26 June 2020

Dear Parents

We hope you have had a good week. Thank you to all the parents who had missed completing our online survey but wished to send their comments. Your support and kind words are greatly appreciated thank you.

We understand that many families are struggling now to keep children on task and motivated. As we have said throughout this period of lockdown, it is mental well being that is the priority. Aim to keep the basic key skills going- reading daily, secure times tables and phonics for our younger ones and everything else you may need to be selective depending on your own circumstances. Again, please contact staff via email for any support if needed or they will happily ring for a conversation. Extra exercise books are always available from the school entrance to be collected any day between 10 am and 2pm.

This week’s Government’s announcement of an easing of lockdown is encouraging for us all. We are now awaiting the schools announcement by the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, due next week. We are presently formulating plans for different scenarios and staff are preparing assessments, curriculum and classrooms. Unfortunately, we only receive government information at the same time as the general public but I would like to reassure you that everyone is preparing for September in the hope that it is safe for all our community to be in school. We await the schools guidance eagerly and will share our plans with you as soon as we possibly can. We hope in the penultimate week of term to hold Zoom meetings with all our children when they can have a transition meeting with next year’s teacher. Details will follow next week.

Sadly, we have had to make the decision to postpone the Residential trips to both Manor Adventure Y5 and Alton Castle Y6 in early September. Even if all schools are open in September there would be too many uncertainties to risk taking children away in large numbers with other schools. We are presently in discussion with both Centres to rebook a later date possibly in the Spring/Summer term when we have a clearer picture of the future. Both trips are a significant experience in our children’s lives and we will endeavour to ensure, although delayed, the children still have these opportunities. All deposits will be refunded as soon as possible.

We have heard from Marks and Spencer regarding school uniform purchasing. They are offering their usual promotion due to start on 2^nd July but it has now been increased from 20% to 25% off until 30^th September. Water bottles, ties etc can be purchased from school and as soon as we have more details regarding September we will offer opportunity to come down to buy any items.

Again, Home Learning will be uploaded this evening but please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns or queries.

We wish you a lovely weekend and we will contact parents as soon as we are able with plans for September.

God bless and take care, from all the staff

Well done to all our children!