Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.

Please click a headline to read more or visit our school Facebook page: Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School.

• 2024 World Book Week

  Wed 13 Mar 2024

  Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School celebrated their love of books and reading in an event packed book week last week.  The school places a high value on reading for pleasure and encourages this all year long but chose to focus during this week on “Bedtime Stories”.

   

  Throughout the week, each class received a special visitor to read them a book or short story.  These visitors comprised parents and governors as well as teachers and sixth formers from secondary schools in the Coastal Academies Trust, of which Cliftonville Primary is a member. The children loved sharing their favourite stories and discovering some new ones. 

   

  Pre-School were also treated to an enthusiastic retelling of “Stick Man” by Adam Taylor from online bookshop “The Classroom” when he visited to hand out free World Book Day books to the children.  This meant that every child got to take home a brand-new book as well as their World Book Day token.  In addition, some lucky children from each year group also received a third book during a trip to The Margate Bookshop. Some of them used a book token to choose a book and others used the voucher to reduce the price of another book of their choice. Francesca, the owner, was on hand to give advice and book recommendations to the children. 

   

  Stories were also shared in the newly launched library after school on three of the evenings where a different teacher each day read a selection of bedtime stories to children and their families.  Max, the school dog, also got in on the book action as a selection of children from Year 2 to Year 6 took turns to read to him.  Year groups paired up in their house groups with older children reading to younger children.

   

  A special coffee morning was held for parents and carers which was well attended. Guests all got to choose a children’s book to take home to read to their children that night and one lucky dad won a £10 book voucher in the raffle. Visitors had the opportunity to sign up to the local library and chatted together about books and bedtime routines.  The KS2 Reading Ambassadors also visited to chat to parents about books and gave them guided tours of the new library. Parents were bowled over by the children’s confidence and enthusiasm.

   

  The Reading Ambassadors took a central role in the planning and delivery of the week including visiting EYFS and KS1 classes to run a bookmark making workshop which was loved by the younger children.  They also created two book competitions for their peers and collected money from participants during the week. A lucky winner from KS1 won a copy of “Mr Big” after correctly identifying it from a book illustration and a KS2 child won a copy of “A Boy Called Christmas” for correctly guessing the number of pages in the book.  The Reading Ambassadors joined forces with the school’s PTFA to run a second-hand book sale after school which attracted crowds on the playground.  In all, the child’s fundraising came to an amazing £134 which they will use to buy more books for the library chosen by themselves. Some of the Reading Ambassadors then visited Chartwell House care home to read to the residents there and were very kindly gifted a book and bookmark each.

   

  For many children, the highlight of the week was World Book Day itself when children and staff came to school in their pyjamas or lounge wear with their cuddly toy and favourite bedtime story.  Children all had a chance to share their favourite story along with a huge range of other book related activities such as quizzes and treasure hunts.

   

  During the week, five of the year groups also enjoyed an author visit.  Reception and Year 1 loved their workshops from local author and past pupil Paul Deslandes on his book “The Garden Monster” and Year 3 thoroughly enjoyed an assembly by local author Sam Gayton which was followed by writing workshops where the children created their own heroes and villains.  Year 2 had a great time in their virtual visit from prize-winning author Swapna Haddow where they explored her latest book “Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings”.  Swapna described the children as “absolute superstars”. Year 5 were starstruck in their visit from author Thomas Taylor who writes the Eerie-On-Sea series of which the children are currently studying the first book: “Malamander”.  He shared his inspiration for his writing and showed the children some amazing artefacts he has found beachcombing.  Some of the children presented him with fan mail letters they had written and he went away with copies of some of their writing of their own imagined chapter of “Malamander”.  He described the children as “a thoroughly lovely and sparky bunch”.  Years 4 and 6 will each have their own author visit later in the school year.

   

  The week was organised by Assistant Headteacher Julie Mayhew who leads English in the school.  She said, “We know that reading for pleasure is the biggest indicator of children’s future success and we are passionate here at Cliftonville about giving them opportunities to discover a love of reading. The children and staff had a wonderful week and we are especially proud of the Reading Ambassadors who have worked so hard and shown such great leadership skills.”

   

   

  

• Year 6 Careers Day

  Fri 01 Mar 2024

  On Friday 1st March, year 6 pupils at Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School dipped their toe in the world of work and found out about the huge number of careers available to them in a special careers morning. 

   

  The event saw representatives from 26 different professions visit the school to be interviewed by the children about their careers. Staff scoured their contacts, parents volunteered and members of the local community gave up their time. A huge range of jobs was showcased from builders to bioscientists, mechanics to marketing managers and actors to accountants. All three emergency services attended as well as the armed forces. 

   

  The children had a very enjoyable morning chatting to people from walks of life that they may never have encountered before and asked insightful questions about their career journeys and roles. 

