Head Teacher Blog: Friday 5th June 2026

Date: 5th Jun 2026 @ 11:01am

I hope that you all had a lovely half term break and were able to enjoy some of the beautiful hot weather that we were fortunate to have. It has been wonderful to welcome the children back into school, and as always, they have quickly settled back into the rhythm of school life. The second half of the summer term is always a busy one, with lots to look forward to, including Sports Day and our Year 6 leavers’ preparations, which are already underway. We will be sharing further details about upcoming events with you in due course.

Conway Centre Residential

Our Year 5 and Year 6 children had a fantastic time on their recent residential visit to the Conway Centre in Anglesey. They embraced a wide range of adventurous activities with enthusiasm and courage, often stepping outside of their comfort zones and supporting one another along the way. Experiences like these create lasting memories and help to build confidence, independence and resilience, as well as giving the children many opportunities to let their light shine through their encouragement, teamwork and determination.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff who gave up their time to support the visit, being away from their own families to make the experience possible for the children, and doing so at no additional cost. Their commitment and care are very much appreciated.

Winsford Education Partnership (WEP) Interfaith Week

This week we have been taking part in an Interfaith Week alongside other primary schools across the town. Each year group has explored a different religion through the theme of faith through art, which has led to some wonderful creative work being produced across the school. Alongside this, the children have engaged in thoughtful and respectful discussions about different beliefs, helping to deepen their understanding of inclusion and the importance of accepting and celebrating diversity within our community. It has been lovely to see the way in which the children have approached this with curiosity, respect and openness.

Vacancy – Midday Assistant

We are currently looking for a new Midday Assistant to join our lovely, happy school team. This is a valuable role within our school, supporting the children during lunchtime and helping to ensure a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested in this opportunity, further details and how to apply can be found via this link: Midday Assistant Vacancy

We would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to become part of our team.

Multiplication Tables Check / Phonics Screening Check

A big well done to our Year 4 children who have completed their Multiplication Tables Check this week. All of their hard work and practice really has paid off, and they approached the week with confidence and determination — we are very proud of them.

We would also like to wish our Year 1 children the very best of luck for their Phonics Screening Check next week. We know how hard they have been working and are sure that they will do themselves proud too.

Sports Day - Reminder

We have a date in the diary for this year’s Sports Day which will follow a similar format to last year. It will be held on Tuesday 23^rd June with KS1 (Hatchmere, Sandymere, Delamere) in the morning and KS2 (Oakmere, Linmere, Blakemere) in the afternoon with more precise times to follow nearer the day.

We have had to work hard to manage to squeeze this into a packed calendar (which not only encompasses children, but also staff availability) and as such, if we are unable to go ahead for any reason – such as the weather – then we do not have a reserve date available this year. Therefore, keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed for good weather!

Attendance

This week, instead of sharing percentages, I will continue to show attendance in a different way. Across the school this week, children missed a total of 19.5 days – which is the same as almost 4 weeks of learning just from these 4 days. When we look at attendance in days rather than percentages, it becomes much more obvious how quickly small absences add up. Missing just one day here and there may not seem like much, but over time it can create gaps in learning, disrupt routines, and make it harder for children to keep up with new concepts that build on each other, putting them at a disadvantage compared to the other children.

We know that sometimes absences are unavoidable, but there are lots of ways that families can help reduce lost learning—by keeping to consistent routines, planning appointments outside school hours where possible, and encouraging children to come in even if they’re feeling a little tired. Every day in school really does count, and together we can make sure our children have the best chance to thrive.

#WakeUpWednesday

While many allergies result in only mild symptoms, some can be far more dangerous, causing life-threatening episodes of anaphylaxis that require swift intervention. This week’s guide helps break down the warning signs and outlines the immediate steps to take when every second counts. It also provides a useful overview of the most common food allergens – from milk and eggs to shellfish and sesame – as well as common non-food triggers like insect venom, pollen and medication. With clear guidance on recognising the symptoms of a serious reaction and the role of devices like auto-injectors, this resource can help adults feel more prepared and informed when supporting children with allergies.

School Dinners

School dinners cost £3.20 per day, £16 per week. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals as part of the government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme.  

If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click here for more information and support and how to apply. It is very important to apply for free schools meals whatever year your child is in, even if you receive the UIFSM in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as the school receives a sum of extra money to further help support your child and their education.

Illness - Reminder

It is that time of year when so many people are catching lots of different bugs that are going around. With some of these, it is important that your child stays at home to avoid passing the illness around but there are others that they are perfectly fine to come to school with. I am re-sharing a link that gives you an idea of some common illnesses and whether you should keep your child at home or send them in to school: Is My Child too Ill for School?

Absence During Term Time – Reminder

Penalty Notices are issued for irregular attendance, with days off here and there throughout the term including holidays.

The National Framework for Penalty includes:

A Penalty Notice must be considered for 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period – these days do not have to be all at the same time, they can be a couple of days here and a couple of days there; they can be a combination of a couple of days holiday and a couple of days absence at other times too.

An increase to the amount of a Penalty Notice is now £160 if paid within 28 days, and £80 if paid within 21 days. ​This fine is issued to each parent separately for each child, so both parents receive the £80 fine, meaning that for one child it equals £160 (£80 for Mum and £80 for Dad) if both parents take the child.

​A second Penalty Notice could be issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period being charged at a higher rate of £160 with no option for this second offence to be discharged at the lower rate of £80.​

A national limit of 2 penalty notices that can be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period, so at the 3rd (or subsequent) offence(s) another tool will need to be considered (such as prosecution or one of the other attendance legal interventions).  ​

Operation Encompass – Reminder

As a school, we participate in a police-led initiative called Operation Encompass, a scheme which ensures that we can better support any child where a domestic incident has been reported to the police from their home.

Following a domestic incident, the police will make contact with the school and communicate relevant information to nominated, fully trained school staff. This will ensure that we are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe, supported and listened to.

Each school has a member of staff called a key adult who is trained to liaise with the police, when required, whilst ensuring support is available to the child. If you would like to speak to someone further about the initiative, or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Mrs Bettley as the key adults for Over St. John’s.

We are committed to working in partnership with local relevant organisations to safeguard and protect children across Cheshire and provide the best possible care and support for our pupils.

You can find out more about Operation Encompass via the following site: http://www.operationencompass.org

 

Confirmed Dates for the Summer Term 2026 - New Dates Highlighted

Dinner Week 2

Monday 8^th June: Year 1 Phonics Screening Check week

Thursday 18^th June: Year 5 ‘Come and Play with the Halle’ at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Wednesday 24^th June: Big Blue Day (more details to follow)

Wednesday 8^th July: Summer Disco 5.30pm – 7pm

Tuesday 23^rd June: Sports Day – KS1 am, KS2 pm

Tuesday 14^th July: Wheelie Day (more details to follow)

Tuesday 21^st July: Leavers’ Service at St. John’s Church 9.15am

Tuesday 21^st July: School closes for the summer at 2pm

 

Wednesday 2^nd September: School opens at 8.35am

 

Wishing you a lovely weekend — and moments where your family’s light can shine brightly.

 

Take care,

Mrs E Snowdon

 

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