Please see the latest notes and letters sent from the Prep. Department.
Spring Term 2025-2026
Prep Uniform Summer Dresses – email sent 24.3.26
Our blue striped summer dresses can be worn by the girls for the summer term after Easter, but as the weather in April can be unpredictable, summer dresses will become compulsory from Tuesday 5th May, the day after May Bank Holiday.
The dresses are available from Whittakers, however we also have a small supply of pre-loved dresses in our School Uniform Shop.
Should you wish to check availability on our pre-loved stock, please email Julie Campbell on campbellj@bwslive.co.uk who will be able to assist you once we return after the Easter break.
Equally, if you have any dresses that have been outgrown, we would welcome donations.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DRESSES ARE COMPULSORY FOR ALL GIRLS UP TO AND INCLUDING PREP V. THEY ARE NOT COMPULSORY FOR PREP VI GIRLS.
Reminder: non-uniform day on Friday 27 March – email sent 24.3.26
Please be reminded that all pupils are invited to join in our whole-school non-uniform day taking place this Friday (27th March) in support of the Manchester Foundation Trust MediCinema Appeal, which will bring Manchester’s first in-hospital cinema to patients, helping to provide moments of magic and escapism for children and adults during their hospital stay.
Students may wear their own clothes in exchange for a £2 donation, with House points awarded to those sporting their House colours.
Please remember students must wear suitable and appropriate clothes and footwear on this day (no low necklines, bare stomachs, shorts or football tops, nor any make up or jewellery other than as stipulated in the school uniform code).
Prep P.E. lessons for Kindergarten, Prep III and Prep IV as well as Forest School for Prep IV will continue as normal. Could we please ask that children wear suitable clothing for these activities.
For any families who may wish to support the appeal directly, donations can be made via our Bridgewater School JustGiving page:
Bridgewater School – MediCinema Appeal is fundraising for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity
Reminder: Red Nose Day on Friday 20 March – email sent 17.3.2026
Red Nose Day is fast approaching. The children have been excitedly purchasing ‘Design-yer-nose’ red noses from our Pupil Voice Ambassadors. Thank you to our wonderful school community for their support with this initiative. We have raised a wonderful £240 for the Comic Relief charity. We have now completely sold out of noses. If pupils wish to purchase extra noses and merchandise they are available from Amazon.
Children are invited to come in to school on Friday wearing an item of red clothing or Red Nose Day merchandise with their school uniform or PE kit. Children are invited to create a winning design on their noses and bring them in to school for their class competition. There will be a prize for the best design in each class. Children will also take part in the Red Nose Roll. The best roll down the slope will also win a class prize.
Red Nose Day is always one of the highlights of the Prep. calendar. Please look out for posts on our Instagram page and of course on the Prep Blog https://bridgewater-school.co.uk/prep-blog/
Red Nose Day on Friday 20 March – email sent 5.3.2026
Our Prep. Ambassadors have been busy planning fun activities for this annual event on Friday 20th March.
‘Design Yer-Nose’ Competition:
We have organised a competition for the best red nose design. The children will then be able to create their own designs on the special noses ready for the competition on the big day. The noses will be available for sale from Monday 9th March for a minimum of £2.
Wear Something Red and Nose Rolling Competition:
Our pupils are invited to wear something red with their uniform on Friday 20th March. The children may wear a red tie, socks, shirt etc. Each class will also be participating in a Red Nose Roll where each child will roll their decorated nose down a ramp with the winning child rolling their nose the furthest without rolling off the end of the track.
Our Ambassadors and pupils are looking forward to this popular day in our school calendar. We thank you in advance for your support.
Charity Update: Spring Term Initiatives and Non-Uniform Day – email sent 25.2.26
We would like to share a brief update about charity activities taking place across the school this half term.
Our Senior students are supporting the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, a wonderful cause and the largest and busiest children’s hospital in the UK. The focus of their fundraising is to support the Trust’s MediCinema Appeal, which aims to bring Manchester’s first in-hospital cinema to patients, helping to create moments of comfort, joy and distraction during hospital stays.
Please note that our Prep pupils will continue to support their own chosen charity activity for this term (with details of Red Nose Day activities to follow), but we invite everyone to join in the whole-school Non-Uniform Day on Friday 27th March. Children may wear their own clothes in exchange for a £2 donation, and are also welcome to wear their House colours if they wish.
We believe that taking part in charitable events helps nurture kindness, empathy and community spirit across all year groups and we are delighted that pupils can share in this inclusive activity.
Later in the term, we are pleased that a former Prep Head Boy — now in Year 7 — and a wonderful ambassador for the hospital charity will join one of our weekly assemblies to talk to the children about the important work of the appeal.
For any families who may wish to support the appeal directly, donations can be made via our Bridgewater School JustGiving page:
Bridgewater School – MediCinema Appeal is fundraising for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
World Book Day on Thursday 5th March – email sent 12.2.26
EYFS and PREP:
Dress in pyjamas (weather appropriate) and bring a book to donate!
We are collecting books that you no longer read (in good condition please). These books will be donated to the charity – The Children’s Book Project. These will be donated to schools and organisations in the UK to help children who have little access to books. We will be doing lots of reading activities over the day and your teachers will be sharing their favourite books and stories with you.
RECEPTION AND PREP:
We will also have a outstanding artist – Paul Pickford – helping us to celebrate World Book Day. Reception – Prep VI will be participating in some fantastic workshops during the day.
As part of the 2026 Year of Reading, we are also encouraging families to take some time to enjoy books together. Over the next few weeks, we would like you to share photographs of your family enjoying a book together – grown ups included! Send these to your teacher, or put them onto your Google Classroom or Tapestry, so we can share our love of reading.
