Heads Up
Friday 30th January 2026
Tom Canning CBE
CEO’s Welcome
Dear Colleagues,
It was a real pleasure this week to visit New City and Monega Primary Schools. Headteachers, Mary Bull and Elizabeth Harris, gave me a tour of their schools to showcase the strong and exceptional work that is happening in both schools. An exceptional standard means that their work is worthy of sharing both locally and nationally. There is much to be shared nationally in both schools, and it resonated deeply with me as to what a fantastic education is being delivered in both settings. Thank you too Monega for hosting me on the morning after the sleep-over the night before! What excitement for the children to camp overnight in the hall of a 1904 heritage building.
From the depths of winter to the summer sunshine of South Africa, Emma O'Connor, Headteacher of Tollgate, and Craig Lilleyman, Director of the Teaching School Hub, are visiting Johannesburg to carry out a risk
assessment for the forthcoming trip of 24 children from Tollgate. Tollgate was successful in accessing a grant from the DfE Turing Scheme to allow pupils without any charges to visit Cedarwood School in Johannesburg for a week. Whilst in South Africa the lucky children will also be going on Safari A trip of a lifetime to expand young minds with wonderful experiences and memories to treasure
Best wishes, Tom
Attendance
Attendance Data
Below is the attendance and persistent absence data from across the Trust for the period of Monday, 12 Jan 2026 to Friday, 23 Jan 2026.
Year 5 Visit to the Science Museum
Year 5 pupils recently participated in an educational visit to the Science Museum, where they explored a range of interactive and informative exhibitions closely linked to the science curriculum The visit provided valuable opportunities to deepen pupils’ scientific understanding through structured learning experiences Pupils demonstrated excellent engagement, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the day The visit successfully enriched classroom learning and supported pupils in developing a greater appreciation of science in the wider world
Traditional Tales in Nursery
This week in Nursery, pupils have been enjoying the classic tale The Gingerbread Man They listened attentively to the story, confidently took on different roles, and demonstrated their understanding by naming characters and retelling the story in their own words As part of their learning, pupils also explored the five senses, with a particular focus on smell They investigated a range of spices, using descriptive language to compare different scents and express their preferences This engaging activity supported language development and encouraged curiosity about the world around them
Year 3 Pizza Making Workshop
Year 3 pupils took part in an enjoyable pizza making workshop, where they learned about ingredients and followed instructions to create their own pizzas. The activity was engaging, practical while providing pupils with a fun and memorable learning experience.
German Week
This week, Cleves Primary School celebrated German Week with our theme “Reise durch Deutschland – A Journey Through Germany.” Pupils took part in language, storytelling, music, and creative activities that brought German culture to life. Across all year groups, pupils developed early language skills and cultural understanding, from exploring traditional fairy tales to practising simple German greetings and counting. Celebrations also included a taste of Germany with traditional apple strudel and a 30 day German Diary Journal for KS2 pupils, kindly provided by the Goethe Institut. Vielen Dank to everyone who helped make the week such a success!
Reception Learning
This week in Reception, the pupils have been reading and talking about superheroes through stories and imaginative role play. They worked collaboratively to create maps to help their superheroes save the community from villains, sharing ideas and building stories together. The pupils enjoyed creating and using a simple map key and using new key words within their role play, developing their storytelling, communication and teamwork skills.
Year 4 Science Investigation
This week, Year 4 have been busy exploring the link between science and investigation. The pupils learned how to use a Newton (force) meter accurately to measure force in newtons, which was a brand new skill for many of them. As part of their practical work, they carried out an investigation to answer the question: “Does weight affect the amount of force required?” Working like real scientists, they tested different objects to find out which ones needed the greatest force to move, using the force meters to record their results carefully. The children showed fantastic curiosity as they explored how weight and force are connected.
Art Club Explores The V&A Storehouse In Stratford
Mr Terry’s Art Club embarked on an inspiring visit to the V&A Storehouse in Stratford, a newly opened space that offers a behind-thescenes look at one of the world’s most renowned museum collections. The children were fascinated by the vast range of objects on display from intricate textiles and fashion pieces to furniture, ceramics, and sculpture.
Year 1 Pupils Shine in D&T Food Project
Year 1 pupils have recently completed their Design and Technology food project, creating a delicious and healthy strawberry dessert. The activity gave children the chance to explore practical food preparation skills while learning about the importance of hygiene and safety in the kitchen. Teachers guided them on how to hold knives safely, cut with control, and keep their workstations tidy. Alongside these skills, the children were taught the vital steps of food hygiene washing hands thoroughly, cleaning surfaces, and ensuring fruit was rinsed before use.
