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Downsway Primary School

Compliments & Feedback

2022-2023
 
  • “Many thanks to Mr Grover; it was a great session and much appreciated! (although it was certainly testing on my old brain!)” – email sent to Mr Grover via the office from a Year 6 parent after he had delivered the Years 5/6 fraction meeting for parents/carers.
  • “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all at Downsway. Everyone has made an impact on X. From caretaker, librarian, cleaning staff...All the way up the food chain. We as a family have been though some difficult times, and I personally thank staff & school members for all the support given to us as a family. May Downsway continue to grow & offer supreme education with unparalleled support. I know X & X are not looking forward to moving schools. A credit in itself to you all. Many thanks for your understanding & support. All the best.” – email sent to the school office from a parent who was moving out of the area, and children needed to change schools to be closer to their new home.
  • “Hello, I know it’s early days and only a couple of days in but I’m not sure what has happened to X…
    She’s empowered and motivated and has had 2 great days back at school. She was delighted to find she really understood Maths this week something she has always struggled with and I’ve found her twice in the last 2 days reading a book which is pretty much unheard of without a fight. Thank you to you and Mrs Burnham!”     – email sent to Mr Grover via the office from a Year 6 parent at the start of the academic year.
  • “You are more than welcome, just small token of our appreciation for being a friendly voice at the end of a phone and never judging me when I forgot to pay or sign a consent form!
  • Thank you for the support and kindness you have shown both X and X, we will all definitely miss you!” – email sent to Mrs Rouse from a Year 6 parents who child had left in July following a gift she had given Mrs Rouse.
  • “Just wanted to say a massive thank you Mr Grover for X’s opportunity to be in school council. He has loved being involved and making a difference” – email sent to Mr Grover via the office from a parent.
  • “Thank you Mrs Ayres – teaching your reception pupils was an absolute pleasure as always.” – email sent to HT from Did Rugby coach following their sessions in Foundation Stage in July.

  • “Many thanks for the meeting today which both X and I felt was very productive and proactively structured. Special thanks to you all for the work that you have done, and continue to do for our X. We appreciate you all, and what you have achieved set against the various local authority headwinds we face. @Mrs Rouse, please could you also kindly copy this to Mrs Ayres, as I would like to make her aware of how supportive the FS Downsway team are and how highly we think of them” – email sent to Mr Edwards, Miss Rackley and Mrs Cox from a parent following their child’s EHCP meeting.

  • “Thank you to all the staff for being so friendly and welcoming when I've been in the school” – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent maths helper at the end of term.
  • “Thank you for your time and preparations this morning.  It was really lovely to hear X reflect on her progress and it is evident that she is developing well.  Thank you for your time and support for X, and I am pleased to hear that she has made a good contribution to the school” – email sent from Reading University placement tutor to Mrs Lloyd, following her having a trainee teacher on placement in her class from the Reading University.
  • “At Denefield, X has been selected to create a project of his choosing between now and the end of the school year to present to the head and/or deputy head in July.  Only 7 or 8 children have been selected as they have been identified as the most able / top achievers of the whole of year 7. Obviously, we are super proud and yes, I'm bragging a little, but I thought that you might like to know that of the 7 or 8 children selected, 3 of them are from Downsway! That felt pretty impressive so thought I'd pass it on” – email to the school office from a parent whose child is now at Denefield.
  • “Due to increased capacity within the West Berks School Improvement team, we have been able to complete a website compliant check for you. Kate left you to last, as she knew it would be good….10/10!” – email from School Improvement team to Headteacher.
  • “Fantastic work all the teachers do, and understand their decisions. Thank you for the great communication as always” – email from a parent to the school office following the letter sent to all parents about the strike action.
  • Email sent to school office from a parent – “I just wanted to drop an email across to you all, I’ve just read the Ofsted inspection and want to say it’s amazing! A big thankyou to you all for all your hard work, continued support towards X, she is so happy to go to school and it makes my mornings so much easier. That’s all down to you making her feel safe and happy, so thankyou everyone at Downsway!”
  • Email sent to school office from a parent following the Ofsted report being shared with parents – “Fantastic Ofsted report! Well done team Downsway, very well deserved!”
  • Email sent to school office from a parent who child is in Year 6 following an email sent to all parents about a staffing update – “This is the first year in 10 years this doesn’t affect team X and it’s so sad! Just wanted to say thank you from the bottoms of our hearts, for being the best primary school our children could have hoped to attend”.
  • Email sent to the school office from a parent following their child receiving ELSA support – “I just wanted to pass on our thanks to Mrs Preston who has had several chats with X helping her work through some personal and emotional challenges. X is working so hard bless her & has found the help and support really helpful”.  
  • Email sent to the school office from a parent following the information being sent to parents about completing the Parent View for Ofsted – “Just did my glowing report on the Ofsted website. Good luck to all for tomorrow and regardless of the grade we all know you’re outstanding and we are so glad we moved X”.
  • Email sent to Headteacher from parent with child starting in Foundation Stage in September 2023 following information being shared with them about September 2023 – “Just wanted to send a note to say thank you so much for the time spent with us last year and providing us with the data below. We were really Impressed with the school and ethos that you promote and the data you provided put our mind’s at ease to select Downsway as our first choice. We are delighted that our daughter X has been offered a place which we have accepted. Thank you once again for your time and we are looking forward to being a part of school life!”
  • Email sent via the school office to Mrs Tipper from a parent following Mrs Tipper’s last few days in Year 4 – “All the Mums are feeling sad that you will no longer be their teacher.  I personally would like to say a big thank you to you for the last 6 months. From what I see/hear, from talking to X and my own personal communication, especially with how detailed your parents meetings are and how you seem to know your pupils so well, I think you are a fantastic teacher!   You are passionate about being a teacher and it really shows”.
