Old Ford Newsletter

October 17th 2025

What a wonderful sight it was today to see so many pupils wearing red across the school!

By participating in the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ campaign, we made a clear and colourful statement: we are proud of our diverse school, and racism has no part in our community.

Every voice, every culture, and every background enriches our school life. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and we celebrate it daily. Today’s event served as an important reminder to not only enjoy the differences between us but to also actively ensure that our school remains a truly welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone.

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

Bold Black History Month Design with Textured Brush Strokes

Black History Month

October is Black History Month where we highlight and celebrate the historical and contemporary contribution of black Britons.

As well as assemblies and looking at famous black Britons, all year groups will be covering different aspects of Black History in their learning:

EYFS – Black British contributions in the UK
Y1 – The Notting Hill Carnival
Y2 – The Empire Windrush
Y3 – Black soldiers in WWI
Y4 – Roman Africans
Y5 – The African Diaspora who lived in Tudor Britain
Y6 – The Slavery Abolition Act

After last year’s success, we are also running our BHM home learning project again. Last year we had some fantastic contributions!

This week's Cake with Kevin Value Award Winners! EYFS and KS1

RC – Adil: Adil A is receiving an excellence award for having a fantastic learning attitude. Without being told you got a whiteboard and pen and practised your writing. Well Done!

RE – Paul-Marvin: Paul-Marvin is receiving an ‘Excellence’ award for always doing the right thing. Keep up the good work!

RI – Yasmin: Community – You are always trying your best and joining in during carpet sessions. Yasmin always helps to keep our class clean by tidying up. Well done Yasmin, keep up the good work.

1E – Hamida: Hamida, the teachers have noticed how hard you’ve been working in your maths lessons. I have noticed that you put 100% effort into your maths lessons. You always listen, and take pride in the presentation of your work. Your maths work is super neat. You are always a joy to teach. Thank you for all your hard work.

1I – Aaira: You have made amazing progress in your learning, especially in Phonics! Very well done. Keep up the good work!

2C – Alayna: Community – Alayna, you have been playing so nicely with others in the playground. Other teachers have noticed you trying your best to include children from Year 1 in your games. You are an amazing role model for everyone! Well done and keep up the kindness.

2E – Hakeem: Hakeem always displays community in the playground, through helping his friends and being supportive to others. He is always looking out for those who need help. Well done Hakeem. You are a credit to the class!

2I – Reginald: You are a ray of sunshine in our classroom. You are always kind and helpful to everyone. You always make the right choices even when no one is watching. You make us proud!

This week's Cake with Kevin Value Award Winners! KS2

3C – Dirshad: For making a great start to Y3. For showing all of the school values daily and having a love of learning. You try your best in every lesson and are a great role model for your peers. Well done!

3I – Uzayr: Excellence – Uzayr has produced some fantastic work! He is always sharing ideas and actively participating in lessons to ensure he is doing even better than the week before. Keep it up!

4I – Maida: Well done Maida, you have gone above and beyond this week and truly thought about the intended outcomes, whilst also considering those around you. Your work ethic is something you should be proud of.”

4C – Isla: Isla always shows excellence in the way she carries herself, from how eager she is to contribute in class discussions, to the way she always offers a helping hand and gets jobs done. I am super impressed, keep it up Isla!

4E – Yusuf: Well done for producing beautiful art work this week. You thought really carefully about the shape, texture and arrangement of the leaves. Your mono print was amazing!

5C – Yasir: You wrote a great poem with strong description and made clear links to science. Well done!

6E – Arshi: Arshi, you are an absolute pleasure to have in 6E. You are hard-working, well-mannered, helpful and never make a fuss. You always complete your work to a high standard and ask and answer questions… You are a star!

Clubs

We still have spaces in some of the clubs below. Please call into the office if you’re interested.

CLUB

DAY

Year Group

Art

Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri

All

Korean Club

Mon

All

Football

Mon

Y3, 4, 5, 6

Homework

Mon

Y2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Football

Mon

Y1, 2, 3

Ukulele

Tues

Y3, 4, 5, 6

Dodgeball

Tues

Y5, 6

Homework

Tues

Y2, 3, 4, 5

Jewellery

Tues

Y1, 2, 3, 4

Archery

Wed

Y3, 4, 5, 6

Dodgeball

Wed

Y1, 2, 3

Multisports

Thurs

Y1, 2, 3

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.

Academy Council

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 11th November at 9.15am.

 

See the minutes from previous meetings here
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
Hands holding a mobile phone

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!

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

Autumn Term Calendar

Last day of half term
Fri 24th Oct
First day of new half term
Mon 3rd Nov
SEND coffee morning
Tue 4th Nov
Individual photographs
Wed 12th Nov
Flu vaccinations
Mon 1st Dec
Winter Fair after school
Thu 11th Dec
Last day of autumn term
Fri 19th Dec
A blue pen rests next to a name tag for a child on a soft fabric.

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