Willow Class
Welcome to Willow Class (Year 4 and 5)
Willow Class is a warm and cosy classroom right in the heart of the school. The space itself brilliantly reflects the children’s stage of their time here at Twyford St Mary’s. When they first arrive in Willow, they are well into their journey through KS2, are establishing their own individual voices and styles, and are finding their feet as the more senior members of the school.
Our classroom leads onto The Orchard and library on one side, and is next to the Headteacher’s office, giving the children a real sense of their progression through the school. Its location by the library means Willow is naturally a hub for all things literature! We have a large display space which we use for showcasing our writing projects, and our Reading Corner is refreshed regularly to tie in with the term’s themes and topics.
Tracy Aitken
How it works
Willow is a unique class in the school as it is the only one where two partial year groups come together. Selection for which Year 4s are in Willow rather than Sycamore is done very carefully each year with a close eye on the overall mix of learning styles, needs for greater depth and support, and – of course – friendship groups.
There are some special events for Willow Class that often stand as highlights in the year (or two for the lucky!) the children spend with us. We have a Willow Class choir and have been privileged to sing at the Cathedral on a number of occasions. The Willow Year 4s will go on their first residential trip to Stubbington whilst they are with us, and the Year 5s will enjoy their swimming lessons, which will begin in Spring 2.
Year 5 benefits from dedicated time in the Spring term – when Year 4 are on residential and doing Listen2Me – to have masterclasses on specific Year 5 skills (particularly trickier Maths topics!). Year 4 benefits from dedicated time – when Year 5 are swimming and doing Listen2Me – to have times tables masterclasses to prepare them for their MTC check and to introduce longer reading texts as great preparation for Year 5.
Meet the teachers
Mrs Aitken
Yew Class Teacher and Twyford St Mary’s Maths Lead, Tracey Aitken, describes herself as South African English and her bio reads like an intrepid world traveller! With more than 30 years in teaching – and 10 years at Twyford St Mary’s – Mrs. Aitken is one of the longest-serving members of staff at the school. She remains as passionate about teaching now as she was when she started, back in South Africa, and her experience at several different sizes and types of school is evident in her breadth of knowledge and unflappable nature.
Miss Newell
Yew Class LSA, Heidi Newell, is a highly experienced LSA, as well as being the school’s Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) and leading the wraparound care provision. Miss Newell is well-known and loved by children across the school as she embodies her role in supporting their emotional well-being throughout their time at Twyford St Mary’s, as well as their learning and development in the classroom.
Mrs Simonato
Willow Class Learning Support Assistant, Mariangela Simonato, is also an early years specialist who has worked for several years in nursery settings as well as being a SENCO.
Staying in touch
We have regular touch points across the school year to keep families informed of your child’s progress, including parents’ evenings, in-class events, and meet-the-teacher sessions.
I am always happy to talk to parents or carers about any aspects of your child’s learning or well-being and if you have any quick questions or pertinent information you want to share about your child, you can usually find me on the playground at pick-up. If I can please ask that you wait until I have ensured all children are safely on their way home, then we will be free for a quick chat!
For any other concerns, or if you would like a meeting to discuss any issues, please contact the office and we can arrange a phone call or a meeting.
Key days and dates
PE – Mondays and Wednesdays