Archive of Latest News
Latest news is now shared via our Head Teacher blog which is published in the Parents section of the website. Please also visit our Twitter feed for a window into our curriculum offer and to see the purposeful and memorable learning experiences in each year group. Our Twitter feed can be accessed on the Home page of our website or by clicking on the Twitter icon in the top left corner of this page.
Please find below an archive of the news stories that we published before we started to use Twitter.
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New Website Launched
Tue 26 May 2020Welcome to our brand new school website! We have created the website to keep parents up to date with school news and notices, and to showcase some of the great things our pupils are achieving. The website is extremely easy to edit by all staff at the school, so check back soon for new updates!Welcome to our brand new school website! We have created the website to keep parents up to date with school news and notices, and to showcase some of the great things our pupils are achieving. The website is extremely easy to edit by all staff at the school, so check back soon for new updates! -
Update About Re-opening
Fri 22 May 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
First of all, we hope you are all well under the current situation and our best wishes go out to everyone connected to our OWL Trust schools. We appreciate your continued support in the way we are responding to the national crisis. We are missing the vibrant daily atmosphere that is always apparent across the schools in the outer west of Newcastle. It goes without saying that we all wish to return to normal school life.
We wrote to you last week after much advice from government, the scientific community, the Local Authority and our OWL Trust of schools on the intention to re-open schools on 1st of June 2020. We indicated at that time, the great uncertainty around this intention. This picture continues nationally as schools attempt to ensure they are supporting the government in this pledge but at the same time, making measured decisions about the safety of pupils and staff.
At that time, it was the decision of the OWL Trust headteachers that a return for our youngest pupils in nursery, reception and year 1 was clearly the least preferred option on safety grounds. However, we decided to undertake risk assessment considerations on the possibility of returning some year 6 pupils in the first instance. We believe we can take steps to ensure a safe return for these groups. However, this will be dependent upon the successful conclusion of our risk assessment and consultation with staff, parents and governors as well as on the national picture of COVID transmission. Remember, any return to school still remains conditional with regard to meeting the government’s tests for unlocking the restrictions that have been in place. These risk assessments cover every aspect of school life for a returning pupil and members of staff - some of the most apparent concerns are as follows:
- The increase in the numbers of pupils expected within the school buildings and ensuring 2m social distancing for both pupils and staff within classrooms, corridors, toilets, yards etc.
- The capacity of the school facilities staff to deep clean rooms on a timely basis.
- The ability of cleaning regimes to prevent the spread of the virus from shared equipment and surfaces, including the problem of shared work materials, books, apparatus or soft furnishings.
- The complexities of serving meals and food hygiene.
- Dealing with intimate care issues, medical or first aid procedures.
- Dealing with children who require support for emotional difficulties or behaviours through physical intervention.
- The separation of groups already undertaking childcare and present in the school currently - operating in ‘bubbles’ so as not to mix pupils and staff.
- The capacity to operate ‘bubbles’ appropriately with the levels of staff available.
- Giving the children a sterile school experience that they are unaccustomed to.
We will therefore be writing to year 6 parents when we return after half term to outline what the education offer will look like and asking if they will take up a place. Parents and carers are best placed to make this decision and no family will be penalised for non-attendance in these instances. Once we have the numbers of pupils, we can work to further explore safety measures, the deployment of staff and the timing of a return for year 6.
We are aware that across our Trust there is currently not a great confidence among most parents to return to school. In our OWL Trust parent survey last week, only 19% indicated they would return but we understand this may change. Similarly, it is important that our staff are confident in their working practices and we will be looking to their experience to further inform our safety planning. We plan to discuss safety protocols with all our staff during the week of the 1st June 2020 and utilise this first week back after half term in order to prepare the environment for future returning pupils.
