Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Update for parents accessing school provision currently

  Fri 27 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  I am pleased we have managed to get to Friday in what has been the most unusual time.  The sun has shone all week and your children have been amazing.  The staff that have been in have thoroughly enjoyed their time.  Your children have been so positive minded and settled well to the unstructured nature of being in school.  I want to thank you for keeping in touch with me and letting me know your requirements for child care and the staff have really appreciated your positive comments.

   

  As always things keep changing, so an update for next week:

  - we will continue to use the reception classrooms and the infant hall (working really well)

  - please enter and exit using the gate at the top of the junior car park (some of you have picked up from there) - we are finding this easier to use than the 'Mickey Mouse' gate

  - Breakfast Club will continue as normal next week 7:45-9:00, school then from 9:00-15:15, but please continue to drop off and pick up to suit your work patterns

  - our kitchen has now closed down, and catering has moved to a 'hub'.  You can still access a cold meal for your child each day which will be delivered to school.  Free School Meal (benefits assessed and Reception, Y1 and Y2) will continue to get this for free.  Y3 to 6 children will need to continue to pay if they are not FSM on ParentPay.

   

  Easter plans:

  - I am sorry to announce that we will NOT be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday following guidance published

  - We will be open Monday - Thursday Holiday Week 1, Tuesday to Friday Holiday Week 2 from 9:00-15:15.  There will be no Breakfast Club.

  - We will still have the school meals as stated above during the Easter holidays

  - There may be children and staff from other schools using our provision over Easter as we are trying to work as a 'Hub' but I will limit numbers to 20 children a day if possible

   

  Closing guidance

  I would like all parents to be aware that we have been instructed by the Government that if anyone (child or adult) starts with a cough or temperature (suspected case of Covid-19) we must send all children and adults home.  We will then close the building completely for 72 hours in order for bacteria to fall to a safe level and after that period has elapsed, clean.  We can then open up again. It would mean that we would be closed for up to 4 working days, depending on the day this happened.  It is very important that all parent have their mobile phones on them so we can contact you if this situation arises, lets hope it doesn't.  

   

  Have a lovely weekend everyone, I hope you will also be able to have some rest.  

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Changes to Free School Meal (benefit related) provision

  Fri 27 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  The Local Authority are changing how we provide a free school meal for children that are currently eligible for benefits related free school meals who are not in school because of the partial closure due to Covid-19.  Children who are in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who have ‘Universal Free School Meals’ are not eligible. 

   

  The North Lincolnshire Council Catering Service are moving to a weekly grocery bag.  This will contain bread, butter, sandwich filling, fresh fruit, cucumber and some biscuits.  It is planned that this will last parents a week to be able to make their own pack up at home.  By doing this it will mean parents are better able to 'stay home' as advised, coming out for this only once a week, rather than daily.  The grocery bags are being prepared from 'hub' kitchens and will be delivered to our school.

   

  The plan:

  - our bags will be ready for collection every Wednesday at 12:00 until 12:30 (1.4.20, 8.4.20, 15.4.20) including through the Easter holidays

  - collect your bag from the main Infant entrance

  - please wait outside and maintain social distancing from other people (2 metres) 

  - one person at a time can enter the hall to collect their bag

  - there will be a bag for each child that is eligible

  - once you have the lunch please leave the premises immediately.

   

  Some parents have been asking for the Voucher Scheme.  Unfortunately the government are not ready to distribute these currently, but we believe they are working to get this system up and running in the near future.  We will ensure we communicate any updates on this as soon as they are available.

   

  Please come and get your grocery bags, I believe they will be worth you coming out for and hope they may help towards easing the financial strain I am sure many of your are under.

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Guidance on staying at home

  Tue 24 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  As instructed by the Government last night, we have re-looked at our offer to parents for care of children during this partial closure.  We are only offering places to the very few children whose parents are both key workers or a sole parent who is a key worker.  Many parents who fall into this category, who are able, have wisely made other arrangements to ensure the safety of their families.  

   

  I have arranged to have only a skeleton staff in place that meets the needs of the children coming to school.  This helps to keep our staff and their families safe and well too.  

