2025 Autumn #3

Genes for Jeans Non-uniform Day

We’re excited to celebrate Jeans for Genes Day next Friday (19 September). Children are invited to wear jeans or non-uniform and donate £1 to support Genetic Disorders UK – a wonderful way to raise awareness for children affected by genetic conditions and fund vital support services.

Plus – our Collective Worship next week will incorporate themes of kindness, compassion, and caring for others, helping our children connect the values of the day in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.

Thank you for your support in making this day both fun and purposeful!

Donate a Toy thank you

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all families for your generous donations during our recent Donate A Toy non-uniform day. Because of your kindness, many new play items have already been distributed to our playgrounds, and the children are absolutely loving their new equipment.

Your support means the world to us and makes a real difference to our school community.

Thank you again for helping to make this possible.

Wraparound Care – Breakfast Club Times

It has been lovely to see so many children joining us for Breakfast Club in the mornings. We are delighted that the provision is supporting families and giving children a positive start to the day.

Just some gentle reminders:

• Breakfast Club doors open at 7:50am. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept children before this time, as staff will be preparing the provision.
• The last entry to Breakfast Club is at 8:20am, so please ensure children arrive before this time if they are attending. Children who arrive after this time will enter school at 8:40am when teachers open the school doors to begin the school day.
• Please can we ask that children do not bring food with them to eat during Breakfast Club. If they have a snack for breaktime, it should remain in their lunchbox or bookbag until needed. This helps us to make sure that breakfast is served fairly to everyone, avoids confusion about what has been provided by school, and supports children with healthy routines and allergies.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us keep Breakfast Club running smoothly.

School Photographs

A photographer will be in school on Monday (22 September) to take individual photos of the children and siblings.  Photographs of siblings within school will be taken during school hours along with pictures of individual children.  If you have children with pre-school/younger siblings these family portraits will be taken before school in the hall.  Please come to the main doors from 8.30am.

If your child has PE/after school sports club on Monday, they should come to school dressed in their uniform and bring their PE kit in with them to change in to.

Year 6 – Secondary School Admissions – Starting September 2026

The closing date to apply for a place at Thomas Telford School is 22 September 2025 (4.00pm).  Year 7 admission documentation can be download from their website www.tts.online.net.

The closing date to apply for a place at all other secondary schools is 31 October 2025.  If you live in Telford & Wrekin applications should be completed online at School admissions – Telford & Wrekin Council  If you live in Shropshire applications should be completed online at Apply to start or transfer school | Shropshire Council

Please refer to individual school websites for open day/evening arrangements, which take place throughout September and October.

Telford & Wrekin Council strongly advise that you apply to four local schools including your nearest or catchment area school.

Flu Immunisation (Flu Spray)

The Shropshire NHS Team will be in school on Wednesday 1 October to administer the Nasal Flu vaccinations (flu spray) in school.

A letter about the vaccination programme has been sent home with your child today.  Please click on the link below to complete the eConsent for your child or use the QR code on the letter.

https://www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/rte.aspx?id=11910&vax=FLU&school=Coalbrookdale%20and%20Ironbridge%20CofE%20Primary%20School&sc=123542

The eConsent link will close at 9am on Wednesday 24 September.

More information about the Children’s flu vaccine can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

Friends of Coalbrookdale – Annual AGM – Friday 3rd October, 6:00pm @ The White Hart, Ironbridge

Join us for our Annual General Meeting.

This is a chance to:

• Review last year’s fundraising
• Approve outstanding funding requests
• Meet the charity trustees, parents, and teachers

We look forward to seeing you there!

Friends News: Have Your Say – Friends of Coalbrookdale Annual Survey!

The Friends of Coalbrookdale PTFA would love to hear from all our parents, carers and guardians.

Your feedback helps us plan events, improve communication, and decide how best to support our school community. Please take a few minutes to complete our annual survey – your views really do make a difference!

Take part here: https://s.surveyplanet.com/zpryevin

Prize Draw! As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw to win a dining voucher for a local pub.

Thank you for your time and continued support – together we can make Coalbrookdale an even better place for our children to learn and thrive.”