  • Email sent to the school office from a parent following the Year 4 residential trip – “I just wanted to send an email to say a few big ‘thank yous’ to Mrs Tipper, Miss King and Mr Scott.  Firstly, for taking time away from their own homes and Mrs Tipper away from her own children (I’m not sure if Miss King and Mr Scott have children but still away from home/partners/pets!). Secondly, for taking the time to help us and X prepare for the trip knowing what a huge deal and worry this was for him as he won’t even sleep at his favourite Nan’s and has never been away from us!  And for reassuring X in the run up to the trip which made him at least want to try, and, to be honest, we didn’t even think we’d get that far! Lastly, to Mr Scott for going to X more than once (I dread to think how many times!) in the night to comfort and reassure him.   Whatever Mr Scott said to him made him determined to see it through and not ask to call me to go home, which is what we had agreed prior to the trip.  It was also really lovely to hear that Mrs Ayres and Mr Bolton went to spend time with them too. X has thoroughly enjoyed it and chatted non-stop about it all the way home! Thank you to all who helped arrange it too”.
  • Email sent to the office from a parent following the Year 4 residential trip – “I just wanted to send a quick email to say a massive thank you to Mrs Tipper, Miss King and Mr Scott for taking the kids to Ufton Court. X had an amazing time and did not stop talking about it all afternoon. The activities, the food, the location all sounded great so thank you to everyone involved in taking them. I hope you can all recover this weekend!”
  • Email sent to school office from a parent following their child visiting the Year 6 Young Enterprise stalls – “I just wanted to say how brilliant the children running the stalls are. X went on Monday with his grandparents and they remarked on how good and helpful they were. He was keen to go again today and was initially a bit worried about doing 'beat the goalie' because they were big boys in goal, but they were so kind and let him kick from further forward and the goalie did a brilliant job going the wrong way! X was very pleased with his prize! I hope they have a successful week in raising the money for their treat”.
  • Email sent to school office regarding Mrs Rouse, School Secretary from a parent – “I know you're so good at your job and always expect you to know what us parents ramble on about forgetting that there are god knows how many pupils and parents you have to deal with on a daily basis.  You little superstar. I don’t know what Downsway would do without you”.
  • Email sent to Headteacher from a placement student following their placement at Downsway – “I just wanted to once again thank you for having me at Downsway this week. I have learnt loads from the staff and children that I am sure will help me in my future teaching career. I have thoroughly enjoyed this week and loved seeing the community that Downsway. The children were all so lovely and welcoming too!” 
  • Email sent to the school office from a parent – “Congratulations on the Ofsted Report, was never in doubt.  Even the areas of improvement were a bit lame!”
  • Email sent to Headteacher from West Berks Principal School Improvement Advisor following them receiving the report from Ofsted – “What a wonderful report. So well deserved”.
  • Email sent to Headteacher from Interim Head of Education Services following them receiving the report from Ofsted – “Well done on your inspection report. I am pleased to hear that Downsway Primary continues to be a good school. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication”.
2021-2022 
  • Just wanted to say thank you so much for having me be part of the team at Downsway School. I've loved every minute.  Everyone has been so friendly and kind to me. I will treasure my memories of working with you all and hopefully one day come back when I have more experience – email sent to the school office from staff member who left. 
  • We just wanted to say well done to all the staff involved in the play tonight. The children were all amazing and we know the effort that goes into putting a production together. It was wonderful to spend an evening doing something as normal as watching our child in their school play! Well done all round and thank you – email sent to the school office from a parent after they had watched the Year 3-4 production in the hall.
  • Just thought you should know, X and his responsibility for the tables at lunchtime has just been used in the Therapeutic Thinking Network as a brilliant example of co-regulation and use of emotionally available adults.  I think it’s such a brilliant idea and often share it with schools too – email sent to Mr Edwards (to share with Miss Rackley who started this activity with the child) from a SEMH Practitioner from the West Berks Therapeutic Thinking Support Team
  • The show was amazing yesterday and the school should be so proud of all their hard work is certainly paid off and the children did so well. I’m proud to send my children to Downsway. Love it so much – email sent to the school office from a parent following them watching the Year 3-4 production. 
  • I would like this opportunity to thank you all at Downsway. What a fantastic morning.  All of the children behaved impeccably. The interaction & the asking of questions from all the children was something I will take away from today. Absolute pleasure to have played a small part, in such a big project – email sent to school office from a current parent to helped as an additional adult on the Year 2 outdoor learning session at Sulham woods, organised by Mr Bolton.
  • Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for making us feel welcome. We both loved it and I think Harry is really keen to move now – and email sent to the school office from a prospective parent, following a tour for an in-year place.
  • This is just a quick note to inform you that we have just moved to X will be looking to change schools for next academic year. We thought about leaving them to finish at Downsway as we love it so much but think it would be more beneficial for them to make friends with the children in our area before the move to secondary school and obviously to have friends in the area we now live. Really sad to be leaving as you guys are so amazing and we have loved the teachers and the way the school is run…any school will be hard to live up – an email sent to the school office from a parent who has moved out of the area.
  • Thank you so much for the speedy response, this is so helpful and will definitely help keep him busy this week. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this email – an email sent to Miss Watson following support a parent who child has tested positive for covid.
  • Thank you so much that brought big smile to X’s face – an email sent to Mrs Ayres following from a parent following a good luck message sent due to an operation the child was having.
  • Thank you so much Mrs Roberts for taking the time out to send the links. I have just purchased the game and X is very excited to play when it arrives.  X is enjoying her time with you at lunch times – an email sent to the school office following some support Mrs Roberts was providing to a child at lunchtime.
  • Just to say a little thanks for giving me the opportunity of working in Downsway primary. I am really enjoying my time being there with the lovely bunch of students and the staff. 
  • I will be happy to come in any other days and any other year groups if there is a need – an email sent to the school office from a parent who is currently carrying out ‘work experience’ at Downsway as would like to be a teacher.
