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

• Update 22-6-20

  Mon 22 Jun 2020

  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.

• Return to school June 2020

  Tue 02 Jun 2020

  We look forward to welcoming back pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 on Monday 15th June.  Please refer to the letter emailed already for more details of procedures on the day.

  Thank you.

• PARENT LETTER – pupils who are already attending (ley worker/vulnerable)

  Fri 22 May 2020

  We are writing to you to outline what parents and pupils can expect when we open our gates to more children next month.  We are currently aiming to do this on 8^th June.  However, please look out for any updated notices should anything change in the meantime due to the very fluid nature of this situation.

   

  From 1^st June we will begin to separate years 6, 1 and reception from their peers in years 2-5, in preparation for them joining returning pupils from their own year groups the following week.  There will be some changing of rooms in the week beginning 1^st June - please help us and them by preparing your child for this.

   

  Returning to school:

  ALL YEAR GROUPS From 8^th June (subject to change):

  Our already attending children (key worker/vulnerable) need to continue to arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am

  Year 6 children need to arrive between 9am and 9.15am

  Year 1 children need to arrive between 9.30 and 9.45am

  Reception children need to arrive between 9.45 and 10am

   

  YEAR 6 AND VULNERABLE/KEY WORKER PUPILS From 8^th June (subject to change):

  Year 6 children are to be collected at 3pm (please let us know if you wish for your child to walk home alone)

  Vulnerable/key worker children continue to be collected at 3.15pm

   

  PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE ON SITE EARLIER THAN YOUR ALLOCATED TIME – we are trying to prevent crowds of parents gathering on site and allow people to maintain social distancing of 2 metres.

   

  1. Your child will be taught in the same classroom with the same group of peers every day, and will have access to the same outdoor space – which will be separate from the other groups in school.  Key worker/vulnerable children are going to be working in the hub and the year 3 classroom. 

   

  1. When you arrive with your child at your designated time, you will see markers/cones set up along the path up towards the black pedestrian gate – please wait at a marker behind the person in front of you to ensure you are staying 2m apart.  Pupils will then be met at the gate by a staff member and welcomed into school.  No parents will be allowed onto the playground.  The same routine will be in place for collection – again, at your designated time.

   

  1. Please do not gather on the path or at the gate to talk to other parents - it is vital that social distancing is still maintained to try to keep everyone safe. 

   

  1. Following Government guidance, only 1 parent/carer can escort a child to/collect a child from school.

   

  1. Water bottles need to be in school daily – but must go home for cleaning every day.  This applies to lunchboxes too if required.

   

  1. We will not be asking pupils to wear school uniform, as many of them may well have outgrown trousers etc.  However, we would like them to wear a school jumper or cardigan, to help remind everyone that we need to follow the rules of the setting.  The rest of their clothing should be comfortable and allowed to get a little dirty, as we will be outside for a lot of the time.  It is vital that clothing is changed/washed before coming back to school the next day please.  Children can wear trainers; or if they choose not to, will need to bring a pair with them each day for their physical activity.  With the sunny weather we would also suggest you apply sun cream to your child in the morning, and send them in with a hat.

   

  1. Children will be provided with their own stationary set and desk/chair to work from when inside.

   

  1. Please do not let your child bring in any toys etc. from home.  No bags are needed either – only a lunchbox, water bottle, trainers in a small bag, coat.

   

  Precautions:

  • If anyone has a cough/temperature/loss of smell or taste/feels unwell at school, they will be sent home. If you are contacted to ask you to collect your child, please do so as promptly as possible.  They will then need to self-isolate for 14 days, or until tested negative for Covid-19.
  • If a symptomatic child is waiting to be collected, they will be supervised in a separate room by staff wearing PPE, with the door closed and a window open. If this child/adult needs to go to the toilet before being collected, they will use a separate toilet and it will be thoroughly cleaned/disinfected afterwards before anyone else can use it.
  • If a child or adult shows symptoms and tests positive for CoVid-19, then the whole group that the child/adult was in will be sent home and must self-isolate for 14 days.
  • If other cases are then also confirmed at the school, then PHE will advise the school on next steps/possible closure.

   

  The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

  ➢ a new continuous cough;

  ➢ a high temperature;

  ➢ a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

   

  And remember: Continue to promote good hygiene at home and at school, and be very clear about how good hygiene is important and will keep us all safe.

   

  We hope that together, with all of this and more in place, we can reduce any risks to your child as much as possible - and we thank you in advance for your cooperation with these measures.

