Free School Meal Hampers are ready to go!
As per messages issued earlier in the week, all families with entitlement to free school meals can collect their Ashgate Primary School Christmas hampers tomorrow between 10am and 12 and 2pm until 4pm.
Please ensure you access the school via the reception area and that you have a face mask.
Reporting a positive Covid 19 test outcome (pupil) during the Christmas Break
Although schools are closed over the Christmas period, there remains a requirement for Headteachers to report positive test outcomes of pupils to the school community and the Local Authority for isolation purposes.
As the school will be closed, the school has set up an email for parents to report cases. This will be checked daily by Mr Seargent who will then coordinate information sharing.
IF YOUR CHILD TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID BETWEEN DECEMBER 18th and DECEMBER 24th YOU SHOULD EMAIL:
Do not call the school as the lines will be closed and messages will not be received.
Please include the following information:
Important: This email address is only active between Friday December 18th and Thursday December 24th. If your child tests positive before the close of school, contact the school office direct as normal. After December 24th, the email will be inactive.
Children will return to school on Monday January 4th, unless they are displaying symptoms or in isolation for any other Covid 19 reason.
School closure revision (Thursday 17th December last day of term)
Yesterday, Nick Gibb MP, Schools Minister, issued clarity that Headteachers can close schools at the end of Thursday 17th December. This was a response to wider concerns relating to the risk of isolations occurring during the holiday period and the profound impact this may have on families.
It was clear that such a closure would be a rearrangement / bringing forward of already planned or yet to be arranged INSET (In Service Training) days and not an additional holiday date.
Having spoken to the chair of Governors and senior leaders, I have made the decision to act on the minister’s statement and CLOSE ASHGATE PRIMARY AT THE END OF THURSDAY 17th DECEMBER 2020, one day earlier than originally planned.
I do recognise that under normal circumstances INSET is arranged with a full academic year’s notice. Nevertheless, in light of the minister’s statement/ and the fact that this, although not eliminating completely the risk of isolations during the holiday period, does lessen the extent during which families could be affected, the notice given is appropriate.
Arrangements for collection of Free School Meal Hampers and other celebrations such as Christmas jumper day are unaffected. School will return, as previously arranged on Monday 4th January 2021.
Free School Meal Hampers for Christmas
The school will be providing all families who are entitled to Free School Meals a food hamper for the Christmas period. These will be available for collection at the school before the break up on Friday 18th December. We will update you when they are available.
The hamper is provided in line with the Government and Local Authority commitment to supporting free school meals over the Christmas period, and are replacing the use of vouchers, which some families found unreliable. The hamper will consist of items that can be used over the holiday period and are being provided by Chartwells, the school meals supplier.
Parents are to be aware that the content of the hampers are generic and therefore you should be mindful of any allergen requirements your child may have before preparing the food within.
As well as the food hamper, there will be an additional treat for the children, provided by the school.