Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Is my child too ill to attend school?
Mon 16 Nov 2020It is common for colds and other viral infections to circulate across communities at this time of year. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. While it is important to ensure that children are not unnecessarily kept away from school, for some illnesses children will need to stay at home.
There are government guidelines for schools and nurseries that say when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn’t.
Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school for 2 days after their symptoms have gone.
COVID-19 symptoms
If your child or anyone in the household has any of the main coronavirus symptoms listed in the box below they need to stay at home self-isolate with the rest of the household and get a test by telephoning 119 or booking online at
- new continuous cough
Your child needs tested if they have a cough that has lasted for more than an hour, if they have had three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours, or if they are coughing more than usual. The cough is usually dry.
- fever/high temperature
A high temperature is feeling hot to the touch on your chest or back. If a thermometer is available take the temperature – a high temperature is 37.8C or higher. Your child may feel warm, cold or shivery.
- loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste
This means your child has noticed they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
Common cold symptoms
Children with simple cold symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat without a fever who would normally have attended school in other times, can go to school and should not be tested for COVID-19.
Please see the attached "Quick Guide" pages to show a table for you to easily check against.
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Autumn Parent-Teacher Conversations
Thu 22 Oct 2020Dear Families,
As we cannot hold Parents' Evenings in the usual way this term, we are offering 5 minute telephone conversations with teachers during the first 2 weeks of November. Each family may sign up to the available half-hour slots using the Doodle Polls below.
The slots are on a first come, first served basis.
You will not receive a booking confirmation email this time, so please make a note of the half-hour you have been offered, and be ready to receive the call at some point during that time. Teachers will try calling twice before moving on to the next family.
Please type accurately, as we will use the preferred number you enter into the poll.
Please also use your child's name, not your own. Your email address will indicate who you are, and this must match our records, otherwise we will not call.
Make sure that you book for the right class(es) using the links below:
- Nursery
- Reception
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Class 4
- Class 5
- Class 6
The polls closed on 31st October to enable teachers to prepare.
If you use CallerID, the number displayed will not be the school number, and may appear as "withheld."
Thank you.
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New Local Measures
Fri 18 Sep 2020As you will know, from Today (Friday 18th September), North Tyneside (and 6 other North East Local Authorities) have new, temporary measures in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our region. (https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/1429/coronavirus-covid-19).
We strongly urge all families to adhere to the national and local measures, difficult as they are, to help minimise the spread of Covid-19. Please follow our one-way systems and keep 2m away from each other. We recognise the issues and difficulties involving informal childcare and, along with the Diocese and Local Authority, we are seeking further guidance and clarification from the Government. We will let you know when we receive this.
Members of Linked Households ("Support Bubbles") may continue to drop-off and pick-up the children at school whilst these measures are in place.
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Plans in the event of a confirmed Covid case: What if?
Thu 17 Sep 2020Whilst we hope and pray that all will be well, we must also plan for what would happen if one of our school community became ill with Covid-19. We have such plans in place, so here is what you need to know and should expect.
School should be informed as soon as possible of any positive test result, either directly from the family or via Public Health. Please ring the school office straight away if you receive a positive test result. School will then carry out a risk assessment to ascertain who has been in close, recent contact with the ill person and, in consultation with Public Health, decide on next steps.
It is likely that groups of staff and children would be asked to self-isolate immediately. Parents and carers of those directly affected will be contacted and the children must be collected from school in our orderly, safe way. It is only those who have come into close contact who should self-isolate, not their family members unless Covid symptoms become evident.
We must have your current phone number, and you must be able to answer it during the school day. If necessary, your child may need to be collected from school straight away. We know that this will not always be possible, but we must be able to contact you.
When groups or classes of children are self-isolating, school will continue to provide for their education. We will not be asking you to take that responsibility in the way that you had to in the summer. We aim to continue our own curriculum, with some daily input from our own staff team using the "Home Learning" sections of our Class Pages.
Here is the overview of the current plan:
- Each day, from Monday to Thursday, the teachers will set some English, Maths and other activities for the children to complete. This will have an element of differentiation - where the children will be able to access the learning that is appropriate for them.
