As school has now returned in full we thought it would be helpful to give you some information regarding Covid-19. The guidance and advice can be over bearing so we hope to condense this all into one place for you to help you keep your family safe.

As you know changes and new guidance are issued regularly, if there are changes to any information we have previously shared, we will continue to update you.

If you need any clarity on the information attached below, please do not hesitate to contact us.

CJS Team

Understanding Covid and when to self-isolate – September 2020

6.25 hours per week with 1.25 hours a week overtime (11.40 – 13.20 timings may change)
Grade 1: £18065 Pro Rata

The Headteacher and Governors would like to appoint an enthusiastic and committed person to supervise pupils during the lunch time period. The successful candidate will have experience working with children, work well in a team and be able to support the ethos of the school. This is a temporary post for one year.

Duties include:
• Supervising hand washing and preparing for lunch
• Supervising children during lunchtimes in school and on the playground
• Encouraging children with food, promoting good manners and healthy choices
• Assist to clear tables, wipe down and maintain general cleanliness of the lunch/classroom area
• Communicate effectively with pupils, maintaining good behaviour according to the school’s behaviour policy.

Consett Junior School is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Application forms and supporting documents available from Mrs Raine

Applications for this post will close at 12 noon on Monday 14th September 2020.

Please click on the link below to access our September 2020 Newsletter. Children will be given a copy of this today.

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

In response to the congregation around the gates at the end of the day yesterday, we have decided to put in a slight change that will impact on the families of Year 3 and 4 ONLY. These changes are necessary to ensure the safety and well being of you all. But are also an attempt to get this new way of life to run as smoothly as possible. These changes will start TONIGHT.

If you have a child in Year 3 or 4 they will now be lined up in their class group on the yard at 3.05 p.m.
The gates will be open at this time and we request that ONE adult per family queues to come onto the yard to collect their child, by keeping close to the perimeter. You will then be asked to walk in single file around the back of the school building/path beside the car park to take you back to the main gate, remaining 2 metres from the person in front of you. Staff will be there to direct you.

The procedure for collecting siblings at 3.20 p.m. WILL remain the same. These families can wait beside the gate if necessary.

We request that families of Year 5 and 6 DO NOT come onto the yard, and in fact we are asking you to seriously consider waiting further up Beechdale Road to allow your child to walk to meet you. This does not apply to a child in those year groups who have additional needs or are otherwise vulnerable. By moving away from the gates you will significantly ease the congestion and keep our children and families safe. Your time to collect your child remains 3.20 p.m.

If there is ever a time when you are not there, please remind your child to return to school and we will do the same.

Please also consider, do you need to bring your car down to the school gates?

We hope this eases things at the end of day

CJS Team

Good evening,

I would just like to inform parents/carers that we are well aware of the issues with drop offs and collection at the school gates tonight. Whilst we are trying hard to follow the guidance with social distancing and bubbles, it is not straight forward and will evolve over the coming days.

It is not helped by adults and ex-pupils congregating at the school gates at the end of the day, as it makes it difficult for staff and children to see parents and family members of the children we have kept safe all day.

Also I am aware of some comments on Facebook that I feel are detrimental to our school. Many hours of work have gone into planning for reopening, which has been shared with all families throughout, it is not an exact science. However, if you have issues with anything I am more than happy to speak with you direct. Those who share their views via social media will find it difficult to resolve their issues and make things more difficult moving forward. Your concerns will not be addressed or resolved by using this method of complaint.

Please adhere to the start times, don’t arrive more than a couple of minutes earlier on a morning; likewise at the end of the school day children in upper school will not leave school until 15 minutes after lower school, so congregating at the gates is only going to cause issues for the whole school.

Mr Dixon
Head Teacher

Thank you to all families for reading through the information and watching the back to school video to prepare your child for their first day back. There will inevitably be adjustments made to the routine of the day (staggered times remaining the same).

We have all enjoyed seeing the children (all so tall!) back in school and our attendance today is an amazing 99.04% with no child off without a valid reason. We understand it must have been an anxious time for children and families but being in the classroom is very important for their education and friendships.

Thank you again

Everyone at CJS

Local photographer, Mark Wilkinson, will be in school on the morning of Friday 18th September to take ‘individual’ photographs of all the children in school. There will be a cleaner on duty all morning to clean the areas between bubble sessions.

In previous years this would have included sibling photographs as well as well an earlier session for family photographs prior to school starting. Unfortunately, due to Covid we are unable to offer these sessions. As an alternative for families who would like sibling/family photographs taken, Mark is happy to do this in his shop (Middle Street, Consett) by prior appointment. All proofs, whether taken in school or at his shop will be returned to Consett Junior School for ordering.

Children will receive a proof order at a later date. All bulk orders can be made through school by a set deadline, alternatively, please make your order direct with the local shop (Middle Street).

Ordering details will follow after the 18th September.

Thanks
CJS Team

If you have more than one child in Consett Junior School which cause issues for dropping off and collecting each day, we have procedures in place to support this.

If your child starts at 8.45 a.m. then their sibling can go into breakfast club at 8.45 a.m. and sit at their year group table until 9.00 a.m. We strongly recommend families do this to alleviate the congestion around school for other families dropping off at 9,00 a.m. You do not need to advise us if you are using this alternative.

At the end of the school day children in Year 3 and 4 who have siblings leaving at 3.20 a.m. will wait in their year group in the hall with their teacher. Their teacher will then bring them out to meet you at the main gate at 3.20 p.m.. You DO need to advise us if you are using this service so teachers are aware that they will not be leaving at 3.05 p.m. This can be achieved by ringing or emailing Mrs Raine – 01207 504431 or consettjunior@durhamlearning.net

Thank you CJS team

We have received information that the crossing patrol person usually at the site – Ashdale Road / Beechdale Road will remain unmanned owing to continued staff absence.

Sadly they do not have relief school crossing patrol provision for this location, however the break in service is expected temporarily only until 7th September. We will keep you informed.

Although the Council regards the provision of a school crossing patrol service as an important contribution to the safety of children in County Durham, this provision is a permissive function rather than a statutory obligation of the council and it must be appreciated that parental responsibility is in no way diminished by the exercise of this service.

Please can you ensure your child is safe if/when crossing this road.

Schools have been working hard over the summer period to prepare and welcome back all pupils in the new academic year. A range of protective measures have been put in place in order that parents and children feel confident of their safe return to settings.

As a school, we understand that, as parents, you may have anxieties or concerns about your child’s return and we encourage you to contact us if you have any specific concerns that you would like to talk through or any help and support that you or your child may require.

As echoed by the Government, it is vital for all children who can be at school to return, given that the sooner children can return to school, the better it is for their health and mental wellbeing, wider development and their educational prospects.

The Government have made clear the expectation that all children will return to school in September 2020 when school attendance will, again, be mandatory and the school’s attendance policy clearly mirrors this.

The Government have planned for a range of potential scenarios detailing the actions that parents and schools should take in the event of one of the issues arising and this is attached in the summary attendance policy leaflet. I would be grateful if parents could familiarise themselves with this.

The updated policies can be found on our website (link below)

CJS Team

https://www.consett-jun.durham.sch.uk/about-us/school-attendance/