Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Parent Evening notice - Dates updated:
Owing to the original dates for parents' evening (published in September) falling on the next scheduled NEU strike days (Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March), I have had to make an alteration to the meeting schedule.
SPRING TERM PARENTS EVENINGS will now be on:
Monday 13th March
Tuesday 14th March
3:30 - 6pm
Apologies to anyone who had already made arrangements based on the original dates which were set prior to the NEU announcement.
Following very positive parental feedback, booking a slot at parents' evening will again be done through the SCOPAY app. You will be able to book your slots from 6pm, Friday 3rd onwards.
Secondary School Placement Notices
Dear parents of pupils in Year 6
On March 1st (this Wednesday) Derby City Council (DCC) Local Authority will be contacting parents to inform them of their child’s secondary school placement. This will be a direct contact with you and Ashgate Primary School will not receive this information.
Around 85% of families in England are offered their first-choice placement in 2022 and this is a similar pattern to that seen in previous years.
What do I do if I do not get the placement I wanted?
There is an appeal process if you are not satisfied and the details of this will be contained in the letter/mail offering the placement. If you wish to appeal against the decision, you need to follow the instructions given by the Local Authority. Appeals are time limited, so if you are wishing to take this path, you need to ensure any timelines you are given are followed; this is usually around 20 days after notice.
Staff at Ashgate Primary School are not in a position to appeal on your behalf or make recommendations, provide references. You must contact Derby City Council (DCC) if you wish to receive support or have questions.
I have not been informed of my child’s placement and the 1st March has passed. What should I do?
Contact the Local Authority School Admissions team direct.
tel: 01332 956988
email: admissions@derby.gov.uk.
I missed the October 31st application deadline, what should I do?
Contact the Local Authority School Admissions team direct.
tel: 01332 956988
email: admissions@derby.gov.uk.
You will be able to apply for a placement, however, not until after March 1st deadline has passed and the chances of receiving your preference will be reduced.
Separated parents
If the child’s parents are separated or divorced, there are various things that need to be considered depending on the situation.
What if the child’s parents live at separate addresses?
If the residency of your child is split between both parents, DCC consider the home address to be the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week (Monday to Friday).
If the child spends equal amounts of time at both addresses, you will be asked to nominate which address you wish to use for the purpose of allocating a school place.
If you fail to do so, we have the right to nominate the address that DCC consider appropriate, which will normally be that at which Child Benefit is received.
We may ask for evidence of your child's place of permanent residence.
What happens if both parents cannot agree on the choice of schools?
You are advised to reach an agreement with any other person who may submit an application for your child, such as another parent.
If one parent has parental responsibility (as evidenced by documentation), that parent's application is the one that will be accepted.
If parents are separated and both have parental responsibility, then they must determine between them who will make the application. If they cannot agree, then either parent may seek to have that determined by a Court.
In the event of a dispute between parents who do not have this matter resolved by the Court by the closing date, DCC will accept the application by the parent with whom the child resides the majority of the school week.
Where that is equal DCC will determine whose application is progressed with reference to the parent who is in receipt of Child Benefit.
If no one is in receipt of Child Benefit DCC will consider all of the circumstances and make a determination as to the application which will be accepted and provide our reasons for doing so. This will ensure the child has an active application for a school place.
NEU Industrial Action PARENT INFORMATION
Current forecasted actions for Wednesday 1st
March.
ALL INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF PUBLISHING.
Additional closures may be required if, for reasons such as sickness or dependent leave needs, staffing levels are reduced further. Likewise, staff who have not declared an intention to strike continue to have the option not to attend their place of work on the day of industrial action. As such, parents may be contacted on the day to collect their children. This is beyond the control of senior leaders.
The school will be closed to and therefore children in these classes should not attend*:
Mrs Winfield class (Early Years / Reception)
Mrs Sahota’s class (Year 1 / 2)
Mrs Ince’s class (Year 1/2)
Mr Brooks’ class (Year 3/4)
Miss Francis’ class (Year 5/6)
Mrs Morris’ class (Year 5/6)
Miss Hilton’s class (Year 5/6)
The school will be open to and children can attend
Miss Vobes’ class (Early Years / Reception)
Miss Donnelly’s class (Year 1 /2 )
Mrs Fennemore’s class (Year 3/ 4)
Mrs Morey’s class (Year 3/4)
Dear parents and carers
I provide the most up to date information regarding National Education Union (NEU) industrial action on Wednesday 1st March. Parents should be assured that any actions taken in regard to opening or closing to groups of children have been taken with due regard to legislation and no decisions have been taken lightly. As forecasted, strike action will affect some classes, but the Senior Leadership Team have taken all possible legal and reasonable adjustments to reduce direct impact, especially for vulnerable/emergency critical worker families. A thorough risk assessment has been completed in order to ensure safe practice and to ascertain the level of closures required.
