Newsletter - Friday 13th November 2026
Issue 5 - Autumn 2026
Proud to be ELSTON! Empowered, Listeners, Successful, Together, Open-Minded, Nurturing
What a lovely week it has been in school - with so much to celebrate!
I would like to begin by saying how incredibly proud we are of the children who represented Elston Hall at the Diversity Concert on Monday evening. They took to the stage with such confidence, enthusiasm and pride – they were a real credit to our school. It was wonderful to see all their hard work and dedication over many weeks of rehearsals come to life. They should be incredibly proud of themselves as they truly shone on the night and demonstrated everything that makes Elston Hall such a special school. Thank you also to the families and staff who supported the event and helped with the many arrangements behind the scenes that made it such a success.
Today, we also enjoyed marking Children in Need, with children (and staff!) embracing the day and supporting our cake sale. The cakes proved to be very popular throughout the day – thank you for your generosity, we have raised a fantastic amount for this worthwhile cause. We are just waiting for the final total to be confirmed and will share this with families as soon as all monies have been collected.
I would also like to thank families for continuing to ensure that children arrive at school on time, ready to learn and looking so smart in their uniform. These daily routines make such a positive difference and help children start each day feeling prepared and ready to succeed.
Many of you will be aware that I have been serving as Interim Headteacher this term alongside my Trust role. I am delighted to share that Mrs Bradford will be joining Elston Hall as our new Headteacher from 1st January 2027.
Having worked closely with Mrs Bradford, I know she is a highly experienced and dedicated school leader who will quickly come to love our wonderful school community. Since joining Elston Hall, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and support shown by our families, and I know that same welcome will be extended to Mrs Bradford as she begins her journey with us.
Please be reassured that transition arrangements are already well underway, with meetings and handover events having taken place to ensure a smooth and seamless start. I have every confidence that Mrs Bradford will thrive at Elston Hall and continue to build on the many strengths that make our school such a special place. I will also continue to be present in school as part of the transition process to support staff, children and families and to ensure everyone feels settled. Over the coming weeks, pupils will begin to see more of Mrs Bradford as she spends time in school getting to know the children before officially taking up post.
I’m also pleased to share that we have successfully appointed Mrs Hart as our new Receptionist, who will be joining our office team on Thursdays. We are delighted to welcome her to the Elston Hall family.
At the same time, I would like to thank Mrs Parsons for all of her support in the office. Whilst she will no longer be working in this role due to other commitments, she certainly is not going far
and will continue to play a valued role within our school through her work in our Breakfast and After School Club provision. We are grateful for her continued support of our children and families.
As we move towards an increasingly busy end to the term, please keep an eye on Arbor for updates and information about upcoming events. There are lots of exciting things ahead, and we wouldn't want anyone to miss out.
Finally, thank you once again for your continued support.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Mrs Wood
Headteacher
Personal Development
Diversity Celebration
A huge well done to our talented dancers who represented Elston Hall at the Schools Diversity Celebration at the Halls in Wolverhampton. They were part of 600 children and 22 schools who celebrated this year’s theme, titled One City, One Heartbeat. The children have shown commitment and dedication to learning their dance and song to perform at the celebration. Diversity Celebration!
Remembrance Poppy Appeal
Our House Captains had a busy week upon their return to school selling poppies as part of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Classes held two minutes silence on 11th November as a mark of respect. Thank you for all the generous donations to the poppy appeal.
Wellbeing Ambassadors Health Champions
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors have continued to work on their Health Champions campaign. In recent weeks, they have been joined by Wolves Academy U18 players Desmond Ekhosehi and Clive Oduor along with Wolves Academy U21 players Max Nolan-Ruddock and Lewys Benjamin to plan and deliver their art challenge. The Wellbeing Ambassadors invited some Y3 children to complete their art challenge that will be displayed in school. A huge well done to the wellbeing ambassadors, our Y3 participants and the Wolves Foundation for their support with this fantastic project.
Y2 Residential Meeting
Thank you to the parents who were able to join us for the Y2 residential meeting about the visit to Beaudesert next year.
