This week at Gainsborough…
Autumn 1
This half term we are focusing on:
As Summer term. Our reflections on our current learning tell us we need to focus on the following:
- Improving attendance and punctuality across our school
- Developing a play strategy for children and families
- Embedding our approach to maths teaching and learning
- Developing the application of SCERTS at Gainsborough to support children with communication and language needs
Welcome back to all of our Early Years Children
We are incredibly proud of how everyone has settled back into school this week. It can be so hard after a long holiday to separate from families and settle back into school routines. Our top tips from all of our experience when settling children into school no matter what age they are:
🌟 5 Top Tips for Settling Back into School
1. Reset the rhythm ⏰
School mornings work best when they are predictable. Bring back sensible bedtimes, morning routines and breakfast. Being on time matters — arriving calmly gives children the best possible start, rather than beginning their day feeling rushed or behind.
2. Keep goodbyes short, warm and confident 👋
A hug, a smile and a clear “Have a brilliant day — I’ll see you later!” is often more reassuring than a long goodbye. Even when children are wobbly, showing confidence tells them: school is safe, your adults are here, and you can do this.
3. Talk school UP! 🚀
Children notice how adults speak about school. Ask, “What made you laugh today?”, “Who did you play with?” or “What did you learn that you didn’t know yesterday?” Keep conversations positive and curious. If you have a concern, bring it to us rather than discussing it in front of your child — we want to work with you.
4. Attendance is the superpower 🦸
The quickest way to feel part of school again is to be in school, every day and on time. Children reconnect with friends, routines and learning through regular attendance. Missing days can make returning feel harder, so unless your child is genuinely too unwell to attend, keep the routine going.
5. Expect a little wobble — but hold the boundary 💛
Tiredness, tears and “I don’t want to go!” can happen while children readjust. Listen, reassure and acknowledge their feelings — but keep the expectation of attending school clear. A useful message is: “I know it feels hard this morning, and I also know you can manage it. Your teachers are ready for you.” Confidence grows when children discover that they can do difficult things.
Well done to Reception Skylarks!
What an incredible start our Reception Skylarks have made! They have arrived at school ready to soar, and we could not be prouder of them.
The Government’s guidance on being “Reception Ready” focuses on children developing the everyday independence, communication and personal skills that help them thrive when they start school — and our Skylarks are absolutely smashing it!
Already, we have seen children:
⭐ Coming into school confidently and saying goodbye to their grown-ups.
🎒 Looking after their own belongings, including coats, bags and water bottles.
🚽 Using the toilet and washing their hands with increasing independence.
🍎 Eating and drinking independently and managing their lunch routines.
👂 Listening to adults and following simple instructions as part of a group.
💬 Talking to adults and other children, asking for help when they need it and beginning to express their ideas.
🤝 Playing alongside new friends, learning to share, take turns and solve those little disagreements that are all part of growing up.
📚 Joining in with stories, songs, rhymes and conversations and showing us just how curious they are about the world.
❤️ Most importantly, they are beginning to understand that they belong here.
And this is only the beginning.
Our ambition for every Skylark is for them to become brave learners, wonderful communicators, thoughtful friends and increasingly independent young people. We will encourage them to have a go, make mistakes, try again, ask brilliant questions and discover just how much they are capable of. A huge WELL DONE to our Reception children — and thank you to their families for everything you have done to help prepare them for this exciting step. Skylarks, you have made a fantastic start. Now let’s see just how high you can fly! 🐦🌟
Writer, Reader and Mathematician of the Week!
Each week we celebrate a child from each year group who has excelled in writing, reading or maths across the week. This may be in class work, verbal contributions, home learning, online learning or a great academic achievement. Please celebrate your child’s achievements at home as well!
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Writer | Success | Jam Jam | Sophia T | Niqo | Zaniyah | Shaun |
| Reader | Eesa | Lucy | Caden | Kamariee | Talisa | Harvey |
| Mathematician | Simon | Kyro | Rukia | Ishmael | Inaaya | Seamus |
Golds!
Each week we celebrate an amazing achievement from each class. Children are celebrated in assembly, receive a gold certificate and their name in the newsletter. Please celebrate their learning at home too!
Nursery Geese Class
Everyone in Geese class was awarded a Gainsborough Gold for settling into to the new year so well. For making new friends, joining in carpet times and being kind to one and other. Well done Geese class!
Nursery Swans Class
Everyone in Swans class was awarded a Gainsborough Gold for settling into to the new year so well. For making new friends, joining in carpet times and being kind to one and other. Well done Swans class!
