Headteacher News for Spring 1 - 2026
Dear Parents and Carers
Embracing the Outdoors — Whatever the Weather
As we move through what has certainly been a rather wet January — and what looks likely to continue into February — we want to begin by saying a heartfelt thank you. The children have arrived so well-prepared with rain jackets, waterproofs and wellington boots, which has meant they can continue to enjoy outdoor play safely and comfortably. Our recent welly walk was a particular highlight; the children embraced the adventure enthusiastically, and staff were especially impressed by how calmly and sensibly they returned to lessons afterwards.
Imagination, Sustainability and Play in Action
One of the real joys of developing our outdoor play offer has been seeing the quality of children’s play flourish. We are noticing increasingly imaginative play, thoughtful negotiation between pupils, and children applying learning from the classroom in creative ways. Recently we have seen World War II shelters being constructed, complex role-play games evolving, and even carefully invented rules for games inspired by Tom and Jerry. Simply watching and listening to their conversations — the collaboration, creativity and problem-solving — has been a genuine pleasure for staff.
We are also delighted to see a thriving Compost Team emerging, led by enthusiastic volunteers from Upper Key Stage 2. Their commitment to developing compost for our school gardens has been wonderful to witness and is helping to strengthen children’s understanding of sustainability, responsibility and teamwork. A huge thank you as well to Nyla’s parents in Year 5 for their generous donation of tyres — with more still to come. These have already proved a fantastic addition to the playground and have sparked a great deal of imaginative play, from obstacle courses to creative construction ideas.
Balancing Play, Wellbeing and Learning
Play remains an essential part of children’s development, and as part of our ongoing OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) journey, we continue to refine how playtime works so it best supports both wellbeing and learning. Recently, staff noticed that the short afternoon playtime was often extending beyond its intended ten minutes — sometimes by up to twenty minutes — which was beginning to impact valuable learning time, classroom focus and targeted interventions. Many teachers and support staff have shared that this disrupted return to class can affect children’s understanding and continuity of learning.
To help strike the right balance, we will be trialling a small adjustment:
On Mondays and Fridays:
- KS1 will have an extended play session from 12:30–1:55pm, allowing time for deeper, more creative play experiences.
- KS2 will come in earlier (from 1:30–1:55pm) for focused quiet reading time. There will be no additional afternoon play for KS2 on these days.
- Teachers have also planned short movement breaks during the afternoon, so all children still benefit from physical activity while maintaining stronger learning routines.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays:
- All children will continue to have the usual 10-minute afternoon playtime.
OPAL Updates
We are also working closely with pupils on routines such as putting equipment away promptly so transitions back to learning are smooth, calm and purposeful.
Our playground continues to evolve in exciting ways. OPAL provision is strengthening with new features including a mud play area and a developing scooter track, and staff recently took part in further training focused on play development and risk-benefit awareness. We are delighted that Mr Moriarty is now leading on playground biodiversity and will be developing our Nature Swamp area — a fantastic opportunity for children to connect with nature and outdoor exploration.
You may also have seen information about our Playground Bingo, encouraging children to collect sustainable or natural objects thoughtfully. Thank you to Ms Koschyk, whose passion and drive continue to move our OPAL vision forward.
Last week we were fortunate to welcome our Governors into school. They spent time observing play, speaking with children and exploring how OPAL is shaping our school culture. It was encouraging to hear how positively the children spoke about their outdoor experiences.
Finally, please do look at the upcoming Make Do and Mend Day information - it promises to be a creative, community-spirited event and we would love your involvement.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It is wonderful to see the playground culture becoming richer, calmer and more imaginative — and most importantly, to see the children thriving both in their play and their learning.
Stay Connected With Us
You can now follow us on Instagram - Tetherdownschool. We'll be sharing snapshots of children’s learning, playground developments and updates on upcoming events. It’s a great way to stay connected with school life as it happens.
Parking With Kindness and Consideration
A gentle reminder to please avoid parking in front of our neighbours’ driveways. Showing consideration and respect for our local community reflects the kindness and values we encourage in our children every day. Thank you for your support.
Annie Ashraf
Headteacher
