St Luke's C of E Primary School

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Coronavirus Update 22/03/2020

 

Dear Parents & Carers,

In the last letter, we set out the arrangements for providing free school meals, schooling for children of critical key workers or vulnerable children.

We understand that you and your children may be anxious about what is happening in the UK and around the world. You may have questions so we have tried to answer them below:

Why are schools closed to most pupils?

Following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) schools have been asked to close for most pupils. This includes childcare providers, nurseries, primary and secondary schools and further education colleges - state funded and independent schools.  This unprecedented move is to delay the progression of the coronavirus spreading. The Government’s main message is that, if it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be there rather than mixing with others to avoid the virus spreading.

How long will schools be closed for?

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, schools, colleges and childcare providers will be closed to the majority of pupils until further notice.

Schooling for children of non-critical key worker or have non-vulnerable children

Children should remain at home with their parents. Lots of establishments have closed such as libraries, cinemas etc. Walks are allowed but social distancing is essential, so avoid mixing with others.  Please do not leave your children with the elderly or other vulnerable adults. 

Schooling for children of critical key workers or children deemed vulnerable

The government expects the majority of settings to stay open for children of critical key workers for vulnerable children so they can attend their own schools. This is to ensure continuity for parents and children are safe and comfortable.  As St Luke’s is in a soft federation with Christ Church Streatham and in partnership with St John’s Angell Town, we have been discussing the various options between the three schools and have decided that our learners should attend their own schools for now.

What happens if St Luke’s had to close?

As a school, we need to ensure that we are safeguarding our pupils coming into school and also our staff.  It is essential that if you or your child has a temperature and/or a new persistent cough, that you do not come into school.  You and your household need to stay at home in self-isolation. 

We also need to ensure that we keep below the maximum suggested by the government of 20% of the school population as a one form entry school, this would be 42 pupils.  If we went over the maximum, we would have to look at our risk assessments and continuity plans and liaise with other schools to provide schooling. 

If we had to close due to staffing, then educational provision will be available for them if no other alternative arrangement can be made. 

Schooling for children of critical key worker

We understand that key workers will probably be working shifts and that you may not require schooling every day. You may not get your work rota until the week before so families will be able to opt-in or opt-out to our provision on a weekly basis notifying the school of any changes by Wednesday of each week.

Families have already started to complete the form on-line and we have started to receive evidence of entitlement.  Your employer will give you a letter or an e-mail if you are deemed a critical worker. If you feel that you meet the criteria, please speak to your manager at work.

There will be a daily register, with the list of pupil names updated each week.  If you have opted-in for the week, we will expect you to notify us by 8.30am if they are unable to attend on a particular day (or even sooner if you can). This will enable us to keep your children safe and plan for their day.  It would also allow us to ensure that we have enough staff cover in school.

Ideally, key worker children should remain with their parents if possible.

Who is a vulnerable child?

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, children with disabilities and those with an EHCP.  Our Senior Leaders have been identifying pupils and will contact parents. 

What happens if you do not want your vulnerable child to attend school, do you have to?

Many parents working in these critical sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.  This is an offer to parents and carers and there is no requirement for parents and carers to send their children to school if they do not need or wish to do so.

However, for vulnerable children, your child’s social worker will work with you to assess the best option for your child.

For children with an EHCP, please e-mail your reasons why you would prefer to keep your child off school. We may contact the SEND to keep them informed. Work will continue to be provided.

Can you leave a child unattended?

Read the government advice on the law on leaving children unattended.

The NSPCC recommends that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time. There is no law about when you can leave your child on their own but it is an offence to leave them alone if it places them at risk.  It is important to be aware that you can be prosecuted if you leave a child alone ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’.

How does your child continue to receive their Free School Meals?

There are two types of free school meals in school.  There is Universal Free School Meals which is provided for all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 - parents will need to provide meals for their child while they are off school.  Parents who are entitled to some benefits may be entitled to Free School Meals (please visit www.pps.lgfl.org.uk to check if you are entitled, the school will be notified if you are) – a meal option will be provided for these children.

Between the three schools, we have decided which available option will be best for our families. In the short term, we have been able to provide free hot school meals at school.  Soon we will be providing packed lunches for learners entitled to free school meals.

However, any gathering of any pupils or families should be avoided and needs to be managed.  On the questionnaire on the school website, we will be asking parents which time slot is the best. 

This will be constantly reviewed but you will always be provided with an option.  It may be an option that a national voucher system is put in place by the Government.

