Beat the street is BACK at Birdwell!
RED NOSE DAY!
The children seem to be settling in very well and back to their learning. There is a lovely buzz back around the school that has been missing for some time and the staff are really enjoying having the children all back together in class. Friday the 19th March is RED NOSE DAY. It’s all around the great outdoors and superheroes. To celebrate the children can wear their normal clothes or dress up if they wish. It’s all about having a fun day with their friends and smiling whilst raising funds for a good cause. Red noses will be on sale in the classroom for £1.50. (PLEASE BRING THE CORRECT MONEY IF YOU CAN) Red noses will be available from Thursday 18th March, spare ones will also be available on Friday 19th March from the main office.
Drop off and Pick up times:
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Reception– Use the Chapel gate to access the reception playground and Miss Carter and MrsWright will meet you at the classroom door DROP OFF 9:05 am – PICK UP 3:15 pm |
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Year 1 – Use the chapel gate to access and exit the reception playground. Mrs Millington & Mrs Addy will meet you at the door. DROP OFF 8:55 am. PICK UP 3:30 pm |
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Year 2 –- Use the chapel gate to access and exit the Sheffield Road side of the school. You will be met at the first door by either Mrs Rooke or Mrs Barrott. DROP OFF 8:45 am – PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE / EXIT 3:20pm |
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Year 3 – Use the main gate at the side of Hay Green Lane and make your way straight forward through the coloured gate straight up the staircase where you will be met by Mr Swallow. DROP OFF 8:45am – PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE/EXIT 3:20 pm |
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Year 4 – Use the main gate at the side of Hay Green Lane and make your way past the bike shed to the disabled ramp where you will be met by Mr Mathieson. DROP OFF – 8:55 am PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE / EXIT 3:30pm |
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Year 5 – Please use the main driveway gate adjacent to Hay Green Lane, where you will be met by a member of staff, directed through to the main playground and through the main entrance of the school where your child will be met at their classroom door by Mr Bennett. DROP OFF – 8:55 am PICK UP FROM THE DRIVE EXIT AT at 3:30 pm |
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Year 6 –Please use the main driveway gate adjacent to Hay Green Lane, where you will be met by a member of staff, directed through to the main playground and through the main entrance of the school where your child will be met at their classroom door by Mrs Rees. DROP OFF 8:45 am & PICK UP FROM THE DRIVE EXIT AT 3:20 pm |
The Public Health team want to find out how children and young people of Barnsley have been feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic and we have developed a very short survey (only 14 questions) to help us gather that information
To go to the survey click the link below:
Wellbeing Survey:
Calling all children and young people in Barnsley! Your emotional wellbeing is important to us. Help us to develop services to support your needs through this difficult time by completing our short survey: https://surveys.barnsley.gov.uk/s/YFEZGV/
Welcome
I hope this information reaches you well rested and in good health!
With our September start fast approaching, I’m sure that a number of parents may have questions about how we are approaching things at school. We have drawn together a Q&A format that we thought may be useful for parents. We hope we have covered the main points, though there may be more questions that follow. It is important to note that this is our starting point and that things may change over (or even before!?) the first few weeks. There will be adjustments and alterations in response to situations changing, finding better (or safer) ways of doing things and simply to address mistakes or unforeseen issues. We will communicate these as swiftly as possible when they occur.
Your cooperation and support is, as always, appreciated in this matter.
Mr N Bailey
Head Teacher
Birdwell Primary School
What happens when children arrive at school?
Children will enter school through their designated entry point. Please try to arrive punctually and on time. Members of staff will be around to monitor entry/exit points. Children should move straight to their designated drop-off/collection points where a member of staff will be meeting them at the appropriate time. Where possible, we wish for children to do this independently to minimize persons entering the site. Initially, we appreciate some of our youngest children may need additional support/reassurance from parents which we understand is necessary. However, please note we ask that children only be accompanied when it is absolutely necessary by a maximum of one responsible adult.
