Parks Class 

Wow! What an incredible year we have had. We celebrated Harvest with a lovely Church service, celebrated Christmas in school by showing our amazing Nativity performance and enjoying our Polar Express Day, which we all loved. We visited Crich Tramway Museum, and the children enjoyed tram rides and experienced being a Victorian school child. We had two days travelling around the world by plane, visiting the 7 different continents. It was fantastic to see how the children engaged with each activity based on each continent and how much they learnt. By far, the children’s favourite was learning about the Emperor and Rockhopper Penguins! They made pebble nests and learnt how to carry an egg (a balloon) on their feet/ between their legs, just like Emperor penguins do. Our blubber experiment had staff and children both fascinated, learning about how animals survive Antarctic temperatures. We had some amazing animal visitors into school, which allowed some children and staff to face their fears. The children worked well with all the animals, but the firm favourites were the armadillo, owl and the snake. In March, we visited Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where the children explored different plants and their environments. We learnt about the rainforest and even got to see some animals from the rainforest. We have had a lovely class picnic to end the year.

The Parks team want to say a huge well done to everyone for an incredible year full of fun, development and laughter. Have a lovely Summer, and we can’t wait to see you in September.

Angelou Class

This year has been truly fabulous for our class. From the first day to the last, we have gelled together, supported one another and lived out our school values every single day. We are proud of the progress we have made, not only in our learning, but also in our life skills. We have grown in confidence, independence and responsibility, and we have enjoyed every step of the journey.

Throughout the year, our classroom has been a busy and positive place. We have worked hard in lessons, listened carefully to each other and learnt how to solve problems calmly and sensibly. As a result, we have become a stronger team. We have shown kindness, perseverance and respect, which have helped us to make excellent progress. It has been lovely to see how much more mature and capable we have become.

We visited the Stone Centre. There, we panned for gold and discovered how exciting it can be to learn through hands-on experience. We also visited the Botanical Gardens, where we learnt about so many amazing plants from across the world. It was fascinating to see the variety of shapes, colours and textures. At Middleport Pottery Centre, our creativity and imagination came to life as we explored beautiful pottery and thought carefully about how design and skill can work together.

We also had a wonderful Easter WOW week. We visited the church and reflected on the Last Supper with Reverend Ailsa. STEM week was great. We completed three brilliant challenges, which tested our teamwork, problem-solving and resilience. We had to think carefully, keep trying and work well as a group. We also welcomed two professionals into school, and they explained how they use maths in their jobs every day. Their visit showed us that maths is all around us and can lead to many different careers.

Our theme days were equally exciting – Rainforest Days. We explored the sounds, sights and life of the rainforest and learnt how important these places are for our planet. On Ancient Egypt Day, we travelled back in time and discovered more about everyday life in ancient times. Both days were full of curiosity, creativity and fun.

As we look back on this amazing year, we feel incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together. We have learnt, laughed, grown and succeeded as a class. It has been a year to remember, and we will carry these memories with us for a long time.

Rashford Class

What an incredible year it has been in Rashford Class! Our Year 5 and Year 6 children have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, determination and a real sense of teamwork. We have worked hard, challenged ourselves, laughed together and created memories that will stay with us for years to come. It has been wonderful to watch everyone grow in confidence, develop new skills and support one another throughout the year.

Our creativity has shone brightly in art. We designed and created outfits for special occasions on mannequins, carefully thinking about colour, texture and style to produce unique designs. We also explored different artistic techniques, using soft pastels to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights and watercolours to create stunning paintings of the solar system. The imagination, effort and pride shown in every piece of artwork were truly impressive.

We have also enjoyed keeping active through a range of sporting opportunities. Bikeability helped us develop confidence and safety skills on our bikes, while our energetic Boxercise sessions were great fun and kept us fit. We were lucky to take part in football coaching with Noah and exciting handball sessions with Elliot, learning new skills, improving our teamwork and, most importantly, having lots of fun together.

One of the highlights of the year was our residential visit to Gulliver’s. From exciting activities to problem-solving challenges, everyone encouraged and supported each other to have a go. We showed resilience, courage and fantastic teamwork throughout the trip, making wonderful memories, building friendships and returning to school with smiles on our faces and plenty of stories to tell.

