Welcome to
Heathcoat
Primary School
Welcome
Welcome from the Head of School, Demelza Higginson
Aspiring to achieve our best: moving forward together!
A very warm welcome to Heathcoat Primary School and thank you for joining us on our website.
Heathcoat Primary School is a large primary school in the centre of Tiverton. We work closely with the other school in Tiverton and in January 2017 we federated with Rackenford Primary School and Tiverton High School, with Mrs Sammy Crook as Executive Head Teacher.
At Heathcoat Primary we strive to put our children first. We are committed ensuring our pupils grow into lifelong learners by using Building Leaning Power to enable our pupils to develop a range of learning skills which they can apply in different learning opportunities both at school and at home. These Building Learning Power skills are taught alongside the National Curriculum and form an important part our curriculum.
Our staff work very hard to create a happy, yet challenging learning environment for our pupils. We have high expectations for learning and behaviour for both our pupils and for ourselves. We want pupils to enjoy learning and to strive to make the progress that will help them to go forward and achieve their full potential and ambitions well beyond school. It is part of our school’s ethos to welcome every child and every family in exactly the same way. We work hard to form a strong and trusting relationship with every parent/carer and child. We seek to inspire and challenge every pupil, in order to help them to fully develop their character, confidence, sense of compassion and to become determined to achieve their full potential in all that they might do.
If you would like to find out more about our fantastic school then please get in contact. We love to show visitors around so that they can get a full picture for themselves of exactly what our school can offer their children and family. Visits also give us an opportunity to learn more about you and provide the first step for you to become actively involved in your child’s primary education.
Latest news
Coronavirus updates
Update 8 March 2021
The document here is the risk assessment we have conducted with a view to full opening of the school on March 8.
Update 5 March 2021
Please download and read this letter about the return to school.
Update 12 February 2021
A half-term message to all of our children from Miss Higginson.
Update 8 February 2021
One of the children in our second nursery bubble has tested positive for Covid-19 today, having taken the test on Saturday. The child was last in nursery on Wednesday, which means the bubble can remain open. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Update 7 February 2021
One our pupils, who had been asked to self-isolate due to the closure of a bubble, has tested positive for Covid. They had mild symptoms for 24 hours. The parents were vigilant and erred on the side of caution and booked a test. We would urge other parents to do the same and seek advice and book a test if anyone in the household is feeling unwell regardless of the symptoms.
Update 3 February 2021
As you will be aware a member of our nursery staff tested positive on the lateral flow test at the weekend. They had the result confirmed with a positive PCR test. They continue to self-isolate. We have discussed the case with the DfE and reported it to the local authority. As a school we have decided to carry out a deep clean of the whole school on Friday.
Update 2 February 2021
We have had 3 confirmed positive staff cases Covid-19 through our testing programme. This means that the year 2 and one of the year 4 bubbles remain closed, and children can return to school on 9th Feb.
Update 31 January 2021
As you are aware staff have started lateral flow testing twice a week.
One of our nursery staff has tested positive this morning. The infectious period is 2 days before the onset of symptoms or the results of a test. They were last in school on Wednesday, so we don’t need to take any further action.
One of the staff in Year 2 has tested positive this morning. As they were last in school on Friday, we have closed the bubble until they get the results of a PCR test. All those parents in year 2 who have been affected have been contacted via phone and email.
One of the staff in one of our Year 4 bubbles has tested positive this morning. As they were last in school on Friday, we have closed the bubble until they get the results of a PCR test. All those parents in the year 4 bubble who have been affected have been contacted via phone and email.
Update 20 January 2021
A teacher and student teacher have tested positive for Covid-19 today, and a second student teacher is awaiting the results of a test. They were last in school on Monday. We have asked 12 children to self-isolate for 10 days. We have informed the DfE and expected return to school will be 29th January.
Update 18 January 2021
A member of staff in year 5 has informed us this morning that they have tested positive for Covid-19. They have not been in school since Friday, when symptoms developed.
Anyone who has been in contact with the teacher has been asked to self-isolate, which includes 4 additional staff and 16 children. We have closed the Year 5 bubble and, while we await DfE confirmation, staff and children will be unable to return to school for 10 days.
We will closely monitor the situation and ensure we maintain contact with all involved.
Update 4 January 2021
You will by now know that at 8pm the Government announced all schools, including primary schools, are to close as part of a countrywide lockdown.
This means that school will not open as usual tomorrow (5th January) as planned.
For those who are classed as critical workers we will be able to offer school provision from tomorrow, along with provision for vulnerable children. Please complete the form for critical workers below by 9.30pm tonight. For such parents breakfast and afterschool club will be available tomorrow, but we are awaiting Government guidance on whether this can be provided beyond tomorrow.
If you were aware in the summer term lockdown that your child was vulnerable, then please contact the office by 9am tomorrow. We will contact any parent where we are aware a child is considered vulnerable since this lockdown.
We will attempt to contact all parents who submit the form with confirmation of critical work status and provision by 8.15am.
Nursery will remain open tomorrow for all children.
Homeworking resources on Google Classroom will be provided as quickly as we can, but since some teachers may be allocated to critical workers we need to ensure we can resource this effectively. We will be working hard and will to inform you when we’re able.
We will provide updates tomorrow, so please check the website or Facebook for these notifications.
Update 3 January 2021
As of 4pm today and having communicated with colleagues we will be open for all pupils in all year groups tomorrow as planned. Please be vigilant and monitor our Facebook page and school website as we may need to adjust our provision over the coming days based on staffing ratios.