| Reception – have received a separate communications , however, from Monday 7th September – Use the Chapel gate to access the reception playground and Miss Carter and Miss Wright will meet you at the classroom door DROP OFF 9:05 am – PICK UP 3:15 pm |
| Year 1 – Use the chapel gate to access and exit the reception playground. Mrs Millington will meet you at the door. DROP OFF 8:55 am. PICK UP 3:30 pm |
| Year 2 –- Use the chapel gate to access and exit the Sheffield Road side of the school. You will be met at the first door by either Mrs Rooke or Mrs Barrott. DROP OFF 8:45 am – PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE / EXIT 3:20pm |
| Year 3 – Use the main gate at the side of Hay Green Lane and make your way straight forward through the coloured gate straight up the staircase where you will be met byMr Swallow. DROP OFF – 8:55 am PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE / EXIT 3:30pm |
| Year 4 – Use the main gate at the side of Hay Green Lane and make your way past the bike shed to the disabled ramp where you will be met by Mr Mathieson and Miss Housley. DROP OFF 8:45am – PICK UP USING THE SAME ENTRANCE/EXIT 3:20 pm |
| Year 5 – Please use the main driveway gate adjacent to Hay Green Lane, where you will be met by a member of staff, directed through to the main playground and through the main entrance of the school where your child will be met at their classroom door by Mr Bennett. DROP OFF – 8:55 am PICK UP FROM THE DRIVE EXIT AT at 3:30 pm |
| Year 6 –Please use the main driveway gate adjacent to Hay Green Lane, where you will be met by a member of staff, directed through to the main playground and through the main entrance of the school where your child will be met at their classroom door by Mrs Rees. DROP OFF 8:45 am & PICK UP FROM THE DRIVE EXIT AT 3:20 pm |
How can I speak with school staff if there is a need?
Due to the current and ongoing situation, we are asking parents to only enter the site when absolutely necessary, eg drop off and collection times, unless your child walks home or usually meets you outside. Entrance into school for parents is only by invite from staff or by prior arrangement. If you need to speak specifically with a member of staff, we ask that you make contact via calling the school office or through your class teacher’s email. If required, appointments may be made to speak directly with a class teacher through these methods. At this time, we are unable to welcome parents into classrooms routinely.
How can I help the school and the local community and do my bit?
Please can you tell us if you have been to a country or a transit stop, where you need quarantine for 14 days upon your return to ENGLAND. This is a requirement by law and will support us all in beating the spread of this disease from areas that have fallen into quarantine and are no longer in the safe corridor zones.
I can see that the children have a staggered start, but what about playtimes?
The importance of physical activity and regular breaks is important for both health and social reasons. Children will have breaks with their own classmates. The times of these have been adjusted to reduce the numbers of children on the playground at any one time and facilitate classes having designated play areas.
What about dinnertime?
Lunchtime will be staggered and adjusted for most year groups. We are realistic in that we believe it isn’t possible to ‘feed’ our children in the usual way. Our youngest children often take the longest to eat their lunches and need the most support. For this reason, they will eat their lunches in the main hall, utilizing the larger space for social distancing. In order to maintain the integrity of the ‘bubbles’, other children will be required to eat their lunches in either the classroom or picnic tables/outdoor areas.
So are children having usual school dinners and hot meals?
The school has worked with the meal provider to offer a range of cold and hot meals. There is some variation to the menu, however, this allows the meals to be delivered and eaten safely in areas other than the school hall. Initially, these will be fully disposable (trays/plastic knives/forks, etc) to avoid unnecessary movement, cleaning and opportunities for viral transmission.
How would I order these meals?
These are ordered the same way as before, using the school app and paid electronically. This will not go ‘live’ until we return to school.
My child has packed lunches- what does this mean for them?
Fully disposable lunches from home are no longer stated to be necessary, therefore children can use their usual lunchboxes, etc. A fully disposable packed lunch would still be our preference, however, we will leave that decision to you!
What about drinks in school?
It is important that all children have readily available drinks. All supplies in school are Yorkshire water mains fed and safe to drink. It is obviously ill advised to use drinks fountains and such at this time so these have been discontinued. It is for this reason that we ask all children be equipped with their own drink every day for school. Ideally this will be in the form of a sports type bottle, which they are free to use and refill throughout the day. Importantly, due to the nature of the drinks bottles, we ask that bottles return home at the end of the day for cleaning.
How will you ensure that good hand hygiene is achieved?
Staff will routinely and regularly ask your child to wash their hands at designated sanitation stations throughout the school at key transition points in the day. Examples will include at the start/end of the day, after breaks or after using any shared materials and resources. Increased signage is also placed around the school as a reminder in particular around the toilets areas.
How well set up is the school to promote hand hygiene?
Each classroom has several hand washing points, these all have readily available soaps and paper towels. In addition to this, all rooms and most entry/exit points have hand sanitizer. Children will receive regular opportunities and reminders to use them. Increased signage and a raised profile of hand washing around heavy use areas has been provided.
What about respiratory hygiene?
Staff will remind children about promoting good standards of respiratory hygiene. This will be in line with current guidance from the government, for example ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ for coughs and sneezes. Alongside hand hygiene, children will also be reminded about not touching mouth and face.
What about toilets?