   

  The event was organised by Assistant Headteacher Julie Mayhew and Teaching Assistant Mandie Dale and timed to link with National Careers Week which is 4^th-9^th March. Mrs Mayhew said, ‘The morning was a great success and it was lovely to see the children interacting with our guests so confidently and to be so excited by their future potential. Aspiration and community unity are two of our school values and they were really encapsulated by the event. We are so grateful to all our visitors who gave up their time to be part of the day.’ 

  
   

  Ronnie, a Year 6 pupil, said, “It was really nice to meet lots of new people as well as finding out about jobs I didn’t know existed. I had fun.” Maggie added, “I liked going round asking people questions about their jobs and it opened new ideas for our future.”

  
   

  The school would like to extend a huge thanks to the following companies and organisations for volunteering: The Spine and Sports Injuries Clinic (Home - Spine & Sports Injury | Osteopath Kent (spinesportsinjury.com), Big Shot (www.bigshotcoffee.co.uk), Haeckels (Haeckels Natural Skin Care And Wild Fragrance. Made of Margate.), The University of Kent (We stand for ambition. Yours - University of Kent), Canterbury Christ Church University (Home - Canterbury Christ Church University), NK Builders (https://www.facebook.com/nkbuilders1?sfnsn=scwspmo), MPH Accountants and Business Advisors (www.mphaccountants.co.uk  ), Chris Power Fitness (https://linktr.ee/chrispowerfitness ), Haynes Ford (Haynes Ford Dealer | Maidstone & Canterbury), Microsoft (Microsoft – Cloud, Computers, Apps & Gaming), Whitstable Dental Practice (Whitstable | Aycliffe Dentistry), Ramsgate Football Club (https://ramsgatefc.co.uk), Dafne Vets (www.dafnevets.co.uk    ), Northdown Butchers (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61550626754340&name=xhp_nt_f-b_action_open_user             ), London Array (London Array – A leader in offshore renewable energy since 2013), Kent Police (Home | Kent Police), Kent Fire and Rescue (Kent Fire and Rescue Service | Kent Fire and Rescue Service (fire-uk.org)), The Royal Navy (Royal Navy (mod.uk)), The Grange Practice (The Grange Practice (thegrangepracticeramsgate.nhs.uk)), EW Print Designs (www.facebook.com/ewprintdesigns ), Bright Starts Nurseries (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100003763446975&name=xhp_nt_f-b_action_open_user )and Birchington Brides (Birchington Brides – Wedding Wardrobe). 

   

  

• KCC parental survey for wrap around care

  Thu 22 Feb 2024

  KCC analytics have done a preliminary analysis on the Parental Survey that has previously been sent out regarding wraparound childcare.

   

  Would it be possible to promote the below QR code to your families, so that a more comprehensive conclusion can be formed.

   

  The Education People’s Early Years and Childcare Service is conducting a survey on behalf of Kent County Council, of parents/carers and expectant parents to determine interest in the childcare entitlements that are being introduced this year and their arrangements for wraparound care of any primary school aged children. The survey will also gather the views of parents/carers using or wanting to use more childcare in Kent. This combined information will help us assess where there are gaps in provision. We would be very grateful if you could support us with maximising the reach of this survey by sharing the QR code below with families in your schools any other stakeholders you may have and if appropriate your own family and friends who access or want to access childcare in Kent.

   

  Please click here for access

  https://survey.kent.gov.uk/ChildcareSurvey

  

• Cliftonville Children Celebrate New School Library

  Wed 17 Jan 2024

  Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School was a buzz of excitement on the afternoon on Friday 12^th January as the official opening of the new library was celebrated. The event had been eagerly anticipated since the renovations had begun during October half-term. The school, which is 4 form entry, had outgrown its existing library so had located a new space to house its wonderful collection of books and be an inviting and inspiring place where children can develop and indulge their love of reading.  However, the new space was rather drab and boring and needed bringing to life! With the help of a team of generous volunteers, this was more than achieved.

   

  The project was co-ordinated by parent Leona Baker who managed to source free paint materials from Lovelys Art Gallery and persuade some artistic fellow parents to donate their time. Back at school, the KS2 Reading Ambassadors created a shortlist of book characters and quotes for possible murals which were put to the vote by the rest of the children.  The artists then worked with this brief to create some stunning murals incorporating the children’s interests.  Over half term, a few staff members got to work painting the walls with the chosen colours ready for the parents to work their magic.

  The children and staff were in awe of the amazing designs that soon lit up the walls with a KS1 mural by Amber Harrison celebrating many of the children’s favourite picture books, a KS2 mural by Catherine Chinatree honouring one of their favourite novels – “Malamander” by Thomas Taylor – and a non-fiction mural by Louise and Janet Mackie embodying a quote from “The Secret Garden” by Frances Burnett.  A much-loved canvas including over 30 book covers created by Year 6 teaching assistant Lucy Mills was also hung in pride of place.

