2.11.20

Dear Parents/Carers,

As the country moves towards a second lockdown due to an increase in the rate of Covid infections, I thought it would be helpful to keep you updated on the new measures that have been implemented at school.

 

Since the reopening of the school for all year groups last week, the Senior Leadership Team has made a number of changes to our Covid risk assessment. We have taken the decision to move towards a system of class bubbles, which will see pupils interacting only with other children in their class. Staggered break and lunchtimes have also been put into effect, as well as children being restricted to playing in specific zones during these times.

 

Our intention is to prevent the transmission of positive Coronavirus cases between classes and limit the impact of any potential outbreak. These measures should also enable teaching and learning to continue within the rest of the base if a child or member of staff tests positive in a single class, as only one class will need to isolate.

 

The reasoning behind our original decision making revolved around staffing and space constraints. We have re-visited these issues and made considerable adjustments to facilitate as many children as possible remaining at school. This will unfortunately have some impact on the children’s learning experience, however we have tried to limit the effect of the new control measures as much as possible.

 

We have asked that children who are in classes 3, 4, and 7 to enter their classrooms in the morning through their own external doors. This will ease congestion in the cloakrooms during peak times.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents of the need to wear a face mask or face shield when coming on to the school premises. The more we can limit the spread of the virus, the greater chance there is of our children being able to attend school, play with their class mates and engage with their teacher.

 

Given the new national lockdown measures which come into effect on Thursday, it is my sincere hope that this has the desired effect and allows for some restrictions to be lifted as we approach the festive period.

 

Thank you once again for your patience and support for the school during this very difficult period.

 

Yours sincerely,

L Lee

22.10.20

Dear Parents/Carers,

Before we start the new term, I thought it would be helpful to provide you with an update of where we are at the moment and just offer a few helpful reminders.  Before I go any further, I would first like to thank all those parents who sent in messages of support for our staff during what was a very difficult time for the school.  A significant number of our teaching and support staff tested positive for Covid-19 prior to the half-term break, however I am pleased to report they have all bounced back or are well on their road to recovery.  Thankfully I have received confirmation of only three positive cases amongst the children.

 

At this point, I can confirm that we are expecting to see our Foundation children ( Nursery, Classes 1 & 2) and Key Stage 1 children (Classes 3,4 & 5) return to school on Monday 26^th October. 

 

Our children in Key Stage 2 (Classes 6-11) will be expected to return to school on Wednesday 28^th October.  This will allow for the 14 days isolation period to have passed.

 

I will be working with a number of partners in the coming days to update our school’s Covid-19 risk assessment and I will inform parents in due course of any updates or changes to our Covid prevention measures.  My highest priority is to ensure that the school remains open as fully as possible over the coming weeks and months and that the impact of any Coronavirus cases is kept to a minimum.  Parents should be mindful however that their child may well be required to self-isolate on a number of occasions over the coming months should further outbreaks arise. 

 

In order to assist with offsetting this possibility, I would ask that all parents wear a face mask or face guard when coming onto to the school premises and also maintain a strict 2 metre distance from one another.  I would also ask that you remind your child of the importance of washing their hands regularly. These simple steps will help us to mitigate the risk of further infection and allow the school to remain open for longer. 

 

Due the high number of teachers who have been affected by Covid-19, children’s reports will now be sent to parents of children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 on Monday 4^th November.  For parents of children in Reception, your child’s teacher will be contacting you to arrange an online consultation.

 

Finally, I want to reassure parents that we will endeavour to keep life in school as normal as possible for the children when they return.  Although we have suffered a brief setback, we will return stronger and wiser and better equipped to deal with any further Covid disruptions. 

 

I look forward to seeing the children return to school next week and don’t forget that the clocks go back an hour this weekend!

Yours sincerely,

 

L. Lee.

 

Dear Parents/ Carers,

 

Due to the increasing number of confirmed Covid-19 cases amongst members of staff, I have taken the decision to close the whole school from Wednesday 14th October through to Friday 16th October. Having been in contact with our Chair of Governors, Public Health England and the Public Health department at the Local Authority, they have agreed that this is the best course of action to prevent any further spread of the virus.

 

I realise that this may come as a shock and inconvenience to parents, however the overall health, safety and wellbeing of the staff and pupils, as well as their families is of paramount importance. Staff are already putting plans in place to continue with online learning at home. Your child’s teacher will be in contact through Class Dojo to inform you of the arrangements for this. I anticipate that the process will take a short time to get set up so please be patient. Could you inform your child’s teacher as soon as possible if you do not have a device to access Zoom as learning packs will need to be prepared.

 

For those children who receive income based free school meals, a lunch will be provided. Food parcels will be made up by our caterers, LTS, and there will be 1 weeks’ worth of packed lunch ingredients per child entitled to free school meals. LTS will deliver these to school tomorrow and can be collected by parents from the side hall door between 12:30pm and 1:00pm.

 

Children in Key Stage 2 (Classes 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6) who are currently attending school will not need to self-isolate, however children in Foundation and Key Stage 1 (Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Nursery) must continue to do so. Could I remind parents that isolation requires children to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary, they must not engage in other out of school activities. To confirm, the last day of isolation for these children will be Friday 23rd October.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you again after the half-term break on Monday 26th October.