How do parents book a Free School Meal or a meal for your child attending school?

As we are a dining centre, we are provided with our meals from St John’s Angell Town so it is very important that we order the correct amount of dinners.  Please complete the questionnaire on the school’s website to inform us whether your child/ren will require a meal.  If you do not require a meal one day, please contact the school by telephoning, leaving a message on Class Dojo or e-mail admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk

What are the arrangements to come into school for lunch?

In the first instance, we are inviting pupils to eat their meals in school and therefore it is important that we ensure that we are social distancing and washing our hands etc. There will be a daily register, with the list of pupil names updated each week.  If you have opted-in for the week, we will expect you to notify us by 8.30am if they are unable to attend on a particular day (or even sooner if you can). Once we have begun serving packed lunches, these can be collected and enjoyed off site.

Dining arrangements

We will be making arrangements in school for learners to have their meals in a manner that supports social distancing as much as possible.

What will your child’s learning in school look like?

Draft Programme

Time

Activity

 

Activities could include:

08.45

Arrive and Register

 

Children will arrive via the main front door and will then be directed either to the Hall (KS2) or Reception area (EYFS/KS1) to register and choose lunch

Easter activities

Art/Craft

Science

Music/Singing

Sport

Computing

Cooking – if ingredients are available

DT

Film-making

Scavenger Hunt

Gardening

 

09.00

Activity 1

Joe Wicks Workout - altogether in Hall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LPrhI0v-w

09.15

Worship

Bible stories and Reflections

(in classrooms)

09.30

Daily Learning

(English activities from Learning Packs) – in key stages

10.15

Playtime

Fruit and Milk

10.45

Daily Learning

(Maths activities from Learning Packs) - in key stages

11.30

Brain Break

Mindful colouring/Puzzles/Games/Lego Challenge

12.00

Lunch Time

Lunch followed by Play time

13.00

Activity 2

This will vary each day

14.00

Daily Mile

In playground

14.15

Activity 3

This will vary each day

14.30

Story time

This will vary each day

15.00

Home time

EYFS/KS1 will be dismissed through the main front door. KS2 to be dismissed from their base room.  You will be notified of your child’s base room. 


How do parents whose children are not in school continue to contact the school?

If you would like to speak to the office, Inclusion Manager or any member of the Senior Leadership Team, kindly contact the school by telephoning 020 8670 1981 or e-mailing admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk or by ClassDojo.

The office will be open from 8.30am to 4.00pm. 

If you have a question regarding the school work, please direct message the class teacher on Class Dojo rather than contact the school in case they are self-isolating or working from home that day.

If a parent moves or changes their contact details, how do you contact the school?

It is really important that you keep your contact details up to date during this period.  Please could you e-mail your changes to admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk.

We have a new Management Information System from 30th March 2020 called Arbor which will make communication between the school and parents even easier.  Parents can download the App or Parent Portal and amend contact details.  The office will see this change and confirm it.  We will be able to send e-mails to parents as well. 

When the school reopens to all pupils, parents will be able to carry out the following on the App/Parent Portal:

Book clubs and pay as necessary

Confirm booster clubs

Give permission for trips and pay as necessary

Change dinner types (if money is not owed)

Book parent consultation appointments

Book places at events

Book attendance at Breakfast Club

Look at the trips and clubs booked

Look at the school dinner balance

 

We will send you more details in a couple of weeks.

 

What will happen regarding Reception places starting in September 2020

Arrangements for reception places for September will continue as usual.  National offer day is 1st April.  We will write to parents regularly, whether school is open to all or not. 

 

How does a parent obtain a Foodbank Voucher?

If you require a Foodbank voucher, please contact Mrs Atkins via telephone, e-mail or direct message on Class Dojo. 

 

What if a child and or parent fall ill?

If your child is attending school, it is essential that if you or your child has a temperature and/or a new persistent cough that you do not come into school and that you isolate your family.

If you or your child are not school and have a temperature and/or a new persistent cough, please isolate your family.

If anyone in the household contracts Coronavirus, please let the school know as soon as possible.

The Department for Education has launched a new coronavirus helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents/carers and pupils can contact the helpline by:

Phone: 0800 046 8687   Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

I hope that the above answers some of the questions or issues you are worried about.  If not, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

We will continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops.

Yours sincerely

 

Mrs Nicky Zeronian-Dalley    

Executive Headteacher