Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.
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Year 6 Transition to Highcliffe Secondary School - Virtual Open Evening
Mon 28 Sep 202024th September 2020
Click here to view PDF from Highcliffe School
Dear Year 6 Parents/Carers and Pupils,
Re: Virtual Open Evening
Thank you for your interest in Highcliffe School. Owing to the Covid-19 situation and especially the current ‘Rule of Six’ we are not running our normal information programme for Year 6. This means we are not holding a face-to-face Open Evening on site, or parent tours of the school during the school day, or our rota of visits by Year 6 classes to the school, to protect our ‘bubbles’. Under the current restrictions we have also agreed with primary schools that it is not appropriate to organise visits by our staff or students to their schools, in order to protect their ‘bubbles’.
However, we know that our Open Evening – which typically now attracts around 1100 visitors annually – is a popular event which your feedback tells us is highly regarded in the community and gives a useful insight to Highcliffe School.
I am pleased to inform you we will be hosting a Virtual Opening Evening online from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 22nd October 2020 which will, as far as possible, enable online visitors to:
- ‘Explore’ the school on a personal tour, dropping into subjects, talks or certain school events
- Be ‘introduced’ to many staff members
- Learn about the subjects taught at Highcliffe and the careers they may lead to
- Hear from students their reasons for choosing Highcliffe School and their experiences here
- Learn about our Year Team system and pastoral care
- Learn about our provision for SEND, Pupil Premium and Gifted and Talented students including our Oxford and Cambridge University, Medics and Law preparation programmes and STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Maths) programme
- Learn about how admissions, catering and school transport work
- Learn about the amazing programme of extra-curricular activities, trips and visits on offer
- Hear a talk from the Headteacher and other senior staff about the values and ethos of the school
- Leave questions in a FAQ forum which staff will endeavour to answer for you
Virtual Open Evening will be accessible from www.highcliffe.school. No special equipment or software is required to participate, nor do you need to register to attend. Any internet-enabled PC, Apple computer, laptop, tablet, Android or IoS smartphone or a smart TV with an internet browser should be suitable.
Parents, you can also follow us on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media feeds.
Yours sincerely
Patrick Earnshaw
Headteacher
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Bikeability Level One Year 4 2020
Thu 24 Sep 2020Dear Parent/carers,
All Year 4 children have the opportunity to attend the Bikeability Level 1 course which will be held after school at 3.30-5.30pm on either Thursday 8th/15th or 22nd October 2020.
The Level 1 course takes place in an off road environment and teaches riders how to control and master their bikes.
Mudeford Junior School recognises that cycling is an enjoyable and healthy activity and we are keen to help the children learn how to stay safe when cycling. Cycling helps children to achieve their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Many teachers also report that those children who walk and cycle to school are more alert and ready to learn. As we feel this is such a valuable life skill to learn and will stand the children in good stead for the future, on this occasion the school has subsidized the course as the wellbeing of the children is paramount during theses unprecedented times. Children must however have a roadworthy bike with 2 working brakes and inflated tyres. All children must wear a fitted helmet.
If you would like your child to attend the Bikeability Level 1 course, please submit the form, you will find it in the form section of Parent Mail and your child will be allocated a place on one of the dates.
Yours sincerely
Mr Partridge
Headteacher
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Covid update for all parents 24 September
Thu 24 Sep 2020Advice to all parents – Confirmed Adult Covid Cases at Mudeford Junior School
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have been advised by Public Health England this afternoon (September 24) that there has been a total of four confirmed adult cases of COVID-19 within Year 3. All cases involve staff which has had an impact on teaching numbers.
This letter is to keep you up to date on where we are and what action we have taken.
All close contacts of the cases have been identified and have been self-isolating thus decreasing staffing levels even further. This has had an impact on safe operating levels in year 3 and some children have been carrying out distanced learning while staff are self-isolating.
Children currently self-isolating and those carrying out distanced learning will all be back in school sometime next week.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England and the local authority making sure all measures are being met.
The school remains open to all other year groups and, providing your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.
I want to thank all parents, carers and children for their understanding and co-operation during this time.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should organise for your child to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
Do:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Flu vaccination
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you and your family to have the flu vaccination if you are eligible for this, especially if you are in a risk group. You can find out about risk groups and whether you are eligible for a flu vaccine at the NHS Flu vaccine overview.
