New Infant Hall Floor

During the holiday we have had the floor of the KS1 hall replaced. Before the old tiles were cracking and lifting. However before we could do anything to it, the asbestos had to be removed. Duct Clean got that job done at the start of the holiday - and a huge thanks has to go to the LA for paying for that removal.

Now we have a much smarter, wood effect vinyl finish.

The next step is to have the old windows replaced and an extra fire escape set of doors added - that comes in October. Once that is done, we will have the hall repainted, white instead of the rather insipid yellow.

New Teaching Area

This is the final photo of how the old storage cupboard has been transformed into a teaching space for 16 pupils. This hand room can also be used as a staff meeting or training area. The old cobwebs and piles of rubbish are a distant memory following the transformation.

Thanks to Space, RCL Electrical & Deckanon for all the work that went into converting the store!

New Teaching Area

The new teaching area, that we have created from an old store cupboard in the canteen, is now completed. Having been ripped out, plastered, painted, refloored and finally furnished it is ready to use.

It will be an ideal space for RWI groups and other interventions.

Music Equipment Refurbished

It doesn't seem that long since we had the music equipment installed in the EYFS outdoor area, but it has already been 2 years. This week we had the steps up to the percussion instruments and drums all refurbished for the children.

It now all looks as good as new again! We look forward to hearing more rhythmic tunes while the children are at play.

New Floor Laid

Our new teaching and intervention space is getting very close to completion. The old tiled floor from the 1950s has been replaced with a much warmer oak effect vinyl. Thank you to Scotts Flooring of Upminster for such a neat job.

Next we have some electrical work, a suspended ceiling, a window to be installed, new door and frame and the furniture to be fitted.

With all the groups we run this will instantly become a very well used space!

Thames Chase Volunteers

We were delighted to welcome back the Thames Chase Conservation volunteers before the half term break. They worked tirelessly for four sessions to complete a wide range of tasks:

• tidying up the EYFS nature garden and pond
• weeding the growing beds 
• repairing the roofs to the chicken and rabbit coops
• creating a new reading area in the farm

Without their ongoing support, expertise and manpower it would be difficult to maintain all of the outdoor spaces that we have at Mead!

Thank you Thames Chase!

Canteen Store Refurbishment

With our ever growing pupil numbers we are always looking for extra space for groups and teaching areas. Luckily there was a large, neglected store cupboard in the canteen which we have gutted and begun to transform into a mini classroom.

We aim to have the area finished by the end of June, ready for groups to move in! 

Mead Farm Signage Installed

Look up at the barn next time you are at Mead and you will see the shiny new Farm Logo looking down at you. It is a very swish finishing touch to our farm area and it smartly showcases the animals who have made it their home.

If you see Miss Rowton after half term, look out for her new polo shirts and see if you can spot anything!

Farm Planters

We were delighted to see the installation of the large planters in the farm just before the Easter Break. This has created:

• additional pathways around the environment
• a new reading/sitting area
• somewhere to grow our own carrots and root vegetables for the animals

Once the soil is topped up, our Mead Farm volunteers will be able to plant and harvest the different crops for the animals.

Super Reading Goats

Ramone worked very hard in class and earned the chance to go and read with the animals. Once he settled down with is book on the goat tower it didn't take long for Bertie (on the left) and Blue (on the right) to become interested. We're not sure if it was the stack of carrots, the quality of Ramone's reading or the flavour of the pages that enticed them to be so well behaved!

I loved reading to the goats. It is so peaceful in the farm and the animals always want to come and say hello.
Ramone - Year 4

Farm Update: Goat Tower Complete

It didn't take Paige, Bertie and Blue long to start using their new goat tower! Our pupils have been fascinated by the goats since they moved in during the Autumn term.

I didn't realise how much goats like to play, that's why we had this tower built.
David - Year 6

Did you know that goats are intelligent so require plenty of environmental enrichment to keep their minds occupied? 

They have great balance and in their natural environment would even climb trees. In our Mead Farm environment we have provided them with climbing tables, narrow walkways and circular benches for them to play on.

I'd noticed that they never like to be out in the rain. Until we had the tower built there wasn't really anywhere for them to shelter. Now they have two platforms where they can keep out of the rain.

Paige - Year 5

Goats dislike water and would rather leap over streams and puddles then step in them. Consequently we designed a tower that gives two 6.25m sq areas for them to keep out of the bad weather. If you watch them, you will know when it is about to rain when you see them race across their enclosure to their shelter!

New Farm Pathways

With all the rain that we have been having it became clear that there weren't enough pathways around the farm. To help make it easier for our teams to get between the different enclosures, and for classes to be able to access the barn, we have had some additional pathways installed.

