Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Government announced a month-long National lockdown: beginning on November 5th through to December 2nd. Schools remain unaffected by these measures and we urge our families to continue to observe social distancing. Government guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
There are online resources available to help you and your child with mental health, including:
Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond service, provides support to children, young people and their families who aren’t currently seeing a social worker or other agency, and who are struggling to cope with the emotional impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19). You can access via the ‘See, Hear, Respond’ service self-referral webpage or Freephone 0800 151 7015.
It is also vital to report any safeguarding concerns you have about any child. Contact the NSPCC helpline.
Pumpkin Prayer
Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:
Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)
Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)
Open my eyes so Your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)
I'm so sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)
Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)-we did rectangles
Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)
Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)
Davison’s Bakery of Newark have joined forces with various local business in the Newark area to provide 100 packed lunches for children for collection between 11am and 11:45am this half term week.
know we are not the only school affected – there have been multiple infections in schools across the county and in our own way we will quietly and efficiently manage ours. The whole Claypole team and our community have been outstanding in their support, provision and care for each other since the beginning of the pandemic. I remain immensely proud of everyone here: our collective priority to reduce risks to keep everyone as safe as possible whilst preparing the children for their learning, making their return inviting, inspiring, fun... to bring back the joy of school.
See you all back on Monday 2nd November!
Nearly made it to half term!
The letters sent home about a class closure are provided to school by Public Health England and we are required to send them out. It feels impersonal and I recognise that the letter may be upsetting worrying and/or frustrating. Our kiddies and team have done all that I have asked of them but this virus is such that simply being in a room next to someone who has tested positive requires action to prevent further spread. Since being notified, the team have spoken with Public Health England and the Local Health Protection Team.
This is currently an isolated case and, on instruction from PHE, requires all those (pupils and staff) who have been in close contact to isolate for 12 days. This only applies to the children who have been told to self-isolate and does not affect the rest of the household (including siblings)... unless symptoms develop.
The period of isolation children/adults can be sent home for is dependent on when they last had contact with any positive case. It is not automatically 14 days away from school if the positive case has not been in for a period of time.
The children who have been told to self-isolate will have to remain at home - they mustn't accompany you to pick up siblings.
Unrelated to our bubble popping, I was contacted on Wednesday evening by the NHS ‘track & trace’ app and have been told to self-isolate. Currently I feel absolutely fine and I appreciate the precautionary measures asked of me - as hard as it is to be told to stay away. I am also relieved that I’ve kept my distance from everyone at school and that this action only affects me.
I appreciate how challenging this situation is for all of you and your families. We feel the disappointment and frustration like you do. I remain immensely proud of everyone and their efforts and how supportive everyone has been. We'll pull together like we always do.
We know we are not the only school affected. There have been multiple infections in schools across the county and in our own way we will quietly and efficiently manage ours.
If you need any support or are uncertain about anything, please reach out.
I am writing to you to because we have been advised by the LCC Health Protection Team to send home the children from Reception as a member of the ‘bubble’ has tested positive for Covid-19. This is with immediate effect and for a duration of 12 days from today.
I was informed this morning that a member of the ‘bubble’ has not been in school since Tuesday 13th October, has since tested positive.
Your child has been identified as one of those who may have had contact and therefore will need to stay home with immediate effect and for a duration of 12 days until Tuesday 27th October.
On the advice of the Health Protection Team, only those children who have had contact with this youngster need to self-isolate for 14 days since the last contact – they do not need to be tested unless they become symptomatic and their household do not need to self-isolate unless the contact gets symptoms.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This email is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/askfor-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. More information can be found regarding testing here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stayat-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid19-infection
The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-havecoronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Remote learning will be available for all affected pupils and will be published on Google Classroom as usual.
If you wish to contact us with any queries related to this please do not hesitate to do so on 01636 626 268 or adminoffice@claypoleprimary.org
Further information from Headteacher
This letter (above) has been provided to me by Public Health England and I am required to send this out. It feels impersonal so I want to provide some further information here. I recognise that receiving this letter may be upsetting, worrying and/or frustrating. Our kiddies and team have done all that I have asked of them but this virus is such that simply sitting in a classroom, next to someone who has tested positive, requires action to prevent further spread.
Since receiving notification that one of the ‘bubble’ has tested positive, I have spoken to Public Health England and the Local Health Protection Team. This is currently an isolated case and requires all those (staff and pupils) who have been in close contact to isolate for 14 days.
The children will be set work remotely through their Tapestry accounts and our school website. Please log in and if you have any IT issues, let us know (Tech@claypoleprimary.org)
I appreciate how challenging this situation is for you all and your families. If you need any support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes – stay safe
Martyn Wells
I am writing to you to because we have been advised by the LCC Health Protection Team to send home the children from Reception as a member of the ‘bubble’ has tested positive for Covid-19. This is with immediate effect and for a duration of 12 days from today.
I was informed this morning that a member of the ‘bubble’ has not been in school since Tuesday 13th October, has since tested positive.
Your child has been identified as one of those who may have had contact and therefore will need to stay home with immediate effect and for a duration of 12 days until Tuesday 27th October.
On the advice of the Health Protection Team, only those children who have had contact with this youngster need to self-isolate for 14 days since the last contact – they do not need to be tested unless they become symptomatic and their household do not need to self-isolate unless the contact gets symptoms.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This email is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/askfor-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. More information can be found regarding testing here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stayat-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid19-infection
The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-havecoronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Remote learning will be available for all affected pupils and will be published on Google Classroom as usual.
If you wish to contact us with any queries related to this please do not hesitate to do so on 01636 626 268 or adminoffice@claypoleprimary.org
Further information from Headteacher
This letter (above) has been provided to me by Public Health England and I am required to send this out. It feels impersonal so I want to provide some further information here. I recognise that receiving this letter may be upsetting, worrying and/or frustrating. Our kiddies and team have done all that I have asked of them but this virus is such that simply sitting in a classroom, next to someone who has tested positive, requires action to prevent further spread.
Since receiving notification that one of the ‘bubble’ has tested positive, I have spoken to Public Health England and the Local Health Protection Team. This is currently an isolated case and requires all those (staff and pupils) who have been in close contact to isolate for 14 days.
The children will be set work remotely through their Tapestry accounts and our school website. Please log in and if you have any IT issues, let us know (Tech@claypoleprimary.org)
I appreciate how challenging this situation is for you all and your families. If you need any support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes – stay safe
Martyn Wells
All schools have a contingency plan in place if a confirmed case of COVID-19 occurs in school. On notification of a positive test, we are expected to contact the Local Health Protection Team in the first instance and Public Health England where an external risk assessment is made and actions for the school given. We anticipate that if someone tests positive, the likelihood is that the whole class will be sent home to isolate.
As soon as this happens, remote/distance learning will resume for the children isolating. For the classes with Google Classroom, there will be:
o Google Meet ‘a morning check-in’ with an explanation of the day’s work and expectations;
o At least 1 pre-recorded session that explains/teaches an aspect of the days learning (that way everyone can access it regardless of time, parental work commitments, access or sudden IT issues… and it can be re-watched);
o The teacher and teaching assistant will be contactable through Google Classroom during the day;
o Google Meet ‘a final check-in’ & story time.
o The children will be expected to submit/share their learning with their teacher too… just like in school.
For our EYFS class, our team will continue to use Tapestry and the class page (with access to the school’s private YouTube channel for phonics, story time etc. For the isolation time, we will also be able to loan some of our laptops and iPads out to families.
We continue to be hopeful that we remain without any confirmed cases but rest assured that contingency plans are in place for the kiddies – I hope our plan remains unused.