Public Health England have produced a letter for parents which explains when a person requires a coronavirus test and what the symptoms of coronavirus are.

Public Health England letter to parents and guardians

Health and education experts are offering help and advice to parents on when they can safely send their child to school.

County Durham Care Partnership, which brings together NHS organisations, Durham County Council and other providers to deliver improved, joined up health and social care services, has created an easy-read chart to help parents who are unsure if their child should stay at home or go to class.

The information follows Government guidelines on spotting the signs of Covid-19.

Sarah Burns, head of integrated strategic commissioning for Durham County Council and NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Since pupils returned to schools earlier this month we have become very aware of the increased demand on NHS111 and GP practices from worried parents.

“We know that when it can be difficult for parents to decide if they should send their child to school during the ongoing pandemic. This infographic has been designed by our local GPs to help inform parents what to do if they worry that their child may be unwell.

“If children are showing signs of Covid-19, a high temperature, a continuous cough or loss of smell or taste then we would recommend that the whole household self-isolate and book a test.  All members of the household must stay at home until the test results are known.

“Similarly if children have diarrhoea and vomiting then we would recommend that they remain off school for at least 48 hours or until they feel well enough to return, as tummy bugs can also be very contagious.

“But as long as your child is feeling well, has not otherwise been told to self-isolate and there are no other household members with COVID symptoms, then it is ok to send them to school.”

Parents should continue to seek help from their GP if needed or contact NHS111 if their surgery is closed.”

For further guidance visit:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The National Literacy Trust have produced a poster to support with reading over the summer holidays.

Their website has lots of brilliant links for reading.

Reading Top tips guide for parents

We have created a visual timetable for all pupils, in all year groups, for September 2020.

Our school day will look different for the first half term as we focus on our ‘Rainbow Curriculum’ and basic skills.

Class 1 visual timetable September 2020

Class 2 visual timetable September 2020

Class 3 visual timetable September 2020

Class 4 visual timetable September 2020

From our Mental Health Support Team:

Following the sudden closure of schools due to Covid-19, we have all had to adapt to some form of home schooling, social distancing and restrictions on everyday life.

Now, the prospect of school’s re-opening, albeit on a phased return, may cause us all to experience a variety of emotions.

A way of normalising this is to think of this experience as similar to preparing children and young people returning to school following the summer holidays or half-term breaks. Routines may have changed; relationships with peers may look or feel different and we will all need to adjust to the new normal.

The following information aims to support you as parents/carers in preparing your children or young people for the return to school following an extended break.

Preparing your child to return to school PDF

We are pleased to share that we are now part of a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) which is attached to our Education Setting. The MHST offer early help to children and young people who are struggling with mild to moderate mental health difficulties such as anxiety and/or low mood. We have attached a leaflet that explains the role of the Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) within the team and the support they can offer.

As well as working directly with children and young people, the team offer advice and guidance to staff members, parents and other professionals.

If you feel your child would benefit from support from the MHST or you would like additional information about the team, please contact Miss Dobson (Mental Health Lead) or Mrs Jackson to discuss further.

Education Mental Health Practitioner leaflet

Please find below an important letter from Mrs Jackson regarding our initial planning for September 2020.

We have taken the decision to keep the children from Reception to Y5 in the same classes in September with the same class teacher. This will give our pupils, many of whom have not seen us for a long time, the opportunity to see a familiar face when they return, as well as have some closure on the current year. This plan is for the first half term. After the week off for October half term, the children will move to their new class.

Transition letter September 2020