Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 11th July 2025

 16-19 Bursary.

Thank you to those who have already submitted their forms and evidence.  I have contacted last year’s applicants as well as those currently receiving Free School Meals whose documents are still outstanding.

If you have not already done so application forms and supporting evidence are to be returned to me by 14th July to ensure they can be processed in time for September.

Please read the following information carefully:

Due to changes in the Bursary system, the amount of bursary received this year has differed significantly to previous years.  To clarify:

• If a young person is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) they will continue to receive FSMs funded for by school not the bursary.
• The bursary amount allocated to the school varies each year and is based on several factors. Until we know how many pupils are eligible for 2025/26, we cannot confirm the amount each eligible student will receive.

• The bursary did not cover the cost of our 2024/24 school residential trip. However, as parents were informed earlier in the year that the bursary would cover this cost, the school made the decision to fund the trip—at significant expense to our budget.  The Discretionary bursary will not be allocated to fund residential in 2025/26

It is here.

This week’s online safety blog is focused on ‘binge watching’- anticipating that many of our students could get into the habit of binge watching over the summer holidays with more access to technology. Lizzie has some great tips; although it can be an easy option, it can be damaging in the long run.

Free parent webinars available via Parentkind.

There are several free webinars available for parents, which are free of charge to members of Parentkind. These are not SEN specific. Tracy and I availed of some training last year on working with parents via Parentkind which we found very useful.

You will need the school’s postcode: NE12 7BH. This will bring up the options. There are some which may be helpful. Please provide feedback if you take up the offer.

Metro line closure, advance notice.

We have received notice from Nexus of closure of the metro between Hebburn and South Shields for 5 days in the summer holidays, from 4^th -8^th August. Full details in the letter below.

Visit Newcastle is at Newcastle Exhibition Park.

FREE mini train rides at Exhibition Park Newcastle this Sunday (just turn up)

2025 dates:

Sun 6 July

Sun 3 Aug

Sun 7 Sept

Sun 5 Oct

Donations welcome. Check their website for changes (Google TSMEE) before heading out.

Drop in between 11am-3pm. No need to book. Find them next to Wylam Brewery.

Other things to do in the area:

*Visit the playgrounds, sports courts and skate park

*Walk around the boating lake

*Book Sunday Lunch at Wylam Brewery

*Pop into the park cafe for a drink or bite to eat

*Cross over the road and visit Great North Museum / the Farrell Centre. Both are Free

*Walk along to Leazes Park for double the fun

Easy to access by public transport (a 10-15 minute easy walk from Haymarket) and parking nearby (I use Claremont Road NE2 4AN).

SEND FRIENDLY SUMMER

North Tyneside Family Hubs have announced an amazing line up of FREE activities throughout the summer holidays…

Even better is the news that they have also launched some specific SEN

friendly sessions!

Please see photos attached of their line up and note, SEN friendly sessions MUST be pre booked!!

Shared from their page…

Our summer timetable has arrived

This year we have some SEN friendly sessions available – these sessions MUST be booked beforehand and you can call your local family hub to book on to these. Spaces are limited and sessions will be suitable for children up to 8 years old.

Shiremoor Family hub – 0191 643 8297

Howdon Family hub – 0191 643 2229

Riverside Family hub – 0191 643 8899

All other stay and play sessions have activities for children aged 0-5 years and siblings are welcome.

Our wellbeing events have a range of experiences and all ages of children are welcome

See below for details:

They have also shared another even; see poster which is not SEN specific but may be of interest.

INCLUSIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS

Disability North are running Inclusive Art sessions throughout the summer for any of our young ones aged 8 years and above.

Held each Wednesday afternoon at Disability North in Newcastle, they have a fantastic range of sessions available!

Check out their post below with all the deets..

FREE Inclusive Art & Craft Workshops – Summer Series!

For ages 8+

Hosted by Disability North, led and delivered by Zoe from Zone 31 CIC!

Join us for a summer of fun, creative, and sensory-friendly art sessions designed for all abilities! Each week features different activities that are fully adaptable and inclusive, perfect for anyone who loves to get creative or try something new.

What to Expect Across the Sessions:

Bubble painting, straw blowing & textured ball printing

Hand painting

Clay tile making – glaze & fire your own creation!

Fabric decorating – bags, pencil cases… even shoes!

