School News 11th September 2026

Sep 11

5 min read

Friday 11th September 2026

Headteacher's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we begin a new school year, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our families. It has been wonderful to see the school buzzing with excitement, enthusiasm and smiling faces as the children have returned to their classrooms.

I would like to praise all of our pupils for the fantastic way they have settled into their new classes. They have approached the start of the year with positivity, confidence and a willingness to embrace new challenges. These early days are so important, and the children have already demonstrated many of the qualities linked to our September school value of Growth. Growth is about learning from experiences, developing new skills and striving to be the very best version of ourselves, and it has been lovely to see this value in action across the school.

A special thank you must go to our Year 5 and Year 6 parents and carers for your unwavering support with our swimming programme. I appreciate that swimming lessons can sometimes result in a great deal of extra washing, drying and organisation at home, so your support is very much appreciated! Early feedback from our swimming instructor suggests that the children are working incredibly hard and making excellent progress. Swimming is an essential life skill, and developing confidence and competence in the water is particularly important. We are proud of the effort our pupils are showing and look forward to celebrating their continued achievements.

As we settle into our routines, I would also like to remind families about our established school uniform policy. To support the safety and wellbeing of all children, pupils should only wear stud earrings to school. Children wearing hooped or dangling earrings will be asked to remove them for their own safety and to comply with our health and safety expectations.

98017_b0a2c89b2e0844dd8d341d435c38b320.pdf In addition, please ensure that all uniform items, coats, PE kits, water bottles and lunch boxes are clearly named. This helps us to quickly return lost property and encourages children to take responsibility for their belongings, another important aspect of personal growth and independence.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can help every child grow in confidence, develop new skills and enjoy a successful year ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs R. Purshouse

Headteacher

Together we learn, lead and grow.

Safeguarding: IMPORTANT ALLERGY AWARENESS REMINDER – NUT FREE SCHOOL

The safety and wellbeing of all our pupils is our highest priority. As many families will already know, Goldthorn Park Primary School is a nut-free school due to several children having severe nut allergies.

For some children, even a tiny amount of nut product, or contact with a surface that has come into contact with nuts, can trigger a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. We therefore ask all parents and carers to help us maintain a safe environment by ensuring that no nut-containing products are brought into school.

The recent introduction of Benedict's Law, established in memory of Benedict Blythe, serves as an important reminder of the need for greater allergy awareness and highlights the shared responsibility between schools and families to keep children safe. The legislation has strengthened expectations around allergy management, staff training and safeguarding arrangements within educational settings.

To help protect pupils with severe allergies, please do not send any food items containing nuts into school, including:

Nutella or other chocolate and nut spreads
Ferrero Rocher chocolates
Kinder Bueno bars
Peanut butter sandwiches
Mixed nuts or nut snack packs
Cakes, biscuits or cereal bars containing nuts

Please remember to check ingredient labels carefully, as nuts can often be present in products where they are not immediately obvious.

We greatly appreciate your support and understanding. By working together and remaining vigilant about the food brought into school, we can ensure that all children are able to learn, play and enjoy their school day safely and without unnecessary risk.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us keep every child safe.

The Importance of Good Attendance

Regular school attendance is essential for every child's learning, wellbeing and overall development. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve their full academic potential, build positive relationships, and develop important life skills such as resilience, independence and confidence.

At Goldthorn Park Primary School, we are committed to working closely with parents and carers to ensure that every child attends school regularly, arrives on time and is ready to make the most of every learning opportunity.

Our whole-school attendance target is 96% or above each week. Achieving this target helps to ensure that children benefit from uninterrupted learning, maintain strong friendships and develop positive habits that will support them throughout their education and beyond.

Thank you for your continued support in making attendance a priority. By working together, we can give every child the very best opportunity to learn, thrive and succeed.

Let's all work together to achieve our 96% attendance target each week and make every day count!

Ms C. Tolley

(Deputy Headteacher and Attendance Champion)