For any who were unable to attend, the information can be found on our website. Year 2 Residential Meeting
New School Books!
Our new Reading Ambassadors were thrilled this week to receive our delivery of over 300 brand new Key Stage 2 reading books. These books have been funded from our fabulous support by families at our recent book fairs. We are so grateful to our school community for making this happen.
School notices
Parking around School
As always, we ask parents to be courteous when parking around school at the start and end of the day. We ask that parents do not park near the front entrance to school (in the resident bays outside the barrier or along the Stafford Road) or attempt to park on the school carpark due to the risk to pedestrians at these busy times of the day. Thank you.
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets will be sent home with children next week for our Christmas raffle. Prizes include £50 cash, food hamper, wine hamper and other prizes. Please return tickets to school along with the correct money. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 16th December.
Safeguarding
Darker Nights Safety Advice from West Midlands Police
With the onset of darker nights West Midlands Police have asked schools to assist them in offering students some simple safety advice:
Whether they are walking, cycling or taking public transport to school here is some simple safety advice to help them stay safe.
Out and about
· If possible walk with a friend or group of friends.
· Stay alert – keep an eye on everything that is happening around you.
· Avoid wearing earphones or chatting on your mobile phone, as this will distract you from your surroundings.
· Trust your instincts – if you have a ‘funny feeling' about someone or something, don't ignore it, act on it straight away.
· Take the route you know best and stick to busy, well-lit streets.
· Walk in the middle of the pavement, facing oncoming traffic. This will avoid any cars driving up alongside you as you walk.
· Think about your route home. Where would be a safe place to go if something went wrong? Safe places might be busy places like shops or garages, friends' houses or a police station.
· Have your keys ready as you approach your home so you can get inside quickly.
Curriculum
Classes have started their new curriculum topics in these first few weeks of the second autumn term.
Year 1 welcomed our local School Crossing Patrol Officer to learn all about road safety. The children explored the rules for crossing the road safely and took part in role-play activities to practise what they had learnt. Year 1 Learn About Road Safety
Year 6 have been busy preparing to write a diary entry from Stanley’s point of view, inspired by Holes by Louis Sachar. Click on the link below and scroll down to Year 6 to see how we have been bringing the story to life! Year 6 Writing!
Children in Year 3 have been learning all about the human skeleton and discovering how our bones help to support and protect our bodies. As part of their exploration, they used masking tape to identify and recreate the different bones that make up their ribcage. Year 3 Explore Skeletons!
Reception enjoyed a visit from our local PCSO, who taught the children how to stay safe when out and about. The children loved learning about the police uniform and even had the chance to try it on!
They also celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Learning in Reception!
In English, Year 1 followed a set of instructions to make a sandwich – but not a normal sandwich! The children made their very own swamp sandwiches for Shrek! Soil and leaves were even included on the ‘You Will Need’ list! Following Instructions in Year 1
Sporting News
Boys Football
Our boys football teams have continued with their fixtures this term. Firstly, our Elston B team played against Uplands at home. After a bright start, the boys sadly fell to a 3-1 defeat. A tough one to take for Elston B! 💚
The same team then travelled to Warstones for another fixture. After going a goal down, the boys worked together to go on to secure their first win of the season winning 2-1. ⚽ Elston B’s Hard Work Pays Off! 🏆
A huge well done to the boys.
Girls Football
Our girls match took them to fellow trust school Palmers Cross where the girls battled through the rain to secure an excellent 6-0 win Elston Girls’ Winning Streak Continues! ⚽️👏
Three of our Y6 footballers have further represented Wolverhampton at district level - a huge well done to Heidi, Peyton and Jess.
We are incredibly proud that Jess has also been selected to represent the West Midlands County Team at Aston Villa’s Brookvale Academy! From playing her very first school football game back in Year 4 to now representing her county, Jess has come such a long way and improved massively! It has been fantastic to watch her confidence, ability and love for the game grow. Well done Jess!
