Newsletters

24/25 - Summer 2, Week 7

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Dear parents and carers,

As we reach the end of the summer term, this will be our final newsletter of what has been a truly memorable academic year.

From two exciting trips abroad to three unforgettable residentials, a visit to the West End, singing at the O2 Arena, and the joy of our Community Month celebrations, it’s been a year full of opportunity and growth. We’ve also been featured in a national documentary, invited to speak internationally next academic year, and appeared on ITV News, Channel 4 News, BBC Breakfast and LBC Radio.

It has also been a year of challenge. Financial pressures have required some very difficult decisions, but by the grace of God, our school community has faced each challenge head-on and come through stronger. Our recent SATs results are a testament to that resilience - with outcomes above national averages once again, a rise in the number of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading and maths, and an increase in greater depth results across all subjects. This is down to the hard work of our Year 6 pupils and the incredible staff who have supported them.

Before Year 6 leave us, they gave a brilliant final performance in their end-of-year production - a joyful celebration of music, dance and drama that allowed their talents to shine. We are immensely proud of them and send them off with our love, prayers and every good wish for their future.

As ever at this time of year, we also say goodbye to some staff and prepare to welcome new members of the team.
We say farewell to Mrs Isaac-Wilson, who has taught at William Ford for the past two years. She has secured a new role in a specialist setting much closer to home, no longer needing to battle the Dartford Crossing every morning. We thank her for her contribution and send her with our warmest wishes and prayers for continued success.
Miss Albany will also be moving to part-time hours from September, and we are grateful for all she continues to bring to the school.

We’re pleased to welcome two new teachers to the team. Mr Mulley joins our Year 6 staff and will also lead on STEM: the subject leadership of Maths, DT, Computing and Science. Miss Owoo also joins the Year 4 team. A former William Ford pupil herself, we’re delighted to welcome her back as she continues her teaching career with us.

Last week, all pupils met their new teachers for September. The teaching structure for next year is as follows:

Year 3
3F – Mrs Freeland
3BL – Mrs Beech and Mrs Legg
3M – Mrs Manning

Year 4
4N – Ms Nash
4O – Miss Owoo
4F – Miss Finch

Year 5
5W – Mr Wakeford
5H – Mrs Hoepelman
5I – Miss Ibukun

Year 6
6B – Mrs Buckingham
6M – Mr Mulley
6L – Mr Lazarus

Mrs Legg will continue as Phase Leader for Years 3 and 4
Mr Buckingham remains Phase Leader for Years 5 and 6
Mrs Beech continues as our SENDCO
Mrs Adom will continue to lead our Lighthouse provision

Please remember that school will close early at 1.30 pm on Wednesday. We look forward to welcoming pupils back on Thursday 4th September.

Next year brings with it lots of exciting new initiatives as we continue to develop our inclusive, creative and ambitious curriculum. We can’t wait to share more with you in September.

Thank you to all pupils, families, staff and friends of William Ford for your ongoing support, encouragement and prayers throughout this remarkable year.

Have a joyful, peaceful and well-earned summer holiday.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

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Please see poster below

Please feel free to come along to the SEND Family Meet Up during the school holidays.  

Have a fabulous summer! 

On Monday 21st July, in the afternoon, we’ll be celebrating with class parties in every year group! 

 

If you would like to the pupils may bring in some snacks and drinks to share (please remember: no hot food or anything containing nuts).  

 

There will be music, games, and plenty of fun. Children are to wear school uniform as usual on this day. 

 

It will be non-uniform on the last day – Wednesday 23rd July. Please also remember that school finishes at 1:30pm on this day

THE FELIX PROJECT

We have secured Felix Project donations throughout the summer holidays.

Fresh ingredients and prepared meals will be available at William Ford throughout the summer.

Just scan the QR code or click this link  https://forms.office.com/e/kw4gJaP0Y5 

and you will be notified when the food is available to collect.

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Year Three

Victoria

 

Year Four

Kingston

Year Five

Aaron

 

Year Six

Claude

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Can all school library books you have at home be returned to school on Monday 21st July.

 

The library will be organised and restocked ready for September. 

 

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Break up for Summer @1.30pm - Non Uniform
All Day
23
July
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
24
July
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
31
July
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
07
August
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
14
August
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
21
August
Felix Project - food bank (community distribution
1:00pm – 3:00pm
28
August
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18 Jul 2025
IRock Concert
Orisha, Jamie, Mateo and Frankie-Lee performing in the 'Lighthouse Family' rock group,
Read more
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Year Three

WOW we cannot believe we have completed our final full week of Year 3!  