Industrial Actions – Administration
1.2 Curriculum coverage for those attending:
In order to prevent wider school closure, your child’s class may be supported by a staff member who provides ‘supervision’ and / or ‘alternative activities’. This means that the staff member may not be able/qualified/required to deliver the National Curriculum at the level of the striking staff member and therefore activities that would be expected of those holding Qualified Teacher Status may be limited.
All after school clubs and tuition groups will be cancelled.
1.3 Supporting the most vulnerable (unchanged)
Children in closed classes who fall into one or more of the following categories have the option to attend school on strike days; however, they will not be with their own class.
Families subject to these criteria will already know as formal notice and action plans will have already been agreed with the school and Local Authority.
Critical front line/emergency workers (updated)
Parents should note that this is a list of ‘critical front-line workers’ and is not extended to previous Covid listed ‘key workers’.
The school will remain open to any family where both parents (or one in the case of single parents) are identified as a critical worker and can evidence both working on the day of the strike action.
‘Critical’ workers are defined for this purpose as:
Those parents who feel that they are eligible for child attendance under the category of critical front line emergency worker, as listed above, will need to provide evidence of:
This should be brought with you on the day of the strike. You are directed to bring this to the school office where a decision to open to your child will be made based on the evidence provided.
1.4 Free School Meals
The school recognises that those entitled to Free School Meals but for whom the school is closed remain entitled to a free meal.
For this reason, if your child is entitled to a Free School Meal a packed lunch will be prepared for them to take home after school on January 31st in readiness for the following day.
This will prevent the need for families to come to school on the day of the strike to collect it, which we know from lockdown experiences can result in financial or practical difficulties.
There is no need to inform us if you require a packed lunch, they will be made available for you from the reception area of the school.
1.5 Absence records:
1.6 Summary of steps to mitigate impact of strike action on families, in line with DfE directives
Industrial Action: Frequently asked questions:
2.1 Why are the National Education Union striking?
The NEU have opted to take strike action because of increased financial pressures on schools and those working in them. Unfunded government imposed demands on school finances are unsustainable, and as suchwhat schools are able to deliver to children is greatly diminishing, including support for your child.
With increasing demands on school budgets and salaries, teaching is no longer an attractive profession in which to enter. This is resulting in teaching and support staff prematurely leaving in pursuit of less demanding jobs that have better or equal pay. Amongst key concerns are:
2.2 Will those who are on strike get paid?
Union members not attending work are unpaid. Whilst a strike in specific circumstances is legal, any employee member not attending work as they have elected to take industrial action are in breach of contract and therefore not entitled to pay.
2.3Why are some staff striking and not others?
Not all unions are taking industrial action, although all share the concerns of the NEU. The option to strike is only for those whose unions have balloted to do so and have met the legal requirements needed to act, similarly, some staff opt not to strike despite it being legal for them to do so.
2.4 I thought the government had changed the law regarding strikes and stopped them?
The NEU action is compliant with law. Industrial action remains legal in the UK although in the future it may be that there are safety restrictions imposed in some services such as fire and NHS. Schools are already required to meet minimum safeguarding standards as enshrined in legislation.
2.5 I heard the government are investing more than ever in schools, so why the concern?
In real terms, schools are now more underfunded as the costs of running them far exceeds what leaders are given. Costs have increased at a greater level than the government announced adjustments meaning budgets are decreasing in real terms. More is asked whilst less is given and the unfunded changes to below inflation salaries this year reflect this.
2.6 Will the current plan apply if there are further strikes?
All strike actions are planned based on the number of staff taking action and can alter even on the day of the strike, subject to staff intentions. As this cannot be ascertained in advance, the plan may be different if there is further action. As with this action, as much notice will be given as possible.
Information sourced from NEU - NAHT/ Parliamentary Report -Gov UK / Department for Education STPCD 2022
Important notice re parental responsibility.
I wish to thank the vast majority of parents who support the school and its pupils by ensuring that they set a good model through their own conduct and expectations whilst expecting their children to behave likewise when under their supervision. Working in partnership where both school and parents model an expectation greatly increases the success of a child’s experience at school.
