It has been a very busy term and Christmas feels like a very long time ago, but we reflect on a very positive start to 2026. I thanked all the children in the school this morning for the effort and energy they have put into BPS life and congratulated them on the progress they have made and all they have achieved.
Praise and pride was shared for our Year 6 children who have achieved an astonishing haul of senior school offers and awards. It’s been wonderful to see senior schools recognising the whole child; their character, creativity, kindness and potential, not just the scores on papers, which were in themselves impressive! Many of the schools specifically commented on how passionate and articulate our children were, exemplifying our learner powers, which makes their achievements feel even more meaningful. In short, we’re celebrating another record-breaking year, with 88 offers, 34 scholarships, and over 30 children securing their first-choice school.
You may be aware that our end of term assemblies celebrate our Learner Powers, children from every year group are selected for demonstrating the characteristics and skills of our Learner Power animals. It was lovely to hear the breadth of achievements and subjects represented.
I also took the opportunity to thank the whole school community for the incredibly heartwarming welcome everyone has shown River since he came into our lives. I apologised for any pre-occupation he may have caused me as he settled into life as I learnt how to look after him and understand him; but a week on from his second vaccinations he has been able to be more visible and can be left for longer which has allowed me a little more freedom. We will continue to limit the places he visits and children will always have the option if they don’t want to engage with him, but we have already seen the incredibly positive impact he is having on our community.
One example I wanted to share with you came in the form of a remarkable “letter” written by Praneel in Year 5. The inspiration came from an assembly all about the environment and what we can do to support and protect wildlife. There was a gentle reminder to children to help look after River by helping to keep our school and wider environment tidy. This has prompted great curiosity about wider implications and responsibility by giving their learning a tangible example. I proudly share some exerts with Praneel’s permission and we will share his letter in full on our website (just as a caveat, River has not actually been in any classrooms, this is wishful thinking).
“Take a look around. We are incredibly lucky to go to a school that cares about our well-being not just through our lessons and exams, but through the actual environment we build together every single day. The atmosphere of a school isn’t just made of bricks and mortar; it’s a living ecosystem. It’s made of the respect we show the space, the people, and now, the newest member of our local food chain: River.
Recently, our school environment has gotten a whole lot brighter. River has already brought so many smiles to these hallways. Whether he’s wagging his tail during a stressful morning or just being a calming, quiet presence in the back of a classroom, he’s quickly become the heart of our school. He doesn’t care about your grades or if you’re having a bad hair day; he’s just happy you’re here. But being a part of a community is a two-way street. It means looking out for one another, and right now, River is the ultimate ‘canary in the coal mine’ for our school’s environmental health.
As many of you have noticed, River has one very specific, very dangerous hobby: he is a professional scavenger. To River, the floor isn’t just something to walk on; it’s a buffet. His nose is constantly to the ground, searching for his next ‘treasure.’ He doesn’t see a dropped plastic wrapper, a stray rubber band, or a discarded grape as rubbish – he sees them as snacks.
But here’s the part we need to take seriously. In nature, animals often mistake plastic and waste for food. We see it on the news with sea turtles and whales, but right here in our corridors, we are seeing that global environmental crisis on a smaller, more personal scale. What seems like a harmless bit of litter to us is a toxic pollutant in River’s world.
A clean school isn’t just about looking good for visitors. It’s about stewardship. Every piece of plastic we pick up is one less piece of waste that ends up in a landfill or a river – ironically, the very thing our dog is named after. By protecting River, we are practising the habits of environmental conservationists. Keeping our school clean has moved beyond ‘pride and respect’ – it is now about protection and sustainability.
So today, I’m officially asking every one of you to join the ‘River Watch.’ This is our school’s version of an environmental task force.”
Wise words, and if a little furball can be the motivator for this kind of responsible action, then his first school report should read “A positive start to his life at BPS”.
In staffing news, I am delighted to share that Miss Perry and her partner Jack are expecting a sibling for Hattie and Elsie later this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you and farewell to Mr Garland, who is leaving for a change in career, having been a very positive and effective Learning Assistant during his short time with us.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of staff, regardless of their role, for their continued dedication to maintaining such a well-run and welcoming school environment. I am sure they will all enjoy a well-deserved Easter break.
Thank you to the staff supporting the ski trip, which I myself am very excited about, the children will no doubt have an unforgettable experience, and to those running The Zone, providing families with a few extra days of valuable childcare.
Finally, thank you all for your ongoing support of the school. I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable, and relaxing Easter break.
Mr Chesworth (and River)
Headteacher
