Welcome to the new school year- let's work TOGETHER for the best children around!
Newsletter 1
Thursday 10th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
A big welcome to you all for what should be an(other) rewarding year for the community of Tudor Primary. Last year was TRULY TREMENDOUS- from levels of interest in the school to our academic outcomes and we remain as determined as ever to give the children a super experience of school EVERY DAY. We must give an extra special welcome to all those new children (and families) who are now #TeamTudor for the first time. Speaking of our youngest learners, it is always fantastic to see how quickly they settle in class and I believe our success here is enabled by the hard work and preparation that has gone in as part of their transition into their new school. Transition arrangements are strong at Tudor and our approaches have influenced practice across Hertfordshire. Even moving up a year group can be a little unsettling and the team have been planning to support this since the summer term. When I started myself at Tudor 10 years ago a key expectation I placed on the teaching team was ‘Know your children!’ and it is certainly evident that the relationships between children and adults at Tudor is one of our biggest strengths. Long may that continue!
As always, the teachers have been busily organising imaginative and inspiring learning for the children within our ‘Tudor Thematic Curriculum’. We pledge to make each day memorable and we know the children do appreciate how the teaching team present the lessons in the way they do.
Our current themes are:
EYFS-New Beginnings
Year 1/ Year 2-Toy Stories
Year 3/ Year 4-Is it Right to Fight?
Year 5/ Year 6-A Whole New World
Please remember to use our website- add it to your ‘favourites’…
We are incredibly proud of the high quality communication we enjoy with our school community and, as a key part of this, do ensure our school website is a key resource that you use. It gets great feedback and it is often used as an exemplar for other schools. A great deal of effort goes into making it a vital information portal for you all so please take time to engage with it regularly. You will notice that the year groups have updated their sections with specific key information about what is in store for your children. The ‘MEET THE TEACHER’ presentations are already available to you and these will support a smooth start to the year. The website also contains guidance on everything that you need to know- from class assembly dates/ times and key policies to evidencing the impact that we have with your children- it’s all on there.
A message from Ms Smith (Our Safeguarding Lead)
Tudor school are fully behind and supportive of a Police initiative designed to support children facing domestic abuse. Operation Encompass is a police and education sharing partnership, enabling schools to offer immediate support for children experiencing domestic abuse.
Within every school a trained Key Adult is appointed - at Tudor this is Ms Smith – and the Key Adult receives information about abusive incidents directly from the police. The Key Adult will be notified prior to the start of the next school day that the police have attended an incident of domestic abuse to which a child has been exposed. This timely knowledge enables a plan for appropriate support to be made for that child so that all interactions, from when the child first arrives at the school gates, are of a positive nature. A drop-in service for SADA (survivors against domestic abuse) is available.
Further details can be found on the safeguarding section of our school website.
Inclusion at Tudor Primary- a message from Miss Reading- our Leader for Inclusion:
Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL8) are holding a SEND Parent and Carers Information Fayre on Tuesday 13th October at Grove Hill Adventure Playground. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to meet local charities, services and activity providers for SEND children and young people in Dacorum. For further information and to book your spot follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/parent-carers-send-information-fayre-dacorum-tickets-1993007271399?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
For information about how Tudor School supports children with special educational needs please take a look at the school's information report which can be found in the SEND/Family Support Links section of the school website: https://www.tudor.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Dacorum+Family+Services&pid=108.
Finally, I will be hosting our first Tudor Coffee Morning of the academic year on Tuesday 29th September at 9am. All parents/carers are very welcome to attend. Our coffee mornings are a friendly, informal opportunity for parents/carers to meet other parents (and me!), ask questions, or discuss any topics relating to their child’s education and/or wellbeing. I hope to see you there!
Ensuring your children receives the right funding- PLEASE READ
‘Universal free school meals’ remain in place for all children in reception, year 1 and year 2. Therefore, those families who are eligible for ‘benefit related free school meals’ in year 3 (or above) need to register via the www.hertfordshire.gov.uk website. If you are unsure regarding eligibility, come and see the office team. Even if you think you may not be eligible, DO apply because you (and the school) may be missing out on funding. THIS IS ALSO THE CASE FOR PARENTS IN RECEPTION, YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2. Year 3 parents who are not eligible will need to pay for school meals in advance via the Arbor app.
After School Clubs- please make sure you respond to the forms!
Children will receive a letter for our new after school clubs. Remember that we do not accept cash payments and we will request payment via Arbor once a space has been allocated. We hope as many children as possible can benefit from extra-curricular activity and all clubs will start on the week beginning 21st September. Don’t worry reception- your opportunities start soon! Talking of sporting opportunities, well done to Akayla and Lexi- their footballing talent is now recognised at district level!
Lost property is already building up! Please can you make sure your child’s uniform is fully named. We have only been back in school a week and the pile of unnamed (new!) clothing is already rather large. Please also remind your children about how they should look after their items.
Setting the right standards- Be here, be on time, be ready!
In a number of areas, Tudor Primary remains excited to help other schools in Hertfordshire. As well as leading with behaviour across Dacorum we are now working with the county attendance team to share approaches on how we support families. Our main focus must remain on our own community and commitment from families is a vital component in our partnership.
The start of the year is an appropriate time to remind you all about the importance of attending school EVERY day and arriving on time. Learning takes place FROM 8.45am and we look forward to every child being able to benefit from a FULL experience of school. The attendance ladder below shares the importance of attendance and how time out of school impacts your child’s development and progress. Simply put, children who attend well achieve well and it is the duty of parents to ensure that that their child is able to benefit from a consistent experience of education. EVERY day truly counts… See you on the playground!