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

• Staying Safe Online

  Tue 24 Mar 2020

  Please read this guide to staying safe online. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that all recommended sites are secure and appropriate it is essential to follow guidance when allowing children online access.

  https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/globalassets/professional/thinkuknow_primary_parents_helpsheet.pdf

• Free Educational Resources

  Mon 23 Mar 2020

  Please visit the link below which lists free resources to help support your child at home.

  https://www.learnwithlisa.org.uk/post/free-educational-resources-for-uk-parents  

   

• Free School Meals - Update

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  We are still waiting for further details from the government on the “voucher” that they announced for children who are entitled to free school meals (not fully-funded meals for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2).

   

  This is a problem that all schools are facing and we are keen to ensure that, any solution we put in place, does not involve children gathering together and risking spreading the virus.

    

  Therefore, in the short term, we will continue to provide food for the children every day (excluding weekends and holidays). This will be in the form of a packed lunch and this service will start from Monday 23^rd March 2020. The packed lunch will be available for collection from the main school office between 12.00pm and 1.00pm.

   

  This will ensure – while we are still trying to get information from the government on exactly how vouchers can be provided – the children still get their entitlement.

   

  If you are a parent / carer entitled to free school meals, you will shortly receive a MyED message.  If you would like your child to collect a packed lunch on a daily basis, please reply to the message saying that you want it!  

• School Closure - Urgent Info

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  Following the government announcement that all schools are to close, I am writing to provide further information about the planning for the next few weeks.

   

  After today it is expected that the vast majority of children will be ‘social distancing’ at home.  This is to slow the spread of the virus and to protect the vulnerable in society – which may be grandparents! It is essential that we all follow this advice; if it is ignored and we go about our lives as normal (e.g. going to the shops, children playing with friends on Hockwell Ring) we are putting ourselves and our loved ones at greater risk.  

   

  Work packs will have been given out, or collected, by the end of Monday.  Further information will come home today regarding provision for Free School Meals.

   

  The government have announced that, wherever possible, schools will remain open for ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ or children of ‘key workers’. 

   

  All parents / cares of ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ will be contacted by the school today and the plan for their child explained.

   

  A full definition of key workers is on the school website but in summary these are:

  • Health and Social Care Staff
  • School and Nursery Staff
  • Local and National Government (inc. justice)
  • Food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery
  • Emergency Services Staff and Armed Forces
  • Essential Transport Staff and utilities, communication and finance staff

   

  Please be aware that the government have stated that you do not need provision if:

  1. There are two parents / carers in the household and one is not a key worker.  You must declare both are key workers.

  2.  There is a responsible sibling over 18 years old in the house who has the capacity to ensure all children will be safe and well and complete school work during the day.

   

  Please remember, the purpose of the school closure is to slow the spread of the virus. Sending in children, who could be at home, means we would be putting other children, school staff and families at risk.

  If you are a key worker, and there is no one at home to look after your child(ren), please read the information below and speak to the school office ASAP – providing the required information, so that we can ensure that we have appropriate staff in place.

   

  Please be aware:

  • Self-isolating guidance still applies.  If anyone in the household develops a new, continuous cough or a high temperate (37.8+) then the whole house must isolate for 14 days.
  • The school day will be 9.00am until 3.00pm for children in Reception to Year 6. For children in Nursery, the hours will be 9.00 until 12.00pm, as normal.
  • Children are expected to be in school for the whole of the session.
  • For the next two weeks, lunch arrangements will be the same – children can either bring a packed lunch or you can purchase a hot school meal (as normal).  Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to get their fully-funded meal each day. If you think your child is entitled to a free school meal please tell the school office when you call.
  • Children are not required to wear school uniform 
  • Children will be completing a range of activities in mixed ability, mixed age groups - led by a range of different staff (not necessarily teachers).  These will have a purpose but the children will not be "taught" during this school closure.  
  • There will be no extra-curricular clubs or out-of-hours childcare provision (Early Birds / Night Owls). Any sessions already paid for will be credited against future sessions.

