Next week (Tues/Weds), we have a film/video producer who is putting together an video of school – which will hopefully give a quick snapshot to current and future prospective parents/carers of what Brown Clee is “all about”. The filming will involve some high-up drone footage and action shots, filming inside and outside of the school building – as well as some interviews/conversations with children.

When all pupils started, parents/carers will have signed to give (or not) permission for photos/videos of their child to be used – and we will use this to ensure that any pupils without permission do not feature. For those that have given prior permission, if you do, for whatever reason, not wish your child(ren) to feature, please let school know by emailing (admin@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk). Similarly, if you have not given permission when first registering and you wish for this to now change, please get in touch and we can update these records.

As of next week, we are changing the length of time in which wraparound “careclub” bookings can be made. These can now be made up until the end of a half term in advance.

As of next half term, we will be moving all payments for “careclub” onto Parent Pay (the same as school dinners – please ensure you click on wraparound care). If you would like to start this from any point now, you can do so.

All bookings for careclub will still need to be made (and confirmed) via emailing careclub@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk.

We are looking at simplifying payments for all after-school club and schools trips so that they can also be paid in the same way.

Just an annual reminder regarding Pupil Premium.

Pupil Premium is funding that schools receive for children that qualify for free-school meals (note: this is NOT the same thing as Universal Infant Free School Meals¹).

In the upcoming year, we will be using part of the Pupil Premium funding to enable parents (of FSM – not UIFSM¹) to receive the following:

• 50% reduction in cost for…
  • After-school clubs
  • Wraparound club (before and after school)
  • Residential Trips
• Upon request, a reduction in cost for…
  • Individual/group music lessons
  • School uniform

The funding is also used in various other ways to help children in a range of way. Further information can be found over on our Pupil Premium information page

The criteria for successful application for FSM is as follows:

•  You (or your partner) are receiving any of the following:
  • Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
  • Income support
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of pension credit
  • Child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit

If you feel you may be eligible for FSM, then you can find further information on how to apply here (https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/free-school-meals/). If you have already applied and your circumstances have changed, you can re-apply.

¹Universal Infant free-school Meals (UIFSM) is the £2.53 Government funding per pupil per meal for ALL pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Pupils in these year groups can still apply for FSM – and receive the above, as well as continued funding of school meals into Year 3-6.

I have been in touch with Lads and Lasses – and they have informed me that the restock of hoodies has arrived today, and the outstanding orders will be sent out by the end of the week.

As per the previous post (https://browncleeschool.org.uk/school-uniform-2/), if you don’t have uniform by the start of term, then plain hoodie/t-shirt/sports top will be absolute fine until you do.

I will be meeting with them (once the term starts) to discuss things moving forward.

It has just come to our attention that there have been some supply issues with our uniform for this year. We will be contacting Lads and Lasses about this.

In the meantime, if your child(ren) does not have the correct uniform by next week, they can come to school in plain t-shirt/hoody/sports top/jumper until the uniform does arrive.

On a similar note, if any parents have any uniform that no longer fit their child(ren), FOBCS will be setting up a second-hand uniform “shop” and will happily take any donated uniform.

As shared earlier in the term, our Leavers’ Service is to take place at St. John’s the Baptist Church in Ditton Priors next Thursday to begin at 13:45.

Although this service is primarily aimed at parents and carers of Year 6 pupils, all parents, carers and governors are invited to attend. The service will be led by Reverend Joe and will involve songs sang by the whole school, some individual music performances by some of our Year 6 pupils, some memories and prayers shared by our Year 6 pupils – as well as a presentation of the Year 6s too.

Year 6 pupils and their parents/carers are invited to remain behind at church after the service where Joe and his team have kindly offered to provide refreshments.