Old Ford Newsletter

March 20th 2026

Principal’s Message

Eid Mubarak to all our families celebrating.

Red Nose Reminder

Just a reminder that we are expecting all pupils back on Monday for RED NOSE DAY!

Wear RED and bring a pound for Children in Need!

DSLR camera on tripod in the studio

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

RC – Alaia: Alaia is receiving an excellence award for her hard work in maths and writing. Well done!

1C – Isaiah: Isaiah is receiving the Excellence Value Award for his fantastic attitude during our recent trip to the Monument. He demonstrated excellent listening skills, followed instructions carefully, and showed a real interest in learning by taking in all the information throughout the visit. His behaviour and enthusiasm made him a wonderful role model on the trip, and I was really impressed with him. Well done, Isaiah!

1E – Sumerah: This is an excellence award for all the marvellous maths work that you do. I have noticed all the effort you put into your maths work. You always ask for help when something is not clear and try your best in all your independent tasks. Well done, you should feel proud of yourself.

1I – Yusuf: You work well with your talk partner in Maths. You also contribute positively to class discussions and learning. Well done, keep it up!

2C – Aniah: Community – Thank you for offering to help me put out the books and set up the classroom during lunchtime this week. You even carefully stuck in worksheets for your friends. I love how you thought of others and how happy you were to help me. Well done, Aniah!

2E – Zakariya: Zakariya deserves a value award for community. He always say ‘good morning’ to the teachers and says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’

2I – Soha: For trying her best in her learning and showing great confidence when answering questions.

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

3C – Hadi: Well done for all of your efforts in writing. You are putting a lot of thought and consideration into your work. Keep it up!

3E – Yunus: Excellence: For making a fantastic effort in English and reading plus.

3I – Inayah: Integrity – Inayah has shown exceptional motivation towards her learning. She is working very hard both in the classroom and at home.

4C – Umamah: Umamah always does the right thing, her work is always immaculate and is a positive role model to learn from. Keep it up!

4E – Ahyan: Ahyan- I have been really impressed with your focus in class recently. You actively listen and respond with lots of good ideas. Your effort is reflected in your improved writing! Well done and keep it up!

4I – Areeba: Areeba had a wonderful week overall. Areeba excelled in her literacy and language writing and really applied herself, listening to feedback and focusing on the criteria. Amazing work!

5C – Zaviyah: You have been making great effort in class to meet the lesson objectives for Maths. You confidently answer greater depth, test-style question. Keep up the good work!

6E – Alayna: Alayna, for writing an exciting descriptive piece about Peter’s battle with the wolf from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Your writing has improved so much and I was gripped as the battle unfolded… Even more exciting than C.S. Lewis’ version.

Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) Update

You are invited to a meeting to look at the recent statutory updates to the Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum.

At the meeting, the government’s new statutory guidance will be discussed and we will be presenting the Trust’s updated RSHE draft policy which is based on this guidance. We will also be giving you information on how you can respond with your views through a consultation process.

Time and date:

3.45pm Friday 27th March in the ground floor hall.

Dates for your Diary

OFPA Eid and Easter Fair
Thu 26th Mar
3.30pm onwards
Year 4 Cake Sale
Thu 26th Mar
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

Easter Holiday Clubs and Activities

Calling all 5 to 15 year olds!

Looking for something to keep the kids active and healthy this Easter holiday? Then look no further than our Be Well Easter Holiday Club at Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium.

Our all-day Easter Holiday Club has plenty of activities to help your children make the most of their free time and will be taking place from Monday 30 March to Thursday 9 April 2026 every Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm. The club excludes Monday 6 April which is a bank holiday. It costs £23.30 per child per day. Children in receipt of free school meals may be eligible for a free place subject to availability and meeting eligibility criteria.

For more details and to book visit the Be Well website.

 

Crafterschool Easter Holiday Workshops

St Margaret’s House is running sessions help young people engage creatively in a collaborative piece of art that will be exhibited somewhere round the St Margaret’s House site. They are free to attend thanks to funding from the Tower Hamlets Mayor’s Community Fund.

Venue: The Studio at St Margaret’s House, 15 Old Ford Road

Dates & Time:

  • Tuesday 7th April, 10am-12noon,
  • Wednesday 8th April, 2-4pm
  • Friday 10th April, 10am-12noon

Find out more

Girl swimming

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