   

  However, for children (Reception to Year 6) of key workers, we are able to offer a slightly extended day – if required.  You will be able to drop off from 8.00am and pick up by 4.00pm. Please note that breakfast will not be provided and that these will be supervised, relaxed sessions, with no planned activities.   

   

  Children must be collected by “closing time”; there will be no staff cover after these hours.

   

  If you are a key worker, and there are no other adults in the house to supervise your child, you must contact the school ASAP with the info below. You must also do this if you are currently self-isolating but will be finishing that period in the next 4 weeks:

  • Your occupation
  • Confirming that there are no other adults at home to supervise your child
  • Which days of the week you require the childcare for

   

  These arrangements are in place for the next two weeks, although it is possible that – for key workers – the arrangements may be extended through the Easter holidays.  We will update all key workers on this next week.

   

  Finally, I would like say a huge thank you to the staff team. They have been fantastic this week, keeping everything calm for the children, preparing home learning packs, trying to answer your questions, covering for colleagues self-isolating. And they are continuing to show amazing dedication to our community by doing their very best to provide this on-going childcare for key workers and vulnerable children over the next few weeks.

   

  Thank you for your on-going support

• School Closure - Urgent Info

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  Following the government announcement that all schools are to close, I am writing to provide further information about the planning for the next few weeks.

   

  After today it is expected that the vast majority of children will be ‘social distancing’ at home.  This is to slow the spread of the virus and to protect the vulnerable in society – which may be grandparents! It is essential that we all follow this advice; if it is ignored and we go about our lives as normal (e.g. going to the shops, children playing with friends on Hockwell Ring) we are putting ourselves and our loved ones at greater risk.  

   

  Work packs will have been given out, or collected, by the end of Monday.  Further information will come home today regarding provision for Free School Meals.

   

  The government have announced that, wherever possible, schools will remain open for ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ or children of ‘key workers’. 

   

  All parents / cares of ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ will be contacted by the school today and the plan for their child explained.

   

  A full definition of key workers is on the school website but in summary these are:

  • Health and Social Care Staff
  • School and Nursery Staff
  • Local and National Government (inc. justice)
  • Food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery
  • Emergency Services Staff and Armed Forces
  • Essential Transport Staff and utilities, communication and finance staff

   

  Please be aware that the government have stated that you do not need provision if:

  1. There are two parents / carers in the household and one is not a key worker.  You must declare both are key workers.

  2.  There is a responsible sibling over 18 years old in the house who has the capacity to ensure all children will be safe and well and complete school work during the day.

   

  Please remember, the purpose of the school closure is to slow the spread of the virus. Sending in children, who could be at home, means we would be putting other children, school staff and families at risk.

  If you are a key worker, and there is no one at home to look after your child(ren), please read the information below and speak to the school office ASAP – providing the required information, so that we can ensure that we have appropriate staff in place.

   

  Please be aware:

  • Self-isolating guidance still applies.  If anyone in the household develops a new, continuous cough or a high temperate (37.8+) then the whole house must isolate for 14 days.
  • The school day will be 9.00am until 3.00pm for children in Reception to Year 6. For children in Nursery, the hours will be 9.00 until 12.00pm, as normal.
  • Children are expected to be in school for the whole of the session.
  • For the next two weeks, lunch arrangements will be the same – children can either bring a packed lunch or you can purchase a hot school meal (as normal).  Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to get their fully-funded meal each day. If you think your child is entitled to a free school meal please tell the school office when you call.
  • Children are not required to wear school uniform 
  • Children will be completing a range of activities in mixed ability, mixed age groups - led by a range of different staff (not necessarily teachers).  These will have a purpose but the children will not be "taught" during this school closure.  
  • There will be no extra-curricular clubs or out-of-hours childcare provision (Early Birds / Night Owls). Any sessions already paid for will be credited against future sessions.

