Message from the Headteacher

Bethersden Primary School is open to children in Reception, Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6 as well as those of Key Workers and thos classed as vulnerable

As you will be aware there is a public health concern around Covid19 (Corona virus). I wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you that, as a school, we are taking the situation seriously and have control factors in place. Each day I receive updates from the Department for Education (DfE), Department of Health (DoH) and Public Health England (PHE) containing the latest available information and precautions that we can take to protect the children, families and staff.

How you can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

• 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.
• 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 environments.

What’s the current situation?

• The school is now closed with the exception of the children of Key Workers and children who are classed as vulnerable – this is the current official guidance we’ve been given
• We are open for children of Key Workers and those who are classed as vulnerable if they cannot be safely looked after in their own home. If you fall in to one of these categories we will contact you by ParentMail regularly to indicate if you need alternative provision for your child. If you do not hear from us please email families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk.

What we’re doing to support children and staff

• All children should remain at home, including those of Key Workers if possible
• Staff are working from home remotely
• When children of Key Workers are in school we have strict social distancing measures in place. These have been sent out to all families and can be viewed here
• The school has an enhanced daily cleaning regime which is regularly reviewed.

How we are supporting children with learning at this time?

We are currently setting learning daily for our children in English and Maths. Children in Early Years, Year 1 and 2 have their learning set on DB Primary In Key Stage 2 we have introduced Google Classroom. Teachers post learning on these platforms each day which we expect children to complete by 3.30pm so that it can be marked and new learning set for the following day as it would be in school. We have designated Friday as a catch up day for families as we understand that circumstances and capacity varies.

It is very important that children complete the learning each day, or as soon as possible afterwards, to ensure they do not fall behind their classmates when we return to school.

In Science and the Foundation Subjects we have sent home Termly Learning Grids in each subject which provide ideas for family challenges. The idea behind these is that families can pick and chose which to engage with and also ow to record their learning. These can be found here.

We have also sent home a Home Learning book and stationery to each child.

How we are supporting parents and families at this time?

• A dedicated email address has been set up for our school families which is monitored throughout the school day and regularly at all other times – families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk. This email address should be used to make contact with any member of the school team.
• If you are concerned for the welfare of a child or family in our school you should email safeguarding@bethersden.kent.sch.uk and your email will be dealt with. If you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child or family please contact the police on 999

When will school reopen?

As soon as the Government announce that schools are able to reopen we will work with all parties to establish when and how we welcome children back to school. We do not want to be closed any longer than necessary however, we need to be ecratin we have systems and procedures in place that protect the health and wellbeing of our children, families and staff. At present we have no date for re-opening but will let you know as soon as we do.

In either case, we will:

• Alert parents to new information by email, Twitter and a post on our website