Internet Safety
To access many aspects of modern life use of the internet is necessary and therefore it is important that we teach children to use this safely. As part of our computing programme children are taught internet safety in school but as much of their access time is at home, it is important that parents/carers are also aware and support their child’s internet safety at home.
This week the government are launching a new website (16th February 2026) to support families and encourage regular conversations about what they’re seeing online, asking simple questions, like “who shared this” and “why?”. Based on parents’ main concerns and needs, it provides:
- tips for parents’ conversations with their children
- actions to support each stage of their child’s life
- parental controls information
The government are also signposting to trusted resources from charities and third parties, where parents can access other forms of support (like speaking to an expert).
The website will continue to grow and be developed this year, supporting the Online Safety Act and wider government aims.
https://kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk/keeping-your-child-safe-online-how-to-get-started/
Setting up parental controls can be complicated, this guide may help
https://www.internetmatters.org/setupsafe/
The youth engagement police constable for the Cotswolds visits school to talk to older pupils about keeping safe online and they recommend the following site
https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/
Public Speaking Competition
The “Look Who’s Talking” Oracy Competition in 2026 is a Gloucestershire-based event for primary schools, focusing on developing children’s speaking and listening skills, with students giving short speeches on any chosen topic. These then lead to school finals, regional heats and culminate in a grand final for the “Super Star Speakers” and a prize for the winning school. The finals take place in April at the Gloucester Guildhall.
There are three categories – Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2.
Pupils in school entered voluntarily and in-school heats were held to choose the winner for each category. These winners will then participate in the North Cotswold heats in February and March. If any of our pupils win the next stage, they will go through to the final in April.
Well done to the following pupils who will go through to the North Cotswold heats:
Ludo KS1, Ned LKS2, Annabel UKS2
Music
Class 4 are participating in their whole class clarinet lessons this term, building on the skills that they learnt last year. The pupils will have an opportunity to perform to the rest of the school at the end of their lesson block.
A reminder that pupils can learn to play the clarinet outside of these lessons. We also offer other woodwind instruments and brass lessons alongside piano lessons. Please contact the school office for details of the teachers and cost of these lessons. Instruments can be hired from Gloucestershire Music.
Healthy Food
A reminder that we encourage healthy eating in school and as such ask for snacks during morning break to be fruit or vegetables. Children in reception and Key Stage 1 are offered a free piece of fruit but can also bring in a snack from home. For general information please visit the NHS site Healthier Families – Home – NHS
Fundamental British Values
All schools are required by law to promote the fundamental British values of: democracy;
the rule of law; individual liberty; mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are threaded throughout our school but we also focus on one during an assembly. This takes place alongside our collective worship, merit assemblies (when we celebrate individual pupil successes) and Open the Book, where members of the community act out a Bible story with pupils joining in with the acting.
Sharing Assemblies
Class 1 and Class 2 had the opportunity to showcase their school work to parents and carers during their sharing assemblies this term. A particular well done to the reception pupils who have less experience standing up in front of an audience to deliver material.
Year 5 Dodgeball CCS
Year 5 pupils participated in a Dodgeball event at Chipping Campden Secondary School on 19th January. They had the opportunity to complete against other local schools. Well done Blockley who came 1st and 3rd out of 10 teams!
Indoor Athletics – KS2 (5 per year)
Another opportunity arose for a inter school competitive event, with 5 pupils from each year group in Key Stage 2 competing at Chipping Campden School. Again, great sportsmanship and effort by all with another 1st place. Amazing effort.
Maths Information Evening and opening morning
Thank you to all who were able to attend our math fluency sessions and for those that offered support but were unable to attend due to other commitments. We hope that they were informative, and that you now have a greater understanding how your child experiences maths in school.
Cross Country qualifier
We have a talented group of runners in school! We were able to send a group of pupils in year 5 and 6 to the qualifier event for the North Cotswolds with the top 10 then able to go through to the county championship. With some excellent year 4 runners as well, they were able to attend as good practise for next year, competing against the year 5 runners although they are not permitted to qualify for the next round. 15 pupils from Blockley ran.
We had some fantastic results: Rafe – 1st, Lottie – 1st, Ezra, Gabriel, Gabe, James all through to represent the North Cotswolds at the county championship.
Class 4 Art Workshop
Class 4 have been studying the art of Andy Warhol this term. They have enjoyed creating artwork based on popular culture that they feel represents them as individuals. They were then treated to a Pop Art Workshop where they each created an Andy Warhol inspired portrait! Can you spot your child?
Class 5 American Museum visit
Linked to their Geography topic of trade and economic activity, Class 5 enjoyed an outreach visit from the American Museum. This entails the museum bringing artifacts to the school. There was an interactive presentation, objects to handle and investigate, reflective activities to deepen pupil thinking about difficult concepts.
Parents Evening
We welcomed the opportunity to speak to parents/carers about how well their child is progressing at school and how you may be able to support at home.
Class 1 and 2 Jungle Johnathan
Pupils will be treated to a visit from Jungle Johnathan in the last week of term. They will be able to experience some exotic animals very close up, learn more about different amazing animals and how they should be cared for. Possible visitors:
Class 5 dissection
Biology is the basis for class 5 first science topic of the term: the human circulatory system. Pupils have learnt to identify and name the main parts of it and their respective properties and functions, with a greater focus on the heart, blood vessels and blood. Connections are made with PSHE and PE to understand the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the cardio-vascular system, its health and performance.
To deepen their understanding of the heart pupils were able to dissect pigs heart supplied by the local butcher.
Greek pots
Class 5 pupils have used their Grecian-inspired art on their pots and are now designing, making and evaluating packaging for them.
Class 3
Mrs Vitry treated pupils in Class 3 to Anzac biscuits to celebrate Australia Day, learning that the day marks the start of the first permanent European settlement on Australian soil.
Separately Class 3 have been learning a dance that they hope to perform to an audience in April.
Term 4
We will return to school after the February holiday on 23rd February. We look forward to seeing everyone then.