Please see the latest notes and letters sent from the Prep. Department.
Autumn Term 2026-2027
Bridgewater School Uniform Guide – email sent 9.10.2026
At the beginning of this academic year, Mrs Nairn wrote to families about the importance of our pupils continuing to represent Bridgewater positively, both within school and in the wider community. As part of this, she highlighted the pride we expect pupils to take in their appearance and the important role parents play in helping us to maintain these standards.
We are therefore pleased to share our new Bridgewater School Uniform Guide, which brings together our uniform requirements and expectations for pupils across the school.
Our uniform is about more than appearance. It is an important part of our collective identity and helps to foster a sense of belonging, pride and unity across our school community. Setting high standards for presentation also encourages pupils to take pride in themselves and reflects the values of respect and integrity that we seek to develop throughout their time at Bridgewater.
The attached guide provides full uniform and sports kit lists for each age group, together with clear guidance on how uniform should be worn. It also includes information about footwear, jewellery, hair, make-up and other aspects of personal presentation, as well as details of how to purchase uniform and access our Pre-Loved Uniform Shop.
We ask all families to take some time to familiarise themselves with the guide and, where necessary, to ensure that pupils’ uniform meets the standards set out within it. Uniform should be clean, well maintained and worn correctly throughout the school day, as well as when travelling to and from school and representing Bridgewater away from the school site.
Uniform expectations
In the Prep Department, children who do not have the correct school uniform will be spoken to by the class teacher and parents will be notified at the end of the school day.
In the Senior School, pupils who do not have the correct uniform will be advised in the first instance and given a short period in which to rectify the situation. If uniform continues to contravene regulations, uniform infractions will be noted on Classcharts as a uniform point, an accumulation of which will lead to behavioural sanctions in line with the school’s policy.
We are very proud of the way our pupils represent Bridgewater and are grateful for the continued support of parents in helping us to maintain consistently high standards across the school.
October Half Term Holiday Club – email sent 25.9.2026
We are excited to introduce a new Sports Club at Bridgewater School, taking place during the October half-term holiday for children aged 5–11 years.
The club will run for three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and will be based across our Sports Hall, Dining Room and 3G pitch.
Delivered by an experienced external provider and led by qualified coaches, the club offers children a fantastic opportunity to stay active, build confidence and have fun during the school holidays.
The sessions are designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for all abilities, with an emphasis on having fun, learning new skills and encouraging children to be active.
We hope this new club will provide families with a fantastic option for the October half term and give children the chance to enjoy sport, make friends and have a great time.
Further information about timings, costs and how to book are included in the leaflet attached.
Letter from Public Health Department: Salford Council – email sent 25.9.2026
Please see the attached correspondence from the Public Health Team, Starting Life Well, Salford we have been asked to share.
Sir Kevin Sinfield: Prep. 7 in 7 Challenge – email sent 21.9.2026
As I am sure you are aware, Sir Kevin Sinfield is making a special visit to our school on Friday 2nd October. I delivered an assembly on Friday morning to Key Sage 1 and 2 to discuss Sir Kevin’s exploits in memory of his friend, Rob Burrows. We also highlighted the MND charity that he has worked so hard to support. The children were certainly inspired and they are looking forward to participating in a variety of classroom and PE activities.
As part of our focus on this event, all our children will be attempting to run 700 metres on 7 school days. This challenge will begin tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd September and end on Wednesday 30th September. These runs will either occur in PE lessons or at a convenient time during the school day. All we ask is that all Infant and Junior children have trainers and a coat in school on days that they are wearing uniform.
The children will also be participating in a variety of classroom based activities to celebrate the achievement of an inspirational man and understand the importance of friendship and supporting various charities.
EYFS and Prep Extra-curricular Timetables: Autumn 2026 – email sent 18.9.2026
Please find attached copies of the extra-curricular timetables. The school website has also been updated.
Prep Parents Evenings on 30 Sept. and 1 Oct. – email sent 18.9.2026
ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREP PARENTS’ EVENINGS
Dear Parents,
Parent’s evenings have been scheduled to enable parents and class teachers to meet and discuss pupil targets for the academic year. These meetings will also give parents and teachers the opportunity to discuss how pupils have settled in to their new class.
All classes will be sent home with a paper copy of the appointment time request slip on Tuesday 22nd September. Email requests will not be accepted.
