Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School

Welcome to Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School

9th July 2020 Summer Camp Payments - Reminder

If you have received a confirmation letter to say your child has a place at the Summer camps, please make sure that as requested, payment is received in full by tomorrow, Friday 10th July 2020 to secure the place. Should payment not be received, unfortunately we cannot keep the place open and it will be re allocated.

Thank you

8th July 2020 Lingotot Summer Camp

Our children in KS1 access a languages after school club and children in KS2 access weekly language sessions led by Lingotots. Our children now have the opportunity to access a Lingotot Summer Camp wc 24th August. If interested, please contact Bex on the link below.

5 – 11 year olds

Dates: 24^th – 27th August

8.30am – 4pm

£25 per day

Horbury – address given in info sheet on booking.

Themes:

Monday – Harry Potter

Tuesday – Exploring Nature

Wednesday – Roald Dahl

Thursday – In Outer Space

Booking at: www.lingotot.com/centre/wakefield

Contact Bex at wakefield@lingotot.com for more information.

8th July 2020 - Home Learning Packs

We have a number of home learning packs in school (for all year groups) that have not yet been collected. Friday 10th July will be the final date for collection.

7th July 2020 - Year 6 Leavers' Hoodies

We are really excited to announce that our Year 6 Leavers’ hoodies and special edition newspapers will be ready to collect in school on Friday 10th July 2020

Mrs Waddington, Miss Harkin and Miss Freeman will be distributing them between 9 and 12 from the year 2 balcony - Mrs Carter's room. You will see designated spots to queue safely and it is important that you don’t stay on the school site to avoid any gatherings.

We look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

7th July 2020

Annual Reports

The end of year reports for every child were posted yesterday (6.7.2020). If you have not received them by Friday 10th July, please let us know and a second copy will be posted. We hope that you like the new template used this year. It has been designed by the children. All staff loved writing the 2020 new style reports and we hope that you all enjoy reading and celebrating the achievements of your child as much as we did writing and reflecting on the year we have spent together.

3rd July 2020 - Staffing Changes

I am sure that you will have noticed that we have a number of staff who do not feature on the class lists for next year. This is due to a number of reasons...

CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs Carter (and Mr Carter) and Mrs Sperry who will all be welcoming new additions to their families in the Autumn term.

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Green and Miss Smith who are moving on to take up teaching roles in new schools.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Lunn who is leaving to undertake a PGCE

THANK YOU to Miss Dorman for the work undertaken within our nurture provision.

We would like to welcome the following staff...

Miss Delemere - Maternity cover for Mrs Carter

Miss Johnson - Year 3

Mrs Rigby - Maternity cover for Mrs Sperry

2nd July 2020 - September 2020 Start and Finish Times

Although the government announcement only took place this morning (2.7.20) we have worked to provide the key information you require to ensure that families have optimum time to prepare for the start of the new academic year.

In line with government guidance, we will employ a staggered approach to the start and end of the day. As you will appreciate, we will be unable to ensure that siblings can start/finish school at the same time. As we begin the Autumn term on Tuesday 8th September there will be 3 start and finish times. Please note the time and drop off/collection point for your child's class.

September 2020 Start and Finish Times

2nd July 2020

Government guidance re Breakfast Club and After School Club

We are aware that there are a number of questions being raised around Breakfast Club provision as of September 2020. We understand that this is a much welcomed and appreciated service provided by school and our aim is to resume this service as soon as safely possible.The following paragraph is taken directly from the publication received today:

Settings should consider resuming any breakfast and after school provision where possible from the start of the Autumn term. We recognise that settings may need to respond flexibly and build this up over time. We recognise that this may be logistically challenging for settings particularly for clubs that would normally offer support across year groups.

We are planning that we will be able to offer breakfast club provision from wc 14th September 2020 should we be able to do so safely and without compromising bubbles.

