Dear parents and carers,
A very warm welcome to all our children, parents, carers and families as we begin another exciting academic year at Selsdon Primary School and Nursery.
We hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer break, spending valuable time with family and friends, and that everyone returns feeling refreshed, excited and ready for the year ahead. We would also like to extend a particularly warm welcome to all of the families who are joining our school community for the first time. We are delighted that you have chosen Selsdon Primary School and look forward to getting to know you over the coming months.
At Selsdon Primary School and Nursery, we are always looking for new ways to inspire our children to become confident, resilient and successful learners. This year, we are delighted to introduce our exciting new whole-school strategy, which places sport, physical activity, wellbeing and leadership at the centre of our curriculum.
This strategy builds upon our school vision of Caring, Learning, Aspiring and Succeeding and reflects our ambition to provide every child with an education that develops not only excellent academic outcomes but also healthy lifestyles, confidence, teamwork and strong character.
The National Curriculum Subjects Remains Our Highest Priority
We would like to reassure parents and carers that the entire National Curriculum continues to be the foundation of everything we do at Selsdon Primary School.
Over the last few years, we have made significant improvements to our curriculum, particularly through:
- strengthening the teaching of phonics and early reading;
- embedding high-quality writing opportunities across the curriculum;
- developing our mathematics curriculum through White Rose Maths;
- investing in assessment systems and staff development to continually improve teaching and learning.
These improvements will continue to be our priority.
Our new strategy is designed to enhance these subjects rather than replace them. We know that children learn best when they are ready to learn. Research shows that physical activity improves concentration, wellbeing and readiness to learn, helping children achieve their very best academically.
Learning Through Meaningful Themes
This year, every term will have a whole-school theme that connects learning across different subjects while maintaining high expectations in English and Mathematics.
Autumn Term – Discover, Move, Belong
Children will explore how healthy lifestyles, teamwork and belonging help us become active members of our community.
Throughout the term, pupils will:
- read inspirational sporting stories and biographies;
- write persuasive texts and participate in debates;
- apply mathematical skills through measuring, statistics and data handling;
- investigate healthy bodies through science;
- finish the term with our exciting Healthy Living Week, including family activities and fitness challenges.
Spring Term – Challenge, Compete, Achieve
This term focuses on resilience, determination and leadership.
Children will:
- write newspaper reports, balanced arguments and motivational speeches;
- develop mathematical reasoning through data analysis, percentages and scoring systems;
- learn about significant sporting figures and equality;
- take part in leadership opportunities and our new Selsdon Games Festival.
Summer Term – Inspire, Celebrate, Make a Difference
Our final term celebrates achievement and encourages children to use their talents to benefit others.
Children will:
- produce reflective writing, presentations and inspirational speeches;
- apply mathematics through enterprise projects, budgeting and financial literacy;
- explore sustainability and community responsibility;
- celebrate their achievements during our Selsdon Festival of Sport and Wellbeing, Enterprise Fair and Sports Day.
Developing the Whole Child
Our strategy is about far more than sport.
We want every child to:
- become confident readers, writers and mathematicians;
- develop resilience when faced with challenges;
- learn how to work effectively with others;
- understand the importance of physical and mental wellbeing;
- discover leadership skills and take responsibility;
- feel proud of belonging to our school community.
Alongside our daily teaching, we will continue to expand opportunities through sports clubs, competitions, pupil leadership, partnerships with local organisations and celebration events throughout the year. These experiences help children build confidence, develop positive attitudes towards learning and create memories that last a lifetime.
Working Together
Parents and carers play a vital role in every child’s success. Throughout the year, we look forward to welcoming families to events such as Healthy Living Week, the Selsdon Games Festival, Sports Day, Enterprise Fair and many other celebrations of learning.
Together, we will continue to ensure that every child leaves Selsdon Primary School with excellent academic foundations, a love of learning, healthy habits and the confidence to achieve their full potential.
This exciting strategy reflects who we are as a school: a community where Caring, Learning, Aspiring and Succeeding are at the heart of everything we do.
We cannot wait to share this journey with you and your children.
Best wishes,
Hugo Feitor
Headteacher