   

  I have attached the instruction from the government for your information in the letters section and have emailed it to all parents.

   

  You can continue to contact me by email at head.berkeleyprimary@northlincs.gov.uk, but please only do so if it is very important so I can ensure I can focus my work on who needs it. 

   

  I wish you all well.

   

  Best wishes

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Stay at home if you can

  Sun 22 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic
  

• Home Learning

  Sun 22 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We are now closed to children as a school and will be partially open as a child care function for Key Workers.  Our staff are fully supportive and ready to take on this important work whilst we can.  This ensures we will all get the care and supplies that we need over the coming difficult months.  I am so proud of the staff for being so proactive and flexible in such trying times.  We have a great team.

   

  We have been busy over the last week setting up a system to try to support carers at home with continuing some form of education at home.  Good luck with this.  Our system:

   

  - we have set up a 'Home Learning' page on the school website on the 'Children' section

  - this will have lots of links you can use, advice and will have the Google Classroom link

  - all the children who were in school were shown how to use Google Classroom and were given log in details, if your child was not in school the teacher is getting the log in detail to you

  - on Google classroom we will be setting and giving feedback on work

  - this week teachers will set 2 English, 2 maths, 1 science and 1 topic activity and these should be available by Wednesday,  keep checking if they're not there

  - subsequent weeks, activities will be available from 9am on the Monday to 7pm the Sunday and will include 3 English, 3 maths, 1 science, 1 topic and 2 other subjects

  - Mr Dalgleish has set up a 'Help' button where you can get technical support, this is on the Home Learning page.

   

  Please do NOT email me or Mr Dalgleish for any queries on how to do some of the work.  If you or your child are not able to access the work, please skip it and try something else.

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Key worker applications for a place at school

  Sun 22 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parent and Carers,

   

  If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for school provision.  The highest priority, therefore where we will allocate places, is where BOTH parents are key workers or where a SOLE PARENT is a key worker. 

   

  The list of Key Worker is on the school website.  We will be opening for Key Workers children to be looked after from 07:45 – 09:00 (Breakfast Club),then 09:00 – 15:15 normal school day. If you would like to use the Breakfast Club this will need to be paid for as normal on ParentPay. 

   

  The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. Schools are therefore being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response.  Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

   

  If you think you are eligible and would like to apply for a childcare place at school, please email me on:

   

  head.berkeleyprimary@northlincs.gov.uk

   

  You must state in the email your child / children's names, which year group they are in and as much detail about both parents professions or sole parent profession.  Applications via ParentPay are now closed so please use email.

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Free School Meals for children who are NOT in school and eligible because of benefits

  Fri 20 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  We will be providing packed lunches for children that are currently eligible for benefits related free school meals who are not in school.  Children who are in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who have ‘Universal Free School Meals’ are not eligible.  Our school kitchen, which is run by North Lincolnshire Council staff, will be preparing these. 

   

  In planning collection we have to ensure we can all maintain social distancing.  Therefore you will be able to collect the packed lunch between 11:00 and 11:30 each day.  Please come and wait outside the main infant entrance in a queue and it will be one in and one out of the building to collect your child/ren’s lunch.  You will need to bring a bag or small box to put the lunch in.  Once you have the lunch please leave the premises immediately.

   

  Many thanks

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Coronavirus - school provision

  Fri 20 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  20^th March 2020

   

  Coronavirus / Covid-19 – plans at Berkeley Primary School

   

  Dear Parent and Carers,

   

  Thank you for bearing with me at this very challenging time.  We have been trying to work as fast as we can, whilst trying to make sure we have thought of as much as we can, so that we can give you the detail you need to plan.

   

  Berkeley Primary School will be closed as from 3.15pm on Friday 20th March, 2020 for MOST children until further notice.

   

  School will be open to some children which includes key workers’ children and vulnerable children.  By vulnerable children, we mean those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require. This is following the guidance given by the Department for Education.  Children who do not fall into these two groups should remain at home with "appropriate care". 

   

  Vulnerable children

  If you fall under this category you will already have had a telephone call from Alison Neall (Vulnerable children - Family Worker) or Teresa Suddaby (EHCP – SENDCO).  If you thought you fell into this category but have not had a call, then you do not. 

