Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of the Ashgate Primary School Community

I am writing to inform you of some teaching staff updates and leadership changes for the coming months.

Mr Seargent (Co-Headteacher): Retirement

At the end of last term, I informed the Governing Body and the Local Authority of my decision to retire from the profession at the close of this academic year. After what will have been 12 years at Ashgate Primary and 26 years in education in total, my final day at the school will be 23 July.

This is a personal decision based on changed circumstances beyond the workplace.

Governors are currently making arrangements for the transition in leadership and you will be kept abreast of any outcomes regarding recruitment or appointments in due course. 

I want to assure you that until my final day in July, the current leadership structure will remain fully in place. My focus, alongside that of Mrs Forte, remains to provide the leadership and stability required to ensure our dedicated staff have the support needed to be effective in their roles and to maintain the high standards that define Ashgate Primary School. I will also be working closely with the Governors and the Local Authority to ensure the smoothest possible leadership transition.

Mrs Winfield (Early Years/Reception): Retirement

I am also writing to inform you that Mrs Winfield notified the Governing Body and me earlier this term of her intention to retire from teaching. Her final day at school will be 27 March.

Mrs Winfield has been, and remains, a real and long-standing asset to Ashgate. Having served at Ashgate for 23 years—both as a classroom teacher and previously as a school Governor—she has made a significant impact on our community. A rough calculation estimates that at least 700 pupils will have had the positive experience of her as their teacher.

She will be greatly missed by us all, and we thank her for her immense dedication to our pupils. We wish her the very best as she prepares to enjoy more time with her family.

Following the Easter break, the pupils in her class will be taught by an experienced, high-quality teacher, supported as always by our long-standing and effective Early Years team. A permanent arrangement for this position will be established during the Summer Term, and we will keep parents updated throughout this process.

Thank you for your understanding as we plan for the future. I look forward to leading the school through the remainder of what is set to be a successful and productive academic year.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Seargent Co-Headteacher Ashgate Primary School

Wishing a Fond Farewell to Mrs. Donald (Miss Archard) after 13 years!

It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that we announce that tomorrow will be the final working day for the wonderful, Mrs. Donald, as she leaves Ashgate Primary School to embark on an exciting new career away from education.

Mrs. Donald has been an incredible asset to our school family for many years. She has played a vital role in supporting a wide variety of children and staff, always ensuring that the needs of our pupils come first.

Many of us have come to rely on her  ability to "save the day," as she has frequently come to the rescue at the last minute and provided support in moments of real need.  Never flustered; nothing too much.

Beyond her professional dedication, she will be greatly missed for her calm and considerate nature. Whether the school day was at its busiest or most challenging, Mrs. Donald remained a composed and thoughtful presence for everyone around her.

While we are sorry to see her go, we are so thankful for the lasting impact she has made on our school community. We wish her the very best of luck as she leaves for "pastures new" and hope she finds great success in her future endeavors.

Thank you for everything, Mrs. Donald!

Emergency Access to

Washing Machine Facilities

We are pleased to announce a new initiative at the school to support our families with emergency washing machine access.

Thanks to the generosity of Smol, who donated a washing machine and limited detergent, and Richard, a friend of the school, who kindly volunteered his time to provide the plumbing installation, we are now able to offer emergency washing machine access on-site.

When Might This Be Useful?

We understand that life can be unpredictable. This service might be helpful if:

• Your home washing machine has unexpectedly broken down.
• You are experiencing a temporary gap in utility services.
• You are in a transitional housing situation with limited facilities.
• You have limited levels of electricity/water available to you for any reason
• An emergency has occurred (such as a leak or flood at home) and you need a quick cycle for school uniforms or essentials.