- There will be occasional video instruction from us, for anything that is new for the children.
- Any completed work can be uploaded or emailed to a *new class address.
- Twice each day, the teachers will check the email and uploads, offering clarification and further support.
- We will make phone calls during the week, especially if we have not heard from the children.
- There will be the opportunity to use Zoom as a class, at least once per week.
- Fridays will be spent giving personal feedback to the children.
The expectation is that, whilst away from school, both children and teachers will have the closest thing to classroom activities as possible, continuing to meet the needs of our children as best we can with remote learning.
We understand that some families may struggle with technology. It may be possible to offer a limited paper alternative, guidance and risk assessment permitting.
This is the basic detail for everyone. If a group of children need to learn from home, more specific information will be shared with them.
*Please do not try and use the new class email addresses or contact forms, as these will only be monitored when a class needs to be away from school for an extended period.
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Breakfast Club restarting and revision
Wed 09 Sep 2020On Monday 14th September, we plan to begin providing our Breakfast Club once again.
Due to the current restrictions and other developments, we have made some significant changes:
Times
The club will initially run between 8am and the start of school (although an earlier start is being considered.) Arrival time is strictly between 8am and 8:15am via our new side gate. The gate will be locked again just after 8:15. Handover will be at the Dining Room door where the children will be registered. There is a strict no entry rule for those dropping the children off. Adults must leave the site promptly.
Booking
All children must be booked into the club at least 24 hours in advance (via our website or School App link.) In order to cater for the various ages, the children cannot just turn up on the day.
Families may book places when each fortnightly calendar is opened. We aim to open each calendar giving plenty of notice. There is a limit of 20 places per day and each child must be booked separately. Please ensure that you book using you child's full name.
Cost
For the majority of children, the cost, including food and care, has been revised to £5 per child per day. This does not include those who receive benefits-related Free School Meals - school will continue to cover costs for those families. If you believe you are entitled to free provision, please contact school directly.
Payment should be in advance. You may pay either via our SIMS Pay system or in cash - sealed in a named envelope and handed to Breakfast Club or Office staff. Please contact our office if you need further details.
Remaining Open
We aim to maintain the integrity of our class bubbles so that the club can remain open, even if there are issues within a particular class. Sadly, we cannot guarantee that this provision will continue and it may need to close at short notice. The children will be seated and provided with their food and drink at their table. Activities will be within a limited area and, whilst interaction between children of different ages will be minimised, we aim to provide interesting and fun things to do.
All details, including booking options, are available from this page.
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September 2020 – Plan for School Reopening - UPDATED
Sat 15 Aug 2020UPDATED
From Wednesday 2nd September 2020, school will be reopening fully, in-line with the latest Government Guidance and complete Covid-19 risk assessment. We have aimed to make the necessary changes whilst minimising the impact on routines and maximising the learning opportunities for all our children.
We recognise that, whatever we must put in place, may have an impact on our children’s families, and we have consciously tried to consider them in these decisions. Things cannot be as they once were and we must be very clear regarding our expectations of the children, their families and ourselves.
The things that we believe work well for our school will remain, if slightly adapted, whilst other things that do not have a positive impact on the safety, wellbeing and development of our children will be altered. Our vision, mission, ethos and values remain the same. They underpin our world view and approach to education, in every context.
Covid-Safety
If anyone is unwell, displaying symptoms of Covid-19, they should self-isolate and be tested without delay. If the test is returned positive, the self-isolation should be for at least 10 days. Please let the school office know. School will be liaising very closely with NHS Test and Trace, following their advice and guidance. In the event of a positive test, others within the appropriate "bubble" may be asked to self-isolate. Whilst maintaining confidentiality, we will act quickly and only communicate with those affected, putting further measures in place - including any home learning support as required.
If any of our children become unwell with Covid-19 symptoms within school, we will contact families immediately and expect that they will come to collect their child straight away. Whilst waiting, the child will be isolated away from other children - but always reassuringly supervised by a familiar member of our staff. It is, therefore, vital that we have your most up-to-date contact information and that you are available to be contacted throughout the day. We are sure that you will understand.
