Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
-
Key Workers Letter 200320
Fri 20 Mar 202020th March 2020
Key Workers and school provision
Dear Parents and Carers,
As you know, we have now been told that schools will be closed from Friday for the majority of children. As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing. And the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear.
Government advice states: ‘If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. It is important to underline that the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.’
We have now been sent the list of eligible key workers for child care provision in schools.
Priority will be given to families where both parents/carers are key workers, or to single parent/carer families, where the parent/carer is a key worker.
You can find the government guidance at
If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.
This is quite a big list! How are we going to manage this?
School staff of course are not immune to becoming ill – and we have needed to make a plan that will keep our staff as healthy as possible and also ensure continuity of care for our children, in the event of illness levels rising. This is especially important as we remain open over the Easter break.
We have therefore decided to adopt a hub model of child care, involving Colne Engaine, Belchamp St Paul, Ridgewell and St Margaret’s CofE Primary,Toppesfield schools – all small, rural schools like ours. This means that we have a bigger pool of staff available, so that we can manage all ages and needs of children, as well as any illness in staff.
Children that continue to come to school during this period will be based in one of the schools in bold – chosen because they all have a school kitchen where a hot meal can be prepared. All school staff will be involved in supporting them on a rota basis – and there will always be staff from your child’s school at each host school.
Children will be offered a hot meal during the day for the usual cost – payable in the usual way. Children can also bring a packed lunch. Week 1 – starting 23.3.20 – will be based at St Margaret’s School, Toppesfield
Week 2 – starting 30.3.20 – will be based at Colne Engaine
Week 3 – starting on 6.4.20 – will be based at Ridgewell
This will then continue until things get back to normal.
Children should arrive at the host school at 8.50am and they should be collected at 3.15pm.
They do not need to wear school uniform – but should arrive in clothes suitable for outside PE lessons each day. They should also bring a personal water bottle, clearly named.
Please make sure your child’s school has up to date medication so that this can be taken to host school.
We can send directions if needed. Please let us know if your child is usually provided with school transport, as we can support in these cases.
In order for us to work out how many of you work in these areas, if you think you are a key worker and you have no other means of caring for your children, please get in contact with us to let us know by email by 12 noon today, to admin@st-margaretscofe.essex.sch.uk , if you haven’t already let us know.
We need to know
Your name:
Your child’s/children’s names and year groups
Your job role:
Your partner’s job role:
Days that supervision will be needed (i.e. all 5 days, only mornings, Mon to Weds etc): This needs to be as specific as possible please, in order for us to ensure correct levels of staffing. It will be very difficult for us to accept ad hoc bookings – except in an emergency.
We shall contact you later in the day to confirm whether this has been possible, as schools have been advised that they can only accommodate 20% of the usual school numbers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff that we have in our schools - who work so hard to make sure children have had happy and calm environments in which to learn.
Stay safe and well – we shall see you soon!
Mrs Stephanie Newland
Headteacher
-
Key Workers Letter 200320
Fri 20 Mar 202020th March 2020
Key Workers and school provision
Dear Parents and Carers,
As you know, we have now been told that schools will be closed from Friday for the majority of children. As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing. And the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear.
Government advice states: ‘If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. It is important to underline that the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.’
We have now been sent the list of eligible key workers for child care provision in schools.
Priority will be given to families where both parents/carers are key workers, or to single parent/carer families, where the parent/carer is a key worker.
You can find the government guidance at
If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.
This is quite a big list! How are we going to manage this?
School staff of course are not immune to becoming ill – and we have needed to make a plan that will keep our staff as healthy as possible and also ensure continuity of care for our children, in the event of illness levels rising. This is especially important as we remain open over the Easter break.
We have therefore decided to adopt a hub model of child care, involving Colne Engaine, Belchamp St Paul, Ridgewell and St Margaret’s CofE Primary,Toppesfield schools – all small, rural schools like ours. This means that we have a bigger pool of staff available, so that we can manage all ages and needs of children, as well as any illness in staff.
Children that continue to come to school during this period will be based in one of the schools in bold – chosen because they all have a school kitchen where a hot meal can be prepared. All school staff will be involved in supporting them on a rota basis – and there will always be staff from your child’s school at each host school.
Children will be offered a hot meal during the day for the usual cost – payable in the usual way. Children can also bring a packed lunch. Week 1 – starting 23.3.20 – will be based at St Margaret’s School, Toppesfield
Week 2 – starting 30.3.20 – will be based at Colne Engaine
Week 3 – starting on 6.4.20 – will be based at Ridgewell
This will then continue until things get back to normal.
Children should arrive at the host school at 8.50am and they should be collected at 3.15pm.
They do not need to wear school uniform – but should arrive in clothes suitable for outside PE lessons each day. They should also bring a personal water bottle, clearly named.
Please make sure your child’s school has up to date medication so that this can be taken to host school.
