Reminder about when and where to get tested
Regular testing for COVID-19 is essential in order to detect people who have the virus – with or without symptoms. Importantly, they can then self-isolate and stop passing on the virus to other people. Remember if you have symptoms or if you, anyone in your household or support bubble tests positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 10 days to prevent the further spread of the virus. Over the last few months, there have been different testing options introduced, so here’s our guide
to when and where to get tested depending on your circumstances.
If you have COVID symptoms
If you have any of the COVID symptoms (high temperature, new or persistent cough or a loss of taste or smell), stay at home and book a test through www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119. There are 3 testing sites in Knowsley for people displaying symptoms (in Huyton, Kirkby and Stockbridge Village) and you will be offered the first available appointment at a test centre. Please note, you need an appointment to attend these testing sites.
If you don’t have symptoms and can’t work from home
There are 7 SMART test sites operating across the Borough offering testing (through Lateral Flow Tests). You don’t need to make an appointment, but please only visit these sites if you do not display any symptoms. For the locations and opening times, click here.
Remember a positive test means you have COVID-19 and you (and others in your household, support bubble and close contacts) need to self-isolate for 10 days.
If you live or work with children
If your household includes school children or people who work with school children, you can collect rapid (lateral) tests from Huyton, Kirkby and Stockbridge Village to carry out regular testing at home. These sites are open from 1pm until 8pm 7 days per week – no appointment is needed but please only attend during the specified times. You can find you nearest site here: https://find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and- trace.nhs.uk/
Secondary school testing
From 8 March when all pupils started to return to the classroom, testing was offered to secondary school pupils. The first three tests would be undertaken on the school premises and then your school will issue home testing kits for you to continue with regular testing at home (twice weekly).
Positive result from a test carried out at home
If you receive a positive test result from a test you have carried out at home, you are required to book a confirmatory test through www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119. This is not required if you receive a positive test from either the SMART testing site, a test conducted on school premises or a test carried out at the symptomatic testing sites.
Importance of testing
Is your child spending more time on tech at the moment? The Legends Family Adventure from Google and Parent Zone will help you all become Internet Legends – and have fun along the way!
The Legends Family Adventure – Google and Parent Zone's new animated series – is perfect for families to watch together. It's part of the Be Internet Legends programme — helping children to be safer and more confident online.
When Lumen’s bear goes missing, the whole family must brave Interland to get it back. Along the way, the family learns lessons from the Legends Code — including helpful tips on what to do with cyberbullies, how to spot scams and set strong passwords, as well as important lessons on kindness. And, Lumen discovers they're stronger and braver than they ever thought they could be.
Embark on this adventure as a family by visiting g.co/legendsfamilyadventure
We will be sending out a pack to build a 3D Internaut Trophy which children can build together with parent(s)/carer(s) by completing an exciting online safety quiz.
Dear Parent/Carer
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 19th March and this year it’s never felt more important to have some fun and raise money to support people living incredibly tough lives. We need the power of funny to turn laughs into lasting change.
This year’s theme is Stand Up and tell a joke, your child’s class teacher will organise activities throughout the day and the children will also be baking cakes. Your child can wear anything red on Friday and we would like to ask for a £1 donation per child.
There is a poster on the back of this letter if you wish to take part by writing your favourite joke and putting it on show in your window for the whole community to see.
You can also find extra activities on the Comic relief website 2021
https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/
Thank you for your ongoing support
Miss Withey
Headteacher
The letter & sheet can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/3lj7mxZ
Dear Parents/Carers,
At Eastcroft Park we want our pupils to grow into respectful young people, who understand how to settle differences in a respectful and constructive manner, both online and offline. We believe that the modelling of appropriate behavior both online and offline is vital to this.
Our ICT and internet acceptable use agreements set clear expectations for pupils and parents about online conduct.
We expect parents to abide by these guidelines so that you can help us model safe, responsible and appropriate social media use for our pupils.
This includes voicing opinions about the school in a way that respects the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our staff, and speaking to or about other parents and children in a way that is respectful and appropriate.
Complaints and concerns
There may be times where, as a parent, you don’t agree with something the school is doing, or where you may have specific concerns. We welcome your feedback, and the opportunity to address any concerns you may have.
The most appropriate way to raise concerns is directly with the school. You can call or email the school to arrange to speak to myself or other members of staff.
Please take the time to read the Acceptable Use of the Internet Agreement for parents below. Further information about safer internet use and acceptable use can be found on the school website.
We appreciate your help in providing a supportive, respectful environment for all our pupils, parents and staff.
Yours sincerely,
Miss J A Withey
Dear Parents and Carers,
On behalf of all the Governors I wanted to welcome you and your children back to Eastcroft Park following the most recent lockdown. Hopefully we can all move forward positively as we follow the roadmap out of the pandemic.
We have had fantastic attendance this week – so well done with all those daily preparations for school, getting back into the swing of things.
As you will be aware the most recent lockdown brought a number of changes to the way the school was working. The school provided an extended number of places to families of key workers and vulnerable children with over 20% of the Eastcroft Park population attending each day. In addition there was a greater level of sophistication to the remote learning offer. Staff worked tirelessly to provide imaginative education opportunities via a range of methods including traditional paper packs, learning via online platforms, live lessons, support with technical advice and the loan of IT equipment. School based provision and the remote learning offer have been a great success but could not have worked without your support. So thankyou and well done to staff, children, parents and carers – for creating a learning team to support all the children during lockdown.
As we continue our journey out of lockdown safe organisation of the school is key. I look forward to seeing many of you at the school gates at the beginning and end of the school day. Can I remind you to continue to maintain social distancing and wear a mask when at the gate or on the school playground.
Many thanks
Steve Dixon - Chair of Governors – on behalf of Eastcroft Park Governing Body
Tuesday 2nd March 2021
Dear Parents/Carers
Return to school 8th March 2021 information for all pupils in Nursery-Year 6
We are delighted to be able to welcome all children back to school on Monday. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to a little normality.
The arrangements for the return of all children are outlined below. Please read the information in this letter carefully. All actions have been considered using the latest government guidance.
If you or your child have symptoms of Covid-19 please do not come into school. If children show signs of infection during the day they will be isolated and parents will be called to collect them immediately. Please make sure we have your most up to date contact details.
When your child returns to school on Monday 8th March, children will continue to be taught in class bubbles.
The children will stay in their class bubbles for the day and they will not be able to mix with children from other bubbles. Lunchtimes and break times will be staggered to ensure that children do not mix with each other.
Beginning of the school day
End of the school day
Breakfast club/after school clubs
Equipment for School
Other Key Points
Due to the strict government guidance, we are unable to make changes to these arrangements. Please contact school through email at eastcroft.de@knowsley.gov.uk or by telephone 0151 477 8210 if you have any concerns.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday.
Miss J Withey
Head teacher