Old Ford Newsletter

June 5th 2026

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the new half term!

We’re almost at the end of the year and we have a lot going on over the next six weeks. Make sure you’ve got all the dates in your diary!

10th – 12th June – Y6 residential
11th June – Parents/carers attendance session 3
16th June – Y3/4 sports day (Y3 morning, Y4 afternoon)
17th June – Y5/6 sports day (Y5 morning, Y6 afternoon)
22nd June – Y4 residential

10th July – Y6 performance to Y5 and parents
13th July – School concert
17th July – Y6 leaver assembly

Sweet homemade cake deserts in boxes sold on market outside

KS1 Sports Day

KS1 had their sports day on Wednesday!

The rain held off for Year 1 at Victoria Park in the morning but Year 2 completed their races in school in the afternoon. Both Year groups had a fantastic day!

Thank you to all the parents that attended and cheered everyone on. A big well done to 1E and 2E the winning classes.

Attendance

We all know how important regular attendance is. If children aren’t in school, they will miss out on important learning.

I know sometimes children are genuinely to ill to come to school, but if they only have a minor cold or cough it is find to send them in. There’s some good advice here from the NHS if you’re ever not sure.

From this week, we will be sending out weekly messages via MCAS with your child’s attendance percentage for the year to date. 90% may sound like high attendance, but over the course of a whole school year, it’s equal to FOUR WEEKS of missed school!

Homemade Ice Cream Sundae Nachos with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles

Academy Council

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 9th June at 9.15am. As it is the final meeting of the year, it will be more informal than usual. We will be having tea and coffee in the hall. There will be no online joining option.

Please come and join us!

boy playing Pokemon Trading Cards,

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

RC – Maryam: Maryam T is receiving a Community award for settling into RC so easily. It is like you have always been part of the class. It is lovely to have you with us.

1C – Junaid: Junaid has shown great community values by playing sensibly with others and including everyone. It has been lovely to see his growing awareness of those around him and his kind efforts. Well done, Junaid!

1E – Esmail: Esmail, this is an excellence award for the excellent progress you have made with your reading. All the year 1 teachers are delighted that you are now reading grey books in Sabia’s group. You should feel very proud of this achievement. Well done.

2C – Adion: Excellence – Well done for a fantastic piece of RE writing all about Humanism. I was so impressed with your grammar, vocabulary and handwriting. Also, thank you for being such a brilliant school councillor for 2C. Keep up the amazing work, Adion!

2E – Orpha: Aayesha deserves the value of community for representing her class in the hula hoop competition and winning. She did us all proud!

2I – Jibraeel: Your kindness, effort and positive attitude shine every day. You are a pleasure to have in 2I. Well done!

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

3C – Lorenzo: You have been working really hard to take on feedback and make the correct learning choices. I am also really impressed with how helpful you are towards adults, you always want to help and it is appreciated. Thank you!

3E – Sajid: Community: For being well behaved during class time and outside in the playground. You are a good role model for others.

3I – Noura: Excellence – Noura has displayed enthusiasm and tenacity in her writing. She has contributed some fantastic ideas in class discussions. Well done Noura!

4E – Zakariya: Well done for working really hard in class this week. You are now actively taking part in class discussions with lots of good ideas. Keep it up

5I – Leen: You are the embodiment of our value of community. You constantly step up and pick up the tasks no one else wants to do, like lunch hall, buddy double shifts and breakfast-tray rounds.
Thank you for being a pillar of our school community. Claudia.

Cricket ball resting on a cricket bat on green grass of cricket pitch

Dates for your Diary

Year 3/4 Sports Day
Tue 16th Jun

Year 3 will take place in the morning, Year 4 in the afternoon.

Year 5/6 Sports Day
Wed 17th Jun

Year 5 will take place in the morning, Year 6 in the afternoon.

Year 4 Residential
Mon 22nd - Wed 24th Jun
Year 4 Residential
Mon 22nd Jun
Year 4 Residential
Mon 22nd Jun
Y6 Performance to Y5 and Parents
Fri 10th Jul
School Concert
Mon 13th Jul
Leavers Assembly
Fri 17th Jul

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

Young Health Hub Launching

You are invited to the launch on 24th July 2026, between 2pm and 5pm at the Town Hall in Whitechapel.

Find out more

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