WEEKLY UPDATE
SUMMER TERM WEEK 4
This week we celebrate the birthday of Sir David Attenborough — a true national treasure who has spent a lifetime helping us understand the world around us. If he were narrating our school this week, I’m sure he’d describe “a thriving ecosystem of learning, where children (and staff!) continue to impress with their resilience, curiosity and energy.” He would of course be based in the amazing garden filming this.
In other news from the wider world of sport, Arsenal have somehow found their way to a Champions League final (we’ll say no more!). It was a bit like watching a Year 1 child go from the playground to the dinner hall and then to class. A long and windy road that sometimes we wonder if they will ever get there. And similar to Arsenal with huge amounts of time wasting. While closer to home there’s much better news as Brighton & Hove Albion’s manager Fabian Hurzeleer has committed his future to the club — always a good sign when stability and ambition go hand in hand. UTA. And a new purpose built women's stadium to be built also. Exciting times.
Back in school, it’s been another busy and successful week…
NURSERY APPLICATIONS
Places are going fast so don't forget to get those applications in. See the above poster.
And if you haven't got a Nursery child but know someone who does please share it with them.
IT IS YEAR 6 SATS NEXT WEEK
We would like to wish all of our Year 6 children good luck with their SATS next week.
Year 6 children across the country will all be focussed on their SATS next week.
We know they will do amazing!!
THANK YOU FOR THE CHOCOLATE
Thank you to all of those who worn non uniform today and brought in Chocolate for the PTA Spring Fair.
FLIPBOOK FOR CURIOUS NOT FURIOUS- Supporting Your Child at Home – Parent Guide
We are pleased to share this helpful parent booklet from Changing Chances, which you can view here:
https://online.flipbuilder.com/ChangingChances/lobs/
This guide reflects the same approach we are developing in school and is designed to help you support your child in building the skills they need to thrive.
At the heart of this approach are three key ideas:
- Prep4Best (Before): Helping children get “brain ready” by setting them up for success in advance
- Calm Connect (During): Staying calm and connected when things feel challenging, supporting your child to regulate
- Coaching Conversations (After): Taking time afterwards to reflect, learn and build skills for next time
The booklet encourages a “curious, not furious” mindset — helping adults to look beyond behaviour and understand what a child might be feeling or needing, rather than reacting in the moment.
You might find it helpful to:
- Dip into sections when you need some ideas or reassurance
- Try out the language and strategies at home
- Talk with your child about what helps them feel calm, safe and ready to learn
By using a shared approach between home and school, we can work together to support every child to be safe, successful and at their best.
FOOTBALL v GOLDSTONE
On Monday we played our Cup 1/4 Final Game against Goldstone. Thank you to BACA for loaning us their 4G pitch to play this match on.
The team started confidentially following a win in the last round against Patcham however the strenght of the other team was immediately obvious and we were pinned in our own half for long periods of time. The Goldstone team clearly play together regularly in school and out of school and knocked the ball around and from side to side with ease.
Two goals from the former Cup Winners dented our confidence however getting to half time with just a two goal deificit gave us a chance to regroup and discuss tactics.
The second half saw us breaking and catching Goldstone on the break several times. This confidence continued to grow however was tested when we won a penalty as no one wanted to take it. Eventually one stepped up however the effort was well saved.
A few scarey moments for both teams kept the game close and then with not long to go we threw the kitchen sink at the game which included goalies up for corners and playing just one at the back.
And with that they scored and secured the 3-0 win.
A great effort however we drop out of the cup once again.
CHILDREN'S PARADE- WE ARE IN THE JUBILEE LIBRARY
Our tower and Rapunzel is now proudly displayed in the window of Jubilee Library. Give it a wave when you are passing!
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
As we begin preparing for our new Reception intake in September, we’re pleased to be working with JAG New Intake Digital Welcome Packs – Support for Sharing with Reception Families to support families with the transition into school life.
These digital welcome packs provide helpful information about before and after school provision, including guidance for parents, booking information, and a complimentary session to try the service.
