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New RSE Policy

May 2021

Dear Parents/Carers,

You will be aware that as part of your child’s education at Grindon Infant School we aim to promote wellbeing and development through our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education that gives your children the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives both now and in the future.

Relationship Education has now been made compulsory in all schools.

What does the new guidance mean?

The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, it will give young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and will help them take responsibility for their own well-being. All of the sessions will be age-appropriate and meet the needs of all pupils in the class.

How will this be delivered?

This guidance will form part of our school’s PSHE education programme which is taught throughout the school in every year group and is monitored and reviewed regularly by the staff and Governing Body.

For more detail about the Relationship Education, please visit the school’s website: https://www.grindoninfantschool.sunderland.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/241/2021/01/Sex-and-Relationship-policy-NEW-September-2020.pdf  All teaching in PSHE will take place in a safe learning environment and be underpinned by our school ethos and values. A variety of opportunities will be provided for pupils to ask questions to further their understanding and to find out more about what affects them personally.

What if I have questions?

As a school community, we are committed to working with parents. If you would like to find out more after reading the policy or have any comments, please contact the PSHE Coordinator Miss Kinghorn (gis.year1@schools.sunderland.gov.uk).

Yours sincerely

Miss Kinghorn

(PSHE Coordinator)

Dear parent,
The number of nominations for the position of Parent Governor has exceeded the number of vacant positions. Therefore, it is necessary to hold an election.
All parents of registered pupils at the school, (or an individual who has parental responsibility for, or cares for a registered pupil at the school), are entitled to vote.
You are asked to vote for one candidate from the list below – their parental statements are submitted for information.
Every parent can submit one email, regardless of the number of children you have attending the school. You may not vote on someone else’s behalf.
The Headteacher will act as returning officer and count the votes at the end of the voting period. All submitted votes will be confidential. The successful candidate will have the greater number of votes.
In the event of a tie, a recount of votes will be done. If the votes are still equal, the decision as to who is to be elected as a governor will be made by the Chair of Governors.
All parents will be notified of the result by school communications.
The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check.
The closing date and time for receipt of your vote will be by the end of the school day on Monday 19th April 2021.
To vote, please email your full name, the name of your child and their year group along with the name of your chosen candidate to grindon.infant@schools.sunderland.gov.uk If you wish, you may vote in writing. To do so, please ensure your vote is received by the deadline above; please send your written vote to the school addressed to Mrs A Charlton.
Adele Dixon
I am a mother to 4 children, aged 22, 13 and 5-year-old twins.
I have been employed by Barnes Infant Academy since September 2000. I started as a NNEB Nursery Nurse Student where I was offered a full-time job once qualified.
In October 2014 I went on to train as a HLTA .This is my current job role at the school, working in a nursery setting.
I am very committed to my job, working to my best ability. I have first hand experiences of the education system, especially early years. I believe that all children should be provided with a rich and exciting environment and curriculum to help them learn. I am very passionate about my job and believe all children should
get the best start in life to help reach their full potential. I will bring the same approach and attitude to my role as a Parent Governor.
I have also completed a training course allowing me to run parenting classes to help support parents and families with their child’s learning at home. I regularly attend training sessions to keep updated with changes within education and to gain more knowledge and understanding to support my job role.
In my spare time I am a dedicated mother to my children. We love exploring in the outdoors and genuinely just having fun!
I feel I have the experience and expertise to enhance your Governing Board.

Samantha Turner
My name is Samantha Turner and my son attends Grindon Infant’s Reception.
He has Special Educational Needs and since his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2019, I have developed an interest in advocating for children with SEN by encouraging awareness of the mutual benefits of inclusion.
My occupation is within the optical health industry, where I have developed my career within a well-known opticians for 11 years. I have progressed through various management roles including; Supervisor, Assistant Manager and Practice Manager. I have extensive experience as working part of a team, interpersonal skills and understanding the importance of confidentiality. I believe these skills will transfer well to the role of school governance, assisting the school to analyse the attainment gaps between groups of pupils and pinpoint where the school may need improvement for our children.
Although I have no experience of school governance specifically, I am due to complete a Diploma in Specialist Teaching and Learning in schools to become a Teaching Assistant this summer, which demonstrates my understanding and knowledge of education, the curriculum, special educational needs and safeguarding children. I am particularly keen to ensure that all children are safeguarded well and can fulfil their full potential whatever their background, special educational needs or disabilities.
I am not afraid to ask difficult questions if necessary on behalf of all the children this school serves. I am also keen to support the school and all of its dedicated staff who work so hard to keep this place running smoothly.

