Old Ford Newsletter

April 17th 2026

Principal’s Message

Summer is finally on its way!

All of our pupils are having lots of fun in the playgrounds with new equipment and games that we have bought.

There are some exciting changes coming in the playgrounds and we want to make sure that all our pupils are active, safe and fun at lunchtimes.

Homemade Ice Cream Sundae Nachos with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles
boy playing Pokemon Trading Cards,

Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) Update

The consultation is now open for for you to give your views on changes to our curriculum. Have your say here.

Academy Council Meeting

Our next scheduled Academy Council meeting is next Tuesday 21st of April at 9.15am. We meet in school or online at https://tinyurl.com/OFPAcouncil

Pop-up Bookshop

Our ‘pop-up bookshop’ is back for the Summer term. Pupils will be able to choose TWO books to take home and keep.

Parents/carers are also invited in to browse the books with their children, download the timetable to find out when your class will be visiting the bookshop.

Dates for your Diary

Pizza Express Visit – 5C
Tue 9th Jun
Year 4 Residential
Mon 22nd Jun

Toothbrushing Guide

Please see the link below for information and advice on keeping your children’s teeth healthy and white!
Find out more

How can I be more punctual?

Be prepared

Go to bed at a reasonable time

Give yourself more time in the morning

Be aware of the time

Social chat bubbles with different language words in speech bubble shape, concept illustration for international communication and translation. EPS10 vector.

Fire Safety

Members of the Fire Brigade have been in our school recently, talking to pupils in Year 2 – Year 5 about fire safety, and what to do in the event of a fire. Use the links below to download the documents.

Key Stage 1 Fire Plan

Key Stage 2 Fire Plan

Charge Safe

Free Home Fire Safety Visit

Community Resources for Families

  • The government has launched their Best Start in Life supporting the Plan for Change target of 75% of children being school-ready by 2028. Visit the Best Start in Life website and sign up for personalised weekly emails.
  • Have you ever considered volunteering? The Early Help service allows parents to come together, learn new skills and prepare for work. 
  • The new expanded funded early education entitlements are available now – discover more about the 2-year-old childcare extension.
Captivating melody of music notes and signs on abstract dark background musical banner concept.

Online safety

We are still getting reports of pupils on social media apps such as Snapchat.

As you know, an important part of our curriculum is teaching pupils about esafety. We know that a lot of our pupils spend a lot of their time online, either through online gaming or on social media apps. This can sometimes lead to contact with inappropriate people
and/or exposure to inappropriate language. We strongly recommend that you monitor your children’s usage of the internet and that you are aware of what they are doing online.

Most social media apps have an age limit of 13+. If you are allowing your children to access these apps you are putting them at risk!

Read more about e-safety for you and your child.

art toys Labubu key chain labubu macaron collection from Pop Mart blind box collectable cute toy ้hanging on ivory backpack bag with background of white table, Popmart popular item doll

Start and end of the day

Please remember that there are no staff on duty in the playgrounds before and after school so parents/carers should supervise their own children. Children should not be playing with balls or on the climbing frames.

To keep children safe please do not park on the double yellow or zig-zag lines when you are collecting or dropping off. Tower Hamlets parking enforcement officers are conducting regular patrols in the area.

When collecting your child at the end of the day please wait until all pupils are in their lines before speaking to the teacher and collecting your child. We need to make sure that all of our pupils go home with the right adult!

Hands holding a mobile phone
A blue pen rests next to a name tag for a child on a soft fabric.

Unauthorised Absences in Term Time

We follow government guidance on term time holidays and we do not authorise pupil holidays during term time. We encourage parents/carers to take their holidays during one of the scheduled holiday breaks.

You can be fined or face legal action for taking your child on holiday during term time.

Read the government guidance here

Bow Foodbank

Did you know Bow Foodbank now operates out of Bow Community Hall?

Tuesday 10am – 12pm
Tower Hamlets residents only

Tuesday 12.30pm – 4pm
Click and Collect, order by 1pm Sunday.

Wednesday 2pm – 7pm
Open to all

Thursday 10am – 1pm
Tower Hamlets only

Friday collection 8am – 12pm
Order by 9pm Wednesday

 

Bow Foodbank is open to all, there’s no need for a referral or voucher. Visit them at:

Bow Community Hall
1, William Place,
E3 5ED