On this page you will find tabs which will link you with information from the School and Government, home learning resources, wellbeing support and contact details for other services if you need further support and advice.

 

 

Headteacher Update 3rd January 2021

 

Dear Parents, Carers, and Families,

 

I hope this finds you well and safe.

 

To confirm, that following the recent updates from the Government over the last few days, Special Schools are still listed as opening. Therefore, the school will be reopening as planned for pupils to return on Tuesday 5th January.

 

Feel assured that school leaders are constantly checking Government guidance and will make appropriate adjustments to school attendance if this guidance changes.

 

At Rosehill School, we are committed to provide as much support for the pupils, families and staff as best we can. As always, our priority is the health, safety and well-being of the school community. Therefore, I wanted to remind all parents, that although we will do our best to continue to operate as we have been over the autumn term, there may be times where we will have to make rapid decisions, if necessary, and this may include closing class bubbles for a period of time (e.g. as the result of a positive test/ changes to staffing). If there are any changes required, we will contact parents of any pupils affected immediately. Home learning will be provided, in the event of a class closure.

 

As you will know, from my continued updates, there are numerous safety measures in place at the school. However, while we have done all we can to ensure the environment is as safe as it can be and to minimise the risks in line with Government and LA guidance on health and safety measures in schools, at no point can we guarantee that there will be no risk especially as many of our pupils do not understand social distancing and will need additional close support. I must reiterate, what I asked back in November in my letter to all parents, that pupils should not attend school if they are showing any Covid symptoms, or if anyone within the household is presenting with symptoms, or being tested.

 

I also wanted to provide you with some other details, which may answer some of your questions: 

 

• Is there anything else we can add to our safety measures?

No. We have changed the design of our school, classrooms, timetable and approaches to teaching. We have stopped the use of the full building, visitors on site, cross class learning, offsite learning, and face to face meetings where possible. We have allocated times for transport arrival and departure to minimise congregation at the front of the school site. This is in addition to our bubble safety measures and every class using regular handwashing and antibacterial gel stations throughout the school, PPE is available as required, social distancing measures are in place where possible, and daily additional cleans. 

 

• Will mass testing be in place from 5th January?

No. We will be meeting with the LA over the coming week to discuss testing at Rosehill. We need to ensure that we have all the correct information regarding testing, before releasing information to parents.  

 

We thank you in advance for supporting us as we work together to protect our community. 

 

Yours Sincerely,

Cheryl Steele

 

 

Risk Assessment Details

 

As part of the in-depth planning process, we have carried out comprehensive risk assessments in line with Government guidance. Those risk assessments and the procedures related to them will be reviewed regularly in line with any new guidance. I have outlined below the key areas below. 

 

Symptoms of coronavirus in children

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

 

What to do if your child has symptoms

If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1. Get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible.
2. You, your child and anyone else you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get the test result – only leave your home to have the test.

 

If you or someone in our household has a positive test result then everyone in that household MUST isolate for 10 days, you MUST not send your child to school until 10 days have passed.

1. Pupil Zones - Pupils will continue to be ‘zoned’ according to their school phase (i.e. Primary, Middle, Upper). Within the Zone each class will currently be working in their individual class ‘bubbles’. The zones will not mix indoors and, whilst not reducing pupil’s access to the full curriculum, teachers and teaching assistants will reduce contact between classes, wherever possible. 
 
2. Staggered break and lunch times – Zones will have breaks at different times of the day.  Primary will have lunch first, and will remain in their department. Middle and Upper School will also continue to eat in their department areas at present. 
 
3. Start and end of the day drop off times – Morning drop off will begin at 08:50, and run until 09:30 with staff supporting pupils to use hand sanitiser as they come onto the school site. Pupils will move directly to their classrooms or allocated outside space.

• If you walk your child to school, please wait at the allocated area, seated, 2m apart and wearing a face mask
• Please do not block walkways
• If you are arriving by car, please do not exit your vehicle. This is to help ensure the minimal number of people within this area at one time

Staff will support your child to enter the school safely. Collection at the end of day will begin at 15:00 and run until 15:30. Pupils will be called to the departure area from their classrooms, so please be patient and follow the directions of the duty staff to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. As all parents will appreciate, there are many variables to children arriving/departing from school. If parents/carers require clarification, please contact the school. 