  • I would just like to thank you all for the wonderful job you do. I know what a stressful job it can be and how hard you all must work. Please know, you all make such a difference. X adores school and because of all the fantastic things you do she is growing up to be a confident, resilient and kind young lady. Especially everything you all did in lockdown and the wonderful Nativity at Christmas. We constantly talk about how lucky we are to have landed living so close to such a brilliant school. Whatever OFSTED thinks, I think you are outstanding! – an email sent to the school office from a  Year 1 parent who is a teacher.
  • Just wanted to say a massive thank you for helping with X’s blue badge. I have just had an email from them to say it's been successful and it will be issued very soon. It will help me with X so much, so thank you again – an email sent to Miss King and Mr Edwards from a Year 4 parent following them supporting the parent with applying for a blue disability??? badge.
  • There was a good mentoring discussion between you during the feedback. You seem to have a good relationship.  Mrs Lloyd picked up on a wide range of teaching and learning issues related to the standards, including several mathematics specific issues. There was lots of praise but also honest, supportive discussions about things that could be improved.   The student was willing to listen to all and discuss how she could improve – an extract written on a trainee student observation report by an external examiner from Reading University.
  • Can you please thank Mrs Ayres for locating X’s coat and taking the time to call me to let me know. Downsway really is a special place where these little things make a massive difference. Thank you all for everything you do – an email sent to the school office following a missing coat being found by Mrs Ayres.
  • Aww this is so lovely.  Thank you so much.  X loved it and had a huge smile whilst reading it.  We came home at 4ish today - X is recovering well – an email sent to Mrs Ayres  via the school office from a Year 3 parent following Mrs Ayres sending a personalised ‘get well soon’ message to a child who was in hospital.
  • May I take the opportunity to thank you and all your staff involved in what, as you are aware, has been an extremely long process – email sent to Mrs Ayres via the school office from a parent following the support we had given and attendance at meetings regarding a process what was being followed by outside agencies.
  • Thank you for letting me watch the session today - I very much enjoyed it.  It was lovely to see science being taught the way that it should be and the mentor relationship working as it should.  Well done both – email sent to trainee teacher and Mrs Lloyd from a Primary Science lecturer at the Institute of Education at Reading University observing the trainee teacher and mentor.
  • As if you haven’t got enough to do with everything else to do with the school, bet you’ll be SO glad when this subsides! Keep up the good work, we all feel your pain! – an email sent to Mrs Rouse from a parent following all her email communication regarding positive covid cases and uploading information to CREST.
  • Aww! That's so thoughtful. X says, 'Thank you for such a beautiful poster. Downsway is the best school!!' - an email sent to Mrs Ayres  via the school office from a Year 6 parent following Mrs Ayres sending a personalised ‘good luck’ message to a child who was going to have an operation.
  • I have to say that I really enjoyed my two afternoons at Downsway, the group was fantastic and wonderful ambassadors for your school.  I hope that the buddy reading goes well, there is certainly no lack of enthusiasm! – an email sent to Miss Rackley from an ABC to read West Berkshire Fieldworker, following some training they delivered to our Year 5/6 reading buddies.
  • Thanks for the support and work while he has been at home – an email sent to the office and Year 3 team from a Year 3 parent following a child testing positive with covid.
  • Thank you for the email regarding the spelling intervention. X was so happy to tell me when she came out of school on Friday that she got all her spellings correct! She was much more willing to do her spelling practice over the weekend too, so its been a much more positive step for her – email sent to Mr Edwards/Mrs Burnham from a Year 3 parent following the Year 3 teachers setting up a spelling intervention.
  • Thank you for all your continued support, we are lucky both the children attend such a supportive school with incredible teachers and Office staff – email sent to Mrs Lloyd, Mr Edwards and Mrs Rouse from a parent following completion of some paperwork from an outside agency.
  • Thank you so much for your continued work with X. You’re a great school and I really appreciate your ongoing support and plans for X – email sent to Miss Rackley via the school office from a parent with a child in Foundation Stage.
  • I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart; Thank you.  X has never written a full sentence at home before.   I am grateful for all the help and support X is getting. He is so happy and loves school. Thank you all again – an email sent to Mrs Lloyd and Mrs Jones from a Year 5 parent.
  • Thank you for all your hard work so far this year with X. As a school I think your all amazing and you’ve all done so well with the pandemic and thank you for keeping our children safe and in school – an email sent to the school office from a Year 3 parent.
  • We have visited all three schools closest to us and Downsway is by far our favourite.  We were both really impressed with the school and think Charlie would love it there – an email sent to the school office following a prospective parent tour with Mrs Ayres.
  • Just wanted to say thank you so much for noticing X wasn’t good today. She did have a low blood sugar so needed something pretty quick. But I really appreciate how quickly you noticed she wasn’t well. Thanks again – email sent to Mrs Rouse from a parent following their child being poorly in school.
  • I came to Downsway for earlier today and just wanted to convey my thanks for what was a really informative tour. Please could I kindly request you pass on my personal thanks to Mrs Ayres for her time. I am sure she is a very busy woman so I really appreciated her taking time out today for my visit – email sent to the school office following a prospective parent tour with Mrs Ayres.
  • I just wanted to thank Miss Watson for all of the home learning she provided – email sent to the school office from a parent, following their child completing remote learning due to being positive with covid.
  • I cannot tell you how much this means to us.  I got all emotional seeing the free from on the list. All the ingredients are great. Thank you so much again - so happy for X that she can take part and eat what she makes – an email sent to Miss Gale via the school office from a parent after Miss Gale had purchased special ingredients for a child with several dietary needs.
  • Thank you for speaking with me on the telephone while you were manning the school office over lunchtime last week.  We were very impressed with you personally, Mrs Ayres. It is a lovely school, to your credit and we very much appreciated the leadership style and guidance you give to the school.  Although we are slightly out of catchment for Downsway and firmly in catchment for Long Lane school our preference is to make Downsway our first choice in our applications come this January 2022 – email sent to Mrs Ayres via the school office following a prospective parent tour by Mrs Ayres.
