SCHOOL OPENING UPDATE : Sunday 28th June 2020
Dear Families,
In the light of current advice and guidance for schools, I am writing to inform you of our plans to enable every child to have the opportunity to meet the staff at the school prior to the end of term. In most cases, this will enable children to spend a day with their new teacher.
To enable this:
- All children who are accessing school due to the ‘Key Worker’ scheme (or other existing vulnerability criteria) in Bubbles 1, 2, 4 and 5 will be able to continue to attend school up until the last day of the current school year calendar, Tuesday 21st July. The school will then be closed to these children until the start of the new academic year in September.
- Other children in Year 6, who have been able to attend school since June 1st, will continue to attend school until Friday 10th July. This will be the last day of attendance for these children before they move to secondary school in September.
- During the week of July 13th, the school will be adapted in order that children in other year groups will be able to attend school, with every child being able to attend for one day. All classes will remain limited to a maximum number of 15 children in each.
- Where possible, each child will spend the day with their new teacher.
- Children who are currently in Years 2 and 4 will be welcomed to the school on either Wednesday 15th or Thursday 16th of July.
- Children who are currently in Years 3 and 5 will be welcomed to the school on either Monday 20th or Tuesday 21st July.
- A number of steps will be put in place for the safety of all children, including staggered start, finish, break and lunch times, every child having a packed lunch brought from home, deep cleaning of rooms and the reorganisation of classrooms. Social distancing arrangements will enable children in the ‘Key Worker bubbles’ to join in with these special days as well. Attendance remains optional on these days, but we would encourage families to take the opportunity to attend where possible.
I would like to wish you all well at this time, and will be in touch with you soon about these plans to meet with every child. I would also like to thank you for your support, and thank every member of the school team who has kept the school ‘open for learning’, both in the school and at home, since March 23rd.
Yours sincerely
Carl Messer (Executive Headteacher)
Current Opening Update
The School is currently partially open, but remains closed to nearly all children in Years 3, 4 and 5 in line with DfE advice for the next two weeks. Where possible, 2m social distancing is in place in classrooms (approx 6-8 students) as recommended by the DfE earlier this term, but reduces to 1m if more children attend (up 15 students per room). Staggered start and end times are in place, cleaning in place throughout the day, and the school reception is closed. Please telephone or email if you need to contact us (details below). Thank you for your support for us, it means a great deal!
As a word of caution, the DfE have been accused of making contradictory and inaccurate statements about school reopening. Please therefore refer to the annoucements of each individual school, and not the government department, to be informed of what is in place for your own children.
Attending:
- Key Worker Families, vulnerable families and those with EHCPs are still eligible to attend school. Key worker families must provide written evidence of eligibility.
- Year 6 Families, who have confirmed the intention to attend, were able to return on June 1st, for 4 1/2 days a week. Other Year 6 families are able to return the following Monday if informing us by 9am on Thursday. Year 6 will finish the school year on Friday 10th July.
- All other children will continue to learn at home until the end of term. Online learning is planned and supported by our teaching team. A day of school attendance is being organised for every child in July.
- Contrary to misleading information being shared by the DfE, most children do not meet their teacher or friends upon return to school due to pupils being supervised in small, isolated groups (bubbles) in accordance with DfE guidance. Our contact days for Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 are being designed to maximise contact between teachers and their 2020-2021 class groups.
- There are no firm national plans in place for the arrangements from September 2020. As and when clear guidance is available we will plan accordingly and make contact with families. We are expecting to welcome all children back within enlarged 'bubbles', but this is to be confirmed.
Families who are active key workers, or of other categories who are assessed as being appropriately provided for at school:
- We have contacted you by SchoolPing to confirm which days, if any, you require your child to be at school.
- We have let you know by text which bubble group your child is in, what their arrival and departure times are, and where to deliver and collect your child.
Families of Year 6 children who returned from June 1st
- We have confirmed which bubble group your child is in.
- We have let you know arrival and departure times (inc half day on Fridays and where to deliver and collect your child.
All children attending:
- Must only do so if well. If you or your child are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 you must self isolate and not attend school (ill person self isolates for 7 days, and the rest of the family for 14 days). The child can return before this time if tested and evidence of a negative test is provided.
- Must maintain social distancing rules when not in the school. The country is at Level 3, but restrictions at other levels are currently being eased. This raises the risk of increasing cases of Covid-19 (the second wave). To protect your family, the community, and staff, please adhere to remaining restrictions rigidly.
- Must not behave in a manner that puts others at risk of infection, and will be asked to work at home again if they continue to do this.
- Must be supervised to and from the school, with just one adult supervising them in the line ready to enter the school grounds, and one adult coming onto the school site to collect.
- Must attend the whole session on offer. The school reception is closed, and families will not be able to collect their child during the day (except for an emergency, e.g. if the family are required to self isolate).
- Must be collected from school immediately in the event that they show symptoms of Covid-19.
- Must not wear a face mask, PPE gloves or other similar equipment.
- Must have their clothes washed at the end of each day, even if this means that a full school uniform is not available to them every day.
- You must arrive exactly on time, and collect on time to avoid cross infection.
- Do not take public transport. Do not try to park near the school. No scooters please. The most effective way to travel will be by walking.
Children will need to bring in:
- Home learning pack (named)
- Packed lunch (named)
- Water bottle, pre-filled (named)
- Any medication required in a sealed and named bag.
