Keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening in school.

• Information about ‘Covid 19’ Procedures for September

  Fri 16 Jul 2021

   

  As you know, the Prime Minister announced on 12th July that Step 4 of the roadmap would go ahead on 19th July.

   

  Face Coverings

   

  All requirements to wear face coverings are removed from 19th July, however, we would strongly recommend their continued use by staff and adults in communal areas.

  There is nothing in the regulations to prevent schools making this request, although it appears that schools would not be able to mandate this. Likewise, there is nothing to stop individuals wearing face coverings if they choose to do so.

   

  Mixing and Bubbles

   

  From 19th July, the requirement to keep pupils in bubbles ceases, meaning that the guidance permits pupils to mix freely in schools. The guidance explicitly states that schools can continue bubbling arrangements until the end of the summer term, and that bubbling may be reintroduced in the case of local outbreaks. 

  Preventing mixing of pupils remains a very effective way of stopping large-scale transmission of the virus, and we will continue to limit the mixing of pupils as part of our risk assessment until the children finish for the summer break at 1:30 pm Tuesday 20th July.     The staggered lunch time arrangements will continue in September, although start and finish times times will be back to normal – 8:50 am – 3:00 pm for all classes.

   

  Contact Tracing

   

  The guidance remains the same for staff and pupils who are symptomatic. They must not attend school unless they have a negative PCR test.

  Please note that this is a different test to the Lateral Flow Tests, which are available at local chemists and give the results in 30 minutes. Anyone with a positive test must also self-isolate. This remains a legal duty after 19th July.  We will retain procedures for dealing with suspected cases as we have done prior to this date, including immediate isolation. 

   

  Government guidance is explicit that headteachers can take the decision to refuse a symptomatic pupil attending school, stating:
   
  ‘If a parent or carer insists on a pupil attending your school, you can take the decision to refuse the pupil if, in your reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19.’

   

  What you need to do if your child tests positive for COVID-19.

   

  Self-isolating and taking a test

   

  1. If your child has symptoms, they and other members of the household should self-isolate and you should inform school. You should immediately order a PCR test for them. If the PCR result is negative, they and other members of their household can stop self-isolating (unless instructed to self-isolate for other reasons). If the PCR result is positive, they, other members of their household and any close contacts identified by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the onset of symptoms.

   

  2. If your child has a positive result from a lateral flow device (LFD) test, they and other members of the household should self-isolate – and you should inform school. You should immediately order a confirmatory PCR test. If the confirmatory test is taken within two days and the result is negative, they and other members of their household can stop self-isolating (unless instructed to self-isolate for other reasons). If the confirmatory PCR test is positive (or is taken more than two days after the LFD), other members of their household and any close contacts identified by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the LFD test.

   

  3. PCR tests can be booked online through the NHS Test & Trace website or by calling 119. 

   

  4. PCR test results will be recorded with NHS Test and Trace automatically, but you should also communicate the result to the education or childcare setting during term time.

   

  5. If your child gets a positive PCR test result, NHS Test and Trace will contact you, using the details you registered when ordering the PCR test. You and/or your child will be asked a series of specific questions designed to identify who your child has been in close contact with. Being in an education or childcare setting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not necessarily mean a person is identified as a close contact.        

        

  6. You will be asked to provide the contact details, if you know them, of any of the individuals or their parents or guardians – who have been identified as close contacts. NHS Test and Trace will then get in touch with these close contacts and provide appropriate instructions or advice (see below).

   

  Self-isolation and/or testing of close contacts

   

  7. At present, anyone identified as a close contact is legally required to self-isolate and must not attend their education or childcare setting (the only exception is if they are participating in a daily contact testing trial). Anyone identified as a non-household close contact by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the date of their most recent contact with that person. If they live in the same household, they must self-isolate until 10 days after the date of that person developing symptoms (see point 1 above) or, if that person was asymptomatic, the date of their test (see point 2 above). NHS Test and Trace will notify you of the day on which the self-isolation period ends.

   

  8. Close contacts are also advised to take a PCR test. If the test result is negative, they must still complete the full self-isolation period, as the test will not detect all positive cases. If the result is positive, they will need to self-isolate for a further 10 days – and NHS Test and Trace will contact them to identify any close contacts. 

   

  9. From 16 August, if the close contact is under 18, they will not have to self-isolate (in line with the policy for fully vaccinated adults) but will be asked to take a PCR test immediately, other than for very young children identified as non-household contacts, and they will not need to self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test. If the PCR test is positive, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the test. NHS Test and Trace will then get in touch to identify close contacts (see points 5 and 6 above).

   

  We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families and schools have had to make. This has been an enormously challenging time for everyone and we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you have done.

   

  Yours sincerely,

  Mrs. J Travers

  (Headteacher)

   

• Elmer Day

  Wed 26 May 2021

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  Don't forget! Tomorrow is "Elmer Day".  Elmer makes the world a much brighter place. So for this year’s Elmer Day we are spreading the positivity of Elmer by wearing our own bright and colourful clothes to celebrate what makes us unique.

  Children may come to school in whatever clothes they choose!

• Half Term Break

  Wed 19 May 2021

  REMINDER:

  School is closed to pupils on Friday 28th May due to staff training.

  Children will finish at the normal time on Thursday 27th May for the half term break.  School will re-open Monday 7th June.

