Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Week 1 Update
Fri 04 Sep 20204.9.20
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we approach the end of the first week, I would like to thank you for your patience and support as we all settled into new routines. Having been out and about in the mornings and afternoons, I am very pleased with how well things have gone, and how calm the return to school has been.
Having monitored the situation over the last few days, I can confirm that for another week, we will be continuing with the staggered start and end of the school day, as well as with the current one-way system. One slight change I would like to make is that all our new Nursery and Reception children enter through the Glebelands Road gate and then make their way directly onto the Foundation playground where they will be met by staff.
I would also ask that in the mornings, and at collection times, parents make their way off the premises as soon as they have dropped off or collected their child. This is to minimise the number of people on the school site during busy periods and assist with social distancing.
Over the week it has been a pleasure to see our children and staff settling quickly back into their working patterns. During the last three days I have already seen some amazing artwork, intricate Roman numeral clocks, wonderful descriptive writing and groups of children learning basic rugby skills. I was also amazed by the gymnastic skills which our younger children were demonstrating at the after-school sports club on Thursday afternoon.
Throughout the week, teaching staff have also been getting to grips with new software in the event of a further lockdown or school closure. With this in mind, I would like to remind parents to inform us if your child is displaying possible symptoms of Covid-19 which are a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss/change of taste or smell. Given that we are approaching ‘runny nose’ season, there is no need to contact us if your child has this symptom as this is not an indicator of Coronavirus.
One final request I would like to make is that children dismount their bikes as they come through the school gate. Mr. Kitchener and I have been required to remind children on a number of occasions not to ride their bikes while on school grounds.
Finally, (and thinking slightly further ahead) it is likely that our parents’ evenings, scheduled for the latter part of this half term, will be either online or through telephone conversation. Your child’s teacher will be in touch later this term to provide you with additional information about how this will work.
Thank you for the trust you have shown in sending your child back to school and we will endeavour to communicate with you as often as possible so that you are fully informed about what is happening at Glebelands.
Have a pleasant weekend.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
Head Teacher
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Autumn-term update
Thu 20 Aug 202020.8.20
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to you to outline the changes that we have put in place in order to welcome all children back on Tuesday 1st September 2020. As a school we have reviewed all the Government guidance and adapted our systems, procedures and risk assessment in line with this.
In order to safely welcome all the children back we have made some changes to the way we worked previously in school. All staff will be receiving training on this prior to the children coming back to school. One of the biggest changes that will affect you as parents and carers is the staggered drop-off and pick-up times that will start on Tuesday 1st September. These are outlined below, and further details can be found in this letter:
Group
Drop off time
Pick up time
Pick up location
Surnames A-G
8:30-8:40
2:50
Classes 1,2,3,4,5 and 7 will be dismissed through their classroom doors
Classes 6,8,9,10 and 11 to be collected from the school field where parents will wait
Surnames H-R
8:40-8:50
3:00
Surnames S-Z
8:50-9:00
3:10
We are aware that there are a number of families in the school who have children in different year groups which is why we have adopted this system. Children in the same family but with different surnames should come with the eldest sibling. Parents are to collect youngest sibling first and then collect others.
The above times will ensure that not all children are entering and exiting the school site at the same time and will allow for less congestion around the school grounds. Safety is paramount and this will allow for a calmer, safer start and finish with a controlled traffic flow. There are also social distancing markers outside the school grounds to ensure parents and children can keep a safe distance.
All children and parents will enter through the Glebelands Road gate and then follow the one way system around the school. Staff will be on hand to offer assistance. Please be aware that this system will be reviewed throughout the first week of term and may be subject to change.
In keeping with the Government guidance, it is encouraged that only one parent or carer drop-off and pick-up their children.
Hot Dinners: All of Foundation Stage, Year 1 and 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals Service. We encourage all the children in these year groups to have this hot meal each day.
If you have a child in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and are in receipt of income based Free School Meals, your child will continue to have a hot meal each day.
If your child will receive the Universal Free School Meal remember to still apply for Free School Meals as this releases a Pupil Premium allowance to the school, which can support you in other ways. Please talk to Mrs Knighton in the school office next term for advice and paperwork.
Please Note - At this time, we are unable to offer hot meals to Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and therefore all children will need to bring a packed lunch to school, unless of course, as already stated, your child/children are in receipt of Free School Meals, then these children will receive a daily hot dinner if requested.
