Important Update: Conversion to Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust Dear Parents and Carers
I am writing to formally confirm an important update regarding the future of our school community.
Following a parent consultation that took place on 4 July 2024 and approval from the Department for Education, Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary School will officially convert to become part of the Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust (DHMAT) on 1 June 2026. As part of this conversion, the school’s name will become:
“Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge Church of England Primary Academy”
We wanted to ensure that the name of the school remained as close as possible to our current identity, keeping the uniqueness, history and strong sense of community that makes our school so special.
Over the past three years, we have already been working closely alongside DHMAT, building strong relationships and benefiting from collaboration, support and shared opportunities. Because of this, parents and children are unlikely to notice any significant day-to-day changes when the conversion formally takes place.
Importantly:
our staff team will remain the same,
our values and ethos will remain the same,
our curriculum offer will remain the same,
there will be no changes to school uniform,
there will be no changes to term dates,
and we will continue to make decisions based on what is right for the children and families within our school community.
This next step provides us with further opportunities to strengthen school improvement, collaborate with other schools and continue providing the very best education and support for our children, whilst still maintaining the individuality and identity of Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge.
As the conversion date is planned for 1 June 2026, which is the day we return after half term, we would also like to mark this important milestone positively as a school community. We are currently exploring ways to celebrate the occasion with the children and will share further details with you soon.
We understand that families may have questions regarding the conversion process and what this means for the school. However, I would like to reassure you that our priority remains exactly the same: ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, supported and able to flourish within our school community.
If you would like any further information, we would like to invite parents and carers to an open coffee afternoon on Friday 22 May 2026 at 3:30pm in the school hall, where there will be an opportunity to chat informally with Mrs Dhaliwal and Mrs Postance. We will also be joined by Andrew Teale, Chief Executive Officer of DHMAT, who will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding the conversion.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Kind regardsMrs M Dhaliwal
A Message of Congratulations to Year 6 This week, our Year 6 children have shown outstanding perseverance, responsibility, and a wonderful attitude as they completed their SATs tests. We are incredibly proud of the way they approached each day with determination and maturity.
A huge thank you must also go to all the staff involved in supporting the children and ensuring the smooth running of the SATs week – from setting up the rooms to providing encouragement and calm reassurance throughout.
While the SATs mark a significant moment in Year 6, they are just one part of the journey. In the weeks ahead, our focus will be on continuing to prepare the children for their transition to secondary school. This includes building confidence, fostering independence, and developing the key skills they’ll need to thrive in the next chapter of their education.
We’re also looking forward to speaking with the children’s secondary schools as we approach the end of term, sharing their successes and ensuring a smooth and informed transition for each of them.
We look forward to supporting and celebrating every step of their journey.
Pentecost Service – Wednesday 20 May Year 5 will be celebrating Pentecost at Holy Trinity Church, Coalbrookdale next Wednesday, 20 May. All school children will attend, and we would like to invite parents/carers to join us. If you can walk to church with your child’s class please let their class teacher know.
The service will start at 2.00pm.
All children will walk back to school and should be collected as normal at the end of the day.
Whole school visit to Aberdyfi Beach – 21 May If your child would like to buy a cone of chips during the visit, please send in £2.85 (cash) with the permission slip. We’ll keep the money safe at school until it’s needed on the day.
If you’ve already returned the permission slip without the payment —please send the cash in by next Wednesday.
Thank you
Embrace After School Clubs – Summer 2 We are delighted to announce that we will be running a range of exciting after school clubs at Coalbrookdale Primary School this half term, designed to keep children active, engaged, and building new skills.
Our KS2 Summer Sports will take place on Mondays from 3:20 – 4:20pm, each week, pupils will take part in engaging sessions featuring a mix of traditional and summer-inspired games, including races, team challenges, throwing activities, and skill-based exercises.
On Tuesdays from 3:20 – 4:20pm, we will be running our KS1 Summer Sports , a programme designed to help children stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a variety of fun sporting activities.
Our KS2 Cricket Club will run on Wednesdays from 3:20 – 4:20pm, children will take part in fun and engaging sessions focusing on key cricket skills such as batting, bowling, fielding, and game awareness. Through a variety of drills, small-sided games, and match play, pupils will build their technique while also developing teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship in a supportive environment.