  If at any point your circumstances change and you no longer wish to send your child to school, or require different days, please let us know immediately so we can update our r

• PARENT LETTER – pupils due to return to school in June

  Fri 22 May 2020

  We are writing to you to outline what parents and pupils can expect when we open our gates more fully next month.  We are currently aiming to do this on 8^th June.  However, please look out for any updated notices should anything change in the meantime due to the very fluid nature of this situation.

   

  Preparation for return:

  We realise that many parents and carers may be struggling with the idea of sending their child back into school, especially with the threat of another outbreak. This genuine concern about your child's well-being is entirely understandable and so we will do our best to reassure you and talk through any specific worries you may have.

   

  We have all had a very different way of life for a number of months - and it is important that we understand that life will not immediately return to normal.

  There's going to be a long period of adjustment, where our lives gradually move towards something that looks like 'normal'.  You can support your child/ren with this transition back to school by reinforcing this message at home.

   

  Alongside this, you should try to give time and space for them to talk about their feelings, as children who aren't emotionally settled don't learn well.

  Many children will have anxiety about:

  • leaving their parents and returning to school
  • what happens if they catch coronavirus at school
  • the safety of the families and siblings they're leaving behind

  So please take the time to talk to your child/ren about their worries – and we will do the same at school.

   

  In order to address many of their questions, we will make sure we introduce our new classroom routines straight away - but that doesn't mean we expect our pupils to work in the same way as they did before school closed.  Bu, children feel safer - and less anxious - when they know what to expect.  So staff will be spending some time introducing our new routines, explaining how work will be taught and what the shape of the day will look like.  Consistency will be key here.

   

  Please let us know if your child/ren has suffered a serious illness or bereavement in their family so that we can keep an eye on them and offer help.

  Bearing all of this in mind, children are often more resilient than we realise! 

   

  And remember: Continue to promote good hygiene at home and at school, and be very clear about how good hygiene is important and will keep us all safe.

   

  If your child is shielding (clinically extremely vulnerable – those with a GOV. letter) or lives with someone who is shielding then they should NOT be in school.  Please let us know if this is the case.

   

  Returning to school:

  1. We realise that getting to school and staying awake all day may be an achievement for some pupils (and staff!) after the many weeks of lockdown – so we will start with two half days for our youngest children. The days will also be shorter in order to allow for separate drop off and collection times for different groups.

  ALL YEAR GROUPS From 8^th June (subject to change):

  Our already attending children (key worker/vulnerable) need to continue to arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am

  Year 6 children need to arrive between 9am and 9.15am

  Year 1 children need to arrive between 9.30 and 9.45am

  Reception children need to arrive between 9.45 and 10am

   

  YEAR 6 AND VULNERABLE/KEY WORKER PUPILS From 8^th June (subject to change):

  Year 6 children are to be collected at 3pm (please let us know if you wish for your child to walk home alone)

  Vulnerable/key worker children continue to be collected at 3.15pm

   

  RECEPTION AND YEAR 1 PUPILS For 8^th and 9^th June ONLY:

  Reception children are to be collected at 12.30pm (they will have their lunch in school)

  Year 1 children are to be collected at 1pm (they will have their lunch in school)

   

  RECEPTION AND YEAR 1 PUPILS For 10^th June onwards:

  Reception children are to be collected at 2.30pm

  Year 1 children are to be collected at 2.45pm

   

   

  PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE ON SITE EARLIER THAN YOUR ALLOCATED TIME – we are trying to prevent crowds of parents gathering on site and allow people to maintain social distancing of 2 metres.

   

   

  1. Your child will be taught in the same classroom with the same group of peers every day, and will have access to the same outdoor space – which will be separate from the other groups in school.  They will be told which is their base classroom on their first day back:  Year 6 pupils are to be split between year 4, 6 and 5 classrooms.  Key worker/vulnerable children are working in the hub and the year 3 classroom.  Year 1 will be split between the year 2 and year 1 classrooms and the mentoring room.  Reception children will be spread out between the enrichment room and reception classroom, and their outdoor space.

   

  1. When you arrive with your child at your designated time, you will see markers/cones set up along the path up towards the black pedestrian gate – please wait at a marker behind the person in front of you to ensure you are staying 2m apart.  Pupils will then be met at the gate by a staff member and welcomed into school.  No parents will be allowed onto the playground.  The same routine will be in place for collection – again, at your designated time.

   

  1. Please do not gather on the path or at the gate to talk to other parents -  it is vital that social distancing is still maintained to try to keep everyone safe. 

   

  1. Following Government guidance, only 1 parent/carer can escort a child to/collect a child from school.

   

  1. Water bottles need to be in school daily – but must go home for cleaning every day.  This applies to lunchboxes too if required.

