Keep up to date with the latest news headlines at Downderry...

• Your voice matters

  Wed 04 Mar 2026

  You could win £100 by telling us about your morning school run!

   

  Downderry Primary School has a unique opportunity to help design how free breakfast clubs will look for families across the country. We need your help. Ipsos researchers want to hear from our parents to understand what the morning school run looks like for you. Designed by parents, for parents. We’ve worked closely with parents to make sure this survey asks the right questions and doesn't take up too much of your time.

   

  • The ask: Complete a 10-minute survey Click Here .*
  • The thank you: A chance to win a £100 voucher.
  • Who: Everyone! We want to hear from you whether you currently use the breakfast club or not.

   

  Help ensure the national Breakfast Club programme works for parents like you.

   

  * If completing the survey online does not work for you,please email

  UK-PA-BreakfastClubsResearch@ipsos.com.

  

• PTA Success- Every Little Helps

  Fri 16 Jan 2026

  The PTA has successfully applied for a Tesco Stronger Starts grant to develop a friendship corner in the Key Stage 2 playground.

   

  You can vote for our project at most local Tesco stores. By voting, you will help us secure up to

  £1,500 for the school. This funding will allow us to build the friendship corner, introduce more

  plants to the playground, and create an area where the children can grow fruit and vegetables.

   

  AI generated video from Jessica Ennis-Hill

   

  So, the next time you are shopping, please pop in, pick up a blue token, and vote! The full list of participating stores is below:

   

  • 2596 Grove Park Express SE12 0DU
  • 2821 Lewisham Superstore SE13 7PA
  • 3454 Bellingham Express Express SE6 2RP
  • 5444 Downham Bromley Road Express BR1 4PB
  • 5509 Hither Green Lane Express SE13 6RT

   

  

• Keeping Our Children Safe: School Streets

  Tue 02 Dec 2025

  Whilst the school street programme has been designed to tackle congestion, improve air quality at the school gates, make it easier and safer to walk and cycle to school and create a friendlier and calmer environment for everyone, it is important to point out that the neighbouring roads are not fully pedestrianised at these times. Please be mindful of this when dropping off and collecting your child from school.

   

  School Streets is in operation term- time only:

  Monday to Friday

  8:00am- 9:15am

  2:45-4:00pm

   

  For more information please visit:
  https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/parking/schoolstreets/schools-streets-programme-streets-outside- schools

   

  https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/downderry-primary-school/UploadedDocument/97a4d52f-74cf-453d-9d7a-f841d0721e7d/school-streets.pdf

• Cross Country Postponed

  Mon 20 Oct 2025

  The cross country event scheduled to take place at Whitefoot Playing Fields on Tuesday 21st October has unfortunately been postponed due to the heavy rainfall and dangerous underfoot conditions.

  
  We are hoping to reschedule this event after half-term.

• End of Year Prize Giving

  Fri 18 Jul 2025 End of Year Prize Giving

  Today we presented our end of year prizes to children who have demonstrated excellent work and progress in English, Maths, STEM, Arts, Sport and Values. A special mention to Lenuga (Holly class) recipient of the Tracey Lewis Award. Lenuga epitomised our school core values. Well Done!

   

  Reception:

  Maths- Zeyar, Literacy- Noah, Sports- Daniel, Arts- Malaya, STEM- Thevan, Values- Ayla A

   

  Year 1:

  Maths- Isla, English- Djene, Sports- Oscar, Arts- Aariyan, STEM- Alfie, Values, Aren

   

  Year 2:

  Maths- Jesse, English- Zayn, Sports- Itoro, Arts- Matias, STEM- Deston, Values- Dylan

   

  Year 3:

  Maths- Kevin, English- Alana, Sports- Casper, Arts- Meda, STEM- Ripley, Values- Noah,

   

  Year 4:

  Maths- Zara K, English- Zara O, Sports- Michael, Arts- Rosie, STEM- Grace, Values- Fidel

   

  Year 5:

  Maths- Taheira, English- Isabelle, Sports- Derinsola, Arts- Sofia, STEM- Kaiden, Values- Peculiar

   

  Year 6:

  Maths- Gloria, English- Tyler, Sports- Theo, Arts- Paris, STEM- Lennie, Values- Apurva

   

• Rights Respecting School Award

  Fri 11 Jul 2025

  We are delighted to announce that following our recent accreditation visit, Downderry Primary School has met the Gold standard for UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School Award. Children’s rights are embedded across the school and underpin every facet of school life. Please visit the school website Rights Respecting Page to find out more.

   

  Strengths of the school include: 

   

   

  • Pupils who have excellent knowledge of rights, both within the school and wider worl, and are committed to helping realise these for other children locally and globally
  • Consistent and natural use of rights language throughout the school
  • A strategic approach of senior leaders and the RRSA lead embed a child rights approach, putting it at the core of the school’s ethos
  • The caring and nurturing ethos of the school, where the values of dignity are lived and valued by the whole school community
  • A strong focus on safety, health and wellbeing of students within the context of rights so that pupils feel supported and protected
  • A curriculum that celebrates diversity, reflecting pupils’ identities and fostering a deep understanding of global citizenship
  • Pupil voice is highly valued with a range of pupil voice groups giving opportunities for all children to put their suggestions forward and for these to be acted upon.

   

• Year 6 School Journey

  Mon 19 May 2025

  Day 3: Year 6 have been enjoying their final morning at PGL, doing aeroball and tackling the climbing wall. Once again children have been impressing us with their perseverance, commitment and bravery.

   

  We will be heading back after lunch and hope to be back at school for 3:30pm. Keep an eye on the school website for any updates.

   

  Day 2: Year 6 have had a great second day at PGL - we've done buggy building, zip lining, paddle boarding and survival tasks! All of the children have put in a fantastic effort and got involved in all of the activities.

   

  Everyone's feeling pretty worn out and looking forward to dinner!

   

  Day 1: Year 6 have arrived safely and have already shown immense skill during archery and bravery on the giant swing. They are about to sit down to dinner before a game of Cluedo!

  

• An Introduction to Neurodiversity for Parents & Carers

  Thu 20 Mar 2025

  As part of the national initiative from the DFE and NHS England, Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in schools (PINS) project will be running a termly coffee mornings for the parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

   

  What is Neurodiversity?

  Tuesday 1st April 1:50-2:50pm

  This session will focus upon the key question ‘What is Neurodiversity?’ and be led by Sophie Hodson:

   

  A safe place for you to:

  • Discuss well-being concerns and the needs of your child
  • Learn about strategies to improve well- being
  • Share/listen to experiences
  • Connect with others and discuss ideas Learn about options for support

  

• Cross Country postponed

  Tue 11 Feb 2025

  Due to the unsafe condition of Whitefoot Playing Fields the cross country races scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday 12th February, have been postponed until after half-term. Date to be confirmed.

• Great Athletes

  Fri 07 Feb 2025

  On the 11th February we will be welcoming Great Athletes to Downderry. A top GB athlete will be visiting us, and leading a sponsored fitness circuit. This sponsored event will raise money for new sports equipment to improve physical activity in the school. As a thank you, pupils will receive a thank-you gift for meeting sponsorship milestones.

   

  <<< Sponsorship Link >>>

   

  The sponsorship form and any money are to be returned to the school office by Tuesday 25th February.