We recognise that our after school provision is also a highly appreciated. However, as yet we are not in a position to be able to offer after school club safely in September until further notice. Please be reassured that we will be working tirelessly to reintroduce this provision as soon as safely possible.

2nd July 2020

Guidance for full reopening of School - September 2020

The guidance for the full reopening of school as of of September 2020 has been published this morning. As you can imagine, we are now trawling through the detail.

What I can confirm so far, based upon the key messages received,is that school will re open for all children on Tuesday 8th September. In line with government guidance, we will employ a staggered approach to the start and end of the day. As you will appreciate, we will be unable to ensure that siblings can start/finish school at the same time. We will communicate details to families as soon as possible to ensure you have maximum time to plan for the different start and finish times. More detail to follow asap.

Thank you for all your lovely messages of support. It's been lovely to see how the school community continues to pull together through these uncertain and unprecedented times.

Nichola Russell

30.6.2020 Summer

Although Government have confirmed that there is no expectation that schools be open during the Summer holiday period, as a school, we aim to be proactive and recognise the continuing needs of our families.

We plan to adopt the Education Endowment Foundation recommendation of offering a Summer programme that will “benefit pupils socially, helping to ensure that they return to school ready to learn”.

Therefore, we are aiming to offer a 3 week camp of sports. Unfortunately, we are unable to fund the camps this year; therefore, a fee will be charged per week. The charge will be £60 for 4 days of activity. Children will need to attend for the full 4 days to ensure the bubble/group remains intact.

To enable us to decide if a Summer camp is viable; we are asking that you respond to inform us of the weeks you would like your child to attend. Places are limited to ensure that we maintain an effective and safe bubble/group size. Please email headteacher@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk stating your child's name, class and which week/s you would like to attend. We will confirm if the camps are able to take place asap

19.6.2020 Wider School Opening Update

Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary announced today that all children in all year groups will be brought back to school in September. As a school, we welcome this news and look forward to receiving detail and clarity from government of how this will be achieved. We are aware that the detail will be shared within the next 2 weeks. The sooner we receive the facts, the better, as this then means that we can make a firm decision as to which plan best meets the government requests. Once received, we will work to deliver the most effective solution and confirm plans with all parents/carers as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition on our return in the Autumn term.

18.6.2020 Update

Wider School Opening

We are aware that a number of you are understandably frustrated at the uncertainty nationally around plans for reopening in September. We fully share these concerns and are awaiting guidance from the government. It appears, according to the press that an announcement will be made tomorrow (19th June) which will inform schools and parents of the expectation for wider opening in Autumn term. We have, as you can imagine, a number of draft plans already penned and we are ready to put in place the most effective plan in line with the key messages from government. The sooner we receive the facts, the better, as this then means that we can make a firm decision as to which plan best meets the government requests.We will of course communicate our plans as soon as the government provide clarity on their expectations. To put this into perspective, there has been 994 updates since March including 7 different updated guides to hand washing - it's certainly an interesting challenge!

Transition

Letters will be sent out tomorrow to all parents of children from reception to year 5. This will inform you of your child's class teacher next academic year. All families will then receive a phone call from your child's new teacher introducing themselves, and welcoming you and your child to the year group.

Summer

We are also aware that there is a lot of speculation around plans for Summer Holidays and any provision that may be offered by schools/ councils/ government. Again, we are awaiting guidance from the government. We have a number of plans around what we would like to offer, in line with our usual Summer Camps. However, we need further guidance on whether this fits with the governments plans. Again, as always, we will share our plans as soon as we possibly can.

Thank you for all your lovely messages of support. It's been lovely to see how the school community continues to pull together through these uncertain and unprecedented times.

Nichola Russell

11.6.2020

CONFIRMATION OF DELAY TO SCHOOL RE OPENING

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for the support you have given us during this difficult time.

We are now in a position to set out further details regarding the wider opening of school on Monday 15th June 2020.