   

  However, for children (Reception to Year 6) of key workers, we are able to offer a slightly extended day – if required.  You will be able to drop off from 8.00am and pick up by 4.00pm. Please note that breakfast will not be provided and that these will be supervised, relaxed sessions, with no planned activities.   

   

  Children must be collected by “closing time”; there will be no staff cover after these hours.

   

  If you are a key worker, and there are no other adults in the house to supervise your child, you must contact the school ASAP with the info below. You must also do this if you are currently self-isolating but will be finishing that period in the next 4 weeks:

  • Your occupation
  • Confirming that there are no other adults at home to supervise your child
  • Which days of the week you require the childcare for

   

  These arrangements are in place for the next two weeks, although it is possible that – for key workers – the arrangements may be extended through the Easter holidays.  We will update all key workers on this next week.

   

  Finally, I would like say a huge thank you to the staff team. They have been fantastic this week, keeping everything calm for the children, preparing home learning packs, trying to answer your questions, covering for colleagues self-isolating. And they are continuing to show amazing dedication to our community by doing their very best to provide this on-going childcare for key workers and vulnerable children over the next few weeks.

   

  Thank you for your on-going support

• School Closure - Urgent Info

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  Following the government announcement that all schools are to close, I am writing to provide further information about the planning for the next few weeks.

   

  After today it is expected that the vast majority of children will be ‘social distancing’ at home.  This is to slow the spread of the virus and to protect the vulnerable in society – which may be grandparents! It is essential that we all follow this advice; if it is ignored and we go about our lives as normal (e.g. going to the shops, children playing with friends on Hockwell Ring) we are putting ourselves and our loved ones at greater risk.  

   

  Work packs will have been given out, or collected, by the end of Monday.  Further information will come home today regarding provision for Free School Meals.

   

  The government have announced that, wherever possible, schools will remain open for ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ or children of ‘key workers’. 

   

  All parents / cares of ‘children with a social worker or EHC Plan’ will be contacted by the school today and the plan for their child explained.

   

  A full definition of key workers is on the school website but in summary these are:

  • Health and Social Care Staff
  • School and Nursery Staff
  • Local and National Government (inc. justice)
  • Food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery
  • Emergency Services Staff and Armed Forces
  • Essential Transport Staff and utilities, communication and finance staff

   

  Please be aware that the government have stated that you do not need provision if:

  1. There are two parents / carers in the household and one is not a key worker.  You must declare both are key workers.

  2.  There is a responsible sibling over 18 years old in the house who has the capacity to ensure all children will be safe and well and complete school work during the day.

   

  Please remember, the purpose of the school closure is to slow the spread of the virus. Sending in children, who could be at home, means we would be putting other children, school staff and families at risk.

  If you are a key worker, and there is no one at home to look after your child(ren), please read the information below and speak to the school office ASAP – providing the required information, so that we can ensure that we have appropriate staff in place.

   

  Please be aware:

  • Self-isolating guidance still applies.  If anyone in the household develops a new, continuous cough or a high temperate (37.8+) then the whole house must isolate for 14 days.
  • The school day will be 9.00am until 3.00pm for children in Reception to Year 6. For children in Nursery, the hours will be 9.00 until 12.00pm, as normal.
  • Children are expected to be in school for the whole of the session.
  • For the next two weeks, lunch arrangements will be the same – children can either bring a packed lunch or you can purchase a hot school meal (as normal).  Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to get their fully-funded meal each day. If you think your child is entitled to a free school meal please tell the school office when you call.
  • Children are not required to wear school uniform 
  • Children will be completing a range of activities in mixed ability, mixed age groups - led by a range of different staff (not necessarily teachers).  These will have a purpose but the children will not be "taught" during this school closure.  
  • There will be no extra-curricular clubs or out-of-hours childcare provision (Early Birds / Night Owls). Any sessions already paid for will be credited against future sessions.

   

  However, for children (Reception to Year 6) of key workers, we are able to offer a slightly extended day – if required.  You will be able to drop off from 8.00am and pick up by 4.00pm. Please note that breakfast will not be provided and that these will be supervised, relaxed sessions, with no planned activities.   