We will be sharing these resources directly with new Reception families as part of our transition arrangements, helping to ensure a smooth, positive start for children and parents alike.
MID WEEK UPDATE- SEE BELOW
Below is a Mid Week Update about footbal and some local football events you might be interested in.
I might see some of you on Sunday down the Marina.
And for those who might be interested in joining us at the Amex for the Brighton Sports Card Show don't forget to ask Mr Jordan for the code to get FREE adult and child tickets.
I often say that as a school we play some great football however struggle when we come up against teams where their players play football out of school for clubs. I encourage players to go join a club as you learn so much about the game.
There is a request for players for Saltdean United Under 9's for some players. If you are interested contact Jack.
And for those with older brothers, cousins, uncles or neighbours, information about trials for the Under 17's. The team Mr Jordan coaches out of school and the current Division 5 Winners.
MID WEEK UPDATE
As you may know Mr Jordan is football mad. He also collects all things football and is to buying and selling football shirts and football cards.
Many of these end up in school and in the hands of "those who need an insentive to work hard at school".
Over the coming week he will be, along with a number of his friends taking part in a couple of local events that might be of interest to you to attend.
The first one is this Sunday 10th May at Ballpark Brighton Marina.
There will be over 125 kids football shirts, 150 adult football shirts, countless signed shirts as well as football cards, football stickers and various other football memorabilia.
The event is COMPLETELY FREE to attend.
Come and see the amazing BallPark and also maybe buy, trade, win some football cards.
To get an idea of the sorts of things you might see then pop along to the newly opened Global Sports Collectibles upstairs in the Open Market in Brighton. Football (and sports) Heaven in shop form.
The second event takes place on Saturday 30th May 2026 at the Amex- the home of the mighty Seagulls.
This is an all day Sports Cards and Memorabilia event and will include a special signing by Sir Geoff Hurst.
Mr Jordan has managed to secure some free Adult and Child Tickets for the event.
But be warned tickets are going fast for this event. Last years sold out very quickly.
To find out more click on the link
https://intercitysportsparadiso.co.uk/#row-Nz05I3PWAE
If you are interested see Mr Jordan for the Code to get your FREE TICKETS.
This event will be amazing so don't snooze!!!
WEEKLY UPDATE
SUMMER TERM WEEK 3
A short update for the long weekend as this week has been pretty manic in school.
CHILDRENS PARADE
Many children, parents and staff attended the Brighton and Hove Children's Parade on Saturday.
The organisers left us to finish the parade in last place. Clearly they knew they wanted to save the best till last.
A big thank you to all of the staff who have worked so hard to make all parts of our amazing Rapunzel, Samba and other parts of the parade.
We are told it will be heading to Jubille Library to live for a while.
As ever we were extremely well supported and saw so many friends and family en route.
Our usual "sound and smoke" was hit with a range of technical difficulties including the chain snapping on the bike. So a quiter year than normal from Fairlight however we all know what that means. BIGGER. LOUDER AND BETTER next year. We are already planning what we are going to bring to the parade next year. Anyone got any ideas? Performing Dolphins meeting us at the beach? Helicopter? ?Hells Anglels guard of honour?
FOOTBALL ALL WEEK
Last week had football every single day for Fairlight football players.
Monday- Girls 1st Team v Stanford at BACA in the Cup.
A tough first 5 minutes saw us concede 2 early girls and heads could have dropped. However some tough tackling. Some goaline clearances worthy of a team chasing the title saw us end the game losing just 4-0. And a notable debut for Wren in Year 3 who now has 4 years to work on avenging this defeat.
BACA hosted a tournament for local schools this week at their 3G pitches. Over 45 pupils from various year groups got to play several mathces against other schools. Results ranged and so did the performances from hat trick heroics from Oumar to turning to see where the defence as the other team attacked only to see our plays on the half way line having a disagrement- with each other. Roy Keane style!!!
For many this was their first outing for the school and they did their best and kept going in every match.
