Dear Parents / Carers,
At last, we have a clear indication that we are close to getting everyone back to school. We are delighted about this news and know the children will thrive being in school with their teachers and of course seeing their friends.
All primary school pupils will return on Monday 8 March. From this date it is compulsory that you send your children to school. If you fail to send your children to school, we have no option other than to record them as unauthorised absence, unless they are ill.
Online learning will cease and be replaced by full face to face teaching. All our staff will continue to take two rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests each week at home to identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmission.  We encourage you to get your family tested if anyone is showing any symptoms of illness. The Oakengates testing centre allows any resident of Telford to get tested as often as they want. Please use this link to book a test https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
After school sports clubs may be able to resume. However, we are continuing to research this option and will update you as soon as we are clear.  Wraparound childcare (Breakfast Club and After School Club) will resume as normal. If you have any questions about this, please call the school office on 01952 387720.
All our systems are remaining in place and it is important that you and your children follow them please:
- The one-way system around school will be in operation with no parents allowed into the school building. Please do not approach school staff as it is so important that we maintain over 2 m distance until further notice.
- The gates will open at 8.30 am and again at 3 p.m. – please remember this early opening and closing is intended to allow more of a staggered arrival and departure. The register does not close until 9 a.m.
- All adults on site are expected to always wear face coverings (unless you have proved you are exempt).
- We will be sending any children home with signs of illness and hope you will be extra vigilant and not send them to school if you believe they are coming down with something.
- Hand washing and sanitising will continue as routine.
- Touch points (e.g. doors) and toilets will continue to be cleaned more regularly.
- Seating plans will remain in class so that we know where children have been seated; however, with everyone being back, contact will inevitably be a lot closer.
- We are continuing to allow children to come to school in PE kits if it is a PE day or if they have an after-school sports club.
- Lunches will continue to be served in class bases until Easter. Home packed lunch, school packed lunch or school hot dinners are the three available options.
- Reading diaries will need to be handed in on a Friday. Teachers will then look at each one and then send home for the week on a Monday. Please remember Reading is the key to access all learning. A story time at bedtime can make a huge difference to your child’s progress.
- If you need to contact your teacher directly, the year group email communication system will continue until Easter and then will be reviewed.
We are very excited about having everyone back in school. We are very proud of our online learning offer, but we know that nothing beats being sat in front of a ‘real’ teacher with your friends!
I would like to end by saying a huge thank you to all of you for supporting us so well over this very difficult time. I have two children of my own and know that juggling home learning, work and running the household can at times be impossible. Fingers crossed everyone follows the new rules and we keep the virus out of our school.
Kind regards,
Miss Cook
Headteacher