The theory of using ‘bubbles’ is that the children will operate as if they are in an extended family/household. Just like you wouldn’t necessarily sanitise a toilet at home after each use, we will be doing the same. Children within bubbles have allocated toilets for their use, just like a home uses a shared toilet for a limited number of people, we will be doing the same. The priority here is good hand hygiene, as it quite rightly, always should have been!
How will the school be maintaining appropriate standards of cleanliness?
The school has worked with the cleaning service provider to ensure that all recommended measures are in place. At the end of each day, all areas in school will receive enhanced cleaning. It is for this reason that classrooms have had many of the soft furnishing and additional resources stored so that all surfaces and ‘touch-points’ can be efficiently and effectively cleaned. In addition to this, all classrooms have a small kit of cleaning products for additional and intermittent use. This includes surface cleaners and wipes for use on frequently used surfaces, shared resources, etc. Again, the priority here is good hand and respiratory hygiene.
How will classrooms be organised?
We have always had a range of seating options in place at school which are used to support learning. The current guidance from the DfE is that where possible children should not be sat in facing groups. This will mean that your child’s classroom may have ‘lost’ the table groups and carpet areas. Children will usually be sat side by side generally facing the front. The desks have been organised to utilize the space within the classroom where possible.
Will my child be maintaining ‘social distancing’?
The DfE guidance that we have received states that ‘that children, and especially the youngest children, cannot socially distance’ and that ‘for younger children the emphasis will be on separating groups’ and that ‘consistent groups reduce the risk of transmission by limiting the number of pupils and staff in contact with each other to only those within the group. However, we also have in the same guidance that ‘for children old enough, they should also be supported to maintain distance and not touch staff where possible.’ We will be encouraging this by reminding children to attempt to maintain distance where possible and minimising physical contact between themselves, their peers and adults.
Will school be monitoring temperatures?
No. The latest guidance from DfE states that this is now considered an unreliable method of screening.
What happens if my child has an accident or needs first aid?
The school has appropriate supplies of PPE and staff trained to administer first aid. Common sense and moral duty would dictate that the safety of a child with a serious injury requiring immediate first aid would duly receive it. Alternately, should an older child have a minor graze or scrape, the most sensible way to deal with this may be them being supported in cleaning themselves up. We may not be in a position to give your child the hug or cuddle they need in a minor instance such as this, but we will do all we can to give them the reassurance and positive regard we can. In other instances of accidents or illness (eg vomiting, etc) staff have appropriate PPE to deal with the situation.
Will my child need PPE?
PPE will only be needed in specific circumstances for staff, e.g., supporting a child with medical needs or if a child becomes unwell and develops symptoms and a distance of 2m cannot be maintained by the adult supporting the child. We are instructed that children should not wear masks in school and whilst they may be wearing them as a result of using public transport or similar reasons, they should be removed prior to entering the school.
What about PE?
Physical activity and PE is an important part of the school curriculum. Children will be encouraged to be active during breaks and lunchtime and participate in games and play with minimised/no physical contact. PE lessons will be undertaken and these will be outdoor wherever possible/appropriate. The delivery of these may require the use of shared resources (eg balls, bats, etc) which will be quarantined or cleaned after use (again hand washing is the key!) and physical contact minimised or eliminated where appropriate.
What does my child need for school?
Initially we are asking that children only attended school with what is necessary or essential. This should be a coat/jacket or similar (if weather dictates it), a drinks bottle and a packed lunch (including a lunchbox if that’s your choice). Children may or may not need a bag to carry all these, again we ask for your support in defining what is and isn’t really ‘essential’. Please avoid additional stationery, toys, gifts(!) and unnecessary clothing. All items brought in for school (eg drinks bottles, lunch boxes, coats, etc) should return home at the end of the day for cleaning if necessary.
You said that school wanted to avoid children bringing in non-essential items like extra clothing, stationery, toys, etc. What about PE kits?
Bring these in at the beginning of the week and take home at the end of the week. Current guidance requires that it is not necessary to employ any special methods of cleaning uniform other than those you would usually use with regular washing to ensure good standards of hygiene.
Are children wearing uniform again?
Yes, the DfE have stated that this is now advised. We are asking children to attend in their usual uniform. Current guidance requires that it is not necessary to employ any special methods of cleaning uniform other than those you would usually use with regular washing to ensure good standards of hygiene.
What about homework and reading books?
Each child will be provided with a homework book that they keep at home until the end of half term. Then, each week, teachers will set homework on the blog and the children complete it in their personal books. We will try to ensure we send activities that do not need printing off. Teachers will post the answers with the following week’s homework. We will also be encouraging a focus on quality handwriting and presentation in these books. (We will develop and adapt this as time moves on and we evaluate the positives and areas to that could be enhanced to improve the experience for you and your child)
Will staff be marking work?
