Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
t’s that time of year again! The Children at our school are hoping to raise some money for ‘Children in Need’ and we need your support. This year we want your child/children to dress ‘spotty” and dress up in any of the following: Pudsey t-shirts, ears, something yellow, something spotty or any Children in Need merchandise. We will be asking for a £1 donation which will go to the ‘Children in Need’ charity. We will be asking for a £1 donation per child which will go to the ‘Children in Need’ charity.
You can make a donation via ParentPay.
Kind regards
Mrs McMaster
Head of School
Our new extra-curricular timetable for this half term's clubs has been published on our 'Extra-curricular clubs' page. Further details of each club and booking forms can be found by clicking on 'Parents', then 'Extra-curricular clubs', or by simply clicking the link below:
Click here for our 'Extra-curricular Clubs' page
We very much hope that your child can come along and enjoy one or more of our clubs with his or her friends.
Dear Parents and Carers,
First, on behalf of all the governors, can I thank you for your continued support over what has been a challenging few weeks in school. I know you all wish Mr Simpson a speedy recovery and to return when he is fully fit and able to do so. He is missing you all too and hopes to get back to school as soon as possible.
To support school leadership on an interim basis, a local headteacher Mrs Raley-Williams, has been asked to step in as Executive Head for 3 days a week (2.5 days based in school), starting the week beginning 3rd November. Mrs McMaster has kindly agreed to continue working full time over this period and will be Head of School, working alongside Mrs Raley-Williams which is great news. Sadly, Mrs Todhunter has made the decision to resign from school, we wish her well for the future and thank her for her dedication and hard work whilst at Norman Pannell. We have been working behind the scenes to find an interim SENDCo and I am pleased to say we will have Mrs Harvey (from Palmerston School) working in school 4 days a week after half term, on an interim basis until we appoint a new SENDCo. Mrs Harrison has now started her overdue maternity leave; I want to thank her for stepping forward at this time too and hope she has a restful time before her new bundle of joy arrives. I hope you all have a great break over half term and we can all start the next half term refreshed and ready to start school at 8.50am on Monday 3rd November.
Kindest Regards,
Meryl Sangare
Chair of Governors
Reminder: INSET Day Friday 24th October & Book Looks
Good afternoon,
We will be holding Parent Book Looks for Y1-Y6 classes, where you will have the chance to sit with your child and enjoy looking through their fantastic work! Teachers will be in the hall to talk to you and answer any questions. If this is not convenient, please see the classroom teacher or contact the office to arrange a different time to look at the books.
Nursery and Reception parents are invited to the Stay and Play on Friday 14th November the EYFS classrooms.
For parents who would like to follow this up with a private, personal meeting with the teacher, we will then be holding our Autumn Parents Evening on Wednesday 22nd October after school. Please see the classroom teacher to arrange an appointment time that is convenient for you.
The dates and times are:
2.15pm Monday13th October - Year 1
2.15pm Tuesday14th October - Year 3
2.15pm Wednesday 15th October - Year 2
2.15pm Thursday16th October - Year 4
2.15pm Friday17th October - Year 6
2.15pm Monday 20th October - Year 5
Just after drop-off Friday 14th November - Nursery and Reception Stay and Play
The children will break up at normal time on Thursday 23rd October for half term. School will be closed to the children on Friday 24th October for an INSET day while staff complete safeguarding and SEND training. School will reopen on Monday 3rd November.
We look forward to seeing you in school soon.
Kind regards,
Mrs McMaster
Acting Head Teacher
Good afternoon,
We will be holding Parent Book Looks for Y1-Y6 classes, where you will have the chance to sit with your child and enjoy looking through their fantastic work! Teachers will be in the hall to talk to you and answer any questions. If this is not convenient, please see the classroom teacher or contact the office to arrange a different time to look at the books.
Nursery and Reception parents are invited to the Stay and Play on Friday 14th November the EYFS classrooms.
For parents who would like to follow this up with a private, personal meeting with the teacher, we will then be holding our Autumn Parents Evening on Wednesday 22nd October after school. Please see the classroom teacher to arrange an appointment time that is convenient for you.
The dates and times are:
2.15pm Monday13th October - Year 1
2.15pm Tuesday14th October - Year 3
2.15pm Wednesday 15th October - Year 2
2.15pm Thursday16th October - Year 4
2.15pm Friday17th October - Year 6
2.15pm Monday 20th October - Year 5
Just after drop-off Friday 14th November - Nursery and Reception Stay and Play
We look forward to seeing you in school soon.
Kind regards,
Mrs McMaster
Acting Head Teacher
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are delighted that the school kitchen is finally completed and staff have had training today on the new equipment. We aim to start serving hot meals again hopefully from Wednesday 24th September as we are in the process of moving things back and need to have a deep clean. I will update again at the start of next week.
Have a lovely weekend,
Michelle McMaster
Acting Headteacher
Dear Parents and Carers,
Unfortunately, our SENCO, Mrs Todhunter, and our Learning Mentor, Mrs Denton are absent from school for a period of time due to illness. During this time, we have put temporary leadership of these areas in place to ensure continued support for our SEND and vulnerable children. Miss Harrison will be taking on specific SEND responsibilities and is being supported by outside agencies in the interim. Mrs Kelly, has also assumed the role of Learning Mentor.
Kind regards,
Michelle McMaster
Acting Headteacher
Our new extra-curricular timetable for this half term's clubs has been published on our 'Extra-curricular clubs' page. Further details of each club and booking forms can be found by clicking on 'Parents', then 'Extra-curricular clubs', or by simply clicking the link below:
Click here for our 'Extra-curricular Clubs' page
We very much hope that your child can come along and enjoy one or more of our clubs with his or her friends.