Year 4 Pupils play the Glockenspiels
Year 4 pupils have been busy learning to play the glockenspiel. This hands-on experience has introduced them to melody, rhythm, and the excitement of making music together. During lessons, children practiced striking the metal bars with beaters, producing clear, bright notes. They learned how to follow simple notation, keep time, and play short tunes.
Healthy Lunches at Monega
Monega children enjoy a healthy lunch each day, with a variety of balanced and tasty options on offer. The School Council plays an important role in gathering feedback from pupils about the meals they enjoy most. By sharing these ideas with staff, the council helps ensure that pupils’ favourite dishes are included on the menu, making lunchtime both nutritious and enjoyable for everyone.
Year 3 Science Museum
This week year 3 visited the Science Museum where they had the opportunity to deepen their science knowledge about Forces. The children took a journey through Space and then up to the Wonderlab. In the Wonderlab they could explore how forces work by experiencing forces in action. The children were impeccably behaved and had a fantastic time.
Digital Leaders Visit the Excel
Last week our Digital Leaders attended the Excel Centre for the BETT Roadshow, a conference displaying new technology in education. The children had the opportunity to chat with global technology trail blazers about ways that we can enhance our technology at school. The children thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to try new tech hands on!
After School Clubs
This half term we were able to provide 28 clubs each week for 345 children including 26 children with Additional Needs and 73 pupil premium children. The children were spoilt for choice this year with clubs including choir, Taekwondo, Art, Cheerleading and Key skills.
All of these clubs are free for the children and a huge thank you must be shared with our dedicated staff who are providing our children with these enrichment opportunities
Sound Hive Interactive Project
On Wednesday, 14th January, we were excited to host the Sound Hive Interactive Project in our Art Room Each class enjoyed a 15-minute immersive experience exploring sound and art This initiative reflects our commitment to cultural diversity and representation The featured artwork was created in collaboration with Ricebox artists and some of our very own students from the Children’s Board These pieces have already been exhibited in Plaistow Library, Stratford Library, and Beckton’s Globe, and now they were brought to life for our Early Years, KS1, and early KS2 pupils Through Sound Hive, children saw themselves reflected in art and music, fostering pride and belonging
Sponsorship Events - EYFS
Our younger pupils took part in Sponsorship events this week where all money raised will go towards events and treats for the children
Nursery and Reception children had a timed beanbag throwing task to see how many they could throw into a hoop in one minute
It was a fun event which not only raised money for the school but gave the children an extra opportunity to be more active this week
An update on the total money raised from EYFS and our Years 1 & 2 pupils will be announced in the next Heads Up
Year 1 Art
Our Year 1 children have been learning about the artist ‘Salvador Dali’ this term. They have been creating their own masterpieces and painting the sunset
Wellbeing Team Events
The Wellbeing Team have got off to a flying start this term, not only did we have the welcome back spread on the first day of term, now we have celebrated ‘National Brew Day’ where a selection of different teas and biscuits were in the staff room all day for the staff to have.
We also held an after-school Doughnut sale for everyone to come and buy. We managed to raise a grand total of £150.00 to go towards further events and treats for the children during the academic year. The doughnuts which were left over were given out to our all-day Nursery pupils and those in our provision.
Reception –Superheroes
Our Reception children have been learning about Superheroes after reading the ‘Supertato’.They then made their own Superhero using potatoes and couldn’t wait to show them off!
Best Practice NPQ for Headship
Friday saw the last of our NPQ Welcome Conferences
This year we have a new partnership with Best Practice for NPQH, NPQSL and NPQSEND
This was a really superb group of aspiring Head Teachers (and one Head of School) who had a great day with one of our serving Head Teacher Facilitators: David Huntingford from William Ford CofE Junior School in Dagenham
Ambition ITT PGCE Graduation in Liverpool
All of our Primary and Secondary Trainees undertake a compulsory PGCE as part of their teacher training. The PGCE in interwoven into their school based experiences.
The PGCE is accredited by Liverpool Hope University and Rosetta, along with various trainees and the Ambition ITT central team, attended the celebration at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Thank you to all who made the effort to attend, also giving us an opportunity to network with other delivery partners nationally.
LDE Out and About!
Visits at the moment tend to be a mixture of:
Appropriate Body (AB) Quality Assurance Visits to schools to check ECT entitlements
– primarily new schools to our service who have just taken on ECTs for the first time or for the first time in many years.
ITT Lead Mentors visiting trainees for Quality Assurance visits to help and support them and their Mentors.
LDE Out and About!
