Keep up to date with all the news happening in the school at the moment. Articles are added during the week. Parents are encouraged to check regularly. Our weekly newsletter, emailed directly to parents, summarises content for the week.

• Medical Healthcare Plans and Allergies

  Fri 13 Sep 2024

  I hope this letter finds you well. As we progress through this term, we are committed to evaluating, streamlining, and making our healthcare plans at school more efficient. This is to ensure that we provide the best possible care and support for all our students.

   

  New healthcare forms will be issued soon to reflect these updates. However, in the interim, it is crucial that you contact the school office immediately if your child has received a recent diagnosis or if they have outgrown a previous allergy. This information is vital for us to maintain accurate and up-to-date records and to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.

   

  To strengthen our existing practices, we will be issuing wristbands to children who have allergies to wear while they are in school.  The wristbands will serve as a visual reminder to all staff members to exercise caution and take necessary precautions, particularly around food and other potential allergens.

   

  We believe that the majority of parents and carers will welcome our vigilant approach. However, should you not wish your child who has an allergy to wear these wristbands, please write to the school office to inform us that you would prefer we remove this precautionary measure.

   

  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

   

• High School Application for Year 6 children

  Fri 13 Sep 2024

  The citizen portal has opened today 12^th September 2024 and will close on 31^st October 2024

   

  All children in a First, Middle or Primary school that are due to transition to Middle, Secondary or High in September 2025 will need to make an on time application

   

  Citizen Portal - Sign in (northumberland.gov.uk)

   

  Any parents experiencing difficulty applying or needing advice, please call the school admissions 01670 624889

   

  The link to the school admissions website is below, this can give parents advice and information

   

  Thank you

   

   

  Link to School Admissions website where you can find useful information eg how to apply for school places and appeals

  https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Education/Schools/School-admissions-places-appeals-1.aspx

• First Monday Drop In Sessions

  Fri 06 Sep 2024 Headteacher

  Just a quick reminder that our First Monday Drop-In Sessions will resume this academic year. The first session will be held on Monday, 9th September, starting immediately after school until 4pm.

   

  We kindly ask you to vacate promptly to allow the cleaning staff to get inside the classrooms to clean them for the following morning.

   

  For those of you who are new to Burnside, this time allows parents to pop into their child’s classroom, say hello to their class teacher, and have an informal chat. It provides an opportunity for you to see where your child sits and the environment they work in.

   

  We look forward to seeing you there!

   

• Fines for parents for taking children out of school

  Fri 06 Sep 2024 Headteacher

  I am sure you have heard in the media that from August 2024, the government has increased fines for taking your child(ren) on holiday during term time. The fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.

   

  I would like to stress that this is a government decision and not something I was consulted upon, have any power or authority to change or use my discretion to apply only in certain circumstances. We are fortunate enough to, on the whole, have very good attendance at Burnside. Although there is a little work to do, we are proud of our overall school attendance figure last academic year of 95%.

   

  We agree with the government  that regular attendance is crucial for your child’s educational success. Consistent attendance helps children build strong foundations in their learning, develop good habits, and maintain continuity in their education. Missing school can lead to gaps in knowledge, making it harder for children to keep up with their peers and achieve their full potential.

   

  The government guidance does not allow me to make exceptions or use my discretion based on your child's historical good attendance. Nor does it allow for discretion for any circumstance you may wish me to consider. 

   

  Having studied the opinions expressed by parents in the media I fully understand that many of you may have strong feelings regarding this ruling. Many educators have shared their opinions about it too. However, I am obliged to follow the guidance set out by the government. 

   

  Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that our students receive the best possible education through regular attendance.

   

  Government Guidance

• New arrangements for Nursery pick up and drop off

  Fri 06 Sep 2024 Mrs McCaw

  The first week of term has flown by, and I am delighted with how well the children have settled into their routines. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and adaptability.

  To better support parents who have children attending both nursery and main school, I am pleased to introduce a flexible drop-off and pick-up schedule. This new arrangement will begin on Monday, 9th September.