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Mark Partridge
Headteacher
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Mudeford Junior School Covid Update
Fri 18 Sep 2020Advice to all Parents
Dear Parents and Carers
We have been advised by Public Health England (PHE) that there has been a second confirmed adult case of COVID-19 in Year 3 at Mudeford Junior School.
The second adult confirmed case of COVID 19 was last in school on Tuesday 8 September. Following PHE guidance and because of the successful implementation of self-isolation guidance no other members of our school community have been impacted by this further case. All the necessary contacts have been asked to self- isolate for 14 days from 8 September. As a result of the precautionary measures taken, both Year 3 classes will still be returning to school on Wednesday 23 September.
Due to our school’s comprehensive risk assessment for COVID 19 and the bubble system we have put in place, there has been no further disruption to the operation of the school.
The school remains open and, providing your child is well, they can continue to attend school as normal.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England and BCP Council to ensure all the necessary measures are in place to keep our school safe. I would like to thank you all for your help and patience in these challenging times.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID 19, you should organise for your child to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people coronavirus (COVID 19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID 19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID 19
Do:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Mark Partridge
Headteacher
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Single Confirmed Case of Covid 19 - Advice to all parents of Mudeford Junior School -
Mon 14 Sep 2020Advice to all parents of Mudeford Junior School - Single Confirmed Case of Covid 19
Dear parents,
We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed adult case of COVID-19 within the school.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The school remains open and, providing your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should organise for your child to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Flu vaccination
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you and your family to have the flu vaccination if you are eligible for this, especially if you are in a risk group. You can find out about risk groups and whether you are eligible for a flu vaccine at the NHS Flu vaccine overview.
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Mark Partridge
Headteacher
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Welcome Back - Information for parents at the start of term
Mon 07 Sep 2020Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome back! It has been lovely to see the children back in school over the last few days. The children have quickly got used to new patterns and routines and we are very pleased at how they have settled in. I would like to thank the parents for adhering to the drop off and collection routines and times which has helped us maintain social distancing and year group bubbles.
We ask children of 4TN to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4TN promptly at 3.05pm. The gate will open at 3pm.
We ask children of 4MR to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4MR promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 6GT to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6GT promptly at 3.05pm.
We ask children of 6EN to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6EN promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 3BN to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3BN promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 3MW to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3MW promptly at 3.25pm.
We ask children of 5ST to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5ST promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 5AD to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5AD promptly at 3.25pm.
The Curriculum
As part of the school’s risk assessment the children are being taught in year group bubbles and are not mixing with children from any other year groups. We are also limiting the mobility of staff between year groups by blocking in the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages and Music for each year group so that it all takes place during the same day. To enhance the creative and practical aspect of these days, the children will also take part in extended PE sessions and Team Building/Problem Solving activities. The children can wear school PE kit into school, with their Mudeford sweatshirt worn on top if they so wish on these days.
Outdoor PE kit :
Navy or white T shirt, black/navy shorts, trainers. A warm tracksuit or the school sweat top and jogging bottoms would be ideal.
Year 6 – Tuesday 8 September, Tuesday 22 Sept, Wednesday 7 October, Tuesday 20 October
Year 5 - Wednesday 9 Sept, Wednesday 23 Sept, Tuesday 6 October, Wednesday 21 October
Year 4 – Tuesday 15 Sept, Wednesday 30 Sept, Tuesday 13 October
Year 3 – Wednesday 16 Sept, Tuesday 29 Sept, Wednesday 14 October
As part of the revised curriculum there will be a greater emphasis on the teaching of reading and writing, together with fluency and reasoning in mathematics on a daily basis. There will also be a daily physical activity session for the children as this has a proven positive effect on well-being.
Mudeford Junior School has also booked in the LifeBus for sessions on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd September where the children will learn about making healthy lifestyle choices and developing skills for life. Further information will follow in due course.
After School Clubs
With the school operating a year group bubble system in order to maintain social distancing and minimise risk for both children and staff, it is more logistically difficult to provide the range of clubs that we have been used to in the past. However, the school has been able to secure the services of TeamTheme to provide separate year group sports clubs after school. Year 3 and Year 5 will be held on Tuesdays and Year 6 and Year 4 will be on Wednesdays, starting on Tuesday 15th September and Wednesday 16th September and running initially until October half term. These clubs will be free of charge as the school is keen to provide additional exercise opportunities for all of the children. Further details will follow.
