Woodfield Newsletter
Friday 1st April 2022
Dear Parents/ Carers,
As you would be aware, we had an Ofsted inspection on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. A big thanks to the pupils who showed off the fantastic work they do each and every day during the inspection visit, and parents who took part in either face to face interviews or completed the Ofsted parents survey sent out on Monday. Also, thank you to the staff who have continued to work hard each day with the best interests of the pupils at heart. We will receive the report early next term.
We wish a happy and safe Easter break to all. Pupils will return on Wednesday 20th April. Tuesday 19th is a staff training day.
The date for the summer term PLP interviews will be communicated early next term.
Household Support Fund: Communication to families Easter 2022
The government has recently announced that the Household Support Fund grant will be made available to Local Authorities to support families this winter period.
Brent Council will be using this funding to provide supermarket vouchers for the Easter period.
Each family will be issued with a £50 Edenred voucher per eligible child. This amount includes £30 to contribute to the cost of food over the Easter half term, and an additional payment of £20 to contribute to the cost of other household essentials that can be purchased from supermarkets. *IMPORTANT* Vouchers will only be valid for 3 months after receiving it. Problems redeeming vouchers should be communicated to the school quickly in order to be resolved. Medical and other circumstantial exemptions will only be considered when supporting evidence is provided
Supported Internships
Less than 7% of adults with learning disabilities or difficulties are currently in employment within the UK* and they often face significant barriers to gaining employment. The West London Alliance’s Supported Employment Programme was established to develop and commission programmes to support young people with learning disabilities and autism to gain the skills and experience required to move into employment. The programme raises awareness and expectations of employment with young people, families and education providers through a series of communications and events aimed at young people and employers. The annual Supported Internships Fair is one such event run by the WLA to promote the Supported Internships that are on offer and to meet young people who have taken part in previous internships and since moved into jobs. The details of 32 of these programmes are contained in this booklet.
Over the last few years, several ex Woodfield pupils have moved into full time employment after taking part in this programme via their college placement after leaving sixth form. Parents can contact Patsy or Jacqueline for more information. We are plannig to have a virtual session on Supported Internships next term, as well as a possible on site visit/information session at the school.
Easter Activities in Harrow
Wealdstone Youth Hub has daily activities over the term break. For bookings and more information, click the images below to enlarge.
- Address: 38-42 High St, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 7AE
- Tel: 020 8416 8667
- Email: wealdstonehubyouthoffer@harrow.gov.uk
 
Brilliant Parents
Brilliant Parents are offering parents/carers who reside in Brent, Harrow or Hammersmith and Fulham FREE access to our online parenting workshops.
Their workshops make daily life a little less about conflict and more about fun, by introducing techniques we can help parents break a negative cycle with an emotional toddler or a complex teen. Brilliant Parents are providing these opportunities through Brent, not the school. You will need to book etc for yourself.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Hassle - Free shopping with Children, Friday 1st April, 10am-12pm via zoom
- Developing good bedtime routines, Monday 4th April, 6-8pm via zoom
- Reducing Family Conflict, Tuesday 5th April, 6-8pm via zoom
- Building teenagers' survival skills, Thursday 7th April, 10am-12pm via zoom
- Managing Fighting and Aggression, Friday 8th April, 10am-12pm via zoom
- Dealing with Disobedience, Monday 25th April, 10am-12pm via zoom
- Coping with teenagers' emotions, Wednesday 27th April, 6-8pm via zoom
- Getting teenagers to cooperate, Friday 29th April,10am-12pm via zoom
If any parents/carers would like to book their FREE place they will need to complete the below booking form:
https://www.brilliantparents.org/brilliant-parents-bl-registration-form/
Brent Borough Easter HAF Programme 2022
Skipz are delivering the Department for Education (DfE) Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for 2022 in partnership with the following boroughs. Their programme is open for free to free school meals children and paying children. Children will have the opportunity to take part in Easter themed performing arts and arts and crafts activities! Your children will join in drama, dance, singing, outdoor play and arts and crafts activities daily! Take part in learning about acting, play drama games, learn lines and be a part of a play, make drama sketches on the spot, learn how to warm up your voice, take part in singing songs, let yourself go with dance to your favourite songs and learn routines as well as creating and making Easter themed paintings and drawings and crafts projects! Details of the Brent programme are on the Skipz website.
NCS Summer Program
The NCS (National Citizenship Service) took part in our Key stage 4 and 5 assembly on Wednesday morning, where they explained to the pupils what kind of activities the programme has to offer. The NCS programme offers young people, aged 16-17 (plus ages 18-24 for those with an EHCP), an opportunity to do something meaningful with their summer break, as well as a chance to develop skills and take on new challenges that will help set them up for adult life. They'll also do something good for their local community, carrying out a social action project to support a cause they care about.
NCS offers multiple programmes throughout the year, focusing on cohesion, mobility and personal development for students; as well as supporting Ofsted and Gatsby Benchmarks for schools.
