Dear Parents/Carers of Year 6 Pupils                                     

Admission to Secondary School in September 2023

May I remind you that the closing date for returning your application form for your child to transfer into Secondary School next year is Monday 31 October at 4.30pm.

The easiest way to apply for your preferred school(s) is online by logging onto the Council web site at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

If you apply online, you will be notified on Wednesday 1 March 2023 our ‘offer day’ via your e-mail account.

Please be reminded that you must make a note of the email address that you use when applying as this will be the email address that will be used to send notification of your school offer.

Parents are also reminded that if they change address following the submission of an application form that they must notify us of this change in writing either by email to [email protected] or by post to the School Admissions Team, Town Hall and Civic Offices, South Shields, NE33 2RL. Change of addresses must reach us by Monday 9 January 2023. If you do not provide us with a change of address by this date, your new address will not be taken into account when allocating places.

If you have not applied online, you will receive a letter which is sent in the second class post on offer day.

If you do not have access to a computer you can obtain a hard copy of the application form by contacting the School Admissions Team on telephone numbers 0191 424 7767 or 0191 424 7706.

Failure to return or returning your application form late will reduce the chance of your child gaining a place at your preferred school. 

Please be reminded, it is your responsibility to ensure your application form is completed and received by the deadline date of Monday 31 October 2022 at 4.30pm.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE ALL THREE PREFERENCES ON YOUR APPLICATION FORM.

Yours sincerely

Christine Henderson

Christine Henderson

Governors Support and School Admissions Manager

We have just begun week 2 of teaching using the new Read Write Inc system fully to improve phonics, reading and writing

The 1^st home reading books from the scheme should have arrived home. They are copies of the books children are using in school during the week. Therefore, they will know them very well and this is important.

During the parent meetings we explained that it was “Three with me, Four at home.” Children will read their book in school 3 times to build:

1. Accuracy
2. Fluency
3. Comprehension

Then at home

4. Reading and enjoying. Showing fluency (the ability to read like a story teller with flow).

Therefore, the children shouldn’t be struggling with their books as they apply what they have learnt. They may seem ‘easy’ or ‘not hard enough’, but please don’t say this to your child. Instead, encourage your child to tell you the story out loud; ask them questions about things that happen or what they think about some of the characters in the story. Compliment them on their ability to tell the story rather than just reading the words. Home reading is a chance to show off and celebrate their reading skills. Supplementary books are unseen to the children, but use the same focus phonics as the core teaching text.

As we progress, we are excited to see the positive impact Read Write Inc has on the progress of reading for every child. Making them readers for life armed with the reading skills to support them through their educational journey.

We know parents and carers are very busy people. But if you can find time to read to your child as much as possible, it helps him or her to learn about books and stories. They also learn new words and what they mean. Show that you are interested in reading yourself and talk about reading as a family. We have loved hearing the positive feedback from parents already.

You can find out about good stories to read to your child here: https://www.facebook.com/miskin.education

Further Information, Handouts and Resources can be found at: https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/phonics-at-mortimer-primary-school/

Thank you for your continuing support