A message from the Chair of Governors
Dear parents, carers and the wider Winshill Village community,
As you will be aware, the last few days have seen the first substantial cluster of positive Covid-19 cases in our school community since March. This has resulted in prompt decisions to reinstate the bubble system across school, and, today, to us asking our Year 4 class (and any siblings) to remain at home for the next two days.
If you haven’t already done so, please read over Miss Goodson’s blog post from earlier today for further details: winshillvillage.org.uk/news/covid-update.
Decisions have made been following advice from the local Covid outbreak team, and with the full support of the leadership team at John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust. We have acted quickly to limit the impact of the outbreak, and please ask that parents and carers now support us once again by:
1. Wearing masks when dropping off and collecting the children.
In the last week, there has been a substantial uptick in local Covid cases. We know that mask wearing in Burton, as elsewhere, has dropped substantially over recent weeks, and this has been reflected in very few parents now wearing a mask on the school site. Please now act in a ‘safety first’ manner, and wear a mask in and around the school site over the coming days.
2. If you have not already done so, please strongly consider getting vaccinated yourself.
Vaccination is, of course, a personal decision for everyone. However, the scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that it is the single most powerful weapon we have against Covid-19, and that any risks from side effects pale dramatically in comparison to the risks of catching Covid-19 itself. Misleading, dangerous, and simply false (mis)information on the vaccine is commonplace on social media. Please speak to your GP if you have any concerns about the safety of the vaccine.
3. Regularly testing your children with lateral flow tests, and, in the case of any symptoms, or a positive lateral flow, by carrying out a PCR test.
We know that testing children, especially younger children, can be a difficult, even distressing process, but it is important that we know as soon as possible of any positive cases in and around school, so that we can act quickly to limit any further spread of the virus.
4. Being kind, understanding and supportive to our school staff.
Throughout the whole pandemic, our staff have repeatedly demonstrated that they are incredible, resilient, caring professionals. Whether preparing and delivering learning online, adapting lesson planning to accommodate missed learning, supporting the children through their anxieties when returning to school, or working to keep our school site clean and safe, they have all been magnificent.
It is completely unacceptable for anyone in our community to abuse members of school staff, whether verbally, or online. If you have any concerns or questions about the policies and procedures in place in school, please raise them in the appropriate way by contacting Miss Goodson through the school office, her email address at win-headteacher@win.jtmat.co.uk, or by emailing me at r.anderson@lgb.jtmat.co.uk. If appropriate, we would be more than happy to arrange a phone conversation to discuss your concerns.
I need to re-emphasize that children who are well and without positive test results, other than those in Year 4 and their siblings, are expected in school as usual over the coming days. Our staff continue to work tirelessly to promote fabulous learning experiences for the children. The children need, and deserve, to be in school.
Through the hard work of our whole school team - and, we know, no small measure of good fortune - we have managed to avoid repeated Covid outbreaks at Winshill Village. Many schools, including other schools in and around Burton, have seen repeated class closures, and thus huge disruption to the learning of their children. As we face a cluster of positive cases at the moment, we thank parents, carers, and our wonderful children, for their understanding, support, and patience.
I know that parents and carers would like to join me in particularly thanking Miss Goodson and her Senior Leadership Team for their ongoing leadership, resilience, and compassion. We are incredibly lucky to have them.
Thank you for support. We will, of course, keep parents updated over the coming days.
Kindest regards,
Richard Anderson
Chair of Governors