After returning from the half term break, we will continue to offer childcare for key workers and vulnerable pupils if required/ essential. They will operate in isolation of any future returning group. Numbers in this provision will have to also be continually risk assessed and managed by school staff safely before the subsequent year 6 group. We know also that the return of year 6 is likely to greatly increase the numbers in our schools. Once we have had time to evaluate the success of our first wave of returning pupils, we will then consider the next groups that the government intend to return. Suffice to say, we do not envisage a return for all pupils by the end of the summer term. These decisions will be based upon our daily monitoring, the advice we receive and in consultation with all stakeholders (including the OWL Trust Board) - so that we are sure the safety of pupils and staff is not compromised.
Please continue to look to the website, Twitter and for emails from school for further information on this fluid situation. Please do not send your child to school until we have communicated directly with you regarding their individual return date and instructions.
We thank you for your continued support at this difficult time.
Yours faithfully,
Julie Stuart, Headteacher Throckley Primary School
Mark Outterside, Headteacher Westerhope Primary School
Craig Heeley, Headteacher Lemington Riverside Primary School
Suzanne Richardson, Headteacher Milecastle Primary School
Wendy Leeming, Headteacher Waverley Primary School
Mick MingStones, Headteacher West Denton Primary School
Louise Thompson, Headteacher Simonside Primary School
Stuart Pickup, Headteacher Newburn Manor Primary School
Liz Simpson, Headteacher Knop Law Primary School
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Phased Return to School Letter
Thu 14 May 2020Dear Parents and Carers
Potential School Reopening
Following the government’s announcement on Sunday, we are writing to update you with regards to the potential reopening of schools, as we all deal with the challenging circumstances of this pandemic and the impact that it is having on us all.
Our preference is of course for all of our schools to find a way of opening again to our pupils, but our first priority must be that this is safe and manageable so that you (and staff) can have confidence in our planning and approach. We are currently discussing ways forward and will be guided by further information from the Department of Education, Newcastle Local Authority and the Unions.
We understand that the current uncertainties may be causing some anxiety and that many of you may not wish for your child to return at this time. Some may be shielding, deemed as vulnerable or feel that their child is safer at home. In the following few months, parents will be best placed to make this decision and the government have advised that there will be no legal or monitoring processes for attendance. Your school will be sending out a short parent survey to capture your current thinking.
Moving forward, there are a number of vital factors to be taken into consideration. As an example, we must consider how much of our school buildings can be cleaned to the standards required and therefore how many areas and classrooms we can safely open. This in addition to other health and safety risk factors will limit the numbers of pupils we can have in school at any one time.
We will therefore be proceeding with caution. The ambition is to reopen from June however this must be a phased approach. Schools will be very different to what they were before the lockdown and children will need to be supported to understand this. We may have to offer part-time hours to smaller groups of children and staggered start and finishing times - we will do our best!
It is most likely that this will begin with our oldest pupils in Year 6 over a gradual period of time. We will then be able to discuss if and how we are able to invite our younger children back to school by regular review of the risk assessments. I urge the parents of Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children not to expect that they will be returning in June and not until it is safe to do so.
Home learning will carry on as usual for year groups and children asked to stay at home.
Please also note that from the 1st June our schools will still be open to our most vulnerable children and those of key workers. Current Local Authority guidelines states that it is unlikely that any other pupils will be returning to schools on this date.
We will continue to keep you updated as best we can on developments and information we receive as and when they happen. In the meantime we thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding.
