Information for Parents and Children
Tuesday, 26th January
Dear Parents,
I wanted to write to you today to acknowledge how tough the last 3 weeks have been for everyone and to thank you for your hard work. 3 weeks of lockdown, between juggling your own jobs, trying to support our children with their work at this time and generally surviving a pandemic, I am sure it hasn’t been easy.
Times are tough at the moment. The dark, cold rainy weather hasn’t helped so it is important we support one another and get through this together. We are a school community and we should all try to help and support each other.
We are, as you know, setting 3 hours of work per day for KS1 and 4 hours per day for KS2 and this is in line with DfE instructions. We do understand that for some children and some families this can be very challenging and at times unachievable. With this in mind, I would encourage all parents to understand that as always, our number one priority is everyone’s Mental Well-being.
Yes, we would like your child to do the Maths and English that is set, practice their spellings and do reading if possible, but we don’t want this to be a battle. Actually, going for that walk, taking time to just talk and have fun are just as important. Please do communicate with your child’s teacher if things are a struggle and we will do all we can to support you. If some of the work doesn’t get done that is fine.
We also appreciate your concerns about children falling behind if they don’t do the work, please don’t. That is our job as a school to sort and we will. We know from when children returned in September how all children had very varied experiences. We also found that the systems we had in place were very effective in supporting children in making up any gaps or loss of learning that had occurred. I am extremely confident that the staff we have will once again ensure that children will make up that lost ground over time in the best way possible.
We know that many parents are coping and we thank you for your support at this time. If, however you are genuinely in need of more support, please use the link to a google form - https://forms.gle/Qu1ePDuj5TSvFWds9 - for anyone who feels they or their child need to talk to someone at this time. We will make sure someone contacts you – Miss Habbishaw as our mental health champion, class teacher, myself or another member of staff. Please use this when you need to at this time.
Finally, the image below we feel is very true for you all at this time.
Kind regards
Stuart Vaughan
Headteacher
What to do if your child displays symptoms of COVID 19:
If your child displays any of these 3 symptoms, please arrange for a test:
- Persistent (new) cough
- High temperature
- Loss or change to sense of smell or taste
Your child and their siblings will need to remain off school until a negative test result. If the test is negative, the children can return to school if they are well in themselves.
If children are required to stay at home while waiting for a test or have a positive test, work will be set daily via Google Classrooms. Please contact the school if you need help logging on.
We have put a copy of the latest letter from Public Health England on this page below. It also went out by Letters Home earlier in the week.
Thank you.
IMPORTANT - Outdoor play equipment
Date sent: 11th November 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Once again we would like to request that you supervise younger children when waiting for siblings. We appreciate the challenges that split pick up times impose and how difficult it can be for younger children to wait. However, the outdoor play equipment (ie. crates, tyres and wooden planks) are currently allocated to specific year groups/bubbles. Children have been made aware of this.
There is at all times an immense amount of cleaning going on in school and by ensuring that children only use the equipment to which they have been allocated, we reduce the spread of any germs/viruses to other year groups/bubbles. If this is not followed, our premises team are having to do unnecessary cleaning.
I'm sure you will appreciate that to keep everyone safe, we must employ measures such as these.
Many thanks for your cooperation.
Kind regards
Stuart Vaughan
Head Teacher
Coronavirus Advice from Devon County Council.
Up to date information from Devon County Council concerning advice about the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Devon can be found here:
https://www.devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/#children
COVID positive case
Date sent: 6th November 2020Please see the attached letter
URGENT message for all parents
Date sent: 4th November 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
As you will be aware, we are continually reviewing our procedures and risk assessment at this time. One change we are making from tomorrow is that we would ask all parents when they are on the school site (including at drop off and pick up) to wear a face covering at all times (unless exempt). This is to help to keep us all safe at this time. Can I also remind parents to keep 2m distance wherever possible in line with the school’s risk assessment.
I would also like to highlight to parents that as lockdown starts tomorrow, the Government guidance states the following;
Parents are able to form a childcare bubble with one other household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.
I thank you for your cooperation at this time
Kind regards
Stuart Vaughan
Public Health England letter to parents
Date sent: 23rd September 2020, 2:35pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have now received a letter from Public Health England regarding when to book a COVID test. Devon County Council sent out similar information last week, but it is constantly being updated. As a school we follow the latest guidelines, so please always discuss any symptoms your child might be displaying with the school.
Many thanks
Stuart Vaughan
Head Teacher
COVID advice from DCC
Date sent: 21st September 2020, 12:09pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find attached Symptoms Checker from DCC which is a useful document if you have any questions about possible symptoms your child might be displaying.
Please also see the attached letter from DCC about COVID.
Many thanks
Stuart Vaughan
Head Teacher
What to do if your child displays symptoms
Date sent: 15th September 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Please can we take this opportunity to remind parents and carers of the current 3 symptoms we all need to be aware of with regard to Covid 19
- Persistent (new) cough
- High temperature
- Loss or change to sense of smell or taste
If your child has any of these symptoms, they will need to be tested for Covid 19 and remain off school with their siblings until a negative test result. If the test is negative, the children can return to school. We are aware of the difficulties parents face in determining whether their children have genuine Covid 19 symptoms and even after a negative test result, we advise not sending your child in if they are feeling unwell.
No doubt you have heard the difficulties there are surrounding booking a test, our (unofficial sources) tell us to try and book as close to 8pm as possible as this is when new slots are made available or to simply turn up at a testing station.
If children are required to quarantine at home while waiting for a test or have a positive test, the school will start setting work from the day after we are notified of suspected Covid 19 via Google classrooms. (We have attached a help sheet to remind pupils how to log on. Please call the school if you need help with regard to passwords).
Many thanks.
Stuart Vaughan
Head Teacher