Friday 13th February 2026
Dear Parents and Families,
As the first half of spring term 2026 draws to a close, we are all hoping to say
goodbye to the ice, snow, rain and floods that we have endured. The morning and
evenings are a little lighter and we are just seeing signs of spring in the crocuses and
daffodils peeking out of the ground.
We would like to thank all those involved for your support in taking children to the
Village Hall for dance and PE sessions this term; we know how much the children and
staff have valued these sessions and it has been good to further develop our
relationships within the community and with the Village Hall.
School Drop Off and Pick Up
We have recently had an incident where children have been left unsupervised in the
playground before school. We begin to welcome children into school at 8.30am when
we open the doors. If your children are on site before this time, please remember
that the gates will be open and that you are responsible for them unless you have
previously arranged an alternative drop off time with the school and/or agreed with
another parent that they are acting in loco parentis.
Similarly, when children are collected from school, they are the responsibility of the
person collecting them. We have reminded the children that they are not allowed to
take school equipment out of the sheds, or to play with items in the playground after
school.
Phonics Teaching
After half term we are very excited that we will be introducing Little Wandle as our
new phonics and reading scheme. This is primarily aimed at our younger children, and
you will notice some changes in how we teach phonics and in how your children talk
about their learning. Staff have been very busy attending training, checking and
reading resources and visiting other schools in readiness for the change. We will be
sending home more information about resources available to you and how you can
support your children with their learning after half term.
Worship Warriors
It is an absolute joy to see how keen our Worship Warriors are to present Picture
News Worship; they organise themselves, share out the responsibilities and present
‘ Achieving Together with Love, Hope and Joy ’
the children (and adults!) with interactive quizzes at the end- no wonder there is a
waiting list of children for next year!
Music Tuition
Mr Smith continues to give private flute and saxophone lessons in school on Monday
afternoons and has spaces available; if you would like more information please contact
the school office. Mr Barrett continues to give guitar, ukulele and piano lessons on
Tuesdays; if you would like more information, please contact West Sussex Music or
the office.
School Uniform
If you would like to purchase preloved school uniform, please either hand your
request to the member of staff on the gate in the morning or call the school office.
Please state what you would like and the size required and we will do our best to help
you. Similarly, if you have clean uniform in good condition you wish to donate, please
hand it to either a member of staff on the gate in the morning or bring it to the
school office.
Medicines in School
Please would parents and families remember that any medication that you request we
administer to your child/children needs to be brought by an adult to the office and
you will need to complete the relevant form. This is the case for both cough sweets
and lip balms. We also would like to remind you that medicines need to be named and
in the original packaging with the PIL (Patient information leaflet).
Parking
Thank you for supporting our use of the no parking notices outside School House. We
would still like to remind you that access to the stables and to local resident’s homes
is via the gravel drive opposite so please only use it for brief drop off and pick up as
it restricts their access.
Wellies
Please could you make sure that you child has a pair of wellies that fit and are not
split in school please. There are a few children who do insist that their parents do
not mind and that they do not need them. However, we will continue to go to the field
as much as we can and we want to keep our indoor carpeted area as mud free as
possible.
After school clubs
Thank you to those of you who have already signed up; all the clubs run from 3.30-
4.15pm and we appreciate your prompt collection afterwards.
Swimming Sessions
We are pleased to continue our partnership with Steyning Grammar School and ‘MXT
Swimming’ to offer swimming sessions for Y3 in the second half of the Spring term.
Please remember your child will need a verruca sock if they have a verruca and a
swimming hat (they will not be permitted to swim without a hat). Transport will be
provided by minibus, and a packed lunch will be required on these days.
Requests for Absence from School
Thank you for ensuring that your recent requests for absence from school, including
late arrivals and early departures due to medical/dental appointments have been
accompanied by an absence request form (these are available to download from our
website or paper copies are available from the school office).
Fire and Emergency Lockdown Procedures
We are delighted to report that our Fire and Emergency Lockdown Procedures
practices have gone very smoothly, and all children responded promptly and calmly.
Safeguarding
As always, should you have any concerns regarding your child/children, please contact
the school as soon as possible, in order that matters may be quickly and effectively
resolved. Should you have any safeguarding concerns please contact the DSL team,
Mrs Smith, Mrs Welstead and Mrs Sansbury direct or via DSL@ashurstcofe-pri.w-sussex.sch.uk.
Dates for your diary
Just a reminder that Monday 23rd February 2026 is our 3rd INSET Day.
We are very much looking forward to our Pyjama Day on Wednesday 25th February.
Children can come in their pyjamas, dressing gowns/bathrobes and bring slippers to
wear indoors. There is a suggested voluntary contribution of £1.00 to FAPS for the
privilege! We are also going to be sharing books and reading at different times
throughout the day, so children have been asked to bring in a favourite book from
home to share with others or read themselves.
We hope you have a peaceful half term and that the opportunity to enjoy some better
weather presents itself!
Kindest regards,
Mrs S Smith
Headteacher