School Updates and Latest News

• School Update 04.01.2021 11pm

  Tue 05 Jan 2021

  Please go to our COVID Information page under the tab 'Our School' for links to the DFE site. 

   

  National lockdown to come into force on Wednesday 6 January: DFE statement to Schools

   

  The Prime Minister has today announced that a new national lockdown will come into force at 00:01 on Wednesday 6 January.

   

  During the period of national lockdown, schools, alternative provision, special schools, and colleges will remain open to vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers only. Public vocational exams and assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned. All other children and students will learn remotely until February half term.

   

  All early years providers (including registered childminders but not including reception years in primary schools) can remain open during this period of national lockdown.

  In these circumstances, we do not think it is possible for exams to go ahead fairly this summer. The Secretary of State for Education will be asking Ofqual to consult rapidly on an approach for alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.

   

  We know that receiving face-to-face education is best for children’s mental health and for their educational achievement. We will be reviewing the restrictions on schools, colleges and universities and will ensure that children and young people return to face-to-face education as soon as the pressures are easing on the NHS.

   

  This decision does not suggest that schools and colleges are no longer safe places for young people. Instead, limiting attendance is about reducing the number of contacts that all of us have with people in other households.

   

  We have resisted closing schools until now, but in the face of the rapidly rising numbers of cases across the country and intense pressure on the NHS, we now need to use every lever at our disposal to reduce all contacts outside households wherever possible.

   

  For vulnerable children and the children of critical workers, who can still attend school or college, as they did in March to May, and their teachers, the system of protective measures means that any risks are well managed and controlled.

   

  We are responding to the intense pressure on the NHS, but that pressure is not driven by children. We are not seeing significant pressure from coronavirus (COVID-19) in paediatrics across the UK. The new variant appears to affect all ages but we have not seen any changes in the severity among any age groups, including children and young people.

   

  The overwhelming majority of children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only. As cases in the community rise there will be a small increase in the number of children we see with coronavirus (COVID-19) who only rarely require admission to hospital.

   

  Vulnerable children and children of critical workers who can attend school and college

   

  During the period of national lockdown, schools and colleges should only allow vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to attend. Children with at least one parent or carer who is listed as a critical worker are eligible for a school place. It is not necessary for both parents to be critical workers.

   

  Schools and colleges should speak to parents and carers to identify who requires a school place. If it proves necessary, you can ask for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip.

   

  The critical worker list has been updated to include new workforces whose work is critical following the end of the EU transition period. It is important these people are also identified as critical workers and their children can attend the education setting. This change will see a small increase in the overall number of critical workers.

• School Update 04.01.2021 9.45pm

  Mon 04 Jan 2021

  School Update - 9.45pm

   

  Following tonight’s announcement Wolverley Sebright will only be open from Wednesday 6th January for children of key workers who have no other option and children considered as vulnerable.

   

  A Google Form will be sent out tomorrow morning in order for us to update our records and for us to organise provision from Wednesday. The form outlines the criteria for both groups however, staff will available from 8.30am tomorrow morning to answer any questions you may have. You can also contact me directly on head@wolverleysebright.worcs.sch.uk if you need any further support. 

   

  We urge all our families to be patient whilst we re-organise the structure and staffing within our school to allow for in-school provision and remote learning to take place. Further updates will be sent out tomorrow.  

   

  Many thanks 

  Shelley Reeves-Walters

• Returning to School - Wednesday 6th January

  Mon 04 Jan 2021

  Return to School 

  Wednesday 6th January, 2021

   

  Firstly, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 

   

  I'm not sure there has been a day over the festive period when discussion around COVID and Schools has not been in the headlines. Each day a new article has prompted reactions and in some cases uncertainty. 

   

  As it currently stands primary schools will open this week - staff are in school preparing for the start of the Spring Term and we look forward to welcoming our children back. However, we are also aware that our families will have different views and feelings on what they have read or heard. 

   

  There has been no directive to primary schools to alter our current provision. School will be open from Wednesday 6th January and we will continue to follow the protective measures we have in place. These include:

   

  • Staggered start and end times to the school day.
  • Children and Families maintaining safe distance from each other.
  • Daily reminders for pupils how to keep safe. This is achieved through age appropriate video clips and signs.
  • Following strict hand washing & sanitising throughout the day.
  • Following a marked route in our corridors with only one class allowed in the corridors at one time.
  • Using the isolation room if they feel unwell
  • Face masks worn by adults on the school site.
  • Adjustments to the timetables to reduce number of contacts over the period of the day. 
  • Break and Lunchtimes staggered. 
  • Children remaining in class bubbles with seating plans in place.
  • A cleaning schedule in place throughout the school day with deep cleans taking place at the end of each day.
  • Staff will wear PPE when dealing with pupils who are unwell
  • Whole school equipment is cleaned after every use and quarantined for 72 hours
  • Books are quarantined for over 72 hours before they are able to use again

   

  A full list can be viewed on our COVID page in our Risk Assessment. 

   

  We respect that some parents may wish to discuss their personal circumstances with us. Please do - we are here to help, support and advise. 

   

  The main points to follow remain the same: 

  • For the most accurate and up to date advice, please contact the NHS services on 111 or 119 if you have any concerns or questions relating symptoms. We strongly advise that you use these services

   

  • DO NOT send your child to school if they are unwell.

   

  • Please contact the school when reporting an absence and the nature of the absence. If your son or daughter is ill or shows any of the of symptoms that are associated with Coronavirus including:
  • High temperature
  • New, continuous cough
  • Loss or change to sense of smell and taste

   

  We are in the process of updating our records.  A Google Form will be sent out this week for families to complete. This information will only be used if primary schools need to make any alterations to their current provision.

   

  If you have any questions please contact school on office@wolverleysebright.worcs.sch.uk