How it Works

This resource is intended to support families who are struggling with access to laundry facilities only.  Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Eligibility: This is a support measure for those in need; it is generally not intended to replace your home machine if it is in working order.
• Booking: You must book access via the school office.
• Not a Laundry Service and we are not a laundrette. This is an offer of access to a machine only. School staff are not responsible for washing, drying, or managing your laundry, loading or emptying your clothes.
• Limited use:  One load per day, which is why booking is essential.
• Self-Service: Parents are required to operate the machine themselves
• Washing Only: Please note that we do not have drying facilities. You will need to take your wet laundry home to dry immediately after use.

How to Book

If you find yourself in need of this resource, please contact the school office directly. We will handle all requests with sensitivity and discretion, and we will work with you to find a suitable day for your booking.

Again, we are very grateful to Smol and Richard for helping us provide this extra layer of care for our school community.

ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION ACTIONS

Speculation is that, over the next few days, adverse weather conditions are possible.  Forecasts vary in terms of the extent this may impact in the East Midlands.  Whilst I do not anticipate the weather to be bad enough to cause a closure, it is apt to share the advice now.

The school will only close if:

• Advised to do so by the Local Authority.
• Met Office warnings advise ‘non travel’ in and around the immediate vicinity of the school.
• Limited numbers of staff at school prevents ‘acceptable’ adult to pupil ratios (This can not often be pre-empted), or conditions are reported to worsen making it challenging for staff or children to get home.

A summary of the points in this announcement:

• We are not at the time of writing anticipating school closure.
• The school will close only if there is no safe alternative.

• Parents and carers should assume the school is open unless told otherwise (text/dojo, radio, website).
• Only parents can decide if it is personally safe to travel.

• Children should come prepared to go outside, even in the snow.
• Every opportunity will be provided for pupils to keep safe, whilst enjoying the conditions.
• Working conditions may require adaptation if other schools close or staffing is restricted.

Remember: Staff at Ashgate Primary School are also impacted on if other schools close, in the same way that you are.  This can reduce staffing levels even if we intend to open.

Deciding to travel to school or take your child out of school, even if it is open.

A minority of parents express that keeping a school open places them at risk by remaining open as it was it can be unsafe to travel.

It is the responsibility of parents and carers to decide if it is safe for them to travel to school. 

The Headteacher cannot make such decisions on your behalf.  

In exceptional cases, the school can authorise absence as a result of problems caused by adverse conditions, such as road closures, traffic delays and similar.  However, parents electing to take their child out of school when it is not closed should assume that absence is unauthorized unless told otherwise.  Authorisation, in such cases, will be the decision of the Headteacher in consultation with the parent and if necessary the governing body.

School should be informed if you deem it unsafe for you to travel.

Limited staffing resulting from adverse conditions or ‘other school closures’

Should the number of staff in school be reduced, ‘best fit’ actions may be taken to meet the needs of pupils, including; combining classes, ‘skeleton’ curriculum delivery or in extreme cases, some non-academic activities. 

Should a change of circumstance occur after school has started, we will inform you of this as soon as we can.

Suitable clothing

In all circumstances children should arrive at school with clothing suited for outdoors, including:

• Hat and gloves
• Wellington boots (or similar) – named with a permanent marker or similar
• A change of foot-wear

A ‘common sense’ approach to snow

Many schools are of the opinion that snow and children do not mix.  I do not agree. Although I understand that children, like all of us, are more vulnerable to slips, trips and incoming snowballs at this time of year, I will not prevent children playing out, or in, the snow. 

Of course, careful consideration will take place prior to break times as to the conditions of the playground, snow and ice, in order to assess or reduce risk, however children should anticipate being outdoors.

Snowballing

When there is sufficient snow, designated areas will be provided in which the throwing of snowballs is allowed and areas will be chosen where snowballs are not allowed.  This way children will be able to follow the ethos of the RESPECT agenda, making ‘clever choices’ and being ‘responsible’ for them, choosing where to play and what experience they want.  Those entering areas designated for snowballing must accept that they are likely to be hit and that they take this risk by playing there.

It may be useful to discuss and impart your wishes with your child regarding this matter, as they will be responsible for where and how they play.

Yours sincerely