Saftey reminder - hometime collection...

I would like to remind all children, parents/carers and anyone who collects their child at home-time that we must all act safely when leaving the school grounds. This week, we had a 'near miss' when a pedestrian left the safety of the pavement and walked along the road. This is unsafe and must not happen please.

Drivers - please park with consideration - not only for the safety of our children but for the good of the local neighbourhood community. I received a phone call on Wednesday from a local resident complaining about parking -they weren't best pleased. The school is planning on getting 'give way' road markings at the end of the exit gate - cars must be driven slowly and with care.

If your child cycles to school, please ensure that they are cycling safely and showing respect for the road and pedestrians.

When crossing roads, please remind your child to 'stop, look and listen'...the green cross code is really important.

I would like home-time/collection to be smooth and safe. Thank you for helping us to achieve this.

Kind regards - Mr Edwards 

Term 1 Update

There has been some great learning already this term and I am delighted with the way that the children have settled back in to daily school life...

Over the past few weeks there has been lots going on -

Year 1 visited Joyden's Wood to begin their learning project called the 'Enchanted Forest'.

Year 2 have spent time with the firefighters of Swanley Fire Station as part of their project 'Street Detectives'.

Cruella Deville has already visited Year 3 (and threatened to their dogs!) as part of their introduction to 'Heroes and Villains'.

Year 4 have made Anglo-Saxon warships - even adding scary figure heads to frighten their enemies - as they have begun 'Traders and Raiders'.

Year 5 have discovered the delights uncovered by Howard Carter in Egypt all those years ago, studying The Ancient Egyptians this term.

The learning project for Year 6 children is 'ID'. The local police have been booked to come in and do finger-print analysis and forensics...all exciting stuff!

And last, but by no means least, our new Year R children have joined us....and made a fantastic start!

Thank you to everyone for the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to learning!

Welcome back! September 2016...

Where do I begin?

Perhaps I should open by saying 'welcome back' to Downsview Primary School - welcome to another academic year...September 2016 - July 2017!

That is the Downsview Primary School that "continues to be a good school" in the eyes of OfSTED!



Yes - that's right! Our inspection took place on Tuesday 12th July 2016 when Mr Robin Hammerton (HMI - Her Majesty's Inspector) visited us for the day.  After a lengthy wait (due to the summer break), we received the final outcome letter from OfSTED this week and are both delighted and very proud of its contents...we are a "continually improving school" that "does a great job for its pupils."

I felt extremely proud of the whole learning community when reading through the final letter as I truly feel that it captures and reflects the ethos and essence of our school.  We, and when I say 'we', I mean everyone (children, staff, parents and Governors) involved within our school have worked hard to maintain standards and drive learning and progress whilst also ensuring an engaging and varied curriculum. And I'm thrilled that this balance has been recognised. We do strive to make learning fun and give our youngsters memorable experiences but we also do have ambition, aspiration and drive. I am one very happy Headteacher!

To read the full report please visit our school website, www.downsview-primary.org.uk, go click on the quick link to OfSTED.

In the meantime, we have started the new academic year positively and the children have settled quickly. Whilst we are still buzzing from the feedback received by OfSTED, we haven't forgotten our core purpose and will be continuing to work hard to further improve this year. Watch this space...

Downsview Country Dancing Team

Apologies for the late blog on this, but I wanted to congratulate everyone in the Downsview Country Dancing Team who participated in the recent festival at St Paul's. Our dancers shone throughout (yes - I know I'm biased!) and displayed great skill, timing and teamwork. Thank you to all of the pupils involved - a fabulous effort! Thank you also to Mrs Morgan, Miss Page and Miss Selby who accompanied the team...along with willing parents who supported them.

Below are some team photos! These were taken before the performance...they danced eight different dances and then finished with a dance with their Mums and Dads! Phew!

Downsview explores Hampton Court Flower Show 2016

What a fantastic day! I was lucky enough to accompany twelve Year 1 pupils and two Year 6 pupils to Hampton Court today...for the extraordinarily good Flower Show 2016! To be honest, I don't have the greenest of fingers, but I was blown away by the size and scale of the event...and the amazing plants and garden designs on display.

The grand Hampton Court Palace in the background...a wonderful venue for a wonderful event!

Whilst there, we visited Mr Saturn, our school entry in the 2016 Scarecrow Competition and spent time enjoying the other sixty three entries.

Then, with lunch in our bellies, we explored other aspects of the show including the Flower Marquee. Have a look at some of the beautiful creations...

We are hoping to create a new gallery showing more of this amazing event very soon. To find it, please go to www.downsview-primary.org.uk and look for the galleries section.

Cute beyond belief!

Just take a look at this photo.....talk about cute factor!

Just days old....fluffy and cute!

Year R children have been watching their eggs closely this week... and seeing amazing new life come into the world! From eggs to chicks - we now have nine in school - all fluffy, delicate and very cute! 

Not only have the children loved watching them grow and develop, but staff have also enjoyed observing these little bundles of joy! (Lots of other children have also managed to find a reason to visit Miss Page too....you can see why!)

Festival of Country Dancing

To further celebrate the 90th birthday of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, we held a special Festival of Country Dancing on Thursday 16th June 2016. Every class participated in the event, each performing their own special dance. We were very lucky with the weather and despite a few dark clouds, the rain held off and the school performed brilliantly!

In order of performance:

• Year 4: Flying Scotsman
• Year 2: She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain
• Year 3: Lucky Seven
• EYFS: Circassian Circle
• Year 5: The Oxo Reel
• Year 1: Princess Royal
• Year 6: Maypole

The perfect weave! Well done, Year 6!

Each class participated with their own dance.

The finale to the event was a whole school performance of Pat-a-Cake Polka...a great way to end the birthday festivities.

Thank you to all children for performing, to staff for supporting, modelling, demonstrating and organising and to all those parents who were able to attend.