Please see the following document outlining our remote learning provision.

St. John’s C of E Primary School, Shildon

Remote education provision: information for parents

This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents or carers about what to expect from remote education, in the event of a National Lockdown or if local restrictions require entire Year Groups to remain at home.

For details of what to expect where individual pupils are self-isolating, please see the final section of this page.

The remote curriculum: what is taught to pupils at home
A pupil’s first day or two of being educated remotely might look different from our standard approach, while we take all necessary actions to prepare for a longer period of remote teaching.

What should my child expect from immediate remote education in the first day or two of pupils being sent home?
Pupils will be sent home with workbooks and resources to support home learning. In the first instance, where possible, we will also aim for pupils to have paper copies of activities to complete.
The resources provided reflect those used by all pupils everyday in school to complete their work. The workbook contains instructions for all pupils and parents to follow for accessing remote learning.
Instructions provide access to our remote learning through TEAMS. Additional passwords for Purple Mash and ActiveLearn are also provided.

Following the first few days of remote education, will my child be taught broadly the same curriculum as they would if they were in school?
·       We teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school wherever possible and appropriate. However, we have needed to make some adaptations in some subjects where specific resources used in the school would not be available in the home.
·       All of the digital platforms we use are linked closely to the curriculum we teach.

Remote teaching and study time each day

How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?
We expect that remote education (including remote teaching and independent work) will take pupils broadly the following number of hours each day:

Primary school-aged pupils
Early Years (Nursery and Reception): Minimum 3 Hours
Key Stage 1 (Classes Y1 and Y2): Minimum 3 Hours
Key Stage 2 (Classes Y3 to Y6): Minimum 4 Hours

Accessing remote education

How will my child access any online remote education you are providing?
Pupils access on-line lessons through TEAMS. This is a Microsoft application accessed through Outlook.
Pupils will also have access to a Virtual Classroom where they will also be able to link in to other websites and resources to support their home learning. These other sites include:
Purple Mash: Range of curriculum Subjects
Active Learn:  Phonics
Charanga:  Music
(Please note, this is not a complete list)

If my child does not have digital or online access at home, how will you support them to access remote education?
From our previous surveys we recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. We take the following approaches to support those pupils to access remote education:
·       We will lend laptops or I-pads to pupils, parents or carers. This will be organised by school following contact from the class teacher. Parents will be kept up to date via telephone contact.
·       Parents and carers requiring support for internet connection (for example, routers, dongles or data) are to contact school via telephone for specific guidance and support.
·       Pupils can also access any printed materials needed if they do not have online access or there is a delay in setting up provision. These resources will be provided by the Teachers and can be collected from the School Office via a telephone arrangement.
·       Pupils can submit work to their teachers on-line or record it in their work book or on provided paper copies.

How will my child be taught remotely?
We will use a combination of the following approaches to teach pupils remotely: we recognise that a mixed approach will be required to ensure all pupils are able to access learning appropriate for their age and ability.
·       Recorded teaching: For example, this will be used to deliver the majority of Mathematics Lessons using White Rose mathematics, video/audio recordings made by teachers.
·       Recorded presentations: These will be used to deliver stand-alone activities such as Collective Worship.
·       Commercially available websites supporting the teaching of specific subjects or areas, including video clips or sequences.
·       On-line activities and games: These link to subject specific websites and will be used to supplement or reinforce teaching of key facts.
·       Printed paper packs produced by teachers and support staff will be used to compliment or supplement daily teaching: These will also be utilised more for pupils with additional needs (SEN). (See below)
·       Reading books pupils have at home.
·       Television programmes: predominantly those presented by the BBC.
·       Live teaching may be used where appropriate or necessary.

Engagement and feedback

What are your expectations for my child’s engagement and the support that we as parents and carers should provide at home?
All pupils are required to engage with remote education daily. Suggested timetables are set for each day.
·       Parental support for remote learning is essential, the main focus is on setting routines for all children and enabling them to engage with the learning provided. We recognise the challenges presented by this, especially for families with multiple children across different age groups.