Marbling magic with jelly water & acrylics

Robot drawing with Sphero bots

Push N Paint – adapted painting gadget for wheelchair users

We use specialist tools, stencils, and techniques to ensure everyone can take part – whether you’re into painting, clay, or simply want to explore.

Wednesdays | 1pm–3pm

Disability North, The Dene Centre, Newcastle, NE3 1PH

Ages 8+ | All abilities welcome!

Block and group booking available

Workshop Dates:

23rd July

30th July

6th August

13th August

20th August

27th August

Tickets are FREE – only 10 spaces per session available!

Please book one ticket per participant only.

Parents, carers, or personal assistants attending to support do not need to book a separate ticket.

* We appreciate donations to help us continue running these free and inclusive sessions. Every contribution helps us provide materials and expand our creative opportunities.

Surfing:

Some of our students have been to South Shields for adaptive surfing. Please see posters for sessions available over the holidays and beyond.

North East kids.

Here is a list of suggested activities for the summer from a blogger (not SEN specific)

*** Summer Holidays 2025 ***

The Summer Holidays are creeping up on us and there are loads of things happening across the North East to keep you and your little ones busy.

Heres a few events happening over Week Four……

Saturday 9th August

Join The Customs House for Dennis’s Beach Bash Bonanza, a sunshine soaked game show spectacular packed with laughs, chaos, and plenty of sand-filled silliness

Board The Teesside Princess with your fuzzy friends for fun and games in their classic ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ event

Dive into a world of stories, creativity and imagination as Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens bring you their Festival of Books event

Head along to the bandstand in South Marine Park and enjoy music from local band The Howard Baker Band

Get your glitter on and join Club Groovy for a daytime disco in their Funky Family Fest event at the ARC Stockton Arts Centre

Join Harriet Louise Productions at The Unionist in South Shields for their amazing ‘Mini Pop Fest’, perfect for kids and adults who can’t get enough of pop music

The Sunderland Brick Festival arrives at CitySpace Fitness, with lots to see and do including speed building competitions, large scale displays and much more

Get ready to transport yourself to the White Isle with The Ouseburn Gardens Ibiza inspired Summer Terrace Party

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Cars and Wicked

Sunday 10th August

Prepare to be amazed by parrots & other tropical birds as Temple Park host The Tropical Bird Show

Get ready for games, giggles, and good times, Bluey is heading to The Lambton Worm

Give Your Little Prince or Princess a royal experience as Let it Snow Productions head to Spanish city for a fabulous ‘Princess Tea Party’ event

Tynemouth Aquariums local mermaids will be swimming along to the aquarium, to catch up with their fishy friends and all of their guests (Until 16th Aug)

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Finding Nemo and High School Musical 3

Monday 11th August

Join St James’ STACK for sports themed interactive games, dancing and singing to all your favourite tunes in their Kids Fan Festival of Fun event

‘The Koala Who Could’ a stage adaptation of the popular children’s book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, plays at the Playhouse Whitley Bay (11th-12th)

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Garfield and Kung Fu Panda 4

Tuesday 12th August

The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to the Newcastle Theatre Royal (12th-23rd)

Enjoy an award winning extravaganza as Taylormania heads to the Darlington Hippodrome

Join award-winning author Lisette Auton in a wonderful celebration of neurodivergence at Seven Stories The National Centre for Children’s Books ‘The Starlight Rebel’ event

Head along to South Shields’ Amphitheatre and enjoy Kids Fun Fest, an afternoon of free fun, games and activities with a host of amazing performers and entertainers

Get ready for an action packed adventure as your favourite superheroes take over the stage at Stack Seaburn

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Zog and the Flying Doctors, Trolls and Peter Pan

Wednesday 13th August

Katy Ellis, a self confessed ‘Swiftie’ brings her Taylormania show to The Customs House

Get ready for an action packed morning as your little ones meet the world’s most iconic gaming brothers in The Lambton Worms Mario & Luigi event

Prepare to set sail on an unforgettable adventure with Winkle & Storm Pirate Adventures spectacular pantomime pirate show at the Stack Seaburn

Enjoy St James’ Stacks Kids Fan Festival of Fun event, with plenty of sports themed interactive games, dancing and singing

Join Victor the Veteran at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort to find out all about Roman food and the equipment carried by a Roman soldier

