It certainly appears things are not going well for the start of this term, not only have we closed to most of our children, but now the weather forecast is also causing concern!

Despite only opening for some children – please can we request that you revert to the information below and be aware this could also impact on the opening of our school.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcy8n36q6#?date=2021-01-05

This post is to alert parents to our procedures in the event of bad weather. It is our priority to remain open and as such Mr O’Dowd will work to ensure that the site is both accessible and safe.

There may, however, be occasions when the school might not be able to open as normal as a result of severe weather. It is always difficult to make the right decision due to the unpredictability of the weather; we will aim to do this as swiftly as we can. Please rest assured that any decisions taken will be based around ensuring that your children are kept as safe as possible, taking into account: whether children can get safely to school/public transport is running/main roads are accessible; whether enough staff can get to school to have a safe pupil-teacher ratio.

In such instances, any changes to the usual opening times will be communicated via:

◦Visit https://www.durham.gov.uk to see a list of ‘temporary school closures’

◦Local radio alert
◦A school App alert
◦A school website update
◦A school text message

Please be aware that when the school is open during periods of bad weather, we anticipate a later arrival of children due to transport delays caused by road traffic conditions. In light of this, on some occasions we will alert you if we change the time we close the register.

On rare occasions too, a decision may be made to send pupils home early or to close the school during the school day due to severe weather conditions. In such instances, parents/carers will be notified in the first instance by a school text message, followed by a school app alert and school website update. There are also some families who will be contacted directly on other numbers, but only if they have notified the office to do so. It is on these poor weather occasions we would stress the importance of checking your phone and ensuring your contact details are correct.

If you are in any doubt about school closures please ensure you check our systems for our communications first.

Dear families

First of all, thank you to everyone for the kind messages of support and your patience and understanding as we are yet again faced with these challenges. Our aim is to ensure our children and staff are safe and that those staying at home will be supported by us throughout this pandemic.

Thank you to the families who completed the online form, we have now been able to offer places to 46 children and these families have been notified via our school text message system.

The school day will operate almost exactly as it was prior to this closure, which means that children’s start and finish times, school uniform expectations and school meal arrangements remain the same. The senior leadership team will be in school and on hand to answer calls and emails from families who have children completing remote learning. Class teachers will make weekly calls home to speak with families and the children, online work will be monitored and marked.

Remote learning has been set up for some time, details of this is in the link below. Teachers have been asked to upload work onto this site, but please allow them time to do this as they have also had to adapt to changes very quickly. All families should have their log in details, if you require these again please email consettjunior@durhamlearning.net

Please take care, please stay safe and please follow the guidance so we can get back to some sort of normal and have all children back at school

Take care
CJS team

4th January, 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Following on from yesterday’s message to families, I am now in a position to give further information to how the school will reopen tomorrow 5th January 2021.

Due to the increased rate of transmission of the new Covid variant and the lack of additional information surrounding this variant, concerns of Local Authorities and staff Unions and the inconsistent approach of Government we are unable to fully open for all pupils at this time.

The Local Authority has issued the following statement:

Given the confusion over Government communication and guidance to schools, we believe the Secretary of State must provide clear and consistent information to schools in tier 4 that includes a move to remote learning for all pupils (excluding vulnerable children and those of key workers) and a return to school on 18th January. In the absence of changes to Government guidance DCC is clear that any decision on school closure should be made by school leaders and their Governing Bodies based on individual risk assessments at local level. Risk assessments continue to be updated and need to take account of a range of factors including local infection rates, availability of staff as well as the school’s physical environment and organisation. DCC will continue to support all of our schools based on established locally derived information along with national guidance and best practice.

After meeting with the Chair of Governors and the Senior Leaders, school will open from Tuesday 5th January for Critical Worker Children (where both parents classed as key workers or a single parent household with a key worker parent) and Vulnerable Children only (children with an EHCP, social worker and this with additional needs). Those accepting a critical worker place would be expected to send their child to school full time. All other children will be provided with remote learning to enable them to work from home. We urge you to use alternative childcare arrangements if they are available to you.

Critical worker criteria:

The decision to switch to remote learning will be reviewed weekly.

