Autumn 2020

Many thanks, first and foremost to the four candidates who put themselves forward as parent governors this term. Gareth Duggan, Stuart Manifold, Lucy Pittaway and Lee Vernon all had the community spirit and skills to make a great contribution to the governing body. Lucy won the count today and has been duly elected as parent governor for a period of four years.

Thank you to everyone who voted; the democratic process is important and your votes all mattered. It is a testament to the involvement of parents at Kingsmead that every parent governor election has gone to a ballot. We don't take your involvement and support as voters or candidates for granted and I would like to thank you all.

Happy weekend,

Thank you so much for the quick turn around in the survey about Conway for year 5/6 next year. Your responses were really helpful and have enabled us to assess the financial viability of both activities.

The overwhelming majority of you support both trips and so we have booked and paid a deposit for the following.

Friday 2nd July for year 6 only. They will do two outdoor and adventurous activities and we will be thinking of what else we might do to give our year 6’s a really good send off in Summer.

Monday 13th-Wednesday 16th September for year 5 and 6 (current year 4 and 5). This is very much an educational as well as a fun experience and learning in Autumn term will use the experience as a stimulus.

My original letter explained the cost/benefit analysis we undertook in coming up with our plans so I won’t repeat this here. What I didn’t include was the cost/benefit from the point of view of teaching staff. If any of you have ever taken 45 children on a three day residential visit you will know the work involved in preparation and that being on duty, on call for over 50 hours without a break, is exhausting. Given that the trip is planned as a treat for Year 6 and not an educational visit, we must be mindful of the unpaid work we are asking of staff at a busy and hectic time of year. Teacher unions, schools and colleges are already facing a retention and recruitment crisis in teaching and the current pandemic has added to what is already a wonderful and joyful but also exhausting, complex and stressful profession. I will be counting on the upper key stage 2 team for their stamina, energy and support until the end of what is proving a long and challenging year. I will be then asking for it again, early in September with the year 5 and 6 residential. Our duty of care to their wellbeing and respect for their family life has been factored in alongside the educational benefits of a residential early in the year which would be far more limited in the second half of the Summer term.

Year 6 will have missed out and I am truly sorry for that. Last year’s year 6 too missed all their end of primary school celebrations and we were sorry for them too. The times we are living through are exceptional and we have all been affected. However, when we focus on what we can have rather than what we can’t, disappointment will turn to optimism. And I promise we will be doing all we can to make their send off as joyful and memorable as in previous years.

Ms S :-)

Firstly, thank you to all those parents and carers who are supporting distancing and not mixing either on the playground or indeed out of school. Thank you too for respecting the markings outside classrooms, following the one way system. It is a pain for us all but your cooperation is appreciated and has helped us minimise disruption to education and reduce the risk of the spread of infections.

Can I remind everyone that the one-way system is for everyone. Parents and carers of children in year 5 and 6, thank you for remaining at the gate. If you have younger children please remember that you cannot use the side gate from the car park to cut through by Year 5/6 classrooms, you must walk up the pedestrian path with the other parents of younger children. Older children, being challenged about their flouting the rules, were pointing this out. Please set them a good example, as I know most of you do and also understand that in the moment it is easy to forget. Please try to remember!

Working people all face additional risk from Covid and measures are in place to minimise risk. In shops we see screens at tills and staff wearing masks, in hospitals people are required to isolate before operations and the wearing of masks in NHS buildings is required of staff and patients. In school, the only measures we have to minimise risk are additional cleaning, hand washing and not mixing classes. Social distancing within a classroom is not possible.

Some curriculum activities may involve children from different classes being in a room together but this has been risk assessed and is under the guidance of an adult. This is why you will be able to hear some lovely carols, out of doors and under adult guidance in the run up to the holiday.

Yesterday, a minority of children in year 5 and 6 were flouting all expectations on distancing and handling other people's belongings before school. As the children 'caught' were not the only ones who have been ll children in Year 5 and 6 have been reminded about the additional risks school staff take and that in school, our expectations on keeping separate are not 'guidance'. They are the rule and compliance by all children is expected without exception or adjustment.

We understand that the risk is lower in schools and children up to the age of 8 are less likely to spread Covid-19 than other age groups. Nevertheless, Kingsmead employs a significant number of people who, were they to be infected with Covid-19, would be more likely to become extremely unwell or suffer more long term effects than if they were a child of primary school age. Teachers and teaching assistants are working indoors with up to thirty children at a time, largely without face coverings, in order for your children to learn and achieve as well as they can, to benefit from facial communication and listen to their teacher effectively. All school staff are working in an extremely challenging situation and those who are classroom based, even more so. Thank you to them all.

Children in Upper Key Stage 2 have been told that they should not be waiting for their friends from other classes at the gate after school (a group of unaccompanied children were not going straight home but were hanging about by the shops). They have been told that further mixing anywhere on the school grounds will result in us changing start and finish times for year 5/6, with each class is separated by ten minutes. Other classes, lower down the school will not be affected. I know this would be inconvenient for parents with children in other classes and am very reluctant to bring in any measure that makes your life at home more difficult. However, we have a legal responsibility for the welfare of school staff and if some of the older children will not cooperate with the rules, I will be left with no option.

