Witheridge CofE Academy

24/10/2026

✨ Exciting News from Witheridge C of E Academy PTFA! ✨

We’re getting a fresh new look and a fresh new start! Say hello to Friends of Witheridge C of E Academy! 👋🏫

From subsidizing school trips and swimming to funding the Christmas panto, presents, and class parties, our team works hard to bring extra magic to our children's school days. 🎁🎭🏊‍♂️

But we can't do it without YOU! ❤️

To keep these fantastic extras going, we urgently need more hands on deck. Whether you have 1 hour a term or a great fundraising idea, we’d love to hear your voice!

📝 Have your say in just 2 minutes! Fill out our quick survey here: https://forms.gle/4WEmKkiYcJLZ5ofq8

Let’s build something brilliant together for our kids. Thank you for your support! 🌟👇

Dear Parents and Carers, As we look ahead to the new school year, our Parent Teacher and Friend Association (PTFA) is at a critical crossroads. Without more volunteers and committee support, the PTFA will unfortunately have to fold. Over the past year alone, thanks to the generosity and time of our....

21/10/2026

Building Confidence Through Physical Play

We are delighted to have expanded our range of physical play blocks in the FSU, providing our youngest children with even more opportunities to move, explore, build and challenge themselves. The new equipment has been a fantastic enhancement to our provision and has already brought so much excitement to the children’s play.

Physical development is crucial in the early years, supporting children to develop strength, coordination, balance and confidence. The new equipment has enabled the children to create their own challenges, explore different ways of moving and begin to assess and manage risks for themselves.

It has been particularly lovely to see the children helping and encouraging one another as they explore. They have offered helping hands, celebrated each other’s achievements and supported friends when something feels a little tricky.

We are extremely grateful to have been given this wonderful equipment and are already seeing the many benefits it is bringing to our youngest children.

Mrs North

21/10/2026

📣 A little reminder – Witheridge CofE Academy PTFA AGM! 💛💙

Just a reminder that our PTFA AGM is taking place TODAY Wednesday 21st October at 6.30pm in the school hall. 🗓️

Everyone is welcome to come along! 😊 You don’t need to have been involved before, and we’d love to see some new faces.

Our PTFA does so much to support the school and our children, from fun events and discos to helping fund trips, books and much more. We’d love to hear your ideas for future events and welcome anyone who can spare a little time to get involved.

We are looking for at least 7 parents to join our committee, including a new secretary and treasurer, to help us keep this valuable organisation going.

💛 Can you give a little time to make a BIG difference?

Can’t make the AGM? Don’t worry – you can still be part of the committee!

We hope to see lots of you there. Together, each achieves more! ⭐

20/10/2026

Class 3 Visit to Belstone and Finch Foundry

On Wednesday 30th September, Class 3 took a visit to the edge of Dartmoor to trace the route of the River Taw close to its source.

We were extremely fortunate with the weather and managed to enjoy the whole day outdoors without a single drop of rain! The children were magnificent throughout, showing superb observation skills and applying their learning to the scenery we witnessed. The visit was a fantastic opportunity to reflect upon the marvellous world in which we live, and to be thankful for the opportunity to enjoy it together.

At Finch Foundry, we saw metal being forged by harnessing the power of water, and learnt about the phrase 'nose to the grindstone'. Staff at the Foundry have since contacted the school to say what a 'delightful group' the children were, and what 'a complete pleasure' it was to show them around.

Well done, Class 3 - what a fantastic way to begin our year!

19/10/2026

19/10/2026

🍂🌿 Autumn Adventures in Outdoor Learning 🦔🐿️

This week in Outdoor Learning, the children embraced the beauty of autumn by exploring the fallen leaves around our school grounds and using them to create their own autumn-inspired masterpieces. 🍁🍂

As we gathered our colourful leaves in shades of red, orange, yellow and brown, we took time to notice how the world around us is changing as the seasons shift. The children used their creativity and imagination to make beautiful leaf creations, celebrating the wonderful colours, shapes and textures that autumn brings.

Our learning also focused on the animals that share our outdoor spaces and the habitats they call home. We discussed how the changing seasons affect wildlife, from squirrels gathering and storing food to hedgehogs preparing for hibernation. We thought about how colder temperatures, shorter days and less food can change the way animals behave, and why their habitats are so important for helping them survive through the autumn and winter months. 🦔🐿️🐦

Through these hands-on activities, the children developed their observation skills, curiosity and understanding of the natural world. They were encouraged to look closely, ask questions and think about how we can help care for the wildlife around us.

Outdoor Learning provides a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature, learn through exploration and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment. As autumn continues, we will keep our eyes open for the signs of seasonal change and discover more about the amazing wildlife living right on our doorstep! 🍂🌳

15/10/2026

📸🎉 IT’S SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPH DAY!
SAY CHEESE ! 🎉📸

Today is the day! Russell Wilcox Photography is visiting Witheridge School to capture lots of lovely smiles and special memories! 😁📷

Here are a few important reminders for this morning:

👶 Nursery children who DON’T usually attend on Thursdays

If your little one doesn’t attend Nursery today, you are very welcome to bring them in at 8.45-9:00am for their photograph. Please come to the hall door entrance, accompanied by a parent or carer. ❤️

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family photos with brothers and sisters who DON’T attend Witheridge

Would you like a family photo including an older or younger sibling who doesn’t attend our school? You’re very welcome to come along at 8:45am- 9:00am so they can be included! 📸

🏫 If all your children attend Witheridge School

Don’t worry — you don’t need to do anything! Individual and family photos will be taken throughout the morning, coordinated by me, so we can capture those lovely sibling smiles too! 🥰

⚠️ IMPORTANT: PHOTOGRAPHY CONSENT

We are still awaiting consent for 10 children. If you received an email from me yesterday and haven’t yet completed the photography consent on Arbor, please do so as soon as possible.

If consent hasn’t been recorded, we do not have permission to take your child’s photograph, and they will not be able to participate. Thank you for helping us get this sorted! ❤️

🌟 So, brush those teeth, straighten those collars, practise your biggest smiles and get ready to say…

CHEEEEESE! 😁📸🧀

We can’t wait to capture some wonderful memories of our Witheridge children! 💛❤️💙

📸🎉

12/10/2026

'Reminder! This is taking place today at 2:30pm in the school hall.'

09/10/2026

Important Update: School Closure Friday, SIAMS Inspection, and Parents' Evening

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to express my sincere thanks for your swift action and cooperation this morning when collecting your children at short notice. We recognise that emergency closures create sudden challenges for families, and we apologise for the inconvenience this caused to your day.

Unfortunately, due to the strong smell still present within the school building, we have taken the decision to remain closed today. This extra time is required to allow the smell to fully dissipate so that the school environment is completely safe and comfortable for everyone. We deeply apologise for the further disruption this second day of closure will cause.

We hope to re-open as normal on Monday morning. We will monitor the situation closely over the next couple of days and will contact you over the weekend if there are any changes to this plan.

Please take note of the following updates regarding upcoming events:

Parents' Evening: Parents' Evening has been rescheduled to Thursday 15th October. All existing appointment bookings will automatically be moved over to this new date at your original times.

SIAMS Inspection: The planned SIAMS inspection has been postponed. We will contact you with a new date as soon as this has been rescheduled.

Thank you once again for your continued patience, understanding, and support.

Warm regards,

Miss Ratcliffe
Head Teacher