A childrens guide to coronavirus

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Coronavirus : Latest update (20/03/2020)

Clarification re: Key Workers

Revised guidance was received at 3pm today regarding Key Workers. As it currently stands:

Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical/key workers by the government can send their children to school, if required.

Please contact school: 01226 710447 / j.allen@birkwood.org.uk if you require childcare.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Corona Virus Update 03 04 20 

Dear Parents/Carers,

We hope you are all keeping safe and well and observing the guidance:

Stay at home

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

We are missing you and our children very much. Just to update you on a few things:

Free School Meals vouchers of £15 per child have been sent home to parents/carers where we have an up-to-date email address, this was checked by school staff last week. Those without email, E-vouchers were posted First Class on Wednesday 1^stApril.

We are also going to be sending additional vouchers to cover families during the Easter holidays ~ so, you should receive a £15 voucher weekly per child.

If you have not received a voucher and you feel that you are entitled, please contact school on 01226 710447 or: 

https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/children-families-and-education/schools-and-learning/free-schoolmeals / Alternatively contact the Local Authority on: 01226 787787 Option 3.

No lunches will be prepared in school from Monday as all families are now in receipt of FSM vouchers.  If your child is attending care in school, please provide them with a packed lunch. We will provide snacks and a free breakfast for those attending from 8 – 8.30am.

School intends staying open during the Easter holidays, including Bank Holidays, for vulnerable children and those of key workers who have been identified, thanks to our school staff.

On the last day, Friday 20^th March, we had Channel 4 Dispatches in school filming.  If your child/ren were in school, then you should have received a text asking for permission for them to be in the film.  It is due to be broadcast on Wednesday, 8^th April at 9pm.

These are very difficult times when we must look after each other, that’s a real strength of the Birkwood Family and one that I am very proud of and I know our staff and governors are too.

Please stay safe and well … ‘until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hands’ … the children know this from when we sing our Gaelic Blessing.

With love and best wishes to you all,

Julie Allen MBE

Headteacher

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Daily Live Activities

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Previous updates

Corona Virus Financial Hardship 30 03 20

Update 20 03 20 7.30am

Cornonavirus Contingency Plan 20 03 20

Curriculum support for parents in the event of school closures

We wish you a very warm welcome to the Birkwood Primary School website and hope that by using this site you will get a picture of our vision, aims and the values we uphold.

Our school is a caring, supportive and family orientated community where we encourage our children to ‘be the best that they can be’.  This is achieved by us having an exciting and relevant curriculum that meets our children’s needs and is underpinned by our School Logo ‘Inspire, Cherish and Achieve Together.’

Our high quality learning environments include a Trim Trail on the large playing field, a purpose built kitchen, so that children can cook as part of their learning in Science, Maths and Literacy.   Thanks to Big Lottery Grant and Tesco ‘Bags for Help’ funding, we also have a community and sensory garden area where children grow vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs.  In addition, a potting shed and poly tunnel, thanks to Community First Grant funding.

Our strong and committed Governing Body have made the decision to keep class sizes as small as possible in Foundation Stage in order to ensure high quality support for our youngest children.

We also have outstanding provision in our Early Years Foundation Stage Unit with 2 mini-ICT suite areas and excellent outdoor provision.

Due to the demand for places at our school, we had to convert our Library into a classroom, so we bought and converted a Double Decker Reading Bus into an exciting Library resource which the children love!

We are very proud of our school community; if you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

With best wishes,

Mrs Julie Allen MBE
Headteacher