26/03/21

Dear Parent / Carer

We have reached the end of this term and I am delighted that Teachers are reporting to me the great work and excellent attitude of our children in all the classes. As we all know, they have had to cope with a great deal of change over this time and have shown absolute resilience and determination throughout.  I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support over this last term; it has been yet another incredibly difficult term but the children have worked extremely hard and are a credit to you.

We would like to thank you for your contributions for Red Nose Day; we raised £124.40 and had a great day!

We break up today for our 2 week Easter holiday. We return to School on Monday 12^th April.

Thank you to those parents who have completed the form requesting to bring a packed lunch from home after the Easter holidays. Everyone who completed the form requesting this will have received a text message. If you haven’t then your child will continue to receive a hot School packed lunch but if you change your mind in the future, the Cook requires two weeks’ notice. Please send your child’s lunch bag into School with them on Monday 12^th April. We would appreciate you trying to put items in that children can open themselves due to Covid-19 restrictions but staff will help children if they struggle. Please also remember that we are a healthy School and no chocolate bars, sweets or fizzy drinks are allowed in packed lunches.

Please note that if your child develops Covid-19 symptoms up to and including Sunday 28th March then you must book a test. If this test is positive then please email school ASAP including your child’s name and the date when the symptoms started. Please email:

grindon.infant@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

I am sure we are all looking forward to the Easter break and hope you enjoy time together with your families.

Kind Regards

A Charlton

Mrs A Charlton

Head Teacher

Dear Parent

Parent Governor Election

One vacancy exists at your child’s school for a Parent Governor with immediate effect. Governors serve a four-year term.

If you are a parent of a registered pupil at the school (or an individual who has parental responsibility for, or cares for a registered pupil at the school), I am writing to you on behalf of Education Services, to seek nominations for this Parent Governor position.

You would be expected to attend Governing Board meetings at least once a term. When appropriate, these meetings can be conducted virtually.  Working alongside the Headteacher, governors’ responsibilities now include :-

• attending meetings regularly and contributing to discussions.  Governing Boards must meet at least three times per year.
• helping to establish the aims, policies and objectives of the school, and how standards of education can be improved
• helping to draw up the School Development Plan
• setting the school budget and monitoring expenditure
• ensuring that the national curriculum is implemented and hearing any complaints about its delivery
• appointing, promoting, supporting and disciplining school staff, and deciding their salaries
• acting as a link between the local community and the school
• producing an action plan after an OFSTED inspection and monitoring how the plan is put into practice
• considering cases of excluded pupils
• establishing a Performance Management Policy
• ensuring accountability

 

You do not have to be an expert on education to be a member of the Governing Board, and we value the contribution that all members bring to the role.  Nevertheless, a key consideration in the appointment and election of all new governors should be the skills and experience the Governing Board needs to be effective.  It is therefore important that all prospective governors for election or appointment understand the role of a governor and that they will be expected to adhere to a governance Code of Conduct.  

Any specific skills or experience that would be desirable in a new governor, such as the willingness to learn or skills that would help the Governing Board improve its effectiveness and address any specific challenges it may be facing. Training and development will be provided via the school.

You may self-nominate, but if a you wish to nominate another parent you should seek their approval before submitting the nomination.

If you would like to be nominated as a Parent Governor please email your full name, date of birth along with the name of the school, name of your child and their year group to william.harrison@togetherforchildren.org.uk   You may submit a nomination in writing.  Please ensure these are hand delivered or posted to the school in line with the closing deadline of the end of the school day on 26^th March 2021.

Further to this, please send a personal statement of no more than 250 words.  Your statement may include:

• evidence of the extent to which you possess the skills and experience the board desires;
• your commitment to undertake training and development to acquire or develop the skills to make an effective contribution to governance;
• if seeking re-election, details of your contribution to the work of the board during your previous term of office; and
• how you plan to contribute to the future work of the board.

If a greater number of nominations are received than spaces the school will impliemnt a ballot procedure. More details of this will follow if necessary.

