Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• New Teacher Vacancies here at Chopwell primary school

  Wed 03 Apr 2024

  Please see vacancies page.

• Important letter to parents

  Wed 24 Jan 2024

  Wednesday 24^th January

   

   

  Dear Parents/ Carers

   

  Firstly, I'd like to apologise- I'd hoped to let you all know this when we’re back from India but decided that I couldn't risk you finding out from someone else.

   

  We teach the children to always challenge themselves and I truly believe in practicing what we preach, I’ve been the Head at Chopwell for seven fantastic years and I’ve truly enjoyed every minute. Serving this brilliant community has been an honour and a privilege and I hope you agree the school is in a great place.

  However, for me personally, it’s time for a new challenge - I've been appointed as a full time School Improvement Partner for Gateshead – helping all the schools across the borough - I’ll will be leaving Chopwell at Easter. While I'm delighted to have been appointed, I do leave Chopwell with a heavy heart- it will always be special to me. 

   

  I know this will leave you wondering what’s ahead- for the Summer Term Mrs Kelly will step up as Acting Head teacher. Mrs Kelly started at Chopwell with me seven years ago- all of the changes and improvements we’ve made over that time we’ve made together – she knows the community well and is really well placed to carry on the work we’ve started.

   

  Lastly, I'd like to thank you all for your support- I’ve loved getting to know you all and I’ll still be here to answer any questions you have up to Easter.

   

  Yours sincerely

  Mrs V Bruce

  Head Teacher

• Come and join our team!

  Tue 28 Nov 2023

  We have a new vacancy for a Level 3 Teaching Assistant - see our vacancies page for more info!

• The Autumn 2023 Newsletter is ready to view

  Tue 26 Sep 2023

• New school meal menu

  Wed 23 Aug 2023

  Our new academic year 23/24 school meal menu is now available to view!

  

• School Meal Price increase

  Wed 24 May 2023

  From Monday 5^th June 2023, the price of a school meal will increase to £2.80 a day, or £14.00 per week. This will apply to anyone not entitled to means tested free school meals in years 3 to 6.

   

  Our school meals are provided by Gateshead Council’s School Catering Service. The service has faced rising labour and food costs. However, the council are charging the school £3.00 per meal, so overall, we are subsidising each meal.

   

  Gateshead School catering is nationally recognised, award-winning service and were announced as the UK’s best performer in Education Catering for the second year running; this award provides an analysis of standards, quality, cost and productivity in comparison to other similar local authorities, demonstrating that they offer excellent value for money. They uphold a number of accreditations which serve to reassure customer of their commitment to quality, sustainability and animal welfare as well as supporting local businesses:

  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Red Tractor Assured Food standards
  • Soil Association: Food for Life Served Here
  • ISO14001

   

  Their menus are carefully constructed using fresh ingredients and are served up by a well-trained skilled and experienced team. School meals offer children the chance to eat a nutritious, tasty meal in a social and safe environment.

   

  School meals should be paid for in advance. Paying weekly for longer periods helps the school make best use of valuable administration time, reduces the need for reminders and is much appreciated. Payment can be made online via your School Gateway account, by cash in a sealed named envelope, or cheque (made payable to Chopwell Primary School).

   

  If you think you may be entitled to free school meals, please contact 0191 433 3729 or visit Gateshead Council’s website for more information.

   

  We feel that our school meals are an excellent choice for lunchtime and hope that you till support the catering service within our school.

• Strike Action 27th April and 2nd May 2023 - School partially open.

  Thu 27 Apr 2023

  Closed to classes, reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3

  Open to Nursery, Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6

• Strike Action - 15th & 16th March - School closed to all children

  Mon 13 Mar 2023

• Strike Action - 1st February - School closed to children

  Mon 23 Jan 2023

  Monday 23rd January 2023 

   

   

  Dear Parent/ Carer 

   

  Teacher Strike Action- school closure 

    

  I wrote to you last week to inform you of possible closures due to teacher strike action.  

  We know this decision will be disappointing for families and will cause challenges for childcare. However, having undertaken a risk assessment, I have concluded that due to the number of teachers who are planning to strike, we are not able to ensure an adequate safe environment. 

   

  Therefore, at this moment in time Chopwell Primary will be closed to all pupils on the 1^st of February. 

  
   

  Industrial action is not undertaken lightly, and decisions can alter over time even in the hours before a strike day. However, we will keep families updated if this is likely to change, ensuring there is clear planning to support our children. 

   

  Again, I do recognise that this does cause families some disruption, we’ll aim to keep you informed as far in advance as possible if there are any further closures in the coming months. At the minute the future planned strikes in the North of England are due to take place on: 

   

  • 28^th February 23 
  • 15^th and 16^th March 23 

  If your child is entitled to a means tested free school meal an email will follow to see if you’d like to pick a packed lunch up for your child that day.  

   

  Thank you again for your patience in this matter.  

   

  Yours sincerely  

  Mrs V Bruce 

  Head Teacher  

   

   

• P544390- Teaching Assistant Level 2 + SSA

  Tue 06 Dec 2022

  Please see our vacancy page for details on this position