The year ended in spectacular style with our unforgettable School of Pop production. What an amazing way to finish the term! The singing, acting, dancing and colourful costumes combined to create a truly memorable performance. Every child gave their very best, showing confidence, commitment and enthusiasm on stage. Performing in front of family and friends was a huge achievement, and everyone should be incredibly proud of what they accomplished.

As we look back on the year, we have so much to celebrate. We are incredibly proud of everything our Year 5 and Year 6 children have achieved, both inside and outside the classroom. They have shown kindness, resilience, creativity and determination every step of the way. We wish our Year 6 pupils every success as they begin their next adventure at secondary school, and we look forward to seeing our Year 5 pupils continue to flourish in the year ahead. Well done, Rashford Class—it has been a brilliant year!

After School Club

As we reach the end of another wonderful school year, we would like to celebrate the many happy memories made in our After-School Club. It has been a joy to watch the children grow in confidence, develop new friendships and enjoy spending time together across all year groups.

Throughout the year, the children have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm – whether playing outdoors in all weathers, creating fantastic crafts, baking delicious treats or simply having fun with their friends. It has been particularly lovely to see the older and younger children supporting one another and building friendships across the school community.

Some memorable highlights have included being among the first to hold our newly hatched ducklings, making our ever-popular pitta pizzas and spending lots of time enjoying the outdoors. These experiences have brought many smiles and created lasting memories.

A huge thank you to everyone who was part of the After School Club this year. We wish all our families a happy, restful and fun-filled summer and look forward to welcoming the children back for more adventures in September.

Sport

Sports Club this year has been packed with several different sports, including Rounders, Tennis, Tag Rugby, Dodge Ball, Football, Basketball and Netball. Every week the children understand the importance of exercise. They develop on the skills being taught and build on confidence. They are part of a team and have learnt the importance of teamwork, communication and responsibility, and they know that success comes with everyone working together towards the same goal. They know the most important part of the club is having FUN!

Sports mark

The school has gained a Gold award for the range of competitions and events attended this year. The children had a good range of sport. Mrs Davies has run a sports club all year, giving children a voice in what sport they would like to learn.

To support sport, Noah Stanley-Wainwright, in conjunction with Derby University and Erewash Athletes club, has also been in school mainly working with KS2 children. He has delivered football, basketball and athletics both in PE lessons and as part of the youth club sessions.  The children have enjoyed having a positive male role model in school and there has been some good feedback from his session by both the children and staff.

New sports equipment has been purchased to replenish the stock of consumables and also to enhance the children’s experiences. Such as new goal post, basketball nets and dodgeballs. Thank you to Zach & Seb's dad for putting the goal post together for us.

We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2025/26 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success. As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

With a total of 75 children competing in local interschool competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our children for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible. In addition to this, in true Stanley style, we had the most remarkable sports day with all the children taking part on the village rec. This was a fantastic opportunity for our children to demonstrate the skills taught over the year with a traditional sports day. A massive thank you to the adults who helped to set up the day to make sure all children, staff and spectators were sun safe under the shade of the gazebos. The day raised a staggering £930 which will go towards a new school project next year.   

 A special thanks to: Mrs Richardson, Mrs Davies and Noah, who have promoted sport within school through making pe lessons exciting and fun and providing after-school clubs for all children.

FOSS

A huge thank you to the FOSS team for your continued support in raising funds for those extra opportunities and experiences for our children. We are incredibly grateful for all the time, effort and enthusiasm you invest in organising such a wide range of events throughout the year. Your commitment to going above and beyond is truly appreciated, and the positive impact on our children and school community is immense. Thank you for everything you do.

Attendance 

A huge thank you to all our parents and carers for their continued support in ensuring children attend school regularly. We are delighted to report that our overall attendance for the academic year was 96.4%. Your commitment to getting children into school every day helps them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Thank you for working in partnership with us to give every child the very best opportunities to succeed. Remember, please check the website for holiday dates before booking.

Governors

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Governing Body for their continued support of the school in so many different ways. The role of a governor is vital in ensuring that the school is well led, effectively managed, and fully compliant with statutory requirements. Throughout the year, our governors generously give their time to attend a wide range of school events, visit the school, and participate in meetings, providing both support and challenge to help us achieve the very best outcomes for our pupils. We are extremely grateful for their dedication, commitment, and service to our school community.

