Well Done Year 4 - You Are Superstars!

A huge congratulations to all of our Year 4 pupils who completed their Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) this year.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, determination and perseverance you have shown while preparing for the check. Your commitment to learning your times tables has been fantastic, and you approached the challenge with confidence and positivity.

As a result, 55% of the cohort achieved full marks, which is 18 percentage points higher than the most recent national figure of 37%. Many of you also made excellent progress in your multiplication knowledge throughout the year.

Thank you also to our families for supporting the children with their practice at home. Your encouragement and support have made a real difference.

As our Year 3 pupils prepare to move into Year 4, the most important thing is that children can recall multiplication facts quickly and accurately. Just a few minutes of regular practice over the summer can make a huge difference to confidence and success when they start Year 4.

Why not log on to:

• Times Tables Rock Stars
• Hit the Button
• BBC Bitesize Multiplication Games
• CENTURY

Have a wonderful summer, and keep practising those times tables!

Week commencing 29th June 2026, 3T earned the title of our Attendance Champions, achieving a remarkable 99% attendance. They now proudly have the Attendance Champions Trophy to celebrate their fantastic commitment.

As well as enjoying a well‑deserved extra five‑minute break, the class also received an additional prize, inspired by suggestions from our Year 6 pupils. The winning class had the opportunity to choose a brand‑new book for their book corner, helping us to continue nurturing a love of reading across the school.

We’re incredibly proud of 3T’s effort and enthusiasm and can’t wait to see which class will take the trophy next week. Keep up the fantastic effort, everyone! 📚🏆

We are delighted to announce that we have purchased 270 brand-new KS1 books for our library area, thanks to the funds raised by our wonderful Friends of Lapal.

During our recent INSET day, our fantastic teaching assistants worked incredibly hard to sort and organise the books, ensuring that every child has access to a wide and exciting selection of texts for their reading-for-pleasure book.

We kindly ask that all books are looked after carefully when they are taken home and returned promptly, so that all of our Lapal families can continue to enjoy them.

Thank you for your continued support of the school and Friends of Lapal events. Together, we look forward to promoting and nurturing a lifelong love of reading across our school community.

Could your child receive free school meals from September 2026?

We are writing to let you know about an important national change to free school meals.

From September 2026, more children will be able to receive a free meal at school. This is because free school meal eligibility is expanding to include children from households receiving Universal Credit.

More families may now be eligible, so we are asking parents and carers to complete an application if they think this could apply to them. It could save your family money each week and help make sure your child can have a meal in school if they want one.

Please apply, even if your child already gets a free meal.

If your child is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2, they already receive a free school meal through the universal infant free school meals scheme.

However, if your household receives Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit, please still apply. This is because your child may need to be recorded in a different way. Some successful applications may also help our school receive additional funding to support pupils. This depends on the eligibility category confirmed by the check.

Please complete an application if any of these apply to you.

• Your household receives Universal Credit
• Your household receives another qualifying benefit.
• Your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and already receives a free meal, but your household receives Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit.

You do not need to work out whether your child qualifies. You only need to apply. The eligibility check will do the rest.

Your child will not be treated differently.

Children and young people who receive free school meals are not treated differently in school. Information shared as part of a free school meal application is managed carefully and used to check eligibility. If your child is eligible, they will use the school meal system in the usual way. A school meal order will need to be placed and checked out via MCAS, no payment will be requested. The children will be provided with the meal that has been ordered for them.

 

Your child can still bring a packed lunch if they prefer. Registering simply means they can have a free school meal when they want one.

Why applying matters

There are two types of benefits based free school meals from September 2026.

Some pupils will meet the criteria for Targeted free school meals. This means they can receive a free meal, and the school may receive additional funding to support pupils.

Other pupils will meet the criteria for Expanded free school meals. This means they can receive a free meal, but this does not automatically bring additional school funding.

You do not need to decide which category applies. The check will confirm this.

How to apply

Applying should only take a few minutes.

Apply here: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/benefits/free-school-meals/

Please apply ASAP and no later than 31/08/26.

We can help.

If you are unsure whether to apply, please apply or contact us. We will be happy to help.

You can contact the school office,

Telephone: 01384 818200 Email: school@lapal.dudley.sch.uk.

Thank you for taking the time to check whether your child may be eligible.