Dear Parents and Carers,

The school days continue to be busy and action-packed.  I am delighted to inform you that our Year 5 and 6 team have reached the finals of the Black Country Games Tag Rugby competition after an exciting morning this week competing against other primary schools across the region.  A huge thank you to the parents for transporting the children to this event, we do appreciate your support.  Having reflected on the term thus far, we have made the decision to provide transport to sporting events where they take place during school hours.  We will also provide the necessary information regarding timings and requirements to you as early as is possible. 

I will be looking to appoint Prefects to successful children from Year 6.  if your child is in Year 6 and wishes to be considered for the post of Prefect at The Ridge, they will need to apply in writing to me outlining their skills and qualities which make them a good candidate for the role of Prefect.  Please could the application be sent to me by Wednesday 5 November.  Myself, Mrs Hadley and Miss Crowson will interview the applicants the following week.

I will be introducing small home-based learning tasks for classes which will be spread across the school year.  Year 5 will be the first cohort to be given a task to complete at home over the next half-term.  The details will be shared with the children after the half-term holiday.  The idea is to support the development of the softer skills that children require as they move through primary school and on to secondary school.  These are typically research-led and with additional guidance and support, provide children with a broad topic and an opportunity to produce a piece of work of their choice.  This could be a piece of writing, a piece of artwork, a photograph or any medium in which the child has an interest.  Please do not think that this is a task that parents and grandparents are needed and required to design, build and construct and take hours of effort and worry.  This is an opportunity for you to talk to your child about the task and offer support and guidance but must be completed by the child themselves.  More details to follow.

Our Halloween Disco is next week Thursday 23 October and the details have been sent to you via ParentMail.  The RFA have worked really hard and we will look forward to a fun time with the children next week.

Although we are yet to have half-term break, the Christmas season will be upon us before we know.  Our Christmas Fayre will be on Friday 5 December and more information will be provided via the RFA as to what that will entail.  I can confirm that the non-uniform day for children will be on Friday 21 November.  Children will be able to come to school that day wearing their own choice of clothes in exchange for a donation for our Christmas Fayre. Please could we ask for donations of bottles and / or chocolates for this important fundraising event.

Attendance - W/C 17th October 2025

Whole School - 96.65%

Reception - 95.33%

Year 1 – 95.86%

Year 2 – 99.33%

Year 3 – 96.33%

Year 4 – 96.44%

Year 5 – 95.00%

Year 6 – 98.46%

Well done Year 2!

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Mrs Gilbert is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and any concerns should be shared with her or the Deputy Safeguarding Leads – Mrs Hadley and Mrs Morley.  Where child protection concerns are raised, the school has a statutory duty to refer these concerns to children’s social care.

Kind regards

Mrs C Gilbert

Headteacher