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Valiant Rd, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk IP5 3SP (01473) 610701

Calling All Dogs!

A national study in reading has showed accelerated progress of ‘struggling readers,’ when they regularly read to a dog!  Well behaved dogs are invited into school with their ‘handler,’ and the child knows in advance of their time slot to read.  The child simply reads for 5 minutes to the dog.  The psychology behind it is simply that the dog just sits ‘and listens.’  The dog does not correct mistakes (the handler just sits holding the dog’s lead).  Research has shown that for struggling readers, this non – confrontational scenario boosts reader confidence and enjoyment.  Children look forward to their dog reading session and therefore often are keen to practise their reading for the session, inadvertently sharpening their segmenting, blending and general reading skills.  I have already done the necessary risk assessments and am very keen to ‘give it a go!’  If you have a well behaved dog that would sit calmly listening to children read, (ideally on a weekly basis), please come into the office and let us know so I can contact you and give you more details behind the psychology and what’s required.

Suffolk Greenest County Event 2013

Thank you for all YOUR votes! 

Click on the photo to hear our winner's interview on BBC Radio Suffolk

We have successfully beaten off stiff competition to be selected by the judges and a public vote as Suffolk's environmental Champion of Champions. This award recognises all the hard work since our journey began back in 2008.

 The awards ceremony took place at the Apex centre in Bury St Edmunds, with the prestigious award for Champion of Champions being presented by local Olympic weight lifting medalist Zoe Newson.

Click here for more details of our amazing award!

Click below to listen to our vote winning interview on BBC Radio Suffolk

Promoting Birchwood's Progress and Learning.

We are very proud of the learning that takes place at Birchwood and would like to share with you some of the excellent ways in which the pupils are are taught through our contexualised curriculum.

Follow this link to view some examples of teaching and learning at Birchwood.

Term dates for the Academic Year 2013/2014 are now available on our Office Page.

Your child may be entitled to free school dinners if you receive:

• Income support.
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Employment support allowance (income related).
• Child Tax Credit, and you are not entitled to receive Working Tax Credit, and have an annual income (as assessed by H M Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.
• The Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit.
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

 If you feel your child should be entitled to a free school meal you can download a free school meal application form.

A message from our Head Teacher

A special note to Parents/Guardians: Sometimes a website linked through this site might contain advertisments, free games or provide further links to external websites not educationally related. Always monitor your child when he/she is online. If you come across any content or website link that you feel is inappropriate please contact me or press the Whistle Blowing icon on the Learning Platform. Thank you, Miss Nelson.