Website
The website is kept up to date with information such as term dates and inset days. You can also find information concerning the procedure should you suspect your child has Covid 19, or you have a positive test result.
Hot School Meals
Hot School Meals will resume on Monday 14th September. Please order using ParentMail as usual, the order form will be sent out tomorrow (Tuesday).
Finally, I would like to welcome Mrs Reeves to the staff of Mudeford Junior School. Mrs Reeves will be teaching in 3BN alongside Mrs Burton.
Kind regards
M Partridge
Headteacher
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What to do if children have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
Mon 07 Sep 2020 -
Information on all children returing to school Thursday 3 September
Tue 01 Sep 2020Dear Parents/Carers,
We are very much looking forward to seeing all the children this Thursday.
The continued safety of the children and staff is paramount and in order to minimise risk, we will be adhering closely to the Government guidelines on returning to school. The Government have updated their advice to schools on Friday 28th August with further advice concerning face coverings. Children in Primary schools will not be expected to wear any facial coverings whilst on school grounds.
The children will be working, playing and eating in year group bubbles, to minimise interaction with children of other year groups. Entry and exit times, break times and lunch times will therefore need to be staggered throughout the day. We ask that you stick to the allocated times for arrival and collection so that year group bubbles do not mix. We have set arrival times before 9am in order to help parents who need to go to work and have liaised with the Infant school to ensure our collection times do not clash with theirs. There is an established one-way system around the school, which we will continue to use. Entry will only be through the main gate on Mudeford Lane. Only one parent should accompany their child at the start and end of the session. Parents are requested not to congregate at entrances to the school and to move away from the school as soon as possible.
We kindly request that the children arrive during their allocated slot so that numbers of parents and children on site can be safely managed.
We ask children of 4TN to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4TN promptly at 3.05pm. The gate will open at 3pm.
We ask children of 4MR to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4MR promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 6GT to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6GT promptly at 3.05pm.
We ask children of 6EN to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6EN promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 3BN to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3BN promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 3MW to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3MW promptly at 3.25pm.
We ask children of 5ST to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5ST promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 5AD to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5AD promptly at 3.25pm.
Information regarding homework, after school clubs, hot lunches and curriculum content will be sent out over the next few weeks.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
M Partridge
Headteacher -
September reopening for all children
Mon 20 Jul 2020Dear Parents/Carers,
School life has been very different over the last term but I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support.
Throughout the last four months, the role of the school has changed significantly, catering for keyworkers throughout the period, organising and delivering food hampers and undertaking significant safeguarding tasks including the supporting of those most vulnerable in our community. Since half term we have welcomed back our Year 6 children and over the last two weeks we have invited all the children from Years 2,3,4 and 5 and nurture groups transitioning from Mudeford Infants back into school. It has been truly wonderful to see all of the children again.
The Government has provided us with guidance on reopening the school in September. We will be asking all the children to return to school - in their school uniform - on Thursday 3rd September. The continued safety of the children and staff is paramount and in order to minimise risk, we will be adhering closely to the Government guidelines on returning to school.
The children will be working, playing and eating in year group bubbles, to minimise interaction with children of other year groups. Entry and exit times, break times and lunch times will therefore need to be staggered throughout the day. We ask that you stick to the allocated times for arrival and collection so that year group bubbles do not mix. We have set arrival times before 9am in order to help parents who need to go to work and have liaised with the Infant school to ensure our collection times do not clash with theirs. There is an established one-way system around the school, which we will continue to use. Entry will only be through the main gate on Mudeford Lane. Only one parent should accompany their child at the start and end of the session. Parents are requested not to congregate at entrances to the school and to move away from the school as soon as possible.
We kindly request that the children wash their hands at home before coming to school. Upon arrival to the school, if you are accompanying your child, please wait in the designated waiting area with them (Years 3 and 4 on the Lower Junior playground and Years 5 and 6 on the Upper Junior playground), socially distanced from others. Unaccompanied children must also wait in the designated waiting area. Siblings must also remain with their parent and not use the playground. Teachers will call children to line up at their allocated time. Parents will not be allowed to enter the school building with their child. On entry into the building, the children will be asked to sanitise their hands before entering the classroom and throughout the school day. The present Government guidance states that children should not be wearing face coverings in school.