However, a minority of parents are reminded that experiencing confrontation between adults has a very negative, be it not immediately visible, impact on children. Not only does witnessing confrontation have a detrimental impact on a child’s wellbeing, it also presents an unacceptable model for children to follow.
Time and time again, I am told that a child would ‘not behave in a particular manner’, only later to witness the parent of the child modelling that same behaviour when in conflict with another adult. Similarly, it is identified that a small number of parents on the school playground are not keeping check on their own child’s conduct (usually before the start of the school day) and this can lead to disagreement between adults.
With this in mind, I ask that parents strongly consider how they speak to one another ,and set an example of understanding, being open to the views of others and displaying respectful language (verbal or body). In addition I remind parents of their duty to ensure that they keep a check their child’s behaviour when under their supervision.
Inappropriate language.
Whilst I understand that the benchmark for acceptable language varies across families and communities, I re iterate that swearing in any form will not be tolerated by the school and this includes parents.
In particular I, in the strongest of terms, will not accept or tolerate language that may be deemed racist, homophobic or in any other way targeted at individual groups. Whilst this is very rare to the point of non-existence amongst Ashgate Primary School children, I do occasionally hear ‘suggestion’ that parents and other visiting adults are not as mindful of the language they use or the impact this has on others.
Use of language that could be viewed as offensive because of someone’s race, sexuality, disability or transgender status can be deemed an assault under law and will, if found to be likely to have occured, reported to the police by the victim or school.
I would like to make you aware of our free community meals in partnership with Derby County Community Trust
We have 2 meals slots available
· Thursday 16th February
· Thursday 23rd March
The meals are for anyone that is struggling at this time all are well, they just need to book on the meal using the link below
Arrival is 4pm till 5:30pm to sit down and eat at the Community corner at Harrison’s Hub at Pride park stadium, people can book for both meals
There are limited spaces but booking is essential:
Visit:
https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/form/community-meals-df4ta
Dear Parents/Carers
Visits to Multi Faith Centres or Centres of faith
As a non-denominational (non-faith) school, Ashgate Primary School works closely with the local community to ensure children are educated and informed around religions / faith represented in their local community. This includes visits to, for example, St Barnabus Church (CofE), Ashbourne Road Church, The Multi Faith Centre and other faith-based places of worship.
Children visiting these centres DO NOT participate in any aspect of religious worship and are not placed in a position to compromise their own beliefs or faith.
Religious instruction is not undertaken and information shared is focussed on understanding of cultures, beliefs and practices.
Clarification is provided below on the nature of and provision for schools in England and the teaching of religious education.
The Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE) at Ashgate Primary School is that of Derbyshire and Derby City Local Authority, this is available for view in the school policy/documents section of the school website, along with the Religious Education Policy.
Ashgate Primary School is located in Derby City which has a diverse cultural and religious community. This is why (other than legally binding Curriculum requirements) children are supported in understanding the diversity of their community religious traditions in their community and their forms of worship.
Why is Religious Education Important?
Religious Education has never been more relevant, engaging or challenging as religion & religious issues are in the news every day. For pupils to be able to understand our constantly changing world they need to be able to interpret religious issues & evaluate their significance. From the pupils first day at school RE gives students valuable insights into the diverse beliefs & opinions held by people today. It helps with their own personal development & supports an understanding of the spiritual, moral, social & cultural questions that surface again & again in their lives.
In tackling difficult questions it provides pupils with insight that can work to challenge stereotypes, promote cohesion, and tackle extremism. RE does important work encouraging young people to value themselves & the communities within which they live.
Religious Education
RE can help:
RE in British Schools is
In RE pupils learn about:
The right to withdraw a child from Religious Education
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of RE and/or collective worship, however, in doing so the responsibility lies with them to provide the Religious Education for the child.
When a parent removes their child from the child will remain in school; however, this should not incur extra cost to the school i.e. a child need not necessarily be supervised by a teacher or an assistant in a room on their own.
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from other curriculum subjects (with the exception of sexual education) even when they cover aspects of religions and beliefs. Parents cannot determine the nature of content in these subjects. For example, pupils may encounter some religious ideas, beliefs or practices through Art, Music, Geography, English, History. Parents have a right to withdraw their children from the teaching of Religious Education not the reference to religions in other curriculum areas.
In line with best practice, a policy for consultation has been added to the school policies section (key Information > policies) of the website.
The deadline for the consultation is February 28th 2023.
Policy under consultation is 'Supporting Transgender Children and their Families'. Instructions on how to comment are provided on the consultation section of the page.