Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
To clarify, the advice we have been given is to postpone the return of Year 6 pupils. They will not return on 1st June. We have not been given the new date as yet but, as soon as we can confirm this, we will contact you.
I appreciate this is very frustrating for all of us - the school has been working hard to ensure arrangements are in place. However, the school is receiving conflicting advice and we have been advised to take a cautious stance at this point.
Your co-operation and patience is greatly appreciated.
As you will be aware from the dojo, I have been invited to participate in discussion with the local authority who have been in talks with the DfE both yesterday and today to get clarity over the potential change to the arrangements for the return of Year 6.
We were made aware late last night that this is now unlikely to be 1 June.
I have been awaiting further details today and we have now received a letter from Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member. A copy of this can be found in our newsletter section.
To summarise, we have been advised not to open for Year 6 on 1st June. We will remain open to key worker children and eligible pupils as we have been for the last 9 weeks.
We continue to plan and work towards this aim for Year 6 to return at a later date, a date that will be advised by the local authority.
NEW - In the newsletter section, there is a letter to provide information regarding the return of Year 6 children.
These plans are still being guided by the government and, therefore, are subject to potential change.
A hard copy of this letter has been posted to each Year 6 pupil home address.
Some children have been eligible to attend school during the closure and we have supported this during the last 8 weeks for up to 24 pupils, including holiday provision and wrap around care.
However, as you will be aware there are currently plans for Year 6 pupils to return to school on 1st June. This will not impact upon the access to school for eligible children.
Year 6 eligible children will move into the provision for Year 6 to address learning and transition.
Pupils in Years 3-5 may still attend if they are eligible. They will have similar provision to that currently received but there will be changes to the structure of the day and movement about school.
We fully anticipate that some families may now find themselves needing to access school provision who have not previously done so AND they meet the criteria for their child to be eligible for a place.
All parents who require a place from 1st June must contact the school to register with Mrs D or Mrs Wilmot, whether they have accessed childcare or not. This is to allow for plans to be completed such as allocation of space and staffing to meet the return to school guidelines.
WE CANNOT TAKE ANY PUPIL WHO IS NOT REGISTERED.
PLEASE CONTACT US BY FRIDAY 22ND MAY IF YOU REQUIRE THIS DAY CARE, WITH THE DAYS CLEARLY LISTED (e.g. Mon,Tue,Thu)
The government this week released their plans for a phased return for schools commencing 1st June. For our school, it only involves Year 6 pupils at this current time.
This week we have been, and continue, to plan for this situation but we await further information and advice as to how this will occur. We hope to provide you with details later this week or early next week.
In the meantime to assist pupils (and parents) for this, we have created a new 'Back to School Preparation' section listed under the Children tab, Class pages. This section provides some work to complete that will need to be handed in when you return to school and some pointers for parents to ensure that pupils have all they require for their return.
This preparation will be updated weekly for the next 3 weeks.
It is understandable that children may be having more access to computers, tablets and phones and therefore are having increased screen time.
During this very difficult time, it is even more important to be kind - we would ask all pupils not to use the internet or social media to be unkind. Always think of what you are saying and how this may impact upon the person it is directed to. We would ask all parents to check the content of texts, emails and messages/group chats to support this.
Remember you need to check frequently:
To help you, here is a list of resources that can help keep your children safe online -Thinkuknow, the UK Safer Internet Centre, London Grid for Learning, Net Aware, Internet Matters and Parent Info.
If you are accessing learning resources that are not listed on our website please ensure you check for reputable organisations or individuals (e.g. such as using new online companies or tutors). They should be able to provide evidence of being safe to work with children by giving you their DBS information.
Further sources of support include Childline, the UK Safer Internet Centre and Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP).
Don't take risks.
Don't give personal information to people you do not actually know.
Use age appropriate sites and games.
Take regular breaks.
Always report content that worries you or if anyone asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable or asks you to keep a secret - be sensible, include your family, keep safe.
As I am sure you are aware, we have begun to get some ideas about the government's plans to open schools again. At the moment, this is very sketchy and does not include all year groups. At this point in time, we do not have any further information.
I am expecting more details from the Department for Education and the Local Authority to be sent to school over the next week giving further notes and clarity as to how this will occur safely including how pupils will access school, play, have lunch etc.
There is much to be planned to ensure that, when this does occur, all pupils and staff are safe and clear of both the changes to the routines and the new restrictions on movement that will be necessary to maintain social distancing.
As we learn more and progress with our plans, we will keep you regularly updated but please make sure you keep checking the website and dojo for these important updates.
All pupils have been set the challenge to write a story across this week to revise their writing skills. The stimulus and support can be found be accessing the Class Pages via the Children tab. You will need to plan, create a first draft, edit it and publish a final piece.
Once you have done this, you can send the final story or extract to Mrs D via the dojo - we love to see what you have been up to and we will be able to send a dojo back to give you feedback and praise.
Keep busy and do your best whilst working at home. We know it is difficult but it is really important to keep practising your learning skills.