  Morning Drop-Off:

  • The nursery gate will be open for drop-off between 8:50 and 9:00 am.

   

  Lunchtime Pick-Up:

  • For parents whose children stay for 15 hours and are collected at 12:00 noon, you will have the opportunity to collect them between 11:50 and 12:00 noon.

   

  Afternoon Pick-Up:

  • The gates will be open for collection between 3:00 and 3:10 pm.

   

  We hope this new schedule will make the drop-off and pick-up process more convenient for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

   

  Best regards

  Mrs McCaw

  EYFS Leader

• Burnside Out of School Provision Goes from Strength to Strength

  Tue 03 Sep 2024 Headteacher

   Out of School Provision Goes from Strength to Strength

  As our out-of-school breakfast and after-school provision continues to thrive, we are delighted to see a dramatic increase in the number of children attending. This growth is a testament to the enjoyment your children have in our setting.

   

  To ensure we can accommodate everyone safely and effectively, we kindly ask that bookings be made in advance. We fully understand that last-minute changes to your schedule may necessitate last-minute bookings, and we will continue to do our very best to accommodate these requests. However, please be aware that due to strict staffing ratio guidelines, it may not always be possible.

   

  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to another fantastic year with your children.

• Welcome Back

  Tue 03 Sep 2024 Headteacher

  I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all as we begin a new academic year. It was lovely to see all the children back at school, looking refreshed and ready to embark on their learning journeys.

   

  We are particularly excited to share that our school has expanded, and for the first time, we are welcoming our 2-year-olds to the Burnside Budding Explorers Provision. This is a significant milestone for us, and we are thrilled to have these young learners join our community.

   

  Over the next couple of weeks, we will be finalising events for our school calendar and will provide you with all the necessary information. We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences.

   

  Thank you for your continued support.

• New Resources

  Tue 03 Sep 2024 Headteacher

  I am sure you will remember the sponsored run we held recently to raise funds for our special needs resources. I am delighted to inform you that, thanks to your incredible generosity, we have placed a large order for a range of sensory and physical resources to support our pupils across the schools.

  These new resources will make a significant difference in the lives of our students, providing them with the tools they need to thrive and succeed. Your support has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions.

  Once again, thank you for your kindness and generosity. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these resources will have on our students.

• Happy Summer holidays / Burnside Holiday Club

  Fri 19 Jul 2024 Headeacher

  As the summer holidays begin, we want to wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable break. 🌞 Take this time to unwind, create memories, and recharge. Whether you’re planning a staycation or a getaway, we hope it’s filled with laughter, sunshine, and quality time with loved ones.

   

  Holiday Provision Details:

  • Our holiday provision will be open for the first 4 weeks of the holidays, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
  • To book your child in, you can use the School Money app or call us at 01670 730189.

  If you have any queries, feel free to reach out—we’re here to assist!

   

  We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September, refreshed and ready for an exciting new term. Until then, enjoy every moment of your summer adventure!

   

• Burnside's Got Talent Winners

  Wed 17 Jul 2024 Headteacher

  We are thrilled to share the exciting news from yesterday’s Burnside’s Got Talent final! Our talented students showcased an incredible array of skills, leaving us all in awe.

   

  Here are the highlights:

  • Confidence on Stage: Each finalist demonstrated remarkable confidence while performing in front of the entire school. Their courage and poise were truly commendable.

  • Supportive Atmosphere: Equally heartwarming was the support from their peers. The entire school rallied behind the contestants, cheering them on with enthusiasm and encouragement.

  • Joint Winners: Congratulations to Act 9 ( Zac C) and Act 6 (Isabelle T and Emeli D )!

  • Both acts delivered outstanding performances, and we’re proud to announce them as joint winners of Burnside’s Got Talent.

   

  Thank you for being part of our vibrant school community. Let’s continue celebrating the talents and achievements of our remarkable students!