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you have all had a wonderful and restful summer break. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you and your children back to another exciting academic year at Norman Pannell. The staff have been working hard over the break to prepare for your return, ensuring we provide a stimulating and supportive environment for all.
Term starts for children and families on Wednesday 3rd September, following two INSET days for staff on 1st and 2nd .
I wanted to get in touch to update on a couple of important things and to give a few reminders as the new school year approaches.
Headteacher Absence
Unfortunately, our Headteacher, Mr Simpson, will be absent from school for a period of time due to illness. During this time, I (Mrs McMaster) will assume the role of Acting Headteacher and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school. We hope to see Mr Simpson back as soon as he is fully fit and ready to return to work. Welcome New Members of Our Community
We are delighted to welcome some new faces to the Norman Pannell family. A special welcome to Miss Bethany Mason, our new Year 5 teacher, Miss Eve Lund, our new Year 2 teacher (job share with Mrs Brown), Mrs Jenny Thompson, our new Nursery teacher and to all the new families who have joined us.
Building Refurbishment Update
If you have passed the school site during the holidays, you will have seen that a lot of work has taken place on the 5th and final phase of the whole school refurbishment, however the refitting of the school kitchen, junior hall and staff room areas are running approximately three weeks behind schedule. The kitchen will not be ready until at least the 19th September, with the aim to start serving hot meals again the following week. We will continue to follow the same procedures as before we broke up in July. The Community Room will continue to be the temporary kitchen. We have worked closely with the kitchen staff and Food for Thought, our school meal providers, who have designed an exciting menu for the children, with a cold food service, buffet style theme for the next three weeks. Please see attached the menu which was used prior to the summer break.
Parent Class Welcome meetings for every class – September 2025
The role that parents / carers and family members play in the running of the school is vital, which is why we want you to understand how your child’s class runs. During the first week back to school, each year group will invite all parents / carers into the class. During this time, you will sit with your child and the teacher will present important information about what your child will be learning this year and how the school week works e.g. homework, P.E. days, reading books. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions. In addition, you will also be given a new home / school agreement, common to many schools, which explains clearly the responsibilities of the school, children and parents / carers. I have attached the Headteacher: Mr R Simpson agreement for you to read through prior to the meeting. If you are not able to attend, we will send the agreement home or try to catch you in the playground to read and sign. If you are unable to attend, a copy of the slideshow will be uploaded to the class webpage.
Meetings will take place for parents in different classes on the following days:
Year 1 - Wednesday 3rd September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 2 – Wednesday 3rd September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 3 – Thursday 4th September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 4 – Friday 5th September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 5 – Wednesday 3rd September (2:45 – 3.15pm)
Year 6 – Thursday 4th September (2:45 – 3.15pm) Reception Stay & Play – Friday 5th September (half class am and other half pm – Miss Shaw has sent a letter home with further details)
Nursery Stay & Play – Friday 5th September (9:00 – 10:00am)
Attendance and Punctuality
As we begin the year, please remember the importance of regular attendance, which is vital for your child's academic success and social development. Being on time and in the line is so important – our teachers work hard to prepare each day so that children are benefiting from learning straight away in their classroom when they come in. If your child is not on time, they are at a real disadvantage. Teachers also go through the plan of the day, which is very important for many children’s sense of routine. School begins at 8:50am for all Y1-Y6 children (8:45am for Nursery and Reception). School finishes at 3:20pm for Y1-Y6 (3:15pm for Nursery and Reception).
Uniform
Please ensure that your child wears correct uniform so that they can feel part of the class and school family, knowing and achieving what is expected. Please label and name every item of uniform and coat in case it is lost. Feeling smart and consistent with every other pupil in the class is important for your child’s understanding of school rules, having self-respect and high expectations of themselves in their work and behaviour.
Working Together
The partnership between home and school is essential for our students' success. We encourage you to get involved in school life and to support your child's learning at home. We are looking forward to a successful and rewarding year ahead, working together to ensure every child at Norman Pannell reaches their full potential. I am looking forward to welcoming the children and yourselves back into school on Wednesday 3rd September.
Kind regards,
Michelle McMaster
Acting Headteacher
Dear Parents/Carers,
Parent Class Welcome meetings for every class – September 2025
The role that parents / carers and family members play in the running of the school is vital, which is why we want you to understand how your child’s class runs. During the first week back to school. each year group will invite all parents / carers into the class. During this time, you will sit with your child and the teacher will present important information about what your child will be learning this year and how the school week works e.g. homework, P.E. days, reading books. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions.
In addition, you will also be given a new home / school agreement, common to many schools, which explains clearly the responsibilities of the school, children and parents / carers. We will read through the agreement and ask you and your child to sign it. If you are not able to attend, we will send the agreement home or try to catch you in the playground to read and sign.
If you are unable to attend, a copy of the slideshow will be uploaded to the class webpage.
Meetings will take place for parents in different classes on the following days:
Year 1 - Wednesday 3rd September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 2 – Wednesday 3rd September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 3 – Thursday 4th September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 4 – Friday 5th September (9:00 – 9:30am)
Year 5 – Wednesday 3rd September (2:45 – 3.15pm)
Year 6 – Thursday 4th September (2:45 – 3.15pm)
Reception Stay & Play – Friday 5th September (half class am and other half pm – Miss Shaw has sent a letter home with further details)
Nursery Stay & Play – Friday 5th September (9:00 – 10:00am)
Yours sincerely,
Mrs McMaster