10.9.2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we approach the end of the second week of term, I would like to thank you for your continued support for the measures which have been put in place. Now that the ‘settling-in’ phase of the return has been successfully achieved, it is time to look towards a more permanent and sustainable plan for morning drop-off and afternoon collections.

 

A number of parents have commented on the positive impact that the staggered start and collection times have had.  Unfortunately this could only be a temporary measure given the amount of learning time which is being used in getting the children into school and preparing to send them home.   The Senior Leadership Team and I have therefore been looking at alternative arrangements which will allow for safe social distancing, whilst ensuring children are not missing out on essential learning time.

 

The following measures will therefore take effect from Monday 14^th September. Given the current Covid situation both locally and nationally, we would encourage and appreciate the wearing of face coverings whilst on the school grounds.

 

Morning Drop-Off

Doors will lock at 9:10am with registration closing at 9:15am

All children to enter through Glebelands Road gate which will be open at 8:35am.  School doors will open at 8:45am

• Foundation children – Enter through small gate onto their playground and enter through the main Foundation door.
• KS1 children – Enter through their usual KS1 Door
• LKS2 children – Enter through their usual LKS2 Door
• UKS2 children  – Enter through their usual UKS2 Door

The Register will open at 8:45am and close at 9:15am which should provide parents with a more flexible and staggered start to the day

All parents to follow the current one-way system and leave through the Chancel Road Gate.

 

Afternoon Collection

Foundation – 2:50pm Mrs. Hobson / Mrs. Savage

                            2:55pm Mrs. Williams

Parents to enter through Glebelands Road gate and make their way to the Foundation playground.   All children will be brought by their teacher onto the playground for collection.  Parents to leave through the same Foundation playground gate and follow the one-way system around the school and exit through the car-park gates.

Due to the large number children being dismissed, teachers have requested that parents who wish to speak to them, get in touch via Class Dojo.   

 

Key Stage 1 – 3:00pm collection Children in Mr. Kitchener’s class and Mrs. O’ Brien’s class to enter through Chancel Road gate and make their way onto the KS1 playground.

 Children will be dismissed via their classroom door. Parents to exit through the KS1 playground gate and make their way out through the car park gates.

If an older sibling also needs to be collected, then make your way through the Foundation playground and follow the one-way system around the school.

Parents collecting children from Ms. Alvey’s  class are to enter through the Glebelands Road entrance.  Children to be collected from outside of their classroom then follow the one-way system around the school and exit through the car park gates.

 

Lower Key Stage 2 – 3:05pm collection All parents enter through the Glebelands Road entrance

Children in Miss Talbot/Mrs Pugh’s class and Miss Musson’s class to wait on the Key Stage 2 (main) playground – NOT outside the Year 3/4 doors as this will create a bottle-neck. 

Children will be brought onto the playground by their class teacher.  Please ensure that you are on time!

 

 Children and parents to exit through the playground gates and make their way out through the car park gates

 

 Parents collecting children from Mrs. Webster’s class to enter through the Glebelands Road gate and collect from their usual classroom door. Could parents please stand away from the door by the railings to allow for others to pass through.  Then follow the one-way system around the school and exit through the car park gates.

 

Upper Key Stage 2 – 3:10pm collection   Parents collecting children from Year 5&6 to enter through the Glebelands road entrance. Children to be collected from outside of their usual door. Children and parents to make their way past the bike sheds and onto the car park where they will exit through the car-park gates.  

 

All children and parents should leave through the car park gates which will be closed to all traffic between 2:55pm and 3:20pm.

Please follow the markers on the ground pointing out the one-way system.

 

Can I remind parents that should you wish to speak with your child’s teacher that you do not enter the school building but contact them via Class Dojo or make an appointment.

 

I appreciate that this new system may take a little time to become fully embedded and may require some adjustments as the week progresses.  These measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of our parents and children.  I would therefore ask that you continue to show the support and patience which you have been doing and give everyone a little time to become accustomed to the new arrangements.

 

Yours sincerely

L. Lee

7.9.20

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

We are receiving a large volume of phone calls to the office from parents who are reporting that their child has a cough or a temperature.  Our advice to parents is that if your child has a continuous cough or a high temperature or a loss or change to taste/smell, you should keep your child off school and arrange for them to have a Covid-19 test. 

 

A number of parents have stated that their child has a ‘slight temperature’ or a ‘mild cough’ and that they should be ok to come to school.  I realise that the decision to keep your child off school can be a difficult one, however it is important that we continue to prevent the spread of Coronavirus by keeping children away from school if they are showing symptoms – however mild. 

 

Once your child has been tested, you will need to forward the results of the test to the school office before they return to school. If the result is negative, children can then return to school as soon as possible or when well enough to do so.  Should the test prove to be positive, we will then put the necessary measures in place. 

 

Could I also remind parents to call the school office before 9:00am if your child is unwell.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Yours sincerely

L. Lee

Head Teacher

4.9.20

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

20.8.20

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:

 

 

 

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 1^st  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 24^th 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 24^th 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 24^th August.

 

We are all very much looking forward to the new academic year and seeing all your children again together in school.

Yours sincerely

Dear 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 24^th 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 1^st 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 24^th 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 1^st 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 24^th 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

9/7/20

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 1^st 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,