We will continue to prioritise childcare provision for children of key workers and those classed as vulnerable. As expected, due to the increased number of parents returning to work, the number of children attending childcare is increasing daily. This group of children must remain our priority group as stated in all government guidance since March 2020.

Due to the increase in childcare places provided, we are only able to offer a limited number of year 6 class based provision places as of the 15th June. Telephone calls have been made to all parents of children who originally stated they would like to accept a place on a phased return as soon as school was able to open it's doors wider. Places have been allocated and letters issued to these families. Should we be able to offer additional places in the near future we will contact parents.

We will continue to take a safe, measured approach to opening our doors wider to ensure the safety, health and well- being of children, families, staff, families and community.

School will NOT open to wider year groups of EYFS or Year 1 before the 29th June 2020.

Thank you as always for your support

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

8.6.2020 Year 6 Sandal Express Special Edition Newspaper

We would like to create a special edition of our Sandal Express Newspaper full of photos and memories of your child’s time with us at Sandal Castle Primary School.

To do this, we need you and your child to send us some of their favourite memories, messages to friends or staff members and any photos they would like to include.

If they want to create any art or poems to go in the paper too linked to their time with us, send those our way as well, or anything else creative!

They can send any of these to their teacher on Purple Mash, or you can send them to Mrs Waddington on: FWaddington@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk

and we will include them in the edition.

We need these to be sent to us by the Friday 3rd July please. We can’t wait to see what you send to us!

2.6.2020 Phased wider opening of school update

We will continue to determine our pace of phased school re opening based upon evidence from scientists, medical professionals and statistical data including SAGE. To date, the reports and broadcasts of Professor Peter Hornby (Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Oxford and Chair of the UK government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group), John Edmunds (LSHTM) and Jeremy Farrar (Biomedical research) conclude that relaxation is too soon due to test, trace, isolate not being fully operational, the R rate still being very high, 8000 current infections a day and there is little to confirm the role of children and schools in transmission, levels of cases in the UK are still high (324 deaths on 28.5.2020), contact tracing is not up and running tracking new cases and following them up within 48 hours which potentially, should a wider reopening take place too soon could lead to a further lock down. Therefore, we will continue to take a safe, measured approach to opening our doors wider based upon all of the above which we believe is our best chance in ensuring the safety, health and well- being of children, families, staff, families and community.

School will therefore NOT open to wider year groups before the 15th June.

1st June 2020 - Colin the Sandal Castle Cobra!

Meet Colin, our Sandal Castle Cobra!

Let's see how long we can make Colin!

Colin lives on the grass verge outside school.Please add your decorated stone or pebble when out on your daily walk or visiting school to collect your learning packs. We are hoping that Colin will soon reach along Barnsley Road.

29th May 2020 - Home Learning Pack Collection

Summer term home learning packs can be collected on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd June. Please see the time slot allocated per year group.

The packs can be collected from the external door of Mrs Carters room (Y2) which will be accessed via the balcony.

A walkway and markers at 2m distance have been placed along the balcony in preparation, meaning that parents do not have to enter the school building.

Tuesday 2nd

Year 1 9.15 - 10.00

Year 2 10.15 - 11.00

Year 3 11.15 - 12.00

Year 4 12.15 -1.00

Year 5 1.15 - 2.00

Year 6 2.15 - 3.00

Wednesday 3rd

EYFS - 9.15 - 10.00

28th May 2020 - Year 6 Hoodies

We are currently in the process of ordering leavers' hoodies for the Year 6 cohort as a celebration of their time at Sandal Castle Primary School. Please see the sizing information below - if you would like a different size for your child, please let us know by emailing Miss. Freeman on:

hfreeman@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk before Wednesday 4th June 2020.

We will order an adult's 'small' size if we do not receive a request. Thank you!