Yours faithfully,
Julie Stuart, Headteacher Throckley Primary School
Mark Outterside, Headteacher Westerhope Primary School
Craig Heeley, Headteacher Lemington Riverside Primary School
Suzanne Richardson, Headteacher Milecastle Primary School
Wendy Leeming, Headteacher Waverley Primary School
Mick MingStones, Headteacher West Denton Primary School
Louise Thompson, Headteacher Simonside Primary School
Stuart Pickup, Headteacher Newburn Manor Primary School
Liz Simpson, Headteacher Knop Law Primary School
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Special Message for Year 6
Wed 13 May 2020This week marks what would have been SATs Week for our outstanding Year 6 children. Even though these assessments don’t show how funny, caring, athletic, creative and thoughtful you all are, we know how much effort and hard work you had put into these and so we wanted to celebrate your dedication and successes! We’re so incredibly proud of your determination and progress this year; you truly are all incredible. We hope you enjoy the poem we have written as you are the inspiration! Miss you lots, the Year 6 Team x
A special message for our lovely Year 6 children:
Months of hard work have been and gone,
My oh my how much you’ve shone,
These last few months have been a roller coaster ride,
But your continued dedication fills us with pride.And now these tests will no longer be happening,
Some will be sad but most will be clapping,
Remember these tests don’t show who you really are,
Or convey those tough journeys where you’ve travelled so far.These tests don’t show how much you smile,
Or the football tricks you can perform in style,
Your hilarious humour and incredible wit,
Or acts of kindness which show your true spirit.Our classrooms are missing the amazing Year 6,
We miss watching you build your future, brick by brick,
Our days may be quieter without your catchy dances,
We admit we’ve tried to copy them but received some funny glances.We are very lucky teachers who could not be prouder,
That line needs reading again but this time much LOUDER,
Our dazzling stars continue to sparkle and shine brightly,
But for now stay safe and cuddle your loved ones tightly. -
Mrs Stuart Reads Her Favourite Story
Mon 04 May 2020 -
Newsletter from Mrs Stuart, 1st May 2020
Fri 01 May 2020Dear Parent,
I hope you are all safe and well and managing to spend some quality time together as a family amidst these unprecedented times. I know how challenging this period is for many of our families and, as a school, we want to ensure we are offering as much support as possible to those who need it. I, therefore, would like to outline our role and what we are offering to our families during these unprecedented times.
What is the role of school during this time?
The role of schools nationwide has considerably changed, albeit on a temporary basis: we offer childcare to support parents who are key workers. This is to ensure that those people whose roles are critical in the response to Covid-19 can go to work knowing that their child is safe and looked after.
How can I best support my child?
We understand that many parents and carers wish to support their child with learning; social media is awash with parents’ suggestions and achievements when it comes to home schooling. We want to make it clear that the single most important thing you can do during this global crisis is to provide a calm, happy home for your child. Be there for them when they are anxious, worried or upset. Be aware of conversations you may be having about the ongoing situation which may not be suitable for children’s ears. Read with your child as much as you can – find joy in sharing a story!
How much work should my child be completing?
As a school, we have no expectation of work that must be completed during this time; the wellbeing of you and your child is the most important thing. However, if you wish to support your child in more formal learning tasks, we are providing weekly English and maths activities that complement the half termly projects we have uploaded on to our website. These weekly tasks are uploaded each Monday morning onto the Home Learning and Support section of our school website and also onto our new home-school platform, Seesaw.
If you would like to complete the activities with your child, we would be delighted to see their work if you wish to upload it via Seesaw. However, there is no expectation for you to do this so feel free to choose the activities you think they would most benefit from and complete them at your own pace, in your own way.
We have asked class teachers to review comments and questions received via Seesaw twice a week, therefore it may be a day or two before you receive a response. Class teachers will respond by either ‘liking’ the post or with a brief comment. It has been wonderful for staff to make this connection with the children in their class and we have all been so impressed with what children have been working on – from beautiful rainbow pictures, to home baking, to long division – lots of you have been very busy!
What if my family has limited access to technology and the internet?
We understand that some families may not have access to a laptop or shared tablet and this can make home learning tricky for those who would like their child to access online content. As stated above, there is no expectation for any work to be uploaded to Seesaw for teachers to review. If your child can view tasks via any device, it would be absolutely fine for work to then be completed on paper, or in the exercise books sent home a few weeks ago. Remember, simple things like writing a daily diary, or helping you to calculate costs for weekly shopping are excellent ways to keep children’s minds active while practising basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Please continue to do what is right for you and your child; every family’s circumstances are different and we know that you will be doing all you can to ensure your child is happy and content during their time away from school.
Please tell your child to look out for a story that I will be sharing with them next week. It’s my favourite! Can they guess what it is?
Take care and stay safe!
Mrs Julie Stuart