What we have learnt about this week 

In English this week children have written beautiful descriptions of their King’s castles linked to their DT unit ‘Fit for a King’. We then created amazing AI pictures of them.   

In Maths, we have been looking at different investigations linked to our ‘Fit for a King’ project. The children have been party planners, using money to stay within a budget and have designed a throne room using Lego and area.  

In geography, we completed our Coast unit comparing life in Dagenham to Walton on the Naze, using their experience from the trip.  

During art, the children worked on recognising positive and negative space in a picture.  

What we will learn about next week 

Next week we will be reflecting on our learning from over the course of the year.  

During art children will be using their knowledge of positive and negative space to create their own pictures using their AI dragons from English.  

We will also be celebrating the end of the year with lots of fun activities including a class party on Monday afternoon.  

We would like to thank all parents and carers your continued support throughout the year. We have enjoyed watching your children grow and we wish them all the best of luck as they take on the next adventure in their learning journey!

 

Year Four 

This week has been full of exciting learning across all subjects.  

What we have learnt about this week 

In English, the children published their persuasive leaflets encouraging schools to visit Colchester Castle as part of their Roman studies. They worked hard to use persuasive language and present strong arguments. 

 

In maths, we consolidated our understanding of position and direction through a range of investigations. The children enjoyed applying their knowledge in practical and engaging ways. 

 

In history, we explored the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its impact on Pompeii. This led to some fascinating discussions about how the event has helped historians learn more about everyday life in Roman times. 

 

In science, we investigated the layers of teeth, learning about their structure and the role each part plays in keeping our teeth healthy. 

 

DT this week has seen the children designing and making pavilions. They have worked very carefully and have been very creative. 

What we will learn about next week 

As we approach the final few days of the school year, we’re reflecting on all the wonderful learning and growth that has taken place. 

 

In history, we’ll be exploring the retreat of the Romans and the legacy they left behind, thinking about how their influence can still be seen today. In DT, the children will be evaluating the pavilions they’ve designed and built, considering what worked well and what they might improve next time. 

 

We’ll also be making time for some fun activities to celebrate the end of the year and all the hard work the children have put in. 

 

Thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support throughout the year. We will truly miss the pupils as they move on to Year 5, and we wish them every success in the next stage of their journey. 

 

Year Five

Wow, we cannot believe that it is the last full week of Year 5! Where has the time gone? 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week in Year 5, in Maths, we have been learning about negative numbers and how to add subtract across zero. 

In Science, we completed our unit on Sustainability, by delivering our presentations on plastic pollution. 

In music, we have completed our unit on musical theatre, by creating music that goes with a piece of drama, inspired by the Nowhere Emporium or the Lion King. 

In art, we have been sketching, using observational drawing methods, as part of our architecture unit.  

What we will learn about next week 

Next week will be a short week, as we end Year 5. There will be a class party on Monday 21st and we are asking pupils to bring in some snacks and drinks (no fizzy) please. We will also be doing some other fun, educational activities to end the year. We hope you have a wonderful summer holiday and look forward to seeing the pupils back in September!! 

 

Year Six

It’s hard to believe, but we are now in the penultimate week of primary school for our Year 6 pupils. They should be incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished during their time at William Ford – it’s been a journey filled with growth, learning, and lasting memories 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week, the children have been wonderfully creative in art, producing some fantastic photomontages. It’s been a joy to see their imaginations come to life through their work. 

Year 6 also performed their production of School of Pop to the entire school this week – and what a show it was! We can’t wait for the Year 6 parents to experience this fantastic performance on Friday 18th July. 

As we approach the end of an era for our Year 6 children, the time is now winding down on their primary school journey. We, as the Year 6 team, wish them nothing but the very best for their futures. We are so proud of each one of them. 

What we will learn about next week 

It’s now the last few days of primary school, and we’ve finally reached the end of this incredible journey. We will truly miss the children – it’s always sad to see them go, but we’re also filled with pride and excitement as they take the next step forward into secondary school. 

On Tuesday 22nd July, Year 6 will be taking part in their Leavers' Assembly. Parents are warmly invited to arrive at school for 1:45pm, with the assembly beginning at 2:00pm. During this special event, the children will be sharing their fondest memories of their time at William Ford, as well as some prayers. Each child will also receive a Bible to take with them as a keepsake. 

 

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Each week, staff select three children from each class who have shown effort and commitment to upholding an aspect of our school vision, shown at the bottom of the page. Congratulations to this week’s ‘stars of the week’ for their tremendous endeavours!

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