The highlight of the children's week was obviously Friday when they supported Children in Need. The school council organised the day and invited children to 'Wear Spots' for the day and bring in a pound towards this worthy charity. They also organised a cake stall for the end of the day which was well supported. Many thanks to all the children and adults who helped make the day a success. Next week I'll tell you how much we raised and post a few photographs too.

Mrs Ainsworth was Forest School Training again this week which I know will have a great impact on the Outdoor Learning Programme(OLP) for Foundation and Key Stage 1 children. The OLP is working well in Key Stage 2 organised and run by Mrs Postlethwaite.Mr White and I attended a course on 21st Century Curriculum run by Chris Quigley. It was an inspirational day and also reassuring in many ways because it was very much in line with what we are trying to achieve at Kentisbeare. We came away with fresh ideas to discuss with staff.Throughout the year staff attend courses and meetings some of them compulsory but others to extend their own professional development and enrich the learning for our children.

Also last week I spent many hours in meetings with colleagues from neighbouring schools and at the Devon Association of Primary Headings briefing. Much of the discussion and concern was about how schools will continue to meet the needs of the children in this period of financial restraint. During the last 12 years budgets have increased and many initiatives have been introduced into schools. Daily I hear on the news ' what's in and what's now out' but many of the things we have introduced at Kentisbeare work well. We are all experiencing a period of uncertainty under new leadership but one thing is for sure all schools will be expected to cut spending costs but increase efficiency.

Don't forget Next Friday 26th November is another non-uniform day. For the privilege of wearing what you like children need to bring a bottle for the Tombola at the Christmas Fayre, which is on Friday 3rd December 6-8pm.