Good morning everyone,

Can I just start by saying how lovely it has been welcoming more children back to school from last week - it now feels more like a school should, and we are so happy to be able to provide some sort of provision for those children who are able to attend.

On this note, for most of our groups (year 6, 1 and reception) we have now reached our capacity with current staffing and resources and can admit no more children at this time.  This is being constantly reviewed in light of any changes to government guidance, so watch this space - but for now, any children in reception, year 1 and year 6 who would like to return to school will be added to a 'wait list' until we have the room and the staff to be able to care for them safely.  There are some spaces on some days for children in the critical worker/vulnerable group, so if you think your child may fit into this category and would like them to return, please get in touch and we will see what we can do.

It is looking extremely unlikely, unless directives given to schools change significantly in the next couple of weeks, that we will be able to welcome any children back from other year groups (y2-5) before September - we realise this is disappointing, as it is for us too, but ultimately it is a decision made based on safety implications for all.

Online learning is continuing to be uploaded to our website - www.gunterprimary.org, on the 'children' drop down menu.  As of today, there will be a new, clearer structure to this, so please do visit the site later and click on the link to this weeks new learning (W/b 22nd June).  There will be a new set of work uploaded each week until the summer now.

In addition to this, I have added some suggested work for those children in year 6 who are not currently attending school, to help them prepare for the move to year 7 in September - if at all possible it would be really useful for your child to work through these in the coming weeks.

With regards to staffing for September, I will shortly be in a position to share this with you and the children, so they know which staff they will be working with in their next year group - where possible, at least one member of staff (teacher or Teaching Assistant) is moving up with each year group, to help them with the very challenging transition that we are all going to face this year.

Your child's end of year report will be sent to you via email in July, with the opportunity to give feedback or ask questions remotely.  Please look out for this.

For September, we are still waiting to hear from government what schools will look like when we return - it is expected that an announcement will be made this week with regards to possibly shortening the social distance required, which will obviously make it much more possible to be able to get all children back - but watch this space please.

And finally, just a reminder that children attending school MUST only arrive on site within their allocated time slot - this is to ensure that we have no cross over of children or families in different 'bubbles'.  This is vital for the continued health and safety of all children and staff, so please do your absolute best to stick to these times.  If you are unsure about anything, get in touch via email or on 0121 464 2367.

Key worker/vulnerable group (y3-5) 8.30 to 8.45am arrival

Year 6 group 9am to 9.15am arrival

Year 1 group - 9.30 to 9.45am arrival

Reception group 9.45 to 10am arrival.

The Department for Education updated their guidance for parents on 18th June, and the link to this is below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Thank you.