I have received an email asking me about children walking to school with people from other classes. To clarify: the school takes no responsibility for enforcing social distancing and households not mixing on the streets. Families have responsibility for their children maintaining social distancing and not mixing once they have left the premises. We know some walk together sensibly, maintaining 2m distance; this is a good way for them to keep connected to friends in other classes. We also know others do not and are in very close contact, including skin to skin. You know your children best and the responsibility for enforcing the community guidance yours. However, we will be very firm when children come onto our premises and ignore our guidance/rules on not mixing between classes. For that we are making no exceptions.

As always, thank you for your cooperation.

Ms S :-)

1. Parent Governor Election – Many thanks to the three parents for putting themselves forward for election. We are confident that with three such excellent candidates this is an election we can approach with confidence as we are assured of a governor who will make a positive contribution to the governors. Mrs Cocker and the office team had planned to send out ballot papers tomorrow. However, with a class isolating at home until Wednesday we have decided to delay the ballot by one day and send the ballot papers home once all children are in school. We will therefore extend the return date by one day to Wednesday 9^th December.

2. Insurance – We have checked our insurances for IT equipment as we will offer the loan of devices to children isolating at home. Therefore I need to make you aware of the restrictions of school cover. If we loan an item from school such as IT equipment or a musical instrument our insurance covers children in receipt of free school meals or other vulnerable children (i.e. with a named social worker). Other families should check their insurance for home contents cover as they would be responsible for loss or damage.

With the PM announcing the end to lockdown proper this week, we will be resuming extra-curricular clubs with ExtraTime and La Jolie Ronde.

They will begin from 2^nd December.

I have asked, to reduce risks of asking children to isolate, that adults make their best endeavours to keep children in clubs from different class groups apart:

• No skin-to-skin contact

• To keep different classes more than 2m apart

• To note any child being in close contact (more than 15 minutes less than 2metres with an adult or peer).

Clubs are in year groups (French) which can be two or three classes or phases (sport) which is three classes. This will increase slightly the risk of a child having to isolate if they have close contact with a peer in another class who tests positive (or indeed the adult running the activity). However this risk has been balanced with the risk from unhealthy lifestyles and not having access to an enriched curriculum.

These are optional activities and parents and carers who are concerned about any increased risk can choose for their children not to take part.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Teaching staff are mindful that at this time of year families often have collections for a gift for children’s teachers and other staff. While we appreciate the kind sentiments we are mindful this year that even more families are finding themselves in straightened circumstances. Christmas should be a joyful time and even the smallest pressure to contribute to what you can’t afford will reduce the joy.

You already give us precious gifts, 38 weeks a year: useful and kind children who are ready to learn; your support for your children’s learning by reading at home with them and supporting them in school and also your support for us staff in school, not only through the smooth times but also when the road gets rockier. These gifts are priceless because they enable us all to enjoy school and thrive - together.

Therefore we thank you wholeheartedly for your very kind intentions and ask that, instead of than a class collection, parents and carers think about buying their child a book and reading it with them over the holiday. If you'd like inspiration check out the Reading Rocks pages. Children might want to make or write a card. I know that written messages from adults and children who have appreciated the work of teachers and others bring much pleasure and will be treasured in the future.

Best wishes from all the staff at Kingsmead.

Catriona Stewart

Headteacher

We have had a confirmed case of Covid with one of our children in school and the risk assessment we have undertaken with public health at Cheshire West and Chester requires that a class must now self-isolate for 14 days.

The priority now is to keep everyone as safe as possible and wish the child and send their family our best wishes.

I am sure that you will understand our focus must be on ensuring all risk is minimised. This will involve admin and teaching staff and please respect the time we will need to do our work thoroughly and properly. Please consider before emailing or phoning for something whether the information you need has already been provided elsewhere:

https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/home

https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/covid-faqs-autumn-2020

https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/news-home

That said, just as since we returned in September please let us know immediately if:

• Your child has symptoms of coronavirus

• Your child is isolating because someone they have been in contact with has tested positive for coronavirus

Parents and carers whose children need now to isolate have been contacted so if you have not received the email or text, you child needs to come into school as usual on Monday when we look forward to seeing them.

Ms S :-)

I have been on a virtual call with Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) Public Health this afternoon and would like to update and clarify a few things.

It was with much regret that I cancelled sports clubs with outside providers during lockdown. This was because there was mixing across the phase (among three classes) and infection rates were rising fast in England. Mrs McHugh (our sport and PE lead) and I are mindful that some children have been far less active in lockdown. An active healthy young life is key to combatting the obesity crisis which is probably a greater risk to the health of young children than Covid. Public Health can't relax the guidance on after school clubs and so I am impressing the importance of children still being active out of school - they may not be able to kick a ball about with their friends, but they can have a kick about with their parents or siblings, a run or brisk walk. And if it's raining... there's always Jo Wicks!

