Old Ford Newsletter

October 24th 2025

I can’t believe we are already at the end of the first half term…

It has been a busy one and has gone by so quickly! The children have all made a great start in their new classes and fully deserve the half term holiday to rest and recharge for the new half term. See you all back in school on Monday 3rd November!

Attendance Wristbands are back!

Beginning on Monday 3rd November, we will be giving out special attendance wristbands every week until the Christmas holidays.
If you come to school EVERY DAY for the week, you will win that week’s wristband. There are six different colours to collect – Can you get them all??

Year 2 inspired by artist

This week, Year 2 have been learning about the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat as part of Black History Month.

Take a look at some of their work they’ve created, inspired by Basquiat.

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

Tower Hamlets News

Get the latest about what’s happening in our area, including things to do with the kids over the holidays!

Read it Here

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

Social chat bubbles with different language words in speech bubble shape, concept illustration for international communication and translation. EPS10 vector.
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 – Mateen: Mateen is receiving an excellence award for fantastic behaviour all week. Well Done!

RE – Eddie-Robert: Eddie has been awarded value of excellence award for having a great first week in school. Eddie has settled in very well and we love seeing him come to school in the morning with a smile. Well done!

RI – Aafeen: Excellence – You have been trying so hard in Reception. You are joining in during carpet sessions and trying so hard with your letter formation. Well done Aafeen, keep up the hard work.

1E – Solin: Solin you have been trying really hard to do the right thing. All the teachers have noticed how you have been trying really hard in class. Hafsa feels you’ve been working on your listening and reading, and Canan feels you’ve been trying hard with your maths. I have noticed you showing star, sitting beautifully and remembering to use your words when you need help. Well done Solin, we are all proud of you.

1I – Amanah: You’re always doing the right thing without being told. You try so hard in all the lessons and put 100% effort. Keep it all up!

2C – Yasar: Community – Yasar, you were an incredible partner to your friend this week on our trip. You held their hand the whole time, helped them on the stairs and kept checking they were ok. I am so proud of you!

2E – Aayesha: Aayesha is such an honest, kind and conscientious pupil. She is an absolute pleasure to teach and she is ALWAYS making the right choices.

2I – Zakariyya: For great listening and always making the right choices. You are such an amazing role model!

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

3C – Yunus: Yunus, I have been so impressed with you! You always make the right learning choices and are a great role model for your peers. Well done for getting 18/20 in your spelling test. Keep it up!

3I – Aizar: Excellence – Aizah has shown excellence in many areas of her learning. From beautiful handwriting, original ideas to being super helpful during a messy – but fun!- art lesson! You are an absolute star!

4E – Zahirul: Zahirul- You always work hard in class and always try your best, even when you find a task difficult. Keep up the great learning!

5C – Zayaan: What a fantastic start to Year 5! You have been working very hard this term to achieve well in all areas of your learning. Keep striving!

5I – Rizwan: Congratulations Rizwan for demonstrating great sense of community. Your patience and support have been essential to help your partner adapt and feel comfortable in his new class. We are very proud of you. Claudia.

6E – Maymuna: Maymuna, for always trying your absolute best at every single activity you are given. You are becoming more confident too, which is fantastic to see.

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