  • A huge thank you to you and all your team in year 1 for all these wonderful days you have done, and have planned, to end the year with the children. X loves school so much and I know this is because of all your hard work. -  email received from a parent which was sent to Miss Watson via the school office.
  • Thank you again for today Mr Edwards. Thank you to the school for all that's in place for X. I felt so proud watching and listening to X speak so eloquently! I am so happy to see him so happy and confident. I feel so much happier and better, knowing he's on the right track. Thank you once again. – email received from a parent which was sent to Mr Edwards via the school office following an annual review.
  • Thank you for meeting me today for Lauren’s Progress review. Lauren, I am really proud to see the teacher you have become, and I know that Downsway is very lucky to keep you! You should be exceptionally proud of yourself, many congratulations. Mark, thank you ever so much again for your support of Lauren. – email received by Mr Bolton and Miss Worlin (trainee teacher) from Scarlett Murphy, Director, PGCE Primary at the University of Reading, following Miss Worlin’s final assessment.
  • Oh this is the best news. I’m so happy that X gets Mr Bolton again. He really enjoyed being in his class in year 2 and we were both sad to say goodbye. He’s a lovely teacher who is always so happy and so approachable and his videos during lockdown really made X smile. He’s such an asset to Downsway. – email received from a parent via the school office following staffing for Downsway September 2022 information being shared with parents/carers.
  • Thank you to you and your staff for the way you are helping X settle into the UK. – email received via the school office from the host family sponsor following an Ukrainian refugee joining Downsway.
  • I just wanted to say thank you for being a trustee during my formative years as a head. I have hugely benefited both from your question in trust meetings, and your support with the many things I don’t yet know about. Thank you for your offer of being on panels in future – that would be really helpful. Thank you again. - Email received by Headteacher following leaving as a trustee from a local secondary school at the end of the academic year.
  • I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the lovely video you put together for X’s final EHCP review of his time at Downsway. I have watched it many times already and quite sure will continue to for years to come. X has also enjoyed having a watch and was really appreciative of all the work that his teachers (yourself, Mr Grover, his 1:1 and the therapists) put in to create his EHCP as it was his first experience of reviewing the whole document. Thank you once again. - email received from a parent which was sent to Mr Edwards via the school office following an annual review.
  • Just wanted to say thank you very much for helping X with his Maths work yesterday after school. It really did help him understand better. Much appreciated. – an email received via the school office from a parent following Mrs Huntington supporting a child after school with their maths learning.
  • Thank you for being so kind to X as he waited for us to come into school.- an email received via the school office from a parent following Mrs Hobbs and Mrs Ayres supervising a child in the first aid room following a suspected fracture.
  • How very sad that, for now, you will not be returning to us. We find that residential visits to us run so much more smoothly when the trip lead is familiar with us, as you are but, even more so, the visits are more beneficial to the children when staff like you really value it. You are a real Ufton Champion, so thank you for all your time, energy and enthusiasm you have given to the trips. We look forward to your return…. Maybe at the banquet! – email received by Ufton Court to Miss King, following the recent Year 4 residential and Miss King not being the trip leader next year.
  • Stef, you have one of the most important positions at the school and one that few could fulfil.  You are the first port of call whether over the phone, email or face to face and always have to be friendly, appear happy no matter what else might be going on in life and be ready for absolutely any situation with parents or pupils - but still keep smiling!  You definitely have that certain je ne sais quoi for your role Stef. – email sent to the school office from a parent who children are leaving Downsway at the end of the academic year as they are moving away.
2020-2021
 
  • I just wanted to thank you both along with other members of staff and all the lovely year 4 children for welcoming X into Downsway school. X is very settled, he has made lots of friends and is finally enjoying going to school.  He talks about school a lot and he is very proud of the progress he is making with his writing skills. (Thank you for the help you have given him with his writing). This is a very different X from the one I have been used to. Miss King the children in your class are kind, friendly and sound like a lot of fun! Thankyou Downsway – email send to Mrs Ayres and Miss King from a parent with a child which start in Year 4 in September 2020.
  • Thank you for the updates. Great job. – email sent to the school office from a parent regarding information communicated with parents/carers about delayed start to school due to no water.
  • Thank you so much for all of this, I feel overwhelmed at how supportive Downsway is, I really do appreciate all of this, I’m so lucky that my children go to a school that I can come a discuss anything! Thank you! – email sent to the school office from a parent following a meeting regarding their child.
  • I just wanted to send a quick email to say thank you very much for taking the time to give me the lovely feedback about X today. It was so nice to hear about how he has been getting on with you and that you have seen him grow and develop since Foundation. Anyway, I just wanted to pass on my gratitude to you for taking the time - email sent to the school office from a parent to Miss Gale.
  • With 2 full weeks back at school under their belts, I just felt the need to contact you and say how brilliant the school have been since X and X have returned. I know and appreciate how difficult it must be for you all in these unprecedented times and I'm so thankful to you all and the hardwork you're putting in to ensure Downsway manages to keep things as close to "normal " for the children as possible. With so much time away I didn't know how they would settle back in. But I needn't have worried because X is back in her favourite place loving learning new things. X has had a seamless transition into Foundation, although a couple of wobbles which I fully expected, but I have no doubt he has the best foundation team to guide him through.  So big thankyou from the X family. I have 2 very happy children here. Keep up the great work - email sent to the school office from a parent regarding feedback about how their children have settled into school in Foundation Stage and Year 2.