We would ask parents, as a matter of urgency, to complete the Forms Questionnaire below by 2.30pm today to log an Application for a Critical Worker/Vulnerable Person’s place, if you feel you meet the criteria.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Uv_fRWSDc02_Oo-YvfENhzGYEp0zDERAnxWCoX5eIjVUQlRGNEhTN1pZRTA4NlgyRUwwSVpaMzRSNi4u

A list of critical workers can be found on the Government website below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Breakfast Club will continue to operate from 7.45am for Critical worker and Vulnerable children as normal.

Staggered time of the day will continue:
Y3 & Y4 – 8.45am to 3.05pm
Y5 & Y6 – 9.00am – to 3.20pm

Remote learning will be via Purple Mash and the other platforms we have previously provided. We will not be preparing paper packs – if you have difficulty accessing online learning, please contact the school.

If your child is entitled to free school meals, we can offer a free packed lunch from for collection school daily between 12 and 1pm. Please email the school should you wish to take up this offer.

We will be in contact with all families on a weekly basis.

I very much apologise for the delay in sharing this information with you, but as I mentioned yesterday, the situation is fast moving.

Kind regards,

Paul Dixon
Head Teacher

Re-opening school – January 2021

Good Afternoon everyone,

There has been much speculation in the media over the past few days re: reopening of schools next week. I wanted to contact you and give a quick overview of our current situation.

It is an unfolding situation with the government, scientists, and staff unions all taking different views on the current risks of schools reopening. I’m sure you will appreciate how this is a very difficult time for school leaders as we try to work out how best to keep our staff and families safe.

I have been in meetings all day as well as seeking advice from the local authority. I will be in discussions with our senior leadership team and governor’s tomorrow morning; hopefully getting back to you as soon as possible with a plan to move us forward.

At this stage we are looking at all options available to us, to ensure the safety of all families, children, and staff.

Best regards,

Mr Dixon

Welcome back to the start of a new term, this is the spring term, with a one week half term holiday in February (w/c 15th February, returning to school on Monday 22nd February).

School term and half term dates can be found on our website or this School App. We hope everyone has enjoyed a restful break, with special moments and memorable times with family, we look forward to hearing all the special stories from the children this week.

School re-opens on Tuesday 5th January at 7.45 a.m. for breakfast club, please can we remind you that breakfast club CANNOT be accessed before this time so please ensure you wait with your child until 7.45 a.m.

Please pay dinner money/ breakfast club on ParentPay for this week as well as any money outstanding from last term as there were several families who had arrears. Children must return to school on the same dinner arrangements (unless otherwise changed with Mrs Raine), if your child changes without giving notice, your ParentPay account will be charged.

Due to on-going restrictions there will continue to be no after school clubs. This also remains the case with swimming lessons.

As you are aware, we are now in Tier 4 and further restrictions are in place. Please can we remind you to be aware of what these are and follow them in order to protect us all. Failing to do so impacts all of us and will most certainly result in the closure of school bubbles. The staggered start times and social distancing measures in and around school are very important, we also encourage you to wear a face mask when collecting your child from school.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

As the weather is particularly wintry can you ensure your child is dressed appropriately, the classrooms will continue to be ventilated and children will need additional layers of clothes to keep them warm indoors. On snowy days can children bring with them indoor footwear in a separate bag. PE days can be found on the class pages on our website – many PE days changed temporarily last term but now return to the usual days. Last term there were several children who were not in the correct uniform – we feel that this is far too relaxed and would like to remind you of our uniform policy and expectations, unless it is a PE day, children must be in the correct uniform.

https://www.consett-jun.durham.sch.uk/parents/our-school-uniform/

If you, your child or a household ‘bubble’ member has tested positive for Covid-19 during the last two weeks can you please email consettjunior@durhamlearning.net so we are aware if your child will be absent from school next week, due to the isolation period. This allows teachers to provide online learning, as well as prepare for face to face teaching.

For the latest Covid-19 stay at home guidance visit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

Despite the start of a new year, we are still facing very difficult and challenging times. Our main priority is the safety and mental well-being of our children.

Please take care
CJS Team

Get ready to be amazed!

Usually, at this time of year the children are rehearsing show lines and dances to perform live on stage for their families and friends. As we were unable to do this we came up with a virtual alternative…Our Christmas Extravaganza!

Each year group has chosen and rehearsed a choreographed dance and performed safely outside within their year group bubble for all to enjoy.

The exciting part is that they do not know what the dance of other year groups looks like, so as much as a surprise to them as our families.

We chose to release our video on Christmas Eve – to get all our families in the festive mood. We figured you will have been running around like headless ‘turkeys’ all week and deserve to now sit back and put your feet up. For many families today is traditionally panto day…this year we are stealing that glory.