All clubs will run for the full half term at a cost of £24.50 per child for all 7 sessions.
These clubs are a fantastic opportunity for children to stay active, develop new skills, and have fun with their friends. Spaces may be limited, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.
If you would like your child to take part, please follow the link below:
https://embrace.ipalbookings.com
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@theembracegroup.co.uk . We’re happy to help.
Embrace Group
Friends News – £25 Challenge – Reminder! 💰 Our Friends of Coalbrookdale £25 Challenge has been running throughout the 2025/26 school year , and we are reminding everyone that there is still time to take part!
Each child was challenged to raise £25 using their creativity and entrepreneurial skills. From baking and craft sales to car washes and sponsored activities, we’ve loved seeing the fantastic ideas pupils have come up with so far.
Our overall fundraising target is £4,000 , and thanks to everyone’s efforts we have currently raised £515 .
🏆 Current Class Leaderboard 1st Place – Year 1: £3502nd Place – Year 3: £165
There’s still plenty of time for other classes to climb the leaderboard, so keep those ideas coming! Every pound raised helps support exciting opportunities for the children at school lie next week’s whole school trip to the beach and the Christmas panto visit.
Don’t forget the class who raises the most by the summer fair on the 10 July, wins a class reward in the last week of term.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far – we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings! 🎉
Moments Matter – Attendance Counts Highest class attendance for week ending 8 May: Year 6
Most improved class attendance from the previous week: Year 4
Values Stars Reception: Sebastian
Year 1: Ruby-Mae
Year 2 : Kwasi
Year 3: Jessie
Year 4: William
Year 5: Alfred
Year 6: Whole class
Headteacher: Milena
Other Awards & Commendations
Rory (Y3) – Fun run trophy & medal
Ruby-Mae – Fun run trophy & medal
Esme – Race for Life medal & Gymnastics certificate
Isabella – Race for Life medal
Sebastian – Swimming certificate & badge and Golf badge
Louie – Duathlon medal
Isaac – Football trophy & medal and Music exam certificate
Luca – Swimming certificate
Lilith – Golf medal
What’s happening w/c 18 May DINNER MENU: WEEK 3
Monday
During School:
PE – Year 2 & Year 4
After school:
KS2 (Years 3 – 6): Dodgeball Club
Tuesday
During School:
PE – Reception, Year 1 & Year 3
Swimming – Year 4 & 5
After school:
KS1 (Yrs Reception – 2): Sports Day Club
Drama Club
Wednesday
During School:
PE – Year 2 & Year 6
Pentecost Service (Y5 leading) (2.00pm @ Holy Trinity Church)
After school:
KS2 (Years 3 – 6): Athletics Club
Thursday
Whole School Trip to Aberdyfi Beach
Friday
During school:
PE – Year 1 & Year 5
After school:
Conversion to Academy Information Coffee Afternoon @ 3.30pm
Dates for the diary Summer 1:
25 – 29 May 2026 Half Term
Summer 2:
Tuesday 2 June 2026 Swimming (Year 4 & 5)
Thursday 4 June 2026: Class photos
8 – 12 June 2026: Year 6 Residential trip
Thursday 2 July 2026 (New date): Sports Day
Monday 13 July 2026: Parent Open Evening
Wednesday 15 July 2026: Year 6 Leavers’ Performance @ 6.00pm
Thursday 16 July 2026: Year 6 Leavers’ Service @ Holy Trinity @ 2.00pm
Friday 17 July 2026 Last day Summer term
Monday 20 July 2026 PD Day
Community News – Coalbrookdale Open Gardens & Scarecrow Weekend
Half Term Activities @ Oakengates Leisure Centre Screenshot Half Term Activities @ Shrewsbury Town Football
Community News – Holiday activities Kings Camps host active summer camps at Wrekin College during the summer break for 5-17 year olds. This summer they will be at Wrekin from 27th July – 14th August.
On Sunday 6th June, Kings Camps will be hosting a free action packed event at Telford Town Park to introduce themselves and their camps to the local area. I have attached a flyer and would be grateful if there is any way you could share this with your families.
Please click on the links below for more information.
Telford Town Park – 6 June
Kings Active Camps – Telford Town Park Flyer