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Ellen Wilkinson
Primary School

Update – Monday 16th March @ 1 pm

EWPS Update – Monday 16th March @ 1 pm

Dear Parents/Carers,

EWPS Update – Monday 16th March @ 1 pm

As you’re probably aware, the government’s guidance on the coronavirus has changed from the ‘contain’ phase to one of delaying the spread of the virus. We’re getting in touch to let you know what we’re doing in light of this, and what we expect from all of you, to help make sure our school community keeps safe and calm.

We’d like to reassure you that at EWPS we’re taking all of the necessary steps to protect our community and are continuing to follow official guidance from Public Health England, the Department for Education and the Department for Health.

To help with this we have included some frequently asked questions.

What’s the current situation?

  • The school remains open – this is the current official guidance we’ve been given.
  • We are concentrating on maintaining the main school functions as normal including breakfast club.
  • However some amendments have needed to be made including:
  • We will be cancelling after school clubs and lettings from Tuesday 17th March 2020.
  • Class parent assemblies will be cancelled until further notice (including year 5 this week).
  • The book fair will now not take place but be rearranged for a later date.
  • Y4 swimming is postponed from this week.
  • No new school visits will be scheduled until we have clarification of the national picture.
  • Fairplay House year 5 residential and year 2 day visit is still taking place at present but obviously this may be subject to change.
  • KS1 &2 SATs are currently still due to start week beginning 11th May 2020.
  • The polling day closure (May 7th) has been cancelled.
  • We’ll keep you up to date with any changes to the current situation

What if my child is ill?

Pupils should attend as usual unless they feel unwell – if your child has any of the following symptoms they should remain at home for 7 days:

  • a new, continuous cough and/or
  • a temperature

If your child displays these symptoms, please follow this advice and inform the school.  We strongly encourage parents to do this by using Studybugs. This is an app that you can put onto your mobile phone and use to report your child’s absence. Details of this are attached to the poster with this email. I’m sure you appreciate our phones are very busy at the moment.

What are you doing to protect and support pupils and staff ?

As you know we have already implemented additional hygiene measures including:

  • Washing hands on entering the premises and regularly throughout the day.
  • Hygiene lessons and assemblies for children reinforcing the importance of this and how to wash their hands well.
  • Hygiene packs for each class including surface wipes, tissues and specific disposal bins.
  • Additional cleaning activities.

We have also introduced an amended first aid approach which includes:

  • Contacting parents immediately even if a child’s temperature is only slightly elevated to ask for them to be collected.
  • Creation of an isolation space for them to wait in until your arrival (although obviously with adult supervision). If they have siblings in the school we will also discuss their attendance with you.

What do I need to do as a parent?

  • If you’ve recently changed your contact details, please inform the school office as soon as possible. It is essential we have your most recent mobile number and email address!
  • Talk to your children about the coronavirus. It’s a scary time and we should make sure children feel supported. BBC Newsround has regular updates for younger children and YoungMinds has practical steps older children can take to help with anxiety.
  • Come and collect your child straight away, if we ask you to (we’ll contact you if they become ill with either a temperature or a new, continuous cough).
  • Check that your child has access to the Bug Club, Mathletics & Timestable Rockstars from home, and let us know if there are any issues (so we can make sure we’re well prepared for remote learning if the school does need to close at some point).
  • Go to our website www.ellenwilkinson.newham.sch.uk
  • Click in the children zone tab at the top.
  • Click on useful links.
  • Make sure you have the Studybugs app on your phone and use this to report your child’s absence wherever possible.

What happens if the school has to close?

We’ll only close if we’re either officially advised to do so or we don’t have enough staff to run the school.

In either case, we’ll:

  • Inform you by both email and text and will also post this on the front of our website.
  • You will receive details about how your child’s education will continue this will include:
  • Links to online resources .
  • Access to online learning platforms.
  • Hard copy work packs and an exercise book too complete them in.
  • An English and Maths Collins work book for your child.
  • Details of how to contact teaching staff to support you if your child is struggling with their work (you will need an email address for this).
  • Details of how future education will be supplied in case of extended closure.
  • We will also issue a weekly newsletter to ensure we stay connected as a community and obviously additional updates as changes occur.
  • Please keep in mind that we’re only sending out this information to help the school community prepare. There are currently no plans to close.

What if I have other questions?

School specific: If you have any questions that are school specific please consult the school office or speak to any staff at the gate.

Medical support:  If you think you or your child may have the symptoms, use NHS 111 online if at all possible before calling 111.

 General Information:

DFE COVID-19 (Coronavirus) related to education helpline.

  • Phone: 0800 046 8687
  • Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
  • Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

 

This is a concerning time for all of us and we know you’re worried about the impact this might have on our community and your child’s education. It’s important we keep each other safe and talk about these events to help with any anxiety.

Thank you for your continued support in this matter.

Yours sincerely,


Sue Ferguson

Headteacher

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