Prietsbank Road
Kildwick
BD20 9BH
2 October 2025
Chair of Governors letter:
Dear Parents and Carers
The new academic year is well underway, with the summer fading from memory and, as I write, the first of the autumn storms signalled.
I have been in school several times over the past few weeks and it is clear that the children have once again quickly settled back into the routines of school.
Two weeks back I met with two groups of children with Mrs Swales to hear about safeguarding and well-being. It was lovely to talk with the children who were able to comfortably and confidently share their thoughts and views.
I would like to welcome parents and carers of children who have joined the school this term - governors remain confident that all children will really thrive during their time at Kildwick CE Primary School, enjoying both classroom learning and the wider range of opportunities on offer.
It was really good to see the support from parents and carers for the school at this week’s Meet the Teacher evening - I was able to drop in to some of each class session, and talk with Penny Haygarth about her new children’s book, as well try the school meal sample.
Governors have finalised Year 1 of the school strategic plan for 2025-2028 - the following four broad priority areas have been structured to underpin all work in school:
- The fostering of a nurturing and inclusive learning environment - guided by our Christian vision, to create a compassionate school community where every child feels loved and valued, and able to develop self-worth and a strong sense of character, curiosity and creativity;
- Provision of a broad, inclusive and enriching curriculum - rooted in our Christian values, with opportunities beyond the classroom, to cultivate a lifelong love of learning and a sense of responsibility towards others and the wider world;
- Well-being and safety - prioritising the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of every child, and equipping all children with the confidence and knowledge to stay safe, and to treat others with kindness and integrity;
- Leading in environmental responsibility - informed by our Christian responsibility to care for creation, embedding environmental stewardship and encouraging our community to act as caretakers for the planet.
These priorities should be seen within the context of the school vision: ‘Learning to Live, Living to Love, Loving to Learn’, which has strong biblical underpinnings.
The strategic plan, vision and values, with the biblical underpinnings, can be seen through the school website, Kildwick CE Primary School | North Yorkshire
From this strategic plan Mr Whitehead and the staff team have drawn up a revised ‘development plan’ for the current academic year with termly milestones to support day-to-day implementation.
Governor visits and discussions with staff, including around safeguarding and well-being, and special educational needs and disabilities, will support the governing board in its monitoring of planned developments, and importantly feed into the summer term whole-school review.
Governors have recently revisited the remit of the Curriculum Committee, to help ensure a strong focus on the curriculum, and ongoing curriculum developments.
The governing board continues to evolve which has helped it to remain strong.
We are currently looking to recruit a new Foundation Governor and will hopefully again have a full governing board before the end of the current term - if you would like to discuss the role of Foundation Governors please feel free to chat with the Reverend Mike, or Mr Whitehead.
Governors will continue to provide feedback, through a link in ‘Kildwick Chronicle’, on the work of the Governing Board throughout the year - formal minutes of governing board meetings can be found via the school website.
An overview of the work of the governors, including information on the current governors, can also be seen on the website.
I am happy to discuss the work of the governing board and can be contacted through [email protected] - equally, please feel free to chat with any of the governors as you see them in school, or at school events.
Day-to-day issues around your child and school should of course be discussed with the staff team or Mr Whitehead.
I wish you and your children an enjoyable and successful year.
Best wishes