Low Ash Primary

Welcome back! We hope you all had a lovely summer break. We have had a fantastic first week back in school and the children have settled really well into their new classes and back into their routines.

This week we welcomed our new staff to school - Mr Brannan (Year 6), Miss Hutchinson (Year 5) and Miss Bibi (Year 1) and also some of the new Nursery and Reception children (the rest will be starting next week). We hope they are all very happy at Low Ash.

A big well done to the first Stars of the Week for this year!

KS1 Stars of the Week

KS2 Stars of the Week

Monday 8th September - after school clubs begin

Monday 8th September - 4BY to start their swimming lessons

Thursday 18th September - Jeff Rich (from Status Quo) drumming workshop and assembly in school for Key Stage 2

Wednesday 24th September - Year 4 theatre trip

Wednesday 1st October - Year 4 local visit

Thursday 2nd October (2.45-3.15) - Phonics workshop for Reception parents and carers

Tuesday 7th October - Flu immunisations in school

Week beginning 13th October - 'Shipley Showcase' - local Geography week in school

Tuesday 21st October - Parent/carer family breakfast in school

Wednesday 22nd October - Parent consultation evening (3.45-7.15)

Thursday 23rd October - parent consultation evening (3.45-5.45)

Thursday 23rd October - Fluoride Varnish Nursery, Reception and Year 1

Friday 24th October - You are invited into your child's classroom from 3pm so they can share their learning with you

Friday 24th October - School closes for half term

Tuesday 11th November - 6W History trip

Friday 14th November - 6LG History trip

Tuesday 18th November - 6B History trip

A reminder that primary school attendance is legally required and good attendance and punctuality is crucial for academic success and overall wellbeing. Low Ash views attendance below 95% a concern and attendance below 90% can ultimately lead to legal action by the Local Authority as they have a duty to ensure every child receives a full-time education.

A further reminder that no holiday in term time can be authorized.

This week's school attendance is: 96.2%

KS1 class of the week is 1W with 99.6%.

KS2 class of the week is 3B with 100%!

Thank you to everyone who completed our questionnaire on pupil rewards. We are in the process of reviewing our rewards system in light of the feedback we received and hope to be in a position to share this with you soon, with a view to launching the new system after half term.

Golden Rules

We have simplified our Golden rules this year so that all pupils remember them. We have started to discuss what they mean and might look like in different contexts.

1. Be ready

2. Be respectful

3. Be safe

The UK Government's Emergency Alert System will be tested on Sunday, 7th September 2025 at 3:00 PM BST. We are aware of concerns about its potential impact on domestic abuse victims, particularly those with hidden phones. Please see below the key risks for domestic abuse victims, and information on opting out.

Key Risks for Domestic Abuse Victims

Loud alerts: The test will trigger a siren-like sound and vibration on mobile phones for about 10 seconds, even if the device is on silent
Hidden devices: For survivors who keep a concealed phone for safety or emergency contact, this alert could expose the device’s presence to an abuser
Technology-facilitated abuse: There are concerns that alerts could be misused by abusers to detect hidden phones, adding to the growing issue of technology-facilitated abuse

Further details and instructions on how to opt out can be found via the following links:

Emergency Alert Test: Frequently Asked Questions - GOV.UK

Opting out of emergency alerts - GOV.UK

We are very excited to announce that, after October half term, Low Ash will be joined by its newest member - Mabel - who will work as a therapy dog in school.

The dog, named Mabel, is a Labradoodle—a breed known for being hypo-allergenic, which makes her suitable for children with allergies. She is of a size which means she won’t pose a trip hazard in busy school corridors. Mabel will be gradually integrated into school life in a calm and structured way.

Thanks to the generous support of our families and community through recent fundraising efforts, the school has been able to fund intensive professional training for Mabel to ensure she is fully prepared for her role in school.

Why a Therapy Dog?

Research and experience from other schools show that therapy dogs can have a wide range of benefits for children, including:

Reducing anxiety and promoting emotional wellbeing
Supporting children with additional needs
Encouraging positive behaviour and empathy
Enhancing reading and communication skills through dedicated reading sessions
Providing comfort and companionship

Reassurance for Parents

We understand that some parents may have concerns about having a dog in school. Please be assured that:

Mabel will always be supervised and will not be allowed to roam freely
Children will only interact with Mabel in controlled settings
Her presence will be carefully managed to ensure the safety and comfort of all pupils

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will my child be required to interact with the dog?
No. Interaction with Mabel will be entirely optional and carefully supervised.

What if my child is afraid of dogs?
We understand that some children may feel nervous around dogs. Mabel will be introduced gradually and sensitively, and no child will be forced to interact with her. Staff will support children in feeling safe and comfortable.

What about allergies?
Mabel is a Labradoodle, a breed known for being hypo-allergenic. However, if your child has serious allergies or sensitivities, please let us know so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Where will Mabel be during the school day?
Mabel will have a designated quiet space in school and will only be present in classrooms or shared areas during planned, supervised sessions.

Is the dog properly trained?
Yes. Mabel has undergone intensive professional training funded by the school through recent fundraising efforts. She is being trained specifically for work in busy, noisy environments.

We are very excited about the positive impact Mabel will have on our school community and look forward to sharing updates with you as she settles in. For those of you who remember Mr. Nowakowski's dog who spent some time with Low Ash 2 or 3 years ago, you will remember the immense benefits it brought to the children.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Please meet Mabel

Below you will find links to some free events which are taking place in Bradford in September - the Story Bus, art workshops at the Beacon in Lister Park and and a mobile adventure playground at the Beacon in Lister Park.

National Literacy Trust Stories Bus | Bradford 2025

Let’s Make | Bradford 2025

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground | Bradford 2025