Andoversford Primary School

My name is Terrie and I joined the Andoversford Primary School Governing Board at the beginning of the 2025 school year as a co-opted governor. I have three children at the school in Years 5, 3 and Reception and like many of you, I have experienced the school’s journey and developments first-hand as a parent.

Since joining the board, one of the things that has impressed me most is the depth and care involved in the processes that keep our children safe, supported and receiving a high-quality education. I have seen how much thought and structure sits behind decision-making, and how seriously leaders take their responsibility for safeguarding and standards.

I have also seen how important it is for school and families to work together and communicate effectively to create the sense of security children need in order to thrive. Schools cannot operate effectively without the support of their families and wider community, and equally families rely on the school to provide the best possible opportunities for their children. That partnership is vital.

In my role as a mental health nurse, I see every day the importance of feeling part of a warm and positive community. We often talk about the “3 Cs” that support good mental health: Self-Care, Self-Compassion and Community. Community spirit is one of the building blocks of wellbeing, but it can easily be lost in our busy and demanding lives. Strengthening our school community benefits not just our children, but all of us.

As governors, we work strategically to support and challenge school leaders, helping to ensure high standards of education, wellbeing and safeguarding, as well as effective use of resources. Governors are regularly involved in meetings, reviewing information and visiting school to better understand children’s experiences across the curriculum.

From time to time, the school will ask for your feedback, participation or support. I would really encourage you, where possible, to give these requests your time and consideration. By working side by side, we can continue building a school community where every child feels safe, supported and inspired to succeed.

If you see a governor at a school event or during a visit, please do come and say hello — we always appreciate the opportunity to connect with members of our school community.

Day-to-day matters and individual concerns are best raised directly with the school in line with the published Complaints Policy, which ensures that any issues are addressed fairly and consistently. If you wish to contact the Governing Board directly, you can do so via the Clerk to the Governors at clerk@andoversford.gloucs.sch.uk who will ensure your correspondence is directed appropriately.

Terrie Craske

Governor

We’re looking forward to our Spring Term Parent and Carer Meetings that are taking place on Monday 9th March until Thursday 12th March. 

These meetings are a wonderful opportunity to find out all about what your child has been up to in school and the progress they’ve made so far. There will also be a chance to see some of the fantastic illustrations that the children have completed during Art Week from the week before.

We have designed a simple form for you to complete so that we can allocate appointments.

All appointments are 10-minute slots and one slot is available per child. Earlier slots are appointments between 3.20pm and 3.50pm. Later slots are those from 4.00pm to 4.20pm.

Please click on the link below let us know your day and time preferences for the Spring Term Parent and Carer Meetings, or scan the QR code to be taken to the form:

Spring Term 2026 Parent and Carer Meetings with Teachers  – Fill in form

For families with more than one child at the school, please ensure you select a preference for each child under the relevant class section. We will endeavour to keep all appointments made for children from the same family as close together as possible.  

Please could you kindly make you preference selections by 12pm on Wednesday 4th March, otherwise we will allocate a time and date for you. The office be allocating slots on a first come first served basis and will send an email confirmation with your appointment time by Friday 6th March. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Nect week on Tuesday 3rd March, DSP Photography will be visiting us. They will be taking individual, sibling and class photos throughout the morning. There will also be a separate leavers photo for Y6 pupils. 

If you have a younger child not yet at school and would like a sibling photo, this can be arranged at 8:40am at the very start of the school day. Please get in touch with the school office so that we can make the correct arrangements with the photographer. 

Children need to wear clean, smart school uniform, including black, white or grey socks/tights. Shoes are usually removed for the class group photos!

The latest Move More family service newsletter is out now. 

This edition details information about what Move More do, how to support your child's sense of belonging and where to find support. 

Take a look a the attached document for full details. 

Do you have a child who would love the opportunuity to try tennis? 

The Hill & Valley Lawn Tennis Club is having a an open morning on Saturday 14th March. Spring is just around the corner so as the days get longer, now is a fantastic time to try a new sport.  

For full details, take a look at the attached flyer. 

Looking for healthy after-school snack ideas? Take a look at the attached flyer from Beezee Families for some tasty inspiration! 

Beezee Families is a FREE heathy lifestyle programme that specialist nutritionists deliver across Gloucestershire. Its 8-week programme supports families to build healthy habits around food, physical activity, and how to have fun while doing so!

The current programmes are in full swing but you can secure your FREE spot now for May. Places fill up fast so make to book soon! If you can’t wait to get started on your healthy lifestyle journey, you can learn at your own pace over on the website: Beezee Families Gloucestershire - Family Health Programme

Did you know that here at Andoversford, we can offer individual or small group lessons for a whole range of instruments, including guitar, woodwind, piano and violin.

There are so many benefits to learning an instrument, such as developing perserverance skills, improving wellbeing and boosting cognative ability and social skills. 

To enquire or book any peripatetic music lessons, please see the attached documents for details of how to contact and book directly with our wonderful peripatetic music teachers.

For more information, please do not hesitate get in touch with the school office.

Dear Beech class families.

Tomorrow (25th February) Beech Class will continue their DT sessions linked to food and nutrition. The children will be making and decorating cakes and they will need to bring a container into school on Wednesday if they want to bring home their bakes. The container should be large enough to contain several fairy cakes. 

Thank you for your support.

Mr Allen

Please see the attached letter from the Governing Board, about the upcoming adventure for Mrs Bradley-McKay.

After almost 8 years at Andoversford, I will be moving on to a new challenge. A lot has changed over the years and we have navigated many challenges together as a school community. Too many to mention! I have been incredibly proud of the fantastic outcomes the team have achieved for pupils and will always think incredibly highly of all members of staff. You have a super school here and I hope you continue to support and look after one another. Keep doing what you are doing to give our children the best start to life and the best start to their education. I will miss you all!

World Book Day

World Book Day will be with us very soon after half-term, so it is time to launch our annual competition! This year, World Book Day falls in Art week, so we will actually be spending a whole week celebrating the work of some of our favourite illustrators.

For the competition, we are bringing back an old favourite – the Wooden Spoons! All children are invited to decorate a wooden spoon as a character from a book. You might even make a collection of characters to tell the story. There will be a prize for the winning entry in each class. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas the children come up with!

Finished spoons should be returned to school on Thursday 5^th March for judging. Prize winners will be announced during the celebration assembly.

The new display will be up in time for parents evening so do take a look. Like last year, the art gallery will be set up during parents evening appointments to admire the fantastic artwork our children create.

It is important that the data we hold for your child is up to date.

If you move house, change doctors surgery or any other details change, please do let us know.

This includes changes to collection arrangements and allergies too. 

You can get in touch with us by email at admin@andoversford.gloucs.sch.uk or phone on 01242 820407.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Dear Beech class families

We are visiting the Wilson museum tomorrow (Thursday). Please could you make sure that your child has a packed lunch with them in the morning, and could you also ensure that they are wearing the correct school uniform.

Thank you for your support

Mr Allen