11th October

FRIENDS OF ANSON

This week began with a special assembly where Friends of Anson presented each class with wet playtime games. 
Everyone who has attended a Friends of Anson event has contributed to this moment. The donations of games will make wet lunchtimes a happier place for every pupil. The children were thrilled with their gifts. Thank you to the committee and volunteers for their continued work. 

WEEKLY RECAP

This week began with such a lovely assembly in our school hall. 
The donation of games from Friends of Anson will make wet lunchtimes a joy for many of the children. It is a good example of how Friends of Anson can impact on every pupil with the funds that they raise. If you could have been in the room you would have heard the joy from all of them. It was a special moment. 
Next week we will welcome many of you through the doors of Anson for our first Open Classroom event of the year. This is a chance for parents from Year 2 to Year 6 to come into the school between 8:45am and 9:15am. You will spend some time in your child’s classroom looking at their work. At this time Reception and Year One parents do not attend as it can unsettle the children who will want to come home with you
The focus of the Open Classroom this Half Term is Black History Month. The children will be sharing their work with you and hopefully retelling stories we have shared so far this month. 
Bookings will also open next week for Parents’ Evening. Some of the teachers have already reached out to parents for appointments outside our formal meeting on the 24th October. If you have an appointment please don’t book a second slot. 
We are looking forwarded to seeing many of you inside the building as we continue to work with you on your child’s journey through our little school. 

1. HALF TERM

The Half Term Holiday for Anson begins on Monday 28th October. 
Last week we sent out a survey on behalf of DFY to see if there was a need or appetite for a Half Term Club to be run at our school.
Unfortunately the Brent Holiday and Food Programme only runs during Easter, Christmas and 16 days of the Summer Holiday. Half Term dates are not included.
DFY needed 25 people (minimum) to run the sessions but only 13 families said ‘yes’ to attending a club. As a result DFY do not feel able to provide a club for the Half Term break. 
However there are other options for those needing a club. The nearest club to Anson for this holiday is at USC (Farm Ave, London NW2 2BH). Details can be found by clicking the picture below or visiting: 

https://www.campbeaumont.co.uk/  

2. BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Pablo Fanque (real name William Darby) was our reclaimed narrative of the week for Black History Month. 
Pablo was the first black British circus proprietor. He was famous for his horse riding tricks. He was also one of the pioneers of advertising, setting the standards for many features we see in advertising today. He is immortalised in the Beatles song Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite with the line: “The Hendersons will all be there, late of Pablo Fanque’s fair, what a scene!”

3. HALLOWEEN DISCO

Speaking of advertising…
Have you got tickets for the Halloween Disco yet on the 25th? 
Reception and Key Stage One begin at 3:30pm and end at 4:30pm. 
Key Stage Two begin at 5:00pm and end at 6:00pm. 
Tickets are available now at a cost of £3.50 per child. 
Food and drink is included with lots of other items on sale on the night. 

4. SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Applications for secondary school places close on October 31st. 
All parents of pupils in Year 6 must make an application by this date. If you need any support making the application please reach out. We cannot recommend schools but we can support you with the application process. 

5. OPEN CLASSROOMS

The first Open Classroom event is on Thursday 17th October. 
Classrooms are open to parents of children in Year 2 to Year 6 between 8:45am and 9:15am and you are welcome to come along and see the children’s work. 

6. PARENTS EVENING

Bookings open next week. Please watch your phone for more details. 

 

4th October

UNIFORM AT ANSON

The Governing Body of Anson Primary School held their Business Meeting on Wednesday and discussed the implementation of a school uniform at Anson. 
They considered both sides of the question looking at parent feedback, pupil feedback, costs, suppliers and research. After a long discussion the decision was taken that there was no significant reason why Anson needed to implement a uniform at this time and so the school will continue to follow a non-uniform policy. This decision will be revisited more regularly than in the past. Thank you to everyone who gave their feedback during the process. 

