Latest News

Dear Parents/Carers,

It is hard to believe that we have completed a term already and as the Christmas break approaches, it is good to look back on what has been achieved. 

We began the year with new faces on the staff team and all are now settled in and a full part of the Cooks Spinney staff team. I am proud that our teachers are so different in their teaching styles and firmly believe that this allows them to deliver very personalised learning opportunities to all of our individual children and classes. Some of these activities include the amazing Wow Days such as the Year 3 Detective Day and Year 6 walking through a wardrobe in our forest and into Narnia. It also includes the Space Day in Year 2 and the fantastic trips our children have been on. We have the very exciting trip to Kidzania to look forward to. A whole school trip is another first for Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery. 

We have now incorporated our new school badge and uniform to help with the rebranding of this amazing school. I am frustrated by the comments that people associate with Spinney of old and we are making a very clear statement with results, behaviour and attitude, ethos and quality of provision that this school is amazing. The uniform will help set the tone for the future which is very, very bright. We have already been selected for 50+ applications for Reception places in September 2016 and the application window isn’t closed yet. We have waiting lists for many of our year groups and parents/carers are sending their children across town to come here. Word of what we are doing is spreading. It is further recognition of the progress of the school that we were placed 4th in Harlow in a recent league table. 

Standards within the school are higher than ever. As you all know, our Year 6 results from Summer 2015 were the best the school has ever had. We improved results in Reception and Key Stage 1 as well as continuing to improve the already amazing Phonics Screening test results in Year 1. We have seen already that our children are very keen to learn. They take risks with their learning in environments that encourage such independence. Our curriculum is broad and balanced with a range of learning opportunities both inside the classroom and outdoors. We are very proud of our Enriched Curriculum and excited by its development this year. At Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery, we want our children to achieve the very best and have a culture where the children grow to challenge themselves. We know that we are not creating academic robots though and are fully committed to providing the children with opportunities to find their talents. Whether that be PE, Art, Music or another area, we continue to offer fantastic teaching in all areas. I think that S Factor 2015 was one of the best I’ve seen and we have gymnasts performing and very talented musicians and singers performing in shows across the Trust at secondary schools.  

It is indeed a very exciting time to be part of Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery. Our building work is progressing nicely and our patience will be worth it as the rooms will allow for exciting developments during the Spring and Summer terms and the years to follow. 

I’d like to thank you for your continued support - the crowds were amazing for the Christmas shows and I think our children did everyone proud (they are the best kids in the world). The bazaar, arranged by the ‘Friends of Spinney’ parent group, was a huge success and we know that by working closely with you, we can achieve great things for your children. 

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 

Yours Sincerely,

Mr S Pope

Head of School