Meeting dates are as follows:-
• Wednesday 30th September 4pm – 6.30pm Prep II to Prep VI inclusive
• Thursday 1st October 4pm – 6.30pm Prep II to Prep VI inclusive
If you are unable to attend on either of these evenings, please contact your child’s class teacher and they will arrange an alternative time with you.
Traffic Flow within School – email sent 17.9.2026
Please see attached some guidance and further information on traffic flow in and around the school grounds.
Bridgewater 7 in 7 Challenge for MND – email sent 17.9.2026
We are delighted to share details of a very special whole-school initiative taking place at Bridgewater over the coming weeks, culminating in a visit from Sir Kevin Sinfield CBE on Friday 2nd October as part of his extraordinary 7 in 7 challenge in support of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community.
Sir Kevin and his team will be running from Hull to Old Trafford over seven days, visiting all 12 English Super League stadiums en route to the Grand Final. We are incredibly proud that Bridgewater School will form one of the official checkpoints on Day 6 of his journey.
At the heart of Sir Kevin’s fundraising is the remarkable friendship he shared with his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow CBE, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and sadly died in 2024. Inspired by Rob and his family, Sir Kevin’s challenges have brought huge attention to MND and raised millions of pounds to support people living with the disease, their families and vital research.
Inspired by Sir Kevin’s remarkable fundraising efforts, and with MND having touched the lives of members of our own school community, we will be launching our own Bridgewater 7 in 7 Challenge – Going the Extra Mile for Motor Neurone Disease.
In the run-up to 2nd October, pupils will be given 7 different opportunities to get involved, through activities taking place across different areas of school life. Each will provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate one of 7 important qualities at the heart of the challenge:
1. Courage
2. Friendship
3. Teamwork
4. Resilience
5. Positivity
6. Integrity
7. Inspiration
Further details of the individual challenges will be shared with pupils through assemblies and lessons. We hope that everyone will find a way to take part, whether through physical activity, creativity, writing, working with others or simply doing something positive for someone else.
Alongside raising awareness of MND and the work of the MND Association, we hope our Bridgewater 7 in 7 will encourage pupils to think about the extraordinary difference that courage, friendship and collective action can make. Please encourage your child to get involved and help us support this fantastic cause.
We have created a dedicated fundraising page for the Bridgewater challenge and would be enormously grateful for any donations from families, friends and members of our wider community: https://www.justgiving.com/
Join us on Friday 2nd October
We would love as many members of the Bridgewater community as possible to help us give Sir Kevin and his team a fantastic welcome. We currently expect Sir Kevin to enter the school site at approximately 9.10am via the Prep gate, before leaving at 9.40am via the main gate to continue his challenge. Parents, family members and friends are very welcome to stand near the school gates to cheer him on, show their support and help create a memorable Bridgewater welcome. We will share any further arrangements nearer the time.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Finally, we know that many families will have been expecting our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning around this time. This will still be taking place, but we have moved the event to Friday 9th October so that both important causes can receive the support and attention they deserve. Further information about the Coffee Morning will follow nearer the time.
We are very excited to see how our pupils respond to the Bridgewater 7 in 7 Challenge and to come together as a school community for what promises to be a very special occasion.
Thank you, as always, for your support.
Judo Term Dates – email sent 17.9.2026
Please find attached details of the new term’s dates for Judo at Bridgewater, starting back next Monday, 21st September 2026. A paper copy of the letter will also go home with students.
Judo is available to students from Prep I to Prep VI
Reminder: PE and Forest School – email sent 16.9.2026
Reminder: PE and Forest School will commence tomorrow, Thursday 17th September.
Please see attached a timetable identifying each classes allotted time for both PE and Forest School. Children should come to school wearing their full PE kit on the allocated days of PE.
Could I please remind you that all Infant and Junior children should have a pair of trainers and a school coat with them every day. The trainers enable the children to have access to our adventure playground and 3G area at playtimes. The trainers are also used for nature walks around the school site.
Bridgewater 50/50 Raffle: membership now open – email sent 15.9.2026
Membership for this year’s Bridgewater School 50/50 Raffle is now open – and just £25 gives you entry into 10 monthly cash prize draws from October to July!