 

WEEKLY RECAP

And just like that September is over. 
It’s hard to believe that the first month of school is over already but it has been a wonderful start to the new year. 
The children have really settled well into their classrooms and the atmosphere around the school is calm and focused. 
We have also welcomed a number of new families to the school and it has been wonderful to see so many parents connecting in the playground. This is set to continue over the next few weeks as our coffee mornings and events truly begin to come thick and fast. 
Indeed, following the Annual General Meeting of Friends of Anson we may soon need them to raise funds for a new building, such was the turnout, and lack of space, for the volume of parents in attendance. 
It is heart-warming, in so many ways, to see the number of parents willing to give up a little of their time to help make memories for the whole school community. 
October will see the first of the Bake Sales (get ready Year 2) and the Halloween Disco. Both are great examples of the ways in which our community can come together and have fun together. At a time when parts of the world are struggling, and conflict is rife, we can set an example for our children about the ease with which a little kindness, thoughtfulness and compassion can go a long way to making the world a better place and join people together. 

 

DREAM SCHOOL

Dilys is the star of Dream School this week. 
In her chat with the Dream School Headteacher, Dilys comes up with an innovative uniform that could transform the way education is delivered and experienced. Available on the podcasting platforms above. 

 

IDENTITY

Black History Month began this week with a focus on reclaiming narratives. 
The children have already heard from poet John Agard and begun to explore their own identity through his poem, “Checking Out Me History.”

 

TRANSTION TIME

Parents of children in Year 5 and Year 6 are welcome to attend our Transition Coffee Morning on Tuesday 8th October at 9am. This will focus on questions about secondary school and offer advice and support for the transition process. 

 

HALLOWEEN DISCO

Tickets are on sale for the Discos this Halloween. 
The discos are on the 25th October and cost £3.50 per child. Reception and Key Stage One head to the disco straight after school and parents do not need to attend. Children can be collected at 4:30pm.
Key Stage Two begin their disco at 5:00pm and can be collected at 6:00pm. There will be a selection of food, drinks and gifts on sale.
The children will take part in fun games, challenges and dance competitions during the hour. Friends of Anson would love your support if you can help out on the night. 

 

ROCKSTEADY

It’s been far from a ‘steady’ start to the Rock Steady music experience. 
Following illness, and the loss of a teacher, the first 3 sessions have not been what we expected. 
However, we have been working with the company to find a solution and we now have a new teacher who will take the children through to Half Term and help them on their journey to Rock Stardom.

 

BAKE FOR BOOKS

The first Bake Sale is on Friday 11th October. 
Year 2 parents will be baking the cakes and everyone else will be buying them with £100 donated to the school library to purchase more books for the children. Please come along and treat yourself. 

 

20th September

Orangutan Joy

I was remarking this week that later this year I will pass the milestone of beginning a 25th year at Anson. As the date comes closer I am taking time to look back at some of the amazing opportunities we have given our children during that time as well as looking forward to the adventures we have yet to begin. This week I told the children that in all my time at Anson this feels like the best start to an academic year I can remember. When our friends from Teach Rex visited, every single child was remarkable. At one point our visitors both entered my office to tel me what an amazing school we have, with incredible children. I’m always proud of our pupils, but this week, hearing it from people with no connection to our school was a special moment and I thank them all for their brilliance. 

 

Weekly Recap

What a wonderful week it has been in our little school!
It began with our final parent meeting of the month as we welcomed Reception parents to the school hall for their first meeting of the Anson journey. As with the other meetings this month the turnout was wonderful. It really has been heartwarming to see so many people invested in the partnerships we are looking to build upon. 
I know many of you were unable to the make the meetings, but don’t worry as we are putting together a video summing up all the content and I hope to share that with you soon. 

The highlight of the week was our visit from Teach Rex. The children from Reception to Year 6 met a range of animals throughout the day as we explored the impact of deforestation on the habitats of animals. 
There was a moment when the orangutan first appeared that saw a hush descend on the hall like I have never experienced before. It created such a magical moment. They knew this wasn’t a real primate, but totally immersed themselves in believing it was. 
They were an incredible audience and listened to all the messages at the heart of the visit. 
 

1. Allergy News

Next week we begin a partnership with Kitt Medical to help give peace of mind to members of the community with allergies. Some of our staff are bringing up children with allergies and we know understand the difficulties and worry for parents. It is also difficult for parents to gain enough epi-pens at times. Anson will now become a local hub with an emergency kit for anyone in the local area who needs access to an adrenaline during an allergic reaction. We hope we never need to use them, but they are there if we do. 

