Newsletters

25/26 - Autumn 2, Week 2

{item_alt_tag}

Dear parents and carers,

It has been a brilliant week for a number of our Year 6 pupils who have been away at Trewern. Although the weather has not always been perfect, the children have shown great resilience and enthusiasm. They fully involved themselves in every activity and made the most of this fantastic opportunity. I know parents have enjoyed seeing the photographs and updates that we have been able to share, including through the community WhatsApp group.

A huge thank you to Mr Buckingham, Mrs Beech and Mr Mulley for leading the trip so well and ensuring that our pupils had such a memorable experience. I am sure families will hear plenty about the adventures once the children have caught up on some very well-earned sleep.

Back in school, we marked Remembrance Day on Tuesday. It was a privilege to take the School Council to the cenotaph outside Dagenham Parish Church to represent William Ford. We were also able to livestream their act of remembrance back into the school hall, meaning the whole school community could take part together. It was a meaningful moment for pupils and staff.

I do need to raise a gentle reminder regarding parental behaviour. From time to time we receive concerns from within the school community regarding families feeling intimidated or threatened when arriving or leaving the school. When there is any involvement of children, the school has a duty to seek advice from Children’s Services. However, most disagreements between adults fall outside the school’s role and we are not able to mediate such matters. The school also has a very low tolerance for heated arguments on the school site, especially when pupils are present, and we cannot allow adults to challenge other people’s children directly. We understand that situations can arise in schools that cause upset, but the right approach is always to speak to your child’s class teacher who can investigate and escalate things where needed. Any parent who is seen screaming, shouting or behaving in an intimidating way will be asked to leave the school site immediately and can be banned from the school site. Parents should also be aware that incidents which take place immediately outside the school gates are best referred to the police. Our priority is always the wellbeing of pupils and the safety of the whole school community, and we thank the vast majority of parents who model calm and respectful behaviour every day.

Collective Worship this week has continued to focus on the characteristics of Jesus. On Monday, Mr Lazarus explored kindness, something we can all show in our words and actions. This links closely to the point above, as our pupils learn best when they see kindness modelled by the adults around them.

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

{item_alt_tag}

{item_alt_tag}

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

The Lighthouse children had a fantastic morning visiting the Vue cinema in Dagenham with Year Three to watch The Wild Robot.  Even though it was raining, they were very resilient and walked there to enjoy the film together!  See our gallery for some photos of the trip. William Ford Junior School - The Wild Robot cinema trip

 

Please ensure that your child's lunch box and snack do not contain allergens such as nuts.

We are a NUT FREE SCHOOL and have both children and staff with severe medical conditions that are triggered by NUTS. 

{item_alt_tag}

Year Three

 

 

Year Four

Year Five

 

 

Year Six

{item_alt_tag}

Robot Girl by Malorie Blackman 

 

In this book, the dad is an inventor and builds a monster. I enjoyed reading this book because it is very interesting and full of suspense.  

 

Taliah 5W 

{item_alt_tag}
Parent Evening Night one [In-person]
3:30pm – 6:00pm
17
November
Science Museum Trip
All Day
18
November
Lighthouse Swimming Lesson
10:30am – 11:30am
18
November
Cake Sale - Breaktime
10:45am – 11:15am
18
November
Cake Sale
10:45am – 11:00am
19
November
all school flu vacine catchup
All Day
20
November
Science Museum Trip 5H
All Day
20
November
Parents evening [In-person]
3:30pm – 6:00pm
20
November
Science Museum Trip 5I
All Day
21
November
Victorian Day
All Day
21
November
{item_alt_tag}
14 Nov 2025
Children in Need Day
A few of our Pudseys at William Ford!
Read more
14 Nov 2025
'The Wild Robot' cinema trip
Year Three and The Lighthouse children at the cinema!
Read more
13 Nov 2025
Makaton performance at William Ford
Collective worship - Thursday 13th November 2025
Read more
11 Nov 2025
Remembrance Day
William Ford remembers at the cenotaph and in the school 
Read more

Parent Information Session

Neurodiversity: Autism, ADHD, PDA, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia
Tuesday 25th November 2:15pm

 

Over recent weeks, pupils at William Ford have enjoyed hearing from a number of inspiring visitors who have spoken about their careers and the challenges they have overcome along the way. One of our aims in doing this is to help children understand that everyone’s journey is different and that barriers can be overcome with determination and support.


A particular focus this year has been neurodiversity. There is growing awareness of this area in education and beyond, yet we know that many people still have questions and misconceptions. When we talk about neurodiversity, we are referring to a range of neurological differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, PDA and others. These affect many children and adults in different ways, and it is important that we understand and support them effectively. Neurodiversity is also closely linked with our school’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) — ensuring that every child feels understood, accepted and valued.


To help with this, we are delighted to announce that J Grange will be visiting our school on Tuesday 25 November.


J is a 23-year-old entrepreneur, international public speaker, mentor, and one of the UK’s leading neurodiversity advocates. His powerful personal story - shaped by ADHD, dyspraxia and school exclusions - has inspired audiences across the world. J has worked with organisations such as UNESCO, the United Nations, McCains, Trustpilot, the International School of Nice Lions, and Metro Bank, and has appeared on Channel 5 News, BBC Radio, and France Télévisions.
You can find out more about him at https://jgrangeofficial.com


J will be leading a special session with a small group of pupils over lunchtime, before leading our Collective Worship from 1.15 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. This will be followed by a parent session from 2.15pm to 3.00pm, before J works with staff at the end of the day.