The 50/50 Raffle is a simple way to support projects and resources across the school, while also giving members the chance to win a cash prize each month.
As the name suggests, 50% of all money raised goes towards supporting the school, while the remaining 50% is returned to members as prize money. So, the more people who take part, the bigger the prize fund – and the more we raise for Bridgewater.
Since the raffle began in 2020, more than £10,700 has been raised, with funds supporting a wide range of improvements and initiatives across school. These have included enhancements to pupils’ outdoor recreational areas, resources for our Bridgewater Houses programme, Google Chromebooks, a new lighting desk for the Drama Studio, and equipment and tools to develop our outdoor learning provision.
How does it work?
For £25, you will be allocated a unique membership number which is entered into 10 monthly draws, from October to July. Winners are selected at random and notified by the School Office – and you are welcome to purchase more than one number if you would like additional entries.
Who can join?
The raffle is open to anyone aged 18 or over with a connection to Bridgewater, including parents, grandparents, family and friends, staff, alumni, governors, volunteers and school partners.
Join via ParentPay
Membership for this year’s raffle is now available to purchase through ParentPay. Simply select the 50/50 Raffle payment item and purchase the number of entries you would like.
Thank you for supporting the Bridgewater 50/50 Raffle – and good luck in this year’s draws!
Dance Club for Set. and Oct. – email sent 14.9.2026
Following the success of the past few years, we will once again be offering an extra-curricular Dance Club. This will be taught by Taylor Byrnes, the Principal of ‘The Dance Works Ballet & Theatre School’ in Eccles, with help from Mrs Gerrard.
Dance Club will take place at lunchtime on the following dates:
• Wednesday 16th September
• Wednesday 30th September
• Wednesday 7th October
• Wednesday 14th October
If you would like your child to participate, please log on to your ParentPay account and secure a place by paying £10.00, which covers the 4 week block. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The full extra-curricular timetable will commence next week and will be emailed to parents later this week.
Shin Pads Required This Half-Term – email sent 14.9.2026
Prep III-VI Parents: We will be playing hockey and football in our Games lessons this half-term; therefore please send your child into school with shin pads and a gum shield on the days your child has Games.
Reminder regarding earrings: pupil may have their ears pierced, but they must be a small pair of studs only, hoop earrings are not permitted. However if pupils choose to wear stud earrings on the day(s) they have Games, they will need to be taped up or removed.
Prep IV-VI Residential Trips – email sent 8.9.2026
Thank you to everyone who has paid for the trip to Anglesey. We are really looking forward to taking the children to the Conway Centre next week. It is an invaluable experience for all of the children as they develop a stronger relationship with their class teacher and peers within a varying environment.
Could I please ask that any outstanding payments are made on ParentPay today (Tuesday) if possible so that I can return the relevant paperwork to the centre by tomorrow’s deadline. Could I also ask that the children return the relevant signed forms as soon as possible.
PE and Forest School in Prep – email sent 7.9.2026
Prep staff are very much looking forward to greeting their classes on Wednesday for the start of the new term and academic year.
We want to give each class the appropriate time to settle into their new routine, particularly bearing in mind there are a number of residential trips taking place in the Prep Department week commencing 14th September 2026. Therefore, PE, Forest School and all extra-curricular clubs will commence on Thursday 17th September 2026.
Please see below a timetable identifying each classes allotted time for both PE and Forest School. Children should come to school wearing their full PE kit on the allocated days of PE.
Could I please remind you that all Infant and Junior children should have a pair of trainers and a school coat with them every day. The trainers enable the children to have access to our adventure playground and 3G area at playtimes. The trainers are also used for nature walks around the school site.
Forest School
We are delighted to inform you that each class will be enjoying Forest School on a weekly basis rather than being on rotation. Details about kit requirements for Forest School will be sent out this week.
| Class | Forest School | PE |
| KG | Thursday | Wednesday & Friday |
| Rec | Thursday | Wednesday & Thursday |
| P1 | Monday | Monday & Tuesday |
| P2 | Friday | Monday & Wednesday |
| P3 | Tuesday | Monday & Thursday |
| P4 | Thursday | Monday & Tuesday |
| P5 | Friday | Monday & Wednesday |
| P6 | Wednesday | Monday & Wednesday |
Message from Mrs. Nairn – email sent 7.9.2026