No parents may come into the building without an appointment. All communication must be by email, telephone, our school app or social media. We cannot chat at the doors whilst maintaining important distancing and strict timings. Sorry.
The only items allowed between home and school are:
- Coats
- Reading books
- Home-School Diaries (Early Years to Class 3 only)
- PE kit and small bag
- Packed lunches
- Musical instruments for peripatetic lessons
We must still minimise the sharing of equipment and resources. Therefore, all of the children will be provided with a personal set of stationary, but children in Classes 5 and 6 may bring in a pencil case etc, which must remain in school during term time.
All other belongings should remain at home.
Homework will be set online via our website from now on, so as to minimise the movement of resources between home and school.
Hand washing, good respiratory hygiene and regular cleaning continue to be the most effective ways to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Whilst we will be giving time to and expect all of the children to wash their hands regularly, we will begin the term with more hand sanitiser, especially in Early Years and Key Stage 1, until all are trained in thorough hand washing. This will help us establish the vital timings for routines more effectively.
The “Bubble” Principle
To reduce the potential spread of viruses, we must limit the mixing of the children. Therefore, Early Years and each class will remain in their own grouping, very similar to the bubbles we have been using during the summer term. This brings some challenges and so we will be reviewing our procedures very regularly.
Uniform
Our usual uniform expectations will continue. Every child should come to school dressed smartly and appropriately in clean uniform. They should not wear any jewellery (especially earrings), false nails, make-up, have sculpted or dyed hair. These are not allowed. If your child has had their ears pierced, please understand that earrings will need to be taken out for the first day back at school. Tape and plaster coverings will not be allowed as a solution. Thank you.
As we will be utilising the outdoor space even more than usual, please ensure that the children are always equipped with suitable outdoor clothing such as waterproof coat and sensible shoes. PE kits should include something warm for autumn and winter weather such as a navy jumper or hoodie and navy tracksuit bottoms.
Breakfast Club
Sadly, we cannot offer our usual Breakfast Club for the first 2 weeks of term. We know that this will prove difficult for some of our families but, until we have been able to minimise the mixing of children from different bubble classes, this is not possible. We will have our before-school provision up and running as soon as possible.
New Timings and One-Way System
To minimise the mixing of children and their families, the gate will only open at 8:40am and 3:10pm. All children from Years 1 to 6 should enter via the usual Pupil Gate. We encourage children in Classes 5 and 6 to be dropped off at the gate to minimise the number of people on site. Exit will be via the new side gate unless the step is an issue for those who need a completely flat surface. All children up to Year 4 must be accompanied by an adult with whom they must stay until the doors open. Bikes and scooters should be stored using the cycle racks and kept separate – any excess should be lined up against the fence. There can be no games or mixing before school. Adults must remain socially distanced whilst on school premises. Once the cloakroom doors are opened (see below for timings and images) all adults must leave the school site immediately via the side gate (unless accessibility is an issue.)
Early Years' families should keep to the St Bart’s side of the path leading up to the Early Years doors, keeping their distance until the doors open. Those dropping the children off should then exit up the middle of the path. This will give plenty of space for both schools to allow smooth hand-over of the children.
The gates will be locked at 9am and 3:40pm. Any late pupils must contact the school office and not come into the building until given permission by our office staff. Please do not be late!
Class Start times
Nursery and Reception: children drift into school from 8:45am until 8:55am. Formal activities start at 9am. Parents will drop their children off with Mrs Varty at the door. You cannot come into the cloakroom. Mrs Lisle and Mrs Heslop will be in the cloakroom to help the children before they wash their hands and enter the classroom, where Miss Wilson will be waiting to supervise them.
Classes 2, 4 and 6 will start at 8:45am. This earlier start allows 10 minutes for them to wash their hands and enter the classroom before the next class enters the building.
Classes 1, 3 and 5 start at 8:55am.