Uniform: Children will be expected to wear their normal school uniform from Tuesday 1st September. On days when children have PE they will be expected to arrive at school in their PE kit (white t-shirt, dark shorts or joggers and school fleece, jumper or cardigan. We will be maximizing the school grounds for PE lessons and where at all possible PE will be outdoors.
School Day and Classroom: The school day and the children’s classrooms will be a little different to what the children were used to prior to lockdown in March. The main changes will be that we will not be having ‘whole school’ assemblies in the hall from September.
Class teachers will share and discuss our themes daily in their classrooms with any follow up activities - which may include home activities. Singing will not be introduced until we have Government directives to do this safely.
The layout of most classrooms will be different as Government guidance suggests that tables and chairs will need to face the front of the classroom. Given the limited space in some of our smaller classrooms, this has not always been possible however alternative measures have been put in place to minimise the amount of time children are face to face.
FCS will offer after school sports clubs from the 1st September. Please check the FCS website for further details. https://fcscoaching.co.uk
We understand that the above changes will affect all of the children and families of Glebelands in some way. During the first term there will be numerous staff on site in the morning and in the afternoon to fully support you all on these new procedures and systems. We operated the staggered day informally when we partially re-opened for some classes on 1st June and this was very successful.
If you have any questions or queries regarding the above changes please feel free to contact the office via email: office@glebelands.leicester.sch.uk or call on 0116 234 0010. Emails will be picked up but not responded to until at least 24th August. Once we understand your queries it may be just a simpler, shorter letter to everyone in response to your questions rather than an individual response. There will be someone to answer calls on the above number from 24th August.
I recognise that this is a lengthy letter, but I wanted to give you as much detail around the changes to allay any worries you have about sending your child/children back in September. Our full Re-opening Plan and Risk Assessment can be found on the school website in the KEY INFORMATION tab from Monday 24th August.
We are all very much looking forward to the new academic year and seeing all your children again together in school.
Yours sincerely
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Mid-Summer Update
Mon 10 Aug 2020Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this finds you all safe and well having enjoyed a warm and sunny weekend? As we slowly approach the start of the new term, I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on a number of things which have been taking place at school over recent weeks, as well as provide you with some information in readiness for the new term.
The school has been a hive of activity since the start of the holidays. A new fire alarm system and emergency lighting has been installed, new touch-screens have been mounted in every classroom and the school hall will be decorated this week. The Key Stage 1 playground has also received some freshening up and the new nursery area in Reception has been decorated.
The senior leadership team met last week to update the risk assessment and finalise the reopening plan for the school. These will be posted onto the school website as soon as staff and unions have had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the documents and make any adjustments. I envisage being able to share the information on the website from Monday 24th August.
At present schools are not considered to be a high-risk setting and therefore attendance will be compulsory. I can confirm however, that when the children return on the 1st of September a staggered start and end of the school day will be in place for the first week of the new term. This will provide staff, children and parents with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with new measures which have been put in place, whilst making for a calmer experience. Children will be asked to arrive in groups according to their surname which will allow children with siblings to arrive together. Details of timings will be posted on the website from Monday 24th August.
A one way system around the school will be in place. All parents and children should enter through the Glebelands Road entrance and then take their child to the appropriate classroom door. Signposting will be in place and staff will be on hand to guide children to their new classrooms.
In order to assist with social distancing, I would ask that those children who are able to walk, cycle or scoot to school consider doing so. This will ease congestion at peak times and allow for safer movement around the school.
Children will be expected to wear their school uniform apart from days when they have PE. School jumpers and cardigans etc. will continue to be worn on these days. Children will only need bring their book bag, water bottle and lunchbox to school. Large rucksacks, toys and personal equipment should not be brought to school. Children in Year 5 &6 are permitted to bring their own pencil case but this must be able to fit into their classroom drawers. (No huge Smiggle pencil cases please as they are to large!)
Only children in Foundation, KS1 and those entitled to an income-based free school in KS2 will be able have a hot dinner. I realise that this will be an inconvenience to some parents who would prefer their child to have a hot dinner, however we will be keeping this under review and will endeavour to widen the opportunity for children to have a hot meal as soon as this becomes practicable.
After-school sports provision with FCS will commence from the 1st September. Given that these groups will be small, separated and consistent in size, we feel that these sessions can be run safely.
