INSET /Preparation day moved to Friday 5th March School closed (NO REMOTE LEARNING)
Children need to bring all resources (such as white boards etc), exercise books and reading books back to school.
Reception to Y6 ALL RETURN TO SCHOOL ON Monday 8th March
Good morning,
After the most recent announcements from the Prime Minister on Monday 22nd February it is mandatory that your child attends school from Monday 8th March. We need a period of time to re-establish school rules and routines and enable the children to settle and socialise. Well-being is our initial priority for the children and parents. We will also be planning additional wellbeing support and learning packages for after school once the children have settled and staff have been able to identify needs. Your cooperation and support is, as always, appreciated in this matter.
Although not ideal if we have a positive case of staff or children, bubbles will have to be closed for the duration of the isolation period and remote learning will commence. It is essential that parents and carers continue to wear masks and adhere to social distancing rules when dropping your child off. Please can you also be vigilant following isolation protocols and keeping children with symptoms away from school until they have been tested. Doing this will help us to keep disruption with any school closures to an absolute minimum. Reception to Y2 parents can enter the school grounds but please only one adult per child to keep numbers on site reduced. These measures are purely to keep us safe and minimise infection risks and help us in the journey to getting back to some level of normality.
May I take this opportunity from all of the staff in thanking you for your continued support in making this very difficult Lockdown easier by supporting your children with their remote learning. We understand that this has been very challenging for everyone involved.
In the meantime, keep safe and well.
Mr Bailey
Head Teacher
Birdwell Primary School
What happens when children arrive at school?
Children will enter school through their designated entry point. (A visual image can be located on the school website as before) Please arrive punctually. 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.
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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 and Miss Housley. 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 |
What happens when children arrive at school?
Children will enter school through their designated entry point. (A visual image can be located on the school website as before) Please arrive punctually. 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.
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 and Miss Housley. 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 |
Menu Change
Tuesday 9th Feb (Tuesday week 2 menu) Southern fried burger to be served
Not Pie
For the one day only
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:
This resource is designed to offer advice on how parents can safeguard their children’s mental health and promote their wellbeing and is available as a document and short video presentation.
The link to both resources is here: https://ssscpd.co.uk/education/parentsandguardians/child-mental-health-10-tips-for-parents/-/pj==
I hope you find this useful.
Dear parent and carer,
As you may have just heard, the Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid 19, and in particular the new variant of the virus. This is to include the closure of all Primary schools in England with immediate effect and move to remote learning. Thereafter the school will remain open to the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children only.
Due to the last minute nature of this announcement, I am sure you can appreciate that the school needs time to put into place measures to make this situation work, following the Government guidance and provide our community with the support which you require. Therefore, I have had to make the difficult decision to close the school tomorrow 05/01/2021 in order to identify the pupils who now fit the key worker status, delegate staff accordingly, set up new Covid safe working practices, alongside implementing the structure for remote learning. This will enable us to ensure that we can meet the Government requirements in the most effective and appropriate way. Please understand that this decision has not been taken lightly and we have considered every possible option, however the rapid change in guidance following tonight’s announcement has tied our hands.
We appreciate that the short notice of the school closure may leave some parents who are genuine, frontline and essential workers with no option for childcare. Therefore, the school will be able to provide support for a small number of pupils’tomorrow (05/01/2021). Please be aware that this support is not likely to be provided by your child’s class teacher, or within their current bubble; the format of the support at school will not be structured on this occasion. It is likely that the school will need to implement new bubbles over the coming weeks to facilitate support for keyworker and vulnerable children, whilst providing remote learning.
I hope you can appreciate the difficult and challenging predicament this has posed to our school, and we would like to assure you that we are doing everything possible to provide your children with the education and support they require in these challenging times. We will be sending out further correspondence to establish key worker status. This will require your support, honesty and integrity, without which the school and staffing levels will not be able to function in fulfilling its requirements to provide both a keyworker/vulnerable service alongside online learning. In past lockdowns, the keyworker service has been oversubscribed and therefore if there are a large amount of requests for this support, the school will need to closely scrutinise these requests with confirmation from employers. We will issue further details for keyworkers tomorrow 05/01/2021.
Mr Bailey
Head Teacher
Birdwell Primary School
We are asking all parents to wear face coverings when dropping off and collecting their children from school. Given that Barnsley is now in the Tier 3 category and further Lockdown regulations come into play from the 5th November, we need to ensure that we continue to protect all members of the public and our NHS service given the rise and transmission in cases we have seen recently. We are therefore asking that we take a blanket approach across our borough and encourage all parents to wear face coverings when undertaking the school run.
Menu Changes from 28/9/2020 and 5/10/2020
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/
MUSIC Support – If you are interested please contact before Friday 4th September
Music tuition will be up and running week commencing 7/9/20. We would like to take this opportunity to establish if you and your child would be interested in taking part in learning a new skill. Music tuition is available to children from YEAR 3 UPWARDS. If you are interested please contact d. Sykes@birdwellprimary.org.uk or ring 01226742957 where you will be given further information and costings.
