Group of smiling preschoolers in blue uniforms posing on a green floor with a bright farm mural backdrop.

Pre-Prep Reflections 22 May 2026

Dear parents,

I was only in school on Monday and today this week, as I have been away on an ISI inspection in Somerset. It was lovely to be back in school today and to receive such a warm welcome from the children. Thank you to Mrs Lawrence-Jones and the team for taking excellent care of the school in my absence.

iTown trip

It was very quiet at school this morning with Year 2 having it all to themselves, while Nursery, Reception and Year 1 were out on a trip to iTown in Newton Abbot. The children were very patient waiting for the coach, which was slightly delayed by county show traffic, but they eventually set off with great excitement. Once they arrived, everyone had a wonderful time exploring the different role-play areas, which have been carefully developed in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 1 National Curriculum to support early learning. The children were very well behaved and everyone was back in school in time for lunch, full of enthusiasm about all the exciting jobs they had been pretending to have! Thank you to Mrs Rickard for organising and leading this special outing.

After school play

Please may I remind parents to ensure that children are behaving sensibly and safely in the playground after school. While we are happy for them to play on the climbing equipment and run around to let off steam, they must be appropriately supervised. They should not be taking school toys or equipment out of the shed or the early years outdoor area, or disturbing any clubs running outside. Please do not allow children to climb up or over any fencing, and please encourage them to show respect towards residents in the surrounding properties by not shouting or screaming loudly. Thank you for your support.

Devon County Show

Ruffles and I will be on the Exeter School stand for most of the day tomorrow. We are located on Avenue A, stand 94. Two children under 16 go free with every adult ticket. Please do come along and say hello if you are there.

After half term

A reminder that Monday 1 June is a staff INSET day, so the school will be closed to pupils all day while we attend training over at Exeter School. Thursday 4 June is our summer open morning for prospective families, and on Friday 5 June Reception and Year 1 will be having a Beach School afternoon on Exmouth seafront – fingers crossed for good weather!

I hope you have a good half term break and look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday 2 June.

Mr Daniel Ayling

Diary Dates

23 May – Devon County Show

25-29 May – Half Term

1 June – Staff INSET day (school closed)

4 June – Open morning for prospective parents

5 June – Reception/Year 1 Beach School at Exmouth

25 June – Teddy Bears’ Picnic lunch

26 June – Whole school theatre trip

29 June – End of year reports issued

1 July – Transition afternoon

3 July 1.30pm – Sports Day

6 July – Year 2 trip (details to follow)

6 July 3pm – Informal parent drop-in

7 July 2.30pm – Summer showcase

8 July – End of term at 3.30pm

Term dates for 2026-27 are available to download from the school website.

 

Spotlight on Reception

This week, the children have continued to enjoy our topic on vehicles and transport. In phonics, the children have been impressing us with their knowledge of polysyllabic words and their growing confidence in recognising phase 3 sounds. In literacy, we have continued our work on The Magic Bed. The children have enjoyed exploring the story and have used exciting vocabulary to describe their favourite magical locations. We loved hearing about the imaginative places they would like to visit and the adventurous ideas they shared. In mathematics, the children have been exploring different ways to sort and group objects. They have been discussing similarities and differences, explaining their thinking and beginning to recognise patterns and relationships between groups. In art, the children have finished creating their transport-themed artwork, which we have proudly displayed in our classroom. Finally, the children thoroughly enjoyed their trip to iTown this morning. They fully immersed themselves in the different role-play situations and showed fantastic imagination, creativity and confidence throughout the visit. It would be fair to say that all of the children (and the staff!) had a wonderful time. We hope everyone has a lovely and restful May half term.

Mrs Rickard, Mrs Smyth and Miss Adams

 

Healthy snacks

As we move into the final half term of the school year, please may we remind parents about providing healthy playtime snacks. Snacks that are high in sugar and salt should be avoided. Please remember that sweets, chocolate and crisps are not allowed, in accordance with NHS guidelines. This includes dark chocolate. Items such as processed meats and cakes lack the nutritional value that children need to aid learning and concentration. Even some fruit strings and winders have very high sugar content.

We strongly encourage children to bring a small fruit or vegetable snack. Plain rice cakes or breadsticks are another healthy alternative. If your child is staying after school for clubs or late room, you are very welcome to pack them additional healthy snacks, which we will give them time to eat.

We also ask that every child brings a named water bottle to school so that they can stay well hydrated. Children are encouraged to refill their water bottles as needed throughout the day, and water is served in jugs and cups at the lunch table every day.

Please note that we are a nut-free school. Children are welcome to bring in individual cakes or cut-up tray bakes on special occasions such as birthdays, but please ensure these are nut-free for the safety of all children. Thank you for your continued support.

Stars of the Week

Four kids sit in a row in a library, each holding a 'Star of the Week' certificate with a teddy bear and bookshelves in the background.

Nursery

Edith

For always being such a helpful heron, supporting new children as they settle into Nursery, and being a kind and wonderful friend to everyone. Well done! 

Mrs Dray

Reception

Charlie

For impressing us with his super swimming skills. Well done!

Mrs Rickard & Mrs Smyth

Year 1

Benji

For excellent listening in class this week and for his super focus during his piano lesson. Well done!

Mr Lovett & Mrs Goodwill

Year 2

Estelle

For her lovely manners and for always being a kind and wonderful friend. Well done!

Miss Wheller

Housepoint totals

Brixham (yellow): 203

Bridgwater (green): 186

Bideford (blue): 142

Devonport (red): 128

Schoolblazer

Summer uniform is now available to purchase from Schoolblazer. Please note, there will also be a free delivery period from 29 June – 12 July. More information on the shopping and ordering process is available via here.

Visit the Schoolblazer website

News

Do you have a story or pupil achievement to share with our community?

If you have a couple of lines of information and a photograph that you and your child are happy to be shared we will try to post these at relevant times through the year.
Email our communications team

National Literary Festival - 22 May 26

RAF L6 Fire Training - 19 May 26

Girls' junior cricket vs Taunton School - 20 May 26

DofE Bronze Expedition - 8-9 May 26

4F trip to Branscombe - 8-10 May 26

Ten Tors 2026

U6 Graduation - 8 May 26

Full contingent CCF parade for 6F leavers - 1 May 26

Exeter School Cricket Girls' 15A vs Maynard School - 5 May 26

Exeter School Girls' Tennis vs Maynards School - 5 May 26

Donors' lunch - 25 Apr 26

1950s OE Event - 23 Apr 26

L5 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition - 25-26 Apr 26

Morocco trip - Apr 26

U6 Inflatables - 29 Apr 26

Chamber Concert at Sidbury - 24 Apr 26