22.5.2020

CONFIRMATION OF DELAY TO SCHOOL RE OPENING

We have made the decision to not open our doors wider to reception, year 1 or year 6 on the 1st June. This decision has not been taken lightly, as more than anything we want our children back in school, but only when it is safe to do so. Currently, we are presented with conflicting evidence. To date, we do not have the best scientific advice and the five tests have not been met. Therefore our school risk assessment will be based upon current evidence from scientists, medical professionals and statistical data.

Our plan is to reflect upon the outcomes of the Prime Minister's address on the 28th May and map a way forward. Should we feel confident, we will begin a phased return.

Thank you as always for your support

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

Update 20.05.2020

We have made the decision to not open our doors wider to reception, year 1 or year 6 on the 1st June. In agreement with the school Chair of Governors and after discussion with the Local Authority, we have made the decision to prioritise the health, safety and well- being of our children, their families, staff and their families over the government directive to employ an ambitious return of 3 year groups, plus childcare for key workers as of the 1^st June.

This decision has not been taken lightly, as more than anything we want our children back in school, but only when it is safe to do so.Currently, we are presented with conflicting evidence. The next government address will take place on the 28^th May, yet we are asked to make critical decisions now which will impact on the lives of families across our school and wider community.

We aim to take a cautious and staged return based upon best scientific advice with children at the very heart of everything we do and the impact of it will be carefully monitored. Government have stated that; "We have been quite clear all along that we'd only start inviting more children when our five key tests have been met. That position has not changed nor will it." (Gavin Williamson).

The justice secretary Robert Buckland has repeated in his morning interviews that the 1st June date for reopening primary schools is not a fixed date “The 1st of June was a conditional date, the five tests still apply, testing and tracing is clearly our priority and we’re still working on the pilot app in the Isle of Wight.”

To date, we do not have the best scientific advice yet and the five tests have not been met. Therefore our school risk assessment will be based upon current evidence from scientists, medical professionals and statistical data.

Our plan is to reflect upon the outcomes of the Prime Minister's address on the 28th May and map a way forward. Should we feel confident, we will begin a phased return.

Thank you as always for your support

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

Update 19.5.2020

We have received notification that yesterday, the Leader of the Council Cllr Denise Jeffrey issued the following statement:

The Leader of Wakefield Council is calling on the Government to step away from the date it has given to reopen schools.

The Government announced plans last week, for the phased reopening of schools with primary school pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 to return to classrooms from 1 June.

Council Leader, Cllr Denise Jeffery, has today voiced concerns and is asking the Government to reconsider this guidance.

Cllr Jeffery said: "The safety of our children, their families, teachers and staff has to be, and will be, our top priority. We need to give schools more time so that they are prepared as possible to help keep everyone safe. Reopening on 1 June is too soon.

"We understand that it is important for children to return to school to get the education they need and we will be working with schools to help them to be able to do this as soon as is possible."

The Council is working with school leaders across maintained schools and academies to support them to reopen when the time is right for their school.

Although we have prepared rooms in line with government guidance (see photo's on facebook), to enable parents to prepare their children for what they are potentially coming back to, we do not feel encouraged by the mixed government and local messages. A number of local councils, including Calderdale will no longer be opening their doors to reception, Y1 or Y6 on the 1st. Currently, we are asked to prioritise early years reception, followed by year 1 and finally year 6. Should we open our doors wider on the 1st June, if we find that numbers in early years increase, it will mean a revision of staffing structure and classroom bases to accommodate more of our youngest children. This will mean that year 6 children will not access time in classrooms at all, as government priority is reception followed by year 1.

I am sure you will appreciate that, as always, there is nothing more important to us all than keeping our children, their families, our staff, their families and wider school community safe. Every decision we take, no matter how tough, will be done with the safety of the whole school community in mind. I know you will give us your full support, as you always do.

A decision as to whether we will re open school on the 1st June for the other year groups and on what basis will be communicated this week.

