Tuesday 3rd March 2021
Dear Parents and Carers
I am so pleased to confirm that school will reopen to all children from Monday 8th March. Together, we have done a fantastic job in supporting children’s learning at home through these past nine weeks, but children need to be in school. No matter what, we cannot replicate the social interaction, friendship and community that being in school offers children.
School will continue to keep procedures as safe as possible. I am sure many of you still have concerns about the return to school and about the uncertainties that coming out of lockdown present. I want to reassure you that we will be doing everything we can to keep things safe, make adjustments and changes where necessary. We will continue to treat each year group as a bubble. There will be staggered start and finish times that you must adhere to and the wearing of masks at drop off and collection time is required by all adults.
Drop off and collection
The usual times and locations for drop off and collection will remain. We will not allow parents to enter the school at any times outside their allocated slot. Please be understanding of this. Times are listed below.
| Arrival | Collection | |
| Nursery | 08:45 – 09:10 | 15:00 – 15:25 |
| Nursery AM only | 08:45 – 09:10 | 11:30 – 11:45 |
| Nursery PM only | 12:30 | 15:00 – 15:25 |
| Reception: Orchid and Cerise | 08:45 – 08:55 | 15:00 – 15:10 |
| Reception: Magenta | 08:55 – 09:05 | 15:10 – 15:20 |
| Years 3, 4 and 6 | 08:45 – 08:55 | 15:00 – 15:10 |
| Years 1, 2 and 5 | 09:00 – 09:10 | 15:15 – 15:25 |
| Blue, Gold and Rising Stars | 09:00 – 09:10 | 15:15 – 15:25 |
| Green Class | 09:00 – 09:10 | 15:15 – 15:25 |
Please also note that we are not permitting parents to park at the school gates during drop off and collection. This has become increasingly dangerous to other drivers and children walking home. Cones will be set out to remind you of this.
Attendance, sickness and absence
It has never been more important for all children to back in school, punctually and consistently for five days a week.
Attendance is compulsory from Monday 8th March and absence procedures are the same as they always have been. Please complete the absence form on the website or call the office if your child is sick or unable to attend. If your child displays symptoms of coronavirus please do not send them to school until a negative test result is received. If any other member of the household develops symptoms please keep children at home until a negative test is received. In all cases you must inform the office so that absence can be authorised and work provided for children self-isolating, when appropriate.
Children who display symptoms in school will be sent home and parents will be requested to get the child tested.
Extended provision
Breakfast and Afterschool Club will resume at the normal chargeable rate. I would advise that you should only use these when absolutely necessary and places must be booked in advance.
Staffing and curriculum
Some staff are unable to return to face-to-face teaching at the moment and where this is the case parents/children will be informed. Replacement teachers will be from our own staff where possible.
We will be using the next few weeks to assess where children are in their learning and make plans to identify and plan for any gaps that may have appeared in their reading, writing and maths. Class and non-class-based interventions will then be established to support children in these areas. We want to ensure that children continue to enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum, are given the opportunity for enquiry-based learning and are happy at school.
For those of you who have been working with children at home, these past few weeks may have presented challenges as well as successes. If you have any concerns or issues, please raise them with me immediately. Alternatively there will be an opportunity for remote parents evening in the week of 22nd to 26th March.