After School Clubs – Autumn 1

The following clubs start next week:

Monday:  Football with Embrace (Years 1 – 6) (15 Sept – 20 Oct; 6 sessions – £21.00) (max 20 children) – LIMITED SPACES

Tuesday:  Tag Rugby Embrace (Years 1 – 6) (16 Sept – 21 Oct; 6 sessions – £21.00) (max 20 children)

Wednesday:  Multi-sports with Embrace (Years 1 – 6) (17 Sept – 22 Oct; 6 sessions – £21.00) (max 20 children) – LIMITED SPACES

For all clubs, please complete the permission link sent out via Seesaw.

Please return payment (cash / cheque) to the school office in a named envelope before the 1st session.  Payment can also be made by bank transfer.  Contact the school office for details.

Parents will only be contacted if your child has NOT got a place on a club.

All clubs finish at 4.20pm

Moments Matter – Attendance Counts

Highest class attendance for week ending 5 September:  Reception, Year 1, Year 3 & Year 4

Parish News – Help save Coalbrookdale Church Organ

Holy Trinity’s 18th Century organ is in urgent need of restoration with the whole structure in danger of collapse.  Please click on the link below on how you can help.

Coalbrookdale Church Organ

Parish News – Harvest Thanksgiving at St Luke’s this Sunday

St Luke’s is delighted to open its doors after refurbishment work, to welcome people in for a Harvest Thanksgiving Service this Sunday 14th September.

We similarly hope that as doors have opened at nurseries and schools across the area, children and young people have had a lovely start to the new term.

The service will start at 1100am and conclude at noon with a bring and share lunch and refreshments.

May we also invite families to bring small items for donation to the local food bank, as part of our thanksgiving service.

There will be colouring and decorating activities for children, at the red activity tables at the side of the church.  Children are welcome to either sit at the tables or sit with their families in pews.  There are also books and toys available for younger children to play with in the church.

We hope to see children and their families there, and to share our refreshments after the service has finished.

Bible reading: Genesis 1:27-31a

Hymns:

1. We plough the field and scatter: hymn 719
2. Come you thankful people come: hymn 133
3. For God so Loved the world (by John Hardwick)
4. Let us with a gladsome mind: hymn 392
5. Now thank we all our God: hymn 474

Community News – Darby Road, Coalbrookdale resurfacing

We will shortly be carrying out carriageway resurfacing on Darby Road, Coalbrookdale. Works will be completed by Balfour Beatty and specialist sub-contractors Premier Surfacing, Quantum Traffic Management, Onsite, and WJ Lining.

When are we planning to deliver this work?

The work is due to take place on 15/09/2025 and be completed by 19/09/2025 (weekdays only) weather permitting. The works will be carried out under a road closure, which will be place between 08:00-17:00 on weekdays. Please click on the link below for the proposed diversion route for these works.

Darby Road Carriageway Improvements

Balfour Beatty will be the lead delivering this work in partnership with the Council and our details are below, for any questions or queries relating to this scheme please contact us at our highways hub:

TelfordHighways@balfourbeatty.com

Community News – Back to School – Health Information for Parents

With children getting back to school, it’s a good time for parents to familiarise themselves with some of the common diseases that could cause illness, including serious illness, and disrupt children’s studies.

Teach good hygiene habits

Good hygiene stops infections from spreading, which means less disrupted learning time.

Teach your child to wash hands properly for 20 seconds, use tissues for coughs and sneezes, and stay away from others when sick. Letting in fresh air can also reduce the spread of airborne viruses. The e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits – and why they are important – to your child or teenager.

Know how to spot the signs

There are various types of illnesses to watch out for at this time of year; here are a few common ones:

Scarlet fever cases usually peak in the late winter and early spring.  The most common symptoms of scarlet fever  include sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, a bumpy rash on the chest and tummy with a sandpaper-like feel, flushed cheeks and “strawberry tongue”. If you suspect your child has scarlet fever, contact your local GP. Getting antibiotics quickly greatly reduces the risk of scarlet fever causing a more serious infection.  Keep children away from nursery or school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

Since autumn 2023 there have been a number of major measles outbreaks in England. Measles can be a very serious disease for some children and tragically, it can even cause fatalities. The initial symptoms of measles are similar to those for a cold (runny nose; a cough; sneezing; a high temperature; and red, sore, watery eyes) this is followed by white spots in the mouth a few days later, and by a rash on the face and body a few days after that. It’s very unlikely to be measles if your child has had both doses of the MMR vaccine or they’ve had measles before.  If you think your child has measles call NHS 111 or your GP (call ahead to avoid risking infecting others in waiting rooms).

