February Whole School Newsletter

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

 

Although we have had up to 80 children attending school on a daily basis throughout this lockdown, the school has missed all those children learning at home.

 

The number of children of critical workers attending school has increased five-fold from this time last year. Following the Government’s announcement that schools are not likely to return until Monday 8th March, the school will continue with its provision for this group of critical worker children presently attending school until that day. Critical workers do not need to reapply for this provision, however, as per Government advice, if you are now able to look after your child at home, please contact the school as we would like to minimise the risk of infection in school by reducing numbers further.

 

We wish Miss McKinley all the best now that she has started her maternity leave. Miss Vooght will be teaching in Year 3 to cover Miss McKInley. We are thrilled with how Miss Vooght, Miss Basson (teaching in Year 6) and Mrs Hart (TA in Year 4) have settled into the school.

 

Covid 19 has affected the children and the school in numerous ways. Since June last year, the school has invested time and resources into researching and implementing new methods of teaching and communication. The new website, including Twitter function, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and SchoolCloud (Parents Evening/meetings with parents) have all been introduced. The Government’s remit for this lockdown is to provide a progressive and well sequenced curriculum for those critical worker children in school as well as those accessing the curriculum from home. Google Classroom allows the teachers to monitor closely those children who are accessing and engaging in home based learning. We are very impressed with both the quality and quantity of work that the children are now producing.

 

There are now only one or two children per year group who are causing concern with their level of engagement. If your child is having any difficulty please do not hesitate to contact the class teachers who are available to sort out any issues, including a lack of suitable devices for your child.

 

The Government has promised to provide the school with information regarding the proposed reopening of schools two weeks in advance. As soon as we are informed of any developments, I will write to keep you updated.

 

The children are coping amazingly well during these unprecedented times and, as always, we are extremely proud of them.

 

Kind regards

 

M Partridge

Headteacher