Reception Skylarks
Everyone in Reception Skylarks was nominated for a Gainsborough Gold Award for an amazing return to school and a great start to reception! Well done Skylarks class!
Year 1 Magpies
Zi’Ciaine was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing great focus in hi first week in Year 1. Well done Zi’Ciaine!
Year 2 Doves
Favour was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing an amazing effort in all subjects this week. Well done Favour!
Year 3 Wrens
Emma was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for taking great pride in all of her work and demonstrating excellent presentation in all she has done. Well done Emma!
Year 4 Owls
Fatima was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for trying her best in everything she has done this week. Well done Fatima!
Year 5 Hummingbirds
David was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for always trying his best and being ready in all lessons at all times. Well done David!
Year 6 Herons
Riley was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for his fantastic attitude towards all learning, writing a brilliant manifesto and putting a great performance on for the Year 6 assembly this week. Well done Riley!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Ballet at Gainsborough
Regal Ballet classes start at Gainsborough on Monday 14th June, sign up via their website www.regalballet.com
Hold the Date- Run Gainsborough Run
Run Gainsborough Run is scheduled to take place at the London Community Track, on Sunday 11th October, from 2-4pm. Further information will be sent to your email, but it is as simple as sign up, collect sponsorship money, turn up and RUN! We will be asking children to collect sponsors for running and donate via a Just Giving Page. All of our fundraising efforts will go towards the redevelopment of the playground. We are aiming to raise £2000 in sponsorship money at this event, can we do it Gainsborough? Yes we can!
Changes to Free School Meals Eligibility from 1st September 2026
There are important changes to free school meals (FSM) eligibility from the start of the 2026/27 academic year, we want to encourage all families who may qualify to register through Hackney Education by the 30th September 2026 in order to be eligible.
What is changing?
From 1st September 2026, all children from households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals, regardless of their household income. Previously, eligibility for families receiving Universal Credit was generally limited to those with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
Families receiving certain other qualifying benefits may also be eligible, including income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the guarantee element of Pension Credit, and support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Some families with no recourse to public funds may also qualify under separate criteria.
This is in addition to the Mayor of London’s free school meals initiative
All children attending state-funded primary schools in London already receive a free school meal through the Mayor of London’s universal free school meals initiative, alongside the national universal infant free school meals scheme.
The new benefits-based eligibility arrangements are separate from this existing provision. Your child will continue to receive their free school meal at school, whether or not you qualify for benefits-based FSM. However, if your family meets the eligibility criteria, it is still very important that you register.
Why is it important to apply?
Registering for benefits-based free school meals helps ensure that your child receives any additional support to which they may be entitled. It also enables the school to identify pupils who qualify for additional government funding.
Under the new arrangements, there are two categories of benefits-based FSM. Families receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, and families meeting certain other qualifying criteria, may be eligible for targeted FSM. This category continues to attract Pupil Premium and other disadvantageous funding for schools. Families receiving Universal Credit above the earnings threshold qualify for expanded FSM, which provides entitlement to free meals but does not automatically attract Pupil Premium.
Pupil Premium is additional funding that schools use to improve educational outcomes and provide support for eligible pupils. This may include additional teaching and learning support, small group or one to one tuition, educational resources, and assistance with activities such as trips and after school clubs. Accurate registration therefore helps us secure the funding available to support our pupils and the wider school community.
How to apply
If you have never applied for benefits-based free school meals, please complete an application through Hackney Education, even if your child already receives a free lunch at school.
You can find the eligibility information and application link here:
Hackney Education – Apply for free school meals
You can also access the online application through the Hackney parent portal:
Hackney Education – Parent Portal
If you have applied previously, Hackney Education has advised that existing applications will be reassessed under the new criteria. Families will be notified of their entitlement using the email address provided on their application. If you have not received an update, please contact Hackney’s Pupil Benefits team.
You should complete the following Google form to reconfirm your eligibility under the new criteria:
Families with no recourse to public funds should contact Hackney’s Pupil Benefits team for advice about the appropriate application process rather than completing the standard online form.
If you need assistance with your application, please contact the school office. You can also contact Hackney Education’s Pupil Benefits team on 020 8820 7000 or by email at PupilBenefits@hackney.gov.uk.
We encourage all families who may be eligible to apply as soon as possible. Even if your child already enjoys a free school meal, registering for benefits-based FSM can make an important difference to the support available to your child and the additional funding our school receives.