Instruments available are as follows;
Guitar
Brass range
Flute
Violin
Saxophone
Other woodwind instruments.
If the instrument of your choice is not on the list above please make contact as this may be something that we can offer.
Please can you tell us if you have been to a country or a transit stop, where you need to 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.
Covid Q&A
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. |
Dear Parents/Carers,
We hope you and your families are keeping well. These have been challenging times for us all. We would like to thank all our families for your support in what has been a journey of unknowns and complex decisions. In the last few months, our priority has been to ensure, first and foremost, that we keep our children and staff safe as well as to adapt our school for all the changes that Covid has brought upon us. Fortunately, certain classes have been allowed to return to school this term, so we have successfully reintegrated some of our EYFS, Y1 along with key worker children back into group bubbles which we set up in line with the Government guidance. As a small village school, our staff have been amazing, teaching children from different year groups in their allocated bubble groups and also planning home learning separately for our children who are working at home whilst updating BLOGS for their own classes since lockdown began in March.
With only 1 week left before the summer holiday, we are now turning our attention to planning for September. The Government sent out new guidance last week stating that all year groups will be able to return back to school in September to their new classes. However, the new Government guidance also states that stringent measures must still be implemented into our risk assessment for health and safety.
Below you will find information regarding arrangements for returning to school in September so you can prepare for the new academic year. If there is anything you need clarification on, then please do not hesitate to phone the school office – 01226 742957. Please continue to check your email and the school Website for urgent updates. www.birdwellprimary.org.uk.
Year groups and classes
Teachers have met to discuss the transition for each year group in their new class. We are acutely aware that some children may have gaps in knowledge and skills due to the impact of the Covid-19 and time out of school, so we are planning to address these as part of the learning for next year. We would like to welcome Mr Bennett back to school alongside our newly appointed SENDCO/Class teacher Mr Mathieson.
Reception – Miss Carter
Year 1 – Mrs Millington
Year 2 – Mrs Rooke and Mrs Barrott
Year 3 – Mr Swallow
Year 4 – Mr Mathieson
Year 5 – Mr Bennett
Year 6 – Mrs Rees
All children will take part in transition activities in the first week back into school.Children return on Wednesday 2nd September 2020. They will be with their new teacher and there will be a strong focus on supporting wellbeing and ensuring our children are comfortable in the first few days back into school. We will be going through the daily routines and how the new day will look initially and reminding the children about keeping clean washing hands and reminding them about the “Birdwell Way”. We will do everything we can to ensure children settle well back into school routines.
Uniform
Children are to come in school uniform.Uniform can play a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. Uniform does not need to be cleaned any more often than usual, nor do they need to be cleaned using methods which are different from normal.
Attendance
The government guidance states that all children are expected to be back in school in September and this will be mandatory.The guidance also states that parents have a duty to ensure their child attends regularly at school and that the local authority can issue fixed penalty notices in line with their code of conduct.
We will continue to monitor the attendance of pupils in accordance with our usual procedures.
Arrangements for the new Academic year – From Wednesday 2nd September
Beginning and the end of the school day
School will open for all pupils on Wednesday 2nd September.
We request that PE kits are brought on the first day and left in school until the end of the week. (Please wash these regularly)
In line with new guidance and for health and safety, we have a new routine for children arriving and leaving school at the beginning and end of the day.Class groups will have separate entrance and exit points and we will run a staggered start and finish time. Children will have separate play and lunch times and will use zoned areas of the playground in order to adhere to latest Government guidelines. Alongside this to reduce transmission we are asking parents to drop off children and maintain a minimum of 1 metre distance and where safe to do so drop the children off at their designated access point where they will be met by a member of staff.
Please see below where your child’s year group will wait and enter and exit the school. (Please can you stick to times allocated to reduce congestion and transmission and only one adult to drop off/collect.)
Reception from Monday 8th 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 by Mr 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
Please check the website for a visual representation showing access and egress arrangements.
Equipment your child will/will not need to bring.
Please ensure your child is in their school uniform and brings the following items: –
- A water bottle
- School will provide stationary items. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN THINGS
- PE kit brought in at the beginning of the week and washed weekly
- Packed lunch if not ordering via the School
- Appropriate outdoor clothing dependent on the weather, as where possible, we will be learning outdoors. Classrooms will also have increased ventilation.
NO MOBILE PHONES IN SCHOOL – we have a school communication system and telephones in case of any emergencies.
Initially the tuck shop will sell toast only. This will be charged at £1 per week and will need to be
Reception (EYFS2) – h.carter@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Year 1 – p.millington@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Year 2 – s.rooke@birdwellprimary.org.uk/k.barrot@birdwellpriamry.org.uk
Year 3 – r.swallow@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Year 4 – a.mathieson@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Year 5 – a.bennett@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Year 6 – t.rees@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Pastoral support – k.atkinsonswift@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Office contact – d.sykes@birdwellprimary.org.uk
Office contact number – 01226 742957
Kind regards,
Mr Bailey and the team
Birdwell Primary School
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