Headteacher News for October 2026
Dear Parents and Carers
As our first half-term draws to a close, I would like to say a massive thank you to all our families for such a warm and positive start to the school year. From our field picnic and meet-and-greets to the Class Champions meetings, parent consultations and annual Friends of Tetherdown meeting, there have been so many opportunities to come together and strengthen the relationships at the heart of our school community.
Playtime adventures: an OPAL update
Our OPAL playtimes are giving children more opportunities to explore, create, get muddy and have fun together! Please send in a raincoat and wellies, plus a change of clothes if you wish. All children have space to store these at school.
Happy, confident play
We have increased the number of staff on duty. Reception children have their own enclosed area for the first term, with supported opportunities to explore the wider playground when they feel ready including playing with siblings and older friends. Older children have also been shown how to help younger children feel welcome.
Coach Da Silva, our qualified play leader, now supports children throughout the lunch hour, helping us develop OPAL’s 16 types of play and encouraging children to explore new challenges safely. Coach Hadari and Mr Roheemun also lead a range of lunchtime sports activities, including football. Since moving football away from the main playground, we have seen a significant reduction in accidents and disagreements, helping to make lunchtimes safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Making time for reading
Last year, we replaced the Monday and Friday afternoon playtime slots with dedicated 15–20-minute reading sessions, giving children valuable time to enjoy books within our busy curriculum. With fewer children reading regularly, this time is especially important: reading builds vocabulary, develops imagination and supports learning across all subjects.
What’s next for the playground for 2026-27?
Working with Friends of Tetherdown, our plans include:
- Developing the swamp: clearing and lining the area and adding a jetty, with help from Mr Moriarty, parent volunteers and Square Roots, our gardening team.
- More shelter: adding covered spaces in the main playground, Year 2 area and near the lower playground mirrors.
- Climbing and strength: repairing the wooden climbing frame and installing a chin-up bar.
- Creative play: adding a Year 2 storage shed for small-world toys and arts and crafts materials.
A special thank you to the parent – Dominic Hill parent in Y2 who generously gave their time and skills to build the shelter beside the shed and to Ms Hughes and many parents who have painted our shed.
Climate action and cooler classrooms
We have had a successful year working with Let’s Go, who have recognised us as one of their most successful schools. Last year’s climate action plan is on our website, and keeping classrooms cooler is a key priority in this year’s plan.
Thank you for your generous summer fundraising. Friends of Tetherdown are holding these funds while we research how to put them to the best use.
We are exploring ventilation and extraction systems, window shading, better-quality fans and portable air conditioning. We need to understand how each option would affect classroom temperatures, air quality, energy use and running costs.
To help us make an informed decision, we are drawing on advice from the local authority, Let’s Go, a feasibility study from Coldfall School and expertise within our parent community.
This research is taking time, but we want to choose improvements that make a lasting difference and offer good value for the money you have raised. We will keep you updated as our plans develop.
Keep the Lights On Fund: helping our school meet everyday costs.
We would like to explain the purpose of our Keep the Lights On Fund and how your donations will support Tetherdown.
This fund helps the school meet essential running costs. Friends of Tetherdown (FoT) kindly collects donations on the school’s behalf, allowing eligible contributions to benefit from Gift Aid.
Please donate today via JustGiving by clicking this link or QR Code.
This is a school appeal, separate from FoT’s own fundraising activities.
Like many schools, we are facing growing financial pressures. Falling birth rates mean fewer children are joining the school, and because funding is linked to pupil numbers, approximately ten fewer pupils means a reduction in our income. Meanwhile, energy, maintenance and staffing costs continue to put pressure on our budget.
To give families a clearer picture, some of the costs we need to cover include:
- Gas and electricity: £50,000
- Photocopying and printing, including machine leases: £15,000
- Classroom resources, including exercise books: £10,000
- Grounds maintenance and improvements: £7,500
- School and kitchen lift maintenance: £5,000
If your family can contribute, a regular donation of £10 per child per month—roughly the cost of a couple of coffees - would make a real difference. Regular donations help us plan and ease the pressure on the school’s budget.
Contributions are entirely voluntary, and we are grateful for any amount you can give.
Thank you for helping us keep Tetherdown a welcoming, well-resourced place for every child to learn.
Family Hub: support for families
The Family Hub, behind Marks & Spencer’s car park, offers various parenting workshops, and help with forms, including secondary school applications.
Find out what’s on at the Family Hub.
Keeping children safe: food, allergies and litter
Please help us protect children with allergies considering Benedicts Law and keep our school grounds clean:
- Wait until you have left the school grounds and moved away from busy gates before giving your child food.
- Send only fruit for break-time and after-school club snacks. Children up to Year 2 receive fruit at school for their morning snack.
- Put all litter in a bin or take it home.
Thank you for helping us keep every child safe and minimising risks of serious allergic reactions.
Parent Governor Election Results
You will recall that we recently sought nominations for one Parent Governor to join the Governing Body at Tetherdown School. We received four nominations on the closing date, which meant we were required to hold a ballot. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes would secure the role of parent governor for a four-year term of office.
I am delighted to now welcome Dr Emma Beard, who has children in Year 2 and Year 4 on to the Governing Body. I am confident that she will serve you well and make a positive contribution to the workings of the Governing Body.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this process.
Wishing all our children and families a restful October half-term break, and we look forward to welcoming the children back to school after our INSET day on Tuesday, 3rd November 2026.
Annie Ashraf
Headteacher
