Old Sarum Primary School

Coronavirus / Covid-19 Updates 

4th June 2020

Dear parents/carers, we are waiting for the outcome of a test for a child sent home with a cough on Wednesday. We are expecting this result soon, but tomorrow we will continue to have four 'bubble' classes staying at home:

The ‘bubble’ classes that will need to stay at home for now are:

• Miss Apps Pipers reception class
• Mrs Joyce Hawks year 1 class
• Mrs Holmes year2/3 class
• Miss Townsend 3&4 class 

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.

3rd June 2020

Thank you for your supportive comments today. It really helps to know parents appreciate that we are putting safety first for all our children. I am writing to ask parents with children in a ‘bubble’ class which is not coming back to school tomorrow, not to send in siblings tomorrow. We will keep everyone updated in the next few days about reopening via text, email and our website.

3rd June 2020

Dear parents/carers,

This afternoon a child was sent home when she began to have an occasional cough. I want to err on the side of caution and keep every child safe in the school, so I have followed our plan and sent home four of our ‘bubble’ classes. I hope we will quickly receive the ‘all clear’ and the children will be able to return to school.

I have sent four ‘bubble’ classes home because the child has a sibling and parent working at the school. One more parent works in one of our ‘bubble’ classes and has a child in the fourth ‘bubble’ class. Fortunately, ‘bubble’ classes do not mix, so the other ‘bubble’ classes can continue to come into school.

The ‘bubble’ classes that will need to stay at home for now are:

• Miss Apps Pipers reception class
• Mrs Joyce Hawks year 1 class
• Mrs Holmes year2/3 class
• Miss Townsend 3&4 class

We will keep everyone updated on our school website and via text/email.

27th May 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

The Prime Minister has confirmed that schools and nurseries across England remain on track to open to more children from 1 June, subject to the Government’s five tests being met. At Old Sarum Primary School we are fortunate that we have plenty of room and a high adult to child ratio, so our staff have been working on a plan to have reception, year 1 and year 6 back in school on Tuesday 2^nd June 2020. (On Monday 1^st June we will be cleaning and preparing classrooms.)

Children will be divided into smaller classes, called ‘bubbles’ in the media. Each ‘bubble’ will stay apart from the other ‘bubbles’ during the day. It will mean that children don’t have playtimes like before. They will eat lunch in their bubble in the classroom. Their teacher and teaching assistant will be with them throughout the day. Cleaning and hand washing will also feature as a regular part of the timetable and social distancing will be encouraged by the staff. We have organised classrooms and corridors to ensure this. (Please view our detailed risk assessment on our website for more information and photos of the rooms.)

We appreciate that you will have mixed feelings about sending your child back into school during this uncertain time. We invite feedback and questions from families and respect your decisions. Every family has a different context. We can assure you that our staff take their responsibility seriously and have prepared carefully to make school as safe as we can for everyone in our community. Wiltshire Council have promised to send PPE to the school before the opening. If it does not arrive we will not open to extra classes on the 2^nd June 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Where will my child come into school?

It is vital everyone comes in at the right time and through the right entrance. Have a look at the section for your child’s group below and it will tell you.

2. What will happen if demand for places goes up? Will class sizes go above 15?

No, but if demand goes up above 15 in each class, then the school will have to think again and consider restricting age groups to different days or times of the day.

3. Do children have to wear school uniform?

Yes, but we appreciate some children are growing out of their uniform and will need to supplement it with home clothes. We will relax our uniform rules. What is important is that children change their clothes when they get home each day and these clothes are washed before use again.

4. What is happening about lunches?

Children will eat packed lunches in their classrooms. Reception and Year 1 children are entitled to the universal free school meal. Children that receive vouchers for benefits entitled free school meals will continue to get the vouchers for families to make their own packed lunches for their child. We won’t have hot lunches in the hall, as this will be too difficult to clean between every bubble.

5. What should I do if I arrive after my time slot?

You will need to bring your child to the main entrance to the school and wait until a member of staff is available to take your child to their classroom.