Tuesday- Year 3/ Wednesday- Year 4/ Thursday- Year 5/ Friday- Year 2
A huge thank you to BACA for hosting this event. To those parents who helped with lifts.
And a reminder to all parents of those who took part. Can we have the kit back washed as soon as possible as we have a few more sporting events still to come this year.
Weekly Update
Summer Term Week 2
As we head into another busy and memorable week at Fairlight, there is much to celebrate, reflect on and share with you. From remarkable achievements and national recognition, to community events and important reminders, this week’s update captures the pride we feel in our school and the values we work hard to uphold. As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership as we navigate both the successes and the challenges together.
Mr K- London Marathon
As you will know Mr. K will be running the London Marathon on Sunday on behalf of the school. We all want to wish him the best of luck with this. I know you will join me in cheering him along but also thinking “sooner him than me”!!!
You can support Mr K and the school here.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/mr-k-is-running-the-london-marathon
Fairlight Primary and Nursery School is one of the most sought‑after schools in Brighton & Hove.
At a time when Reception applications across the city are low and continuing to fall, we have now reviewed the admissions information for September 2026 and I am incredibly proud to share some very positive news about Fairlight.
Despite the wider city‑wide decline in pupil numbers, Fairlight has received one of the highest totals of Reception applications in Brighton & Hove. The only schools with higher numbers are completely full and oversubscribed — and higher than us by very small margins. What makes this even more remarkable is that the schools immediately above and below us are located in areas that are both more affluent and significantly more densely populated with young families.
In this challenging admissions climate, Fairlight’s popularity stands out. It is a clear reflection of the strength of our school, the quality of the education and care we provide, and the trust that families place in us.
I want to say a huge thank you and well done to everyone who makes Fairlight the special place it is — our dedicated staff, our wonderful children, our supportive families and our wider community. Your commitment, pride and advocacy for the school make a real difference. Because of you, Fairlight is not only thriving, but continues to be talked about as an exceptional place for children to learn, grow and flourish.
This is something we should all feel extremely proud of.
Department for Education Recognition of the Outstanding Work We Do
Over the past few weeks, we have been contacted by a number of schools from across the country — including schools in Bristol, Portsmouth and other areas — who have reached out to us to discuss our attendance procedures.
Initially, we were surprised to receive phone calls and emails from schools so far afield. However, it soon became clear that these schools had been directed to us following the Department for Education’s most recent national report on attendance in schools.
This report highlights schools with particularly strong attendance data and effective attendance procedures, and we are incredibly proud to share that Fairlight Primary and Nursery School is recognised as one of the highest‑performing schools in the country for attendance. Fairlight has been identified by the Department for Education as a role model for good practice, which is a significant and well‑deserved achievement.
In addition to national interest, several local schools have also contacted us after reading the report, keen to understand what we do and to learn from our approach. We have been delighted to share our practice and to support other schools in strengthening their attendance systems.
Our Attendance Lead, Julianna, is understandably extremely pleased with this recognition, which reflects the dedication, persistence and care she brings to her role every single day. This acknowledgement also celebrates the collective effort of staff across the school who work tirelessly with children and families to promote strong attendance.
We have emphasised to other schools the importance of robust, compassionate and consistent attendance procedures, because at its heart, this work is about children. To be successful in their learning, to build friendships and to thrive, children need to be in school — and our approach ensures they are supported to do so.
This recognition from the Department for Education is something the whole school community should feel incredibly proud of. It is a powerful reflection of the high standards, shared commitment and child‑centred values that define Fairlight.
Last Week's Football Result
Following our success in the cup the other week the team came back down to earth with a 10-0 defeat to Downs Junior. The least said about this the better and for fear of being not considered for the Chelsea Managers job should I be offered it I will leave it there.
We were however extremely proud of the fact that despite the very one sided goal scoring the team kept going all the way until the very end and didn’t give up.