I have updated the Frequently Asked Questions following the meeting with Public Health. The first three questions at the top of the page are new and provide answers to why we are requiring children from different classes not to mix at playtimes and all children to remain with the adults bringing or collecting them until handed over to children. Please, please read them. It is really important that children are not running about, climbing and playing in the school grounds before or after school. They are too young and caught up in the moment to be expected to note everyone not in their class and keep 2m away from them. Their responsibility is to stand with their parent or carer. The adults' responsibility is to be vigilant and ensure that they do so. I don't like to nag but nature abhors a vacuum and if we see children unaccompanied, we will be making it very clear that they must return to their carers.

Were we to have a positive case in school (I very much expect we will before this pandemic is behind us) and 48 hours has not passed since the person was in school, we will have to close every class where there has been any close contact (within 2m). I want to ensure that if we do have to send children home to learn, it is the fewest children possible. Better for everyone: children, us in school and working parents.

We do have some adults who work across classes. While we have attempted to minimise this we could not operate without some crossing of 'bubbles'. Teachers and teaching assistants cover PPA (teacher's planning and preparation time which is their legal entitlement). They also provide tuition for individuals and groups. We are asking these teachers and teaching assistants to be vigilant with distancing from children and where possible when they are in class, maintain a 2m distance from the children.

CWAC officers at Public Health talked about the importance of all of us having high expectations of children. Children are all very aware at how things have changed since March; they have seen you keep distance and avoid physical contact outside the family. We need their cooperation and support if we are to put this pandemic behind us any time in the foreseeable future. It is increasingly likely that some measures will be in place well into next academic year and this is something we have to get used to for the long haul.

Of course we make adjustments for the youngest and will continue to make reasonable adjustments for older children who need them too. However, it is not reasonable for anyone to be put at increased risk of infection because a child won't follow reasonable instructions: not to mix outside their class; not to require an adult to get too close by ignoring their request. We know that most children prefer incidence of poor behaviour to be discussed privately and ask that if this is the case with yours, you might have a conversation with them about how this isn't so easy in current times; adults may just have to address poor behaviour in front of others so the best thing is follow instructions and treat the adults and children around them with kindness and respect.

Many thanks for your continued cooperation,

Ms S :-)

Dear parents and carers,

I have asked all our teachers to ensure their class is released promptly so children can be off the premises straight away and before other year groups come out. Although Lower Key Stage 2 are coming out at the same time as UKS2 , these children are released to parents on the playground meaning the older children have time to be off the grounds and well on their way home before the years 3 and 4 come round a little bit later. Please can parents in KS1 and LKS2 all continue to use the pedestrian gate onto the back of the school to enter the grounds. Do not enter through the side gate from the car park with UKS2 so we can keep the one-way system in place. Only the oldest children in Hedgehogs and Pine Martens should be using the side gate and none of these need adults on the grounds with them.

In year 5 and 6, many of you continue to collect children at the end of the day, from the main gate. Some of you, possibly because of the pandemic and times we are in, do not want your children walking home alone. Others have made the decision that their child is old enough to walk home unaccompanied. You know your children best and bringing up children is always a balancing act, in this case is the balancing of risk from children unaccompanied with risk of them not going in independence. We support the different choices you make but ask that children are only walking or cycling home when you are confident that they are sensible and independent enough to do so. We ask that you are remind your children that they must go straight home and not hang around waiting for or mixing with friends in other classes. Mrs Rutter-Brown and I will be sending home any child at the gate who is not waiting for an adult to collect them and we will expect them to comply.

If children are cycling to school please ensure they are with an adult who is taking responsibility for them in terms of lights on bikes (as winter draws in), helmets and reflective materials on clothes. Children won’t have completed Bikeability as this is done in year 6; we are waiting for a slot. This means no children have had the training of on-road cycling that we would strongly recommend before parents consider allowing children to cycle home unaccompanied. Can parents or carers of children in all year groups please also remind your children to get off bikes or scooters before coming onto the school grounds. This is for the safety of everyone.

We have heard from children that some youngsters in year 6, going home unaccompanied, were running in and out of Tesco’s shouting that they have been stealing. This suggests some are not yet independent or sensible enough to be going to and from school unaccompanied. This happened outside school premises and hours. While it is not our direct responsibility I thought I’d let you know as I am sure we want all our children to grow up into responsible, prosocial and kind citizens. There has also been a report of bullying of a child in our school, whilst on their way home. This we will be dealing with in school and the children who did not stand by and watch, but went to their aid, have been given humanitarian certificates – I hope they share these with you; you should be very proud of your children with their brave hearts and good character, children who did not stand by and watch as some others did.

