other aspects of maths at our school from 3.15pm to 4.15pm on Thursday 23rd October 2014.

If you would like to go please return the slip on the letter being sent home today.

Alternatively, you can download the letter at the bottom of the page at this link

http://www.thecastleschoolnewbury.org.uk/index.asp?m=72&s=103&t=Training

We look forward to seeing you all there for fun maths and maybe a few biscuits as well!