We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our pupils, families, and staff for making this term so positive, fun and successful. It has been packed with fantastic learning experiences, including exciting trips, working with outside agencies, silent discos, our brilliant school show and so much more!

We are especially proud of our great attendance this term – thank you for your continued support in helping our pupils be in school, ready to learn and thrive each day.

Just a quick reminder that we return to school on Tuesday 14th April 2026, as Monday 13th April is an INSET Day.

We are particularly proud of the way our pupils have supported the wider community this week, including generous donations to the Black Country Foodbank and the local Brierley Hill Babybank. These visits reflect the kindness, empathy, and social responsibility which we aim to nurture in all of our young people!

Our Easter silent discos have also been a highlight on the calendar for both pupils and staff this week. Everyone had lots of fun, and it was a real pleasure to watch the pupils relax, enjoy their own choice of music and engage with one another in a sensory-friendly and supportive atmosphere.

This week our newsletter includes highlights from Comic Relief 2026 and 'Australia Day.'

We hope you enjoy reading about the fantastic work and achievements taking place across the school.

Sutton Stage Stars – At the Movies - Wednesday 25th March : 6:30p.m. - 9:00p.m. 

A reminder that our Sutton Stage Star Show will take place on 25th March 2026, as mentioned in the previous newsletter. We are incredibly excited for this event and look forward to seeing our pupils showcase their wonderful talents.

Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

We would also like to remind families about the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which offers a range of activities and support during the school holidays. Further details on how to access HAF provision are included below.

Welcome back to Spring Term 2

We hope you all had a restful break and are ready for the busy and exciting weeks ahead.

Firstly, we would like to say a huge thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support, resilience and partnership. Your commitment to working alongside us — particularly in ensuring children attend school and are ready to learn — does not go unnoticed. Most importantly, we want to recognise our pupils for their effort, determination and achievements. Whether it’s persevering through challenges, improving attendance, making progress in learning, showing kindness or a growth in confidence, we are incredibly proud of them all.

This term, we not only look forward to brighter starts to the day and lighter evenings (which always give morale a welcome boost) but also to the many exciting events and opportunities planned across school. There is lots to look forward to, and we are excited to see our pupils continue to thrive.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community.

This half term has certainly brought its challenges — from snowy mornings to navigating a particularly unpleasant virus that affected many of our families and staff. However, what has stood out most is the determination, resilience and perseverance shown by our children. Despite the disruptions, they have continued to show up, try their best and support one another.

We have seen so many examples of our school motto in action — safe, happy learning. Through every challenge, our pupils have demonstrated that when we work together, encourage one another and keep pushing forward, we can overcome obstacles and continue to thrive.

Thank you to all of our families for your continued support this half term. We are incredibly proud of our pupils and everything they have accomplished.

Wishing you all a restful and well-deserved break.

We hope that you and your families enjoyed a restful and positive Christmas break. As we begin the Spring Term 2026, it has been lovely to welcome pupils back and see them settling back into their routines.

As mentioned previously, we had a strong and positive Autumn Term 2025, and we would like to thank you for your continued support throughout this time. We are now very much looking forward to working together this spring to build on that success and ensure the term ahead reflects our school motto of safe, happy learning towards independence.

We are excited about the opportunities this term will bring and appreciate your ongoing partnership as we continue to support every child to thrive.

This week we proudly took part in Anti-Bullying Week, joining thousands of schools across the country to raise awareness and show our support for kindness, respect, and inclusion.

To kick off the week, staff and pupils wore odd socks — a fun and colourful way to celebrate what makes each of us unique. The message behind Odd Socks Day is simple: everyone is different, and that’s something to be proud of!

As a SEN school, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds, needs, and communities, and we are incredibly proud of how they support and celebrate one another. At our school, we believe that understanding and acceptance are key to building a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.

This week has been a reminder that small acts of kindness make a big difference — and that together, we can continue to make our school a place where everyone feels they belong.

Social Media Kindness Day 2025: Spreading Positivity Online and Beyond

At our school, we were proud to take part in Social Media Kindness Day 2025, a national campaign that reminds us all of the importance of being kind online. In a world where so much of our communication takes place through screens, this day serves as a powerful reminder that our words and actions — both online and offline — can have a lasting impact.

