This week, we’re sharing lots of lovely highlights from across the school, including outdoor learning as the weather gets brighter, our first residential experience, and community walks to help children build independence and confidence.

Alongside lots of lovely learning moments, this week’s newsletter also looks at the RSE learning we've been taking part in. If you would like to learn more about how to support your child with this learning, please see the following links:

• NSPCC: Navigating puberty and sexual development - resources for SEND parents/carers
• NSPCC: How to talk to children about tricky topics
• NSPCC: Talk PANTs Guide - information for parents/carers of autistic children
• NSPCC: Pantasaurus song - a brilliant resource to help children learn how to keep their bodies safe. 
• NSPCC: Talk PANTs - more information from NSPCC about the PANTs rule

Alongside lots of lovely learning moments, this week’s newsletter also includes our regular spotlights on communication and careers, sharing how we support children to grow in confidence and independence.

We hope you enjoy seeing what your children have been learning and experiencing this week. This edition also features a spotlight from both our careers team and communications lead.

As we’ve been helping children settle back into routines after the break, we thought this was a great opportunity to share information about the new books we will be exploring this term, as well as a short snapshot of what’s been happening across school.

This week's edition also showcases our newest feature - "A Spotlight On..." where we will take a closer look into key areas of our school. This week's will focus on our careers team, and the work they do to help our children and families. 

This special edition is full of photos from our family events and shows, celebrating a wonderful term together.

Thank you for being part of our Brierley community.

We’re proud to share highlights from this week and the fantastic learning taking place in every class.

Some of you told us in our recent parent voice that you’d like to know more about what your children learn each week, and we completely agree. Our school is a special place, and we’re so proud of all the exciting learning that happens in every class. 

This first issue looks back at learning from two weeks ago, as we took a little extra time to get everything ready. From now on, we will aim to share the newsletter every Friday with learning from that week.

We’re so happy to have you with us as part of our Brierley community, and we hope it helps you feel more connected with your child’s learning journey. 

It’s been an incredible week at Co-op Brierley, packed with exciting opportunities, hands-on experiences, and inspiring visitors! Our students have engaged in a variety of activities, developing key skills, exploring career pathways, and having plenty of fun along the way. Here’s a closer look at what’s been happening:

Co-op Academy Brierley Open Evening event

Thursday 13th March 4.00-6.00pm

Co-op Academy Brierley is a new special school in Leeds for children aged 4-16. After a year on a temporary site in 23-24 we moved into our purpose built school in November of 2024. As the school is due to expand to its full capacity in September 2025 we would like to invite parents and colleagues to come and look round.

This open evening event is an opportunity to see our new school building, meet staff and ask any questions you may have about our school.

The event will be held at our new site on Cross Green lane, Leeds, LS9 0BA.

If you are unable to attend this event there will be another opportunity later in the year.

We look forward to seeing you!

Sarah Harridge

Headteacher

Co-op Academy Brierley

Shirine and the board had a tour of our wonderful new school, met staff and pupils and dropped into our ‘Time to Talk’ coffee meeting highlighting the importance of bringing our families together to talk to enable supportive and sharing conversations.

Dear Parent/Carer

PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION

I am writing to let you know that we have two parent governor vacancies on the local governing body, and that we are seeking to elect two new parent governors. On behalf of the Trust, I am acting as the ‘returning officer’ in the election process. Parent governors are elected by the parents of pupils at this school to serve a four-year term of office. You may, if you wish, put yourself forward for election, using the nomination form. Parents may self-nominate, but if a parent wishes to nominate another parent, they should seek their approval before submitting the nomination. Please read the information given with this letter.  

The timetable for the election is:-

 Invitations to submit a nomination for a parent governor role issued on 16th October 2023

1. Nomination forms to be returned to me by 12.00 noon on 6th November 2023

2. Ballot papers to be sent to parents on 7th November 2023. Voting will only take place if there are more nominations than vacancies.

3. Ballot papers to be returned to me by 12.00 noon 21st November 2023. It may be possible to vote online. If this is the case, we will advise you when sending out ballot papers.

4. The votes will be counted on the 22nd November 2023 after which the result will be announced.

Governors have an important and influential role to play in the life of our school. They, along with all other governors, are elected or appointed with a single common purpose – to govern the academy in the best interest of pupils. I do hope you will be able to take this opportunity to play an active part in the school’s life by becoming a candidate in this election process and by casting your vote when the time comes. If, in the meantime, you have any queries, please let me know.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Harridge

Headteacher

Returning Officer for Parent Governor Election

More information can be found in the information pack:

Links open in a new window

Interested? You can download the nomination form here:

Co-op Academy Brierley is a brand new special school in Leeds for children aged 4-16. We are very excited to be opening our new school site on Cross Green Lane in September 2024 and we would like to share the plans with everyone.