Thank you for your continued support

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

14.5.2020 Government Guidance re Y6 Transition

The following is a paragraph taken from Department for Education guidance published on the 14th May 2020.

In year 6 it is unlikely that many of the end of term traditions will be able to take place, for example, whole year or class assemblies with parents, school journeys and trips. Though visits to secondary schools for induction will not take place this year, some secondary schools may have capacity to undertake remote induction briefings or other types of sessions for pupils, for example to meet form tutors, heads of year, or other key staff, or have a tour of the school virtually.

10th May 2020 Prime Minister's Address

I am sure like me, that many of you will have watched the Prime Minister's address to the nation this evening.

You will have heard the Prime Minister indicating that the government believes it may be in a position to implement a phased re-opening of schools from 1 June, starting with children in reception, year one and year six. This is part of the government’s conditional plan which it says will remain under regular review.

We all want to get our children back into school as soon as it is safe to do so. As staff we have devoted our lives and careers to the care and education of young people – we do not want to see classrooms empty for a day longer than they need to be. However, the first priority has to be the safety of everyone in the school community.

At this stage, we have only just seen the announcement and we cannot answer all the questions I am sure you have. We are waiting to receive more information from government about what the announcement this evening means for our school. At the moment, nothing has changed and we will provide further information in the coming days and weeks once we are able to do so.

Our priority as always, is the safety of our children, families, staff and community.

N Russell

Headteacher

THANK YOU TO THE NHS AND KEY WORKERS FROM EVERYONE AT SANDAL CASTLE PRIMARY

Here are a few examples of transient art undertaken by children of key workers whilst enjoying their childcare provision in school.

4th May - Celebrating VE Day

Since 1945 the end of World War Two in Europe has been marked by Victory in Europe Day, better known as VE Day. On 8th May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio at 3pm that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before. This year, the 8th May 2020 will mark 75 years since the first VE Day!

As part of our home learning this week, we thought you might like to find out more about this key event in British history, and maybe even have a little celebration of your own at home! Have a look at our home leaning page for more information.

4th May 2020 School Library

As of Tuesday 5th May we will be offering an outdoor school library service from 9.30 am until 2.30 pm daily.

The library will be outside Mrs Russell's room. A selection of books will be available to choose from.

Why not pop into the school grounds (taking account of social distancing) on your daily walk and choose a book?

The library will be available daily for you to change books.

Happy reading!!

30th April 2020 - The Real Junk Food Project Too Good to Go App

We thought you might be interested in the £10 ‘Magic Box’ - a mixed crate of food - which can be purchased
on the Too Good To Go App.

Download the Too Good To Go App and search for TRJFP. Once you have purchased your Magic Box,
you can collect it from TRJFP unit at The Ridings shopping Centre.
Parking is free and they are open until 3pm. Social distancing measures are in place.

The £10 box is a mixed box of whatever food they have in stock - but typically fruit, vegetables, dairy,
bread, baked goods, drinks, tinned goods, treats and some frozen.

30th April 2020

Y6 Transition to Y7 Kettlethorpe High School

Kettlethorpe High School have updated their website and now have a section for Year 6 transition that parents and pupils can access. This will be updated regularly with new information, short videos and FAQs.

http://kettlethorpehigh.co.uk/transition/

26th April 2020 - Transition to Year 7

FTAO Parents/Carers of children in Year 6

Follow the link below to access a free online webinar at either 12 noon or 8pm on the 1st May 2020 focussing on the transition from Year 6 to Year 7. Here's what will be covered:

1 Why the transition to secondary school can be so tricky and how we can avoid some of the most common mistakes that can be made during this time.

2 What we know from the science about what really matters when it comes to smoothing this transition for children

3 The secrets (proven by research) that lead to high self esteem, improved resilience and ultimately happiness in your children, especially during a transition like this!

4 How you can get started on supporting your child's transition to secondary school now so they'll be skipping out of the door on Day 1!