It should be noted that the appointment of a Parent Governor will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).  The Council is responsible for processing these checks on school governors and candidates can be assured that all information is treated in absolute confidence.

You can find out more about school governors by visiting the City’s website: –

https://www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/schools/school-governor-information

Before completing a nomination, please carefully note the list of disqualifications below.  If any of these apply to you, it will mean that you are ineligible to serve as a Parent Governor: – 

You are disqualified from holding office if you:

 

1. are not a parent of a registered pupil at the school at the time of your election (although it should be noted that you are entitled to complete your term of office if your child leaves the school during your term)
2. are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order, an interim bankruptcy restrictions order, a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order
3. have been convicted of an offence, either within the UK or elsewhere, punishable by a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) without the option of a fine:-

(i)       for a period of at least three months within the past five years; or

(ii)      for a period of not less than two and a half years during the past twenty years;
or

• for a minimum period of five years.

1. have been convicted of an offence under Section 40 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (nuisance and disturbance on education premises) or Section 547 of the 1996 Act, which took place on any school premises and were sentenced to a fine;
2. employed in any capacity at the school for 500 hours or more per year
3. are below the age of 18 years.
4. you have been removed from office as a charity trustee by order of the Charity Commissioners or the High Court.
5. where at any time you are included in the list of teachers and workers with children or young persons whose employment is restricted (List 99/Barred List)
6. where you have been disqualified from being a proprietor of an Independent School or for being a teacher or other employee in any school
7. where a governor refuses a Disclosure and Barring Service check
8. Have been disqualified as a Parent Governor in another School in any Local Authority within the last 5 years

If, having read the above list of disqualifications, you are satisfied that you are eligible to serve as a Parent Governor please submit your nomination and parental statement by 26^th March 2021.

Yours sincerely

William Harrison

Governor Support Team

Direct Line:      0191 561 2626

E-mail:             william.harrison@togetherforchildren.org.uk

12^th March 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Parents’ Evening

As you will be aware we will be holding Parents’ Evenings during the week beginning Monday 22^nd March via telephone due to Covid-19 restrictions. There is a timetable below to show the days when your child’s Class Teacher is available.

Date	Teacher
Monday 22nd March	Mrs Matthews – Class 2
	Miss Allison – Class 6
	Mrs Fairless- Two Year Old Provision
	Miss Kinghorn – Class 3
Tuesday 23rd March	Miss Hanson – Class 4
	Mrs Scott – Nursery
	Miss Kinghorn – Class 3
	Mrs Dugdale – Class 5
Wednesday 24th March	Mrs Finnigan – Class 1
	Mrs Scott – Nursery
	Miss Hanson – Class 4
Thursday 25th March	Mrs Finnigan – Class 1
	Miss Allison – Class 6
	Mrs Matthews – Class 2
	Mrs Dugdale – Class 5

 

Where possible please keep to the specified dates to book a time as we only have 4 telephone lines for Teachers to use each day so no more than 4 Teachers can ring on a specified day. Where it is not possible for you to speak to the Teacher at the specified time we will try our very best to accommodate you but it may not be the same week.

Please ring the School Office to book a day and time to discuss your child’s progress.

If you child as a Special Educational Need then you will be given a longer appointment at an alternative time so that our SENDCO, Mrs Matthews, can also join the meeting. You should have already received an email or telephone call to arrange this.

Yours sincerely

A Charlton

Mrs A Charlton

Head Teacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

Red Nose Day

19 March 2021

The last 12 months have been incredibly tough for all of us, but we’re so proud of how our pupils have managed. As parents and carers, you’ve also had your lives turned upside down, and we’re so grateful for all of your efforts at home.

I am sure you agree that we all deserve some fun and laughter! Grindon Infant School will be taking part in Red Nose Day on Friday 19 March. We can’t wait to raise a smile and some life-changing money for Comic Relief!

Our theme for this year is ‘Superheroes’. As we are all aware, superheroes can come in many forms, and we have all seen the work of many unsung heroes during the past year, such as doctors, shop workers, scientists and fundraisers. Your child may, if they wish, come to school dressed as a superhero of their choice, in Red Nose day t-shirts or in non-uniform on Friday 19^th March.

We are asking for voluntary contributions of £1 per child to go to Comic Relief. This can be paid straight to Comic Relief or you can bring your £1 and you can leave this in a bucket that we will leave at the school gate. However much or little we raise, we’ll be helping change lives in the UK and across the world.