In school we explore the theme of kindness and digital responsibility through RSHE lessons, parental workshops, and home–school conversations. Our Young Persons Officer has also delivered and continues to deliver engaging talks on the importance of showing kindness online and the effects that negative online behaviour can have — not just on others, but also on our own mental and physical wellbeing.

We continue to promote positive online behaviour by encouraging pupils to think before they post, use social media responsibly, and seek help whenever they feel worried or upset about something they’ve seen or experienced online.

In school, every child knows they can speak to any trusted adult about concerns related to social media. They also know that the Safe and Wellbeing Hub Team are always available to listen, support, and guide them.

Together, we’re helping our pupils build a safer, kinder online community — one message at a time.

For more information about Social Media Kindness Day, please visit: www.socialmediakindnessday.com/about-smkd

BoxClever Mentoring – Engaging Young People Through Non-Contact Boxing

We are excited to share information about BoxClever Mentoring, a fantastic initiative run by Craig Jones. This service provides mentoring for children and young people using non-contact boxing as a way to engage, build confidence, and support personal development.

BoxClever is aimed at, but not limited to, children and young people with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) difficulties. The programme focuses on improving the wellbeing, resilience, and confidence of every young person it supports, helping them to achieve their potential both inside and outside of school.

Sessions are free to attend and run every Thursday from 6:00–7:00 PM at Westminster School, for children aged 10 years and above.

For more information and to stay updated on activities, please follow BoxClever on social media by scanning the QR code below or searching @BOXCLEVERCJ 

Children in Need 2025: Supporting a Cause That Puts Children First

This week, our school proudly supported BBC Children in Need 2025 — a charity that has been making a difference in young people’s lives for generations. This long-standing and much-loved charity works tirelessly to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background or circumstance.

At our school, we share the same child-centred approach that Children in Need champions. Everything we do focuses on understanding and meeting the individual needs of our pupils, supporting their wellbeing, and helping them reach their full potential. It’s a cause that truly reflects our own ethos of care, inclusion, and compassion.

We encourage everyone to take a moment to learn more about this fantastic charity and the incredible work it continues to do for children and families across the UK. If you are able to support or donate, even in a small way, it can make a big difference to a child’s life.

You can find out more — and see how you can get involved — by visiting:
 www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

Together, we can help make a positive change — one child at a time.

World Culture Day 2025: Celebrating India in All Its Colour and Magic

This term, our school celebrated World Culture Day, and the country of focus was India. It was a truly immersive and magical experience for our pupils and staff, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore the rich traditions, flavours, and sounds of this incredible country.

The day was filled with excitement as children and staff alike tasted native Indian foods, including the nation’s favourite dish in Britain — chicken tikka masala! Pupils also enjoyed learning key Hindi phrases, listening to vibrant Indian music, and discovering fascinating facts about India’s culture and heritage.

Events like World Culture Day are about much more than just fun — they open children’s minds to the incredible diversity of the world. For many pupils, this is a rare opportunity to experience a culture they may not normally encounter, helping to remove ignorance and challenge stigma. By learning about and celebrating different cultures, our children grow in understanding, empathy, and respect for others.

It was a wonderful day, full of curiosity, laughter, and learning, and a reminder of how embracing diversity enriches our school community.

7T23 Parental Woodland Engagement Session

Last week, our 7T23 class enjoyed a fantastic woodland engagement session with their parents. It was wonderful to see families working alongside their children, exploring the outdoors, and taking part in hands-on activities together.

Sessions like these are more than just fun — they help to strengthen home–school relationships and provide opportunities for parents to engage directly with their child’s learning in a meaningful way. Activities in natural settings also support communication, teamwork, confidence, and wellbeing, showing just how beneficial these experiences are for both children and families.

We are so grateful to all the parents who joined us and look forward to hosting more woodland sessions in the future

Rivers News team 

Welcome back to another fantastic edition of Phase News at Sutton School! 
We are so happy to see that our Rivers  pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 have settled back in brilliantly. Everyone has shown determination, resilience and followed our school motto: Safe, Happy, Learning Towards Independence. 

Here’s what we’ve been up to so far in these amazing first few weeks... 

9R1 

9R1 have settled into Rivers Phase amazingly well and are already showing real confidence and determination. They have made great progress in every subject – especially during Library time! Lots of pupils have been volunteering to help clean and organise the library, which will go towards their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.