All staff will be in school from Monday 24th September and should be available to respond to any questions which you may have. We are all very much looking forward to seeing the children return to school and can’t wait for the start of the new term.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
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End of Year update
Thu 09 Jul 20209/7/20
Dear Parents/Carers,
I thought I should pen a final message to you all as we close for the summer holidays to wish you all a relaxing break and also to provide you with a few details about what the start of the autumn term might look like.
I would like to start by offering my appreciation to all those parents who have written to me, thanking the staff for all of their efforts during the extended period of partial closure. I have passed all of your messages on to my staff and they would like me to express their gratitude for your positive comments.
Head teachers and school leaders across the country have been told to expect regular updates and guidance from the DfE throughout the summer holidays. With this in mind, I would again like to stress the importance of checking your inbox for any updates from us throughout this period. That being said, given the latest guidance which we received last week from the Secretary of State for Education, I am able to provide you with some details about what the new term will look like in September. These include;
- Children in KS1 and KS2 return to school on Tuesday 1st September
- Children will be expected to attend school.
- Children will be grouped into Phase bubbles to promote social distancing (Reception, KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2)
- Only children in Reception, KS1 and those entitled to FSM will be given the option of having a hot dinner. All other children are to bring a packed lunch and will eat in classrooms.
- Uniforms to be worn throughout the week as normal
- On days when children have PE, they are to come to school in black jogging bottoms, white t-shirt and school jumper/cardigan etc.
- Temporary suspension of the wearing of indoor shoes. Plimsolls will however will be required for indoor PE
- No whole-school assemblies
I will write to you before the start of the autumn to confirm these and any additional measures which have been implemented.
Parents will also shortly receive a flier from ‘Playfair and Fairshare’, reminding them of access to free meals provision for children in Leicester throughout the summer period.
Finally, I look forward to seeing you all again in the new term and wish you all happy and healthy summer break.
Yours sincerely,
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UPDATE - New Lockdown Restrictions
Wed 01 Jul 202030.6.20
Dear Parents/Carers,
Further to last night’s announcement by the Heath Secretary to place lockdown restrictions on Leicester and its surrounding areas, it has been necessary to put the following measures in place.
From Thursday 2nd July the school will be open only to children of Key Workers and those who have an EHCP. We will continue to provide a school place for those pupils who have been in attendance throughout the period of partial closure.
Unfortunately the new restrictions will mean that pupils in Year 1 and Year 6 who are currently attending school on a rota basis will no longer be able to do so. Given that the latest measures are set to be in place for a minimum of two weeks, it means that we will not see these pupils again before the end of term.
It is therefore with much sadness that I will be saying a final farewell in person to those Year 6 pupils who are in school today. Regrettably we will no longer be able to welcome the Y6 children back to school for their leavers’ event which was due to take place on the 8th July. The Year 6 staff team will be in touch with parents to inform them of revised plans for next week.
The new restrictions will also mean that the arrangements put in place for other year groups to collect their personal items and see their teacher next week can no longer go ahead. We will ensure that any items remain safely stored away until such a time as we can safely allow families back onto the school premises to collect them.
For parents who are Key Workers and are sending their children to school, the usual arrangements will remain in place. Children should continue to arrive at school for an 8:45am start and be collected from the large playground at 3:05pm.
I would also request that if your child has been in school, please let us know as soon as possible if they have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19. This will allow us to monitor our own situation more closely and put additional measures in place where necessary.
Finally, your child’s end of year reports were posted yesterday. Accompanying this will be details of your child’s teacher for the new academic year.
I will ensure that we remain in regular contact with parents over the coming days and weeks and will keep you informed of any updates as we receive them.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
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RESUMPTION OF LEICESTER LOCKDOWN
Mon 29 Jun 2020Further to this evening's announcement by the Health Secretary, schools in Leicester City will be required to close from Thursday 2nd July to all pupils apart from those of Key Workers and children who have an EHCP. I will update parents with further details as soon as possible.
Mr. Lee
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End of year message from Mr. Lee
Sun 28 Jun 2020Dear Parents/Carers
As we approach the end of the summer term, I think it would be appropriate to look back on a year which, without a doubt, will be reflected upon for many years to come. True to form, the year started incredibly well with African Dance and Drumming for our Year 3/4 children, a wonderful Harvest assembly, our residential to Castleton and who could forget our fabulous Christmas performances?
It wasn’t until later in the spring term, having celebrated winning our football league (and almost making it to the King Power Stadium) that our world changed unrecognisably. Despite the dark times, Glebelands continued to play its part by remaining open for children of our front-line workers, as well as providing support for our most vulnerable pupils.