Chickenpox can also spread in schools at any time of year and are highly contagious. An itchy, spotty rash is the main symptom of chickenpox. It can be anywhere on the body. It’s important for anyone with chickenpox not to go near new-born babies or anyone who’s pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.

If you child has diarrhoea and/or vomiting it’s usually a viral illness such as norovirus caused by person-to-person spread.  Keep them at home until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

Ensure your child is up to date with vaccinations

Vaccines provide the best protection against many common but potentially serious illnesses. Over the past decade, fewer children are getting routine vaccines, putting them at risk of serious disease. This also leaves schools vulnerable to outbreaks and increases pressure on the NHS.

If your child is up to date with their NHS vaccination schedule, they will already be protected against diseases like whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella throughout their school career, as most provide lifelong immunity.

Unvaccinated children are at higher risk of contracting these illnesses and having more severe symptoms than vaccinated classmates. They can also spread diseases to others. Check your child’s red book or contact your GP surgery to ensure they are up to date on all vaccines.

School-age children and young people are offered the following vaccinations:

Flu: A different flu vaccine is needed every year and is given as a quick and painless nasal spray. Flu vaccination is being offered to all school-age children up to year 11 and for children aged 2 and 3.  When you get the electronic or paper consent form, please make sure you return it, so your child doesn’t miss their nasal spray vaccination session.

HPV: At age 12 to 13, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered to protect against viruses that can cause genital warts or cancer.

MenACWY: 13- to 15-year-olds are offered this vaccine against meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. This is usually given in year 9 or 10 along with the 3-in-1 teenage booster.

Know when to keep your child at home

It’s fine to send your child to school or nursery with a minor cough or common cold if they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature. But if your child has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better, and the fever has resolved.

If they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.

It is no longer recommended that children and young people are routinely tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional. But if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test. Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.

The NHS has a useful guide to help parents decide whether a child is well enough to go to school, based on their symptoms.

Through these preventative measures, and by recognising illnesses promptly, you can help your child stay healthy and keep school absences to a minimum this term.

Health Protection Hub
Telford & Wrekin Council
September 2025

Community News – Pharmacy First can help families – a new service available in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

Did you know there is a new NHS service available in ALL pharmacies across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and most pharmacies nationally?

It’s called Pharmacy First and could help children and colleagues get well and back to nursery/school/work quicker.

If you, your child, or a family member is feeling poorly, ‘Think Pharmacy First’. Your local pharmacy is a great place to get healthcare advice and treatment. Pharmacies are easy to reach, usually located within local communities, and often open evenings and weekends.

Your local pharmacist can treat you and give you medicines for minor illnesses like coughs, colds and eye infections without you having to wait to see a doctor first. It can be quicker to see your pharmacist than your GP.
Pharmacists can help if you have:

• Sinusitis – sinus infection which can be a blocked or bunged-up nose as well as pain/pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead (aged 12 years and over)
• A dry, scratchy, or sore throat which can also include pus-filled spots or white patches on your tonsils (aged 5 and older)
• Earache, which may feel sore, itchy and blocked, and you may also have a high temperature (aged 1 to 17 years)
• Infected insect bites which can include redness, weepiness, swelling and is hot to touch the skin (aged 1 year and older)
• Impetigo, which can give you itchy, weeping sores that become crusty, commonly around the nose, lips and chin (aged 1 year and older)
• Shingles, which can give you a painful rash and make you feel unwell (aged 18 years and over).
• A urinary tract infection which can feel like a burning or a pain when you pee (women aged 16 to 64 years)

Advice is free and confidential, and the pharmacy will send your GP an electronic update so that this can be recorded on your health record. Normal prescription charges and exemptions (those who do not have to pay, including children) will apply.

If the pharmacy team can’t help you, they will tell you by referring you to an appropriate healthcare setting.

Did you also know? To prevent unintended pregnancy, you can get a birth control pill from your pharmacy without the need for a GP prescription, which is free from the point when you first start your period.

This can help if you:

• Want to start the birth control pill for the first time
• Want to retake the birth control pill after a break from using it
• Or if you’re running out of your pill and need more tablets to prevent missing any days of contraceptive cover.

Pharmacies can give you the same sorts of birth control pills as GPs.  You can visit the NHS England site to find a pharmacy near you that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription.

For more information on how your community pharmacy can help, visit: Think ‘Pharmacy First’ – New Advanced Pharmacy Service Now Available.