 

This year Mrs Jackson will be stepping down as Chair of Governors from 31st Aug.

On behalf of everyone at Stanley St Andrew’s, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your exceptional service and commitment as Chair of Governors over the past 19 years.

Your leadership, wisdom and unwavering dedication have helped guide our school through periods of change, challenge and success. Throughout your tenure, you have always placed the needs of our children at the centre of every decision, ensuring that Stanley St Andrew’s remained a caring, nurturing and ambitious school community.

The time, energy and expertise you have freely given have made a lasting difference to generations of pupils, families and staff. Your support, challenge and encouragement have been invaluable, and the strength of the school today is, in no small part, a reflection of your commitment and stewardship.

As you step down from your role, please know that your contribution will be remembered with enormous gratitude and respect. While your presence around the governing table will be greatly missed, the legacy you leave behind will continue to benefit our school for many years to come.

Thank you for 19 years of dedicated service, friendship and leadership. We wish you every happiness, good health and success in the future.

Festival Day

The theme was based around friendship linked with the 1980s. It was an amazing day. The children planned games around working together, such as treasure hunt, hook a duck, friendship bracelets, henna, art class, Boules and Jenga. The children had full access to the eco garden and an open mic session. We had a lovely lunch with chip cobs from the chip shop in Oakwood. Thank you to Joanne, for delivering and helping to serve our children. It was a lovely treat for children and staff alike. In addition to this, Mel from Herbert Strutt's kitchen made a beautiful cake to mark the event.

A Year to Remember at Stanley St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School

As we come to the end of another academic year, we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. This has been a year filled with achievement, growth, laughter, learning and community spirit. It has also been a particularly special year as I say farewell to my school as Headteacher after 17 years of dedicated service to the school and village community.

Living Our Values

Throughout the year, our children have continued to demonstrate the values that make Stanley St Andrew’s such a special place: respect, trust, love, happiness, peace, dedication and truth. These values can be seen every day in classrooms, on the playground, at church services and within the wider community.

Success in the Classroom

Our pupils have worked incredibly hard this year and have much to be proud of. From our youngest children in Early Years taking their first steps in learning, to our Year 6 pupils preparing for secondary school, we have seen determination, resilience and excellent progress across the school.

Highlights included:

Strong achievement across the curriculum with improved opportunities for reading and oracy across school, with children accessing a range of high-quality reading materials including eBooks, paper reading books and library books.

Creative learning through planned enrichment activities making the curriculum exciting and learning fun.

Continued support for pupils with additional needs to ensure that every child can flourish.

Memorable Experiences

Learning extends far beyond the classroom and this year our pupils have enjoyed a wide range of exciting opportunities, including:

• Educational visits and residential experiences.
• Sporting events and competitions.
• Music, performing arts and church celebrations.
• Community projects that have strengthened links between school, church and village.
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A Strong School Community

One of our greatest strengths continues to be the support of our families, governors, church and local community. Whether attending services, volunteering at events, supporting fundraising activities or helping children with their learning, your partnership makes a real difference.

Our Sports Day once again showed fantastic teamwork and determination, where the whole community came together to make sport fun for our children.

As a small village school, we are fortunate to have such strong relationships, where every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their best.

Farewell and Thank You

This year marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of our school. After 17 years of leadership, I will be retiring at the end of the summer term.

Over nearly two decades, I have guided the school through many changes whilst remaining committed to a simple but powerful principle:

"If it is not good enough for my own children, then we do not do it."

My unwavering belief in putting children first has helped shape a school built on care, high expectations and Christian values. Generations of children have benefited from my leadership, and my legacy will continue to be seen in the confidence, kindness and success of our pupils.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the lovely gifts and cards I have received from my school community. It has been an honour and privilege to serve such wonderful children.

I really appreciate the massive turnout of people to wish me well in my early retirement. 

Looking Ahead

As one chapter closes, another begins. The staff look forward with optimism and excitement to the next stage in the journey of Stanley St Andrew’s. The strong foundations that have been built over many years will ensure that the school continues to thrive.

Thank you to all our children, families, staff, governors and friends of the school for your support throughout the year.

I wish everyone a wonderful summer break and a great new term.