KS4/5 Parents will have a chance to meet the organisers on the 24 of May through our virtual coffee morning and learn more about the program and ask any questions they have. Please get in touch with Patsy, if you would like to attend the coffee morning to hear about the programme.
Please note that attending NCS is optional. If you choose to send your child for NCS, in the summer holidays, then the cost is £10/ Woodfield pupil and bursary is available.
Click the image to view their information flyer
Emergency Contact
In addition to parent/carer details, we must have at least two other persons as emergency contacts for all our pupils. These people could be grand parents, a sibling aged over 18, aunts, uncles etc.
It is vital that we are able to get hold of a contact person in the case of a pupil emergency or illness. In the past we have had issues in contacting parents or guardians, which not only creates concern for the school but also makes pupils anxious.
Clothing - Label your child's clothing and equipment
Please ensure that your child's clothing and equipment (lunch box, drink bottle etc)is clearly labelled with their full name. This makes it so much easier to return items of clothing and equipment that have a name clearly marked on them. We have already collected some unlabelled clothing left in the playground, and with the return of cooler weather, coats, scarves and hats will be needed.
Sew on and iron on labels can be purchased form the internet, or marking the label already on the clothing with an indelible marker makes it much easier to return items to their owners. A clearly written first name on equipment is of enormous assistance in getting clothing and equipment returned to their owners expeditiously.
Covid at Woodfield
We have had more than one confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school again this week.
The school will continue to ensure confirmed cases of COVID-19 do not attend until the end of their self-isolation period. Instead, and in order to prevent avoidable spread in school, we encourage all pupils and staff to continue with the twice weekly LFD testing, and report all positive test results to us as is current practice. Please review the latest government advice regarding isolation.
You can order Lateral Flow tests from the government website, only if you are NHS staff, at higher risk or visiting a high risk place. You can still contact the school and we can send some home a kit with your child should you require.
School Uniform
Just a reminder about school uniforms, could parents and carers take a couple of minutes to review our uniform policy.
The school uniform consists of the following items:
- Black school trousers or skirt (skirt a minimum of knee length)
- White Polo shirt
- Black Vee Neck school jumper
- Black shoes with flat soles
- Black or white socks
- Plain White vest or T-Shirt to be worn under the polo shirt if needed
The following items of clothing/accessories are not allowed to be worn at school as they are not part of school uniform
- Jewellery, make-up or nail polish. Small stud earrings can be worn if girls have pierced ears.
- Footwear: no boots or open- toe sandals and no heels
- Hooded tops (hoodies) are not allowed to be worn in school
- All uniform, including shoes should be plain black (or white if polo shirt, vest or socks) with no logos.
- If you are in any doubt, please contact the school for a clarification.
Full details available of our website
School Money
Reminder to all parents/carers that we are a cashless school and take card payments via the School Money website or phone. Everyone should have received log in information via text by now, if you haven't then please contact Laila or Shilpa via the school office. We advise all parents to keep up with payments. You are able to pay in advance per week or per term, which ever method suits you best. If you have any questions regarding this then please feel free to contact Laila or Shilpa.
Brent Resident Support Fund
The Brent Resident Support fund (RSF) is a discretionary support fund available to Brent residents who are having difficulty due unforeseen financial circumstances this winter. It also includes short term need for support due to an emergency. The fund provides support in the form of an interest free loan, grant or both. See the Brent website for full details and find out how to apply.
Local Election Day - Thursday 5th May 2022
We've been notified that the school will be used as a Polling Station on that day, so no pupils will be in attendance on that day. Details of alternative provision will follow in due course.
Sufra Food Bank
Woodfield is also a referrer to Sufra Foodbank. A charity that provides support to vulnerable families in need of additional help. They provide essential food and toiletries to families experiencing an acute crisis. The size of their food parcels depends on the size of the family that needs support but typically last between 5 to 7 days. They also offer other support such as:
- Community kitchen - hot meals being delivered to those without cooking facilities as well as the elderly and isolated.
- Advice services & refugee support
- NHS Emergency Food Aid Service - food packs for patients
- Community garden
Last year Sufra delivered 600 meals across NW London to families and individuals in need. Their volunteers were incredible ambassadors, dressed in Christmas jumpers and hats and very often stopping to chat with guests, ensuring that those experiencing isolation were not alone on Christmas Day. This year Sufra will again be offering a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, crackers and presents for children will be delivered to referred guests experiencing financial difficulties or social isolation.
For those who are more vulnerable and unable to cook using the contents of a food parcel, Sufra also has a ready meal service available. This service is particularly for guests who have mobility issues/lack cooking facilities and are unable to purchase their own food.
If you know of anyone who may benefit from the assistance Sufra provides, please contact Patsy to discuss. This is a confidential service, no records regarding any conversations are held by the school, and any referral will be treated with absolute privacy within the school.
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