If we would like your child to take part in the lunchtime session, we will contact you directly. However, please do get in touch if you feel your child would particularly benefit from being involved.
During the parent session, J will share his story, speak about his advocacy work, and answer questions. Mrs Beech and I will also be available to discuss topics such as the process of diagnosis, ways to support children at home, and what a neurodiversity diagnosis can mean for the future.

J’s session for parents will include the following:
• J’s personal story and journey
• An insight into neurodiversity
• Understanding neurodiversity through the lens of an ex-student and child
• What I wish my teachers and parents had known
• Top tips for supporting neurodiversity at home so children can flourish


After the parent session, J will lead a professional development session for staff, ensuring that this visit benefits pupils, families, and the whole school community.
This promises to be an inspiring and informative afternoon, and we strongly encourage parents to attend - particularly if neurodiversity is something that affects your family or you would simply like to understand more about it we look forward to welcoming you to school on Tuesday 25 November at 2.15 pm sharp.

 

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE :  Neurodiversity Parent Information Session  – Fill in form

{item_alt_tag}

Year Three

This week have been another productive week in Year Three culminating with our exciting trip to the cinema today. It was a pleasure to be able to take the children, and they all appeared to have enjoyed their first William Ford school trip. 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week in English we have continued to look at non-chronological reports. The children have answered questions from these which has helped to continue to develop a range of comprehension strategies such as skimming and scanning for key words within the text. They have also had the opportunity to formulate their own open questions based on a non-chronological report about Greece. 

In maths we have been practising a range of mental strategies for subtraction calculations crossing over a 10 or 100. The children have had to work hard at these as they have found them challenging at times. 

In science the children carried out an exciting light experiment and in history the children learnt lots of information about the Egyptian pharaohs. 

What we will learn about next week 

In English next week the children will be researching their own country on their iPad. They will then use their research to write and present their own chronological report. 

 

In maths, we will be moving onto column subtraction with and without exchanging. 

 

In geography we will study human and physical geographical features and in science the children will complete another investigation to improve their understanding of transparent, translucent and opaque materials. 

 

In our R.E. lesson we will look at symbolic language for the Holy Trinity. 

 

We hope you all have a lovely, peaceful weekend. 

 

Year Four 

The children have been working hard this week. They have once again been successful in competing a range of activities. 

What we have learnt about this week 

In English, the children planned and wrote a diary entry from the perspective of Naledi, a character in Journey to Jo’Burg. They explored her thoughts and feelings, bringing the story to life through their writing. 

In Maths, we continued developing formal methods for addition and subtraction. The children have also been learning how to make efficient choices about which method to use in different situations. 

Our history lessons focused on the Stone Age. The children examined artefacts and discussed what these objects can tell us about life during that time. 

In RE, we completed our unit on Hinduism. The children demonstrated what they have learned about beliefs, practices, and traditions in this fascinating religion. 

Finally, in science, we started a new topic: States of Matter. The children began exploring solids, liquids, and gases, and will continue investigating their properties in the coming weeks. 

 

What we will learn about next week 

In English, the children will now be moving on to non-chronological reports. The children will learn how these texts are structured and will plan and write their own report about South Africa, focusing on organising information clearly and using formal language. 

In Maths, we will begin a new topic on Area. The children will explore what area means, how to calculate it for rectangles and compound shapes, and why it is useful in real-life contexts. 

In RE, we will start a new unit about the Bible, looking at why it is important to Christians and exploring some of its key messages. 

In Geography, we will investigate trade between India and the UK. The children will learn what goods are exchanged, why trade happens, and how it affects people in both countries. 

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another great week of learning ahead! 

Year Five

Year 5 have had a great week, recording their science video-documentaries, as well as lots of other exciting learning.  

What we have learnt about this week 

This week, in maths, pupils have been finishing their unit on multiplication and division, revising key topics, such as prime, square and cube numbers.  

In English, pupils have been using their learnt skills to write a non-chronological report relating to Syria, based on their topic in reading and English: The boy at the back of the class.  

In science, pupils have been working hard to record their video-documentaries for ‘Stargazers’, based on their science topic on space. Pupils have been making video-documentaries on the solar system, the lunar month and day and night.  

What we will learn about next week 

Next week will of course be an action-packed week as per usual in Year 5. We will be having parents evening on Monday and Thursday. 

In addition to this, each class will be going on a trip to the science museum. 

Tuesday 18.11.2025: 5W 

Consent form: Science Museum 5W – Fill in form

Thursday 20.11.2025: 5H 

Consent form: Science Museum 5H – Fill in form

Friday 21.11.2025: 5I 

Consent form: Science Museum 5I – Fill in form

Please ensure your child has a balanced packed lunch and enough drink for the day.  

 

Year Six

Communication from Mr Buckingham, Mr Mulley and Mrs Beech makes it clear that the children at Trewern have had a fantastic time.  Back at school, we have come off curriculum for the week to enjoy a range of creative activities. 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week, the children were able to participate in have completed a range of activities in P.E. lessons with the school’s P.E. coaches.  Back in the classroom, the children have completed some artwork based on the south American artist Joaquin Torres Garcia.  They examined the importance of symbols in his work and then designed and painted a picture that incorporated symbols of things that were important to them.  The children have also had the opportunity to further refine their sewing skills by designing and making a bookmark using Binca and embroidery thread.  Many of the children started off very hesitant about being able to do the different stitches but they soon got into the task and produced some brilliant, embroidery which they have taken home.   Finally, the children completed some work on the school’s computers in the IT suite which will be sent to our Stand By Me sponsor child, Dana. 

What we will learn about next week 

Next week in maths, the children will continue their unit of work on fractions.  In English, the children will plan, write and edit a balanced argument about Victorian workhouses.  In science, the children will begin their new unit of work based on electricity.   

 

{item_alt_tag}

Each week, staff select two 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!