We ask children of 4TN to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4TN promptly at 3.05pm. The gate will open at 3pm.
We ask children of 4MR to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 4MR promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 6GT to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.35am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6GT promptly at 3.05pm.
We ask children of 6EN to arrive no earlier than 8.35am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.40am. We ask parents to collect the children of 6EN promptly at 3.10pm.
We ask children of 3BN to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3BN promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 3MW to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 3MW promptly at 3.25pm.
We ask children of 5ST to arrive no earlier than 8.45am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.50am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5ST promptly at 3.20pm.
We ask children of 5AD to arrive no earlier than 8.50am, with the children lining up promptly at 8.55am. We ask parents to collect the children of 5AD promptly at 3.25pm.
The Mudeford Junior School website and Year Group pages will be updated during the summer holidays and will continue to provide information for parents. For the first day of term we ask that all children bring a school bag, a healthy snack, a packed lunch, a filled water bottle (named please) and a pair of trainers to be used for PE. During the first few weeks, there will be no need for the children to bring a full set of PE kit. All equipment will be provided for children, however if Years 5 and 6 wish to bring a pencil case of their own, they are welcome to do so. Lunch boxes can be brought into the school as usual.
The school has met with HC3S, our hot school meal provider, and can now confirm that a hot meal provision will go ahead in September, beginning on Monday 14th September. Information will be sent out by ParentMail at the beginning of the autumn term. All children will therefore need to bring a packed lunch from Thursday 3rd - Friday 11th September. Information will be sent out for those eligible for Free School Meals.
We thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times and look forward to welcoming you all back in September.
Wishing you all a peaceful summer break
M Partridge
Headteacher
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July Newsletter
Mon 06 Jul 2020Dear Parents/Carers
I hope you and your family are keeping well.
The Government have published on 2 July 2020 guidance for the full opening of schools in September. Full information can be found on Gov.uk. During this forthcoming week, the Governors, the Leadership Team and myself will be meeting to discuss plans and arrangements in order to adhere to Health and Safety guidelines, to facilitate the full reopening of the school on Thursday 3rd September, this being the designated first day of the Autumn Term 2020. I will be sending out more details before the end of term.
The Department for Education has also informed schools that childcare provision for keyworker children will cease on Thursday 16th July and will not continue throughout the summer holidays.
Class placements:
The classes for next year will be:
Current Class Class for Sept. 2020 Class Teacher
3EN
4MR
Mrs Miller
3BC
4TN
Miss Touchin
5AD
6EN
Miss Egan
5ST
6GT
Mr Goodlet
The Year 3 teachers next year will be Mrs Burton (3BN) and Miss McKinley/Mrs White (3MW). The Year 5 teachers will be Mrs Scott-Thomas (5ST) and Miss Armstrong/Mrs Donaldson (5AD). The present Year 4 classes have been split and notification will be sent out separately to Year 4 parents.
We are sorry to be losing Mrs Crutchley, who has played a key role in the Leadership Team over the last ten years, both as SENDCo and Assistant Headteacher and Mrs Shepherd, who has been with us for over 20 years, at the end of this term. We would like to wish them all the best in their future ventures and thank them for their outstanding contribution to the school over many years.
Mrs Rachel Power, our previous Deputy Headteacher, will be taking on the role of SENDCo.
From September 2020, Mrs Miller and Miss McKinley will be jointly responsible for the organisation and running of Years 3 and 4, whilst Mr Goodlet remains in charge of Years 5 and 6.
The school would like to thank Mr Tony Page for his support and dedication as Chair of the School Governors over the last 10 years. During this period of time the school has been recognised as outstanding by OFSTED for the attainment and achievement of all pupils. Mrs Karen Smith has taken on the role of Chair of Governors and Mr Richard Mayer has been elected Vice Chair of the Governing Body.
Throughout the summer holidays we will keep you updated with any developments via the school website. Although no formal homework will be set for the summer holidays, reading a variety of genres, keeping up times tables practise and the learning of spellings will all benefit your child on their return to school in September.
Kind regards
M Partridge
Headteacher