We are really pleased to have welcomed three Newham Nursery Schools to our AB services as they have taken on ECTs It is part of the Teaching School Hub designation that we work with as many Early Years, Alternative Provision and Special settings we can
ECT Mentor Conferences
Last week and this week we help ECT Mentor Conferences for 110 ECT Mentors each day on the subject of Advanced Instructional Coaching.
The sessions are held online to allow the ECT Mentors to work from home where possible. Many Mentors thanking us profusely for this opportunity.
The sessions were led by Jacqui and Rowena from LDE and facilitated by our Visiting Fellows: Simon Postlethwaite, Ruby Kaur and Kiran Gill.
Ambition Initial Teacher Training
Year 6 Into University
The children in Year 6 have been having an aspirational time at Into-University this week. Their focus is Engineering and one of their tasks was to design, budget for, build and carry out the egg drop challenge. They had limited resources and 3 of the 4 groups were successful in not breaking the egg! They all learned valuable team building skills and how to improve when designing projects for a specific task. Here they are presenting their projects; well done Year 6!
Year 1 Science
In Year 1 we have been learning about the properties of materials. We have been classifying objects around the classroom and identifying what materials they are made from. We have also learnt about the properties of these materials and explained why the objects are made from certain materials.
Year 5 Science
This term in Science, Year 5 have been learning all about the Solar System This week, pupils worked collaboratively in groups to research one of the planets in more detail and present their learning through informative infographic posters The children thoroughly enjoyed discovering fascinating facts about their chosen planet, from its size and features to what makes it unique They showed great teamwork and creativity while designing their posters Next week, the pupils will present their findings to their peers, giving them the opportunity to share what they have learned and build confidence in explaining their scientific knowledge
Year 3 History
Year 3 took part in a debate about whether building Hadrian’s Wall was a good or bad idea. They explored why the Romans built the wall and discussed how it affected the people living at the time. The children shared thoughtful ideas, listened carefully to different viewpoints and gave clear reasons to support their opinions. This activity supported their learning in history and helped them develop important speaking, listening and reasoning skills.
Reception Learning
In Maths this week, children learnt number bonds to 6 by exploring different ways to make 6 (e.g., 4 and 2, or 3 and 3) through practical, hands-on activities.In Literacy, we are enjoying, 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt' and have been exploring the story’s settings and characters. Children drew bears based on descriptions, wrote simple descriptions of characters and settings, and finished the week with a bear hunt around the school. In Understanding the World, children learnt different bear facts about polar and grizzly bears and their habitats.
World Food Day
Year 1
learnt about World Food Day and why it is celebrated. As part of their learning, the children made a delicious frozen yoghurt bark using yoghurt, strawberries and blueberries.
World Food Day
Year 2
For World Food Day, the children learnt about the importance of appreciating the food that we have and about maintaining a healthy diet. They learnt about the eat well plate and they prepared a healthy snack (salsa and crackers) that they enjoyed in class.
World Food Day
Year 3
Children talked about the importance of healthy eating. They prepared healthy food to show the importance of good eating habits. Year three did a fantastic job at making Tortilla Pinwheels using cream cheese and salad (peeled and cut by them). They thoroughly enjoyed eating them too!
World Food Day
Year 4
Children made couscous Salad!
Year 5
learnt about World food day and the importance of keeping a healthy, well-balanced diet The children engaged in class discussions around food waste and the fact that people may not have access to healthy meals on a daily basis
The children enjoyed chopping up their vegetables and making their own healthy pasta salad
World Food Day
Year Six designed and made their own Greek mezzes
Awards
Winners of Shaftesbury’s 5C Logo , designed in collaboration by Adiba (3W), Azka (3W) and Romaisa (5SA). The girls did a phenomenal job! It ties in really well with our school logo and the fundamental principles of our 5C's and British values. What a great symbol of continuous growth, resilience, celebration of diversity and inclusion at our school!
The handwriting certificates this week go to Faria and Malaika in 6E for beautiful presentation in their Science work.
The reading awards go to Zoya and Saanvi in 5SA for moving up a stage level and building fluency in their reading
Year 3- DT
Year 3 has been working incredibly hard. In DT we have been looking at paper mechanisms, this half term the children designed and brought to life their pop-up card designs. In maths, Year 3 have been learning to tell the time on analogue clocks, mastering terms like o 'clock, quarter past, quarter to and half past.