As we move forwards and begin to think about the new academic year, there remains a wealth of conflicting opinion as to whether or not it should go ahead, and if so, how will it will work. As things currently stand, we are planning for a full opening of the school with a view to welcoming all pupils back. The DfE are in the process of publishing new guidelines for all schools in England, which are expected to be adopted from 1st September. As a result, the Local Authority have notified schools that they should delay the start of the autumn term until this date. I can therefore confirm that Glebelands will be reopening after the summer break on Tuesday 1st September.
Looking ahead to the new academic year, the leadership team is already planning for the implementation of a range of ‘catch-up’ measures. It will however be important to balance a catch-up curriculum with one that allows children to settle back into school having spent so much time away from the classroom. I want to reassure parents that the wellbeing of the children will be our primary concern when they eventually return in the autumn term.
Parents will receive a letter before the end of the week to inform you of proposed changes to our afterschool clubs provision for next year. We are currently liaising with FCS who have been providing some of our after-school clubs and activities over the last two years. From the start of the autumn term, FCS will be providing all afterschool activities and childcare - this will however come with a nominal charge to parents. I would ask that you familiarise yourselves with the letter which will explain in detail how the proposed plan for the autumn term will work.
I have also been asked by Mr. Maw, our external music teacher, to let you know that he intends to recommence his private tutoring lessons from the autumn term. If you would like your child to learn how to play and read music, please look out for information which will be sent out to parents at the beginning of the new term.
I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces next week when the children are given the opportunity to collect their personal items and say farewell to their teachers. You may have seen my Dojo message last week, but to those who may have missed it, this is only intended to be a brief drop-in as opposed to a full hour-long visit.
Finally, please ensure you check your in-box regularly for any updates from us. I have no doubt that you will continue to receive these throughout the summer holidays, as the DfE releases their own guidance to schools. The more we remain informed, the easier it will be for everyone to hit the ground running when we return.
Yours sincerely
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Wider school update
Tue 09 Jun 20209.6.20
Dear Parents/Carers
I hope this finds you all safe and well as we make tentative steps towards a wider easing of lockdown restrictions and a move towards a ‘new normal’ way of life. You may have seen on the news today that the Government no longer plans for children in all primary school years in England to return to school before the end of term. This will come as disappointing news for many families, however given the increase in space required for returning year groups and children of Key Workers, it is not physically possible to safely accommodate all year groups.
Last week we welcomed back the majority of our Year 6 pupils. I am pleased to report that their return to school went very smoothly, with the children settling quickly into their new routines.
I am also able to announce that after careful consideration, which included a review of staffing and the steadying of Key Worker numbers, we are now in a position to open the school to Year 1 pupils on a part-time basis from Monday 15th June. Parents have been contacted and we are anticipating a positive response for places.
Unfortunately due to restrictions on space, coupled with the high number of Key Worker children who are currently attending in our Early Years,we are unable to extend provision to our children in Reception. Those of you who are familiar with the layout of our Foundation unit will know that it does not allow for the safe separation of groups or ‘bubbles’ of children. Whilst this is not a decision which has been taken lightly, it is in the best interests of maintaining the health and safety of our pupils and staff.
A number of teachers have been piloting a programme of meeting with small groups of children through the Zoom platform. Whilst these have not been formal structured lessons, the short 10-15 minute sessions have allowed children to share their news and updates on their home learning with their class teachers. Initial feedback from staff and children has been very positive and we hopefully look forward to expanding this further in the coming weeks.
We are in the process of gathering children’s belongings with the intention that children and parents can come to school for their collection before the end of term. We anticipate scheduling a morning or an afternoon during the last week of term for each class to collect their personal items and to say farewell to their teacher. It is highly likely that this will take place outdoors in order to maintain social distancing, so fingers crossed for some good weather.
A number of parents have been in touch recently to enquire about summer catch-up sessions. At the moment we have no plans to open the school over the summer holidays however, should there be any formal announcement from either the DfE or the Local Authority, I will of course pass this on to parents.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support for the school and for your commitment to your child’s home learning. I fully appreciate that as time progresses, and as the weather improves, momentum can be difficult to maintain. I would just ask you to keep doing your best and do whatever you can to keep your child’s learning ticking over.