How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns?
In this section, please set out briefly:
·       We will check pupils’ engagement with remote education on a daily basis through their on-line responses.
·       Access to all sites is also monitored by class teachers. We are able to see through administration systems exactly when and for how long pupils have been logged in to Purple Mash or Active Learn.
·       School will review work through Internal blogs, classroom display boards and secure emails.
·       We will undertake weekly telephone calls home to ensure additional support or issues arising can be addressed as soon as possible. This contact is a supportive process in partnership with pupils and parents however where engagement is a concern members of the Senior Leadership team will support class teachers and call parents to discuss concerns and explore ways to provide further support.

How will you assess my child’s work and progress?
Feedback can take many forms and may not always mean extensive written comments for individual children. For example, whole-class feedback or quizzes marked automatically via digital platforms are also valid and effective methods, amongst many others. Our approach to feeding back on pupil work is as follows:
·       We will use the on-line platforms to assess and provide feed back on pupils’ work.
·       Pupils will receive feedback on their work daily via comments posted on TEAMS.
·       Support for marking and self-assessment will be provided by Teachers.
·       Certain on-line activities will also support individual progress which is also monitored by the teacher.
·       Information on the timings for reviewing and assessing work provided on paper will be subject to variations in-line with safe handling guidelines and timescales linked to individual pupils, groups or class timetable.

Additional support for pupils with particular needs

How will you work with me to help my child who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?
We recognise that some pupils, for example some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home. We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families, and we will work with parents and carers to support those pupils in the following ways:
·       Support for remote education for pupils with SEND will be based on the individual needs. This work provided will be produced to support an individual with the specific learning needs identified on their support plan. This work will be overseen by the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCO).
·       Support for younger pupils, for example those in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 will differ from that provided for KS1 and KS2 pupils.

Remote education for self-isolating pupils

Where individual pupils need to self-isolate but the majority of their peer group remains in school, how remote education is provided will likely differ from the approach for whole groups. This is due to the challenges of teaching pupils both at home and in school. This will alter the balance of activities provided by class teachers but not the content.

* Lockdown Update: January 2021

In response to the current lockdown and the priority from Government of school remaining open for vulnerable pupils and key workers means that school is currently open to pupils in every class from Nursery to Year 6, with 25% of all pupils actually in school. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are balancing the delivery of face to face teaching and home learning. This has reduced the ability to deliver ‘live lessons’ but not the overall provision reported.

If my child is not in school because they are self-isolating, how will their remote education differ from the approaches described above?
We are planning to maintain the approach described above for any pupil who is self-isolating. We will work closely with each family to provide the specific support required to ensure their child receives a planned and well-sequenced curriculum with meaningful and ambitious work each day in a number of different subjects, including providing feedback.

National free school meal voucher scheme

Free school meal vouchers of the parents and carers whose children are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, are once again being provided by government. These are to cover the period between 18 January and 12 February (4 weeks).

These gift cards are worth £15 a week per eligible child. For more information please click on the links below.

Free School Meals Parent Carer FAQs

FSM Voucher Scheme – Parent Carer Userguide

We hope you enjoy our virtual Christingle for 2020.

Christingle Service 2020

 

Happy Christmas to everyone from St. John’s C of E (Aided) Primary School.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem

 

Dear Parents,

The government has made funds available through its Covid Winter Grant Scheme to support families this winter, by offering additional help towards household costs in the run up to Christmas. In County Durham we are making this support available as vouchers which you can choose to spend at ASDA, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s & Tesco. As an eligible family, you will receive £20 per child per week to help you keep the children in your household fed and warm over the coming weeks.

You can choose which supermarket(s) you want your vouchers for. You can choose just one supermarket or you can split your money across more than one, however, you must choose enough vouchers to use the full £40 all at once. One you have checked out, you will not be able to change your choice and any value not redeemed will be lost and cannot be recovered. To help you through the process we have also attached a pdf guide to help.

If you want vouchers for ASDA or Morrison’s please note that from placing your order it can take up to 3 days to receive your vouchers, so please order as soon as possible.

After placing your order please look for an email from your.egift@digitalgateway.online which will contain your vouchers, this email can often go into your SPAM folder so keep an eye on that too. Vouchers can be printed or shown on a mobile.

