In light of the forthcoming school closure, we’ve sent the below letter to all parents and carers. If you think you may need support from school then please complete the survey listed below.

If you are a key worker, then you may be eligible to send your child to school during the school closure. The school is required to remain open and provide education to children in these circumstances. The school will be open from 8.45am to 3.15pm. We will not be providing breakfast club or after school. If your child is in school they will need a packed lunch as the school kitchen will not be open. Uniform is not required. A board at the entrance will direct pupils where to go and we kindly ask that parents leave the site promptly.

It is important to stress that every child who can stay at home absolutely must, and many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. However this may not be possible and there is provision to support you.

Unsure if you’re a key worker?

Visit this page for guidance from the Government on what a keyworker is: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Unsure if you’re a key worker that can get support?

Please take the online  survey below which is designed to help families are identifying themselves as keyworkers and get support from the school.  It will also give us an idea of the number of children who may be seeking provision from next week.

Before you complete the survey, please bear these principles in mind:

• If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
• 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. You will already have been contacted regarding this.
• 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.
• 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.
• Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

Click here to take the survey.

Update for Friday 20th March

Accessing support letter from Miss Higginson

Key Messages for Schools and Parents

• Schools and the Local Authority are working closely together to ensure we are able to meet the priorities as set out by the government.
• In Devon, we have already taken the approach that for next week (w/c 23rd March) the majority of schools will remain open to provide a safe place for vulnerable children and those of key workers.
• 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, those with education, health and care (EHC) plans and some others recognised as vulnerable by the Local Authority and school.
• Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings will continue to care for children wherever possible. Schools will continue to liaise with parents about these arrangements.
• Information about closed schools can be found the on the DCC website. The school will inform parents of alternative arrangements for vulnerable children and key workers should they need to close. The Local Authority will also help co-ordinate this work but the school is the first source of information as local arrangements with other schools are being put in place. A Local Authority contact number will be set up to offer advice to parents.
• Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home.
• The DfE advise that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be and they request we follow these key principles:

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

• Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if required.
• A list of key workers is provided by the DfE and can be found at this link.
• Schools will be confirming, later today or next week, information regarding parents’ keyworker role and if a parent intends to send their child to school this may include filling in an online form. Please refer to school level information for this.
• Current transport arrangements will continue to be provided for children attending school this week and next week for currently entitled children from the above lists. These will, until after Easter, follow current timetables wherever possible.
• Families will be notified by individual schools or transport providers of any exceptions to the above.
• Information of any changes after Easter will be posted on the DCC website and via schools later next week or over the holidays
• Families are asked to look at individual school websites and their school’s usual communication methods for other local updates and information.
• We are currently working with Early Years settings, special schools and FE colleges and will aim to provide further information for these age groups later today.
• Early years providers will give more information through the early years digest.
• We also aim to publish a list of frequently asked questions.

The DfE have also provided easy to follow guidance to parents on this and a range of issues. The information can be found here.

Parents on the key workers list should follow the first principle of keeping their children at home if it all possible from Monday onwards, and to only send them to school if there is no safe alternative. Please be aware that this is not business as usual. We will, however, do our best to provide continuity of learning for all children whether at home or in school. We are working to an incredibly tight timescale to turn round this provision and we would ask everybody to show patience and understanding in this extremely challenging situation.

Click here for the key worker survey.

Devon County Council Covid19 webpage.

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.

We had a great time celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 5th March. Here’s just a few photos from the day.

You will no doubt be aware of the Coronavirus that originated in China, but has now reached the UK. While there is no formal guidance for schools from Public Health England we are monitoring the outbreak, which has been described as a “public health emergency of international concern” by the WHO. Please be assured that we will take any appropriate action swiftly should it be required in order to maintain the health and safety of children, staff and public.

The school hosted a very special guest on Wednesday 27th November, when long jump athlete Ezekiel Ewulo visited us to inspire budding young athletes.

The dual nationality Nigeria and Great Britain athlete is on course to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. ‘Zeeks’ started the morning with an inspirational whole school assembly, where he talked about his training regime and the healthy foods he needs to eat to be a top long jumper. Staff and pupils were able to watch Ezekiel’s standing long jump and had the opportunity to ask questions about his athletic career.

Following the assembly, each class from reception to year six was put through its paces with circuit training. Ezekiel finished the circuits by challenging pupils to fit such exercises into their daily or weekly routines.

Demelza Higginson, Headteacher said: “We raised a fantastic amount of money for the event which will be split between the school and providing funding for young Olympic hopeful athletes.

“Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this truly great event. We will certainly all be looking out for Ezekiel in the 2020 Olympics representing Nigeria!

Pupils have been getting creative with a competition to design brand new posters which showcase the school’s newly-established values.

Over the last year, we have worked on our behaviour policy, which included discussions with staff and pupils about what values were important to the school. Together, we developed a list of values which spell TRAIN – representing being on a ‘learning journey’ and brain training through learning:

Teamwork
Respect
Aim High
Independence
Never Give Up

Further discussions between staff and pupils helped to identify specific learning behaviours for each value. The pupils were then asked to design a poster to promote the values around the school – with teachers shortlisting 10 top designs based on how clearly the values were presented. Staff then voted for their favourite design, with 2 winners being chosen – Thomas and Sophie, both in year 4.

Miss Higginson says: “We were really impressed with all of the poster designs that we received, and the winners’ submissions were bold and eye-catching.

“We are looking forward to seeing the posters displayed around our school and to begin implementing these values across everything that we do.”

On Wednesday 3^rd September, some of our Year 6 students were featured on BBC Radio Devon, as part of the 80th anniversary of the start of World War 2.

Students were asked about their knowledge of the war and what it might have meant to be a child at the time.

Well done to all who were interviewed – you can download the clip to listen by clicking the link below (clip will download automatically).

Year 6 on BBC Radio Devon 3.9.19

They took part in the prestigious annual event of the Exmoor Challenge on Saturday 4th May 2019. The 16.1 mile unsupervised endurance walk over the challenging terrain of Exmoor tests teamwork, map reading and navigational skills.

Heathcoat Primary School pupils went spotty for Children in Need, donning their best spotty clothes to raise awareness and money for the day. All of the pupils enjoyed dressing up, and even included some characters such as Pudsey Bear and Mr Tumble.