School Update: 05.01.2021

You will have heard that during the Prime Minister’s address last night that the decision has been made to close schools until the February Half Term for all but children of critical workers and vulnerable children.  The key message is that children should stay at home wherever possible. 

At 11pm last night schools were issued with details that have been published on the gov.uk website. We anticipate further details will follow today which we will communicate to you.

A Google Form will be sent out this morning for parents to complete. Our website contains links to the DFE with further information about which Critical worker children are able to come into school.

Today, teachers will plan for provision in our school and will put together a remote learning plan for our children, to begin Wednesday 6th January.

Please monitor our school website, text messages and Seesaw App for details today.

Once again our communities and schools find themselves in challenging circumstances. By cooperation, compassion and consideration for others we will navigate our way through these troubled times and keep each other safe and protected.

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 - 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

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 

School update 09.12.2020

You may have seen a government announcement late yesterday ‘allowing schools’ the freedom to move a training day to Friday 18 December.

We have already added an additional day at the start of our Spring Term with children now returning on Wednesday 6^th January 2021. This is due to the building works in school and with the possibility of further disruption, we feel that finishing on Thursday 17^th December is not an option.  

Although finishing earlier would reduce the expectation on Headteachers to be on call until Christmas Eve by a day, we will not be making any changes to our plans and our Autumn Term will finish on Friday 18^th December.

We feel overwhelmingly that all our families have been extremely supportive throughout this year and will continue to support us next term, the lateness of this announcement is less than helpful to all. 

Christmas Holiday Football

Harriers next community holiday football course for children aged 5-14 years will feature Santa’s Penalty Shoot-out and a festive 5-a-side tournament. Courses run 10am-3pm. Cost just £10 per day or £28 for 3 days. Half days are available @ £5 per day 10-12.30 or 1-3pm

Kidderminster, Baxter College – Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd

Bromsgrove, South Bromsgrove High School - Monday 21st,Tuesday 22nd

Please bring trainers and/or moulded studded boots, packed lunch, drinks, umbrella and warm waterproof clothing. Venues are 3G astroturf. At present we are unable to run indoor courses due to the CV19 restrictions

To book a place email harrierscommunity@hotmail.co.ukor phone 01562 863821. Please leave the child’s name, any medical conditions, an emergency contact and which course you want to attend

We are also looking at a possible course in Cleobury on 23rd Dec Much depends on the availability of venues.

At a glance list of events this week...

The countdown to Christmas has begun and this week we have events taking place. Here is just a reminder of the whole school events your child will be involved in...

Wednesday 9th December: Christmas Party Bag Lunch. Children can come to school in non-school uniform, party clothes or Christmas Jumpers for the day. Christmas Party Food Lunch will be served to pupils in Hedgehogs, Robins and Squirrels and to pupils who have ordered it in Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Swallows and Owls. 

Friday 11th December: Santa Dash

Children to come in PE clothes and a Christmas jumper (and a Santa hat - if you have one). Trainers are essential as the children will be dashing around the field/ playground as part of the event. 

A collection of silver coins will be organised by Children Council members Toby and Oscar. 

By Friday 11th December: Class Christmas Performances 

Staff will upload to the class Seesaw page their festive songs by Friday 11th December. In school each class will get to watch all performances as each video will be shared throughout the following week.