School Closure Update 22nd May 2020
Date: Thursday 21st May 2020
Unfortunately, the school is closed to most children.
Government advice remains that: ‘every child who can be cared for at home should be.’
Unfortunately, we will not be opening the school on June 1st for children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. We aim to open to these year groups at the earliest date we feel that it is safe to do so.
We will continue to offer provision for critical workers’ children and vulnerable children.
We aim to invite more children back to school at the earliest date. Despite staff working hard to prepare for 1st June there are still significant uncertainties at national and government level. Until these are resolved it is difficult for us to implement our plans.
We will continue to communicate with you on a daily message and support home learning. We will share with you a date for opening more classes as soon as this is safely possible.
Half term
Next week would normally be the half term break and we suggest that families treat the week as a break. New home learning packs will be available in the school entrance from 1st June. As with any school holiday we still encourage you to read with your children and encourage them to practise their counting and multiplication tables. These basic skills will be so important when they eventually come back to school and we work with you to help them catch up.
Please continue to follow government advice and ensure that you observe social distancing at all times.
Key workers
The school is currently required to offer provision for children of critical workers. With some workers beginning to return to work there will be an increase in the number of children attending these sessions. Please ensure that you email the school office@bishop.norfolk.sch.uk if you need your child to attend school. A member of staff will contact you to confirm arrangements before your child attends school. We will need to see evidence of your employment before a place can be confirmed. A list of critical workers can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
We need to follow this process so that we can meet safety requirements for children and adults in school.
Home learning
We do understand how difficult it is to support home learning. We hope these materials help but we only ask families to do their best with their children. Sometimes taking a break is really important. You can always return to learning activities later in the day.
It is also helpful to practise basic skills such as:
• Maths – counting and/or multiplication tables
• A reading activity with an adult or older brother or sister
• Practising spelling or phonics
• A short writing activity
• A physical activity
These can be done in a variety of ways – sometimes without the children even noticing!!
There remain a huge amount or really useful and enjoyable resources available on the internet. These can also be used at any stage. We think the following are particularly helpful:
https://www.thenational.academy/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/
https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/educational-resources/primary/top-tips-for-parents
https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/educational-resources
You Tube daily lessons
• 9.00 -9.30am every day - Joe Wicks PE
• 10.00am Music with Myleene Klass
• 11am Science with Maddie Moate
• 11.30 Dance with Oti Mabuse
• 1.00pm Maths with Carol Vorderman
• 2.00pm History with Dan Snow
• 3.00pm English with David Walliams
• 5.30pm Food Tech with Jamie Oliver
We are offering a provision for children of key workers and vulnerable children in line with government advice. If you think that you are a key worker and have not already spoken to us you MUST speak to us before sending your child in so that we can ensure there are enough adults present in school. Please contact the school to book places. office@bishop.norfolk.sch.uk
During half term we will continue to offer provision for free school meeals. This will be a packed lunch (cheese/ham) Please continue to order by emailing Mrs Knight hknight@bishops.dneat.org.
Latest government advice can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you wish to contact the school please email office@bishop.norfolk.sch.uk. We will respond within one working day.
Mental health support
www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/mentalhealth
This is now the single place to find out how to access mental health advice and support for 0 -25’s in Norfolk & Waveney. The key message is that you don’t need a referral, you can get in touch straight away for advice and support. If you need more specialist help, we will make sure you get to the right person.
If you urgently need support from Children’s Services please call: 0344 800 8020
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-advice-and-support/
NSPCC 08088005000