Enjoy Dry Ice, Air Cannon and Whoosh Bottle experiments at Gosforth Civic Theatre Big Science Show

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Ice Age, Harold and the Purple Crayon and Cinema Paradiso

Thursday 14th August

Get ready for a Science show like no other at Carnival House & Kitchens Big Science Show

Based on the bestselling books and TV series by Liz Pichon, and brand new for 2025, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show heads to The Customs House

Enjoy Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens as The HandleBards Present: Much Ado About Nothing

STACK Middlesbrough will host Ice Extravaganza, a fun filled morning of singing, dancing and entertainment in tribute to Disney’s Frozen

Join the Stack Seaburn for a Celebration of Barbie, a vibrant event packed with flags, bubbles, good tunes, non-stop dancing, sing-alongs and epic games for all ages

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Sky High and Transformers One

Friday 15th August

Enjoy a weekend of fantastic music featuring a lineup which includes the Scissor Sisters, Pet Shop Boys, Olly Murs and much more as Hardwick Festival arrives (15th-17th)

Step into a world of magic, music, and fairy tale fun in the Newcastle Show Bar – Purple Peacocks family friendly Princess Ball (Every Friday in Aug)

Enjoy tributes, tunes and twilight skies at Derwent Fest at Derwent Waterside Park (15th-16th)

Told through a fusion of drama, multi cultural dance, live music, roller skating and visual arts, ‘Departing at 18.25’ pulls into the Forum Theatre Billingham

Join Seven Stories as they welcome debut author Jack Mackay for a spine chilling writing workshop, based on his highly anticipated novel ‘Gloam’

Enjoy a day of carnival fun for all the family at Tweddle Farm, take part in all of their activities including: Children’s funfair rides, face painting, local treat stalls, garden games, a circus workshop and much more

Screen on the Greens fantastic Free Movies today are Spycies and The Incredibles

I’ll update this post with any additional events that come in later through the comments, so be sure to check back for updates. If I missed your event, I apologize but feel free to add it in the comments below as well

Hope this gives you some great ideas for the Summer Holidays. Whatever you choose to do have the best time

Meeting. Our final meeting for this academic year was yesterday. With a few parents in attendance, it was good to have feedback. The summer fayre was popular, and we hope that you all enjoyed it. It’s a great way for families to get together while raising much needed funds to support FoPHS.

Suggestions include getting a Newsletter of what FoPHS has done as some parents offered the view that parents don’t know what we fund.

There were suggestions on other ways to raise funds and it was great to have Rosie, from fundraising in attendance to clarify regulations governing some of these ideas.

We also hope to get the FoPHS section of the website updated, and Hannah will contact communications in this regard.

School photos were discussed. We now have 2 staff members who are fantastic amateur photographers which will ease the workload. Being mindful of the time this process takes we will make some changes. Last time, despite photos only being taken at the parent’s request about 30% did not take up the option to purchase the digital link. Without feedback, we are unsure of the reasons why. To ensure that this is better managed we are looking at a “pay in advance” option with a suggested donation of £10. Should parents be unhappy with the photo, there would be an offer to retake it or issue a refund once the draft version is shared. Due to the high workload for teachers and increase in activity in and out of school in the summer term it was decided to delay until September.

My view, shared by most of those in attendance is that the experience and results are better when the photos are taken in house. There is also some flexibility if a student is off school the day photos are taken. A professional photographer has limited time, and the cost of prints is high. We would be happy to hear your thoughts.

Another plea to support Team Robinson who are taking on the Great North Run to raise funds for FoPHS. Your support means a lot and every little helps. The funds raised will directly support all students in school. They have paid entry fees of £64 each to take part. Last year, both completed despite knee injuries; it was very hard for me to see the photos of my husband supporting my daughter over the line. Hopefully this year will be better, so if you can donate any amount to help them reach the target of £700, the Robinson family (and FoPHS) would be most grateful.

Webinars: One of the member benefits is free webinars for parents. See thr information section of this blog for details.

FoPHS 100 Club.

The final 6 draws were done at the meeting yesterday and the winners of £32 are as follows:

Draw number              Name                          Winning number

7                         Louise Finlay                          1

8                        Sarah Hamlin                          64

9                       Jo Thomas                              21

10                     Caroline Hall                           39

11                    Jackie Byren                            45

12                  Christine Fewster                      62

Thanks to all who supported. This raised £384 for FoPHS

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