Page 4 - Ad Astra Trust Newsletter 2025

Ayresome Primary

Ayresome continues to thrive with purposeful curriculum enhancements and exciting developments that
are embedding themselves deeply into daily school life. Inclusion and togetherness are woven through all
we do: which has been recognised for a third year by being awarded Centre of Excellence as part of our
Inclusion Quality Mark Award.
OPAL Expands - Our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) provision has taken an exciting leap forward this year and our playtime
provision now ensures that all children have access to high quality play with their friends and family right across school. In addition
to existing zones, such as sand area, creative arts and wheels, we have now added a digging and gravel area, a rope climbing
zone, and new structured games activities, which are already proving hugely popular. Pupils have even more choice, challenge,
and opportunities for physical and social development during lunchtime play. As staff become more embedded in the OPAL
mindset, we’re seeing a marked improvement in behaviour, creativity, and peer collaboration during lunch. A fabulous example of
TOGETHERNESS shining across our community, culminating in a showcase event for delegates to attend and see us in action!

Outdoor Learning Flourishes - Our Early Years / Y1 outdoor spaces continue to be a cornerstone of engaging, high-quality
provision. Throughout the year, staff confi dence in utilising and enhancing these areas has grown, and we’re seeing pupils
take increasing ownership of their outdoor learning including verbalising their journeys around their space. Rich learning
opportunities are emerging daily as staff become more creative and intentional in their planning, ensuring these spaces evolve
alongside the curriculum. In addition to this, other year groups are capitalising on some of the areas we now have to offer.
Enhancements and immersive experiences are giving our pupils an incredible education.
Celebrating BRITISH VALUES - Back in February, our whole Year 5 cohort from Ayresome Primary School showed
TOGETHERNESS when they joined other schools, as well as the excited crowds formed by members of the public, to welcome and
celebrate Royal visitors, King Charles and Queen Camilla, into Middlesbrough. As part of the celebrations, Year 5 were invited to
The National Literacy Trust reading event and Olivia received an award from Queen Camilla for her passion for reading.

Celebrating our inclusiveness within the Community - We continue to celebrate varying successes from within our community.
We are so proud of Hannah in Y5 for achieving Silver in the Under 11 Girls Regional Gymnastics competition. Our links within the
community continue to grow from strength to strength; Newport Community Hub providing a wealth of local resource to us and our
Facebook ‘live’ coffee mornings have had an extremely far reach to share important information in an inclusive manner.
Reading Together: Building Belonging Through Stories - This image captures one of our Teaching Assistants sharing a joyful
tea party and reading session with pupils - a simple moment that speaks volumes. It represents the inclusive and collaborative
culture that has grown around reading in our school this year. Through shared stories, verse performances, and a whole-
school embrace of reading for pleasure, we’ve seen staff and pupils come together in new and meaningful ways. Reading has
become not just an academic activity, but a communal experience - one that celebrates every voice and brings a deeper sense of
togetherness to our school community.
Our togetherness shines strongly across numerous areas in school. Working together to water plants in our new outdoor area,
learning about each other’s cultures and faiths, parents learning together the importance of Early Oral Hygiene, our youngest
children working together to implement our Tremendous Transitions - recognised by Paul Dix himself on Social Media! Parents
joining their children to create healthy packed lunch options are just some examples.

Mrs Haylock

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