Netball Tournament
Representatives from our netball club attended the most recent Netball Hub event held at Our Lady & St Chad's. The two teams played multiple matches at the event showing huge improvements each game. For some this was their first opportunity to play as part of a netball team. Miss Saunders and Miss Willis were incredibly proud of each and every one of them. Netball Hub Success for Elston Hall!
Dodgeball Success
Our dodgeball team participated in the tournament at St Chad's this week. The team qualified through the group games to the quarter finals where they further progressed to the semi finals against St Stephen's. After a brilliant performance, they progressed to the finals where they sadly fell to defeat. An amazing silver medal still awaited the team. A wonderful achievement! Dodgeball Stars Win Silver! 🥈
2026 - 2027 Key Dates
School will be closed on the following INSET days:
Monday 4th January 2027
Friday 28th May 2027
Monday 7th June 2027
Autumn Term 2026
Term Time: Tuesday 1 September 2026 to Friday 23 October 2026
Half term: Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026
Term Time: Monday 2 November 2026 to Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term 2027
Term Time: Monday 4 January 2027 to Friday 12 February 2027
Half term: Monday 15 February 2027 to Friday 19 February 2027
Term Time: Monday 22 February 2027 to Thursday 25 March 2027
Summer Term 2027
Term Time: Monday 12 April 2027 to Friday 28 May 2027
Half term: Monday 31 May 2027 to Friday 4 June 2027
Term Time: Monday 7 June 2027 to Wednesday 21 July 2027
Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October | Half term – School closed to all pupils |
WC Monday 16th November | Anti-bullying week |
Monday 16th November | Odd Socks Day for anti-bullying - Children to wear Odd Socks (no donation needed) |
Monday 16th November
| Reception Open Evening 3.45-4.15pm |
Wednesday 18th November | Vaccination UK – Flu Vaccine programme Reception to year 6 – catch up session |
Thursday 20th November | Reception Open Evening 4.00-4.30pm |
Tuesday 24th November | Rocksteady Concert 2pm |
Monday 30th November
| Last week for after school clubs |
Thursday 3rd December | Nursery Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm |
Thursday 3rd December | Reception Christmas Performances 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Friday 4th December | Y3 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm |
Friday 4th December | Y4 Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Monday 7th December | Swimming for Class 17 starts (12 weeks) |
Monday 7th December | Reflexions: Year 2 class pupils: Feelings and moods focus. |
Monday 7th December | Y1 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm |
Monday 7th December | Y2 Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Tuesday 8th December | Y5 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm |
Tuesday 8th December | Y6 Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Wednesday 9th December | Christmas Dinner day / Christmas Jumper day |
Thursday 10th December | Reception Christmas trip to Statfold Railway |
Thursday 17th December | House point reward |
Friday 18th December | End of term |
Monday 4th January | Inset Day - School closed to all pupils |
Tuesday 5th January | School reopens to all pupils |
Attendance
We track attendance weekly and monitor any pupils falling below 96%. From time to time you might receive letters regarding your child's attendance. These letters are sent to many families and are sent regardless of whether you have contacted school or not to inform us of the absence.
Winter bugs are going around. If you aren't sure whether to send your child into school, this information may be useful: Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
Please could we remind families to inform school of any absences before 9am. There are several ways you can do this:
By calling the school office on 01902 558866. If you are calling before 8am, please leave a voicemail and this will be picked up and reasons for absence recorded on Arbor.
By adding reasons for the day's absence on Arbor's Parent Portal
By emailing attendance@elston.org.uk explaining the reasons for absence
If your child has a medical appointment, please bring them to school before and after wherever possible.
Year group | Up to 2.11.26 |
Whole School (Without Reception children) | 95.8% |
Nursery | 90.57% |
Reception | 92.23% |
Year 1 | 94.72% |
Year 2 | 96.32% |
Year 3 | 95.04% |
Year 4 | 96.54% |
Year 5 | 95.51% |
Year 6 | 96.28% |
Punctuality is vital to ensure that pupils have a calm and organised start to the day, and can make the most of every minute in school! Our doors open from 8:45 until 9am. Anyone arriving after this time should enter through the dining room doors where a Late mark will be recorded. Please note that any pupils arriving after 9:30am will receive a 'U' mark which affects their attendance.
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