6. What will happen if a child has Covid symptoms at school?

Staff will wear PPE to look after the child and isolate them from others until their parent arrives to take them home. The rest of the ‘bubble’ – both children and staff – will go home to follow government guidance.

7. Has the behaviour policy changed because of social distancing?

Yes, ‘golden time’ will take place in the ‘bubble’ classroom before lunch on Friday. If a child receives a detention they will move to sit in the corridor outside the head teacher’s office and parents will be contacted to discuss their behaviour.

8. Why is the school shut for reception, year 1 and year 6 on Friday afternoon?

Teachers get half a day each week to plan, prepare and assess for the children in their classroom. We cannot send a relief teacher into the ‘bubble.’  So we need to give the teachers time on Friday to do this. Key worker children will be supervised in school by experienced teaching assistants on Friday afternoon to support key workers.

9. Will my child get ELSA support like before?

Yes, children will come out of class to a specially prepared room to get ELSA support. Children learning at home will continue to receive calls.

10. What do I do if I have more than one child to pick-up?

Please contact the school and we will organise the best time for you to pick-up all the children from the main entrance.

11. How can I talk to my child’s teacher in a ‘bubble’?

You will need to email or phone the school, as teachers cannot meet parents face-to-face at this time according to government guidance.

12. My child is not coming back to school yet. Will they get home learning support?

Yes, we have two teachers that will continue to up-date home learning. We cannot replicate what the children learn in class, but we can give an outline and resources to cover similar areas.

Time table for each day: (only 1 adult will accompany a child/children from one family)

Pipers (Miss Apps) All breaks are taken just outside the classroom.	Arrive 8:50 –9:00 via the pedestrian gate next to the carpark entrance outside the hall. Children enter the hall to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Lunchtime 12:00-1:00	Break time: 10:30 – 10:45 outside the classroom
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:00 – 12:30
	Afternoon break: 2:30 – 2:40
	Pick up from the hall: 2:45 – 3:00
	Friday pick up from the hall: 12:00 (after an early packed lunch)

 

Tiger moths (Mrs Butler) All breaks are taken just outside the classroom/lower playground	Arrive 8:50 – 9:00 via the pedestrian gate next to the carpark entrance outside the hall. Children enter the hall to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Lunchtime 12:00-1:00	Break time: 10:30 – 10:45 on the lower play ground
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:30-1:00
	Afternoon break: 2:30 – 2:40 (lower playground)
	Pick up from the hall: 2:45 – 3:00
	Friday pick up from the hall: 12:00 (after an early packed lunch)

 

Year 1 (Miss Dodd) All breaks are taken just outside the classroom.	Arrive 8:30 – 8:45 via the pedestrian gate next to the carpark entrance outside the hall. Children enter the hall to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Lunchtime 12:00-1:00	Break time: 10:30 – 10:45 outside the classroom
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:00 – 12:30
	Afternoon break: 2:30 – 2:45
	Pick up from the hall: 3:05 – 3:15
	Friday pick up from the hall: 12:15

 

Year 6 (Mr Mawdsley) All breaks are taken in the netball court.	Arrive 8:50 –9:00 via the top playground. Children enter the playground to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Lunchtime 12:00-1:00   Parents to wait at their cars for their child to be sent to them.	Break time: 10:45 – 11:00
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:30 – 1:00
	Afternoon break: -
	Pick up from the top playground: 3:00 – 3:10
	Friday pick up from the top playground: 12:15

 

 

Year 6 (Miss Sharp) All breaks are taken in the field outside the classroom	Arrive 8:50 –9:00 via the top playground. Children enter the playground to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Lunchtime 12:00-1:00   Parents to wait at their cars for their child to be sent to them.	Break time: 10:45 – 11:00
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:00 – 12:30
	Afternoon break: -
	Pick up from the top playground: 3:00 – 3:10
	Friday pick up from the top playground: 12:15