As well as taking the opportunity to be part of something positive, we’ll be using Red Nose Day as a learning opportunity. We’ll explore the issues facing young people across the world, and how the money we raise can help. We will have lots of fun activities planned for the day too!

Thank you so much everyone for your support.

 

26/02/21

Dear Parent / Carer

I am sure you have all heard that the Government have asked Schools to prepare for all children returning on 8^th March. We are very excited about this and hope that you are also happy with the news and that the children are looking forward to seeing their friends and Teachers and returning to some kind of normal!

We are all extremely busy now planning this return and looking forward to some fun and exciting learning opportunities in the coming months. We completely understand that some children and parents may be anxious about this and we are here to support you. Teachers will be making telephone calls next week to all children who are not currently attending School to speak to them about the return and how they are feeling about this and to offer our support.

As always, at Grindon Infant School we will proceed with great care as we don’t want to be in a position where we have to close again so we would appreciate you strictly adhering to all of our requests to keep everyone as safe as possible.

We were extremely satisfied with measures we had in place before the closure so will be reinstating all of these until at least the Easter holidays when the Government will issue new guidance. We are also in the process of writing new risk assessments so some extra measures may also be added to keep us all as safe as possible in these difficult times.

What are the arrangements for drop off and collection?

The following times are for each Class and we ask you to be prompt and maintain a 2 metre distance between staff and other parents. All adults dropping children off must wear a face mask and remember only one adult per child on the yard.

Class	Drop off time	Collection Time	Breakfast Club start time
Two Year Old Provision	12:30pm	3:30pm
Nursery –am only	8:30am	11:30pm	8:25am
Nursery – pm only	12:15pm	3:15pm
Nursery – 30 hours	8:30am	3:15pm	8:25am
Reception(Class 5 and 6)	8:40am	2:40pm	8:25am
Class 1	8:45am	2:45pm	8:20am
Class 2	8:50am	2:50pm
Class 3	8:55am	2:55pm	8:15am
Class 4	9:00am	3:00pm

What does my child need to wear and bring to School?

As before, full uniform is to be worn. Nothing is to be brought in from home e.g. water bottles, bags, lunch boxes; everything your child needs will be provided by School. On PE days please send your child to School in their PE kit and remember PE is likely to be taught outside so tracksuit bottoms and a hoody would be helpful.

What will my child have for lunch?

As before, all children will be provided with a free, hot packed lunch each day which they will eat in their own designated area. Up until Easter we are not allowing packed lunches from home but we hope to review this with the new guidance and possibly allow this after the Easter holiday.

Will you be running clubs?

We will continue with our breakfast club bubbles as we know this supports working parents but we will not be running any after school clubs in the near future. Breakfast Club MUST be booked in advance via our form that is sent out the week before by text message; applications after the form closes will not be accepted.  Please bring the money for the week in an envelope clearly labelled with your child’s name. No late admissions to Breakfast Club will be allowed as the other bubbles will be coming in to start their school day. If you have not received a text please do not bring your child to breakfast club. Please also ensure we have your most recent contact telephone number.

What will my child be learning?

The Teachers will be supporting your child when they first return with their well-being and identifying where the children are and what gaps they may have. Teaching will then be adapted to address these areas. Interventions will also be put in place to support children who need some extra support. Children will be taught the full curriculum from the point home learning stops on Friday. We will also supply homework activities to close gaps and ask you to please support your child with this.

How will I be able to contact the Teacher?

As before we ask you not to speak to Teachers at the gate but please continue to use the year group emails set up during lockdown to communicate with your child’s Class Teacher. You can also contact them via telephone. Please be aware that you will not get an immediate response as they will be teaching your children during the day.

 

 

Will there be events and visitors in School?

As before, there will not be any events out of School. We will also not be bringing visitors into School unless for exceptional/ essential reason-this decision will be made by the Head Teacher. We hope that this will change as we become more assured that we are safe as visitors both in and out of School enhance children’s learning.

How safe will my child be?

We will be maintaining the class bubbles and they have their own designated yard space for playing. Staff are now testing themselves twice weekly and reporting their results to me immediately. Around School, adults are maintaining 2 metre distancing wherever possible. We ask for your continued support and ask that you only send your child to School if they are fit and well. If they have any Covid-19 symptoms, please arrange a test and inform School. Thorough risk assessments are being completed and will be checked by the Council Health and Safety Team before School reopens. Although there are no guarantees, I can promise we are doing everything possible to keep everyone as safe as they can be.

