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• Coronavirus Testing At Home

  Fri 05 Mar 2021

  NHS Test and Trace announced earlier this week, that all adults in households with school and college age children without symptoms can now access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.

   

  Test kits can either be collected or ordered online, as set out below. Secondary school and college students will continue to access testing through their school or college. Undertaking regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing helps reduce transmission of the virus. Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.

   

  Tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice-weekly:

  •  through your employer, if they offer testing to employees
  •  by collecting a home test kit from a local test site – anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests
  •  by ordering a home test kit online – please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most

   

  If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.

   

  Children of primary school age (and below) without symptoms are not being asked to take a test.

   

• A letter to all pupils

  Wed 03 Mar 2021

  Dear Children,

   

  Well done for all the work you have done at home recently (and for those who have been in school, well done to you as well).

   

  We know it has been very difficult for you this term – we didn’t expect school to be shut so quickly, so we know this will have been a surprise to you too.

   

  It has been lovely to speak to you and find out what you have been up to – your teachers have enjoyed these conversations and seeing your photos and work, and we know that many of you are excited to come back to school. We know that you have missed your friends and are looking forward to seeing them again.

   

  All the adults in school have missed you and can’t wait for you to return. We know some of you might be a bit worried about this, but we are ready to help you. We will still be in bubbles and have to do lots of hand washing – this is to keep us all safe. For now, when on the corridors, the adults will sometimes be wearing face coverings. Again, this is just to help keep everyone safe.

   

  We know that some of you will be worried about your work, so have thought carefully about what we will ask you to do when you come back. We will do lots of reading (the adults as well), go over the Maths work you have done at home to help you where you struggled, but also do lots of art activities as well. We know many of you will have not done very much writing recently, so will need some time to get used to this again. When it is PE, you will still be able to come to school in your PE kit, as we know you like to do this.

   

   

  When you come back next week, school will run like it did before Christmas, so won’t be very different for you this time. However, if you have anything you are worried about, just let an adult know so we can try to help you.

   

  Most importantly, we can’t wait for you to come back to school, and look forward to seeing you back.

   

  See you soon!

  Yours Sincerely

  Mrs Pridgeon (Headteacher)

• School Re-opening Monday 8th March

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  As you are aware school re-opens on Monday 8th March. A letter was sent via parent mail last week informing you of all the arrangements that have been made, please ensure that you read this carefully before your child returns to school. We are really looking forward to welcoming all the children back to school.

   

  Please adhere to start and finish times:

   

  Classes A: 8:40am-2.55pm.

  Classes B&C: 8.50am-3.05pm.

   

• Getting Creative

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  Some of our children have been busy being so creative at home, doing lots of different arts and crafts. Here is some of their fantastic work! Well done! We are very proud of you!

   

  

• Maths is Fun

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  Some of our children have been working hard in practising their Maths and have all done really well. Well done!

   

  

• Staying Safe

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  We ask that you kindly remember to ensure that you wear a face covering when on social grounds and respect social

  distancing (we understand some are exempt of face coverings)

  Thank you.

   

  

• PE Timetable from Monday 8th March

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  Please ensure your child comes into school in their PE Kit on their PE Day. Please see the timetable below, thank you.

   

  Monday: 5C AND 5B

  Tuesday: Reception and Year 3

  Wednesday: Year 1 and Year 2

  Thursday: 5A and Year 6

  Friday: HIRB and Year 4

   

• Meal Patterns from Monday 8th March

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  From Monday 8th March School dinners will be a week of hot dinners and a week of grab bags.

   

  From week commencing

  Monday 8th March:

  Hot Meals Years 2, 4 and 5.

  Grab Bags: Years 1, 3 and 6.

   

  Reception will have hot meals daily.

   

  You are not able to change your meal pattern and must please adhere to your chosen preference. Thank you.

   

• Contact Information

  Tue 02 Mar 2021

  Please can you ensure that school has all your up to date contact information including new contact numbers, addresses and pick-ups. Thank you for your continued support.

   

• Re-opening School Plans for Monday 8th March 2021

  Mon 01 Mar 2021

  Dear Parents/Carers,

   

  I hope you are all well.  Firstly, can I thank you on behalf of all the staff for the support you have given your children during the current lockdown.  We fully appreciate how hard many of you will have found this and recognise that the Government gave very little notice to prepare you for this.  You have done a fantastic job.  I am sure many of you will be starting to think ahead to 8^th March and I just wanted to provide you with some further information.  As ever, this is subject to change in line with national and local guidance, but is correct as things currently stand.  Al plans and decisions have been made following the most recent information, and with your children at the forefront of our plans.  I appreciate that some of the measures may seem quite strict, but they do need to be implemented and followed.  A copy of the new risk assessment will shortly be available on our website for you to read, and you will be notified of this when it happens.