In the meantime I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
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Wider opening revision
Fri 22 May 2020Dear Parents/Carers,
I wrote to you on Wednesday explaining our plan for a wider opening of our school. This included a return date of Monday 1st June for children in Year 6 followed by a start date of Monday 8th June for children in Reception, Year 1. Yesterday, Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsbury told schools he could not mandate their opening and stated that any wider opening must take into account the safety of the children, staff and parents. The leadership team and I had already put together an extensive risk assessment and reopening plan in line with these recommendations.
As always, my primary aim is to reduce transmission to all school users. However, over the past 48 hours, there have been a number of significant developments within school which has required us to review and amend our plan.
After careful consideration it is with regret that I must now inform parents of children in Reception and Year 1 that we will be unable to open the school to these children. This will come as a disappointment to many, however due to a significant increase in demand for school places from children of Key Workers, we are unable to accommodate both groups of children while maintaining safe distancing practices. These children now need to work in smaller groups and require the use of additional classrooms around the school.
As a teacher I want to open the school more widely but I can only do this when I am satisfied that this can be achieved safely.
Children in Year 6 will be welcomed into school, with the first group arriving on Monday 1st June
I have shared my plan with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Governing Board, who have both agreed this strategy.
Should the situation arise that we are able to open the school to children in Year 1 and Reception, we will endeavour to inform parents as soon as is practicable.
Glebelands is committed to the education and safeguarding of all its pupils, staff and parents and as such, teachers will continue to provide learning materials for children to access at home.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
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Wider opening information
Wed 20 May 202020.5.20
Dear Parents/Carers,
Further to my previous correspondence, I am now in a position to share the school’s reopening plan for parents of children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. I would like to thank those of you who completed the online survey and added your comments; this was most helpful in allowing me to gauge expected numbers, as well as parental attitudes towards a phased reopening of the school.
As I am sure you are aware, schools face a number of challenges in preparing for a gradual increase in pupil numbers. At Glebelands some of the hurdles have included a reduced level of teaching and support staff, very limited teaching space, maintaining provision for children of Key Workers, and while at all times ensuring that the health and safety of our children and staff is preserved.
The plan for reopening has been shared with Governors and they have agreed to its implementation. The complete plan with full details of timetables and safety measures has been posted on the school website and can be found at www.glebelands.leicester.sch.uk. Follow in the Key Information tab.
Given that the reopening plan is a sizeable document, I have summarised the main points below. However, it is imperative that parents who intend to send their children to school familiarise themselves with the entire document.
- Pupils in Year 6 only will return to school on Monday 1st June. Pupils in Reception and Year 1 will return to school from Monday 8th June. This will allow for a phased return of pupils to be implemented safely, whilst providing time for our school to prepare for an increase in pupil numbers.
Due to space restrictions within our Foundation base, we are unable at present to reinstate Nursery provision for our part-time children.
Children of Key Workers and those with an EHCP will continue to attend school from 1st June.
- Pupils in Year 6 will be separated into two groups (three classes). One group will attend on Mondays and Tuesdays only. The second group will attend only on Thursday and Fridays. The same attendance rota will be implemented from June 8th for children in Reception and Year 1. Many schools across the city are following this model of 2 days per week which is based on Local Authority and national risk assessed guidance.
- Children whose parents are Key Workers or have an EHCP will continue to be allocated a school place. Children who are in Reception, Y1 and Y6 will not however be able to split their time between their key-worker group and their year group. This is to prevent any potential cross-contamination between ‘bubbles’.
It is important that these parents only send their child to school when necessary, and continue to inform us by the Thursday prior to the next working week which days they will require a school place.
We will be contacting parents of children in Year 6 over the coming days to confirm their child(ren)’s attendance at school. We will then be in touch with parents of children in Reception and Year 1 soon after. In accordance with government policy, those parents who decide not to send their child to school will not receive a penalty.
I realise of course that our strategy for a phased reopening of Glebelands may inconvenience some parents, and for others perhaps too soon to even consider. I would however point out that our approach reflects the importance of ensuring the health and safety of our children and staff, whilst utilising all resources available to us at present.
Finally, I would again press upon you to read the full plan for reopening in order to familiarise yourself with our timetables and expectations for children and parents.
Yours sincerely
L. Lee
- Pupils in Year 6 only will return to school on Monday 1st June. Pupils in Reception and Year 1 will return to school from Monday 8th June. This will allow for a phased return of pupils to be implemented safely, whilst providing time for our school to prepare for an increase in pupil numbers.