Garswood Primary
and Nursery SchoolSo much happening
Welcome to the Garswood Primary School News Page
At Garswood Primary School, a warm and welcoming maintained primary school nestled in the heart of Garswood village, we are delighted to share with you the latest updates and achievements from across our school community. This page is dedicated to keeping parents and the wider community informed about the exciting events, developments, and successes that reflect our commitment to the vision: Be kind, be ambitious, and be respectful.
A Productive and Engaging Half Term
As we close this short but busy half term, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all parents and carers for your ongoing engagement and support. Your partnership has been vital in helping us improve attendance, which has risen to 96.9%—a significant achievement following the challenges of winter illnesses. While we continue to strive for even higher attendance, this progress is a testament to our collective commitment to your child’s education.
Curriculum Highlights: Ready Steady Success
Our curriculum continues to thrive with the positive impact of the Ready Steady materials across all year groups. Teachers have observed marked improvements in pupils’ spelling and writing skills. Most importantly, children’s confidence in their abilities is growing daily, perfectly embodying our values of ambition and respect for their own learning journeys.
Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom
Despite the shorter term, our pupils have enjoyed a rich variety of activities that foster skill development and personal growth:
- Oracy Festival: Encouraging confident communication and listening skills.
- Dance Competition: Year 5 and 6 pupils shone with passion and teamwork, proudly bringing home trophies and medals.
- Year 5 Cycling Sessions: Building confidence, responsibility, and resilience through the Bikeability programme.
- Popular Clubs: Martial Arts, Yoga, Dance, Mad Science, Brass, and Keyboard clubs have all inspired creativity, wellbeing, and physical fitness.
- Breakfast Bonanza: Our free breakfast club continues to provide a healthy start, supporting wellbeing and readiness to learn.
Celebrating Community and Partnership
We sincerely thank all parents and carers who attended Parents’ Evening and the year-specific meetings in Years 4 and 6. Your involvement is crucial in supporting your child’s progress and wellbeing, reinforcing our shared values of kindness and respect.
Fond Farewell to Mrs Hunter
This half term, we said a warm goodbye to Mrs Hunter, who retired after more than 26 years of dedicated service to Garswood Primary School. We celebrated her incredible contribution with a heartfelt assembly where pupils and staff, past and present, shared memories and gratitude. We wish her a happy and restful retirement.
A Wonderful Start in Our Nursery
Our nursery continues to be a magical place where children from age 2+ begin their learning journey with curiosity and joy. We are now accepting applications for the Summer Term and Autumn 2026. Our flexible nursery hours (7.30am–5.30pm) and funding options make it easy to find the right fit for your family.
If you’d like to see our vibrant nursery in action, please book a tour or join us at our Open Day on 17th March at 5pm by contacting [email protected].
Learning Through Adventure and Exploration
- Reception Forest School: Inspired by “Stick and Stone”, children used natural materials to retell stories and develop early geographical enquiry skills.
- Year 5 Historical Visit: Pupils explored Viking history at the Jorvik Viking Centre, deepening their understanding through immersive learning.
- Year 3 RE Visit: A trip to Holy Trinity Church enhanced their knowledge of Christian worship.
- Year 4 Ancient Greeks Assembly: A captivating performance showcased their learning and enthusiasm for history.
- Year 6 Debate Workshop: Pupils engaged in thoughtful discussions about community safety, fostering critical thinking and confidence.
Promoting Safety and Wellbeing
Our GIST Team continues to champion online safety through assemblies and workshops, ensuring pupils are informed and confident in navigating the digital world responsibly.
We were also pleased to welcome the police to Reception and Nursery, introducing young children to community safety in an engaging and reassuring way.
Children’s Mental Health Week: “This Is My Place”
This half term, our school took part in Children’s Mental Health Week, focusing on belonging and wellbeing. Pupils explored the importance of feeling valued and connected, reinforcing our vision to nurture kind, respectful, and ambitious individuals.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward into the next term, we remain committed to providing a nurturing environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We encourage you to stay involved and keep in touch—our door is always open to support your family.
Summary
This half term at Garswood Primary School has been full of growth, achievement, and community spirit. From improved attendance and successful system updates to vibrant extracurricular activities and heartfelt farewells, we continue to live our vision by being kind, ambitious, and respectful every day.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
For further information or to get involved, please contact the school office or email [email protected].