Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
-
FSM vouchers
Thu 28 May 2020Eastcroft Park have just been informed that the government has decided to fund FSM over the current half term :– 25th to 29th May. You should receive your voucher Thursday afternoon (today) and a new order for the week commencing 1 June 2020 until 5 June 2020 will be made and will be issued next week If you require any further information please email eastcroft.de@knowsley.gov.uk
-
Kirkby collaborative statement on school reopening
Wed 20 May 2020Dear Parents and Carers
We are writing to you as the Kirkby Collaborative of Schools with information regarding the recent government announcement concerning the potential opening of schools to additional year groups. We would like to reassure you that as a group of 14 Kirkby schools we have been very much working together, whilst taking note of national and local guidance, to try to find a way forward which is safe for both our children, our families and our staff. We have a duty of care to safeguard all of the school community.
Over the past 8 weeks all 14 Kirkby Collaborative schools have been supporting the families of key workers and some additional children with the provision of over 3400 emergency childcare places, including during the Easter holiday period. In addition, teachers have been busy providing a wide range of home learning activities for your children which have had both an academic and a wellbeing focus.
Staff have been in regular contact with relevant families to check on wellbeing.
Schools have also coordinated the provision of free school meal vouchers, and responded to the numerous queries this brings.
What has the Government asked schools to do?
Schools have been asked by the government to begin preparing for a partial return to school of children from the year groups Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. This was in recognition that children do need to return to school at some point and also to support parents and carers in returning to work. Headteachers have started to consider plans as, like you, they want nothing more than to have children back in school learning and socialising with their friends. The government produced numerous documents detailing the actions schools would have to take prior to increased numbers of children returning. Some of these measures include:
- reduced class sizes to adhere to social distancing. All of our schools have now checked their classroom sizes and most can only fit small groups at any one time, for example, between 5 and 10 children maximum
- children to remain in the same group at all times with no mixing
- children to have the same teacher all the time
- increased hand washing facilities
- separate entry and exit points
- no parents / carers allowed on site
- one way systems to be established in schools
- reduced timetable / flexible days / staggered start & finish times
- home schooling resources to continue to be available
- desks to be positioned 2m apart if possible
- soft furnishings / toys to be removed from Nursery / Reception / other classrooms
- toys and equipment not to be shared
- small equipment which cannot be easily cleaned must not be used
- staggered break times with no mixing of groups
- provision of a sandwich lunch – again a staggered lunchtime with no mixing of groups
- additional cleaning throughout the day and week
There are a number of other requirements but we are sure you can understand that the children’s experience in school will be far removed from their usual routine and timetable. When we do open for additional children we will have a flexible approach to days and times which enables us to make the school environment as safe as we can and we will set out very prescriptive instructions which will have to be adhered to by all children and families. Even with all these additional measures in place we will not be in any position to guarantee that both children and adults will not be exposed to the virus at some point in our settings. All of this will be a challenge for school staff, children and parents / carers, but, as always, when the time is right, we will do our very best!
What will happen next?
Each collaborative school is now working on plans which have safeguarding as their main focus. These plans will take time to finalise so we can be sure about what is safely achievable and possible at this time. At present, no date in the summer term has been set for a confirmed wider opening of any of our schools. Government and union guidance is continuing to be published daily and all schools will continue to work alongside each other, the local authority, academy trusts and trade unions to ensure that we welcome additional children into our schools at the most appropriate time. We will of course endeavour for this to be as soon as safely possible.
Whit Holiday
During the Whit holiday our schools have agreed to remain open to provide requested childcare for Key Workers and other identified children.
Teachers will not be providing online / home learning work during the Whit holiday.
After the Whit holiday period
Our schools will continue to support the childcare of our Key Workers and other identified children as they have been doing since the onset of this crisis. School will address the review of the list that takes place on 31st May and make any necessary additional places available.
Teachers will continue to provide a wide range of online / home learning resources to ensure your children can access age appropriate learning activities. And of course, we will always keep the wellbeing of our children and families at the forefront of our minds through our regular phone calls and social media presence. We will continue to support you all to the very best of our ability and capacity.
When the time comes for more children to safely attend school, your child / children’s school will contact you directly with further details and the next steps for you and your child / children.
In the meantime, we ask for your continued support and patience. Please look after yourselves and each other and if you need any additional advice or guidance, then staff in your school will always be willing to help. Please check individual school websites for contact details.
