Green Top School

Dear Parents and Carers 

 

As we end the school year, I sit down to write my end of year letter. However this year, the letter is written in two sections – a typical end of school letter that you as parents are accustomed to receiving each year and also a section outlining the arrangements for our return in August; our ‘coming back stronger’ campaign. 

 

I can truly say this year has been phenomenal for learning despite the Pandemic which set upon us in March. As I sit and write my final letter of the school year, I’d like to start by saying thank you. A massive thank you to the children for all their efforts and amazing learning they have completed, both at home and at school, thank you to the staff for firstly looking after the children in school and secondly creating a fantastic online learning offer to ensure children had opportunities to create learning memories despite the reduced school offer. Also a huge thank you to all parents and carers for supporting the school, sticking with us throughout Covid 19, recognising and appreciating the efforts of staff throughout the year and supporting your children in numerous ways. 

 

It has been a year like no other in terms of learning, despite this situation we have continued with our learning provision without compromising on enjoyment and real learning. We have shared some of our best learning expeditions with yourselves and beyond: EYFS children have produced some beautiful appreciation cards for key workers in our community that we should receive in August ready to launch in the new school year; our Y5-6 students Magic of Motion project had a huge impact in the Rail Industry. Green Top set the standard for all other schools to aspire to and our beautiful work was shared internationally via the Arriva stakeholders. KS1 will this week share their information clips around endangered species which live at the bottom of our gardens and Y3/4 will launch their ‘What did the Roman’s do for us?’ website for educators and learners around the country. 

 

Through our social media platforms our beautiful work has been tweeted internationally. All of this learning has truly been remarkable, real and shows our curriculum impact beyond the school gates. Thanks to all those in our wider school community who have supported us with making our expeditions such high quality and supporting us to create such an impact.

 

As a by product of the Covid-19 pandemic, I feel our community is stronger, we have seen many contributors to our ‘feel good Fridays’, had almost all our students engage in home learning, engaged with experts around the globe, celebrated VE day and contributed to #betterworldday through our learning platform and this has only been possible due to you all engaging with our provision. 

 

On Friday 17th July, the majority of our students will end the school year, our online platform will close for the year and only children of key workers requiring provision will use the school provision. We will be saying goodbye to our Y6 students in an end of year socially distanced ‘pass out’ presentation on Thursday 16th July. 

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr Butler. This summer ends his time as Headteacher of Green Top, he has led Green Top to be the amazing, inspiring, community focused school it is today and I feel very fortunate to continue to lead Green Top with his support in his role as executive principal across the XP trust. 

 

So another year passes at Green Top. The school continues to grow and improve, we have access to many key leaders through the trust growth and our international links continue to develop. Our work with the XP Trust has enabled our staff to produce even greater learning experiences for your children and allowed all to access an international network to work with. We will continue to work with our community, to ensure that children at Green Top continue to be inspired to enjoy and achieve. 

 

Our provision for August looks different to previous academic years as recent transition work has been completed virtually and we open our doors to our new classes in a more cautious manner. Due to the anxieties around a full reopening, there will be an additional staff day at the beginning of the school year and school will reopen to all students on Wednesday 26th August. 

 

As you know at Green Top we pride ourselves on being inclusive, compassionate and responsive to each individual families needs. The Covid 19 Pandemic and our school provision changes were upsetting and worrying for our staff and I know many of you felt the same.

 

We are planning for a full reopening on 26th August 2020, with some restrictions in place to ensure we can be as safe as possible whilst at school.  In order to avoid cross – contamination and movement around school, initially, we are unable to offer our typical breakfast and after school clubs at this time, however, this will be regularly assessed and reviewed in line with government and local advice.  

 

For the first half of the autumn term each staff member will be allocated to a year group and will not move between year groups, children will also stay in year groups and not come together with other year groups. We are lucky to have the staff to roll out this cautious model for the first half term and the building to support this for lunchtimes, playtimes, designated toilet areas and entry and exit points.  

 

We will operate a staggered start and end to the school day with parents and children requested to use the one way system whilst on the school site and arrive between 8am and 8.45am. If this cannot be safely managed by parents accessing the school site we will offer staggered start times, however to date this has been well managed by site users. In addition the school day will end at 3pm with a staggered collection time 2.45pm-3.45pm. For parents who require provision prior to 8am this may be accommodated on a case by case basis but will be at an increased charge of £2.50 per day per child to cover additional staffing costs in our year group model. 

We are hopeful that we will be able to re-introduce a smaller club offer and provision beyond 3.45pm after October half term.

 

If any year groups are directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic we will provide a home learning diet and regular interactions for those students working from home with class teachers and phase teams. We have and will provide clear protocols and advice for any parents whose children have come into contact with any covid-19 / suspected covid-19 cases. In consultation with the Trust executive team and listening to the advice of the local authority, we feel these measures must be in place for us to open safely.

 

As we continue to prioritise safety and wellbeing at school, children will take part in an extended transition period into the new school year and we will endeavour to hold socially distanced outdoor events wherever possible to include parents as we would typically. We will work with parents regarding their needs and wishes regarding their children to make the return to school as smooth as possible for all. 

 

By the end of this week you will receive a home school agreement by email to return to school prior to or on our return date in August. This outlines our generic pledges to you and your children and expectations of you as parents but also the additional pledges and expectations around Covid-19. 

 

Any updates will be posted on the school website and social media channels prior to the new school year. 

 

One last reminder; The 2019/20 academic year begins on Wednesday 26th August. 

 

Finally I’d like to say thank you, thank you for all the positive comments and well wishes from our parents and wider community, thank you to our staff for going above and beyond to provide a quality first education during these unprecedented times and most importantly, thank you to each and everyone of our Green Top students, their smiles, enthusiasm for learning and positivity in this uncertain period is truly heartwarming. 

 

Stay safe, take care and keep smiling.

 

#crewGreenTop

 

Mrs Claira Salter

Head of School