Each class will have their own break time and lunch time, so that they do not mix. We will utilise each outdoor space as much as possible
These morning breaks will be:
Early Years - outside when can
Class 3 - 10:00am
Classes 1 & 5 - 10:15am
Classes 2 & 4 - 10:30am
Class 6 - 10:45am
Lunch times (45 minutes):
Reception children will have use of the Dining Hall and Classes 1 to 6 will have their lunches served in their classrooms. The initial hot food menu is attached. Children may bring their own packed lunches, which will remain in their classroom. A healthy morning snack and a personal water bottle is also recommended.
Reception- 11:45 to 12:30pm
Yr1- 12:00 -12:45, lunch at 12pm; outside at 12:25
Yr2- 12:00 -12:45, outside at 12:00; lunch at 12:25
Yr3- 12:00 -12:45, lunch at 12pm; outside at 12:25
Yr4- 12:00 -12:45, outside at 12pm; lunch at 12:25
Yr5- 12:30 -1:15, lunch at 12:30pm; outside at 12:45
Yr6- 12:30 -1:15, lunch at 12:30; outside at 1pm
We understand that there have been some difficulties paying for lunches via Joinos. We have been assured that this system is just being updated and will be ready very soon. Please do not worry. Every child will be fed whilst in school and we will keep careful records.
Class Home times:
Again, to minimise the interaction and maintain social distancing, our gates will open at 3:10pm. Parents should wait near to the cloakroom doors, ready for the new home times.
Nursery - 11:45am
Reception - 3:25pm
Classes 1 and 4 - 3:15pm
Classes 2 and 3 - 3:25pm
Class 5 - 3:20pm
Class 6 - 3:30pm
All parents, once they have collected their children, must leave the site straight away via the side gate. We cannot allow any games or playing after school. All of the children must stay with their adult at all times.
Children in Classes 5 and 6 may walk home unaccompanied only once we have received this signed permission.
The gates will be locked at 3:40pm.
If you are unavoidably delayed, the children will remain in their classroom and you must contact the school office so that handover can be aranged.
Sadly, we cannot offer any after-school clubs initially.
We are hoping to be able to relax a lot of these restrictions as soon as is possible, but we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work things out together.
Thank you.
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New signs and markings
Sat 06 Jun 2020When you arrive in school, here is some of the signage you may notice.
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New classroom layouts and resources
Fri 05 Jun 2020There have been a few changes inside the building but we hope we still look like a school - just with more spacing! We'll provide the individual equipment and make sure everything is clean.
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Reopening Drop-off and Pick-up
Thu 04 Jun 2020Staggered starts and end times for week beginning 8th June 2020
Start time
Finish time
Reception Bubble ‘A’
Monday and Tuesday only
9:15am
2pm
Reception Bubble ‘B’
Thursday and Friday only
9:15am
2pm
Class 1 Bubble
Monday to Thursday only
9:45am
2:30pm
Class 6 Bubble ‘A’
Monday to Thursday only10:15am
3pm
Class 6 Bubble ‘B’
Monday to Thursday only10:15am
3pm
Key Workers
Monday to Friday
8:45am
3:30pm
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Wider Reopening: Summary Plan for Families
Thu 28 May 2020Rationale:
Once the Government’s tests have been met to allow for the gradual reopening of the school building to more pupils, our top priority remains keeping everyone safe. From the feedback received, there are many worried people who are concerned about the personal health impact of more children being on site. Although the health risks are said to be low, there is still a risk of infection with Covid-19. This is why we must introduce strict control measures to reduce the risk as far are possible.
Ultimately, until there is a vaccine, the virus will be within the population as a whole for a very long time and we must do all we can to find a way of being that will enable high quality learning to take place in a safe environment for all.
Covid-19 is caused by the specific coronavirus coming into contact with mucus membranes i.e. mouth, eyes and respiratory tract. This is mainly through small amounts of exhaled virus being breathed in, or by the virus coming into contact with surfaces (fomites) that is then transferred to mouth and eyes. As a virus is not a living thing, it cannot survive for long outside a living (host) cell. This virus also cannot infect people through their skin. As a piece of protein surrounded by a lipid (fatty) layer, it is easily killed using common detergents such as soap. This is why the two most effective ways of avoiding transmission are through careful cleaning and avoiding the inhalation of the virus from another person’s breath.