We realise this may be an area causing worries at the moment and hope the content of the webinar may help.

https://myhappymind.kartra.com/page/may2020webinar

18th April 2020 - Welcome Back

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you have all had a restful Easter break and welcome to our very first newsletter of the Summer term!

We are all having to adapt to new ways of working, so I wanted to take the opportunity to say what an amazing job you are doing supporting your child’s well-being and learning during this difficult time.

It is definitely a strange and challenging time for everyone, and I want to send reassurances that if you and your child feel worried at the moment, we are here for you every step of the way and as always, we will work together to support each other. If you need us for anything, please let us know by contacting: headteacher@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk

We miss the children very much, but we must follow the government’s guidance to keep everyone in our community safe. We will continue to set work via the home learning tab of the website. Your children will have lots of activities they can enjoy during the Summer term, so keep a close eye on the school website for a range of exciting projects covering a range of subjects. However, equally as important and crucial is the health and well-being of our school family, so please be kind to yourselves and enjoy spending time with your children without feeling that the usual structure of a school day is what we are expecting you to deliver. The health and wellbeing of our community is our priority. No child is behind. No child is ahead. All children are where they need to be, staying safe in the care of their families, both home and school.

We can’t say yet when we will be able to open the school fully, but rest assured that we will continue doing our utmost to keep your child safe, learning and our school community connected.

Best Wishes

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

22nd April 2020

Phonics Video

Miss Russell teaches in 1BR. If you have a child in Foundation Stage, Year 1 or Year 2 and as a parent/carer, you would like to watch a video to show how we teach set 1, 2 and 3 phonics in school, please email Miss Russell: brussell@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk and she will forward you the video of her modelling and demonstrating activities to support the teaching of each phase.

If you would like the story time with Miss Russell link sending, please email and the link will be sent to you.

The links must not be shared with any individual outside of our school community.

KS2 Storytime with Mrs Waddington

Mrs Waddington teaches in 6FW. She will be reading a chapter each week of Matilda by Roald Dahl . If you have a child in Year 3,4, 5 or 6 who would like to watch and listen to the story, please contact Mrs Waddington : fwaddington@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk and she will send you the link. The link must not be shared with any individual outside of our school community.

21st April 2020

PURPLE MASH

In addition to the home learning already sent out and the vast range of new online learning on our home learning tab of the website, staff will set specific learning tasks for each class on Purple Mash. Once completed, children can email their class teacher via purple mash and submit their work. This ensures regular communication between each child and staff. Further work will then be set.

Could parents of children in Foundation Stage please contact : EYFS@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk , to be allocated login details.

For guidance on how to access the work, please follow the link below

HOW TO ACCESS WORK SET BY A TEACHER

18th April 2020

Storytime with Miss Russell

Miss Russell teaches in 1BR. She will be reading stories each week to our children. If you have a child in Foundation Stage, Year 1 or Year 2 who would like to watch and listen to the stories, please contact Miss Russell: brussell@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk and she will send you the link on Monday. The link must not be shared with any individual outside of our school community.

16.4.2020 IMPORTANT NEWS - Free School Meal Voucher Update

The Government provider, Edenred have today confirmed that our emailed e-code vouchers are at the 'fulfilled' stage of the process.

This means that all eligible families will be receiving email notification and voucher codes shortly. Please check spam, junk mail etc

For eligible families who requested postal vouchers, these are still at the 'pending' stage of the process.

As soon as the this changes to 'fulfilled' the vouchers will be printed and will be posted out to you.

Thank you for understanding that the situation is a national issue. As always, we appreciate your patience and kind words as we work with Edenred to ensure a swift and efficient delivery of future payments.

13.4.2020 IMPORTANT NEWS - Free School Meal Voucher Update

Understandably, there has been growing frustration this week with the national free school meal voucher scheme.

A significant number of schools are experiencing problems when trying to access the vouchers for families.