Click on the link ‘Information for families’ document for instructions Information for families

If you have any queries about vouchers please email: help@durham.gov.uk

Finally if you have any children aged under 2 in your household you may be eligible for further support. You can check this by contacting the NHS at HDFT.winterfoodvoucher@nhs.net

Thank you

There are 20 Angels in shops in our town, if you find them all and match the numbers on the back of the Angel, with the shop, you win a prize from Shildon Alive Community Shop 95 Church Street.

The first 3 young people to find all 20 Angels receive a £20 gift voucher and a selection box, all young people completing the hunt receive a prize! (please note this hunt is for young people under the age of 16) Happy Hunting!

Sponsored by Saint John’s Church and Shildon Alive 01388417600.

The Shildon Angel Hunt form is available below.

The Shildon Angel Hunt

During half term at Shildon Alive children can eat free on selected daily meals.

• Offer is Monday to Friday
• No need to book
• Two food choices daily
• A small donation would be greatly appreciated

There is a notice board outside of Shildon Alive to advertise this offer.

The meals are made from donated supermarket food and cooked on site at Shildon Alive.

 

Important Information to All Parents

Full Re-opening of School – Thursday 3rd September 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have been working hard to prepare and welcome back all pupils for the start of the new academic year, and we have many protective measures in place.

We do understand, that as parents, you may have anxieties or concerns about your child’s return to school. Please contact us via telephone or email if you have any specific concerns that you would like to talk through, or any help or support you or your child may require.

The following information is there to provide you with a reference to the key points around the return to school. We will continue to keep this updated if things change and provide further guidance.

Key Information: A reminder and additional information.

Risk Assessment

·        The ‘whole school’ risk assessment will be on the school website on Wednesday
2nd September prior to opening. This shows the full measures we have taken for opening.

Attendance and Punctuality

·        The Government have repeated the fact that attendance is mandatory, not optional.

·        Although they have different starting and finish times we look forward to seeing all pupils from Nursery to Year 6.

·        Parents must telephone school if their child will be absent due to illness, and to give reasons why.

·        Further information on attendance is included in the following ‘Policy’ Attendance Policy Information for Parents Leaflet and links to Attendance on the school website. Please familiarise yourself with this information. 

Daily Routine (Summary)

·        Drop off times will be staggered with only one parent/carer allowed to do this at the school gate. The Head teacher
and Staff will monitor the safe entry of pupils to the school building.

·        Children must arrive at the allocated times, not earlier or later.

·        Pick up time: these are also staggered. We have allocated a waiting area just inside the school premises but away
from the building. There are yellow spots at the front of school for parents to stand whilst waiting for their child.

·        Initially you will be directed to the area for your child’s class by a member of staff (There are two sides).

·        We will ask you to stand in the same place every day.

·        The children will be sent to their parent/carer in order so please be patient.

·        When leaving the premises please maintain social distancing.

·        Please do no drive cars into the entrance road for drop off or pick up.

·        Parents will not be permitted to enter the building and we would expect Staff not be approached at the beginning or
end  of the day to talk about any issue.

·        Communication with Staff should be through email or telephone.

·        Parents should avoid coming onto the school site at any other time unless invited.

Additional Information about Grouping and Organisation

Class Grouping, Teaching and Learning:

·        The children will remain in their Class group throughout the day, including playtimes and lunchtimes.

·        Teachers and other staff are allocated to each Class group.

·        Children will be assigned a desk and equipment to use where they will sit throughout the day.

·        Children in Y1 to Y6 will be sitting facing the front of the classroom.

·        We will continue to teach an enriched, broad and balanced curriculum.

·        Break and lunch times are also staggered to ensure social distancing can be adhered to as much as possible.

·        There will be no ‘Whole School Activities’ in the Hall.

·        Pupils will be expected to follow all school rules, including those introduced as a result of the current pandemic. They will be guided through these. Further information to follow.

School Uniform, PE Kit and other items:

·        School Uniform should be worn each day. It is essential that each item is clearly named.

·        Please ensure your child has a coat or jacket for Outdoor play, every day.

·        All children will need a Filled Water Bottle. This should be clearly named and returned home every day for a wash and refill.

·        PE kit will not be needed for the first two days.

·        PE Kit will be needed by all children, however specific information on the day and other guidance on this will follow.

·        Please do not bring any other items in to school including scooters and bikes.

Lunches:

·        If your child is entitled to a free school meal they will be able to have a free lunch from school.