The main control measures will therefore include:
- regular handwashing, with soap and warm water
- cleaning of contact surfaces (e.g. door handles) that are touched often
- limiting the number of people each person comes into contact with
- keeping a limited distance from others so as to avoid breathing in the virus if the person is infected
As some people are asymptomatic (they display no symptoms) and also the fact that the virus that causes Covid-19 can be spread even before an infected person displays any symptoms, we must not take it for granted that anyone is virus free, or even immune.
With the vast majority of children being kept apart during the national lockdown, it is unlikely (although not impossible) that any will return to school with the virus. As lockdown is relaxed, the risk does increase. Therefore, all must be vigilant and closely follow all of our control measures. If someone displays Covid-19 symptoms or tests positive for the virus, isolation and tracing procedures will commence immediately.
The main ways we plan on reducing the risks are:
- All staff training will be updated, with 12 new people completing a paediatric first aid course allowing for wider deployment of groups, prioritising our ability to open in line with the Government’s aspirations.
- Children will be in small groups of between 8 and 15 (bubbles) and will not move between these groups.
- Hands will be washed often, and contact surfaces will be cleaned more regularly.
- Temperatures of all will be taken as they arrive on site (using infra-red forehead thermometers.) This does not involve any physical contact. Whilst this is not a certain way of identifying Covid-19, it can indicate a fever which must be dealt with outside of school by families. Therefore, any child showing signs of a fever will not be allowed in school and families will be asked to take their children home until they are well enough to return.
- Equipment, as far as possible, will not be shared.
- No items should move between home and school except clothing, a personalised water bottle and a packed lunch (if appropriate.)
- Staff will not necessarily routinely wear face masks or gloves etc, unless they are following specific guidance for a given situation e.g. administering first aid. Some PPE (personal protective equipment) is available in school for these times.
- Children will not be expected to wear face coverings unless the Government’s guidance changes.
- Young children cannot follow strict social distancing rules. Adults can. Staff will teach away from and above the children’s eye level, often at 2 meters. Desks will be distanced 2m apart. This will be a model for the children to follow and they will then be sensitively taught about the new rules.
- Children who are vulnerable for health reasons should not attend.
- Those who are shielding clinically extremely vulnerable family members should not currently attend.
Bubbles:
Each child will be allocated to a small group of their peers, of no more than 15. This is called a “Bubble.” They will not mix with any other bubble and will not be allowed to swap between bubbles. We do not expect the children to mix with other bubble members when they are out of school. Each bubble will be cared for and taught by one of our own members of staff, but this may not be their usual class teacher. Each bubble will have its own teaching day, including different starting and ending times to avoid unnecessary contact. They will only use their allocated classroom space and outdoor area. Movement will be very limited around the school site, with each bubble staying in their allocated classroom, outdoor space and toilets. Lunches will be eaten in their bubble space.
From the recent parents’ survey, bubbles have been created to meet the indication of demand for places. Once a bubble has been created its limit is set and new children will not be included. Although children may drop out of the bubble if requested, they may not then join another bubble. Due to limited space and staffing capacity, we have had to impose a limit on the number of bubbles that can be provided whilst aiming to meet the Government’s expectations. This will not include a Nursery bubble as we cannot provide a suitable environment that matches the children’s needs whilst also meeting the requirements for everyone’s health and safety.
Staggered Teaching Day Times:
Start time
Finish time
Reception Bubble ‘A’
Monday and Tuesday only
9:15am
2pm
Reception Bubble ‘B’
Thursday and Friday only
9:15am
2pm
Class 1 Bubble
Monday to Thursday only
9:45am
2:30pm
Class 6 Bubble ‘A’
Monday to Thursday only10:15am
3pm
Class 6 Bubble ‘B’
Monday to Thursday only10:15am
3pm
Key Workers
Monday to Friday
8:45am
3:30pm
Key Worker Provision:
We will continue to provide childcare for Key and Critical Workers, but this will become more formal. We would encourage the children, if appropriate, to move to a bubble with their peers but we recognise that, as the session timings are different, this may not suit family working patterns. Whichever bubble is chosen, this cannot change.