   

  I, and all the staff, are aware that there will naturally be some apprehension about returning to school, particularly for those who have not been in during lockdown.  Please be reassured we are ready to support with this and do not hesitate to contact us if you feel you need to discuss anything further.

   

  Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing

  There is no requirement for Primary School children to be tested on return to school.  School staff will continue with their twice weekly lateral flow testing at home as previously communicated. If your child shows any of the symptoms of Covid-19 you should book a test and self-isolate as per Government guidelines.

   

  Attendance and punctuality

  From 8^th March, it will once again be compulsory for all children to be in school, on time, every day.  Please help us to support your children by ensuring this is the case.  If for any reason your child will not be in school, it is important to contact us as soon as possible to explain why.  In addition, no holidays or extended absences will be authorised in line with our policy, and fines may be issued for those absent from school for such reason.  In order to support your children with this, it would be beneficial for them to start getting into a routine that is similar to the one they follow when they return to school e.g. going to bed at a reasonable time and getting up at a sensible time in the morning.

   

  Breakfast Club

  We will be continuing to operate breakfast club on a very much reduced capacity.  We will only be able to offer breakfast club provision for a maximum of 15 children and these places will be offered to those who were previously taking up that offer.  If anyone else would like a place, please contact the school office to be added to the waiting list.  Once the guidance changes and we are able to open up breakfast club to more families, we will obviously let you know.

   

  Use of childminders

  Please see the following advice from the DfE:

  This includes schools advising parents to limit the number of different wraparound providers they access, as far as possible.  Where parents use childcare providers or out of school activities for their children, schools should encourage them to seek assurance that the providers are carefully considering their own protective measures, and only use those providers that can demonstrate this. 

   

  School day timings

  To support in the minimising of numbers of people on the playground before and after school, we will be continuing to operate a slightly staggered start and finish time.  Chidlren in class A of each year group will start at 8.40am and finish at 2.55pm.  Children in class B or C of a year group will start at 8.50am and finish at 3.05pm. You will be reminded whether your child is in class A, B or C for their year group.  The teaching time for all children, irrespective of which class they are in, will be equal.  Again, please ensure that as far as possible you keep to these times and that your children are brought to school on time, and collected punctually.  Please can I ask that at the end of the day in particular, parents do not cluster round the school doors to enable the children to exit quickly, and that social distancing expectations are followed.  This is vital to protect the safety of the whole school community – children, parents and staff.

   

  Masks

  In line with Government guidance, children will not be able to wear masks in school, or during the school day.  Any child who comes to school wearing a mask will need to remove it before entering school and, if necessary, be supported in disposing it if it is a disposable mask, or storing it safely if it is a reusable one.  Ideally, parents will need to support this and take masks home.  Parents and carers, in line with Government guidance, are expected to wear face coverings on the playground and I need to ask you that you follow this guidance, unless exempt.  Even if you have already had Covid-19 or have been vaccinated, it is still expected that you wear a mask.  Older siblings who attend secondary school should also wear a face covering on the premises, if it is necessary for them to be there. To maintain safety, please, wherever possible, limit the number of people who come to school to drop off or collect.

   

  Lunchtime arrangements

  We will be continuing with the weekly rotation of grab bags and school dinners.  You will be sent further information about this separately.

   

  Uniform

  It is the expectation that full school uniform will once again be worn by all children.  May I ask that you fully support us in ensuring your child is wearing full uniform, including wearing black school shoes, and no jeans or jogging bottoms as far as possible.  Jewellery will also be limited to a single pair of stud earrings, and a wrist watch.  Can I also remind you that hairstyles should be appropriate for school, and that children should not have patterns shaved into their hair or eyebrows. Children will again need to come to school in their PE kit on the day of their lesson – please see PE timetable overleaf.

   

  PE timetable

  Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
  Class 5C	Reception	Year 1	Class 5A	HIRB
  Class 5B	Year 3	Year 2	Year 6	Year 4

   

  Resources/Equipment

  Children will once again be able to bring school bags to school.  They will not, however, be allowed to bring pencil cases.  All children will be provided with their own pencil case and equipment to be used in school.

   

  Travelling to and from school.

  As requested by the Government, please can I ask that wherever possible, families walk to and from school each day, instead of using public or private transport.

   

  Expectations in relation to illness

  If your child is unable to attend school due to illness please telephone the office on 01706 647147 before 8.30am on the day of illness.  Once again the following guidelines apply with regard to symptoms of Covid-19:

   

  Pupils should self-isolate and not come to school if they: Have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive Live with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive Are a close contact of someone who has tested positive Have returned to the country and are in a period of 10 day quarantine

   

  We are very much looking forward to seeing you and your children again in March and returning to a more normal version of school than we have had over recent months. 

   

  Thank you again for your support during this time, and for the work you have done at home with your children.

   

  Yours sincerely

  Mrs Alex Pridgeon

  Headteacher