Sankey Valley St James CE Primary School

Good afternoon, We are impressed with how the children have settled into school and want to thank you for your support during the implementation of our arrangements in relation to our school opening for all children this term. Normally at this time of year we give you the opportunity to meet with your child's class teacher to discuss how well they are settling into school. Unfortunately due to the current restrictions on people coming into school we are unable to offer face to face meetings. If you would like a phone call from your child's teacher in relation to this please message them on Class Dojo to arrange a mutually convenient time

Good morning, The updated risk assessment for returning to school in September is now available on the website. If you have any questions or queries, we will be available to be contacted from 1st September. Many thanks

Good afternoon, Just to remind you that school closes on Thursday 23rd July for the summer holidays. We look forward to the children returning on Wednesday 2nd September. Protocols and procedures for September will be sent out by the end of the week.

Dear parents/carers, We are required to let you know that we are proposing to vary the over subscription criteria to our admissions policy for the academic year 2021/2022. This is due to criteria 4 & 5 requiring proof of regular church attendance. However, during the current Covid-19 pandemic places of worship have been closed and we need to take this into account. Attached is a letter from our vice chair of governors with the proposed wording that will be added to our over subscription criteria to address this issue. Please be aware that this is a notification and not a consultation so we do not need you to respond. Many thanks

Please find attached the first 'School Nursing Team Newsletter' that may have some useful tips for you. Take care,

Please find attached the school risk assessment in relation to Covid-19. This is a dynamic document which means that it will be amended in light of situations as they arise. You will also find this on the school website. If you have any questions about the policy or things that you don't understand don't hesitate to ring the school. Take care

I have just received the message below from Warrington Borough Council. We were not opening for the children until Wednesday 10th June but in light of the decision in the information below this will now be deferred. We will send more information out tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support. The council, in close partnership with its school leaders, has today (Sunday) agreed to defer primary schools extending their opening to more pupils by one week, until Monday 15 June. Despite tireless work between the council and schools in the borough to prepare to welcome primary schoolchildren back to educational settings for Monday 8 June, a joint decision has this afternoon confirmed that arrangements will be put back by one week, to allow more time to consider the safe return of pupils. This decision does not affect secondary schools, who are already planning wider reopening from Monday 15 June. Cllr Matt Smith, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it is a decision which balances the scientific evidence and advice with our own prudence and caution. Our decision to delay the wider reopening of our schools by a week also follows the regional consensus, with similar decisions being made by other councils and schools in the North West. “Our schools have made excellent preparations and, following their own comprehensive risk assessments, will be equipped to open their doors, safely, to more pupils when the time comes. I can say that with absolute confidence, particularly given our schools have remained open for some of our most vulnerable children, and children of key workers. “Our decision has been a difficult one to come to, especially given we want to see more children in schools. But, ultimately, we have agreed that the decision to delay the expansion of our primary school offer by a week, to the 15th, is the correct one – in line with our evidence-led, safety-first approach. “We have had to carefully consider many different factors to come to our joint decision to delay, including the most recent information from Public Health England. This one week delay will provide us with a further opportunity to review recent scientific information, its impact, and implications locally. “We will now be notifying head teachers of all affected primary schools and will continue to work with them on their arrangements and plans for expansion, in a week’s time. We will also reconvene on Wednesday this week to review our joint position and make a further assessment.” Kind regards Paula Worthington Director, Education, SEND and Early Help Families and Wellbeing

Please find below a link to information from the Government on ways in which you can support your child's mental health and well being during the Coronavirus pandemic. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak#helping-children-and-young-people-cope-with-stress

Dear parents, carers and children, We hope you are all safe and well and enjoying the weekend. These are a few websites that can be used at home with fun activities and resources to explore and investigate in science. Some of the websites include videos and ideas for science experiments that can be carried out at home. James Dyson science and engineering challenge cards - https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.co.uk/resources/challenge-cards.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz5v8roeG6QIVwu7tCh2u1QO6EAAYASAAEgIMc_D_BwE Weekly activities for ages 5-7, 7-9 and 9-11, Plants and Properties of Materials currently available - https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/blog/explorify-during-school-closures Fun science experiments at home - https://gosciencekids.com/ If you do complete any of the science experiments or investigations at home please feel free to send a photo as a dojo message as we would love to see what you have been doing. If you have any questions or need any help with home learning please send a dojo message or contact school directly.

If your financial / employment circumstances have changed you can check your eligibility for free school meals on: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals