"I loved the skipping race, it was so good!" Esme, Kingfishers

"I really liked all of the activities, and I liked that everyone had so much fun!" Ella, Kingfishers

"My favourite activities were Long Jump and the Sprints. I liked knowing that some of my family were in the audience with everyone cheering us on." Etty, Swallows

Year 6 Leavers' Service

"On the 17th of June, Kites class went to Guilford Cathedral where a Yr 6 Leavers’ Service was held. Bishop Paul spoke to the congregation, which was made up of lots of schools in the area; he spoke about new chapters and his own life.

First, prayer space was hosted by members of the Church community; stations were dotted around the Cathedral. These were designed to remind us of our favourite memories from our primary schools. During one of the activities, we created stick men from pipe cleaners - this represented giving thanks for the many people who have helped us through our primary years.

Another station was called “looking forward”. We thought of things that we were looking forward to as we start secondary school and wrote them on the back of multicoloured stars. Next we embarked on the station termed “regret”; we were given muddy stones to represent a mistake we regretted - a metaphor that really helped us think deeply. Then, one by one, we washed these muddy stones in a bucket of water to show that we were starting afresh; following a new path.

After prayer space, we sat in rows with our school and sang songs. During one of the hymns Cora, Audrey and Arlo S held the Grayswood Standard; and walked up the aisle amongst the other schools. In his sermon, Bishop Paul talked about his previous job as a lifeguard and how going out on the sea at night to save a life used to slightly scare him. It was a metaphor about dark and light; and that God is there to guide us- we just need to reflect and make space for Him.

As we left Guilford Cathedral, Bishop Paul said goodbye and wished us luck on our journey to secondary school."

By Tils, Cressida, Isaac and Dylan."

After we ate bread, we walked to a big eucalyptus tree and had lunch while watching act 3, all about the last supper. It was a really enjoyable day. The acting was top-notch! Thank you to Reverend Fi for hosting this special trip to help end our time at Grayswood."

By Tilly, Olivia and Leo

SAVE THE DATE: 

GRAYSWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL POP-UP RESTAURANT 2026

After three previous successful evenings, we are delighted to announce that the Grayswood Pop-Up Restaurant will be opening its doors once again for one night only in 2026.

For one exclusive evening, Grayswood Primary School hall will be transformed into a vibrant restaurant delivering an unforgettable dining experience for family and friends of the school.

Top quality seasonal produce will be cooked up by parent and chef, Dan Britten, supported by parent Tom Gibson of Provenance Butchers and stunning room dressing courtesy of parent and governor Anna Rolfe.

Guests can look forward to a delicious four course meal with wine and great company as our team takes charge of front-of-house duties.

Date: Saturday 28th November 2026
Time: Welcome drinks will be served from 6pm
Venue: Grayswood Primary School

As always, places are limited and demand is always high. 

Every ticket purchased goes towards valuable funds for the school, supporting resources and experiences that benefit all our children.

Whether you are a returning guest or joining us for the first time, we promise an evening full of Grasywood community spirit, laughter and fantastic service from our restaurateurs.

£75 per person for meal and drinks and booking details can be found here https://www.ticketsource.com/grayswood-primary-school/t-plmxoqr 

We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be another wonderful Grayswood School Pop-Up Restaurant experience.

Staff News

We are pleased to share the news of two new appointments to the School. Sarah Christian and Jo Tipton will be joining the team as 1:1 LSAs from September, providing support for one of our pupils. They will both be familiar faces to most of you I'm sure!

In addition to Mrs Ireland, who will be taking early retirement at the end of this year, we also sadly say goodbye to Mrs Draper, our current Wrens teacher as she comes to the end of her maternity cover, and Mrs Lake, one of our HLTAs. We would like to thank them all for everything they have done for us at Grayswood; they will be missed! 

And then Mrs Trask will head off on Maternity Leave mid September. We wish the Trask family all the very best, and can't wait to meet the new addition!

Could You Be Our Next Parent Governor?

Grayswood CE Primary School is looking for a new Parent Governor. A background in finance would be a huge bonus, but not essential. If you would like to join us and become more involved in the future of our school, please contact adminoffice@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk

One of the most significant experiences a child will encounter as they grow is ‘transition’ and one of the biggest transitions will be moving to a new educational setting. Whilst children move to a new school, parents will be transitioning too. Full of excitement and promise, it can also be a little daunting…

• Involve your child as much as possible ahead of the move. Get to know your new school by looking at the website together and taking opportunities to visit the school site to become familiar with the new layout
• Be positive about the move and talk to your child about the great opportunities they will have at their new school.  Look at the website and find out about all the clubs and activities they can join
• Keep talking to your child and answer any questions they may have about their new school. Younger children in particular may worry about practical details like where to put their bags, and what happens if they need to go to the toilet, so finding out this information before they start should alleviate their worries
• For younger children help them practice becoming more independent during the school summer holidays for example, practice using cutlery, carrying a plate of food, hand washing, dressing and undressing and putting shoes and coats on and off

Books on starting school - books can help children with the concept of starting school and are recommended for younger children.  Most can be obtained from your local library.

Tips for Parents

Get involved in School life yourself! If you have spare time, then why not volunteer with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which is called FROGS here at Grayswood, and start to get to know other staff and parents.

You could ask your child if they would like to invite over some children for a playdate during the summer school holidays to help them make friends.

As a parent please do not feel that you can’t ask us questions (no question is silly)! Email is usually the preferred method of contact as teachers are busy teaching during the day. The admin office email is usually the most monitored email.

Top Tips for Secondary School

• Do trial runs: Practice the journey together, figuring out bus routes, walking paths, and safe meeting spots
• Master the canteen: Practice topping up and using the school’s payment system (often biometric or a cashless card) so lunchtimes are stress-free   
• Pack the night before: Build the habit of packing the school bag and laying out the uniform the evening prior. Encourage your pre-teen to start becoming independent and praise success. The aim is for them to be responsible for their own equipment, PE kit, homework etc over time.
• Rehearse a new morning routine: Adjust bedtimes and alarm clocks a week or two before term starts to get used to the secondary school schedule.

For parents of secondary age children

Communication and opportunity to meet other parents significantly changes at secondary and this can feel a bit like a loss for parents. No more physical collection in the playground and chance to meet other parents, which may feel strange.  Try to keep in touch with other parents in your child’s class - this will help reduce isolation and keep informed. 

Helpful resources

For student friendly advice visit BBC Bitesize:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z7vcpg8

For parents of secondary age children then Young Minds has lots of resources around transitions and times of change:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/transitions-and-times-of-change/

Stars of the Week

Nancy, whole of Woodpeckers class, Sebbie, Mylo, Grace B, Mila Y, Willoughby, William Br, Bella T, Fleur

School Value Awards

Lily H

Just to remind parents/carers of our attendance policy. If you take your child/children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), then the following will apply:

1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.

Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.