·        If your child is in Year 1 or Year 2, a ‘universal’ free school lunch will be provided.

·        Parents can purchase a school lunch via Parent Pay.

·        If your child does bring a packed lunch from home, please be careful about what you put into the lunch box.

·        Please use a lunch bag (Carrier Bag) that can will be easily stored in the classroom and moved to the dining room. Preferably no large rucksacks.

·        Please do not give your children ‘too much’ as time is currently limited.

·        All items must be things that they can open themselves. Please check! Staff or other children cannot help them.

Changes to other School based activities:

Unfortunately,

·        There will be no After School Clubs until further notice.

·        There will be no events for parents.

·        No Breakfast Club to start with, however we are planning to resume this as soon as possible, initially for parents who have previously used the service.

·        There will be no whole school Collective Worship or Church Services.

·        Collective Worship will be class based.

Health Guidance

Prevention:

·        An enhanced cleaning regime will be in operation.

·        Routines will continue to be in place for regular handwashing throughout the day.

·        ‘Catch it, kill it, bin it’ approach to respiratory hygiene.

·        Minimising contact between individuals.

·        Staff may be wearing PPE at specific times. Staff must wear PPE to administer close First Aid or to supervise the isolation of a symptomatic child if 2m distancing cannot be maintained.

Response to infection: (Summary)

·        Parents and Carers must be willing to take part in the NHS track and trace process.

·        If your child shows any signs of illness we will call you and you must collect your child immediately.

·        If your child shows any symptoms they will be placed in supervised isolation whilst they wait for you to arrive.

·        Symptomatic children and the members of their household must be tested. (We have been informed that by the start of term we will be provided with a small supply of home testing kits. These are for exceptional circumstances only.)

·        If the test is negative for all members of the household, then the child can return to school. Evidence of a test
result is required immediately. A child or adult who has a confirmed case would be required to self-isolate for
seven days. The household would be required to self-isolate for fourteen days.

·        Where there is a confirmed case within a Class, the children and staff within that Class would be sent home to isolate for fourteen days following the ‘Stay at home Guidance’. The other household members would not need to self-isolate unless the child displayed symptoms and subsequently tested positive.

·        In the event of a confirmed case, School will receive support from the local health protection team.

·        In the event of a Local Lockdown, school would be in regular contact with Public Health England and further advice
would be issued accordingly.

Finally, to help us support your children and your family, please remember:

We require the names and telephone numbers of at least two emergency contacts. If you need to update the information we have for you, please call the School Office.

Follow all social distancing protocols as part of the Government guidance.

At the time of writing specific guidance on the wearing of masks is changing daily. If this has any impact on procedures in school, we will pass that on to you.

If you wish to communicate with staff, please call the School Office.

Our continued very best wishes to you all.

Mr Andrew Farnell (Head Teacher)
Mrs Nicola Pallister (Deputy Headteacher)
Mr Andrew Kay (Deputy Headteacher)
Alison Tweddle (Chair of Governors)

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are really looking forward to welcoming all the children back to school in September, along with our Nursery children.  Children will be welcomed back to school on Thursday 3rd with our Nursery new starters beginning the following week.

In order to return as safely as possible, we have created flexible start and end times throughout school.

Our Nursery times are now:

Morning Nursery:      9.00 to 11.45

Afternoon Nursery:    12.30 to 3.15

These revised times are to support children and parents to maintain social distancing, avoiding overcrowding on entry and exit from school.  For this to be successful we would like to limit the number of people dropping off and picking up to one adult only where possible.

When the children enter Nursery we ask that they hang up their belongings and then wash their hands with soap and warm water for twenty seconds before fully entering the Nursery room.  We also ask for children not to bring items in from home at this time.

In Early Years we will continue to offer an exploratory curriculum during the children’s ‘free choice time’, where our areas will be set up and resourced to support the children to learn and develop.  Alongside this we will continue to deliver carpet sessions for music, story time and focused group activities, whilst following the Government guidance on resource rotation and cleaning.

Nursery and Reception will both be in separate ‘bubbles’.  Therefore, the children will remain in their own class and not transition between the two rooms.  Both classes will have access to the outdoor area, however again this will be at a staggered time.

Many thanks for your continued support,

Mrs Forrest
Nursery Teacher