   

  1. We will not be asking pupils to wear school uniform, as many of them may well have outgrown trousers etc.  However, we would like them to wear a school jumper or cardigan, to help remind everyone that we need to follow the rules of the setting.  The rest of their clothing should be comfortable and allowed to get a little dirty, as we will be outside for  a lot of the time.  It is vital that clothing is changed/washed before coming back to school the next day please.  Children can wear trainers; or if they choose not to, will need to bring a pair with them each day for their physical activity.  With the sunny weather we would also suggest you apply sun cream to your child in the morning, and send them in with a hat.

   

  1. Children will be provided with their own stationary set and desk/chair to work from when inside.

   

  1. Please do not let your child bring in any toys etc. from home.  No bags are needed either – only a lunchbox, water bottle, trainers in a small bag, coat.

   

  Precautions:

  • If anyone has a cough/temperature/loss of smell or taste/feels unwell at school, they will be sent home. If you are contacted to ask you to collect your child, please do so as promptly as possible.  They will then need to self-isolate for 14 days, or until tested negative for Covid-19.
  • If a symptomatic child is waiting to be collected, they will be supervised in a separate room by staff wearing PPE, with the door closed and a window open. If this child/adult needs to go to the toilet before being collected, they will use a separate toilet and it will be thoroughly cleaned/disinfected afterwards before anyone else can use it.
  • If a child or adult shows symptoms and tests positive for CoVid-19, then the whole group that the child/adult was in will be sent home and must self-isolate for 14 days.
  • If other cases are then also confirmed at the school, then PHE will advise the school on next steps/possible closure.

   

  The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

  ➢ a new continuous cough;

  ➢ a high temperature;

  ➢ a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

   

  We hope that together, with all of this and more in place, we can reduce any risks to your child as much as possible - and we thank you in advance for your cooperation with these measures.

  If at any point before June 8^th, or indeed afterwards, you change your mind about sending your child to school, please let us know immediately so we can update out registers.

  If the start date of 8^th June changes due to any further announcements from Government or other unavoidable issue, we will communicate this to you at the earliest possible convenience

  We very much look forward to welcoming back those who are able to return on 8^th June J

• Free adult online education courses

  Tue 28 Apr 2020

  The Skills Toolkit is made up of free online courses, tools and resources to help you improve your digital and numeracy skills. The Department for Education has consulted some of the country’s leading educational experts and employers to make up a collection of high quality resources to suit a range of interests and skill levels.

  There are courses that will give you an introduction to getting confident online to more advanced digital skills for use in the workplace. These are all short courses that can be completed at home, in your own time, at your own pace. We may add new resources from time to time and you should be aware that there are others available that are not detailed here.

   

  https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit 

• Update regarding offer of primary school places for September 2020

  Tue 14 Apr 2020

  This information is also available on the council’s website https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/primary_school_places_september_2020 and will be shared via the council’s social media accounts in the lead up to offer day.

  ---

  As you will be aware, primary school places will be offered on Thursday 16 April 2020. This update is to provide you with some useful information about the process and point you to additional support that will be available online.

  Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, the council’s telephone lines may be busier than usual and it may take us longer to respond to emails.

  Please carefully read this update, the information on the website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions and the offer letter you receive before contacting the council.

  ---

  1) Offer emails

  Families who have completed and submitted an on time online application will be sent an email informing them which school has been offered to their child. Emails will be sent on Thursday 16 April 2020 and we expect that emails will be received by 4pm – the exact time will depend on a number of variables including email service providers. Families will also receive their child’s offer by letter which will be posted first class on Wednesday 15 April 2020.

  Please do not contact Birmingham City Council before you have received the offer of a school place.

  The School Admissions team will be unable to discuss which school place has been offered to your child by phone or email until you have received your offer. You may contact School Admissions if you have not received your email or letter by Monday 20 April 2020.

  2) Offer decision

  The email and letter you receive will name the school your child has been offered for September 2020.

  If your child has not been offered a place at any of the schools you applied for, this will be because the school(s) received more applications than there were places available and other children met the admission criteria more closely than your child. Details of school admission criteria are available at www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

  Due to the current coronavirus outbreak and the impact on Birmingham schools, you will only need to inform us by 30 April 2020 if you are refusing this offer. Please do so by email, details of this email address will be included on your offer letter. If you do not contact us to refuse the offer, the school will update their records to show the offer has been accepted.

  The deadline for refusals is Thursday 30 April 2020.

  You are strongly encouraged not to refuse the offer so that your child has a guaranteed place for September 2020. By refusing the offer, the place may be given to a child on the waiting list for that school. The offer being accepted will not affect your child’s waiting list position for any of your higher preference schools or influence the outcome of any appeal you may submit.