Previous post:
You may be aware of the recent Teaching Unions guidance to their members regarding the return to school, health and safety and the spread of the Covid virus.
Over the weekend we have been, and continue to be, in communication with our school colleagues.
Once we are clear about colleagues’ intentions we will be able to assess whether we can fully open on Monday 4th January.
I appreciate that for parents this is short notice but the unions only met with their members yesterday.
We anticipate updating our website later today.
Update 23 December 2020
A letter for parents from Devon County Council. 201222 – Letter to parents re. school return – FINAL
Update 11 December 2020
Please read our end of term letter, with guidance on what to do if you have a positive case of Coronavius.
Letter to parents end of Autumn term 10.12.20
Update 27 November 2020
We have had confirmation today of a positive Covid test in nursery. The child was last in nursery on Wednesday and became unwell on Thursday. We have contacted the DfE and 26 children who have been in close contact are now self-isolating. They can return on 10th December. Since 6 staff also need to self isolate until then, we are closing the nursery bubble.
Update 19 October 2020
An update from Devon County Council: 16 Oct 2020 – letter to schools & parents
Update 15 October 2020
Please be aware that a child from our Year 4 bubble has reported a positive test for Coronavirus. The affected child has not been in school since last Thursday, as symptoms were first reported on Wednesday. We have taken the decision that the whole of Year 4 must now self-isolate from today, and we are contacting parents. Staff in that bubble have also been asked to self-isolate.
We expect Year 4 to return to school on Thursday 22nd October, which is 14 days from the symptoms being reported. From tomorrow we will be giving all parents access and instructions on how to access Google Classroom, and will set a range of work each day for the isolating children. All of our children have in-school experience of Google Classroom already.
Update 21 September 2020
We have provided some useful guidance on how to look for Covid-19 symptoms, a guide to what to do and the latest guidance from Devon County Council. Please familiarise yourselves with the information.
Schools Advice to Parents 21.9.20
Letter to schools re COVID from Dr Virginia Pearson Sept 2020 pdf 21.09.20
Update 9 September 2020
A short video explaining morning procedures for tomorrow morning for parents at the park entrance.
Update 2 September 2020
We have provided some guidance videos on entry to school on this page. You may also want to read these useful information guides about how children can better understand the concept of a bubble and social distancing; helping children feel less anxious about coming back to school in these difficult times.
Back-to-school-September – ELSA story to share with children
COVID19_My Back to School Bubble
Update 21 July 2020
Return to school letter to parents Return to school letter 17.7.20
Update 17 June 2020
Letter from Head of Education 17 Jun 2020 – Head of Education Open letter to Parents
Update 1 June 2020
Relevant information for returning to school
Update 20 May 2020 – plus letter from 22 May 2020
Update 14 May 2020
A letter to parents from Mrs Crook, Executive Head of the Federation of Tiverton Schools
2020 05 14 Letter to parents HPS
A message from Miss Higginson – 12 May 2020
Update 11 May 2020
(Updated 2pm) The Prime Minister yesterday evening share his ‘roadmap’ of moving society out of lockdown.
He mentioned that some primary schools could be open after half term for reception, year 1 and 6, with a further mention of year 10 ‘seeing’ their teachers in July.
As you can imagine we will need to wait for more details to come from the national and local authorities before we can begin to see how this might work for our school.
Currently, schools will continue to offer places for vulnerable children and those of key workers but we understand that many other parents will want to know more about when their children will return to school. Schools across the country will also have heard this news for the first time on Sunday and over the course of the next week or two, we will be reviewing the detailed guidance government has said it will provide. We will then take any action required to open the school to the year groups identified in a safe way. When we are in a position to do so we will provide information on our website and in newsletters so that parents will know exactly when the school will be able to once again offer a place for their children.
In the meantime, it would be appreciated if parents could avoid contacting their school directly.
Update 28 April 2020
Letter to parents COVID 19 28.4.20
Update 14 April 2020
Free School Meal Vouchers
Our order to Edenred for Free School Meal vouchers was submitted on 4th April. However, due to the volume of orders the company are processing countrywide, there has been a significant delay in vouchers being issued and emailed to parents.
It appears that emails are now starting to be received by parents to enable them to specify their desired supermarket and for the voucher to be generated.
Please be aware that there is an additional delay between this information being completed and the final vouchers being sent back.
The company have emailed to indicate they are increasing their available resources to deal with demand. We are monitoring the situation daily and will update you with any further information when it becomes available.
Devon School Nursing Service Update: SN_newsletter-March2020_2
Devon Schools COVID-19 page
The Devon Schools COVID-19 page has now been set up and provides key messages and information for schools and parents on the COVID-19 situation.
Key information available includes:
• school closures.
• what this means for schools and parents in Devon.
• should I send my child to school?
• DfE Coronavirus helpline.
• school resources and information on key workers and messages for parents.
School provision requests
https://heathcoat.devon.sch.uk/covid-19-school-attendance/
Update for Saturday 21st March
We have important information for key workers who require school provision during closure.
Click here for details.
Update for Friday 20th March
Information on the definition of key workers has been announced and is detailed below. 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. Click here for the key worker survey.
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 childcare, support 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.
Update for Thursday 19th March
We are currently making preparations for school closure and are working with the DfE as more guidance and legislation is brought forward. We will keep this page and our website up to date as we know more.
This is an unprecedented situation for all of us, so please be patient and we will keep you informed as best we can.