With kind regards,

Catriona Stewart

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please see below a message from the Lord Mayor about Remembrance Services. Clearly the message is now stay at home. We have been preparing for the past week or so, through our Five Daily Routines to pre-process this important international event for children. Next week there will be an assembly from Mrs Rutter Brown about the different coloured poppies and Mr Harper has done a virtual last post for Tune on Tuesday! On Wednesday there’ll be some words and a 2 minute silence for reflection (they have had more than enough to think about with Messages, Tunes, Words, Thoughts and a Fable).

Sadly, while I was happy to tell you we’d planned to keep sports open after school, the day following we received new guidance clearly stating we can’t. You should have had an email telling you that before and after school language and sports clubs must cease (they want to reduce unnecessary journeys outside the school day). With music being in the school day, instrument lessons continue. I am sanguine about the sport: Sport England and others are petitioning for a U-turn. I promise I will get these back as soon as we can. School is open, to be a place of joyful learning we need an enriched curriculum and this includes extra-curricular sport and language clubs. Fingers crossed ;-)

With kind regards,

Catriona :-)

We have taken the decision to keep sports clubs and music lessons running subject to our risk assessment with additional safety measures in place. I support the decision to keep primary schools open and we must balance all risks. With sports clubs, dance activities, music ensembles etc. all closed or virtual we think it important for children's mental and physical health that we make our best endeavours to keep our curriculum enriched in school. Sadly Mrs McHugh's plans for swimming, only communicated to you in November, have gone the way of all flesh for this term but we are very aware of the importance of swimming in the future and resuming as soon as pools are open and it is safe enough to do so.

I have updated the Adult Learning page with new information from Livewell Cheshire West - this provides information and support for residents and there is a link for families who would like some support on parenting. Parenting is probably the most important job any of us will do yet the one we need no qualifications for and it can seem for which support is scarce. I am pleased our Local Authority are recognising this. We are unable to offer face-to-face 1-2-3 Magic parenting here until the Covid restrictions ease considerably so I was delighted to be sent this from our partners at Cheshire West and Chester.

With Christmas as normal off the agenda this year at least, we are giving thought to how this most important festival might be celebrated this year. Mrs W and I have put in the diary some dates for some al fresco singing and playing for the older children in Lower Key Stage 2, Upper Key Stage 2 and Band which you will find on the December calendar: https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/diary-dates. We have checked up and can safely serve those picking up children a small but warm mulled wine to wish you too a happy Christmas. Mrs W has written out some additional music for children in their practice books (at the back). This is for you at home and unlike when we play in school, every child has the tune and so can keep you entertained and feeling festive while you are peeling sprouts or forcing down that last mouthful of pudding. This year we will more than ever be making our own entertainments and one thing I am very jealous of you all for is the presence of children over the winter break. With Hanukkah and Diwali and later, Christmas this term Autumn and winter in the UK have a festival of lights for everyone and reminds us of MP Jo Cox's wide words - 'we have more in common than that which divides us.'

As always, I will be sharing the Christmas story throughout December and will as always be mindful to use the language 'Christians believe...' and ensure the retelling is suitable for people of all faiths and none. I usually share the story of Mary and Jesus from the Islamic tradition with older children too; more than ever it is important to show we have so much more in common than the small things which divide us.

Children will have a song sheet and for half an hour or so before home time will sing and play for you. We will keep phases separate to reduce congestion and mixing. We are saying this is for the children to celebrate and share what they known and have learned in the traditional Christmas repertoire. We will be still asking that only one adult collects (unless we were down to Tier 1 in which case we might relax a little).

Other events are in the planning stage and we will keep you posted.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have had a range of emails following my sending out the letter from the local Director of Public Health. Most have been supportive but not 100% and I accept this is the nature of schools. From coronavirus to uniform to homework, not everyone agrees and this is absolutely fine, understood, respected and accepted. Sometimes though we do need to comply, despite personal feelings. For children and adults compliance with regulations we don’t like or which irritate us is part of being a human being in a community.

The wearing of face coverings on the grounds is our expectation for all other than those, in our parent, carer and staff community who have a genuine medical reason why they cannot. We respect that a minority just can’t wear one and hope they all feel safer and more at ease as the rest of us are. Medical consensus across the world is overwhelming that face coverings provide a limited benefit to the wearer but offer more protection to those we come close to.

I would like to share below part of an email I have received from a parent, one of quite a few since we returned. This is to show that it really isn’t about school leaders nagging or controlling but us wanting to be prosocial and understanding that without the support of children and folk at home, we cannot keep school as safe as it might be.

I am deeply concerned about a group of parents picking up children at home time. None of which have been wearing masks or even attempting to socially distance themselves. There are also numbers of children with them, who tonight were, in my eyes creating unnecessary risk to others at the School.

Covid is a risk to all of us. If rules are being ignored by groups then I feel that the safeguarding of my children is impaired. The School has done an outstanding amount of work to ensure that the learners are safe and that their education has been affected as little as possible. I hope that the guidance issued on the 24 September will be applied to all parties, ensuring that we are all safer and as uncompromised as possible.

The literature you sent the other day clearly states

All adults to wear a face covering when visiting or entering the school premises including outdoor yard areas.

