Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Back to School in Plymouth
September will be here before you know it, so early planning for the return to school will be a big help…
When’s the best time to shop for school uniform?
It’s not uncommon for clothing retailers and supermarkets to fill their aisles with back to school uniform before the schools have broken up for the summer holiday. This may be a good time to buy to profit from the best offers, unfrenzied shopping environment and greatest selection, as many shops run out of bespoke school stock just before the start of term. However, it can be a gamble, especially if your child has a growth spurt over the six-week holiday – it can happen!
Once bought, remember to clearly label all clothing items with iron-on, sew-on or self-adhesive labels. Not only is a lost jumper at school an inconvenience; the cost of replacing items mounts up, too.
Make an Eye Appointment for Your Child
The summer holiday is a good time to arrange an eye appointment for your child. All children under 16 years are entitled to regular free eye examinations by a qualified practitioner paid for by the NHS. Following an eye examination, a voucher will be given to help towards the cost of any glasses or contact lenses prescribed.
Make Sure the Shoe Fits!
It makes sense to shop for shoes in the late afternoon as feet swell in size throughout the course of a day.
Choose a store that employs experienced shoe fitters who have been trained to measure children’s feet properly.
Children’s feet should be measured for length and width before buying new footwear. There should be at least a half-inch of space for growth between the tip of the big toe and the top of the shoe.
For more on foot health for children visit the website of the College of Podiatry - https://cop.org.uk/foot-health - guide-to-childrens-foot-heath
Summer Study
If your child struggled with some of their schoolwork last term, it may be difficult for them to start the autumn term with a positive approach.
Top-up tuition from a private tutor during the summer can help, as your child can simply catch up with the work at a pace that is suitable for them.
Preparing your Year 6 Child for the Next Step in September
If your 11-year-old child is moving up to secondary school in September, they may be feeling a bit anxious about the next big change in their life. In comparison to the familiar comforts of primary school, the switch to ‘big’ school may, at first, seem a little overwhelming. You can help ease the nerves and prepare them, by purchasing all the school essentials well in advance, encouraging them to meet up with school friends over the summer break and reminding them of the positive environment of the new school.
Work out the logistics of how your child will get to and from school each day. This is where secondary school is very different to primary school, as most 11-year olds will want to travel to school independently. Run through the school bus timetable with them or figure out a walking route that will take them along main roads as much as possible. You may wish to activate a location tracker on their mobile phone so you can check their whereabouts as they travel to and from school to ensure that they are safe.
Get ready… for the next step 
If your child is in Years 5 or 6, you may find the summer holiday an opportune time to consider all the secondary school options available to them.
The break away from the usual school routine will give you both time to do a bit of research and look at what the different schools have to offer.
Many schools have particular strengths so consider each school’s suitability for your child – it may be that your child may flourish at a school other than the one in your catchment area. Consider all your options and order a number of prospectuses to read more.
Write down the dates of the school open days in your diary
The deadline for school admission applications is 31 October so there is plenty of time to consider all the options available to your child.
In Primary Times’ Back to School issue you will find an extensive School Open Days Directory which lists all the schools in the area, their open days and contact details. Details of applying and how to do it will also be supplied – so look out for your copy which will be distributed via your child’s school from 3 September...
All Saints Academy
Tel: 01752 705131
www.asap.org.uk
All Saints Academy ensures that every student is well-educated, prepared for the future and is able to live life to the full. Its mission is summarised by the motto ‘Together We Succeed’. All Saints has high expectations of students, with a commitment to delivering excellent teaching and learning that inspires students and leads to excellent outcomes.
Its mission is underpinned by four values; Futures, Family, Foundations, and Faith.
It has strengthened the teaching staff and senior leadership team by appointing a number of nationwide outstanding professionals, who bring a breadth of knowledge and extensive experience to the team. It is well on the journey of becoming one of the South West’s best schools, which has already been recognised in both its most recent Ofsted and SIAMS inspections.
The academy is housed in state of the art buildings. Its outstanding facilities are some of the best in Plymouth from purpose built classrooms, all fitted with interactive whiteboards to professional catering kitchens for students to use and a Motor Vehicle workshop.
Excuses for not committing to the All Saints’ mission are not accepted and that is what helps students succeed. It works closely with the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust and partners with outstanding schools up and down the country, along with Marjon University, Plymouth City Council and the Diocese of Exeter as its primary partners.
Coombe Dean School
Tel: 01752 406961
www.coombedean.co.uk
At Coombe Dean School, success is built around positive relationships, making it a place where young people feel safe, secure and able to achieve their dreams.
