Help with the Cost Of Living Crisis

One-off Cost of Living Payment

Kirklees Council have recently announced that they will be providing financial support for the families of those children who are entitled to free school meals, to receive a one-off cost of living payment of £50 per child. This will help families who are experiencing extreme financial difficulties in Kirklees.

Families can expect to receive this money before Christmas.  Check if you are eligible to claim for Free School Meals here.

The funding is part of a wider package of financial support approved by Cabinet. The details are in our news story: Cabinet approves huge expansion of award-winning affordable food service – Kirklees Together

Additionally, the Local Welfare Provision (LWP) scheme helps vulnerable people in short-term crisis with food and essential items. Entitlement for help is based on a person or family’s circumstances at the time and is discretionary.

Get in touch if you or your family are in immediate need or hardship.

 Local Welfare Provision
• lwp@kirklees.gov.uk
• 01484 414782 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays)

Apply for the Local Welfare Provision Fund – Eligibility – My Kirklees Account

Additionally:
• Kirklees residents can find support to help manage the increase in household bills on the Kirklees Council website: www.kirklees.gov.uk/cost-of-living
• Check out the free events taking place in Kirklees this October half-term: Spooktacular schedule of events this Halloween

Our Chair of Governors, David Sharp, has shared some links with us from the HSBC which you may find helpful

1.Wellbeing resources across a range of issues – see Wellbeing dropdown on HSBC home page and attached document.

https://www.hsbc.co.uk

2.Links below to various sites on Cost Of Living – this includes various webinars run every week including Cost Of Living Sessions. There is also a link to book a financial fitness appointment – 30 minute sessions – you don’t have to be a HSBC client. This link also has budget planners, and links to external debt advice:

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/financial-fitness/fitness-score/

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/financial-fitness/rising-cost-of-living/

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/financial-fitness/managing-debt/

Free School Meals

Free School Meals – During this time we realise that some families may be suffering financial difficulties. If your employment circumstances have changed in the past few months and you are now in receipt of certain benefits you may be entitled to claim for Free School Meals.  Please be assured that there is no stigma attached to Free School Meals and your eligibility will remain confidential.  Children are not aware that they are having a Free School Meal.
If you wish to check whether you are able to claim Free School Meals please log onto the Kirklees Council website by following this link

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/schools/free-school-meals.aspx#

If you do qualify Kirklees will inform us and we will add your child to our Free School Meals list.

Please note that children in Reception and Years 1 & 2 currently receive Universal Free School Meals – this is a different scheme to Free School Meals which is only available to families in receipt of certain benefits and who meet the Free School Meals criteria.
In the meantime, please contact Alex Sykes in the office if you have any queries by emailing alex.sykes@holmfirthjinschool.net

Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II Official Portrait

Schools have been asked to close for the State Funeral for HM Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 19 September, 2022, as a mark of respect this day has been declared a Bank Holiday. Therefore, Holmfirth J I & N School will be closed on Monday 19 September and we will reopen as usual on Tuesday 20 September.

Calling all parents of children starting Reception in September 2023

We are pleased to offer prospective parents the opportunity to come to our school to have a look around and meet our staff.  Visits will be arranged in small groups.  If you would like to arrange a visit on any of the dates below please call us on 01484 687565 or email office@holmfirthjinschool.net to make your appointment.

You can also find out more information about our school on our website – www.holmfirthjinschool.net

Thank you for your interest in our school – we look forward to welcoming your family to our school.

Forthcoming visit dates and times

DAY DATE TIME
     
Thursday 22nd September 2.00pm
Thursday 29th September 10.00am
Tuesday 4th October FULL
Monday 10th October FULL
Tuesday 18th October 10.00am
Monday 7th November 10.00am
Tuesday 15th November 2.00pm
Monday 21st November 3.30pm

 

*group numbers will be limited to allow you space and time to ask questions, and places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you for your interest in Holmfirth J I & N School.

Reception visits prospective parents Sept 23.docx

Ofsted Report – June 2022

On the 5 September 2022, we received the final report from our Ofsted visit that took place on June 14 and June 15 2022, which recognised Holmfirth J I & N School as a Good school.

On Thursday 15 September, the report will be on the Ofsted portal, but we have been granted permission to share the report with you from today.

We believe that the report celebrates our school’s distinctive characteristics and recognises the strategic direction provided by governors and school leaders. The expertise of all staff, with regard to learning and personal development, and the children’s positive attitudes are also significant.

The experience with Amanda Shipman, the Ofsted inspector, was a positive one that enabled us to take stock of progress made, identify challenges and to indicate our future intentions which, reassuringly, were aligned with her recommendations. Suggested developments for further improvement have already been considered and will figure in this year’s self-evaluation and development plan, which is now here on the school website click here

We would like to thank you for the quantity and quality of parental responses. This was an important aspect of information gathering from the outset. Your many positive comments were hugely supportive and greatly appreciated.

Holmfirth J I & N School – Ofsted Report June 2022

Keeping Cool(ish)

Many thanks to Chris Worsley, from Easy Fireplaces in Milnsbridge for loaning us a air conditioning unit and Sheila Sutton from the Nook/Bowshaw Trout for supplying us with lots of ice for our water bottles.

Do you shop with Amazon?

If you shop at Amazon did you know that if you use this link to log in smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1040723-0 Amazon donates a percentage of your total spend to FONS.  There is nothing to set up – just follow the link and place your order as usual.   

If you shop Amazon Prime Day deals on 12 & 13 July, Amazon will double donations: Simply shop with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app or at smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1040723-0, and AmazonSmile donates to Holmfirth Junior, Infant And Nursery School Parent Teacher Association (FONS).

Holmfirth Junior,Infant And Nursery School Parent Teacher Association has already received £406.04 as of May 2022