I understand that certain people will be exempt from wearing a mask but I am not aware about any exemptions for anyone in our society other than those with medical issues.

I would like to thank the School for their efforts during lockdown and hope that this is an issue that can be addressed to improve safety of all parties.

I found on the London Underground where I was surprised to see people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds ignoring the Transport for London rules on masks, people not following guidance are as varied as the rest of the population who we have seen and heard about in the news. This is not about us than them – there are no ‘them’ there really is only ‘us’. We 100% respect that some can’t wear masks and are pleased you will be safer when on site with us. We also respect and accept that some of you sometimes just forget to bring one and have made best efforts with improvised jumpers and scarves or just let us know. I accept that some of you disagree with national, local and our school guidance and respect particularly those of you who comply with it anyway. However, speaking to a parent earlier in the week, who is fully supportive of our policy, was disappointed to hear that it has been suggested to just say they had a medical condition so they don’t have to bother if they don’t want to wear one. That attitude to a global pandemic is neither respectable or acceptable.

I, along with staff, governors and leaders are so very appreciative of the overwhelming support we continue to receive from parents and carers; I am awestruck at how overnight you will turn up supporting another of the many changes we have had to implement. As headteacher in what are very difficult circumstances, the time responding to emails about what is a reasonable and proportionate policy is extraordinarily time consuming and takes me away from my core purpose and passion: ensuring the best possible education for your children and their wellbeing. This is what I need to be focussing on. Therefore, I am not inviting any responses to this email, just hoping for your understanding and that this might be the final discussion of the subject!

I do wish each and every one of you a good weekend.

Catriona Stewart

Dear Parents and Carers, Teaching and Support staff,

Today we have been informed that a child has tested positive for coronavirus. First and foremost, we wish them a safe and speedy recovery. As with other families, the family was isolating due to a family member having symptoms and that family member testing positive. We also wish them the very best for a speedy recovery.

We have followed our own risk assessment and the DfE guidance which included me telephoning the Department of Education coronavirus helpline. As I had read, they informed me that the critical infectious period is the two days prior to a positive test.

As the child did not have symptoms when they began their isolation there is no need for us to send any class home.

Also, given the family isolating due to another family member, it is reasonable to assume that the virus was not contracted through being in school. I would like to reassure you at this anxious time that we absolutely no evidence or information to suggest that children are at any greater risk today or because of this incidence and hope this is helpful.

When people are unwell it is bad enough, the relief in the parents’ voice when I informed them I was writing this communication to tell you why we are not closing a class group was audible. I am sure we all understand that it is just bad luck if we catch this virus and it would be nobody’s fault if we did have to close a class or indeed if anyone catches it from someone else. Like colds, this virus spreads without anyone intending to pass them on.

I had been hopeful but not optimistic that we might avoid a positive case in school. We have been fortunate that in this case, our first one, we do not have to close any classes as the child had already been isolating for some time. We wish them well. The best outcome will be that our extensive work planning for class, phase or group closing will have turn out to be a complete waste of time. However, the nature of risk assessing for Covid is that we must plan for a class having to self-isolate for up to 14 days. This is why things are different right now: classes cannot mix as they used to, we don’t sing in large groups in the building, only Ladybirds eat in the hall and we have changed uniform policy because it’s a bit colder in classes. We want to ensure that in the event of a class having to close we have done we can to make it just one class.

Children’s education is best served with them being in school; remote learning is far from an equal alternative to them learning school and is a best we can do in unavoidable circumstances. We also have some responsibility for parents who need to work, doing all we can to minimise any additional risks from class groups mixing.

I had intended to write to you today about the updated risk assessment in regard to the colder weather and which was shared with staff last night. We must balance health risks from the virus with it just being too cold. The risk assessment states that classrooms should be well ventilated and adults in the class must balance this with safe temperatures. Therefore doors and some windows will be closed on colder days. We have asked that staff remain mindful of avoiding rooms becoming stuffy and indoor doors will remain open. I hope this reassures people but would also caution that rooms will not be overheated by any stretch of the imagination and a warm vest, tights, leggings and skins will still be beneficial as in our updated policy which you can find at https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/information/appearance-uniform.

School governors have been informed. Please note that as no class needs to close we are not providing any further information to parents or carers of children in a particular class or year group.

Kind regards,

Catriona Stewart

Dear parents and carers,

It has come to my attention that there is an APP called StarMaker. The App appears innocuous and about dancing and singing. I have used the NSPCC netaware (also available on our e-safety page - https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/information/e-safety) and there is no information available about this APP. Please do not assume it is safe for children.

I am aware that the police have been involved in an investigation of child sexual exploitation involving this APP. It is possible for people unknown to you or your child to contact them and groom them. Grooming online is no respecter of children’s background or educational attainment and any child may be vulnerable.

I hope this information is helpful in keeping all your children safe.

