Issue 29 - Friday 12th June 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
The news earlier this week from the government confirming that they don't now expect a wider school opening to children in Y2, 3, 4 and 5 before September will have come as a real disappointment to many of you. Although I find it very upsetting thinking that many of our pupils aren't going to step back into Parkfield until September at the earliest, it was always going to be a near impossible task to accomodate so many pupils in our setting.
This week, we have again seen an increase in the number of children attending Parkfield. Next week, we're hoping to slightly increase those numbers and open up further for pupils in Reception and Year 1 where parents have indicated they are happy to send their child in. Unfortunately, due to staffing levels and space in school, we're not currently in a position to offer any additional provision to children in Y6.
Many of our families collected homelearning packs this week. This change was in response to the parent questionnaire and I do hope that our new approach to homelearning does help increase the number of children engaging. Please continue to share photographs of all the work being completed on Tapestry and Showbie so that your teachers can respond. Another change we've made to homelearning are the more learning focussed zoom meetings that have taken place today for each class. I do hope that they are useful and your children enjoy attending.
On Monday, Mrs Whalen and myself delivered our first ever achievement assembly via Zoom. Counting siblings and those children in school we had over 100 Parkfielders join the assembly which is fantastic and I do hope helps bring our community together at this difficult time. There will be another achievement assembly this Monday at 10am so please keep an eye on your emails for the zoom link.
Stay safe and thank you for your continued support
Mr Kemp
HOME LEARNING
Although packs have been sent out, please continue to visit our homelearning page which has a range of links to some great websites that will support your child with their learning. https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home-learning
A reminder that if you have any issues or questions around home-learning please email homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com.
WHOLE SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT ASSEMBLY
A reminder that all our Parkfielders are welcome to join us at 10am on Monday morning for a virtual whole school achievement assembly. Please keep your eye out for an email which will have the zoom link included.
PARKFIELD OPEN FOR KEYWORKER AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Parkfield is now open to a limited number of pupils and the opening hours are 8.45am - 3.15pm. If your child is attending please remember that they will need a coat, water bottle each day, sun cream and packed lunch (optional). Unfortunately, we are unable to offer before and after school provision.
WIDER SCHOOL REOPENING (Reception and Year 1)
If your child is due to return to school this next week and they're feeling a little anxious they can watch the video here about what to expect: https://youtu.be/jRyV6lzYQVg
ONLINE SAFETY
Throughout this lockdown period it is more important than ever to ensure children are safe online. We know that many of our Parkfielders will be having more screentime now than ever before. As a result, we'll be sending you regular emails that you can share with your children so that discussions about keeping safe online can take place. We'll share many of the resources that we use in school so that children are familiar with what is being presented.
SHOWBIE - PARENT SIGN UP
Although the number of online tasks being set has reduced, parents can still sign up to our online platform Showbie https://twitter.com/Parkfield/status/1262658896973434881 . Once you're logged in you'll be able to get email notifications when work is set for your child or when a teacher comments on work that has been completed. We do hope this helps improve the engagement from the children.
PHONE CALLS
A reminder that we will continue to make phone calls home to those families that remain at home. This is our way of keeping in contact with our families, make sure everything is okay and seeing if we can support in any way. If receiving a call on your mobile, you may see a withheld number displayed. It is important that you answer these calls as we may have to follow up with a home visit for the small number of families that we have had no contact with in recent weeks.
SCHOOL SITE
Unfortunately, parents are unable to enter the school site at the moment. If you do have to visit the school throughout the day you will have to use the buzzer at the main entrance to the school.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
The school kitchen is open and they are providing the children on site with a school dinner if requested. We have kept the menu varied for the children and we are serving hot food a couple of days a week in addition to packed lunches. We will be charging only £1.50 per day for a lunch (£7.50 per week). We have reduced the cost because the menu is limited compared to what we usually offer but we still believe this is excellent value for money.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS VOUCHER SCHEME
The Free School Meal scheme is continuing for those families that are entitled and remain at home. You should now be receiving any vouchers on a weekly basis. For those families that are in school, vouchers will stop and a school lunch will be provided free of charge as per usual. If you are entitled and haven't received the email, please contact office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk and we will do our best to help.
If your personal circumstances have recently changed you may be entitled to Free School Meals. If you feel this is the case you can apply online at http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/Pages/free-school-meals.aspx
SUMMER OPENING
We've had a few parents asking whether we will be open in the summer. At the moment, there are no plans to open throughout the summer holidays. However, following the Prime Minister announcing this week that there will be a catch up in place we will keep you updated when any plans come into fruition.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have attempted to answer many of the frequently asked questions we are being asked. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk
What risk assessment has taken place to ensure children are safe coming back to school?
A comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out to ensure that all pupils and staff are as safe as possible. The risk assessment can be found at the bottom of this page.
Can you guarantee that my child will not catch coronavirus?
No. The measures we have put in place are to reduce the risk. We cannot eliminate the risk.
Will I still receive my childcare vouchers if my child is not in school?
Yes. These will continue if you’re entitled to Free School Meals. If your child returns to school they will receive a free school meal and you will not be entitled to the vouchers.
How will the social ‘bubbles’ work?