  • I just wanted to say “thank you”. The new approach to Times Tables Rock Stars has worked fab so far. X has asked to do it and being limited to just a few to learn has seen her confidence grow. It’s much less daunting that trying to practise them all.  X is also looking forward to spelling shed.  X has already been raving about getting house points and is always positive about Year 3. Recognition of effort works well for X. So thank you both for helping settle X in - email sent to the Year 3 team from a parent. 
  • Thank you for making X so welcome in Year 4.  He has had a super 2 days so far and is enjoying making new friends.  The children have been so kind to him. – Facebook comment from a parent on Downsway’s ‘welcome back’ Facebook post.
  • Thank you to everyone for making the first day back for my two great – they loved being back! I appreciate just how hard it must be for you to keep things as normal as possible for the kids whilst figuring out the new ways of doing things, so well done – Facebook comment from a parent on Downsway’s ‘welcome back’ Facebook post.
  • Thank you so much to you and your team for welcoming X today, he had such a lovely day. He has a great day. He told me he played Lego, there were dinosaurs, he drew a picture of X, saw X and X sang me your tidy up song! I was impressed that he told me anything at all, normally it’s just ‘nothing, I didn’t do anything!’ I’ve just looked at the photos on the website, it’s so nice to see what they were up to, thank you for sharing these. Thanks again. - email sent to the school office from a parent to Miss Rackley.  
  • Thank you so much, I can’t praise Downsway enough with how you’re helping X – email sent to Mr Edwards from a parent in regards to their child.
  • I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work this term. X, X and X have all settled back into school so well and seem so engaged in their learning. They are enjoying going to school and even though things aren’t ‘normal’ they don’t seem to have noticed! So, once again, thank you and enjoy the half term break – email sent to the Year 3, 4 and 6 teams from a parent. 
  • I wanted to thank you very much indeed for hosting both Jules and Stevie this term at Downsway.  Both trainees have had such a positive experience and this has been reflected in a recent Term 5 progress report written by Mentors.  Kyle, Jaime and Becky have been excellent Mentors over the course of the last 6 weeks. Weekly observations, mentor meetings and ongoing discussion and support have been rigorous. This culminated in a Term 5 report which has reached me in good time, with well-considered trainee strengths and areas for development highlighted. Thank you for facilitating both placements. We are delighted to have worked with Downsway again this term. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from Berkshire Teaching Alliance (BTA)
  • I am too very proud of X’s reading. She amazes me at how well she progresses in this area. X loves school and really vocals about the praise she receives – email sent to Miss Rackley via the school office, from a parent.
  • I am so grateful to Miss King, she is an amazing teacher and has helped X in so many ways, I feel she has not only supported X but myself with helping me aid X in the best way possible at home by giving us the tools to encourage him and this is the biggest change I have seen in him this year, she has made learning more fun and interesting to X and this is what has pushed him to get to where he is now. Downsway is such a great school and would recommend it to anyone, you care about each pupil and that is the best thing a parent could ask for. Thank you – email sent to Miss King via the school office, from a parent.
  • Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Great comms – email sent via the school office from a parent regarding Year 1 bubble closure communication.
  • Thank you for keeping our children safe at school and all your hard work to date of being Covid free.  Amazing. I’m so incredibly proud of Downsway and think what an amazing school it is and feel so lucky to have my children both go here soon – email sent to the school office via a parent.
  • The children have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Downsway and we have been delighted to see them develop, learn, make new friends and love every single day. Our family will miss a very special school which we're leaving with incredibly fond memories. We have taken the decision to relocate to our home country, Libya, where the kids will have an opportunity to experience life in a new environment, connect with family and become fluent in their mother tongue. Downsway has given our children a strong foundation. We would like to thank you Mrs Ayres and all the teachers and staff at Downsway for everything you've done for our family. We will miss you but will never forget you – email to the school office from a Downsway family leaving at the end of the academic year.
  • The tour videos on your website are fantastic, they give a superb overview and it's wonderful to hear from your team members.  My mother recently taught at Downsway covering PPA in Y3 and said what a vibrant and enriching small community feel the school has. It would be great to come and get a feel for the school in person if at all possible – email sent to school office from a prospective parent.
2019-2020
  • Congratulations to both yourself and your staff on what we can only describe as an exemplary response to everything you and the entire school community have had thrown at us this last six months. Your regular communication, care for the community and the children’s overall wellbeing has been outstanding and we feel very lucky to have our family included in the Downsway community. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following school closure since March 2020.
  • Thank you very much for your quick and very detailed response. This has certainly put a lot of our concerns at ease knowing your stance on the issues raised – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent who had questions regarding September 2020
  • I just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you for the help and support you have provided during the school year. Both my boys have had a wonderful time at school this year and even though it was cut short they have made some lovely memories. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful school community and your hard work is very much appreciated. – email sent to the school office from a parent at the end of the academic year.
  • To Mrs Ayres and all the staff at Downsway. You’ve been amazing! Thank you so much for everything. Stay safe and have a lovely summer everyone – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent at the end of the academic year.
  • A huge thank you from us for being with us all the way. You have gone above and beyond and especially with nobody knowing how things would be. Just know that all the work behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed. – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent at the end of the academic year.
  • We would like to thank you and all the staff for guiding and supporting X through primary school. The team you have there is amazing and I know that X was sad to leave you all today. He’s faced some real challenges both in and out of school during his time with you and I will always remember the support that both X and X received from staff when they needed it. I knew that they were well looked after and always had someone to talk to if they needed to – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent with a Year 6 child, at the end of the academic year.
  • X has really enjoyed her time within the bubble and being taught by you. Each time she’s come in to school, she has come home with lots of positive news and stories about her day! – email to Mr Edwards from a parent in his Foundation Stage bubble.
  • I would also like to say a massive thank you to you, and Mrs Saunders for making his 2 days a week so much fun and keeping him safe. He comes home exhausted but full of stories of the day.  It was a really hard decision to send him in, but I know now it was the right one, so thank you both very much. You two have been amazing with him! – email to Mr Edwards from a parent in his Foundation Stage bubble.
  • Thank you Miss Rackley for the transitional material you sent through, it's such a difficult time for transition so we really appreciate all your efforts.  X really enjoyed looking through the pictures and watching the videos. In fact he watched both videos about 4 times! He is very excited to start school and asked "why can't I start school already mummy because I am 4!" – email to Miss Rackley from a parent with a child starting Downsway in September 2020.
  • I just want to thank you all for the amazing communication we have had. With everything that is going on, we have still felt so welcomed. X loves watching the videos and looking at the pictures that been sent. – email to Miss Rackley from a parent with a child starting Downsway in September 2020.
  • Your communication has been incredible throughout this time. – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent towards the end of school closure.
  • A big thank you from us for all the hard work and constant communication you have provided since lock down in March. You have worked so hard and it couldn’t have been easy for you. - email to Mrs Ayres from a parent towards the end of the academic year.
  • I really hope you will get a chance to take a breath soon.  You have been amazing through all of this and you have been massively appreciated by all. - email to Mrs Ayres from a parent towards the end of the academic year.
  • Thank you so much for this. X was sooooo excited watching the videos and hearing about some of the things she will be doing – email sent to Miss Rackley from a parent regarding the Foundation Stage 2020 transition booklet and videos of Foundation Stage/staff.
  • Thank you for sending these videos. X’s  eyes lit up - email sent to Miss Rackley from a parent regarding the Foundation Stage 2020 videos of Foundation Stage/staff.
  • I think Downsway is such an amazing school! It’s like a family and the staff are so friendly. I felt anxious to send him with the current situation but seeing how at ease he was and his smile from ear to ear and waving away through the class window I just knew I made the right choice.
    You have kept in contact throughout with parents and always make us feel like we’re not alone.
    I just want to say thank you     – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following their child returning to school during partial reopening of schools.
  • It has been a very difficult decision to make but thank you so much for all your support. You and all the staff at Downsway have been absolutely amazing which is why it was an even harder decision to make! I know X will be sad to go.  Thank you for being the amazing teacher you are because you have played a huge part in ensuring X continues to have a great and supported journey for his future – email sent to Mr Edwards from a parent moving their child to special school.
  • I just wanted to say a big thankyou to you and the teachers at Downsway for making X first week back to school such a good one. Mr Bolton and Mrs Holder were fab and after her first day back she couldn't stop smiling and talking about how fun her day was. X loves school anyway but coming back after 3 months away I was worried about how things would be for her. However, she breezed in without a care and came home wanting to go back ' for 100 days in a row'!! Thank you again! – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following their child returning to school during partial reopening.
  • Thank you so so much- that is amazing! I am extremely grateful that you and Mr Grover have put so much effort to support us. Very much appreciated! I’m super happy and can’t wait to receive the letters- he will definitely enjoy reading them! – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following their child being reluctant to return to school during partial reopening.
  • Thanks for a great couple of days, X has really enjoyed being back and has been so positive about his experience.  Thanks so much! – email sent to Mr Grover from a parent regarding their child returning to school
  • Thank you again for all your help in this matter.  You all have been fabulous. – Email sent to Mrs Ayres and Mr Grover from a parent regarding an child anxious about returning.
  • I just wanted to say a big thank you for the way you have supported us during lockdown although we’ve not had much contact It’s because you have kept us posted about each and every change straight away after each government announcement. I’ve spoken to numerous friends with children at other local primary schools and they haven’t had hardly any communication with there schools. You have been in contact every step of the way. I totally respected your decision not to open earlier and we are proud to be part of Downsway. I’ve always felt that the support has been there if we had have needed it, so thank you. Keep up the good work. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during lockdown.
  • Thank you all for your hard work during this strange time and the updates and pictures are a lovely way to stay connected to the school. X and X love looking at them.Hope you are all safe and well and soon we can all return to normality – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following the staff photo challenges sent to parents/carers.
  • Please pass our our sincere thanks to Mrs Ayres and all the team at Downsway for the fantastic job that you've all been doing.  Keeping in touch, keeping us informed and just making sure that we're all ok – email sent to the school office from a parent.  
  • X had a lovely 1st week, so thank you to you all! I just wanted to confirm his regular attendance going forward – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent following their child with an EHCP attending ‘keyworker’ bubble.
  • Thank you so much for your lovely messages for X.  She has been touched from it all. Me and her father are very pleased she is in such a good school with a great head teacher and staff members – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following messages sent by Mrs Ayres and Miss Rackley prior to their child having an operation.
  • Thank you for all the support over recent weeks and with the transition for my youngest in September – email sent to the school office from a parent following transition information for September 2020 Foundation Stage.
  • We really appreciate everything that you and Miss King are doing to keep us going through this time.  Please pass on our best wishes to all of the staff – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent.
  • I wanted to say a massive thank you to you all for your continued support that has got us to this stage. I could not wish for a better school for James, you have all been amazing. – email from to the school office, Mr Edwards and Mrs Lloyd from a parent following a submission of an EHCP application.
  • Hard decision, I totally salute your choice in these unprecedented times. Well done. – email to Mrs Ayres from a parent following the delayed reopening letter.
  • The team are doing such a wonderful job with the children and we really appreciate it – email to the school office from a parent with children attending key worker provision.
  • Thank you ever so much for your very helpful advice.  It is greatly appreciated and has reassured and guided us. X has missed you very much.  When her enthusiasm was low I asked her what was the matter and she said, "It's just not fun like Miss. Rackley".  A great testament to your teaching skills! – email sent to Miss Rackley from a parent following some support she received during school closure.