  3) Waiting lists

  If you do not receive an offer of a place at your higher preference schools your child’s name will automatically be placed on the waiting lists for those schools.

  Please note that waiting lists are compiled in the same order as the oversubscription criteria, e.g. siblings first, etc. Once late applications are processed, late applicants will also be added to waiting lists according to this order, so your child’s name could move down as well as up a waiting list. Having a place on the waiting list is no guarantee that a place will become available.

  Information on waiting list positions will not be available until 7 May 2020 once we have allowed time for related movement and time to generate accurate lists.

  From 7 May 2020 you can contact Children’s Services who will let you know who holds the waiting list for the school you want (either School Admissions or the school itself). Contact details are available on our website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Waiting list information will not be available before the above date.

  The Admissions team will contact you if a school place becomes available for your child from a waiting list.

  4) Appeals

  If you are considering the possibility of submitting an appeal, please read the advice regarding appeals on the School Admissions website carefully. You can only appeal against the refusal of a place at a school you applied for.

  Appeals are heard and decided by panels who are completely independent of the council and the school(s) you may appeal for. Consider the likelihood of your appeal being successful. For example, were you realistic with the preferences you submitted for your child? Appeals are generally only successful if you or your child have exceptional reasons for needing admission to a particular school. There are no guarantees that any appeal will be successful (see below for the number heard and successful for appeals administered by Birmingham City Council over the last three years).

  School year	No of appeals heard	% of successful appeals
  Reception intake 2017	427	1.63%
  Reception intake 2018	184	0.54%
  Reception intake 2019	194	4.12%

  Should you wish to appeal, the closing date for submitting your written appeal is Monday 18 May 2020. Appeals received by this date will be heard within 40 school days (by 20 July 2020). If you submit an appeal after this date, it may not be heard before the beginning of September 2020.

  You will be able to access the appeal form online via www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions from 16 April 2020.

   

   

• Domestic abuse – lots of help still available

  Thu 09 Apr 2020
  We have seen and heard how our communities are looking out for one another right now and it is sincerely heart-warming.
  We know that some people are concerned about friends, family and neighbours who might be suffering domestic abuse – whether that is violence, being threatened or someone controlling their behaviour.
  Victims of domestic abuse may well feel there is nowhere to turn to for help and nowhere to go right now if they want to leave an abusive relationship.
  We have been talking to our partners, a range of charities that support domestic abuse victims and our local councils. Their message is that refuges are still open and accommodation, advice and support is still available for people who need help.
  A list of organisations ready to help people in Birmingham are:
  Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid
  0808 800 0028
  www.bswaid.org
   
  Birmingham Housing Options Hub:
  0808 169 9604
   
  Birmingham Council Housing
  0121 303 7410 or 0121 303 2296/4806
  https://www.birmingham.gov.uk
   
  Adult Social Care
  0121 303 1234 or 0121 675 4806
   
  Children’s Social Care
  0121 303 1888 or 0121 675 4806
  A full list of regional charities can be found on our website:  https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse
   
  We also know that children often suffer in households where there is domestic abuse. If you are concerned about a child, you can get advice, Live Chat our staff and report abuse to us using this link - https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/child-abuse
   
  Alternatively you can talk to the NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
   
  If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial 999 and we will get officers to them as soon as possible. If they cannot talk they can make a silent 999 call by typing 55 after the call is answered.
  Domestic abuse can be reported to us using our website https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/. It’s easy to use and could be safer than calling.
  Anyone can webchat our staff easily via the website for help and advice without having to talk to someone on the phone.
  Together we are a community – let’s spread the message that no victim is alone.

• How to look after hedgehogs - by Ben Brock

  Fri 03 Apr 2020
  

• Starting Primary School

  Wed 11 Mar 2020
  If your child is joining our school in Reception, you’ll find plenty of free expert advice and support for the whole family, as well as games to play together, from the BBC’s Starting Primary School campaign at bbc.co.uk/startingprimaryschool

• Family Forum Meetings for parents and carers: Spring 2020

  Thu 05 Mar 2020

  Are you a parent or carer with a child or young person who has additional needs, a disability or who needs extra help and support? If so come along to one of our friendly Family Forum Meetings.

  The purpose of these meetings is to provide a welcoming space for parents and carers to meet up in similar situations and share experiences over a cup of tea or coffee. These meetings will also give you a chance to learn more about what’s on, tips and advice and other information that families who have children with additional needs may need.

  These meetings also give you the chance to let the Parent Link Officers know your thoughts on what you feel is needed to support families in Birmingham.

  More information about the meetings is available at https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/15347/family_forum_meetings_-_spring_2020

  Contact: 0121 303 8461 or parentlinkservice@birmingham.gov.uk