Reading is the single most valuable tool children can learn; it enables them to access all areas of the curriculum, enhances critical thinking and allows emotional regulation, among many other benefits. Please take a look at The National Literacy Trust website to find out more information.
https://literacytrust.org.uk/reading-for-pleasure/families
February Half Term 2026 – email sent 10.2.26
Reminder: School will finish for the half-term break at the end of the school day on Thursday 12th February. We will re-open to students on Monday 23rd February.
Seniors will return on Week B of their timetable (Year 11 and Year 13 will have mock examinations).
Should you have any queries, please contact school on 0161 794 1463.
Forest School from 23 Feb to Easter – email sent 10.2.26
Kindergarten, Prep 2, Prep 4 and Prep 6 will re-commence their Forest School adventures after February half term until Easter. Please ensure that the children have the following items for their afternoon sessions in addition to wearing their school tracksuit.
· Hats and gloves
· Jumper or fleece (with warm under garments)
· Warm socks (plus spare socks)
· Wellington boots
· Waterproof clothing
· Coat (the school fleece coat is not suitable for Forest School activities)
The sessions will commence as follows:
· Kindergarten – Thursday 26th February
· Prep 2 – Tuesday 24th February
· Prep 4 – Friday 27th February
· Prep 6 – Monday 23rd February
School News and Updates – email sent 10.2.26
As a school, we regularly review the platforms we use to communicate with our community. Following careful consideration, we have decided to step away from X due to concerns about the platform. This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to positive, safe and effective communication.
We are also pleased to confirm that we will be sharing news and updates through single, whole-school accounts. This approach will make it easier for families to see what is happening across the school in one place, and to stay connected with our wider school community.
You can continue to keep up to date with Bridgewater School news, events and achievements via:
· Facebook: @BridgewaterConnected
· Instagram: @bridgewater_school
· The Prep Blog (bridgewaterprep.org), which will of course remain a key source of classroom updates for both parents and pupils.
Thank you for your continued support. We value our strong partnership with families and look forward to staying connected through our school communication channels.
School Photographs – email sent 15.1.2026
Following this week’s photo session, proofs of your child’s photographs will be sent home tonight via schoolbags. To order, simply the scan the unique QR code located in the centre of the relevant proof, or visit https://tempest-orders.co.uk/ and enter the photo reference number.
Tempest provide a wide range of photo packs and gifts, plus there is now also the option to personalise your photo with their range of background designs.
The deadline for orders is Friday 30th January 2026 after which your items will be delivered to school within 7 days.
Any orders received by Tempest after this date will be processed and sent to your home directly but will incur delivery charges.
Temporary changes of venue for After School Facility – email sent 12th January 2026
Our Senior Department are hosting Parents Evenings in the Dining Hall during January.
The Prep After School Facility will be located in the Prep 3 Classroom on the following dates:
· Tuesday 13th January
· Thursday 22nd January
· Thursday 29th January
Please approach the window of the classroom to notify staff of your arrival and then your child will be dismissed from the front door of Prep.
KS2 Boxing Fitness Club (Spring Term) – email sent Monday 12th January
Boxing Fitness Club will start on Tuesday 13th January between 3.45pm and 4.30pm with Mr Connolly in the Prep Hall. These session are available to all children in Prep 3 – 6. Children should be collected from the front door of the Prep Hall at 4.30pm. Please inform us before the session if someone other than a parent is collecting your child. Remaining children will be escorted to Late Club.
Participating children will need to bring their school PE kit in a bag. They will change in to their kit before the session.
Judo Club Resumes on Monday 12 January – email sent Friday 9th January
We are delighted to advise Judo Club will resume on Monday, 12 January.
The club is open to students from Reception to Prep 6 and provides a fun, active, environment where students can learn the fundamentals of judo while developing confidence, coordination, respect, and self-discipline through structured activities and games.
As students progress in their judo journey, they will have the opportunity to work towards official grading exams and belt tests — a fabulous achievement that recognises their dedication, skill development, and personal growth.
Judo Club is run by Sharon Mills, a former Commonwealth gold medallist, and winner of the middleweight division at the British Judo Championships. Sharon is excited to welcome back our existing Judo Club members and to introduce new students to the world of judo.
Please complete the form attached to register your child, and pass it to the school office, payment instructions are on the attached document. Paper copies are also available from the school office.
Karate Re-starts Tomorrow, 8th January 2026 – email sent 7.1.2025
We are pleased to let you know that Red Tiger Karate will resume tomorrow in the Prep Hall.
Classes will take place every Thursday after school from 3:45pm to 4:30pm and are suitable for children aged 4 years and above.
- Current students are asked to please book their place via the app ahead of tomorrow’s class.
- New students are welcome to register their interest online at www.redtigerkarateclub.co.uk by clicking on Book Your First Class.
We look forward to welcoming the children back and another exciting term of training.
Weather warning – email sent 6.1.2025
Winter has struck again this week with a warning for ice and snow this evening and for the rest of week. It is important that the children come in to school wearing their school coat and sufficient layers of clothing to play outside at break times, during outdoor clubs and PE lessons, including tracksuit tops and bottoms.
Could pupils participating in Forest School please ensure that they have the following clothing with them for all Forest School activities:
Suitable clothing:
The children will be outside in varying weather and will need appropriate clothing for the conditions including extra garments. Pupils will need to come to school dressed in their school PE kit, including tracksuit and school coat, with their Forest School clothing in a named bag. It is recommended that Forest School pupils look at the weather forecast and decide what items would be suitable for the day ahead. Please note that the school reversible coat is not suitable for Forest School activities.
Cold and wet weather:
· Hats and gloves
· Jumper or fleece
· Warm socks (plus spare)
· Wellington boots
· Waterproof clothing
· Coat
Thank you for your cooperation.