We can send directions if needed. Please let us know if your child is usually provided with school transport, as we can support in these cases.
In order for us to work out how many of you work in these areas, if you think you are a key worker and you have no other means of caring for your children, please get in contact with us to let us know by email by 12 noon today, to admin@st-margaretscofe.essex.sch.uk , if you haven’t already let us know.
We need to know
Your name:
Your child’s/children’s names and year groups
Your job role:
Your partner’s job role:
Days that supervision will be needed (i.e. all 5 days, only mornings, Mon to Weds etc): This needs to be as specific as possible please, in order for us to ensure correct levels of staffing. It will be very difficult for us to accept ad hoc bookings – except in an emergency.
We shall contact you later in the day to confirm whether this has been possible, as schools have been advised that they can only accommodate 20% of the usual school numbers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff that we have in our schools - who work so hard to make sure children have had happy and calm environments in which to learn.
Stay safe and well – we shall see you soon!
Mrs Stephanie Newland
Headteacher
-
Coronavirus Update 180320
Wed 18 Mar 2020Wednesday 18th March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
As you are no doubt aware the Government’s guidance has changed from the contain phase to delay. We would like to inform you of what we are doing in light of this, and what we expect from all of you, to help make sure our school community remains safe and calm.
We would like to reassure you that we are taking all of the necessary steps to protect our community and are continuing to follow official guidance from the Government and Essex County Council.
What is the current situation?
- School remains open – this is the current official advice we have been given.
- All trips and events have currently been postponed until further notice. This includes the Class 1 parents evening which was due to take place on Thursday 2nd April. We will, however, aim to offer parents a phone consultation alternative with Mrs Page should they wish to take it. Further information will follow.
- As you may be aware, the government has added ‘Stay at Home’ guidance to its response to the COVID-19 virus. You can find this guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
- Pupils should attend school unless they feel unwell. If they or any member of the household show the following symptoms, the advice is that the whole household should isolate for 14 days: - a new continuous cough and/or - a temperature
- If your child is unwell please report this as you would do normally
- We will keep you up to date with any changes
What we need you to do
- Ensure we have your correct contact details in school as soon as possible
- Come and collect your child straight away if we ask you to
- Follow the government’s guidance
What we may have to do
As the recommendations from the government change so does our position in school. We currently have a number of staff who are either already self-isolating or will need to self-isolate in near future as they are vulnerable for a variety of reasons.
Our intention is, of course, to keep the school running as smoothly as possible. However, we may have to make some changes to how we run if we are low on staff. These changes may include:
- Combining classes
- A partial closure of the school for some classes or year groups
- If school is closed to identified groups of children, we share tasks that can be completed via ClassDojo. Please ensure you are able to access this.
- Ask parents to send in packed lunches if we do not have enough staff to run the kitchen
What happens if school has to close?
We will only close if we are officially advised to or if we do not have enough staff to run the school safely. In either case, we will:
- Alert parents to the closure by text, ClassDojo and a post on the school website
- We will inform parents of a date to reopen via text, ClassDojo and a post on the school website
- Send home home-learning packs for all pupils in school. If your child is not in school at the time and you wish a home learning pack to be sent with another pupil, please advise us of this and we will endeavour to get it to you.
- Set challenges via ClassDojo.
What happens if a child needs to self-isolate?
- Please contact school in the usual way to advise us of the self-isolation
- Recommended activities for those self-isolating will be posted on ClassDojo weekly.
- We will not be providing individual work packs for pupils self-isolating.
Please bear in mind we are only sending out this information to help the school community to prepare. There are currently no plans to close and we have not been put on alert to close at this time.
If you have any questions, then please consult the following:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ if you want to know more about the symptoms of coronavirus. If you think you or your child may be experiencing the symptoms please use the NHS 111 online service before ringing 111. It can be accessed here: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
- Department for Education’s coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687, if you have questions about the Department for Education’s response to coronavirus in schools
- Consult the Government’s advice for staying at home, vulnerable people and travel. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs S Newland
Headteacher
-
Trips and activities update
Mon 16 Mar 2020We have taken the decision to cancel all trips, parent assemblies and church services at this time and until further notice. We thank you for your support in these challenging circumstances.
-
IMPORTANT - CORONA VIRUS UPDATE FROM MRS NEWLAND
Thu 12 Mar 2020Please see below - important Coronavirus Update from Mrs Newland :-
“We are continuing to follow advice from Public Health England in respect of Coronavirus.
We have not been put on alert to close and at present we have no plans to close the school for any additional time.
We are working closely with the Local Authority and if we are advised differently by Public Health England and the Department for Education to close, we will inform parents and carers immediately.”
-
World Book Day Thursday 5th March
Wed 04 Mar 2020Don't forget World Book Day tomorrow - please dress as your favourite book character or as colourfully as possible. There is no charge for this but Class 4 will be selling cakes at break for 50p each. We look forward to seeing all your outfits :-)