AMALGAMATION UPDATE If the proposed amalgamation goes ahead in September we will need to change the uniform of both schools to reflect the new school. We have a great opportunity to make a statement with a distinct change. The Nicholas Chamberlaine Trust have kindly offered to provide 2 new sweatshirts from the new uniform for each pupil. Taking account of the recent news and the issue over affordability of uniform, we are proposing white polo shirts for foundation stage and key stage 1 all year and key stage 2 (summer only) and shirt and school tie for key stage 2 winter. We have put photos of the proposed uniform on to both websites for parents to look at. You will note we have taken on board the comments that came through the parents meetings reference keeping the house teams but accounting for the difficulty some parents have getting 2nd hand polo shirts of the correct colour etc. The logo incorporates the house colours, the example shown being ’Stuart’. The logo is a combination of both schools current logo and incorporates the cross of nails to represent the diocese and the miners wheel to represent the history and heritage of our town. The new colour sets us apart from other local schools and features in the colours of the liturgical year. We feel this says we are no longer Canon Evans or Canon Maggs, we are a new family ‘The Canons’ we hope you agree. The children who have seen the new uniform have really liked it and particularly like the shirt and tie which they say makes them feel smart and more grown up. Parents of children who are eligible for free school meals will qualify for pupil premium funding. Since the introduction of the universal free school meal in key stage 1 many parents have overlooked the need to apply. This means school and thus your children miss out on a huge amount of additional funding that can be used to support your children further. Therefore as an incentive, we will be offering a further uniform voucher for all new applicants who register for free school meals. This can be used to purchase skirts, trousers, P.E.kit etc as necessary. Vouchers for sweatshirts will be issued for every child to be redeemed at Toye Kenning & Spencer when all school places have been allocated and when we have received official notification that amalgamation has been agreed by cabinet. This is just preparatory work so that manufacturing can go ahead as and when we receive confirmation. The full list of uniforms will be published at that point, we just wanted to share the most significant change.