Once our pupils have mastered their different responsibilities we hope to offer other local schools the chance to come and meet the animals. Easy access to the farm area is crucial to this.

The added bonus for the chickens and ducks was the amount of worms that it revealed for them to munch on!

New KS2 Play Equipment

Our KS2 pupils were delighted with the new additions to the playground this half term. Following on from the installation of the gym equipment - which was chosen by the school council - the pupils had the chance to select which elements they wanted added to the space.

We really wanted somewhere that you could use as an imagination space... the tunnels are perfect. There isn't anywhere in the playground where you can go if you want a bit of quiet time or if you want to pretend - Chloe Year 5

Many of the pupils also voted to have some equipment that allowed them to do some climbing.

We have seen the tree house in the Reception outdoor area. We wanted some equipment to climb on
- Daniel Year 4

This won't be the end of the additions to the KS2 playground. As our pupil numbers continue to grow we will add additional equipment for the children to enjoy. Sine adding:

• gym equipment
• clamber trail
• music 

we have been delighted in the increased levels of pupil activity and a reduction in any behaviour incidents. 

SCHOOL CLOSED - Friday 2nd March

Dear Parents

MEAD & BROADFORD CLOSED - Friday 2nd MARCH

This post is to confirm the shorter message put out on the Facebook page earlier today. We are sorry to inform you that we will be closed tomorrow. We do not expect the conditions at school to have improved sufficiently for the school to be safe, the risk to staff and pupils to be worthwhile or the effort to make the journey for parents to be reasonable.

We fully expect the situation will have improved so that we can open on Monday as normal. We will keep you updated over the weekend.

We appreciate that this is very difficult for working parents. By making the decision earlier today we hope to have given you sufficient time to make alternative arrangements.

Thank you for your understanding and we will hope to see you on Monday.

Please share this post with any other families that you know.

Other news:

• Please use the Facebook Page to send us any pictures of the pupils reading on World Book Day #getcaughtreading.
• Likewise, please send us any pictures of the children playing in the snow or sledging.
• World Book Day will be rearranged ASAP! Don't worry your costumes will get used!

Heating Update: School Open As Normal

HEATING PROBLEM FIXED - SCHOOL DUE TO OPEN AS NORMAL

Once again we apologise for the unexpected closure today. Your patience has been greatly appreciated. 

We are delighted to inform you that the engineers have overridden the problem in the short term by lowering boiler temperature and alleviating a pressure issue. The replacement part will be installed tomorrow, but the building is now warm enough to be habitable. We will also be over riding the timer controls so that the heating stays on all night.

School will be open - although we will be watching the weather to see if 'The Beast From The East' does dump enough snow for there to be a problem. We will keep you informed via social media... but no news would be good news as we intend to open!

Heating Update

Dear Parents

Thank you for your patience while the engineers try to fix the heating.

The team has overridden the problem short term by lowering boiler temperature, but we need a replacement part which they are trying to source. We are now waiting for an engineer who should be able to advise when they can completely remedy the problem.

We have been advised that if we leave heating on overnight it should be fine to open tomorrow, but we are just awaiting the final confirmation.

We will post another update this evening so that you know tonight.

We're Closed: HEATING BROKEN

Dear Parents

SCHOOL IS CLOSED DUE TO HEATING BREAKDOWN

We will be closed today - Monday 26th Feb - as the heating is broken. Engineers are on the way, but it won't be up and running until this afternoon.

We are terribly sorry for the late notice, but our site manager has been working since 6am to get it to come on and the problem is unfixable without a plumbing team.

We will keep you updated about tomorrow - but we have every confidence it will be fixed!

Thank you for your understanding.

Donkey & Pony Move In!

It has been great to see our miniature pony and donkey move in before the start of the half term. Both animals have a very sad back story as they weren't treated well by their owners. Luckily they were rescued by the RSPCA and now they can come to a new home where the children will shower them with cuddles, carrots and love.

The donkey is about 5-10yrs old and the pony is just 6 months!

Year 1 Improvements

We have been working hard to ensure that the Y1 classes match the quality of the other Y2 and Reception teaching areas. Following the move along the corridor this year we have:

• replaced the windows
• refreshed the floors
• updated the ICT equipment - interactive screens and PCs
• installed new boards
• created a new messy/art area

We know that the children will really benefit from the improved facilities as we continue to ensure that all Mead pupils have a world class environment!

Final Coop Installed

This is the final coop being installed into the farm area.

1. Left - for the chickens
2. Middle - for the rabbits
3. Right - for the ducks

Thank you to the Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers who have helped to construct all of the coops and get the area ready for the animals!