School trust gives reception pupils educational book bags

The bags are designed to help new pupils and their families prepare for the start of school in September.
All children received a picture book, water colour painting set, Play-Doh, a wipe-clean handwriting book, and dice for games. 
Over 1000 bags were distributed by the trust, which runs a number of Swindon schools, and all the books provided are from Mick Inkpen’s Kipper The Dog collection and the I Love You to the Moon and Back series by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes.
Lisa Davies, Director of School Improvement at The White Horse Federation, said: "We are absolutely delighted that, across the trust, we are able to provide all of our new Reception starters with a Transition Bag as they prepare for this exciting next step in their educational journey.
“We see these bags as an important part of our commitment to giving every child the very best start in life. 
"Lovingly assembled by our central team and distributed to schools across the trust, they reflect our investment in our youngest learners and our belief that strong partnerships between home and school are key to children thriving from day one.”
The trust has also created booklets for parents, designed to help them to support their children with important learning activities such as early maths skills.
Together, the resources encourage creative and inquisitive activities which children can enjoy with their families. The aim is to help children develop skills and confidence for a successful start to school.
TWHF has received national recognition in recent years. Zouch Academy, one of the trust’s primary schools, recently won the ‘Early Years Setting of the Year’ award at the prestigious Tes awards. 
Last year, TWHF also won the ‘Inclusive Trust of the Year’ award at the Tes Awards.
Zouch has also been recognised as a ‘Rise Best Start in Life School’, having been chosen by the Department for Education as one of only five schools in the South West of England to lead a new national programme aimed at improving the quality of reception year education. 
TWHF has held four RISE Discovery Reception mornings so far at three of its schools, sharing best practice in early years provision with schools attending from across the South West.
Simon Cowley, Director of Education at The White Horse Federation, said: “A child’s introduction to school is highly formative and we want every child to begin school feeling excited, confident and ready to learn.
“These gift bags are helping to ensure that this is the reality. We are really pleased to be able to support families before their children start school with us next academic year.” 
 

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