• REMINDER OF PICK-UP TIMES

  Tue 09 Mar 2021

  Reception & Nursery - 2:40 pm

  Year 1 - 2:45 pm

  Year 2 - 2:55 pm

  Year 3/4 - 3:10 pm

  Year 5 - 2:50 pm

  Year 6 - 3:00 pm

  We are still in a lock-down situation due to the pandemic. Households still should not be mixing. The classes and staff remain in their own bubbles right through the day, managing not only to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19, but also to avoid the need to isolate if a bubble is affected by a positive case. It is really frustrating to see children from different bubbles running up and down the field together after school!

  The staggered pick up times are an extra measure to avoid large groups of parents arriving and gathering at once. We ask that all parents leave the premises as soon as you have collected your child, not allowing them to mix with other children.

  Those with children in Foundation can collect any older siblings AFTER they have collected their little ones. Families should use the earliest collection time for their children, e.g. if you have children in Reception (2:40 pm and Year 4 (3:10 pm), you should collect your Reception child first, then wait outside Year 4 for the older sibling - the staff will then send your child out.

  If you have children in Year 2, Year 5 and Year 6, you should collect all three children at 2:50 pm. Confusion happens when parents arrive too early, or see other classes leaving at different times. If you stick to your own child's time, things should run smoothly.

  This system worked really well during the Autumn Term, so hopefully it won't be long before we are all back into a routine.

  Thank you.

• Information Regarding 8th March Reopening

  Fri 26 Feb 2021

  Following the announcement from the Government that all pupils are expected to return to their classrooms from Monday 8th March, please click the link below for the full reopening plan.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

  Thank you.

  Letter to Parents/Carers Regarding Reopening 8th March 2021

• Message from the Sefton Director of Public Health

  Tue 12 Jan 2021

   

   

  Dear parents and carers,

  With national lockdown restrictions in place, it is as important as ever for people with COVID-19 symptoms to access testing and follow self-isolation rules. With lots of new information around COVID-19 on our television screens and in the news, we understand that it can often feel overwhelming. We wanted to provide you with some clear information around the types of COVID-19 tests available and when they should be taken.

   

  Currently, there are two types of tests in general use. These are

  a. Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) that can be accessed via SMART testing sites. LFTs are for individuals without symptoms of COVID-19 and give a result in under an hour.

  b. PCR Tests that should be accessed via the national booking system at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. PCR tests are for people with symptoms of COVID-19 and results will take longer to arrive.

  It is essential that people get the correct test. People with COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, should self-isolate and leave their home to get a PCR test only. This is because LFTs are less sensitive tests than PCRs, meaning that even with a negative LFT result you would still need to continue your self-isolation period.

   

  Only go for an LFT test if you are still working or caring for someone outside your home.  This includes people who are working in the public sector, public transport, supermarkets, schools and nurseries and businesses where you come into contact with other people.

  Remember, the following actions will also help us to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  1. Staying at home as much as possible
  2. washing your hands
  3. following the national lockdown guidance
  4. maintaining social distancing and using face coverings when you leave your home for essential purposes – face coverings should cover the nose and mouth
  5. staying at home and getting tested if you have symptoms no matter how mild – the main symptoms are a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
  6. following self-isolation advice if you are the contact of a positive case or a household member of a symptomatic individual

   

  If you have any questions about COVID-19, or the restrictions please do visit our website where you will lots of information and advice at https://www.sefton.gov.uk/covid-19-in-sefton/

  Many thanks for your support in helping us through these difficult circumstances.

   

  Yours Sincerely

   

  MARGARET JONES

  Director of Public Health

  Sefton Council

• Sefton Letter to Parents January 2021

  Mon 11 Jan 2021

  Please click the link below to view an important letter from Sefton Council regarding the latest school closures.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. 

  Click HERE for the letter.

   

• School Closed for Lockdown

  Tue 05 Jan 2021

  Following the news that England and the rest of the UK is now in another full lock-down with immediate effect, we confirm that school is closed until at least mid February.

  The Government's message is as it was in March - Stay At Home. In order to stop the spread of the virus, people should only leave their homes for exercise, necessary food shopping and essential work. This now includes school-aged children.

  Schools are asked to open only to pupils of "Key Worker" parents and vulnerable families. Parents have already been asked to request a place for their child if they are classed as a Key Worker ASAP. These places should only be requested if there is no other adult available for the child to safely remain at home. Our Breakfast Club will have to remain closed during this lockdown period.

  We are working out bubbles, timetables and completing risk assessments on how to provide places with the health and safety of pupils and staff as our priority.

  We thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please stay safe.

• Elf Day

  Fri 04 Dec 2020

  On Friday 4th December, we will be taking part in Elf Day to help raise money for the Alzheimer's Society charity. Children may come to school on that day dressed as an elf, or in own clothes with elf colours - green, red, white - for a donation of £1 or more if you wish.

  We thank you in advance for your support.

  You can read about how Elf Day will help HERE

   

  

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Day

  Tue 06 Oct 2020
  Dear Parents / Carers,

   

  In recognition of Saturday being World Mental Health Day, we will be having a whole school Wellbeing Day on Friday 9th October.

   

  This will be a child-led day where the children will be choosing the activities, making lots of crafts, picking their favourite school meal and having lots of fun!

   

  The kitchen will be providing a special "MacDonald's style" lunch where the children can choose either chicken nuggets or a burger with fries, along with other goodies. If your child usually brings a packed lunch from home, they will be welcome to join in with this fun meal if they wish - just let us know! 🍟🍔

   

  The children may come to school in their "own clothes", but please add something YELLOW e.g. t-shirt, hair accessory, socks etc. All we ask is that they bring £1 donation (or more if you wish) to help raise money for the charity "Young Minds". You can read all about the young peoples' mental health support charity here: YOUNG MINDS

   

  #HelloYellow  💛

   

  We thank you in advance for your support 💛