 

4. Increased focus on hand washing and hygienic measures across the school – We will continue to have an increased focus on hand washing and good hygiene throughout the school. Pupils will wash their hands on arrival to school, and will clean their hands regularly at key points throughout the day. Hand sanitiser will be available around the school and in classrooms. Staff will help your child to use this if they need support. Posters are displayed around the school reminding pupils and staff about the key hygiene messages, such as hand washing, and staff will regularly remind pupils about the importance of good hygiene.

 

5. Social distancing measures – The school are maintaining social distancing measures where possible. There are signs around the school to promote social distancing. Parents and carers are asked to adhere to these measures. There is a much greater focus on the cleaning of equipment. Equipment that cannot be cleaned between bubble use will be left for a minimum of 72 hours before they are accessed by other pupils.   

 

6. Face masks/coverings – As per government guidance, where social distancing cannot be maintained in the school outside of class bubbles, staff are wearing face coverings. For example, in communal areas/whilst transitioning around the school. All authorised visitors must wear face coverings. Parents on site, for drop off are also asked to wear face coverings. Thank you to parents for supporting there plans. Where it is appropriate, pupils over the age of 12 are wearing face coverings. 

 

Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, for example people who cannot put on, wear or remove face coverings because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability, or if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate. The same exception will apply in educational settings, and we the government expect teachers and other staff to be sensitive to those needs.

7. Visitors, meetings, after school events and training – We will continue to limit the numbers of visitors on site. This includes parents and carers. Only essential visitors are permitted. All meetings/visits must be through a pre-arranged appointment. Where possible, we will try to hold meetings and have visitors on site after school only and Annual Reviews and parent meetings virtually (where possible). If we do have to hold meetings, we will ensure these are in the large meeting rooms, which are well ventilated, with appropriate distancing. We hope these restrictions will ease with time. Currently we are unable to hold assemblies or musical/theatre events. Any visitors who are deemed as essential will be requested to read and agree the school risk assessment, and must follow the school visitor protocol.

 

8. Personal belongings – Pupils should continue to bring the minimum number of items possible in to school. Where possible, packed lunches should come in a plastic container. PE kits can be brought into school, but we will be asking parents to wash them regularly.

 

9. Food arrangements – Pupils will eat in their usual setting i.e. classrooms/zoned areas. Free School Meals will continue for those pupils entitled to them. Please note, Nottingham City Council have increased the school meals price which is in line with their yearly increase which was not implemented last year. The cost of school meals from September 2020 is £2.25 per day, £11.25 per Week. Dinner money should be sent in weekly.

 

If you have any queries about free school meals, please contact the school office. Continuing this term, we are asking any parent or carer to contact us if they require support with food.
 

10. Offsite activities – The Government have stated that school day trips may resume. As I am sure you are aware, much of our curriculum takes place within the local community. We are now resuming some offsite visits. We will follow social distancing rules whilst in the community and all trips will be risk assessed as usual. If we require anything from you to support these activities, the class team will be in touch. 
 

11. School dress code – We will expect all pupils to wear uniform/school clothes as outlined in our dress code.

 

I would like to thank you for your continued support throughout this unusual and challenging public health crisis. As always if, you have any questions or queries please do get in touch. I will of course write to you again, if the plans change as a result of any additional government/ local guidance or should there be a change in circumstances.

 

All plans will be reviewed by February, and parents and carers will be updated at this stage.

 

Thank you

Cheryl Steele, Headteacher 

Symptoms of coronavirus in children

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

 

What to do if your child has symptoms

If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1. Get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible.
2. You, your child and anyone else you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get the test result – only leave your home to have the test.

 

If you or someone in our household has a positive test result then everyone in that household MUST isolate for 10 days, you MUST not send your child to school until 10 days have passed.

Further Information for Parents and Carers

 

There a number of important updates below, so please do read through the information.

Please see the following sections for information on the following subjects:

 

Safeguarding

 

E-Safety

 

Information from Rosehill

 

Government Advice

 

Wellbeing

 

Home Learning

 

Health and Safety Information

 

Coronavirus Track & Trace Scheme

 

We hold a lot of data and, as part of our statutory duty, it may be necessary for us to share that data on request by Public Health with NHS Track & Trace workers, so that we play our part in making the programme as effective as possible. 

 

It is likely that we may be asked to provide contact details if a case of Coronavirus or a suspected case arises in our school. There is an obligation to support Government planning and we will provide details if requested to do so.  We will be sharing data on the basis that this is a Public Duty and that, in the case of any health data, it is necessary for the public interest.

