Copy of Letter RE: Reception Class Educational Visit, Weston-Super-Mare

24.5.22

Dear Parents and Carers,

As you may be aware next half term, learning in our Reception classes will be centred around the topic: What’s special about Summer? The core learning in this topic focuses on the

• signs of Summer;
• identifying similarities and differences between beach holidays in the past and present including clothing, food, activities;
• knowing that rockpools can be found at the beach and that they are habitats for sea creatures;
• knowing how to stay safe in the sun and at the beach including sun cream, hat, staying close to adults, water safety.

In order to maximise on the cultural capitol for all our pupils, and provide them with concrete conscious connections to scaffold learning in the above areas, we plan to take our Reception classes to the beach at Weston-Super-Mare on Monday 20^th June.

Children would need to arrive at school earlier than normal, ready to depart at 8.30am. We would then return back to school for 4.50pm.  All children in Reception are entitled to a universal free school meal, which on this day will be a packed lunch option.

Your child will be required to wear appropriate clothes, including a hat, and bring a bag to carry a small towel, a change of clothes (as we will be paddling), and a water bottle. Depending on the weather, if they have a waterproof coat and this would be very useful. We will provide a clear list of items needed closer to the date of the trip.

There will be a charge for this trip of £18.00 payable by sQuid to cover travel, all activities, ice-lollies and complementary beach play equipment that the children will be able to keep. We have made every effort to keep the cost of this trip as low as possible and we appreciate your understanding that if we cannot cover the costs of travel, we will reluctantly have to cancel the trip. Please could we ask you to complete the permission slip below with regard to photograph permissions, lunch requests and first aid and return to your Reception class teacher by Monday 6th June 2022.

The value of this trip on every child’s learning is significant. “Studies of adventure learning interventions consistently show positive benefits on academic learning. On average, pupils who participate in adventure learning interventions make approximately four additional months’ progress.  There is also evidence of an impact on non-cognitive outcomes such as self-confidence.”

Should you have any questions, please do speak to Mrs Yates, Mrs Ahmed-Khan or myself. Thank you for your support.

Mrs M Rumney
Head of School