   

  Children must be collected by “closing time”; there will be no staff cover after these hours.

   

  If you are a key worker, and there are no other adults in the house to supervise your child, you must contact the school ASAP with the info below. You must also do this if you are currently self-isolating but will be finishing that period in the next 4 weeks:

  • Your occupation
  • Confirming that there are no other adults at home to supervise your child
  • Which days of the week you require the childcare for

   

  These arrangements are in place for the next two weeks, although it is possible that – for key workers – the arrangements may be extended through the Easter holidays.  We will update all key workers on this next week.

   

  Finally, I would like say a huge thank you to the staff team. They have been fantastic this week, keeping everything calm for the children, preparing home learning packs, trying to answer your questions, covering for colleagues self-isolating. And they are continuing to show amazing dedication to our community by doing their very best to provide this on-going childcare for key workers and vulnerable children over the next few weeks.

   

  Thank you for your on-going support

• School Closure / Key Worker Information

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  The full list of "key workers" has now been released.

   

  All children with a parent / carer on the list (unless they have another parent / carer who is at home) will still be able to come to school from Monday 23rd March. If this applies to you PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL TODAY IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE UP THIS PLACE (even if you child is currently self-isolating but will be back in a couple of weeks).  More information on this will be published later in the day. 

   

  As instructed by the government, if your job is not on the list, or you have another adult in the household (either off work or not working) - you must make alternative arrangements for childcare from next week.

   

  These measures are in place to slow the spread of the virus.

   

  Full Key Worker List:

   

  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.

• Coronavirus Information ***UPDATE***

  Thu 19 Mar 2020

  There is currently no cause for concern at Pirton Hill Primary School, but clearly this is an ever-changing situation and we are committed to providing the most up-to-date information we can.

   

  School Closure

  As directed by the Government, Pirton Hill Primary will close on Friday 20^th March for all children except for those children whose parents are "key workers" or pupils who have social care/worker involvement or an EHC Plan.

   

  We are still waiting for specific information from the government but it is likely that "key workers" will include the following groups: 

  • National Health Service (including paramedics and ambulance drivers)
  • Armed forces
  • Teachers, school staff and childcare staff
  • Care home workers
  • Social workers
  • Police officers (including community support, civilian staff)
  • Prison officers or other probation staff
  • Fire Fighters
  • Essential delivery drivers (including those involved in delivering and distributing vital supplies to supermarket chains and
    food distribution)

  If your role is not on this list, please start to make contingency plans for childcare from Monday 23rd March.

   

  We are also waiting for further information about the vouchers for those children entitled to Free School Meals. 

   

  The original information regarding the school contingency planning is available to parents / carers below.  This will be updated in due course:

  • Click here for parents / carers of children in Reception to Year 5
  • Click here for parents / carers of children in Year 6

   

  No Confirmed Cases

  The school is not currently aware of any confirmed cases of coronavirus within our school community.  However, with the change in focus of testing for the virus, it is possible that there will be unconfirmed cases in our community. According to government information, this is likely to be the case over the next few weeks. 

   

  Therefore, it is very important that we follow the latest government guidance: 

  • if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. 
  • if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
  • if you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period
  • if you have coronavirus symptoms:
    • do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
    • you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home
    • testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home
  • plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household
  • if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999

   

  If your child is off school with a new, continuous cough and/or high temperature (37.8+ degrees) - or is required to be off school for 14 days due to somebody else in the household showing the symptoms to coronavirus:

  • this absence will be authorised
  • work will be sent home and there is an expectation that parents will support their child by helping them to complete it. 
  • children can also access Numbots / TT Rockstars
  • children are encouraged to read a book every day
  • children should not be out during the school day (including shopping) or socialising with friends (including at the park) in after school  

   

  Social Distancing

  The government are now recommending that everyone puts social distancing measures in place. These include: 

  • Avoiding large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs.
  • Avoiding gatherings with friends and family. 