 

We have put a copy of our Coronavirus Track & Trace Privacy Notice on the school website (Click Here)

 

If you need to book a test for your child please use the following website (Click Here)

Public Transport/Indoor Public Places - Face Covering Excemption

 

Face coverings are compulsory when using public transport and in indoor public places to help keep yourself and others safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

However the government understands that wearing a face covering can be difficult for some people. You will be exempt from wearing a face covering on public transport if you:

• are a child aged 11 or under.
• have a disability.
• have a learning disability.
• have any communication needs that require you to lip read.
• have a health problem or condition that could be affected by wearing a face covering for example, problems with your breathing.

 

You can print out and show the following card if you are asked why your child isn't wearing a face covering whilst using public transport.

 

Local Support for Families

 

Food Banks

For anyone who is currently experiencing difficulties accessing food there are local Food Banks and Community Based Social Eating Projects available. If you need help during COVID-19 you can call the Council on 0115 915 5555 or visit http://nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Food Parcels

We were very honoured to be working with a charity called Sewa Day, This has allowed us to send some food parcels to some of our pupils and these were greatly appreciated! If you feel you and your family would benefit from a food parcel, please contact the school office -

0115 9155815. To find out more about Sewa Day please click this link

 

Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Information

 

Safeguarding and Wellbeing Support for Families
The school continues to meet regularly with both Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Local Authority to discuss our offer to safely implement the Government guidance at a local level. The School is also in constant communication with: Social Care, the Whole Life Disability Team, Short Breaks, Health, and the SEN Team and this will continue to be the case. Should your position change or you have any questions, require advice, information or support, please do not hesitate to contact the school.  Staff will endeavour to answer your queries and provide further information.
 
If you have any concerns about a child’s safety or well-being during any holidays, please contact the school, or Nottingham City Local Authority 0115 9155555. You can also make a self-referral with Children and Families Direct 0115 8764800.

 

We also have an updated Safeguarding Policy that applies during the current situation which can be found by clicking on the following link Click Here

 

Please see the contact details for the Heads of Department if you require any additional support:

 

Primary School    

• Katie Stevenson K.Stevenson@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk     
• & Adele Harvey A.Harvey@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk

Middle School

• Katie Tomlinson k.tomlinson@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk

Upper School 

• Tamara Riddell t.riddell@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk 

 

If you contact us over a holiday break, we will endeavour to get back to on return to school.

 

Families Under Pressure

Please see the following website – https://familiesunderpressure.maudsleycharity.org/  It has information on managing anxiety, negative emotions, boosting positive emotions and how to communicate better with your child. 

 

Mental Health Information 
We have put together a page with lots of resources, activities, songs and videos. This can be found at the following link

 

Inclusive African Adventure Yoga for Children, with Makaton

An inclusive children's yoga session, using Makaton sign language. This session will take you on a Yoga journey, all the way to Africa, to look for animals. Click here to view this great resource

 

Helpful Guide for Families with Disabled Children

Contact have made available a guide for families with disabled children full of information and help. This can be found on their website at the following link

 

Autism Alert Card
The National Autistic Society have produced a card that you can carry with you that you can show to people if your child becomes anxious or stressed, it includes information about how people with autism may need a little more support. This card can be found at the following link and printed. Click Here   

 

Learning & Home Learning

 

Home Learning Activities and Resources 
We  have continued to add new and engaging learning activities to our website; Please follow this link for more information Click Here 
 
If parents/carers are struggling to download information from the website, please call the school office 0115 9155815.

E-Safety – Keeping your Child Safe Online
To help keep your child safe at home whilst using the internet, please look at E-safety information which can be found in the home learning page. This includes guides on how to set up parental controls on devices and how to help your child understand ways they can protect themselves online. 
  
Cory's Animal Channel

Look at the videos at the link below and listen to Cory telling us about the animals.

Click Here

 

Other News

 

Government Advice
We are continuing to add additional advice and guidance to our website. These links will be regularly updated, so please keep checking the website. Click on the Government Guidance link above for current advice and information. 

 

Rosehill Rainbow

The staff and pupils put together a rainbow to thank all the NHS and Key Workers that worked so hard during the Coronavirus crisis.

 

 

School Website

Please can I remind you to look at the School website for the most up-to-date and accurate information. If you are still unclear, please contact the School.

 

Please continue to take good care of yourselves and your families. 

Cheryl Steele, Headteacher