We are working constantly with the government chosen provider Edenred to ensure you vouchers are processed.

We can see that the vouchers are being processed and in a queue. This is due to high demand.

As a school, we will continue to access the site during the day and over the weekend and hope that the provider platform

is back up and running.

The vouchers are being processed but as you've probably seen in the media, due to high demand the systems are crashing!

However, we have requested that double vouchers are sent asap to cover this week and next to all of our eligible families.

£30, 2 x £15 vouchers to cover the 6th to the 17th April per child will be received.

You will receive one email per child separately.

WC 20th April, vouchers will be emailed weekly - 1 x £15 per child per week.

Free school meals scheme

Understandably, there has been growing frustration this week with the national free school meal voucher scheme.

A significant number of schools are experiencing problems when trying to access the vouchers for our families.

While we welcomed this scheme's introduction, clearly there have been significant issues with the roll-out, and this is having

a real impact on those tasked with trying to make it work. Edenred, the chosen provider are currently reissuing vouchers since

so many parents have not received their first.

HOME LEARNING 4th April

A new page has been established on the school website to include additional ideas, activities, projects and websites to support home learning.

The home learning page is accessed via the main 'Our Curriculum' heading and is the first drop down box.

This home page of the website will be used to communicate government messages.

Y4 RESIDENTIAL - WHITBY - UPDATE

Whitby have confirmed that they will allow us to postpone the residential visit to a later date so that no funds will be lost at all. We were negotiating dates, but feel in the present climate, we need to wait to see when school life can regain normality again before confirming.

2.4.2020

If you think you are eligible for benefit related free school meals and have not yet applied, please follow the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/schools-children/free-school-meals/application-for-free-school-meals.pdf

https://forms.wakefield.gov.uk/Forms/schools/freeschoolmeals.aspx

1.4.2020 School Meal Vouchers

Thank you to everyone who responded to our calls today. We now have the majority of email addresses for those eligible.

If a message was left asking you to contact school to confirm your email address,

please email: headteacher@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk, and we will process this information for you.

Vouchers are available in term time only, not in school holidays.

31.3.2020 School Meal Vouchers

The government announced today that schools can provide supermarket or shop vouchers to eligible families, if you have applied and are eligible for benefit related free school meals.

The e-code is emailed to parents to redeem at a number of retailers. During the next 2 days we will be checking that we have the accurate email addresses for all eligible families.

However, if you would like to email school to give your preferred email address, please email : headteacher@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk

Thank you

30.3.2020

While school is closed for Easter, if there is any way your local church Community can help in an emergency, please phone Sally and Rupert Martin on 255441 or 07910558139

27.3.2020

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and messages during our first week of school 'closure' - much appreciated.

The rota for meal collection will continue at the same times for next week. The staggered collection ensures that there are no large group gatherings and we can ensure safe distancing. If on your journey to collect, you would like to collect meals for other families, please let us know on the day and we can arrange this for you.

We still have the home learning packs in school for some children in each year group.

If you would like to collect the packs next week, please contact school and we will make sure they are available from the main reception.

24.3.2020

If you need a password re setting, please email: Office@sandal.wakefield.sch.uk

23.3.2020

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF ADHERING TO THE GOVERNMENT UPDATE:

YOU SHOULD ONLY SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY IF YOU HAVE TO, BECAUSE YOUR WORK IS CRITICAL TO OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME, YOU SHOULD. #STAYHOMESAVELIVES

THANK YOU

23.3.2020 Keeping Active

Youth Sport Trust are working to help keep the nation moving and physically fit during these unprecedented times.

Please follow the twitter account: @SGOOutwood for ideas, information and resources.

23.3.2020

Benefit Related Free School Meals

If you have applied and are eligible for benefit related free school meals,we are providing lunches for your children.

Please collect your daily lunch to take home, from the top car park at the following times. Collection times are staggered to ensure social distancing and to avoid large social groups.

