Dodworth St John the Baptist CE Primary Academy

30/09/2026

🌾 Our Harvest Festival appeal starts here!

This year, we’re teaming up with Bcdp Drop-In to put our harvest donations to good use in our local community. ❤️🖤

The charity has asked for items that can be eaten straight away or prepared with just hot water, alongside some everyday essentials:
🥣 Pot Noodles and Cup-a-Soups
🍪 Biscuits, chocolate bars and crisps
☕ Tea, coffee and sugar
🧴 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, roll-on deodorant and baby wipes

If you’re able to contribute, please start bringing donations into school. We’ll add them to our shared harvest display in the hall before passing them on to the charity.

Harvest is a chance to be thankful for what we have and share what we can. Thank you for helping our children turn that message into something practical for others. 🌾

25/09/2026

🚦 STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN!

Kat and Ant from South Yorkshire Police visited us this week to talk to our children about road safety. Their message is one we can all reinforce whenever we cross a road together.

Thank you, Kat and Ant, for spending time with us and helping our children think about how to stay safe. ❤️🖤

22/09/2026

🎺 THE BAND IS BACK IN SESSION! 🎶

Our brass band is back together, with instruments at the ready and rehearsals under way once again!

There’s something pretty special about children and the wider local community learning to make music together, building confidence, developing new skills and creating quite a sound along the way. 🎺🎵

21/09/2026

❤️🖤 Meet our Prefects for 2026–2027! 🖤❤️

Our team of 12 pupils will be taking on responsibilities across four areas of school life:
🕯️ Worship: helping with collective worship and caring for our prayer and reflection spaces.
📚 Librarians: helping children discover books they’ll love and keeping our library welcoming.
🤝 Monitors: setting a positive example and supporting younger pupils around school.
👋 Public Relations: welcoming visitors and sharing our school’s news and achievements.

Each role gives our children an opportunity to lead by example and contribute to the community they belong to.

Congratulations to all 12! We’re looking forward to seeing you make these roles your own. 👏

13/09/2026

🍕 LOOK WHAT’S COOKING! 👩‍🍳

Our after-school clubs got underway last week, including the eagerly anticipated cooking club!

Here’s Emily, who LOVED her first session and couldn’t wait to tuck into the pizza toast she had made. Learning something new is even better when you get to eat the results! 😋

❤️🖤

07/09/2026

🔎 Take a peek inside our Curiosity Cabins!

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our wonderful school community, we’ve been updating our Early Years outdoor learning spaces. 🌿

These learning sheds are now packed with new equipment for exploring numbers, experimenting with water, building and writing. There’s plenty to encourage our youngest children to follow their curiosity, choose what they need and put their ideas to the test!

Thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising. This is what your generosity helps make possible. ❤️🖤

04/09/2026

📣 IS YOUR CHILD STARTING RECEPTION IN SEPTEMBER 2027?

Applications are now open!

We’ll be announcing our open event dates in the coming days, giving you the chance to meet , look around our school and discover what life at Dodworth St John’s is all about. ❤️🖤

Can’t wait until then? ☎️ Contact our school office to arrange a visit. We’d love to meet you!

Applications close on Friday 15 January 2027. 👇

Primary school applications are now open for September 2027.

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, now is the time to start thinking about their journey into school.

Applying online is quick and easy, and our primary school guide can help you explore your options and choose the school that's right for your child.

Apply before Friday 15 January 2027 at barnsley.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

04/09/2026

❤️🖤 WE’RE BACK! 🖤❤️

What a brilliant first few days we’ve had!

Our Year 6 children have returned looking exceptionally smart in their new shirts and ties, but it’s the way they have already stepped up as role models that has made us proudest. They have been helping our youngest children settle into Early Years, offering friendly faces, helping hands and plenty of reassurance.

It’s wonderful to have the whole of back together. We’ve missed you! 🥰

28/08/2026

It’s not just the adults who’ve had a busy summer… we’re so proud of the charity work Abigail, Annabelle and Ivy have been doing 👏🏼

Well done for all your hard work to support such a wonderful charity ❤️🖤

🌟 A huge thank you to three amazing young fundraisers! 🌟

Over the summer holidays, best friends Abigail, Annabelle and Ivy raised an incredible £63.05 for the Children's Ward at Barnsley Hospital through a raffle stall in Dodworth.

The trio sold raffle tickets to local residents, with lucky winners taking home some of the girls' own toys and teddy bears. Thanks to the wonderful support of the Dodworth community, their fundraising effort was a fantastic success.

This isn't the first time these inspiring young friends have raised money for good causes. They regularly organise fundraising stalls and have previously supported charities including Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer's Research.

💙 We are so grateful that they chose to support Barnsley Hospital Charity and our Children's Ward. Their kindness, generosity and community spirit are truly inspiring.

👏 Well done, Abigail, Annabelle and Ivy, and thank you to everyone who bought tickets and supported their fundraiser!