  • Thank you for your letter today. School has done so much for children. We greatly appreciate every Facebook post and email you send daily. Still laugh at every baby photo!  Thank you for keeping us updated daily. And, thank you for what you have done for all of us from very early morning to late night every day – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Just want to say how much we appreciate your timely and helpful emails, you have been great at staying in touch and keeping us informed and we really value it – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • We would like to thank you for being so supporting during the school closure.  We have been so impressed with the suggestions being sent but with no pressure, it has certainly made the lockdown experience for the children, and us, so much more enjoyable.  Thank you so much! -  email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • I would just like to say a huge thankyou for all the emails that you have sent out with work ideas and the story time sessions with the teachers and most of all the brilliant videos. X has really enjoyed listening and watching them – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following work ideas and videos which had been generated by staff. 
  • I would like to thank you for your response to this crisis; you have communicated openly and positively throughout, and your pragmatic approach to the reopening of the school.  It has been greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for how you have handled this situation, and we look forward to X coming back to school and enjoying this new normal – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following information about reopening.
  • I would like to thank you and all the other teachers for the support which you have been giving in this awful pandemic – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you for all the information you have sent to us. I have no concept of how difficult your job must be at the moment but you are doing a remarkable job of keeping all of us informed and reassured – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you all for the support and hard work over this time, all the information you’ve been sending over has been a great help – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you so much for your email. I really do appreciate it.  I’m really hopeful with what you have suggested will help her. We will try some of things suggested this week. Again, thank you so much for your email and I will be in touch if we need anymore assistance – email sent to Mr Edwards from a parent, following some support/advice she received for her child.
  • Just wanted to say that you are doing an absolutely amazing job, holding the fort together at school, lifting our spirits and keeping in touch with us all – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you for the update. It is appreciated and an example of why we feel we made a great decision to select Downsway – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following an update to parents regarding partial reopening.
  • We are all so grateful for the time and care you are taking to send us all reassuring messages, resources and lots of fun things too.    Downsway staff have been amazing and we feel so lucky to be part of the school.  You have made us feel safe and calm which is all we need to feel right now – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following information sent home to all parents/carers during school closure.
  • We really appreciate all the schools that are helping look after the children so staff and ourselves can still go to work to help beat this awful virus and try and keep people safe – email sent to the school office from a parent with a child attending the keyworker provision. 
  • Thank you so much for all your updates on Facebook and emails...they are so supportive, helpful and brighten up our days. Once again thank you all for all your help and support! – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure. 
  • Unfortunately due to issues that came up I was unable to accept the offer.  It was nothing thay Downsway couldn't offer, your school is marvellous from when I visited and all the emails I have received since. I hope to send a future child of mine to Downsway – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent which had a space allocated to their children in Foundation Stage for September 2020.
  • We’ve just watched the video you all made, it brought a tear to my eye. It must have taken a lot of work to put it together and the result was brilliant! Thanks for the emails and other bits of communication  it really helps – email sent to school office from a parent following the staff message video.
  • Thank you all for that beautiful video!  Rory and I watched it together.  It made me cry and I know a few other mums did too – email sent to school office from a parent following the staff message video.
  • The floodgates have been opened! You are all doing such an amazing job of keeping in touch with us – email sent to school office from a parent following the staff message video.
  • Oh my goodness the video is beautiful and made me cry so much. This is why I’m so proud that my son gets to come your school. Everyone of the staff are just amazing and so kind and always thinking of the children – email sent to school office from a parent following the staff message video.
  • I thought I would drop you both a quick email to say thank you for my time at Downsway. I was a TA at a mainstream school for a year and a half (a few years ago) and after that, I decided not to work in a mainstream school again, however after my experience at Downsway I have decided I could certainly teach in a mainstream school in the future. I found all staff within the school to be very supportive and there is a great community feel within the staff room. Mark, you have been great at pushing me towards my goals and you have spent hours of your time after school and have also, read into my Dyspraxia which people so rarely take the time to do. Katie, It has been great to be trusted to take over the class in Mark's absence and I am really happy you were able to trust me to do this so early in the placement – email sent to Mrs Ayres and Mr Bolton from a BTA  student placement at Downsway in Year 2.
  • Thank you for the tips and ideas on the Facebook page and your emails. It's nice to be able to keep a connection with school. We did the Spring Scavenger Hunt from the Facebook page on a walk today to get some exercise, so that was really helpful to make it more fun for X and his brother – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • I would just like to say thank you for all the effort the school is putting in to make this difficult time easier for not only the children, but also the parents! It's been really reassuring to see the school posting on the facebook page and updating us through emails – email sent to the school office from a parent during school closure.
  • I just to let you know you’re doing an amazing job at keeping us all informed and up to date. The letter you sent out was brilliant. We appreciate all your hard work during this awful time – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • I wanted to say a personal thanks for the letter Mrs. Ayres released. This really meant a lot as covered the daily stresses we are seeing. It was brilliant to have the school confirming that what we are all trying to do is supported. - So just simply thank you – email sent to the school office from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you very much for the voucher, I really appreciate it. It will help a lot with the food shopping – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following the setting up of the FSM food vouchers.
  • Please say thank you to Mrs Ayres for that reassuring letter. It was really what we needed to hear. Thank you for being so encouraging – email sent to school office from a parent during school closure.
  • This really is a brilliant school and this a very reassuring and comforting letter. Thank you so much for trying to keep us all sane – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure after letter was sent to all parents/carers.
  • Just a quick note to say thanks for all the links you send out and the fab attitude the school has with the current situation. It feels refreshing compared to people I know with kids at different schools – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during school closure.