Curriculum:
With the new restraints on space and interaction, we cannot offer our usual curriculum. We will do our best to provide lessons which engage the children, but we believe that the content should initially focus on their wellbeing and any issues that they will be personally dealing with. Transition activities will then become the focus as we aim to prepare the children for the coming year. Again, this will be very different for our children, especially the youngest, as this is not what they are used to or how we know they learn best.
Limited Uniform Expectations:
The children must come to school in clean clothing. All items must not have been worn since being last washed. All children should wear a navy jumper/cardigan, white polo shirt and grey/black trousers. Shoes should be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. There will be no changing of clothes for activities such as PE as we will be using the outdoor space as much as possible. A lightweight waterproof should suffice for any rainy conditions and should be brought each day. A hat and sun cream may also be necessary for particularly hot and sunny days.
Daily plan:
- All children should come dressed in line with our limited uniform expectations (see above.)
- Pupils must be brought promptly to school for their bubble start time, accompanied by a family member.
- All entry will be at the “Pupil Gate” (next to the cycle rack) which will remain locked until a member of staff come to collect the children.
- The car park will not be available to families – please walk to and from school if you can.
- The children and their family member will be asked to keep 2m apart whilst waiting outside the school gate. There will be a one-way system for drop-off and pick-up.
- Once the pupil gate is opened, the children’s temperatures will be taken. Any child with a high temperature will be asked to be taken home by the family member.
- The children will wait on the Key Stage 1 playground until all are admitted and the gate is then locked.
- Late arrivals must phone the office from outside school and, if it is safe to do so, will be met, temperature taken, and escorted to their bubble space. Due to the staggered starting and ending times, late pupils must wait away from queuing families from another bubble. We cannot guarantee late entry to the school building.
- No visitors will be allowed into school without an appointment, even to the main office.
- All communication must be via telephone or email.
- Pupils wash their hands as they enter the building. They should not touch the doors, which will be held open for them.
- They take their allocated seats, placing their coats on their chairs, water bottle and packed lunch on the floor.
- Personalised equipment packs will already be on their desks.
- Registration will be taken and then the teaching day will begin.
- Toilet breaks will be allocated.
- Packed lunches will be eaten at desks in the bubble spaces.
- At the end of the teaching day, the children will be escorted to the Pupil Gate. They will be handed over to the waiting family member and they should then leave for home straight away, following the arrow.
- There will be some limited floor markings and posters displayed but we expect that the school site will not be a place to stay and socialise.
Lunches:
All lunches will be packed lunches. These will continue to be free to children in Reception, Years 1 and 2 and those entitled to free school meals. If you would like to pay for a lunch, this can be done online in the usual way. Packed lunches brought from home must not contain any fizzy drinks and all packaging must be self-contained. We will not dispose of anything in school – it should be taken home for safe disposal.
Behaviour:
Our expectations for behaviour remain very high but, in light of this current situation, our policy has been amended and must now include some very strict consequences. Any child who cannot meet these expectations may struggle in school, and we would urge you to speak with senior staff in advance of any decision.
Classes from other Year Groups
There is an aspiration that other children can return to school before the summer break. We will await further information from the Government before sharing any details about this.
Home Learning Support
The current home learning support will continue, but in a more limited capacity. We hope to provide all we can, but our staff are now stretched even further, and we cannot promise a similar level of input.
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms or a positive test
If, at any point, a child or adult has any symptom of Covid-19, they will be sent straight home, following the guidance for schools. It is vital that school has up-to-date contact information and, if you are contacted, you must come straight away. If a member of a bubble is tested positive for Covid-19, the whole bubble will have to remain at home and self-isolate for 14 days. Any Covid-19 symptoms that the children are exposed to outside of school should be communicated to senior staff straight away. At all times we expect all families to know and follow the Government’s expectations for dealing with this health crisis.
All aspects of this plan are open to continual review and modification so that everyone remains safe.
