Changes to Free School Meals
REMINDER 🚨 IMPORTANT: Free School Meals Rules are Changing! 🚨Please read this update carefully, as all current Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility under the old rules will end on August 31st. To ensure your child continues to receive free school meals at the start of the new term in September, everyone needs to reapply. Old protections are ending, which means if you do not reapply and get verified, your child’s free meals will stop. 🌟 The Big Change: Expanded Eligibility for Universal Credit There is great news for many families. Starting this September, the government has expanded eligibility. The old earnings threshold is gone. * If you are in receipt of Universal Credit at any level (regardless of how much you earn), your child is now entitled to free school meals. This change means hundreds of thousands of additional children who missed out before will now qualify. 💻 The Application Portal is LIVE NOW! Do not wait until September. The portal is open right now, and applying early ensures everything is set up before the first day of school. Who needs to apply? Every family wanting free school meals from September—including those currently receiving them and those who are newly eligible under Universal Credit. How to apply: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-and-pupil-support/free-school-meals Take action today so your child doesn't miss out on a single meal! If you have any questions or need help with the online form, please contact the school office.
Get ready to Read to the Beat at Blackburn with Darwen Libraries this summer.
Get ready to Read to the Beat at Blackburn with Darwen Libraries this summer. Blackburn with Darwen Libraries annual Summer Reading Challenge for children age 4 – 12 years gets underway from 1st July, with children encouraged to read and rate six library books before 30th September, collecting stickers and prizes along the way. Audio books, eBooks and eAudio (on our BorrowBox app) can all count towards the final total, and this year children can mix and match with a range of reading related challenges too. Enrolment is completely FREE of charge, so don’t delay! Visit your nearest Blackburn with Darwen Library from 1st July onwards and get your Read to the Beat challenge started. Read to the Beat is a partnership between local libraries, The Reading Agency and Universal Music Group.
Year 1 - Maths - Recognising Coins
Year one have been learning all about money! Today we have been exploring different coins. We have ordered them by size and value. The children really enjoyed exploring the coins and discussing their value. They made great links to when they have spent money at the shop, or to coins they have at home. The children then had to match the coin to its value. Parents, help us keep the learning going at home! Next time you're handling change, ask your child if they can spot the difference between a 1p and a £1 coin. What’s their favourite coin to save?
Year 1 - Geography - Recognising Human and Physical Features in a Non European Country
Our brilliant Year 1s have been turning into mini-geographers this week! As part of our Kapow curriculum, we’ve hopped across the globe (metaphorically, of course!) to explore the incredible city of Shanghai. The children have been learning all about the difference between human features (things built by people) and physical features (things made by nature) in a non-European country.
Year 1 - RE - Naming Things in Nature That are Amazing, Interesting or Puzzling.
Our Year 1 explorers were out in nature today on a special quest. As part of our RE lessons on Creation, we have been looking closely at the world around us and naming things that we find amazing, interesting, or puzzling. From the intricate patterns on a leaf to the vast, changing shapes of the clouds, our children have been full of wonder and curiosity about the natural world.
Y1 - English - To Write a Prediction
Year 1 started their new English topic this week, The Last Wolf. The children went on the hunt for a wolf after Mrs Murray told us there had been reports of one on the loose! The children gathered clues, including a red cloak, an apple, a bin bag and a log. Using these, the children wrote a prediction of what they thought our story eould be about.
Year 1 - Computing - To Know What Technology is Around School
Our Year 1 pupils have been brilliant tech detectives in their Computing lessons this week. Using Purple Mash, the children have been exploring how technology works, learning to identify various electronics and digital devices right here in our school. They took a walk around the building to spot everything from interactive screens and laptops to everyday digital tools that help our school run smoothly. It is fantastic to see our youngest learners developing their digital literacy and understanding how technology connects to the world around them. #Computing #Year1 #PurpleMash #PrimaryTech #DarwenStJames
Year 1 - Geography - Identifying Human and Physical Features
Today, our Year 1 adventurers kicked off their brand-new Geography topic: What is it like to live in Shanghai? To start our learning, we went on a local walk to hunt for human and physical features in our school's neighbourhood. The children did a fantastic job spotting everything from trees and grass (physical) to fences, roads, and buildings (human)! Next week, we will be using our brilliant fieldwork notes to create our very own maps before we start comparing our local area to the bustling city of Shanghai! A huge well done to Year 1 for their excellent behaviour and sharp eyes today. Check out some photos from our busy afternoon! #Year1 #PrimaryGeography #Fieldwork #LocalArea #SchoolCommunity
New Active Uniform!
We are thrilled to announce a fresh, modern update to our school uniform policy starting this coming September. After careful consideration and from feedback from the parental questionnaire, we are transitioning to a full active uniform. This change is designed to simplify your mornings, reduce overall costs, and—most importantly—ensure our pupils are ready for movement, play, and learning every single day. The active uniform replaces the traditional split between formal wear and PE kits. By moving to a single, versatile wardrobe, we aim to provide: ● Increased Physical Activity: pupils can jump straight into sports or active play without the need for changing breaks. ● Cost-Effectiveness: One set of clothes for the whole week means fewer items to purchase. ● Comfort and Focus: High-quality, flexible clothing helps students stay comfortable and focused on their studies. A Special Note for Year 6: To celebrate their final year, Year 6 pupils will not require the half-zip red top. Instead, they will be provided with their Leavers Hoodies to wear as their outer layer throughout the entire academic year! We also have some exciting news regarding our school identity! We are hoping to update the school badge this year, which means the branding on the new uniform items may change as we roll out the fresh design. Because of this—and to support our families—we are treating the 2026-2027 academic year as a transition year. If you have old uniform items that you still need to use, it is perfectly fine for your child to wear them during this first year. There is no pressure to buy the new badged items immediately if your current ones still fit. We want to ensure that no clothing goes to waste and that the move to the Active Uniform is as stress-free as possible for your budget. Our badged items (the half-zip sports tops and badged T-shirts, along with black track pants and shorts) are available on our official uniform website as usual. All other items, such as plain black bottoms and trainers, can be sourced from any retailer of your choice, provided they meet the no branding requirement. We truly believe this shift will foster a more energetic and inclusive environment for our children.
Year 1 and 2 trip to Imagine That!
Year 1 and 2 had an amazing trip to Imagine That! in Liverpool on Monday. From imaginative play to slime making, science experiments to magical snow, the day was jam packed with fun and excitement for everyone - including the teachers! Well done Year 1 and 2 for your incredible behaviour and amazing curiosity that you showed throughout the day.
Y1 - Fluency Bee - Finding Half
This week in Y1 the children have been learning about finding half of an object. This has been our focus in maths and Fluency Bee. Using a range of different resources, the children have been exploring finding half of a total number and then representing this using a number sentence.
Year 1 - Fluency Bee -Finding Doubles
Year 1 have been using the Rekenreks to support their understanding of finding and representing doubles. The children used the Rekenreks to represent the double number and then we put this into a number sentence. The children also represented the double using their fingers.
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