From the 14 Headteachers in The Kirkby Collaborative of Schools
-
Knowsley council statement on school reopening
Thu 14 May 2020Knowsley Council has moved to clarify the situation regarding the potential re-opening of schools in the borough.
The Prime Minister announced on Sunday, 10 May his intention that schools could re-open “from” 1 June, initially for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils. This has, of course, led to lots of questions and concerns from parents and teachers about how this will happen in Knowsley – and when.
What is happening with schools in Knowsley?
The Prime Minister said schools could reopen “from 1 June” – this does not mean that they must, or will open from this particular day – it simply means that at some point after this date, schools may reopen.
Knowsley Council and all schools in the borough have now had guidance from the Government about how they think this might happen. Everyone involved in education in this borough is clear: The decision to reopen schools will be taken ONLY when it is safe to do so – and not just to meet a particular date, or to do so ‘quickly’.
Schools are now working hard with the council, their Governing Bodies, staff and trade unions to draw up plans which will address the new health and safety challenges. They will be consulting with parents and carers, and ultimately, each school will make its own decision about when and how they can reopen safely – probably with a phased reopening of some kind.
The top priority is for schools to re-open safely rather than quickly, or on any given day.
Please rest assured – the safety of pupils, staff and parents/carers is the most important thing.
Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Our position in Knowsley is clear – schools will re-open when it is safe to do so.
“We have been supporting our schools throughout the pandemic and we will continue to do so to ensure that appropriate plans are in place which ensure the safety of pupils and school staff, as well as offering reassurance to parents and carers.
“Preparations for re-opening will continue and once schools are ready to re-open, they will communicate their re-opening plans directly with parents and carers.”
Please note, whilst these preparations are ongoing, emergency childcare for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers will continue in its current format until further notice, adhering to social distancing guidance.
Statement can be seen on the Knowsley council website:
https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/reopening-schools-in-knowsley/
-
Changes to school meals vouchers from 11/5/20
Wed 06 May 2020Dear Parents and Carers
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHER SCHEME
I am writing to you with an update about the voucher system which is currently used to support you during this time of difficulty. We are delighted that the service provided by WONDE has been so effective and that very few problems have been reported. Knowsley Council have taken the decision to carry on with WONDE to deliver vouchers for the time being which is good for both schools and families as we can be sure our children are being looked after. There is also another national provider of vouchers who Knowsley may look to move to in the future if necessary, but only when we can be sure they can deliver an efficient service.
At the beginning of this unprecedented situation with COVID-19, Knowsley took the decision to provide meals vouchers for both means tested free schools meals eligible children and also to all other children in year groups Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as part of the universal free schools meal provision. This decision was welcomed and appreciated in these challenging times.
As we now move further into the current school closure period, Knowsley Council has had to reconsider its approach so it is more in line with other authorities nationally. Unfortunately, it is not sustainable for the Council to continue to fund vouchers for all.
Knowsley have therefore decided that this funding will not carry on and with immediate effect, vouchers will now only be provided to those families who are eligible due to low income and means testing. We appreciate that this will be disappointing news to many but we are sure you will also understand that the Council must also keep within spending limits. More information can be found in the article in the Knowsley News https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/free-school-meals-eligibility-system/
Are you eligible for means tested Free School Meals?
The Council have asked schools to encourage parents and carers to check if they are eligible for a free school meal for their child / children, given that many parents’ and carers’ work situations may have changed due to COVID-19. Some parents/carers of infant children may not have applied previously as they are automatically entitled to free school meals under the Universal offer. We want to be sure that we are issuing as many vouchers as possible over the remaining period of the lockdown – maximising this uptake will help to ensure that no pupils who are eligible for a free school meal go without one.
The application form for Free School Meals is attached to this letter (but is also easily accessible from this Knowsley council link https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/free-school-meals-eligibility-system/). If you have any issues or need advice re. free school meals please contact 0151 443 4042. Completed forms can be returned to the One Stop Shop or emailed to benefits@knowsley.gov.uk.
Please also remember that if you are aware of any family in need of support, they can contact the Knowsley Support and Volunteer freephone line on 0800 073 0043. Staff are available to take their call 24/7 and will help people to access support during these challenging times.’
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support you have given the school during these difficult times. It has been so lovely to receive feedback from parents and carers, and even more so from your children. We will, of course, continue to do everything we can to support all our school communities.
Yours sincerely
Julie Withey
Headteacher
