Working & Learning Together to Achieve our Best

 

21 April 2026

Dear Families,

I hope that you and your families have had a good spring break, and that you have enjoyed some of the sunny weather we have had. It was lovely to see your child return to school last week, knowing that they will soon settle back into a school routine.

We have been delighted to welcome some of you for our fortnightly workshops and coffee mornings and hope that if you have not already done so, you will join us for our next coffee mornings.

I wanted to let you know about some important dates for the remainder of this half term, and hope you will be able to join us on some of them.

Summer term events:

Workshops: you should have received our Coffee Morning schedule for the term.

We look forward to seeing you in school over the next few weeks. If your child is in year 11 or above (15 years old or above) please come to our two transport sessions. The criteria for transport for children aged 16 to 19 has changed, and it is imperative you are aware of this and able to complete the new transport application form.

We are also looking forward to hosting “Parenting in the Digital Age”, which is due to take place on 16 June at 10am on our main site. It will be led by Yael Shahar, a certified coach and family wellbeing expert. Yael will explore the impact of technology on children's mental health and well-being, and help parents support their children in navigating the digital world, to help create a balanced digital environment at home.

Term dates: the Summer term always flies by, and before we know it half term will be upon us. The school will be closed for the May bank holiday on 4th May and half term is from 25th to 29th May

Parent Consultations: Tuesday 30 June (Copthall) and Wednesday 1 July (Main site and Clarion).

Wednesday 8 July: Summer Enterprise Fair, 10:30 to 12pm.

Friday 10 July - ‘Star of the Term’: If your child is the recipient of a Star of the Term certificate, their teacher will invite you to attend. It will be taking place at 11am on the main site, and at 2pm at Copthall.

Thursday 16 July - Leavers’ Graduation ceremony: There will be two events on the day as we have a large number of leavers again this year, at 10:30am and 1:45pm. The Mayor of Barnet or their representative will be in attendance too.

Friday 17 July - Last day of term, as Monday 20 July is an INSET day.

Donations:
Each term we ask for a voluntary contribution for the children’s snacks, drinks, additional cooking ingredients and messy play activities. We would greatly appreciate it if you could send in a donation of £15 for the whole term. This really helps us to carry out some really fabulous activities with our classes which they all really love, and provides additional snacks to encourage more choice making. This can be done via our virtual platform, and is completely voluntary.

Organisation:
To help us keep track of belongings please could you ensure that your child’s clothes, coats, equipment, etc are clearly labelled; this really helps us to take care of your child’s belongings.

Health and Wellbeing:

• If your child becomes unwell at school, we will contact you and ask you to collect them.
• If your child has diarrhoea, or is vomiting, we ask that they remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have ceased to ensure a full recovery and prevent further contagion.
• If your child has a raised temperature or is clearly too unwell to attend school, we ask that they remain at home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have ceased.
• If your child is on a course of antibiotics and unwell, we ask that they remain at home for the first 48 hours.
• If your child is on antibiotics, and/or other medication but has no obvious symptoms, school should be informed regarding the medication and for what purpose it is being taken. Parents should make themselves available to be contacted during this time if needed. If it is necessary to send in medication for a pupil, please ensure it is sent into school in the original container, labelled with the Pharmacist’s instructions, the child’s name and a clear expiry date. The medicine needs to be accompanied by a consent form. These are available from the school nurse. Please hand the medication to your child’s transport PA who will take it directly to the school office.
• Please let the school know if your child has been given paracetamol (or any other pain relief or other medication) at home before being sent in.
• If your child has a severe epileptic seizure or medical treatment prior to coming to school, please be sure that she/he will be able to cope in a busy classroom before you send her/him in. A day at home is often beneficial after a hospital admission for illness, but not after tests or checkups. If you have given rescue medication following a seizure at home (for example Buccal Midazolam), please let the class team know.
• If there are any any changes with your child’s health, medical condition or medication, please inform the school nurses immediately so that they can update your child’s health care plan.

Parent Governors recruitment: Following my letter earlier last term, if you feel you can help and become a parent Governor, please email office@mapledown.barnet.sch.uk for a Volunteer’s application form which will need to be completed and returned to the school by Tuesday 5th May at noon. Please note that for the protection of children all Governors are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check. If there are more applications than vacancies, we will hold an election and you will be sent a voting paper in due course. You may return the ballot paper via your child.

Thank you in advance for all you do to support your child and to work with us. We really value the partnership we have with our families and look forward to seeing you at Mapledown for the forthcoming events.

Take care and best wishes,

Sandra Chaaya
Headteacher

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