The cost of filming this has been met by school, but should you wish to make a donation to school fund it will be gratefully received.

Permission was sought from the parents/carers of all children in this video, and at the time of giving permission, families were informed that this video would feature on our CJS YouTube page with comments disabled.

Enjoy everyone – have a lovely Christmas and stay safe
From all staff at CJS.

Today, Sunday 20th December 2020, we have been notified of a confirmed case of Covid-19 within our setting. We have worked with Public Health England to complete a substantial risk assessment and contacts we believe hit the ‘definitions’ have been contacted and requested to isolate for 10 days.  If you have NOT received a school text or have NOT been contacted directly this does not apply to you, however, should continue to be vigilant and follow Covid guidance. Below are letters for all families to read. Please choose the one appropriate to your child.

Letter for families/adults/children of close contacts of Covid 19 at Consett Junior School – Year 3

Letter for direct and proximity contacts – Year 3

General letter to all school students / parents / guardians and staff

General letter to all school students parents guardians and staff

In order for school to open to students and remain open, like all schools, we formed year group bubbles. This helps us to prevent the spread of Covid and also to identify contacts as part of track and trace. At times this may mean that only one class from a year group needs to self isolate, but due to whole year group break and lunch times, it also means that following a risk assessment that the whole year group may need to isolate. On this occasion PHE have identified that the whole year group must self isolate. We cannot form individual class bubbles as we are not able to deliver the whole school day/timetable exclusively to eight individual bubbles.

If a member of your household bubble has symptoms of Covid and you book a Covid test – the whole household bubble must isolate until the results are returned. 

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to send a seasonal message to you all and a big thanks for your support this term. It has certainly been the strangest of times in terms of school and life.

Since September and our full return to school, we have endeavoured to make sure school is as normal as possible for the children – this has only been possible because of the hard work of children and staff. They have followed all the various rules that we have had to put in place – they have my total gratitude and thanks.

I also need to say a huge thank you to Miss Waters and Mrs Raine, who have been a huge support to myself and the school these past months. I am also grateful to all our staff and Governors for their efforts this term. A special thank you must also go to Mr O’Dowd and our ‘two’ Mrs Wilson’s for their amazing efforts in keeping the school fully open and exceptionally clean.

Finally, a huge thank you to you all, the parents, and families of our wonderful children, who have shown your support throughout kind words throughout this term. The support does mean a great deal, especially when you receive government updates at crazy times of the day and night, your support has kept us going.

I hope you have a great Christmas Holiday and that you manage to spend some quality time, albeit safely, with your families. Let’s hope and pray that 2021 brings a return to more normal times.

So from our CJS family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year.

Paul Dixon and the CJS Team.

I would just like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of our children and their families. Over the last few months we have worked hard preparing for our Christmas Extravaganza, which has now been filmed and will be released on Christmas Eve. Alongside this, the children in school have created some fantastic art work, which we have sent to 6 residential care homes around the area – this has been really well received and I have had messages from residents and staff to thank everyone involved. We also had an overwhelming amount of toys donated to the Salvation Army toy appeal and it is important that our children understand how much that means to many families in our local area.

Special thanks to Team CJS for all of their hard work ensuring that our children are still able to do things for their local community in these difficult times.

Miss Waters
Deputy Head Teacher

Dear families

We have been on a weather monitoring mission over the weekend and it may come as no surprise that the weather for our ‘recorded’ Christmas event on Wednesday is a complete washout (I know…as if it would be nice for a CJS event).

However, with some emails to our film company and a little bit of maneuvering we have managed to change the day of filming to tomorrow, as the sun is shining just for us…

Therefore, so as not to cause too much to remember in the last week of term can children come to school this week as follows:

Tuesday – Christmas Jumpers (please ensure they wear the rest of their uniform with this, regardless of PE).

Wednesday – Christmas Jumpers again for all (Year 3 & 5 Christmas Dinner day)

Thursday – Party Clothes for their PAAARRRTYYYYYY!

Friday – Last day of term – Non Uniform

Please pay for Party day on ParentPay under ‘Winter Wonderland – we have a register should you need to know if you have paid). Please pay for Fridays non-uniform on ParentPay under ‘Non-Uniform’ fines.

Thank you everyone for your support over this really difficult year – without your support it would have been really difficult to open in September.

Take care
CJS Team