Please see Government link below to assist you on completing your form for school today.

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

Tomorrow we have been told to close our school…’for the foreseeable’…as a school who puts our children and families at the front of all we do, this is such a sad time, not knowing when we can provide education for ALL 218 of our AMAZING children.

We are in no position to criticise this decision, it is in every paper, on every channel, on every facebook post, we simply have to follow the guidelines and be as supportive as we can in this really challenging time. Sadly though, we do not know when ‘normal’ schooling will resume, which is very sad. Our Year 6’s…in their fourth year of CJS life have had their SATS taken away, which has been a worry and focus for months, then there is the final months; leavers show; sleepover; fun days; leavers tea and book signing…all hanging in the balance. We have our fingers crossed that this will all end. But, if it doesn’t our Year 6’s will still get their moment…whenever that will be.

Tomorrow, our children are coming to school in sports clothes for our street dance coach, but if they want to they can wear anything they want…crazy hair, face paint, nail varnish, let them have a day to treasure at this difficult time. On top of that, all children can also bring in games and treats. Lets have a good last day…until the ‘foreseeable’ ends.

Big hugs to our CJS Families

From the CJS staff…

We have been instructed to close the school on Friday 20th March. The school will only be open to children with a named social worker, children with an EHC plan or children where BOTH parents are “key workers” as defined by the government. The list of occupations that qualify as key worker is below:

· DfE List to be announced today – Thursday 19th March

School will only be open on Monday 23rd March for those children where BOTH PARENTS are key workers and have no other childcare provision. The provision on offer will be purely childcare and not educational.

To enable us to plan staffing requirements to meet the needs of this group of children, please could you fill in the form (attached below) if you feel you are entitled to a childcare place and return it by 9 a.m. on the 20th March 2020. We will then be in touch with you to confirm arrangements. If your child is not in school today, you will be text a link to the form. We will accept the details required in an email to consettjunior@durhamlearning.net

As I’m sure you will appreciate, we need to ensure that provision is targeted at those families who are at the forefront of essential services in these challenging times. We also need to safeguard the health and wellbeing of school staff wherever possible by limiting social contact as advised by the government and DFE.

If the Government makes the decision to go into a full lockdown situation the school will be closed to everyone for that period. This information will be cascaded via the school app.

Key Worker Information Sheet

Kind Regards

Mr Dixon

Head Teacher

We just want to update you that we are still waiting for clarification on who are classed as ‘key workers’ following the Prime Ministers announcement yesterday. However, we do know the following:

Couples must both be key workers to be eligible. If not, one will be expected to stay at home with the children. Single parents who work in the NHS or for the police, for example, will get a place.

We are still waiting for the full list of key workers and as soon as have this we will share it with our families.

Thank you for your patience

Mr Dixon
Head Teacher

If you have not already heard, the Prime Minister has made the announcement to close all UK schools from Friday (20th March 3.30 p.m.) due to the Coronavirus.

As a school this is something we must adhere to, but also we have questions that need further clarification. We are hoping for clearer Local Authority guidance on this announcement, which we will endeavor to relay to you as soon as possible.  In particular, a clear understanding of ‘key workers’, staffing,  and ensuring vulnerable children are priority.  Once we have this information, we will add it to the app and website, it is very early days for us.

As previously informed, we have already started your child’s work pack, which are already available to access via your child’s class page. If you have not received your individual text please contact the school.

Packs will be available from noon on Friday, if your child is not in school you must make arrangements to collect your pack from reception.

In the meantime children should continue to attend school if they are well enough to do so.  If you have any concerns, please use the NHS 111 online service.

Thank you for your patience

Mr Dixon

Head Teacher

We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following:

‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.

I would just like to confirm this is a scam email and is not from the local authority. We urge you and parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond and delete it immediately.

Thank you
Mr Dixon
Head Teacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am writing to keep you up to date with where we are, as a school, in light of the current government guidance.  If your child is off school ill or you are self-isolating as a family, absence will be authorised.  Please do not send your child in to school for 14 days once they have been absent with any symptoms or absent because a family member has symptoms. You are advised to check the symptoms online https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 and only ring 111 if symptoms get worse. If you are self-isolating then you must ensure children remain indoors, there are wider community concerns that children are absent from school and are still playing outdoors.

Currently, the guidance from the government is that schools should remain open.  The guidance is based on the understanding that by staying open we are supporting those people who work in the Health Service, Emergency services, Caring professions and the retail sector.  We fully support this advice however it would be poor on our part, if we did not plan for a school closure.

Partial closure

Partial closures may need to take place if we do not have enough staff in school.  We will keep you informed of this using our school website, app and text messaging service.

Learning at home

We have created study packs for all children in the event of a prolonged closure.  These packs contain English, Maths and topic work and will be sent home with your child if the school is forced to close.  The study packs are to ensure that children can access work at home so that some learning can still take place.  The study packs will also be available on the school website under your child’s class number, and the priority contacts will be text the link to their work.

Other ways to facilitate learning in the event of a school closure

Ensure your child reads every day.

Use accelerated reader to take reading tests.

Access times table rockstars

Access lexia (if your child uses this at school).

Quizzes and challenges set on the Newsround website.

Access BBC bitesize

Take care and look after each other.

Kind Regards

Mr Dixon

Head Teacher

Due to the information we are receiving from the government and Public Health England in relation to Coronavirus and the subsequent confirmed cases in the UK, we are continuing to take the health and safety of our pupils and staff very seriously.

Today, we have made the decision to cancel any events where a large number of people will be entering our school (Mother’s Day and Consultation Evenings), but we have not cancelled after school clubs or sports sessions if they are held within our school.

In school we are ensuring the children and staff are following hand washing/hygiene procedures and have heavily resourced our cleaning products/tissues to ensure they are readily available to all. To further safeguard our children and staff, we are asking for help with the following:

If you need to come into the school building, please only enter through the main reception and on doing so we request you use your own hand sanitiser or go straight to the staff toilets to wash your hands. Prior to this, please assess if your visit into school is absolutely necessary, or can you ring instead?

We have temporarily cordoned off the use of the school water fountains, so all children MUST have a water bottle in school each day, and this MUST go home with your child every night for a deep clean. If children forget their water bottle, disposable cups will be available in the class work areas.

We will share any further guidance and Government updates as they are made available to us, which will be done via this app, texts, letters and our website.

Thank you for your continued patience as well as your support.

Kind regards

Mr Dixon
Head Teacher

It is with great sadness that we have had to cancel ALL parents/carers evenings, including tonights (Mr Moore) as you can imagine this is a difficult decision to make. However, the guidance and information we have received is clear and we will always ensure we do what is right for our children and their families.

We will do our best to provide an alternative date once the current situation becomes clearer. If we are not able to reschedule these appointments, then reports will be sent home regarding your child’s progress.

Please can you ensure both parents/carers are made aware of these cancellations.

Kind regards,

Mrs Dixon
Head Teacher