The school builds on strong foundations of literacy and numeracy and offers a broad range of secondary subjects. Whatever subjects your child loves, whatever they need for success, the staff will work alongside them and encourage them with learning that stretches and challenges them.
Alongside academic excellence, Coombe Dean School offers fantastic personal development, preparing its students for successful careers. In the workforce of tomorrow, they will need to be experts in communication and creative thinking. They will need to understand themselves and be able to work with all kinds of different people. The school will help them achieve this through its ground-breaking Life Skills programme, called ‘Own Your Attitude,’ and a wide range of activities outside the classroom. They develop self-awareness, self-esteem and respect; they learn how to build great working relationships; they improve wellbeing and gain the resilience they need to be successful.
The school looks forward to welcoming your child and helping them become confident, curious learners, equipped to achieve their ambitions and motivated to pursue their dreams.
Fletewood School
Tel: 01752 663782
www.fletewoodschool.co.uk
A Christian independent school dedicated to the discovery of excellence in each child. It is celebrating 100 years delivering affordable, quality education for children aged 3 to 11.
Fletewood School offers an individualised education with small class sizes and a sense of family. Ofsted recently commended it for its outstanding work in promoting pupils’ personal development and welfare and it is known for its close links with the local grammar schools. It offers term-time 30-hour funding in its Nursery/Reception class to all eligible families and 15-hour funding to all children from 3 to 5 years old. Fletewood School also offer wrap-around care for all students until 5pm each evening.
Join in with the Centenary celebrations over the weekend of Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September 2019. The school will be open to the public and will be displaying 100 years of Fletewood’s history. Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates on all events. To request a visit, contact admin@fletewoodschool.co.uk
Hele’s School
Tel: 01752 337193
www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk
For over three hundred years, Hele’s School has been associated with a tradition of educational excellence and personal achievement. It is led by a dedicated and enthusiastic team who are passionate about education and are committed to creating the best possible life chances for pupils. The teaching is driven by the belief that every child should have a happy and inspiring experience of school and it focuses on continually developing its classroom practice to ensure that it delivers challenging and stimulating lessons.
At Hele’s your child will experience a dynamic, rigorous and modern curriculum which supports and challenges them to achieve their full potential, both in and out of the classroom. A broad range of subjects and enrichment activities are offered that encourage students to develop new skills and interests.
Hele’s is a community with the highest standards. Everyone at Hele’s is proud to be associated with the school, and this shows – in positive attitudes, in an environment that promotes care and personal achievement, in extremely high standards of behaviour. Students thrive in a supportive environment which makes Hele’s a great place to learn and a great place to grow.
Lipson Co-Operative Academy
Tel: 01752 671318
www.lipsonco-operativeacademy.coop
At Lipson you become part of a family, not just a school. It is a place where everyone is valued and known as an individual. At its heart, cooperation is about working together and it aims to create an environment where students and staff can thrive.
It expects high standards of work and behaviour from students and is committed to bringing out the very best in everyone. Its mission is to be exceptional in everything it does and although there is rightly a strong emphasis on academic achievement all students are encouraged to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. It is very proud of the way that students represent the school in so many areas of excellence both within and beyond the classroom.
Lipson wants its students to be confident, well rounded individuals who are well prepared and able to play a full role in the world in which they live. It is important that they leave with the necessary skills and qualities required to make a contribution to society, but it is also vital that they leave with the necessary qualifications to earn their way in the world.
Tor Bridge High
Tel: 01752 207907
www.torbridge.net
Tor Bridge High, rated good by OFSTED 2018, is part of the Tor Bridge partnership, encompassing Tor Bridge Primary, Plym Bridge Nursery and Cann Bridge School.
Its students follow a curriculum which is highly personalised to provide real choice and challenge for every individual. A huge number of extended curriculum activities in sport, music and the arts, plus access to whole school themes of enterprise, outdoor challenge, internationalism and student leadership provide endless opportunities for enrichment.
The outstanding team of staff at Tor Bridge High is inspiring, motivational and truly supportive. Creating the balance between the freedom and discipline for young people to develop as responsible individuals can only be achieved by working closely together with their families.
A unique feature is its Small Schools system which provides a “positive school culture in which all pupils are welcome and accepted” OFSTED 2018 where support and guidance for learning is more effective than in a larger traditional Secondary School organisation. What matters most at Tor Bridge High is that young people achieve the success, qualifications, experience and skills needed to realise their ambitions for their future.