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Reopening of Schools Letter
Thu 21 May 2020We would like to share a letter that has been sent to all Head Teachers and Governors today. It is from Simon A Smith, Director and Episcopal Delegate for Education, Diocese of Salford.
Dear Colleagues,
As you and I have written many times now, these are unprecedented and challenging times for the schools system and those who work with us and not forgetting our families too.
Over the last week, there has been a plethora of guidance from a range of sources but most notably from the department for education (DFE) who have released a number of key documents. All of them in the form of ‘non-statutory guidance’. Additionally, a number of professional associations have released their own findings and advice; all are being given deep and serious consideration, but only for that guidance to be regularly superseded or updated. This also adds significant stress.
I wrote to you some weeks ago (as part of the weekly mailing) that we did not intend to replicate information that is already in the public domain. Local authorities have worked very hard with their schools, and diocesan education departments, to produce materials, guidance and practical help to better navigate this period of partial opening. The focus now is on what comes next and how we safely bring more of our children and families back into the school environment.
Some colleagues have asked for a diocesan view of what they should do next. This is set against a national debate between the government, scientific and health advisors, professional associations, the wider public and others. I think it would be helpful to set out the legal position of our schools in relation to opening schools for more pupil groups from 1st June.
From 22 March, statutory education for pupils 5-16 is currently suspended. This means these age groups do not legally have to attend school, although schools have remained open for certain vulnerable groups and the children of ‘key workers’. I draw your attention to the guidance published by the DFE, most recently between 15th - 18th May. It is non-statutory guidance and does not have the effect in law of compelling the reopening of the school to pupils. Furthermore, this non-statutory guidance clearly states it is aspirational for schools to open for the listed year groups from 1st June.
The process the diocese education department expects schools to follow is that headteachers (and nominated governors where appropriate) carry out a thorough and comprehensive risk assessment which includes a dialogue with their local authority and insurers. The risk assessment should document any actions that have been or could be taken to mitigate any identified risk(s). This should be legitimately undertaken in a reasonable way which then allows the headteacher to recommend evidentially based conclusions. This must then be considered by the governing board/directors and a decision reached on the next steps to be taken (if any).
The expectation from the non-statutory guidance is that schools will do what is best for them with due consideration to their context and setting. There have been a full range of responses to recent guidance from local authorities and headteachers and chairs will need to be aware of local decisions that have been taken. At the time of writing, these range from local authorities taking a very firm stance to supporting very localised decisions around compliance with the non-statutory guidance. Typically, there is also significant regional variation between these two parameters.
Any school offer may be driven by questions around which groups of children (and in what order/combination), resources required (the staff/people you have available and those not available or at greater risk and financial resources), timeframes (not on 1st June, but from that date) and any additional support needed.
Diocesan advice therefore is that a legitimate and considered risk assessment must be undertaken and it is then for the governing board/directors to agree how the school will proceed with any broader parental offer.
The education team will continue to be strong advocates to the DFE and RSC Office from the Catholic community for the right, timely information in order to help us do the right thing. For you, it is vital that key decisions taken are evidenced, considered and reasonable but governing boards/directors must not shy away from their legal responsibilities of a duty of care to their pupils and employees. This means the courage to do what they believe to be morally and socially just within the legal frameworks that govern us.
I wish to finish by thanking you for everything you have done for your communities in the last few weeks; we have all come to learn just how difficult and emotionally draining this has been but it is also a chance to live out the gospel and be visible missionary disciples of Christ in all that we do.
Yours sincerely,
S A Smith
Director and Episcopal Delegate for Education
@RCSalfordEd
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Parent Email
Tue 19 May 2020Dear Parents/Carers,
You should have all received the following email yesterday. Please can you check your emails and complete the questionnaire. Thank you.
The Email:
Dear Parents/Carers,
As I suggested in my letter last Monday 11th May, I have been awaiting further guidance and clarity from the Department for Education regarding the re-opening of schools, as outlined in the Prime Minister’s address on Sunday evening. The guidance arrived and it included the introduction of the Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
I now need a careful, measured and methodical plan that's built around the highest safety standards so that our school can do everything in its power to reduce the risks posed to all our pupils, parents and staff.
The purpose of this letter is to try and establish the numbers of pupils that will require a place for after half term from 8th June because we are unable to accommodate all of our pupils’ whilst maintaining their safety and social distancing protocols.
Before making your decision please consider very carefully the following points that may help in your decision making:
> Every child that can be safely cared for at home should be
> You will not be fined for non-attendance
> School is not compulsory at this stage
> Siblings in other classes cannot be accommodated
> A large number of children will not be with their usual teacher
> Lots of the children will not be in their usual classroom
>Places will be part time with staggered starting and finishing hours
To summarise, please consider your decision carefully before completing the online form below. Trust us to make the right decision. We all have your children’s best interests at heart, together with the safety of all our staff. If you request a place, there is no guarantee that you will receive one, I may have to prioritise places.