After this message went out on email, some parents contacted me with other very worrying things on other Apps like Tik-Tok. As Tik-Tok is a platform for young people over the age of 16, I don't want to send mixed messages by offering any advice other than primary age children are far too young to be on it and there are no circumstances when 11 year olds or younger being on it is OK.

Catriona Stewart

Dear parents, carers, staff and governors,

I do apologise for yet another email about COVID. However there are lots of scenarios and only today I read the opposite advice in two places. So thanks to CWAC HR I now have definitive answers on some scenarios.

• If someone in your household has symptoms and is waiting for a test the household must self isolate for 14 days. This means siblings cannot be in school.

• The individual with symptoms must isolate for ten days or as long as symptoms last (whichever is longer, and a retest would probably be advised).

CWAC HR are going to get to me with latest public health advice on other conditions (e.g. hayfever and colds). I will let you know as soon as we know but for now it’s as I communicated yesterday until you hear otherwise.

Therefore if you have kept a child off school with a couch – thank you, this is very much appreciated. Please also ensure siblings self-isolate for 14 days.

Catriona Stewart

Please note the earlier drop off time for younger children is only for children with older siblings.

We are not doing this to be awkward; the only reason is to limit numbers of adults on site, reduce risk of children and adults mixing to keep everyone safe. Please do not bring your child to school before 8:45am if you do not have another child in school in Key Stage 2.

To stagger starts and fulfil the requirements of our risk assessment we rely on your cooperation; today in Key Stage 1 only four families in one class came at the correct time and many without older siblings arrived early. There are also still a small number of families with two adults bringing the children in; we know it’s a nice start to the day to walk in together but if only one adult comes on site it will reduce the numbers and help us and your fellow families. We really are trying our best to do all we can to plan and communicate in extraordinary times but without your cooperation and consideration we cannot fulfil the requirements of our risk assessment. We all have a part to play in reducing the risk of local lockdowns. Dozens of schools are reporting outbreaks including in Liverpool and Manchester and we should be in no doubt, this virus is far from over.

Thank you to those parents who called in with their child unwell today; as we all acclimatise some of you will err on the side of caution. COVID is extremely contagious and I am sure we will have fewer absences and illness if people are cautious rather than risking sending a child with the virus to school. If your child has a symptom of coronavirus: temperature, persistent cough, loss of taste or smell; they should be kept off and you should arrange a test. Vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pains are also recognised as being common symptoms of COVID-19 in children and as a consequence should trigger COVID tests (UK research reported at the weekend on the BBC).

However, children with sniffles and a runny nose can be in and should be taught by you folk at home how to blow their nose into a tissue and throw it away safely. I have updated the FAQs.

As you know, we are hot on attendance and we want the children in as much as you do. The more we cooperate the sooner the situation will improve.

Thank you for your cooperation. Ms S :-)

Firstly, I forgot to mention in the email sent earlier today about bags and clothes. Children should only bring a small reading book bag, a lunchbox or bag and a warm enough coat that keeps them dry. It looks like Summer is definitely over and a number didn't have coats today which made their lunchtime less comfortable.

And here's the email for anyone who didn't read it earlier!

A very warm welcome back to our first day since March with all the children back in school.

We have made plans but until they are in action it is difficult to be 100% certain how they will work. everyone back but even with staggered start times and each class using a different entrance and egress it was clear that a lot of people were all on site together.

• To help, we are going to open the gates at 8:25am. This will give people five minutes grace to get to the classroom doors.

• Teachers will admit children promptly for handwashing in class.

• Older children (in year 5 and 6 who come into school unaccompanied) have all been reminded that they go and line up at their own entrance, and do not mix across classes.

I know just a few families have expressed concern about lack of email communication. We mostly use the website to communicate. Emails can just as easily be not read and lost and we always find a number bouncing back. To help we do make sure that every update and all new information is signposted and linked to on the website home page www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk. This reduces people missing information and having to search different pages. Please read the News regularly and the FAQs which I updated this morning and yesterday.

• All news home (and this email too) are in https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/news-home

• FAQs about COVID are in https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/covid-faqs-september-2020

• Please note that some information has a little down arrow like a V – click to read more.

It is important more than ever that you read communication from school.

Please ensure you have read the September 2020 document on https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/communication-letters-home/news-home.

We are not opening earlier than 8:25 as we do not want encourage people standing about on the playground. It is really important that you all respect the social distancing rules for adults and aim to keep 2m apart if possible and if not 1m apart. Avoid conversations with people other than your family (a hello and smile is far lower risk than a longer chat). I know the drop off has been a much missed part of socialising and meeting up with other folk. However, Covid-19 is still with us. We know young people (which includes a lot of you) are less likely to become unwell with Covid-19, but some do. We also have some older parents (risk increases over the age of 40), pregnant women and grandparents who bring and collect children and should be mindful and respectful that they are living through these times in different circumstances.

I am providing some updated information on face coverings which will be on the website today with a link from the home page so everyone can find it and read it. Please consider, if you’re an adult coming on the playground and 2m distancing can’t be maintained, using a face covering. This could protect you as well as other people.