2. A Tissue Please

Thank you to everyone who has sent a box of tissues in to their child’s class. We really appreciate your support. Just as a reminder we are asking for anyone who can donate a box of tissues each term to do so. It will really help us. 

3. Transition Meeting

On Tuesday 8th October there will be a parent coffee morning aimed at Year 6 parents to support with transition to secondary school. It will be an opportunity to talk through open days, ask any questions about transition and look through the eadmissions website together. 

4. Friends of Anson

The Friends of Anson AGM took place this morning. At this meeting the constitution was re-signed and funding projects were shared from the last academic year. The group then discussed projects for this year with playground funding, wet playtime games and library books all featuring in the plans for 2024 to 2025. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting. 

5. Black History Month

We are approaching Black History Month in the UK and the theme this year is all about reclaiming narratives. 
In today’s world, stories are powerful tools that shape how we understand the past, present and future. For too long, the history of Black communities has been told through lenses that often misrepresent, oversimplify, or entirely overlook the rich and diverse experiences of those who lived it.  
This year we are joining schools across the UK as Black communities step into the role of storytellers and inspire and engage our next generation. 
The aim is to celebrate Black excellence in all its forms and we hope that some of you will join us in sharing your stories with our children. 

Q&A: ASDA Cashpot for Schools

What is Cashpot for Schools?

As you scan your shopping at Asda, the company will donate money to Friends of Anson. 

How do we join?

Download and signup to the Asda Rewards app. Opt into the Cashpot for Schools campaign and select Anson Primary School. 

What do we do next?

Shop in store across Asda, George or online at asda.com and Asda will donate a percentage of your shop to Anson. 

 

 

 

 

13th September

Brent Council will be implementing auto-enrolment for benefits related free school meals in the autumn term. Residents living in the borough in receipt of Universal Credit with children who attend Brent schools will be identified from relevant council databases to ascertain their eligibility. These residents will then be contacted via letter with information about the auto- enrolment process and will be asked if they want to opt out of a check to assess their eligibility for free school meals. Please do not opt out. 
Auto enrolment aims to identify families who may be entitled to free school meals, but who have not applied for them which will benefit both the family and their school.
The funding this provides enables us to support those children with reduced costs across a range of activities and extra support in the curriculum and beyond. It should make the process simpler for everyone. 

 

WEEKLY RECAP

The first full week of school has been hectic and joyful in equal measure. 
This week we hosted parent meetings for the families of children in Year 1 to Year 6. The turnout at these meetings was exceptional and I would like to personally thank you for the time you spent with us. Learning is a partnership and we are seeking to grow the relationship even more this year. 
In the classrooms the children are beginning to settle into the routines of the school day. We have already seen some great work from the children and many of them have also spent time completing a collaboration challenge and applying for jobs at Anson. 
Next week we will appoint our Digital Leaders, Librarians, Eco-Council, Radio Team and Peer Mentors. I have been impressed by their enthusiasm and desire to help others across the school in applying for these roles. Indeed, the word cloud above, taken from their application forms, showcases what wonderful children we have at Anson as they described themselves in three words during the application process. 
It is set to be a wonderful year and I am excited to begin working with all these groups. 

 

SNEEZY SEASON

The temperature has plummeted this week and the cold and flu season is slowly approaching. 
In order to help our school budget and support the children we are requesting that each pupil brings in one box of tissues for the class supply. If you can manage to purchase more than one we would be very grateful. 

 

CLUBS

Moving Waves are now offering an Arts and Crafts Club for children in Year 1 and 2. As a result the Google Form will remain open over the weekend and close on Monday morning. We apologise for the late addition of this club. 

 

FRIENDS OF ANSON

Friends of Anson are holding their Annual General Meeting on Friday 20th September at 9:00am. Please come along and find out what they are planning for the academic year and how you can help to continue our community work. 

 

PARENT MEETING

The Reception Parent Meeting takes place on Monday at 9:00am in the school hall. 
This meeting is for all parents of children in Richmond and Greenwich and will go through our vision, ethos, curriculum, support and community work.
Please do try and join us if you are able to do so. 
Friends of Anson will also be presenting at the event. 