   

  School librarian Dale Hedges arranged the bookcases to create three distinct spaces and money raised and donated by the PTFA was spent on bright and comfortable furnishings that complemented the artwork. 

   

  The final touch was the replenishing of the book stock to ensure that the children are able to access a wide variety of reading material with books that match their interests and spark their imagination.  The Reading Ambassadors created a wish list of books and research was conducted into high quality children’s literature published in the last five years and those that promote diversity to allow children “mirrors to their own lives and windows to the experiences of others”.  The Margate Bookshop kindly donated £2500 worth of books following their successful crowdfunding campaign to raise money for books for local schools and a further £1600 was raised in school via an Usborne readathon event and £245 from a Scholastic book fair.

   

  On Friday 12^th January, the Reading Ambassadors gathered in the library with senior leaders, governors, representatives from the PTFA, the parent artists and owner of The Margate Bookshop Francesca Wilkins.  Also in attendance were two local authors – Carnegie nominated Sam Gayton and ex-pupil Paul Deslandes.  Both authors had previously attended the school to work with children and met many of the children again at the 2023 Margate Bookie Festival.

   

  During the afternoon, speeches were made by some of the children to thank all those involved and share what it means to them to have a working school library before bouquets of flowers were presented to the volunteers. Kate Greig, the CEO of the Coastal Academies Trust of which Cliftonville Primary School is a proud member, cut the paper chain and declared the library officially open. The guests then spent time enjoying cake and chatting while admiring the artwork and perusing the books.  The children especially loved choosing their cupcake via their favourite book and acted as hosts handing out cake to the guests.

   

  The library is open all day to children and each class visits at least once a week which is always a highlight for them. The school hope to be opening the library after-school to families soon and also have plans to run a Story and Song group for parents with babies and toddlers.  They are currently participating in the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme to fund this and customers can vote for their project with a blue token instore at the Tesco stores on Northdown Road, Margate and Canterbury Road, Westbrook until mid-March.

   

  Assistant headteacher and English lead, Julie Mayhew, shared, “We are very proud of our new library which is now the heart of our school. We are so grateful to all the talented and generous members of our community who have contributed to creating it. It is brilliant to see the children enjoying the space and the impact it is having on children’s love of learning and reading.”

   

  

• E-Scooters- a reminder

  Fri 15 Dec 2023

  Back in October, we received this information from Kent County Council. Please do read and take note. No e-scooters are allowed to be on school site.

  Please click on this link to view the letter from Kent County Council

  

• 2025-2026 Admissions Consultation

  Mon 27 Nov 2023

  As our own admissions authority, Cliftonville Primary and Pre School is required under the School Admissions Code 2021 to review its admissions policy annually and to consult on arrangements from time to time.  

   

  The code requires consultation in the following circumstances.  

   

  1. When changes are proposed to admission arrangements, all admission authorities must consult on their admission arrangements (including any supplementary information form) that will apply for admission applications the following school year.  

  2. Where the admission arrangements have not changed from the previous year there is no requirement to consult, subject to the requirement that admission authorities must consult on their admission arrangements at least once every 7 years, even if there have been no changes during that period.    

   
  As a consultation has not taken place within the timescale of 7 years this is now required.  

  The school is also consulting to alter the admissions oversubscription criteria. We propose to add a criterion which would place the staff of children as part of the application of our admissions policy. The proposed wording is as follows under criteria 2 (highlighted within the policy document enclosed). 

   

  2.    Staff children 

  Priority will next be given to children of staff at the school, in either of the following circumstances:   

  a) The member of staff has been employed at the school for 2 or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or   

  b) The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. 

   

  With the above in mind please find attached the Admission Criteria for September 2025. 
   

  This consultation will open on Tuesday 28th November 2023 and any comments relating to the policy will need to be received by 9th January 2024. Please send these to headteacher@cliftonvilleprimary.co.uk. 

   

  The Local Governing Body will meet soon after the closure of the admissions consultation to consider any comments. If no comments are received the policy will be considered at the next available meeting of the Local governing Body and recommended for determination by the Trust Board at their meeting in January 2024.  Consultation details can also be found on our school website https://www.cliftonvilleprimary.co.uk/admissions/ 

  Link to 2025-2026 Admissions Consultation documents

• Book Fair

  Wed 22 Nov 2023

  We will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in school from Friday 24^th November until Thursday 30^th November.  You can visit and purchase books after-school by entering the school building from the door on the KS1 playground (old library entrance).  You can pay cash or via scanning the QR code on your phone.  Prices start from £2.99 and we think that books would make a great present or stocking filler for children. We look forward to seeing you there.

  

• 2024 Primary admissions

  Thu 16 Nov 2023
  

• E-Scooters

  Tue 31 Oct 2023

   

   

  Please click here to view the letter from  Kent County Council regarding E-Scooters

  

• E-Scooters

  Tue 31 Oct 2023