We have to operate on a principle of mutual trust and respect. We cannot keep everyone safe enough alongside providing education for all our children without your cooperation and support. We must all rely on people taking their responsibilities seriously.

• We must trust that no parent or carer knowingly sends a child who is unwell to school. You must trust that we will isolate any child showing symptoms and arrange for them to be collected urgently.

• We must trust that on returning from abroad or having been contacted by track and trace that you self-isolate at home with your children. You must trust that the same will go for staff in school who may have to work from home and we will need to employ a supply teacher.

We won’t get everything right all the time. Like last year, this school year will be like no other. We will reflect, listen and stay informed in these uncertain times; we will follow the advice and guidance of professionals who know more about public health than we do. We respectfully ask that you do the same. There is one thing I am certain of. If we all cooperate, if we all stay informed and take personal responsibility, we will be back to normal a lot quicker and more happily.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Happy Wednesday!

Mrs Rutter-Brown and I are really looking forward to seeing children, families and all our staff in just a few days and welcoming you all back to school. There has been a lot to get our heads around, not least with the latest guidance coming out so late on Friday; this is something we have become very used to. I'm sure you understand this has not been helpful to any of us but at least it was expected!

The most important thing for Wednesday is that children come in with optimism and look forward to reconnecting with classmates and seeing their teachers. If parents' and carers' are prepared and confident, children will pick up on this and be prepared and confident too. A few new habits will be important in keeping school safe enough for all the children to be back.

• There must very different standards around children feeling unwell. If children have coughs or colds, headaches or temperatures or upset stomachs (vomiting or diarrhoea) they must not be in school. If a child has COVID symptoms they must be at home and a test arranged. Only if the test is negative AND all symptoms have gone, can the child return to school. We will need to isolate children saying they are unwell and families will be expected to collect them without delay. We also reserve the right to not admit an unwell child in the morning. This is why we will no longer be administering over the counter mediation like Calpol and the only medicines we will administer in school will be for known conditions for children on a health plan or agreement with health professionals.

• Water bottles and other things left lying around will be disposed of safely. We are confident that children will benefit from the expectation that they can and will be responsible for their own things.

• Please supervise your child washing their hands thoroughly before coming into school - if you are making sure they do it long and well enough, they will develop the habit, if not, their hand washing is unlikely to be effective in keeping us all safe enough.

• We will sanitise hands again once children arrive. With all children back and their capacity for distancing from one another limited, hand-washing and other hygiene measures will be our front line attack on the virus spreading in or out of school.

• Please look at the uniform information so you are sure of what children can and can't wear to school. The expectation is full uniform every day. Guidance from the DfE (Department of Education) doesn't state it must be washed daily but we would advise that regular washing and changing once children get home, will reduce risk of the virus spreading. We have added leggings and joggers to the approved uniform but note these MUST be unbranded. If children are wearing labelled clothes to school they will lose the rights to the flexible uniform that we have introduced.

• All hair that is long enough must be properly tied back in a pony tail, plait or bun. Long hair, in contact with faces, increases risk to cleaning staff and no child will be allowed in school with loose hair.

• Mobile phones with children are an absolute no. If you want to understand why please see the coronavirus information at the top of our e-safety page: https://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/information/e-safety.

• We know indoor environments are less safe than outdoors and ventilation is key to keeping us safe enough. Classroom doors will be open to reduce contamination of frequently touched surfaces and we will be opening windows in classrooms more than ever and throughout the winter. This means we all need to dress for colder indoor temperatures. As the Indian Summer we might have hoped for doesn't seem to be happening, you might want to think about this earlier, before children come home complaining of being cold. A warm vest, tights, long socks and warm trousers or joggers will mean we can all be in airy classrooms while being comfortable enough to learn and achieve.

• If you haven't yet read the September plans we urge you to do so before Wednesday, and share with your children too. Things will be different and we don't respect what we don't understand. By providing a shortened, more accessible version of the risk assessment we hope everyone can understand and support what we are doing, whatever people's personal views and opinions. In particular the one-way system for people collecting children from school must be observed by everyone.

• Children may still want to cycle and scoot to school. Upper Key Stage 2 must use the cycle racks outside the staff room. Lower KS2 may use the cycle racks in the playground and the person collecting them will need to pick it up on their way in as the one way system means children can't go back for them at the end of the day. Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 may use the cycle racks on the roundabout. All are left at families' own risk. Please do not allow your children to cycle or scoot within the school grounds; this will keep us all safer.

• On the matter of bringing and collecting children, you are welcome to send in grandparents, friends etc. to help out. We are keeping adults at least 2m from children at the door to school so don't see it necessary to request the same person collecting daily. However, please minimise numbers on site by ensuring only one adult from each household brings children through the gates.

• Toddlers often accompany older siblings to school and it's lovely to see them. During the pandemic, they must not use any of the climbing or other equipment and must remain with their parent or carer at all times. This is to avoid compromising the play areas which are designated to particular class groups of children.

