Nurturing the infinite worth of every person through love, respect, perseverance, honesty and forgiveness

Dear Parents, Thank you for kindly supporting all our Covid19 changes in school. It has been great to have all your children back; all classes have settled back in very happily, and all your children seem happy.

Reports

Pre-lockdown we mentioned the slimming down of reports. You will now receive a data report in December, March and July following the termly assessments your child sits. All children in Year R and Year 1 will receive a report with Teacher Assessment gradings (TA Grade). Those in Year 2 and above, you will receive a nationally Standardised Score for Reading and Maths; for Writing you will receive a Teacher Assessment grade.

The reports should be interpreted as follows:

In light of Covid19, children in Y2-6 will also receive a Data report from the assessments completed on return to school this month. These have been analysed by teachers so that they know exactly where any gaps are and can tailor their teaching and intervention plans accordingly.

Whilst many of our children (80%) returned to school in a similar or better position to pre-lockdown (huge thank yous to those of you who clearly worked so hard with your children), 20% of our children are not in quite such a strong position. Every school has some government Catch-Up funding available and, if your child is eligible for this, it will be mentioned on their report. Please note, this funding does not buy many hours and so your support at home will be invaluable if your child is to rapidly regain lost ground. Please talk to the teacher at Parent’s Evening for guidance in what you could do to actively support at home.

Data reports are also colour coded, based on Attainment (your child’s level) and progress from their last previous National data point.

Colour-wise, Red is below, Yellow is expected, Green is exceeding.

The reports contains info as follows:

• Line 1: Attainment: March 2020
• Line 2: Attainment: Sept 2020
• Line 3: Progress (from KS1 SATs if the child is in KS2; from EYFS if the child is in KS1)- red progress indicates your child is falling behind; yellow that they are maintaining progress; green that they are making accelerated progress).
• Line 4: SEN or Catch-Up intervention where required. If there is no line, your child will have their needs met through Quality First Teaching and normal classroom intervention.

For those children whose data highlights a possible SEND concern, separate letters will be sent home, with a review date and time. Please confirm

Behaviour

The vast majority of our children behave very well, do not intentionally hurt others and do not disrupt other children’s learning. Whilst we have always worked on the rule of 3, red behaviour cards will be sent home on each occasion (rather than telling you on the third), so that you can reinforce positive behaviour before children end up with me. You will need to confirm receipt of these!

Isolation Schooling

In case we end up with bubble closures, or enforced school closure, or if your child has to isolate for 14 days due to Covid 19, we have / will be sending home a book, a pencil and a pen for all children. Please keep this safe in case you need it.

Should your child be in 14 day isolation, then work will be sent home via email in the first instance, as it was in the National Lockdown. This work should be completed and returned as if your child is in school. Staff may also set up a zoom meeting with your child/ ren depending on availability and need.

However, should the bubble close, or if we are in enforced closure, then we will aim to deliver daily English lessons over zoom, with work for the other subjects being sent as we did last term. Again, it is an expectation that your children will attend these lessons and that they will return work to the teacher. Please be understanding – we are all still learning how this might work!

Please ensure you read the following guidance carefully.

• Parental / carer approval must be given before pupils may participate in live sessions.
• If a child is taking part in live sessions, the parent / carer will receive an email invitation from the teacher (this will be at least 24 hours in advance for a pastoral call) which will include the dates and times of the live sessions. If it is an invitation for lessons, it will also state the end times. With regards to ‘live’ teaching, this email will cover a 14 day period. Parents / carers must reply to the email, as they will need to confirm to the teacher that supervision will be provided at that time (as detailed below). Parents / carers do, of course, have the option to decline the offer of their child participating, however, the Trust and school strongly encourages participation.
• A parent / carer, or another appropriate adult, must be present in the room with the child for the duration of live sessions.
• Parents / carers must identify a suitable location for their child to use for live sessions, for example a living room or dining area. Bedrooms should not be used.
• Parents / carers should ensure that, as far as possible, distractions are removed, including pets and siblings, and there is quiet.
• Parents / carers should ensure that, as far as possible, distractions are removed, including pets and siblings, and there is quiet.
• Parents / carers should make every effort to support live sessions by ensuring their child is suitably dressed, prepared and ready to learn / engage.
• Parents / carers should familiarise themselves with the expectations of pupils set down in this guidance and ensure their child adheres to them.
• Parents / carers are responsible for ensuring that the privacy of other family members is maintained during live sessions.
• Lessons delivered ‘live’ are still lessons and pupils are expected to present themselves and behave appropriately. High standards of behaviour are expected for live sessions, just as they are in the classroom.
• Parents / carers should not use these live sessions as a means for communication between parents / carers and teachers. Such communication should be via email, in the first instance, in the usual way.

Website

Our website currently has a few technical issues and so is not up to date. Please bear with us as we are seeking to rectify that.

Parents Evening

Parents Evenings will be held on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October, and will be remote. Nearer the time, you will be sent details of an app that will allow you to book a ten minute slot. You will then log in at your designated time and be able to have your appointment with your child's class teacher.

Church & Values Families

Whilst we are currently unable to attend Church, or mix our children in their Values Families, we are still planning on a Harvest Festival, with a focus on Water Aid. We will not be holding our usual Harvest Sale this year, but would ask you to support us in providing clean water to those less fortunate than ourselves. More details next month!

Assemblies and Worship currently take place in individual classes, although I have lead some sessions based around proverbs 3 5-6) and will soon be leading through Zoom. I’m also hopeful Rev Toni will join us over Zoom too.

Please find below the 'Faith at Home' overview.

In keeping with our vision statement, most classes have focused on Love and Friendship over the last few weeks. The Psalmist reminds us of God’s steadfast love… ‘For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies’ (Psalm 108:v4).

May I also thank our children and staff for the love that they show to each other day by day, reflecting God’s love to all of them.

As always, many thanks for your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you need.

Yours, Kirstin Howarth

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Dates for your diary

Dates for the term (we will add more as & when Covid restrictions lift)

• Monday 19th October 3:20-6pm - Parents Evening (may be remote)
• Tuesday 20th October 3:20-6pm - Parents Evening (may be remote)
• Friday 23rd October 3:15pm - Close for Half Term
• Monday 2nd November - Re-open
• Friday 18th December 12pm - Close for Christmas Holiday