Whole School Newsletter Spring Term Week 1
Welcome back to the Spring Term 2026! We had a glorious start to the week with children across the school being incredibly positive and engaged with their new learning, and the rare chance to play in a beautiful snow flurry.
This week, ask your child about their new topics…
Building on the exciting topics being explored across the school this term, our curriculum continues to reflect Eleanor Palmer’s commitment to enriched, deep learning: knowledge-rich, carefully sequenced and designed to spark curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. From the very youngest children laying early foundations through stories and play, to older pupils grappling with big ideas in history, geography and science, learning is shaped around meaningful connections and memorable experiences. Our ingenious teachers have been busy planning ways to deepen and enrich this learning further, with thoughtfully chosen trips, visitors and hands-on opportunities that bring classroom learning vividly to life. If you are able to support this work, we would be incredibly grateful for a regular donation to Keep it EP, which helps fund these experiences for all children. You can find out more and donate here If you have specialist knowledge (or know someone who does) that would also support these topics, please do let us know. We love having guest speakers in our EP community!
Reminder to apply for Nursery 2026
We are welcoming applications to our Nursery for September 2026. The deadline for application is the end of February. Please don't forget to apply - we need you to fill in the form, even as a sibling! Please also spread the word locally to apply to our Ofsted Outstanding Nursery - the intake is for children born between 1/9/22-31/8/23. Ask any interested friends and family to contact Tania@eleanorpalmer.camden.sch.uk for more information.
Next week:
Dawn Choir and Sports Clubs before and after school start for Year 1-6. Please sign up your child/children using the google forms shared at the end of term, or contact the office if you would like to receive these again. We are asking for a contribution of £20 each term towards the cost of these clubs and paid in advance. Once signed up you will see this fee in your Arbor account. These clubs are free if your family is eligible for Free School Meals.
Monday
- 8-8:45am Y5/6 Dodgeball/Multisports Club
- 3:30-4:30pm Junior Development football
Tuesday
- The dental team are in school for fluoride varnish - Nursery to Year 2
- Football Squad match - pick up from Talacre at 4:30pm. Supporters welcomed!
Wednesday
- 8-8:45am Dawn Chorus choir
Thursday
- 8-8:45am Y3/4 Dodgeball & Multisports Club
- 3:30-4:30pm Football squad from Y5 vs.Y6 match (rescheduled) at EP
Friday
- 8-8:45am Junior Girls’ Fitness Fun
- 3:30- 4:30pm Y2-Y6 Gym Club
Overview of key dates
Spring Term
W/c Monday 19 January - Y5 commence their 2 week swimming block at Kentish Town pool.
Friday 23 January - Stay & Play
Wednesday 4 February 5:30-6 SATs talk for Year 6 parents
Thursday 5 February Bingo Night! (Club EP finishes at 5:30pm)
Monday 16 - Friday 20 February - Half term
Monday 23 February INSET Day - school closed for children
Thursday 5 March - World Book Day
Wed 18 and Thurs 19 March - Parent Progress Meetings
Friday 20 March - Stay & Play
w/c Monday 23 March - Year 3 start a one week swimming block
Friday 27 March - The Great Egg Race and last day of term ending at 3:30pm
Summer Term
- Monday 4 May - Bank Holiday
- Year 6 SATs tests Monday 11- Thursday 14 May
- Half term Monday 25 - Friday 29 May
- Monday 1st June - INSET day
- Friday 17th July - Last day of term ending 1:30pm
-
Information and Diary Dates
- Online Safety As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our children safe and supported in all areas of their lives, we’d like to share an important online safety resource from the Children’s Commissioner for England: What I Wish My Parents or Carers Knew – A Guide for Parents and Carers on Managing Children’s Digital LivesIn today’s digital world, children spend more time online than ever before. This guide is designed to help you:
Start open, ongoing conversations about what they see and do online — both the positive aspects and potential risks.
-
- Set clear and realistic boundaries together, so children know what’s expected and feel supported.
- Know how to react calmly and supportively if something upsetting or harmful happens online.
Children in England have told the Commissioner that they often feel parents don’t fully understand their digital experiences — and as a result, they may not always talk about what’s worrying them. This guide offers practical tips for building trust, communication, and digital resilience at home.
We strongly encourage you to read the guide and use it as a springboard for regular conversation with your child about how they use the internet and devices safely.
Free meals extension and funding
London's universal meals scheme for children in Reception to Year 6 is funded by the Mayor, with a commitment to continue until 2028. This means that children in these year groups receive free lunch at school, regardless of family income.However, if you receive certain benefits the Government provides additional funding to schools for all eligible children. This means additional funding for us to subsidise activities for your child eg. free sports clubs, 50% off your cost for residential trips, learning opportunities. It will also ensure that you have access to other benefits such as free vouchers, childcare and activities.
If you think you might be eligible, please apply through this link for Free School Meal funding https://accountforms.camden.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals/
Fluoride Varnish for Nursery to Year 2
The NHS dental team will be in school on Tuesday to apply fluoride varnish to children’s teeth. This is a gel applied to children's teeth by trained dental nurses using a small soft brush, it sets quickly and has a pleasant taste and fruity smell. Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay. It is advised that children aged 3+ have fluoride applied twice a year. The dental team offer in school to these 4 year groups, but older children can also have the varnish at your dentist. To sign up for the dental varnish at EP please provide consent via this link before 9am Monday 12th
Spring Term Friday Snack Sales
Thank you for your support in Friday Snack Sales. These little events contributed over £1k last term - it really does all add up!
Dates for your class to host this term are:
- Year 6 - 16 January
- Year 5 - 23 January
- Year 4 - 30 January
- Year 3 - 6 February
- Year 2 - 13 February
- Year 1 - 27 February
- Whole School Snack Sale for World Book Day - 6 March
- Reception - 13 March
- Nursery - 20 March
