Dear Families,

As we come to the end of another wonderful week at Chilton Primary School, I want to take a moment to thank you all for the warmth, positivity and encouragement you continue to show our staff and children each day. Seeing families arrive at the school gates with smiles, enthusiasm and kind words genuinely means a great deal to us. Schools thrive when there is a strong sense of partnership between home and school, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a caring and supportive community.

This week has been another fantastic one in school, including our first class assembly of the term. Year 5 absolutely blew us away with their confidence, knowledge and talent. They should be enormously proud of themselves, and I know many of you were too. Moments like these remind us all that education is about so much more than results on paper — it is about children finding their voice, growing in confidence and discovering what makes them special. I am already looking forward to welcoming more families into school over the coming weeks to celebrate the achievements of our other year groups.

Next week is an important one for our Year 6 children as SATs begin across the country. SATs week can often bring pressure and anxiety, not only for children but for families too. Whether people agree with statutory testing for 10 and 11-year-olds or not, schools are required by the Department for Education to administer these assessments. However, what matters most to us at Chilton is the message our children hear from the adults around them.

We are proud of every single child in this school.

We are proud of the child in Reception who has learned to come into school confidently each morning. We are proud of the child who has discovered a love of reading, and equally proud of the child who is still developing those skills and showing resilience every day. We are proud of children who excel academically, children who show kindness to others, children who overcome challenges quietly and bravely, and children who simply try their best each day.

SATs do not define our children, and they never will.

Of course, we want our pupils to be successful. We want them to achieve highly, to leave Chilton with strong foundations for secondary school and for the opportunities that lie ahead in life. Education opens doors, creates choices and helps children discover futures they may never have imagined for themselves. Aspiration matters, and we will always encourage our children to aim high.

But alongside academic success, there are things that matter just as deeply: personal development, happiness, confidence, character and wellbeing. Learning how to understand yourself, manage emotions, build healthy relationships and discover your passions are all fundamental parts of growing up and preparing for life beyond school.

That is the balance we work hard to achieve at Chilton every day.

So as we head into SATs week, our message to Year 6 is simple: come to school proud of yourselves, give your best effort and remember that you are already valued, respected and celebrated for who you are — not for a test score.

Most importantly, we want our children to enjoy their weekend, rest well, spend time with family and friends, and come into school next week feeling happy, calm and supported. There is no pressure from us. Our children are already success stories.

Finally, thank you — from Reception through to Year 6 — for the support you give not only to the school, but to your children every single day. The attitudes they show towards learning, kindness, ambition and personal growth begin with the love and encouragement they receive at home. Together, we are helping to shape thoughtful, resilient and compassionate young people, and that is something we should all be incredibly proud of.

Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Mr McAuley