Dear Parents and Carers,

As I am sure you are aware, the Department for Education has published guidance for a full return to school in September. It is very detailed, and we have spent time ensuring that we bring all children back as safely as possible. We continue to work on finalising our plans, but I know many parents and children are anxious to know what is happening, so I wanted to share with you our plans so far.

At present I can confirm:

• We will be welcoming back all children from Years One to Six on September 7^th. This will be staggered for the first week as a minimum and timings will follow shortly.
• Early Years parents (Reception and Nursery) will receive separate letters detailing our plans for a phased return to allow time for children and families to meet their teachers and familiarise themselves with our school.
• School Timings: In the first week we will stagger start and finish times of the school day. We will assess this and make any necessary changes for the second week. Parents must drop their child to their class line and leave immediately. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please call the office, or email the year group email address, and the teacher will respond at the end of the day.
• We will continue to close at 12pm on Wednesdays to allow for the school to be deep cleaned each week. Children will be sent home with work to complete for Thursday morning to ensure that this does not have an impact their learning.
• Bubble system: we will be implementing a system where each class will form a bubble which will be extended to year group bubbles for lunchtimes and breaktimes. Year groups do not mix at any point. Handwashing and hygiene routines which have been put in place this term will remain in September.
• Attendance:  The government has stated that attendance will be mandatory from September. A number of pupils may still be unable to attend if they are self-isolating. Shielding advice pauses from 1^st August.
• Lunches: Children will continue to eat in their classroom to ensure separation of bubbles. This means that pupils will be provided with a packed lunch if taking up the offer of a school meal. Packed lunches can be purchased for children who are not eligible for Free School Meals in Years 3 and above – please ensure that you make payment for these using the schoolmoney system.
• Uniform: Children will be expected to return to school in full uniform. Please see the website for our uniform policy.
• Minibus and walking bus: Due to current restrictions we will be unable to operate the minibus and walking bus initially. As government advice changes we will continually review this. We know many of you use this service but appreciate your understanding as we follow the guidance to keep your children safe.
• Breakfast/ after school clubs: We will not be running breakfast or any after-school clubs until the guidance changes. With children from across all year groups attending we cannot maintain the bubble system in the breakfast club or after school group setting.

Further information will be released this week regarding specific timings for September.

As always, thank you for your patience and understanding as we move towards our new way of schooling. Your messages of support have been much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Mrs R Eaton

Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

On Thursday July 2^nd, the Government issued its guidance on how schools will operate when the new school year starts in September.

We are currently reviewing all of the detailed information in the guidance and I/we will be in touch before the summer break to share with you an update on our plans for the safe return to school for all pupils in September.

It has been wonderful to have so many pupils back in school, and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone when the new school year starts.

Until the end of this term on 17^th July, school will continue to be open every day for pupils in years Reception, One, Five and Six and for children of key workers and vulnerable pupils. Spaces are very limited, but if your child’s class is open and they have not yet come back but you would now like them to do so until the end of the term, please contact your child’s Year Group Lead by e-mail so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

The summer term will end at 12pm on 17^th July for all groups of pupils.

Please continue to encourage your children who have not yet returned to school with their home learning.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Mrs R Eaton

Headteacher

18^th June 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is a shame that the weather has taken such a downturn but I hope you remain safe and well.

This month, we began the phased reopening of our school for Nursery, Reception, Year 1, and Year 6 pupils. This has been most successful, and it is lovely to have children back with us learning and playing with their friends.

In light of the latest government guidance, we would now like to invite more pupils back at school before the end of term on 17^th July 2020, at the moment this option will be for Year 5 only but we will continue to update you.

We are delighted with the engagement of the vast majority of our pupils whether through our virtual school, in-school or online.  A number of parents have asked about books for their children and so next week we will be offering the opportunity for you to change your child’s books – please read the details that will be sent out shortly very carefully as we have put a number of restrictive measures in place to ensure that this is safe.

We appreciate that this has been a difficult time for many of you.  We will continue to make sure that we call each family every week so please do look out for our calls and if you are struggling then please do ask for our help.

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience.

Mrs Eaton