There are many ways that schools can and do respond to the work of children. Marking by teachers is just one of those methods. When it is necessary, staff will collect and mark the work of children alongside other methods we routinely use.
Have behaviour expectations been revised?
We always expect our children to be kind, thoughtful and respectful. At this time some amendments have been made with specific reference to include deliberate spitting and coughing, refusing to follow instruction about physical contact and distancing. Deliberate acts will be taken seriously, however, we do appreciate that with young children they can forget at times.
How will my child receive additional support and 1:1 help when needed?
Staff at school have always routinely worked closely with children, for example on a 1:1 basis when they are finding something particularly difficult. In many cases this can still be done ‘at arm’s length’, though at times it may be more difficult. Children with specific needs or working with EHCP’s will have their needs assessed and addressed in line with current guidance.
During the summer term, attendance regulations were relaxed and it wasn’t compulsory to attend. Does my child now have to attend school?
The DfE has instructed that ‘school attendance will be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term. This means from that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, including:
• parents’ duty to secure that their child attends regularly at school where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age;
• schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
• the availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct
We are also instructed that ‘shielding advice for all adults and children will pause on the 1st August 2020, subject to a continued decline in the rates of community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). This means that even the small number of pupils who will remain on the shielded patient list can also return to school, as can those who have family members who are shielding’.
We also know our community and that some of our children may be anxious about returning to school for a variety of complicating factors. We welcome the opportunity to discuss, reassure and support children in this situation. Please contact school from 1st September via the phone or email.
OK…Why is all this important?
The measures outlined above, such as ‘bubbles’, staggered starts and hygiene requirements have been put in place (to follow the guidance!) because it is really important that we do what we can to help keep everyone safe, including children, staff, parents and the wider community. By operating in this way we can minimize the risk and should anyone within the school become ill, develop symptoms or test positive for COVID19 the school can be really clear on the necessary steps which are outlined in the next question.
What happens if my child, myself or someone else shows symptoms?
Staff members and parents/carers understand that they will need to be ready and willing to:
• Book a test if they or their child are displaying symptoms. Staff and pupils must not come into the school if they have symptoms, and must be sent home to self-isolate if they develop them in school. All children can be tested, including children under 5, but children aged 11 and under will need to be helped by their parents/carers if using a home testing kit
• Provide details of anyone they or their child have been in close contact with if they were to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or if asked by NHS Test and Trace
• Self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), or if anyone in their household develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Anyone who displays symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can and should get a test. Tests can be booked online through the NHS testing and tracing for coronavirus website, or ordered by telephone via NHS 119 for those without access to the internet.
The government will ensure that it is as easy as possible to get a test through a wide range of routes that are locally accessible, fast and convenient. By the autumn term, we will be provided with a small number of home testing kits that they we give directly to parents/carers collecting a child who has developed symptoms at school, or staff who have developed symptoms at school, where we think providing one will significantly increase the likelihood of individuals getting tested.
We ask parents and staff to inform us immediately of the results of a test:
• If someone tests negative, if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu – in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
• If someone tests positive, they should follow the ‘stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection’ and must continue to self-isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and then return to school only if they do not have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell/taste. This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone. The 10-day period starts from the day when they first became ill. If they still have a high temperature, they should keep self-isolating until their temperature returns to normal. Other members of their household should continue self-isolating for the full 14 days.
What will the school need to do if someone becomes ill, shows symptoms or receives a positive test result?
We must take swift action when we become aware that someone who has attended has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). We will contact the local health protection team. This team will also contact us directly if they become aware that someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) attended the school – as identified by NHS Test and Trace.
The health protection team will carry out a rapid risk assessment to confirm who has been in close contact with the person during the period that they were infectious, and ensure they are asked to self-isolate.
The health protection team will work with us in this situation to guide us through the actions we need to take. Based on the advice from the health protection team, we must send home those people who have been in close contact with the person who has tested positive, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact with that person when they were infectious. Close contact means:
• direct close contacts – face to face contact with an infected individual for any length of time, within 1 metre, including being coughed on, a face to face conversation, or unprotected physical contact (skin-to-skin)
• proximity contacts – extended close contact (within 1 to 2 metres for more than 15 minutes) with an infected individual
• travelling in a small vehicle, like a car, with an infected person
The health protection team will provide definitive advice on who must be sent home.
