Dear Parents and Carers,
A quick update as the British weather has again meant we need some adaptations.
Quick version for those heading to work- Sports day rearranged and optional early pick up Tuesday / Weds/ Thursday this week.
As shared in newsletter last week, we are continuing to manage the possible impact of the extreme heat. With outside temperatures expected to exceed 35°C, our classrooms can reach close (or even over) 40°C, even with all ventilation measures in place. This creates conditions that are not safe for young bodies, prolonged activity or large gatherings.
For those who’ve been with us for some years you’ll know we have already been thinking through plans! Thank you to those people who’ve emailed in already with suggestions and comments. Not every suggestion can be accommodated and some are not applicable to our or other primary schools. We have to work within the rules set out for us. I would also draw attention to the parents code as expectations for staff to respond and resolve issues at the weekend are not reasonable. Everyone’s well-being, health and safety is something we take seriously. If you have chosen us please trust us to tell you what is going on via the website, Bromcom and Tapestry/ seesaw. We do not have capacity to communicate via any school what’s app groups
To stay within the rules and try to also keep everyone safe and comfortable, we are making the following adjustments for this week.
Sports Day – New Dates same times• Nursery – Thursday 2nd. Note change of day of week. This is unavoidable as other things are booked.
• Reception and the rest of the school – Thursday 9th as year 6 out on transitions
We will review will be an earlier sports day in the next calendar year.
Optional Early CollectionTo reduce the number of people on site and avoid the need to close, we are offering completely optional early pick‑up on Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th. You do not need to alert us of your choice. We won’t release anyone without an adult.• front and side ( not MUGA) Gates will open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:45pm for anyone who wishes to collect early.
• Gates will close again at 1:05pm; after this time, collection will be via the office.
Optional Early CollectionTo reduce the number of people on site and avoid the need to close, we are offering completely optional early pick‑up on Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th. You do not need to alert us of your choice. We won’t release anyone without an adult.• front and side ( not MUGA) Gates will open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:45pm for anyone who wishes to collect early.
• Gates will close again at 1:05pm; after this time, collection will be via the office.
Children will be signed out on our registers as authorised exceptional and this will not impact attendance marks. If you are sending someone other than someone in your pick up list email the office as always.
Those who normally walk home
•For those older children in year 5&6 who normally walk home the expectation is that children must be met by an adult if they are being collected early. This is because they are being released early by approval from school. We are fully aware that this creates an extra complication for some. But we cannot release children ahead of a normal end of school day other than to an adult. This is partly because it is an agreed reduced day but also because we cannot risk assess and approve a situation where a child has wandered away and suffers heat stroke or heads off unattended.
Learning for the Afternoon
Teachers will set two remote learning tasks via Tapestry or Seesaw for children collected early. They should be completed by the following week.
Children who do remain in school will continue learning safely indoors. We know that for many people this will remain your choice as having children work alongside you in the office or in a sweltering flat are equally as dangerous.
Heat‑Safety Measures• No more than 5 minutes outside at lunchtime.
• Between 9:00 and 11:00, children may spend no more than 20 minutes outside.
• Staff will monitor all children closely for signs of heat exhaustion.
• y3 Forest School is cancelled this week.
• Children may wear sports kit all week.
Please make sure they have a hat.
• Staff will also dress comfortably for the heat.
• Activities will be rotated so fewer people are in each classroom at once.
Activities are adapted so less intense.What Children May Bring InTo help children stay cool, they may bring:• Mini handheld fans share with you child how to hold them and not tangle in their hair.
Small Paper / folding fans
Clubs/ Wraparound
• Cooling towels
• Frozen water bottlesIf sending suncream, please ensure it is not an aerosol, as aerosols cannot be used safely in classrooms or stored at cool enough temperatures.
• Frozen water bottlesIf sending suncream, please ensure it is not an aerosol, as aerosols cannot be used safely in classrooms or stored at cool enough temperatures.
Clubs/ Wraparound
Drama , choir and crochet are cancelled and will be offered as credit.
Our afterschool club is going ahead and will also be offered as credit if you cancel. We will ask for other external clubs to contact you directly.
We will keep the classroom temperatures under review and reserve the need to close early if risk is unmanageable. We will use the same methods to communicate as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate this unusual weather. Your flexibility helps us keep everyone safe.
Please feel free to share to anyone who you think doesn’t read newsletters, the website or updates.
(Warm) regards,
Liz Savage
Headteacher