- School uniform (as far as possible).
Closure:
In the event of reduced staffing levels, concern regarding potential exposure to Covid-19, need for deep cleaning or any other significant issue, the school may need to close down one or more bubble groups with immediate effect until the issue is resolved. Bubble groups must not be combined in order to prevent the risk of cross infection or 'superspreading'.
Contact Us:
- The main entrance will be closed. Please do not try to enter the school building.
- Call us on 01206 506800
- Email us using the email addresses below.
Arrival and Collection:
Bubble 1: Arrive at Claudius Road, South Gate, Red Zone at 8:35am for 8:40am entry. Collect at Claudius Road, South Gate, Red Zone for 3:20pm entry. Enter South Playground (Courtyard) when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road.
Bubble 2: Arrive at Claudius Road, South Gate, Green Zone at 8:45am for 8:50am entry. Collect at Claudius Road, South Gate, Green Zone for 3:22pm entry. Enter South Playground (Courtyard) when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road.
Bubble 4: Arrive at Claudius Road, West Gate, Black Zone at 8:35am for 8:40am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone for 3:24pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road.
Bubble 5: Arrive at Claudius Road, West Gate, Pink Zone at 8:45am for 8:50am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone for 3:26pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road.
Bubble 6: Arrive at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone at 8:45am for 8:50am entry. Collect at Canterbury Road, Main Gate, Purple Zone for 3:28pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:00pm from the East Gate (Orange Zone) from June 15th onwards.
Bubble 7: Arrive at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone at 8:55am for 9:00am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone for 2:55pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:05pm from the East Gate (Blue Zone).
Bubble 8: Arrive at Claudius Road, West Gate, Black Zone at 8:55am for 9:00am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone for 3:00pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:10pm from the East Gate (Orange Zone).
Bubble 9: Arrive at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone at 9:05am for 9:10am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone for 3:05pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:15pm from the East Gate (Blue Zone).
Bubble 10: Arrive at Claudius Road, West Gate, Pink Zone at 9:05am for 9:10am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone for 3:10pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:20pm from the East Gate (Orange Zone).
Bubble 11: Arrive at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone at 9:15am for 9:20am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Blue Zone for 3:15pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:25pm from the East Gate (Blue Zone).
Bubble 12: Arrive at Claudius Road, West Gate, Black Zone at 9:15am for 9:20am entry. Collect at Barrington Road, East Gate, Orange Zone for 3:20pm entry. Enter East Playground when invited and wait by an orange 2m social distancing marker. When with your child, leave via the double gate on Claudius Road. Friday collection is at 12:30pm from the East Gate (Orange Zone).
Take care, stay safe, and keep following national social distancing and self isolation advice, Mr Messer 😊
Critical Workers list as per GOV.UK website - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to look after their child at home, but attendance is strongly encouraged.
Please, therefore, also follow these key principles:
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If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
-
Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
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Parents must do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially outside of school. They must observe the same social distancing principles as adults, as far as possible.
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Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.
If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, then your children will be prioritised for education provision and are strongly encouraged to attend.
Health and social care
This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.
Education and childcare
This includes:
- childcare
- support and teaching staff
- social workers
- specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach
Key public services
This includes:
- those essential to the running of the justice system
- religious staff
- charities and workers delivering key frontline services
- those responsible for the management of the deceased
- journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting
Local and national government
This only includes:
- those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response
- or delivering essential public services, such as the payment of benefits, including in government agencies and arms length bodies
Food and other necessary goods
This includes those involved in food:
- production
- processing
- distribution
- sale and delivery
- as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)
Public safety and national security
This includes:
- police and support staff
- Ministry of Defence civilians
- contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 outbreak)
- fire and rescue service employees (including support staff)
- National Crime Agency staff
- those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas
Transport
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.
Utilities, communication and financial services
This includes:
- staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)
- the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage)
- information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response
- key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services)
- postal services and delivery
- payments providers
- waste disposal sectors
Our 'School Closed Work' section has all you need to help children to keep learning, and has advice and guidance for parents. Previous information on this page has been moved to the News section above. Essential information is provided for you below. Keep safe everyone! :-)
Contact
Year 3 Teachers Year3teachers@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Year 4 Teachers Year4teachers@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Year 5 Teachers Year5teachers@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Year 6 Teachers Year6teachers@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
SEN Issues senco@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Welfare Issues nurture@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Mrs Dale jdale@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Administration stg-admin@st-georgesnewtown-jun.essex.sch.uk
Telephone 01206 506800 ( 9:30am to 10:30am daily from Monday to Friday)
Learning
Please click on the 'School Closed Work' tab above for information about your child's learning whilst the school is closed. Your child has a DBPrimary log in in order to access learning and to be able to engage with their teacher online.
Asking for Help
If you would appreciate help with learning at home, in the first instance, email the teachers in your child's year group or call StarLine on 0330 313 9162. StarLine is an independent body, staffed by teachers and Ofsted employees, who are available to give advice to families. Be aware that the call will be charged at the local rate.
Staying Safe Whilst Learning Online
The following websites may be useful in helping families to keep their children safe whilst working online.
www.ceop-police.uk
www.childnet.com
www.internetmatters.org
www.net-aware.org.uk
www.parentinfo.org
www.saferinternet.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/safeguarding/schools-protecting-children-abuse-neglect
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