 

TEACH REX

On Tuesday, Teach Rex return for a third year at Anson. On the day the children will be meeting an Orangutan from the rainforests of South America. We will hear their story about the state of the rainforest and come up with ideas to help our planet. We will be sharing photographs through Seesaw and the school website. 

 

OPEN DAYS

Secondary School Open Days really begin to increase in number over the coming weeks. Please remember that we encourage parents in Year 5 and Year 6 to attend the open days of all school you are considering for your child. Children can attend schools during school time. Please just let the office know if this is the case. 

 

Q&A: Friends of Anson

What is Friends of Anson?

Friends of Anson is our parent/staff association at Anson Primary School. 

Who is part of Friends of Anson?

Every member of the school parent community and every member of staff forms Friends of Anson. 

What do Friends of Anson do?

Friends of Anson raises funds for the school to provide resources and experiences beyond the remit of the main school budget. 

How do Friends of Anson raise funds?

The team host events for children and the wider community such as discos, fairies, bake sales and quiz nights. 

How do I get involved?

You can support Friends of Anson by joining the volunteer team and attending events. 

How much time will I need?

That is up to you. You could spend 30 minutes to help setup an event or 5 hours at the summer fayre.

 

6th September 2024

The 2024 Ofsted Inspection was my 7th inspection from His Majesty’s Inspectors. Six of those inspections have taken place at Anson. As soon as Anson came into the ‘Ofsted window’ this inspection felt very different. Many of you will know about the tragic passing of Headteacher Ruth Perry, whose death was partially attributed to the inspection process. Inspections can be stressful, make or break, career ending moments. However, they can also be moments of celebration and affirmation. The problem is they depend on one person, in one moment, understanding your school. 

As the leader of the school, this inspection mattered. 

I have been at Anson for almost 25 years and I have stayed because I believe in our vision, our family and our approach to education. 

We are a special school that takes a unique approach to education. We often place the pastoral before the performance, building kindness and nurturing qualities in our children, helping them to understand how and why we learn rather than focusing solely on the what.  We also give them opportunities that are rarely matched by other schools and often in innovative ways.  

Over the years I have been told that Ofsted don’t care about the ‘other stuff’. They want results and standards. That’s their focus. One professional advisor told me that it “wouldn’t matter if you have a shiny radio station, awards ceremonies or fancy Apple devices - Ofsted won’t see it”.

Our aim was to tell our story, talk about our unique approach, let the children and staff shine.

Boy did they shine. 

If you’ve read the report, Karen Kent (our HMI) had us at the first line:

“ Pupils enjoy attending this nurturing school where a strong sense of community thrives “

In one line she has seen our happiness, confidence and the way that pupils, parents, staff and Governors are working together to get the best for the children. 

Karen totally understood our school and over the course of two days I had several meetings with her where she demonstrated a real understanding for the school and the journey we are on. 

She recognised the excellence of our staff (who were exceptional throughout the inspection) and highlighted the very wider development of pupils which I had been told so many times was not important. 

We are on an exciting journey at the moment and I am proud of the steps we have taken so far and the part that many of you play in this adventure. Thank you for your support and your kind words to the inspectors. 

I was always confident that our school was so much more than a one-word judgement and I am delighted to see our school reflected so well. We told our story. We shared our vision. We were heard. 

PARENT MEETINGS

Parent Meetings for all year groups begin on Tuesday 10th September. 

This is your chance to meet the teachers and leaders at the school, find out about the curriculum your child will cover during the year and information relevant to each year group. The timings are below. They will not suit every parent but please be assured they are worth attending. 

 

ATTENDANCE

It is the legal duty of all parents to ensure that their child is in school each day. 
We work with parents to support families who are struggling with attendance. However, the Local Authority may issue warning letters or fines to parents of children who do not attend school regularly enough. 
Please also remember that no holidays can be authorised during term time.
Take a look at our Q&A below.

 

JOBS FOR PUPILS

Next week the children in Key Stage Two will be appointed to several jobs at the school including Eco Council, Anson Radio, Digital Leaders and the Library Team. Have a chat with them over the weekend about applying for the roles. 