Will there be outdoor learning?

Yes! We will be making the most of outdoor learning so please ensure your child has suitable clothing each day, appropriate for the weather.

Please contact us if have any other questions or concerns and we will be happy to help.

Finally I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support for our team at Grindon Infant School. I would like to pay tribute to those parents who have supported their children with home learning; I know this has not been easy but you have stood the children in excellent stead for their return to School. The messages of support and positive feedback that you have given to us, particularly through our home learning survey, have been appreciated more than we can say.

I am sure you will join me in thanking the staff for working so tirelessly to deliver the best education possible remotely to such young children and provide you with the support to do so. The staff will continue to work extremely hard to ensure all learning is high quality and appropriate in the safest way possible as well as keeping the children happy. We just can’t wait to have our School family back together again!

Stay safe and kind regards

Mrs A Charlton

Head Teacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are almost at the end of this half term and I wanted to thank you so much for the many positive messages that we have received from you about our remote learning provision. We know that this is an extremely challenging time for all of us and our staff very much appreciate hearing from you. Similarly, we are delighted with the very high levels of engagement from children which we know must mean there has been a significant effort on your part; for this we are equally appreciative. As a mother of two, I know how challenging it is balancing working full time, supporting children with home learning, looking after vulnerable family members and managing all the usual everyday life tasks but we must keep going for a little bit longer to ensure our children don’t have huge gaps in their learning when they return to School. Please remember staff are here to support you with any issues you may have or if you just need support to motivate your child to complete home learning. We break up on Friday for February half term and we will not be setting any work for next week; it is important that the children, and you, have a well-deserved break.

In his recent announcement to Parliament, the Prime Minister confirmed that schools would not re-open before Monday 8th March 2021 and that this will be dependent upon a number of different factors, including infection rates and how successfully the Government has delivered its vaccination programme. We will receive two weeks’ notice of reopening and it is possible that children will return on a phased basis. In the meantime, we ask that everyone continues to do as they are doing and remain fully engaged with home learning to support your children.

We apologise if you feel we are pressuring you into completing home learning but there is a national expectation from the Government that children will complete the work and send it to Teachers so that they can offer vital feedback to move their learning forward. Home learning will undoubtedly support your child and ensure they do not fall behind and teaching in school will continue from the point home learning stops when all children do return to School.

We do appreciate all feedback on remote learning and we recognise that now more than ever, it is only through working in partnership that we can make this provision work as well as possible.

For those children who are with us in School during this lockdown period I would like to thank the Parents and Carers for adhering to the measures in place to ensure staff and children are as safe as they possibly can be.

We have now switched to the supermarket voucher scheme for free school meals and vouchers should have been issued to all eligible families via email last Monday. If you have any queries or questions, please contact the School Office and they will be able to offer further assistance. Originally the Government issued guidance to say that vouchers could not be issued covering the half term period however now they have said that we should issue a voucher but unfortunately we are not able to use the Edenred provider. We have purchased all eligible families a £15 Aldi voucher which you will be able to collect from the School Office from today; you will have received a text message if there is a voucher for you to collect. If you think you are eligible but have not yet applied then please contact 0191 561 1417.

School closes on Friday 12^th February for half term and we start back on Monday 22^nd February for those children attending during lockdown; this is also when home learning will begin again.

I hope that you all enjoy a restful half term, and thank you, as always, for your positivity and support.

Kind Regards

Mrs A Charlton

NHS Test and Trace: COVID-19 testing for staff .

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.

Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and pupils to remain in school/college safely. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus experience no symptoms. By testing we will help to stop the virus spread and help to keep our school open as safely as possible. The test is voluntary, but I am encouraging everyone to take it.

We will be testing all staff who want to participate from this week, they will take a test Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Obviously if a member of staff tests positive then we will have to close that bubble in School at short notice; you will be advised of this by text message so please ensure we have the correct contact details for you.

We know these tests work – in validation studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, they were shown to be as accurate in identifying a case as a PCR test (99.68% specificity). The tests have lower sensitivity but they are better at picking up cases when a person has higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding during these unprecedented times.

Mrs Charlton