Headteacher’s Blog

It has been really lovely seeing all pupils back together at school, this week. It has clearly been a bit of a shock to the system for some – back to early mornings and a full-school timetable. I have no doubt that some children will have slept very well last night!

We know that many parents are worried about the impact of the partial school closures on their child, particularly regarding their progress and attainment. Lots of parents have asked if their child is now ‘behind’ where they should be. The loss of daily, class teaching at school has had an impact on all pupils and for most, the sad and frustrating reality is that it has interrupted the progress that they had been making. It is a consequence that we have been expecting and are prepared for but there are no quick fixes or magic wands to make it disappear. Teachers have already begun assessing the impact of lost teaching time and school hours on your child and planning opportunities and interventions to identify and address gaps. We hope that next week’s Meet the Teacher appointments are a timely opportunity for you to discuss your child’s return to school, including a focus on their learning and what home and school can do together, to support your child to have a successful rest of the school year.

Remote learning continues to be published on our school website for families who have to self-isolate or shield. This content has moved to a new dedicated Remote Learning page and will continue to be updated weekly.

There have been a few arguments, frustrations and tears in school this week, that have stemmed from pupils falling out whilst playing on-line games with each other. It often takes lots of adult intervention and time to resolve such conflicts and upset, often involving a number of pupils. Please continue to talk to your child about what on-line games or conversations they are engaging in so that you are aware and can help them resolve any issues they might be experiencing. At a time when we are trying to maximise the teaching and learning time for pupils, now that they are all back in the classroom, I am sure you will agree that we do not want to compromise this valuable time, dealing with issues involving fallouts between pupils that have occurred online and outside of school.  Please also check that the online content, including language, that your children are exposed to and engage in, is age-appropriate and what you expect. It is all of our responsibilities to ensure that your children are safe online.
PEGI games ratings – Parent Zone
Online safety – NSPCC.
Online safety – Thinkuknow

Please read this letter from Jim McManus, Director of Public Health

If you are concerned about your child’s emotional health and well-being, we encourage you to talk to us as there are lots of ways that we can help. Parents and carers can also contact the school nursing team via https://www.hct.nhs.uk/our-services/school-nursing/ or the duty School Nurse line on 03001237572 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm). Families can also access up to date information on www.healthforkids.co.uk.

Please could I remind parents and carers not to park in front of the school gates, including for the breakfast club drop-off. With all families having now returned to school, traffic and parking pressures on local roads have also returned, causing renewed frustration for our neighbours and increased risks and danger for pedestrians. Cars should not be pulling up in front of the school gates, blocking cars or pedestrians entering or leaving the school site.

The closing date for voting in the parent governor ballot is Monday 15th March 2021 at 9am. Read the supporting statements from each candidate  and vote via the link sent to you by email, last week. Please let us know if you did not receive an email and we will send out a voting link, by text or email. Alternatively, if you wish to vote by paper, please collect a form from the office or click here to download.