Jewellery, Make‑Up, False Nails and False Hair
We have been surprised to see some children coming into school wearing false nails, false hair, make‑up and jewellery. We would like to remind parents and carers that these items are not appropriate for school.
Our children are very young, and these things are not needed. More importantly, they can cause safety issues, posing a risk to the child wearing them and to other children during playtimes, PE and everyday school activities.
Please help us by ensuring children come to school ready to learn, safe and comfortable, without these items. Thank you for your support.
150th Birthday Celebrations
Our 150th birthday celebrations will continue, with a renewed focus planned for when we return in September. This decision has been taken thoughtfully and with care, in part due to the proposed closure of our sister school, Middle Street – also recognised as one of the oldest schools in Brighton. At a time when Middle Street is facing potential closure, it would not feel appropriate for us to be actively celebrating our own longevity. We look forward to marking this important milestone together later in the year, while standing in solidarity with our colleagues and community at Middle Street.
Friday Football: Children Left Without Promised Access as Green Space Restrictions Continue or Someone put a Funfair on our Football Pitch
The school were repeatedly assured that parts of the Level would remain accessible for community and children’s use. That assurance shaped expectations and allowed clubs, parents, and children to plan with confidence. However, that access has not been delivered.
The consequence is simple but significant: children miss out. Friday Football is now on hold for several weeks- ironically when the weather is at its best.
For many young people, green open spaces are where they experience freedom, movement, and connection. These spaces support physical health, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging—particularly for children who do not have private outdoor space such as a garden.
The timing only intensifies the impact. As the weather improves and outdoor activity becomes most valuable, access has been reduced rather than supported. What should be a season of play, sport, and community has instead become another moment of disappointment.
This situation highlights a growing pattern where reassurances are given, but access quietly disappears. While changes to shared spaces may sometimes be necessary, removing promised access without meaningful communication or mitigation undermines trust and disproportionately affects children.
Green spaces only serve communities when communities can actually use them. When access is withdrawn, it is not an abstract inconvenience—it is a real, felt loss for young people.
Children deserve better than assurances that vanish. They deserve spaces that are genuinely protected, accessible, and prioritised—especially when they need them most.
The "rant" last time can be read here.
Filming and Sharing School Events
We remind parents and carers that any photos or videos taken at school events or activities are for personal use only, to be shared privately at home or with close family.
These images and recordings must not be posted online under any circumstances, including on social media platforms or video‑sharing sites such as YouTube. This is vital for safeguarding and protecting the privacy of all children and families.
Thank you for respecting this and for helping us keep our school community safe.
Times Table Rock Stars – Top of the Rocks Competition
Next week, Fairlight children will be taking part in the Time Tables Rock Stars: Top of the Rocks inter‑schools competition, joining pupils from primary schools across Brighton & Hove.
The competition takes place on Wednesday 29 April, running from 7.30am–7.30pm. Children can take part at any point during the day, either at home or at school, with a maximum of 30 minutes total playing time (this does not need to be all at once).
All correct answers count towards individual, class and whole‑school scores, which are compared across the city. There are prizes to be won — and, of course, some city‑wide bragging rights!
Children can play most game modes (excluding Jamming). Teachers can also set specific times tables on Garage and Arena so pupils practise what they are currently learning in class.
Please help your child by checking their login works, encouraging regular practise and reminding them that accuracy matters more than speed.
Let’s see how high Fairlight can climb up the leader board!
Below is what has been shared with children.
WEEKLY UPDATE
SUMMER TERM WEEK 1
Welcome Back
The school diary is looking very full for the Summer Term. Please ensure you are completely up to date and know how to use the Compass system as all important information will be shared on this as well as on our website.
Better Brighton and Hove Scheme
Click on the links above. Send them to your friends and family. Get voting now.
Do you have a Kindle you don't want?
We try anything to make sure children are reading. Buy books from Charity Shops and Car Boots. Books are in the playground and can be exchanged in the playground. Anything.
If you have an old Kindle at home that you are not using we would love it. We will wipe it clean and load some key books on that children can use both in school but also at home.
