Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 19th December 2025

School closes at 15.30 on Friday 19^th December for the Christmas holidays and re-opens on Tuesday 6^th January.

Here are the links to the calendars:

Preparation for Adulthood.

This is just a reminder that on Wednesday 21^st January we have our next Parent Forum. These are for parents/carers of students from Year 7 upwards. There have been changes, and there may be more as the government SEND review is ongoing. Local Authorities may challenge placements from Year 12 onwards. In school, a lot of work has been done to make the EHCP review process focused on the future and some LA’s have changed their paperwork. The main transition review is year 9, but we decided to invite parents from Year 7, so that when you get to the Year 9 review, you know what to expect.

As a school, we want to ensure that parents/carers have all the information they need to support their young people preparing for adulthood and life after Percy Hedley School. We have updated resources to include PfA. The link is at the foot of this section.

Here are the dates for the next Parent Forum events:

All are Wednesdays from9.30-11.00 and will be offered in person or TEAMS.

21 January 2026: Social Care; planning for the future

11 March 2026: Benefits; what are you/ your young person entitled to and how can you support them with their money?

6 May 2025: Making decisions; Mental Capacity related

10 June 2026: Supporting Independent travel and Independent Supported Living.

Speaking from my perspective, as a former PHS parent I adopted the Scouts motto: Be Prepared. I know that is easier said than done and if any parent would like to discuss this, please get in contact with me, Hannah Fuller or Louise Finlay. It is simply thinking about what will be best for your young person, researching and visiting options so that you are clear in your mind as to:

• What is available
• If it is appropriate for your young person

Here is the link to the PfA resources.

Timbadash Theatre

Festive TimbaTime!

Ever wondered where Christmas trees come from? Come and find out at this very special Festive TimbaTime session! We will be visiting libraries and community centres in North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Newcastle.

Free to book but limited spaces available so booking is essential – please book through our Eventbrite

Some dates for your diaries:

Do check out our eventbrite to book into sessions! Good availability;

Saturday 20th December – Forest Hall Library – 1:30pm and 3pm

Sunday 21st: Alan Shearer Centre – 11am and 1pm (book through the Alan Shearer Centre)

Monday 22nd – Hebburn Library – 11am and 1pm

North East Family Fun

Here are some ideas for free things to do; not SEN specific. The link to their page is in the text below.

14 FREE Days Out for the Weekend

(FREE Santa’s Grotto at Manor Walks pictured)

20 Dec – FREE Hexham Christmas Window Trail

20 Dec – FREE Christmas Pony in the Barn with treats, arts, crafts and pony cuddles (Stepney Bank Stable)

20 Dec – FREE Make a Christmas Decoration at Oriental Museum Durham

20 Dec – FREE 12 Days of Christmas Trail at National Glass Centre Sunderland

20 Dec – FREE A Christmas Night at the Museum (Hopetown Darlington)

20 Dec – FREE Snow Play at Theatre Hullabaloo

20 Dec – (ad) FREE Celebrate Christmas in Blyth with Live Music, Advent Trail, Christmas Crafts with Mrs Claus, Face Painting and more.

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Santa’s Grotto at Manor Walks Cramlington

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Silent Disco at Newcastle Christmas Market

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Christmas Tree Decoration Making at IKEA

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Once Upon a Winter Trail in Sunderland

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Gingerbread Decorating with Complimentary Tea, Coffee and Squash at BALTIC Front Room

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Christmas Trail around Druridge Bay Country Park (with FREE sweet treat at the end)

20 & 21 Dec – FREE Meet the Donkey & Mini Shetland Pony and FREE Christmas Treasure Hunt at PlantsPlus Garden Centre

ALWAYS check with venues direct for the most up to date info before heading out.

Money Saving Central:

Some great saving tips on this page.

Here is the most recent version of where kids can eat for free or £1.

AGM:

On discussion, it was agreed to try holding the AGM out of school hours. This will be hybrid and the link will be sent in the new year. It will be on Wednesday 28^th January from 17.00-18.30. You are welcome to join in person in school.

An update on funds:

We received:

£75 from family members in lieu of Christmas cards

£50.62p   from Andy Hall’s Carol singers

Raffle: £270

Bottle bag lucky dip: £172

Donations: £25.75

So, a total of £593.37 raised over the festive period.

Raffle Winners

Christmas Raffle Winners FoPHS. 18 December 2025

More FoPHS news:

We funded

• Christmas gifts, selection box or sensory alternative for every child attending school.
• £10 per child from the vey kind donation of the family of the late Cath Barnes went towards activities, trips etc in the run up to Christmas.
• Resources for MOVEing in a Winter Wonderland

We have agreed to fund more work on the Outdoor learning Area:

• Up to £2000 to expand the popular music wall area, making it more accessible to all students.
• Up to £2000 for an all-weather canopy over the fire pit area so that it can be used all year round.

It is through your support that we can do these lovely things and on behalf of the committee I express thanks to everyone who has and continues to support us.

100 Club.

We would love to increase the uptake of the 100 club, which currently has 26 subscribers. Forms will be available at the Christmas events. If you are interested in joining the 100 club, please let me know. I can send paper forms if required and accept payment by cash, cheque, BACS or via QR code. Details are on the link below

Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.