10am - Reception and Year 1

10.30 - Year 2 and Year 3

11am - Year 4

11.30 - Year 5

12.00 - Year 6

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS.

23.3.2020 Staying Safe

21.3.2020 UPDATE FROM GAVIN WILLIAMSON, EDUCATION SECRETARY

YOU SHOULD ONLY SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY IF YOU HAVE TO, BECAUSE YOUR WORK IS CRITICAL TO OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME, YOU SHOULD. #STAYHOMESAVELIVES

Benefit Related Free School Meals

If you have applied and are eligible for benefit related free school meals,we are providing lunches for your children.

Please collect your daily lunch to take home, from the top car park at the following times:

10am - Reception and Year 1

10.30 - Year 2 and Year 3

11am - Year 4

11.30 - Year 5

12.00 - Year 6

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS.

19th March - Government Update re Key Workers

Current government directive states that if an individual in your home is classified as a key worker, if you have no alternative child care arrangements,

we can offer childcare places 9am-3pm, as a final resort. We understand that you may want to keep your children at home as the government states it is the safest option.

If it is at all possible for your children to be at home, they should be.

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing.

If you are working from home, or you can work from home, this is the safest place for your child. Please do not put children,

families and staff at risk by accessing a childcare place.

Government directive states that parents need to keep their children at home, wherever possible,

19th March 2020

KEY WORKER UPDATE

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing.

And the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

It is important to underline that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children. But the fewer children making the journey to school,

and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to

the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans,

‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

We know that schools will also want to support other children facing social difficulties and we will support head teachers to do so.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below.

Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
5. Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:

Health and social care

This includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers;

the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and

distributers of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

This includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach.

Key public services

This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and workers delivering key frontline services,

those responsible for the management of the deceased, and journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response or delivering essential public services such as the payment of benefits,

including in government agencies and arms length bodies.

Food and other necessary goods

This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

Public safety and national security

This includes police and support staff, Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and

national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic), fire and rescue service employees (including support staff), National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security,

prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas.

Transport

This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.

Utilities, communication and financial services

This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure), the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage),

information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response, as well as key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications

(including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services), postal services and delivery, payments providers and waste disposal sectors.

If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation

of this essential public service.

PLEASE CONTACT SCHOOL SHOULD YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR CHILD CARE. THANK YOU.

- A Church of England school serving the Community since 1686

On behalf of the children, staff, governors and myself it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our School. As a Church of England school, we value the spiritual as well the educational development of all our children,

whichever faith tradition they come from. We seek to be inclusive of everyone and to help our children to build their lives on firm moral foundations of love and service of one another.

If your child is joining us for the first time, we look forward to establishing a happy and successful partnership with you over the coming years. If you already have a child here, we hope to strengthen our existing links with you to

enable us to provide the best education possible. Parents are welcomed and valued as partners in their child’s education, as we believe that our children learn best when staff and parents work together.

Together we can ensure our school remains the popular and very special place that it is today.

We are all extremely proud of our school and committed to providing the very best possible education for all of our children. Sandal Castle Primary is a school where children are happy and feel a sense of belonging.

They are supported, encouraged, nurtured and loved. They enjoy learning in a stimulating and attractive environment in which each child is encouraged to have fun whilst achieving their potential in the widest sense.

It is within this positive nurturing ethos that children understand the skills they need in order to learn. We want our children to develop lively and enquiring minds, to discuss and debate, to be creative and imaginative and to

apply themselves well as they strive to reach their full potential in all aspects of school life. Our whole school vision underpins every decision we make within the school environment considering what is in the best interest

of our children. In this way, our children will always lie at the heart of everything we do

If you would like any more information, or to arrange a visit, please contact the school. We look forward to meeting you.

Nichola Russell

Headteacher

Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School Vision Statement

If you would like a paper copy of the information on our school website, please ask at the main reception and we will organise this for you.