Key worker class Y2/3	Arrive 8:30 –8:45 via the top playground. Children enter the playground to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Mrs Holmes Break times: lower playground   Parents to wait at their cars/or social distanced on the pavement in the car park pick up zone, for their child to be sent to them.	Break time: 10:45 – 11:00
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:30 – 1:00
	Afternoon break: -
	Pick up from the top playground: 3:15
	Friday pick up from the top playground: 3:15

 

Key worker class Y3/4	Arrive 8:30 –8:45 via the top playground. Children enter the playground to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Miss Townsend Break times: top playground   Parents to wait at their cars/or social distanced on the pavement in the car park pick up zone, for their child to be sent to them.	Break time: 10:30 – 10:45
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:00 – 12:30
	Afternoon break: -
	Pick up from the top playground: 3:15
	Friday pick up from the top playground: 3:15

 

Key worker class Y5	Arrive 8:30 –8:45 via the top playground. Children enter the playground to stand on a 2m spot and wait to be taken to class
Mrs Joyce Break times: top playground Parents to wait at their cars/or social distanced on the pavement in the car park pick up zone, for their child to be sent to them.	Break time: 10:45-11:00
	Lunchtime outside break: 12:30 – 1:00
	Afternoon break: -
	Pick up from the top playground: 3:15
	Friday pick up from the top playground: 3:15

We know the children coming back next week. If you wish to take up a new place you will need to contact the school by Thursday 12 o’clock the week before you need the place, as we have to plan class sizes with great care to follow our risk assessment.

Thank you all for your support. I am in no doubt the school will be asked by the government to make further changes before the end of the school year. Please do ask us any questions you have and we will endeavour to keep you all informed.

Kind regards,

John Jones (Headteacher)

15th May 2020

Dear parents/carers,

as you will be aware, the Government have proposed a conditional draft plan to reopen schools on 1^st June to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children. This is called a phased return. The school will continue to be open for the vulnerable pupils and the children of critical key workers who have attended since March.

We know some employers will be encouraging parents to return to work in the coming weeks, but we’re not in a position right now to extend places to other children until we receive further government guidance.

The government anticipates that its 5 key tests, will justify the changes planned in June, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in the recovery strategy are operating effectively.

As a result, all the staff at Old Sarum Primary School have started to plan for a possible phased return in June. There are many questions that remain unanswered at this time, particularly about safety. I want to reassure you that our first priority is the safety of everyone in the school community. We hope that these issues will become clearer in the next few days.

Next week we will write to the parents of children in reception, year 1 and year 6, to find out if you intend sending your child back to school in June.

Our plan will be practicable and manageable. The rationale behind how the schools will operate is heavily based on ensuring effective infection protection and control. In order to do this we are considering the following:

• Class sizes will be no more than 15
• The same teacher/teaching assistant should work with the same group of children throughout the day
• Each group cannot mix with other groups within the setting
• Learning environments will be adapted to ensure effective cleaning (i.e. remove all unnecessary items, soft furnishing etc.).
• Social distancing will be applied wherever possible. The government says in its guidance ‘primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2m apart from each other and staff,’ but we will try to minimise contact.
• Rooms will be well ventilated
• Lessons will take place outside if possible. In both cases timetables and lesson plans will need to take into account reduced options for resources and the children’s abilities to work effectively in this situation.

The school day will look a little different to what the children have been used to. We will be helping the children to understand why these changes need to take place.

• Different groups of children will be timetabled to arrive and leave school at different times.
• Specific locations will be given; parents will not access the school grounds, but drop off and pick up at the entry gates.
• Break times and lunchtimes will be staggered (all shared equipment e.g. lunch tables sanitised between uses).
• Children will not be able to move around the school independently and toilet trips will need to be managed on an individual basis
• Children will not be able to interact with children who are with a separate group.