Please complete the following questionnaire:
https://forms.gle/4RNRLJH28eofWf6u8
The closing date for return of the survey is Wednesday 20th May by 12 noon.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Raynor
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Laudato Si’
Mon 18 May 2020This week is the fifth anniversary of the publishing of Laudato Si': Care for our Common home written by Pope Francis. The anniversary is being celebrated from Saturday 16th May 2020 to Friday 24th May 2020. Follow this link to find some thoughts, prayers and activities produced by the Catholic Education Service:-
https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/images/HOME_Celebration_of_Laudato_Si.pdf
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St Mary's Enjoying School Grown Goods!
Fri 15 May 2020Thank you to our key worker children for looking after St Mary's Vegetable patch over the last 8 weeks! Today they got to taste their hard work for the first time as the lettuce and rocket leaves were ready for picking!
We made a delicious salad to go with pizza...Mr Sabatino gave us a master class on how to make authentic Italian pizza! As today is National Pizza Party Day!
We didn’t stop there...the children have been busy baking brownies, flapjacks and cookies so we’ve made some extra special deliveries to special people!
Yum Yum!
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Mental Health Awareness Week
Fri 15 May 2020Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week (18th - 24th May 2020) and this year the theme is 'kindness'
Greater Manchester is joining together through acts of kindness as we respond to #COVID19 and here are some ideas from @42ndStreetmcr of how you can share some kindness and love, along with an excellent online blog written by Rebecca, sharing some simple ideas of how to everyone can share a little kindness: www.42ndstreet.org.uk/news/latest-news/kindness/
For other resources, see the links below:
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/resources
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Friday Celebration Assembly!
Fri 15 May 2020Good morning everyone!
We hope you are all well and keeping safe! We've had another excellent week of home learning and working in school with our key worker pupils!
This week you should have received a phone call from your class teachers. Those who we are yet to reach, we will keep on trying!
Teachers have loved speaking to you and it's great to receive so many positive comments about our online learning! We loved hearing your updates...your VE celebrations, tasks you have completed, new skills you have learnt, new siblings being born and hearing your happy voices has has brought a smile to all our faces!
This week's Purple Mash Stars of the week are:
Nursery = Oliver P
Reception = Joshua M
Year 1 = Aaron
Year 2 = Elias
Year 3 = Kuba
Year 4 = Sophie
Year 5 = Arianna
Year 6 = Megan
Bravo Bravo Bravo Bravissimo!
Class winners are:
Spelling Shed = Year 3
Maths Shed = Year 2
Huge congratulations! Keep up the hard work everyone!
We hope you have a fantastic Friday and enjoy your weekend!
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National Thank a Teacher Day
Thu 14 May 2020National Thank a Teacher Day is a day when we, as a nation, can come together to say Thank You to teachers across the country who make a huge difference to young people’s lives - not just now during these unprecedented times - but every day!
This year it is taking place on Wednesday 20th May 2020 – and we will be celebrating and thanking teachers on social media all that week. If you would like to get involved please see the link below.
https://thankateacher.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Thank-a-Teacher-Day-2020-Tool-Kit.pdf
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The British Red Cross - First Aid Champions
Wed 13 May 2020Take a look at a brand new learning website, First aid champions, to help give you some fresh ideas for home-schooling. What could be more empowering than learning a new life-saving skill during lockdown?
Children can learn through our engaging films, photos and online quizzes.
There is a specific pathway for home-learning for primary aged children to help guide you through the site.
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How to NOT go to School
Sun 10 May 2020Check out 'How to NOT go to School' by primary teacher@_MichaelForde. A story to help kids come to terms with school shutdown. https://parsleymimblewood.wordpress.com/
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VE Day Celebration Assembly
Fri 08 May 2020Good morning everyone, we hope you are all well, staying safe, enjoying the sunshine and have your VE picnics at the ready!
Thank you once again for all your hard work at home, keep tweeting us your photos @st_swinton they really make us smile! This week we had another inspirational video from Y3! Thank you so much! We're just waiting on it being saved in a new format so we can upload it for you all to see!
This weeks Purple Mash Stars of the Week are:
Nursery = Sophia-Lilly
Reception = Rosie G
Year 1 = Joshua
Year 2 = Archie V
Year 3 = Frankie E
Year 4 = Jack C
Year 5 = Lucas
Year 6 = Savith S
Bravo Bravo Bravo Bravissimo Very Well Done!
Well done to this weeks class winners:
Spelling Shed = Year 6
Maths Shed = Year 1
A huge congratulations!
Please don't forget you are ALL St Mary's Superstars! When you are trying hard at school work, helping your parents do jobs in the house, playing nicely with your siblings, making others smile, keep living out the St Mary's Core Values at home.
Today celebrates the 75th VE Day! On the 8th May 1945, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that the war (WW2) was over, a date that was known as VE Day (Victory in Europe Day)
We hope you enjoy the celebrations, social distance street parties, picnics in your garden with your family, what ever you decide to do, enjoy this bank holiday!
Feel free to share your photos with us as you celebrate, we have made you a special video of staff celebrations...go to the video resource center under the children tab to view!
