Dear Prospective Parent/Carer,

Welcome! I am delighted to share with you all my first newsletter as Head of School. I have been in-post since the beginning of the summer term and have been thoroughly enjoying getting stuck into the role. I have been working on the policies, procedures, rules and routines that we will use at Heathside Walton, and have been reaching out to all the local primary feeder schools to arrange meetings with SENCOs and Inclusion leads so that I begin to understand the needs of our first cohort of pupils. Similarly, I have begun reviewing our curriculum to ensure that it challenges and inspires our students.

Over the course of this term, we will share information with parents that help ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Whilst the new school building is progressing, I am based at Heathside Weybridge, but I am fully devoted to the preparation for the opening of the free school. In this newsletter, we have some key updates on aspects of the school. I am sure I’ll get to meet and hear from many parents and carers over the next few weeks: which I really look forward to. 

We’re pleased to confirm that progress on the new building is coming along nicely. Many of you may have already seen the internal frame for the eastern wing of the new building rising up in the last few weeks – it certainly gives some sense of the scale of the new building.  

Work on establishing the temporary integrated mini-school will commence shortly too – watch this space! 

An important date for the diary! The year 7 induction day will be held at Brooklands College. Given that your child will be one of the first children to step into Heathside Walton School, the theme for the day will be ‘becoming a pioneer.’ All children will be taught for the day by the founding staff at Heathside Walton, who will be delivering a series of assemblies, lessons and workshops. A pop-up shop will be available in the afternoon to measure your child up for their Heathside Walton uniform. 

More detailed information will be sent out to parents in due course, once the final schedule for the day has been confirmed. 

If your child has a special educational need, finds coping with change difficult or is particularly nervous about starting secondary school, then these events may be beneficial. We will run Hurry to Heathside workshops on May 25th, June 8th and June 15th between 4-5pm. Parents and Carers can register interest in these transition events by contacting me directly at jclark@heathsidewalton.org.

Please also save the evening of 6th July for our parents information evening which will be held at Heathside School. More information on this will follow in due course. 

Best wishes – and I look forward to seeing you all in person soon.