   

  Your children will be able to attend school normal school hours, 09:00 to 15:15.  We expect all children to be collected promptly.

   

  Key Workers

  The list of Key Worker is at the bottom of this letter.  We will be opening for Key Workers children to be looked after from 07:45 – 09:00 (Breakfast Club),then 09:00 – 15:15 normal school day. If you would like to use the Breakfast Club this will need to be paid for as normal on ParentPay. 

   

  The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. Schools are therefore being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response.  Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

   

  If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision.  The highest priority, therefore where we will allocate places, is where BOTH parents are key workers or where a SOLE PARENT is a key worker. 

   

  If you think you are eligible and would like to apply for a childcare place at school, please go onto ParentPay and complete the form on there ASAP.  You will be informed if your application does/doesn't meet the criteria, but this may be at the weekend. We will offer places based on our capacity, our capacity may change over the coming weeks.

   

  Those that can attend school

  A further letter will be sent to parents of those children eligible to attend school to let you know the arrangements. 

   

  This will be a very different type of provision than schools usually provide; for these pupils, it will be about care, not education.  This is about keeping children safe and allowing key workers to go to work and care for the sick, or to keep food supply chains moving.  All expectations regarding educational provision have been lifted.  Schools that provide this care will be free to determine what the provision looks like and what they deem to be best for the pupils they are supporting.  

   

  Please continue to bear with us and be assured that we are doing our very best to respond to this rapidly evolving situation in the interests of everyone in our school community and beyond.

   

  We have also been advised that, ‘where possible, we would encourage settings to also look after throughout the Easter holidays.’ This is something that we are aiming to achieve and will let the relevant families know nearer the time.

   

  Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Each and every one of you are in my thoughts.  Keep safe and healthy. 

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

   

   

  GOVERNMENT DEFINITION OF KEY WORKER PUBLISHED 19.3.20

   

  If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

   

  Health and social care

  This includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributers of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

   

  Education and childcare

  This includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach.

   

  Key public services

  This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and workers delivering key frontline services, those responsible for the management of the deceased, and journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting.

   

  Local and national government

  This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response or delivering essential public services such as the payment of benefits, including in government agencies and arms length bodies.

   

  Food and other necessary goods

  This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

   

  Public safety and national security

  This includes police and support staff, Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic), fire and rescue service employees (including support staff), National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas.

   

  Transport

  This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.

   

  Utilities, communication and financial services

  This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure), the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage), information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response, as well as key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services), postal services and delivery, payments providers and waste disposal sectors.

   

• Further information on Key Workers to follow later today

  Fri 20 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We are still making plans for opening for Key Workers and vulnerable children.  Our hands have been tied somewhat by the Government not sending the information we need by timescales they have stated.  

   

  Please bear with us whilst we are trying to make arrangements.  We will have more information later today.

   

  Best wishes

   

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Partial school closure from Monday

  Wed 18 Mar 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  Many of you will have seen the government announcement on partial closure of schools from Monday.  I have just posted the email I have received from the DFE at 7.30pm tonight.  This is a very difficult time for you as parents and us as a school.

   

  I, with the help of our staff, will now be planning what this means for our school.  I need further information from the government on what this provision should look like, who the 'Key Workers' are and how we provide help for our children on free school meals.  The government are hoping to send this to us later tomorrow.

   

  Please can I ask all parents to do three things:

  1) Send your children to school tomorrow and Friday if they are able to.

  2) Return the sheet we have sent out/emailed/posted on the website today asking for your occupation - we will need this information tomorrow to start to plan numbers of children who will be attending.

  3) DO NOT PHONE school and DO NOT COME IN to the office to ask for further information about school closure or how us opening will work - we have NO further information than what we have sent you.  The phone lines and administrative staff are snowed under with enquiries and we need to ensure the safe running of school and that people who must contact school can.  

   

  We appreciate your cooperation with this.

   

  I will send out more information as soon as I have it.

   

  Best wishes

  Anna Cvijetic
  Headteacher