  • Thank you so much for another lovely supportive letter. They really are appreciated by us parents – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • We would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff at Downsway...you have done really well at keeping the children informed but calm and you have handled this difficult situation brilliantly. When faced with the reality of school not being a daily part of our lives for a while, it has been brought home to us just what an amazing job you all do and how much we are going to miss being a part of such a wonderful school – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • I just wanted to say thank you for how you have handled this incredibly challenging situation. I have been incredibly impressed by the timeliness and clarity of your communications over recent days and just wanted to acknowledge this. I lead an office of around 100 people in the UK and manage teams of people across Europe. The last couple of weeks have been unprecedented and I didn’t realise the emotional toll it was taking until I stopped last night. I can only imagine the pressures you and your team are under as you plan for the ongoing well-being of our children. Thank you for all you are doing, it really is appreciated – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • I really appreciate the communication from Downsway during this time. Thankyou very much. The books, worksheets, web page links, etc have all been very useful. Please pass on my thanks to the teachers – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • School has done a marvellous job. Please thank every member of staff for us – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing. 
  • What a wonderful email, brings a tear or two to my eye. Thanks so much to Downsway for being amazing as always  – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • Thank you for all your support and hard work that you do for our children.  You are the best and I want to thank you all for what you have done for X.  Please be safe and healthy because our children love you – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • I cannot thank you and he teachers enough for everything you have been, and still doing, through this very uncertain time.   You all must be totally emotionally and physically exhausted so I want to thank you and all the teachers for still smiling every day this week like ‘business as usual’– email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • The school have been absolutely amazing and we can’t thank you enough for all that you do, we appreciate it can’t be easy and you are all finding it just as difficult as we are – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • Dear Mrs Ayres and the wonderful Downsway staff, Thanks for keeping us updated. I would just like to offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work that you have, and continue to, put in during these testing times – email sent to the school office from a parent following information about schools closing.
  • To the Downsway Team, thank you so much for all the communication and feedback during this very unsettling time. My children seem prepared for their time at home and your support has given me confidence that we can do this! The work packs that X, X & X have bought home are fantastic and I’m sure will be very useful in keeping their brains active in the weeks ahead. Times will be hard but thank you so much for your amazing work in such a short time frame. – email sent to the school office from a parent at the start of school closure.
  • Having to run the school based on information changing daily must be enormously challenging, so thank you for holding it all together and being such a brilliant leader for the whole school, pupils and teachers. You’re hugely appreciated! There will be calm after the storm. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent during the start of school closure.
  • Just wanted to say thank you and well done for all the brilliant communication, information and resources during this difficult time. You guys have helped keep our children safe and in normal routine as much as possible. You are all amazing and we appreciate it very much – email sent to the school office from a parent during the start of school closure. 
  • Thank you for your constant support and best interest for the children. I’m so thankful to all the teachers and the amazing jobs they do each and every day helping our little ones learn. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following letter to parents/carers about school closure in March 2020.
  • Please pass on our appreciation to Mr Grover for running this and giving up his time, after all he deserves a break and some family time – email sent to the school office from a parent regarding Mr Grover’s email about arranging a Year 6 booster session.
  • I’d like to also say a very big and heart felt thank you to you and all the staff at Downsway for all the support that has been given to X. But also all the hard work you have put in for X’s EHCP, for which I am very grateful. – email sent to Mr Edwards from a parent with a child with SEND.
  • Thank you to Mr Edwards and Mr Grover on listening to our concerns for X and the Isle of Wight trip next year, especially when it is so far ahead and discussing some preparation that can be done nearer the time. Thanks again for your understanding, time and support. – email sent to the school office from a parent with SEND following a meeting with Mr Edwards and Mr Grover regarding the Year 6 residential trip.
  • Thanks for calling last week when they walked to me, I was touched by the care and concern. – email sent to Mrs Fox following telephone communication regarding how two siblings were getting home after school.
  • Thank you for having us. Your school is so lovely! – email sent to Mrs Ayres from another senior leader at a local primary school following our School Peer Review.
  • Thank you for making us feel so welcome.  It was a pleasure to work with your staff and children. – email sent to Mrs Ayres from another senior leader at a local primary school following our School Peer Review.
  • The trainees have been so complimentary about your training sessions and have said they'd love to have more!  Massive thanks for your commitment to the BTA programme and for leading a range of well resourced, interactive and engaging sessions which, without exception, have had superb feedback from both the BTA and Downland cohorts. – email sent to Mr Grover from Berkshire Teacher Alliance following the maths training Mr Grover has delivered for them. 
  • Thank you for all the changes you have made for X. We really appreciate it and we have noticed a positive improvement last few weeks. Thank you again. – email sent to Mr Bolton from a parent following changes made to support the child.
  • I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to Miss King, Mrs Preston and yourself for yesterday.
    It was an amazing experience and I couldn’t have been prouder. I watched the children have so much fun,  with Miss King and Mrs Preston leading the way. It was also an extremely long day and all staff must have been exhausted, (the effort and care to organise alone and then the day/evening to flow so smoothly) .....Mrs Preston was still helping children (with the toilet) at 11pm with a smile on her face even though parents were on the coach too. The staff really showed their dedication. Thank you again and I really appreciate the experience X had been given.     – email sent to Mrs Ayres from a parent following the O2 performance.
  • It was lovely to see the children enjoying themselves at the O2 and we are all super proud of what they achieved. You must have worked very hard to help the children learn the songs and dance moves, they were a credit to you last night. To hear and see 8500 odd children sing and dance in unison was spectacular and really moving. Whoever came up with the concept was a genius!  We are looking forward to next year’s concert already and will be getting X signed up to the Choir as soon as possible as well. Thank you again for organising a great day. – email sent to Miss King from a parent following the O2 performance.
  • A big thankyou for organising this event. What an amazing night. Lifetime experience for them to preform in O2! Not only the show was brilliant and also heard from X that the rehearsal was fun too.  Also, thankyou for looking after X whilst we were shopping & having a nice meal.  With entertainment from lovely & happy children on coach, it made the long & boring coach journey fun! They did make us laugh! Thank you once again! – email sent to Mrs Ayres, Miss King and Mrs Preston from a parent following the O2 performance.
  • Well done for leading such a successful team! – email sent to Mrs Ayres and Mrs Rackley from a parent regarding information about the netball league finals.

 

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