   

  Therefore, all non-essential school events will be postponed for next few weeks.  These include: Toddler Time, Mother's Day Afternoon Tea and end of term Wows.  We will keep you updated on other events which may be impacted. 

   

  The government are also now recommending that the following groups take stringent measures to distance themselves socially; this could be for up to 12 weeks:

  • Those over the age of 70
  • Those under the age of 70 with certain underlying health conditions (see the link below)
  • Those who are pregnant

  For more information click here

   

  How to Prevent the spread of infection
  Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:

  • Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • If you feel unwell, stay at home and don’t attend work or school
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home
  • If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment

• Reception Tree Planting

  Fri 13 Mar 2020

  On Friday 13th March 2020, all children in Reception, and a few school governor, planted a sapling on the school field.

   

  With a little help from the adults, each child planted a tree in our new copse just outside Reception and Year 1, as well as a few wildflower seeds which will hopefully attract the bees which Years 1 - 4 learnt all about in the recent theatre group visit!

   

  The children all carefully placed their tree in the hole, inserted a bamboo cane for support, filled the hole back in, put a tree protector around the sapling and gave it a good splash of water from the watering can!

   

  We hope that, over the next 6 years with us - and with a little bit of TLC along the way - the Reception children will be able to watch their tree - and their little woodland - grow as they do. We also hope that they will see wildlife beginning to call it home and, hopefully, understand the small impact that their tree is having on reducing the impact of climate change!

   

  The trees were kindly donated by a local sponsor - as part of their carbon offsetting. We are very grateful to them!

  

• Behaviour Policy - UPDATED

  Thu 12 Mar 2020

  The governors have recently reviewed and updated the school's behaviour policy - which will come into effect from Easter 2020. 

   

  The vast majority of our approach is unchanged. Our high expectations, and the Behaviour Levels which underpin the whole policy, are the same. 

   

  Level 1	At this level, a child is exhibiting brilliant behaviour and outstanding learning behaviours. :-) A range of rewards may be used.
  Level 2	At this level, a child is exhibiting the expected behaviour and learning behaviours. A range of low-level rewards may be used.
  Level 3	At this level, a child is falling just below our expectations and will be reminded of expected behaviour and may receive a small sanction.
  Level 4	At this level, the poor behaviour choice is more serious. The child will get a sanction and the teacher will notify the parent / carer.
  Level 5	At this level, the poor behaviour choice is serious. The child will get a greater sanction, a school leader will notify the parent / carer and behaviour plan for the child may be out in place.
  Level 6	At this level, the poor behaviour choice is very serious and the sanctions match the severity of the behaviours; outside agencies may be involved.

   

  All parents / carers are encouraged to be familiar with the Behaviour Levels and are expected to support their child (and the school) to achieve "green" behvaivour.   

   

  The major change to the policy is the addition of the Pirton Hill Characteristics of Effective Learning (see section 4). 

   

  As a school, we believe that it is important that children understand what effective learning behaviour looks like.  So, we have chosen to develop the “Pirton Hill Characteristics of Effective Learning” for this purpose.  

   

  The Characteristics of Effective Learning are the ways in which a child engages with other people and the environment - playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically.  These are statutory in Nursery and Reception but are not required to be developed or assessed from Year 1 onwards. However, as a school we believe these to be vital and are something we want to develop in all of our children. 

   

  From April 2020, the “Pirton Hill Characteristics of Effective Learning” will be implemented through the school: displayed around the school, referred to by staff and explicitly developed through our PSHE curriculum and through our planned teaching and learning in other subjects. They will also be reported on to parents / carers bi-annually from September 2020. 

   

  There are also some additional sections on:

  • The role of parents / carers in supporting behaviour (see section 8)
  • Our use of fixed-term and permanent exclusions (see section 9)
  • Our approach to the use of physical restraint (see section 11) 

   

  The full policy is available here - CLICK HERE

   

  A full version of the Behaviour Levels is available in the policy and also shown below.