Thank you to all the parents who completed our recent parent survey, as well as those who took the time to respond to the Ofsted Parent View survey. We were very pleased with the positive feedback received and particularly encouraged by the significant improvements shown between the 2021 and 2026 Ofsted Parent View surveys. We will continue to work closely with parents and carers and greatly value your feedback, as it helps us to reflect and improve further. The small number of parents who requested a follow-up will be contacted before half term, if they have not been already.

Ofsted survey graphs: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/parent-view-results/survey/result-print/12698/17

Parent survey graphs: 

We are delighted to invite Year 3 parents and carers to lunch on the following dates:

Wednesday 25th February – 3L (Mrs Lyons)
Menu: Roast Chicken with Sage & Onion Stuffing
Plant Based Shepherd's Pie (Ve)
Deadline for orders: 12.30pm Wednesday 11th February

Wednesday 4th March – 3B (Miss Bonfield and Mrs Geer)
Menu: Roast Beef with Gravy
Roast Quorn Fillet with Sage & Onion Stuffing (Ve)
Deadline for orders: 12.30pm Wednesday 11th February

Wednesday 11th March – 3W (Mrs. Ward)
Menu: Roast Chicken with Sage & Onion Stuffing
Plant Sausages with Gravy (Ve)
Deadline for orders: 12.30pm Wednesday 11th February

This is a wonderful opportunity to sample the HCL menu and experience the tasty meals available to the children. However, we understand that some children may prefer to bring a packed lunch and we still want them to enjoy having their parents join them. So, if you'd like to come in and have lunch with your child, you're more than welcome.

There is a charge for adults eating lunch of £4.20 which can be paid via Arbor School Shop. As with child meals, adult meals will need to be preordered. If you have not preordered, we will not be able to provide a meal on the day as the portions will be ordered in advance. When you log onto Arbor you will have the options available. You can then select which you would like and make payment – this books your place. For dietary information, please follow the link: https://www.hcl.co.uk/_files/ugd/de81f6_247b7b14a8324b3e895a2b94cc64e1f0.pdf

Please note that due to space in the dining room, we can only accommodate one parent per child. As our dining room is not very big, it is difficult to accommodate prams and buggies (and there is a flight of stairs to access the dining room). Parents should be aware babies would need to sit on their parent’s lap. 

Please pre-order your child’s meal in the usual way on School Grid. All children's meals are payable unless the child is entitled to free school meals.

On the day of the lunch, please come to school via the main entrance gate and wait in the hall. Please do not arrive before 12.10pm as the dining room will be used until then. Lunch will take approximately 45 minutes and your child will take you to the main entrance when you finish lunch before they then go out to play. Children who do not have an adult who is able to come will have their lunch as normal with the rest of their year group.

Arbor School Shop guide: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/5068444710813-Purchasing-School-Shop-items-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-Parent-App

We have seen an increase in calls from parents in the upper school checking whether their child has arrived safely at school. While we are always happy to check this for you, we wanted to remind parents that attendance can also be checked directly on Arbor after 9.00am, once the register has closed, which may help put your mind at ease.

To do this:

• Log in to the Arbor app
• Tap the three lines at the bottom of the screen
• Select Attendance, then by date

Here you will be able to view your child’s attendance marks.

Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI for Safer Internet Day 2026 | Childnet

Safer Internet Day 2026 will take place on the 10th of February 2026, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’.

Everyone’s talking about AI, and with many children and young people hearing about and using AI online, it’s important they have the skills and confidence to make safe choices when they are using smart technology.

This Safer Internet Day we are exploring the impact of AI on all of our lives, looking at how AI can be used for good, and giving advice and guidance that empowers people to use AI safely and responsibly.

As you may remember from our previous newsletters, our application to Tesco Stronger Starts was successfully selected for the customer vote in Tesco stores.  Voting has commenced in store and will run until the end of March 2026. We applied to help with payments towards the deficit of the pop up pool.  
The project with the highest number of votes across our region will receive up to £1,500, the second placed project up to £1,000 and the third placed project £500.   

Stores which will vote on our project: 

• 2202 Broadwater Stevenage Superstore SG2 8DT 
• 3213 Stevenage Extra SG1 1ES 
• 4775 Woolmer Green Express SG3 6FP 
• 6131 Old Stevenage Express SG1 3EF 
• 6546 Stevenage Chells Express SG2 0LU 
• 6565 Hitchin Station Lyon Express SG4 9SP 

To vote, you will need to make a purchase of any value within store. You will receive one token per transaction. It is not necessary to purchase a carrier bag to receive a token.