This is new for us all, we haven't all been under one roof since March 20th and the pandemic is not over yet. We won't have everything we will need in the risk assessment and September plans and some of what we have planned for may not be needed at all. We will keep all planning and provision under review and keep you updated via this page so do check in regularly. I am not envisioning that we can breathe anything like a sigh of relief until Easter at the earliest so these plans are not just a short term measure for a few weeks but something to sustain us and help us maintain a good quality education and safe enough schools for the immediate and medium term future. Their success depends on us all; we must communicate honestly and clearly and ensure that our children and families know what is expected and why. But communication goes two ways: for what we write to be effective in keeping us safe, there must be readers at the other end of it!

Happy Sunday, Ms Stewart :-)

A Cheshire West and Chester council communication has asked schools and families to be mindful of the impact of COVID on the roads this September. With public transport having limited capacity more cars are anticipated on the roads, especially once schools reopen. This will increase pollution and congestion and therefore for everyone's health, safety and wellbeing we urge every family who lives within a reasonable walking distance to school to walk, cycle or scoot. Families living too far and have no alternative to the car are reminded that the Regency Square car park is where they should park (there will be no fines at school opening and closing times). Please avoid Dukes Way, Monarch Drive and the access road to the back of the shops. Parking away from these areas reduces the risk from collision and pollution to children (and their parents or carers) walking to school and is more useful and kind to our neighbours living close to school.

Looking forward to seeing you all in a fortnight!

Ms S :-)

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing this as we get into the nitty gritty of preparing for September. There will be two – a risk assessment for health and safety and a recovery plan for curriculum, teaching and learning. These are a few things that we really need you to support. We are confident we can minimize the risk of coronavirus and absence caused by this and other illnesses, but we cannot do this without your support and cooperation.

HYGEINE – Every child should have washed their hands really thoroughly before making the journey to school and we will look at what is reasonable and practical on entry: handwashing or hand sanitizer with 30 in a class. However, it would be a good rule of thumb, for those old enough to manage it, for children to bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer for their own use in addition to that we are providing in school.

CATCH IT, KILL IT, BIN IT – all children should bring tissues to school and should be taught to cough or sneeze into a tissue which they then put in the bin and wash their hands. This is really important learning for them all and we would appreciate them all being taught how to blow their nose, cough or sneeze into a tissue. Please get into this habit over Summer so that all are used to carrying tissues in their pockets come September.

ATTENDANCE – The guidance states that the government want all children back in September and we support this. Risks can’t be eliminated and must be balanced. As the situation improves, we must balance the small risk of infection with other risks: children’s mental health and their education. Therefore usual expectations of attendance will resume from the start of the new term. We would ask you to be mindful of this if booking a last minute holiday to a country where quarantine rules apply. From September, the government are withdrawing freedom for parents to decide and school attendance is again a legal requirement for all children unless they are unwell.

SICKNESS – We are expecting a little more sickness absence while Coronavirus is with us. If unwell children must remain at home. We cannot accept children in school with symptoms of coronavirus: a sore throat, cough or lack of taste or smell and will no longer be able to administer over the counter medication or providing Calpol to manage symptomatic children in school. Children presenting as unwell in school will be isolated and their class will have to move outside while a thorough clean takes place, the isolation room (our medical room) will also then require a thorough clean before it can be used by anyone else. If children have symptoms and you are keeping them off school or if they present in school with symptoms and are sent home, we ask that you arrange for a test. If the test is negative they can return to school, if positive they must isolate for seven days after the onset of symptoms when they can return to school if they no longer show any symptoms of being unwell.

UNIFORM – Guidance has changed and it is now recommended that clothes don’t need washing more frequently and schools should return to previous uniform policy. One thing we will keep from the relaxation is allowing children to wear leggings as these are comfortable and practical and popular! They must be unbranded – no sports or designer logos and we will be expecting this; if children and families choose to ignore their responsibility in terms of dress code, we may remove their right to wear to leggings. One thing we will be keeping from enhanced measures is that all children’s hair must be tied back if it is long enough. This is not negotiable as we have a responsibility for the health and safety of cleaning staff and other children; contact with hair increases risk to others and hair tied back reduces the risk of contact with hair. Simple!

ACCIDENTS – Staff will use PPE for first aid as this requires closer contact with children. We do not expect staff to clean up accidents where children have wet themselves and therefore parents may want to send any of the youngest children who still have accidents in pull ups. This is not something we would usually advocate but it seems to be a reasonable compromise to avoid children missing school and reduce the risk of infection. We know COVID is present in and infected person’s urine (and many children don’t have any symptoms) but we don’t know yet whether the particles in urine can be passed on. Until we know it is wise to err on the side of caution to protect other people from unnecessary risk.

I hope this is helpful. Before we start back I will make sure that a new risk assessment to replace June 2020 (which will be called, guess what, September 2020!) will be available on the website.

Kind regards and thanks for reading,

Catriona Stewart

Headteacher