A quick reference version of what to do if a situation arises:
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
• If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
• Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
• Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
• Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.
| What if… | What to do | Return to school when… |
| ….my child has covid symptoms. | • Do not come to school
• Update school daily • Self isolate • Get a test • Inform school immediately about test result |
….the test comes back negative. |
| ….my child test positive for covid. | • Do not come to school
• Update school daily • Self-isolate for at least 10 days • Inform school immediately about test result |
…they feel better after 10 days isolation. Symptoms can last for several weeks once the infection has gone, but they can return after 10 days if they feel well. |
| ….somebody in my household has covid sympoms. | • Do not come to school
• Update school daily • Self isolate • Household member to get a test • Inform school immediately about test result |
…the household member test is negative. |
| ….somebody in my household has tested positive for covid. | • Do not come to school
• Update school daily • Self isolate for 14 days |
…the child has completed 14 days isolation. |
| …NHS test and trace have identified my child as a ‘close contact’ of somebody with symptoms or confirmed covid. | • Do not come to school
• Update school daily • Self isolate for 14 days |
…the child has completed 14 days isolation. |
| …we/my child has travelled and has to self isolate as part of a period of quarantine. | • Do not take unauthorized leave in term time
• Consider quarantine requirements (and possibility of quarantine) and FCO advice when booking travel Returning from a destination where quarantine is needed • Do not come to school • Update school daily • Self isolate for 14 days |
…the child has completed 14 days isolation and quarantine period complete. |
| …we have received medical advice that my child must resume shielding. | • Do not come to school
• Contact school • Shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again. |
…school inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return again. |
Message from all the staff at Birdwell primary school
Guidance for families suffering financial hardship
The council website has full details regarding help available for individuals and families who may find themselves in hardship during this unprecedented time:
https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-coronavirus-advice-and-guidance/
Help for families who have had Changes to income:
If families have been working and their income has been reduced then they will need to contact the DWP to see if they are entitled to universal credit. The claim needs to be made on line with the DWP.
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
If their income has decreased but they are not entitled to universal credit then they may still be entitled to local council tax support or free school meals. The form can be found at the link below.
www.barnsley.gov.uk/benefit-claim-form
Council Tax, Local Council Tax Support and Free School Meals.
If families are struggling to pay their council tax they can contact the council on 01226 787787 and press opt 2. The lines are busy but we have put extra staff on the lines.
For anyone in receipt of local council tax support and free school meals and their income has changed they will need to complete a change in circumstances form as they may be entitled a further help with their council tax:
www.barnsley.gov.uk/benefit-change-in-circs-form
Entitlement to local council tax support and free school meals will be reassessed as soon as possible. If in the meantime they are struggling to pay their council tax then they need to contact us as highlighted above and a payment arrangement will be discussed.
Council Tax Hardship Scheme
The Government has announced that a council tax hardship scheme will be available to those who are considered ‘financial vulnerable’. Details of the scheme will be published week commencing 30th March 2020 and details will be made available here:
https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-coronavirus-advice-and-guidance/
Other support / helpful links
For general advice on what help and support may be available please visit:
https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/advice-benefits-and-council-tax/benefits-help-and-support/
The local welfare assistance scheme helps people who are in financial crisis due to an emergency or other unexpected circumstances:
For assistance with food please visit:
Web chat is also available on all council tax, council tax support and housing benefit webpages. The phone lines are busy and we are asking people to go online where they can.
If people do not have access to the internet they need to phone 01226 787787 opt 3. We will then make an appt to phone people back and go through the form over the phone.
Coming New To School
Coming in January, new to Birdwell Primary School, School Gateway. Pay and order your school meal online using the app, also book and pay for school visits. Here’s a heads up, check out the attached link for a quick video guide. The date when this goes live will be confirmed in the new year. https://schoolgateway.co.uk/#modal
Notice for drop off times
It has been brought to our attention that children are being dropped off from cars in the middle of the road, on Hay Green Lane. This is dangerous as children can not see past the cars when leaving the car and crossing the road. Please could people park in the club car park as discussed in previous letters and notices, using the road crossing patrol provided at these times.
SURVEY !
Please can you click on the link below to complete our quick school survey.
https://kwiksurveys.com/s/sSASAebv
NEW RECEPTION CLASS SURVEY!
Click Here!
LAST CHANCE PARKING REMINDER
Can you please ensure when using the Venue/Club car park for drop off and pick up to park at the very back . After speaking to the manager of the Club he is very concerned with the amount of parents continuing to park at the front and his deliveries can not get through. If this continues WE WILL lose this option to park in this space and will be forced to using Hay Green Lane which is already congested and not as safe for your children. Thanks in advance for your cooperation with this.
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After School Clubs 2020
Friday – Street Dance with Miss Sarah 3.30pm-4.30 pm