Please drop them at the School Office for Mrs Parker.
National Offer Day
All of the families and children who have been given a place at Fairlight to start in Reception for September were contacted this week on National Offer Day.
As you know from previous Weekly Updates it is important that we have healthy numbers coming into school as the government funding for schools relies heavily on the "bums on seats" formula.
I am pleased to say we have been allocated a very good number of children for September. They have all been contacted to say Welcome and asked to complete the application forms.
I will share that having looked at the position of schools across the city and also the ongoing issues around pupil numbers in the city we are very pleased with our application number.
Compared to the other 2 form entry schools in the city we are in fact on of the most popular in terms of total applications having more than double the total applications of over half of the 2 form entry schools and having only a few less total applications than schools which are in social media forums deemed to be the most popular schools in the city.
Since National Offer Day some schools have publically shared that they can take more children and have spaces.
We have some spaces currently for those who may not have applied, may apply late or whose circumstances may have changed. We are however expecting these to be taken up quickly so if you are reading this and that is you or you know someone who this apply to then tell them to contact the School Office.
And lastly to all of the parents and families who continually advocate for the school and act as a living advert for the school then thank you and continue to be proud that your child attends one of the "most popular" schools in the city.
You can add this to your recollection of Fairlight as Mr Jordan already tells everyone it is the best school in the city. He can now add and one of the most popular.
Fairlight Football Team v Patcham Juniors
We took part in a 5th Round Baker Cup Match v Patcham Juniors away this week.
Our trip out into the countryside took us to Patcham. We arrived to one of the largest grass pitches we have ever played on. You could see the "tiredness" in the eyes of the Fairlight team at the thought of the big pitch and we hadn't even started the pre match warm up.
The Patcham Team took the pitch with a full compliment of players from the school and local team warming up together.
A frantic start from Patcham kept us pinnned down in our half of the postcode with shots and passing from wing to wing. An occasional break away gave us a break from this bombardment.
A speculative shot that took a nasty bobble made it past our keeper and Patcham moved towards half time 1-0 ahead.
Some strong tackles and good passing then took place between the Fairlight team and our confidence increased. So much so that we managed to get a goal and managed to draw the game level at 1-1.
At this point the "squad" came into play and some team rotation was needed to support the tired legs and tired minds.
A strong second half started with the instruction of "smash" and "bigger kicks needed" ringing in their ears and the team started to see this paying off.
A long ball over the top turned the Patcham defence and a breakaway turned into 2-1 to Fairlight.
And then we took over control and started to move the ball around which in turn led to some panic from Patcham.
A few amazing saves from our keeper Chasearouma was followed up by a "chip" from distance from his brother that took the keeper by suprise and end up in the back of net and meant we were leading 3-1.
The last few minutes of frantic defending seemed to last forever until the final whistle sounded and a very pleased but somewhat suprised team celebrated a 3-1 victory.
Now on to the 1/4 finals where we face yet another team who have won the trophy in the last few years!
Dogs at the Gate
Can I remind parents that dogs should not be left or tied up at the School Gate. They need to wait on the other side of the road or away from the School Gate.
The gate area is quite busy and congested and there is just not room for dogs and leads. It must also be remembered we have a number of children who are "not sure/ scared" around dogs and some are not actually allowed to touch a dog or be touched by a dog for religous reasons.
Whilst I know that it is lovely to bring dogs to school to collect the children this is not the same for every child.
And a random one to end the Weekly Update...
Do you know Madness?
Are you friends with Suggs?
Our Children's Parade entry this year is underway and as ever it is going to be amazing. Colourful. Loud. And as ever the best in show.
More information will follow.
However we are trying to reach out to Madness and Suggs to see if they want to join us this year as part of the Fairlight "House of Fun".
They will be on Brighton Beach this Summer so we were wondering if they wanted to come a bit earlier to join us in "Our House".
If you have any contacts or can get them to be part of this (ask them on social media) then please let Mr Jordan know.