Year 4
This week, year 4 had a visit from Faith in Schools. They have learned about Christian beliefs and their contribution towards their local community. During this Visit, Carol and Comfort spoke to the children about quotes from the Bible that hold a significant importance in their lives. They informed the children about how they put their faith into action and the impact it has on the community encouraging children think about their contribution towards their
Gamelan
Our Year 1 children gave a fantastic performance last week showcasing a traditional Indonesian gamelan puppet show. They worked incredibly hard in the lead up to the event, learning new rhythms, movements and storytelling techniques with such enthusiasm. Their confidence and teamwork truly shone through on stage and it was wonderful to see how much they’d grown through the experience.
Parents absolutely loved the performance and were full of praise for the children’s effort and energy. A huge thank you to Aris as well for his invaluable support in helping prepare the children and bringing the cultural traditions of gamelan to life.
Well done, Year 1 we are all so proud of you!
6A Into University Experience
6A had an inspiring week completing their Into University experience. Throughout the programme, the children gained valuable knowledge about the importance of education and developed their understanding of sustainability and future career choices. They engaged brilliantly with every task and showed curiosity, maturity and real ambition.
The week culminated in a visit to Goldsmiths University, where the children enjoyed exploring a real university environment and took part in their own graduation ceremony. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.
Well done, 6A you represented the school wonderfully.
Year 4 Poetry Slam
Year 4 have kicked off their Poetry Slam workshops with great enthusiasm. The children are already developing their performance poetry skills and exploring how to use expression, rhythm and voice to bring their words to life. They are looking forward to perfecting their poems over the next few weeks and building confidence as performers.
They will have the exciting opportunity to showcase their work at a Tower Hamlets Schools competition later this term and we can’t wait to see them shine.
Positive Behaviour at Clara Grant
This term we have launched a range of new positive behaviour initiatives across the school We have introduced positive behaviour charts in every class to help children recognise their achievements and take pride in making good choices Staff have also met with parents to share our approach and strengthen the partnership between home and school so that every child feels supported to succeed
In addition, we have created an exciting new Dojo rewards menu, giving children the chance to earn fun prizes through consistent effort and positive behaviour The aim is to encourage all pupils to strive for their best, celebrate their progress and build a calm, respectful and happy learning environment
We are proud of the fantastic start the children have made and look forward to seeing these initiatives continue to grow
Serbian and Albanian Visitors to Tollgate
A group of educational visitors from Albania and Serbia spent the day at Tollgate and were incredibly complimentary about the school. They remarked on the warm, inclusive culture and were especially impressed by the children’s enthusiasm for learning. Throughout their visit, they highlighted how engaged, confident, and respectful the pupils were, and praised the high standards of behaviour seen across the school. The visitors left inspired by the strong sense of community at Tollgate and the clear passion for learning shown by both staff and children.
Preparation for the Turing Scheme trip
Emma and Craig visiting Cedarwood School in Johannesburg, SA in preparation for the Turing Scheme trip in March. With Headmistress Janine Kerr and Deputy Headmistress Shannen Jacobs.
Movie Nights
Our whole-school Movie Night was a fantastic success! Pupils from every year group came together to enjoy a selection of great films, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere across the school. Classrooms were transformed into cosy cinemas, complete with comfy seating and plenty of treats.
Children settled in with their friends, laughed at the funny moments, gasped at the exciting scenes, and enjoyed simply spending time together. It was wonderful to see pupils of all ages relaxing, sharing the experience, and having such a lovely time.
A big thank you to everyone who helped organise the event and to all the children for bringing so much enthusiasm. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Chinese New Year
Our Chinese New Year celebrations started early with a performance that was a wonderful showcase of talent, creativity, and cultural appreciation across the school Each year group watched lively performances that highlighted traditional stories, music, dance, and the symbolism of this special festival
Pupils had the festivities brought to life with vibrant costumes, carefully choreographed routines, and confident speaking roles From energetic dragon and lion dances to beautifully presented songs and storytelling, the performances were exceptional
It was fantastic to see pupils embracing the traditions of the Lunar New Year, learning about its meanings, and sharing this understanding with their peers and families The atmosphere was joyful, colourful, and filled with excitement as we welcomed the Year of the horse
SEN Coffee Morning
We were delighted to host our SEN Coffee Morning this week, bringing together parents and carers of some of our most vulnerable children for an informal and supportive gathering The session provided a welcoming space for families to meet one another, share experiences, and build connections within our school community
Parents had the opportunity to talk with staff about the support in place for their children, discuss progress, and ask questions in a relaxed setting It was wonderful to see conversations flowing so openly, with families offering each other encouragement, understanding, and practical ideas
The morning reinforced our commitment to working in partnership with parents to ensure every child feels supported, included, and able to thrive A big thank you to all who attended and contributed to such a positive and collaborative atmosphere
