Good morning everyone,

I hope you are well and getting prepared for the 'big return' next week. Lots of information has been shared with regard to procedures, expectations and how it will all work.

Information about home testing and ordering kits has been shared. This is a voluntary approach for your family but is also about keeping everyone else safe. Having completed tests since last June (as part of the Office Of National Statistics study) it is not always that pleasant with the swabs, it takes a bit of time to get 'used' to it and you may need to do it for your child. 

Start/end of day timings - I know it isn't a 'perfect' fit depending on the classes your children may be in but it is a small amount of time and, hopefully, should only be in place until Easter. We want to reduce queues, make parking more fluid and keep areas around the front of school as clear as possible. 

Timings (hopefully just until the Easter holidays)

Morning = gates open at 8:50am and close at 9am - PLEASE DO NOT QUEUE, WAIT IN YOUR CAR OR AWAY FROM SCHOOL THEN 'FLOW AND GO' AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. 

Afternoon = 

R = 3:15pm

1 = 3:25pm

2 = 3:20pm

3 = 3:30pm

4 = 3:30 pm

5 =3:20 pm

6 = 3:30pm 

Bus children will meet in the hall as normal and the buses will come at 3:30pm as normal. 

Class Parent mail update - some of you have got it already (Year 3 as I pressed the wrong button !) but most classes will receive it this morning with PE times, forest school times and other information for some classes. It has been a huge challenge to get all of the information out so everything runs smoothly so please read things carefully). As much as we try there will always be some things that are missed and some adjustments to make. 

Breaktimes/lunchtimes - ALL CHILDREN NEED WELLIES. Classes will swap areas they use and some classes (Year 5 and 6 will use the field at different times so they definitely need wellies). 

Toilets - we still need to keep year group 'bubbles' separate so we still have the portable toilets on site and they will be serviced this weekend before the children return. 

Ventilation and clothing - a large part of the DFE guidance is about good ventilation in classrooms so windows will be open and doors (if appropriate). As before children may need extra layers and the forecast for next week is for colder temperatures ! 

Supporting mental health - children adapt and settle pretty quickly with good support and guidance. A lot of our staff have qualifications in mental health as well as a wealth of experience. We also have the support of our own Educational Psychologist and we employ an Art Therapist and Music Therapist for work with particular individuals. We can also direct parents to the right support for counselling and other support services.  

Huge amounts of communication have been shared in the past week with regard to next week. Please make sure you, and any grandparents etc who are picking up, are fully aware and follow the correct procedures to keep everyone safe. 

Regards

Mr Batstone