Preventing the spread of coronavirus involves dealing with direct transmission (being in close contact with those sneezing and coughing) and indirect transmission (i.e. touching contaminated surfaces). We are risk assessing the school to manage this as effectively as we can. This will involve:

• Cleaning hands more often than usual, (school will log regular washing etc.)
• Ensuring good respiratory hygiene
• Frequently cleaning surfaces, light switches, door handles etc.
• Staggering break and lunch times to minimise the contact between each class
• Ensuring those who display symptoms are not on the school premises

If anyone becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, they will be sent home and advised to follow the COVID-19 guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection guidance.

If a child starts to show signs of the virus they will be moved to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, with a member of staff who will wear the correct Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The parent will be contacted to collect their child immediately. We will ensure that we keep your child comfortable whilst we wait for your prompt collection.

There is no requirement in government guidance for staff or children to wear face coverings, gloves etc. Children are not encouraged to use masks, due to the fact that incorrect usage could spread infection rather than minimise it. However, anyone wishing to use masks and gloves are welcome to at Old Sarum provided they are responsible for ensuring it is used correctly.

We’d like to thank you for your continuous support in helping your child learn from home. We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops. If your child remains at home beyond 1^st  June, we will continue to support our families with home learning and meal support for those eligible. Please do continue to stay in touch with us about how your child is getting on. Our teachers have really enjoyed catching up with you all on the phone.

Sunday 10th May 2020 The Prime Minister has announced a plan for a possible return to school in June for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Until then, the only children attending school will be those already coming in under 'the children of key workers guidance'.

We will keep families updated about the government plan, as soon as we get more information from Wiltshire Council.

23.04.2020

NHS Trust launches helpline for children and young people during the Coronavirus outbreak

A children and young people’s mental health helpline has been launched in Wiltshire.  The helpline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Anyone concerned about a child or young person’s mental health (or the child or young person themselves) can phone the helpline and speak to mental health experts who will provide advice, guidance and support over the telephone. The helpline should not be used for situations which are life threatening (when emergency services should be notified by phoning 999).  The helpline will also help to reduce pressure on NHS 111, who are having to manage an increasing number of Covid-related calls.

What time is it?	The number to phone:
9am – 5pm on a weekday	01865 903777
5pm – 9am on a weekday or on weekends	01865 901000
Other useful sources of support in your area:	https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/

Please also go on our website to access some helpful resources to support children and young people experiencing worries about coronavirus:

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/

If you are over 18, a mental health helpline for adults in  Wiltshire has been set-up by Avon and Wiltshire Partnership.  The number is 0300 3031320 and more information can be found here: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/advice-support/24-hour-support/

21.04.2020

We know this is a difficult time for many and through our Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub we are working hard to ensure the most vulnerable in our community get the support they need. If you need support, or know someone who does, the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub can be contacted on 0300 003 4576 or by email at wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk. The hub is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm and weekends, 10am – 4pm. So far, we have contacted more than 8,000 people and delivered more than 600 food parcels, so please get in touch if you need to.’

 

 

31.03.2020 

The school's policy and Safeguarding Statement for Covid-19 have been added below. Please take time to read through these documents.

WELCOME

Welcome to the Old Sarum Primary School website. 

On behalf of our staff and governors, I would like to welcome you to our happy community school. 

We are dedicated to giving every child the highest standard of education possible.

‘Emotional Literacy’ is at the heart of our school’s ethos. We believe all children should feel happy, valued and secure. This will pave the way for their success as lifelong learners and ensure good standards of behaviour and achievement.

All members of the school share a real sense of unity and commitment to serve our growing community and welcome opportunities to work with other groups from within it. We are very proud of all we have achieved since opening in September 2011.

Mr John Jones BA (Hons) PGCE. MSc. NPQH

Headteacher

Old Sarum Primary School staff have a message for you all...

21/5/20 The chicks continue to grow!

Florence, Harmony and Hope live outside now.  They have almost all their first set of feathers and look like miniatures chickens.  We are wondering if perhaps Florence is a different breed to Harmony and Hope... What do you think?

YEAR GROUPS

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•