 

UNIFORM POLICY

You will be aware that the school does not have a school uniform. Governors are meeting on 2nd October to make a final decision about whether this changes. In the meantime, schools must have a uniform, or non-uniform, policy. Please read how to dress for school by clicking this link: 

www.ansonprimaryschool.com/parents/uniform

 

1st September 2024

WELCOME BACK TO THE AUTUMN TERM

from Mr. Pile

I am thrilled to welcome the community back to Anson for another exciting academic year. As a parent myself this time of year brings with it mixed feelings. Time with the family is so precious and yet I am equally delighted to see my own children returning to school. I am sure many of you are facing similar feelings. This year we welcome two new members of staff to the Anson Family: Miss Figueira in Year 2 and Ms Begum in Reception. We are also looking forward to getting to know our new Nursery and Reception pupils this month. There are many exciting things planned for this academic year - so let’s begin! 

WEEKLY RECAP

This section of the newsletter will give us a space each week to reflect on events of the previous seven days. 
At this time of the year we can spend some time looking back on a very busy summer at Anson. 
One of the biggest jobs was  rebuilding our school website due to an unexpected change in providers. 
We have also completed our annual ‘big clean’ and installed new front doors to both the school and the nursery. In the hall we have commissioned new storage for Friends of Anson and our existing PE resources. 
We have also spent time redesigning the curriculum and planning exciting opportunities for our children. 
This includes the return of both  author Maz Evans as our new Reading Patron and artist Amy Leung who will once again work on a project with the school alongside the Camden Arts Centre. 
You can download the School Events document from the Parent Page on the website or visit the school calendar. It is going to be an exciting year for the children and everyone in the Anson community. 

PARENT MEETINGS

Parent Meetings for all year groups begin on Tuesday 10th September. 

This is your chance to meet the teachers and leaders at the school, find out about the curriculum your child will cover during the year and information relevant to each year group.

You can also find out the number of ways you can stay up to date with the latest information at Anson. We hope you will join us.

10/09 at 9:00:     Year 1
10/09 at 14:30:    Year 2
11/09 at 9:00:    Year 3
11/09 at 14:30:    Year 4
12/09 at 9:00:    Year 5
12/09 at 14:30:    Year 6
16/09 at 9:00:    Reception

ATTENDANCE

It is the legal duty of all parents to ensure that their child is in school each day. 
We work with parents to support families who are struggling with attendance. However, the Local Authority may issue warning letters or fines to parents of children who do not attend school regularly enough. 
Please also remember that no holidays can be authorised during term time. 

FRIENDS OF ANSON

The Friends of Anson AGM will take place on Friday 20th September at 9am. 

All parents are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting where the Committee is elected, finances are shared and plans are made for the year ahead. 

SCHOOL WEBSITE

You may have noticed that over the summer the school website has gone through a transformation. 
Unfortunately we were placed in a position where our existing website was on borrowed time after the company, PrimarySite, was purchased by Juniper Education. 
The new website still has the same content and we hope it is still as simple to navigate as the old site. If you notice anything missing please do get in touch to let us know.  
 

CONTACT US

Parents can contact us by telephone using: 020 8452 8552 or by email using: parents@anson.brent.sch.uk

When your child is unwell you must contact the school to inform us of the reason for your absence by 10am. 

 

MOBILE PHONES

Just a reminder that children at Anson are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school without signed permission. If your child is travelling independently in Year 5&6 then you can fill in a form to let the school know your child will go home alone and may carry a phone. All phones are handed in at the start of the day to Mr Pile and Miss Callaghan. 

 

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

When do parents apply for a secondary school place?

Parents of children in Year 6 should apply by the 31st October 2024. 

Where do I apply for a secondary school?

All applications are completed through eadmissions: https://www.eadmissions.org.uk/

How can I find out about the schools?

Talk to other parents and visit the schools on their open days to see what they are like. 

How do I prepare for the application window?

Read the admission criteria and consider how likely it is that your child will be offered a place.

What else do I need to consider?

How will your child get to the school each day?

How many schools can I choose?

You can select up to 6 schools. 

When do I find out my school?

Offer day is usually in March.