Children will have to remain in their social bubbles at all times. Unfortunately, if a child is in the ‘keyworker’ group and their year group are able to attend in future weeks they will not be able to join them as this will be a different bubble.
What will my child have for dinner?
We have a new menu that is easy for pupils to eat whilst in the classroom (e.g. packed lunch, finger food). There will be a limited choice but we can offer hot food on some days.
Will they be able to bring in a lunch bag?
Yes. These are allowed as children won’t be sharing the contents of their packed lunch.
Will my child have access to the water fountains?
No. Children will have to bring in a water bottle from home that can be taken home and washed daily. On hotter days, children may want to bring in more than one water bottle. Please be assured that if your child forgets their water bottle we will be able to provide them with a drink.
What will my child be able to bring into school?
They will only be able to bring in a coat and packed lunch. No other items will be allowed. Please don't bring a bag.
Can I just turn up to school if I change my mind and want to send my child to now attend?
No. We will be keeping registers of the children attending each day. We will require a minimum of 7 days notice as we may have to rearrange and increase staffing levels.
I’m a key worker, requiring childcare, does my child have to attend full time every day?
We would prefer your child to attend every day, full time as staff will be in place for this provision. However, we understand that you may not want your child to be in every day. Our expectation is that children attend for a full day (8.45am – 3.15pm). Both school gates will be locked during the day and we may not have the staff available that can meet parents.
Will I be fined if I don’t send my child to school?
No. Currently, the government have said they will not fine parents if they decide to keep their children at home.
Will I lose my child’s place at Parkfield if they don’t come in for the remainder of the term?
No. Your child will still be a Parkfielder in September.
If my child does attend, what are my options if I don’t want my child to attend anymore?
Let school know and we will accept your decision.
What will happen if the member of staff in my child’s bubble is poorly?
If it is not coronavirus related symptoms, we will first attempt to cover the group with another member of staff that hasn’t had contact with another social bubble. If we have no members of staff available we will send a message as early as possible to let parents know that we can’t provide any provision and children will have to stay at home.
What will happen if my child is displaying symptoms from coronavirus?
They must stay at home and you must follow government guidance. You will be entitled to have your child and household tested for the virus. All children in their social bubble will also be sent home and will be able to be tested.
If the poorly child has a sibling that is in a different social bubble, the children within that group and adults would also have to be sent home.
If your child is poorly at school, a member of staff will support them. The member of staff will be wearing PPE and will accompany them to an area of the school away from anyone else until they can be collected.
Our household has someone that is clinically vulnerable. Should I send my child to school?
No.
What will you be doing for those children that are not in school?
We will continue and develop further, the home schooling that is being offered to those that remain at home. We will also continue our regular phone calls and the popular whole class zoom video conferences.
If my child is only attending part-time, what do we do on the days that my child is at home?
Home learning tasks will continue to be provided on Showbie and Tapestry (Reception)
Can you make sure siblings are able to start school at the same times?
Where possible we will keep siblings together. However, if there is a large age gap this may not be possible as a Y6 pupil will not want to be placed in a Reception classroom.
Will my child be grouped by ability?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to group children by ability.
Will my child be grouped with their friends?
We will do our very best to group children with their friends. However, if they are in a ‘keyworker’ bubble they will be unable to mix with children from their class that attend part time and are in a separate bubble.
Can my child change the social bubble they are in?
We would only consider this in extreme circumstances and a period of time (possibly a week) would have to be spent away from school before any change.
Will my child have to wear uniform?
No. It will be optional. We understand that many children have grown and may not fit into their uniform. We also appreciate that many of our children like dressing in their uniform and would prefer this. You will have to make the decision. What we do ask is that clothes must be washed daily and cannot be worn the following day.
Will you be covering the curriculum as planned?
Unfortunately, no. We have an amazing curriculum at Parkfield and our whole staff are upset that they can’t deliver it. Our focus within class will be to support the home learning tasks being set and support the pupil’s emotional health and well-being.
Can you guarantee that my child will be taught by a teacher?
No. We don’t have enough teachers for the number of bubbles required. Teachers will also have to spend time contacting other members of their class and supporting home learning. We also have some members of staff who are unable to attend school as they’re shielding.
I’m a key worker and my child will have to be in school full time. Will they be with their class on the days their classmates are in?
Unfortunately we can’t guarantee this. We understand that this can and will cause some upset.
What arrangements are in place for Y6 transition to high school?
We have been in contact with all the high schools that our Parkfielders are attending and we have sent over important information – including predicted SATS grades. These scores will be shared with parents in an end of year report near the end of term. If high schools arrange a transition day at a later point in the term, we will contact parents. Members of staff from high schools will not be visiting any Y6’s at Parkfield as we’re not allowing any visitors.
Has anything been arranged for Y6 pupils leaving?
It is really upsetting for the whole school community that many of our Y6’s may not attend Parkfield again. When it is safe to do so, school will arrange a leaving party that our Parkfielders fully deserve.
Who will be allowed into the school building?
We will be reducing the number of people coming into school by having only essential services come in – such as workmen. Parents will not be able to come into school. All communication will be via phone, email or video conferencing.
Risk Assesment - COVID - 19 (Draft)
Parkfield Coronavirus Recovery Risk Assessment May 2020 DRAFT.pdf