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
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 | Liberty | Kyro | Bridget | Asya | Zivah | Evelyn |
| Reader | Rozario | Jaxx | Jayzen | Samuel | Charlie | Seamus |
| Mathematician | Kaia | Muaz | Henry | Andulem | Yaaqub | Pawal |
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
Yasin was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for following new routines well and joining in during carpet times. Well done Yasin!
Nursery Swans Class
Amelia was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a great role model and always helping her friends. Well done Amelia!
Reception Skylarks
Lorenzo was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a kind and helpful friend to his peers. Well done Lorenzo!
Year 1 Magpies
Jacqueline was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for completing work to a high standard and being an excellent role model. Well done Jacqueline!
Year 2 Doves
Neserine as nominated to receive a Gainsborough Gold Award for settling into Gainsborough so well! Welcome to Year 2. Well done!
Year 3 Wrens
Kimberly was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for excellent learning and always doing her best, even when things are chaellenging. Well done Kimberly!
Year 4 Owls
Elias was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a great role model in maths lessons and explaining his working clearly. Well done Elias!
Year 5 Hummingbirds
Zayn was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for making an excellent contribution to the Year 5 Hummingbirds Assembly this week. Well done Zayn!
Year 6 Herons
Alexis was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for excellent work all week, especially in writing, and having a great attitude to learning. Well done Alexis!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Hackney Borough Youth Choir
Over the last year we have supported pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 to access the Hackney Borough Youth Choir. The choir rehearses weekly and we escort children to and from the venue to ensure they are able to attend. This is offered as one of our usual after school clubs and if the choir isn’t rehearsing Ms Lewis takes the rehearsal with the children at Gainsborough. Rehearsals restart this week, Wednesday 23rd September. Please sign up using the clubs booking form of email admin@gainsborough.hackney.sch.uk to secure a place.
Thank you to John Clark, Chair of the Primary Advantage Governing Body
Behind the scenes at Gainsborough there are a very dedicated team of LAB members, (Local Advisory Boards members) and a Central Governing Board for Primary Advantage Federation, which oversees the governance of 7 schools across Hackney. We have had the benefit of having John Clark as Chair of our Governing Body for several years. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to John for his time, enthusiasm, dedication to the Federation through the years. Under his leadership he has allowed Gainsborough to take risks, challenged us to do better, allowed creative and innovative decision making and supported us to grow. Thank you John, and we wish you well in your retirement.
Wear an Upcycled Outfit for National Recycling Day on Friday 25th September
Children are invited to wear an Upcycled/ Second hand/ Recycled/ Hand me Down outfit on Friday 25th September to show support for National Recycling Day. In assembly on Monday we will share the impact of fast fashion and ask children to think about how we use, recycle and upcycle clothing to make it last longer and avoid more landfill. You can send your child to school in any colour, style or fabric that has been recycled, upcycled or is ‘new to them’. We will hold a mini fashion show on Friday to show off our outfits!
Ballet at Gainsborough
Regal Ballet classes started at Gainsborough on Monday 14th September. Due to the low take up Regal Ballet will now offer the lessons out to non Gainsborough students. If you are interested in signing up please do so 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.
