Noticeboard
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Whole School Letter - Attendance
Mon 08 Mar 2021School Attendance – Covid Update
March 2021
A very important message for all parents/carers
8th March 2021
Dear Parent/Carer,
This is a message about school attendance.
Christ the King RC Primary School is working in partnership with parents and Birmingham City Council to encourage children back into school following several very difficult months for parents, children and schools. We would like to thank parents for the work you have done in ensuring your children have received education during this period.
During the recent lockdown, schools were closed to all but vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.
Now the circumstances have changed, it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise as far as possible the longer-term impact of the pandemic on their education, wellbeing and wider development. We know that children have missed being with their friends and the wider social aspects of school. Following the first lockdown the vast majority of children returned to full time school.
Missing out on more time in the classroom risks pupils falling further behind. Those with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well in both primary and secondary school. Therefore, the government has advised that school attendance is again compulsory from the 8th March 2021
This means that (unless parents are formally notified of new lockdown arrangements where schools are closed or a child is required to self-isolate), the usual rules on school attendance apply, including:
- parents’ duty to send their child/children to school regularly where they are of compulsory school age;
- schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
- the option for local authorities to again consider the use of legal sanctions, including penalty notices and prosecution in court.
If you are worried about your child/children attending school the first port of call is to discuss your concerns with the school directly. The school has specialist staff who may be able to help, and all schools work closely with health and council teams who may also be able to help if needed.
Please note that, given the disruption to children’s education caused by the pandemic, requests for leave during term time are unlikely to be authorised by the Head Teacher.
Family emergencies also need careful consideration. It is not always appropriate or in the best interests of the child to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members.
No school or local authority wants to take legal action. Every attempt to resolve parents’ concerns and improve a child’s attendance will be made before any formal legal action, which may include a penalty notice or court action, is considered.
After so much disruption to children’s education over the past year, the most important thing is that the school and parents work together to get children back into school. The school is ready to listen so please contact them if you have any worries and they will try to help you. There is also information for parents and carers on attending school during the pandemic here:
We wish you and your child/children all the best for the remainder of the academic year.
Kind regards
Education Legal Intervention Team
Birmingham City Council
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Letter from Councillor Ian Ward
Thu 04 Mar 2021Our Ref: IW/1329tr
03 March 2021
Dear parent/carer
With schools and colleges across Birmingham preparing for the return of all pupils and
students from 8 March, we are writing to thank you for everything you have done
throughout a challenging year and to ask for your continued help and support over the
coming weeks and months.
Clearly, the reopening of our schools and colleges to all pupils and students must be
done in a safe way, which is why it is important that we all continue to follow the
guidance - at all times.
Schools and colleges will be taking additional measures to ensure that children and
young people can learn in as safe an environment as possible. They will be sharing
their new arrangements with you once they have been finalised, so please continue to
support your school or college by following their rules. Continue to follow the current
routines until the new plans have been communicated and come into effect.
As each institution is different their plans and rules will vary, but there are some things
we all must do:
• remember social distancing and don’t congregate at school gates at drop off
and pick up times
• engage in any testing programmes your school may have in place
• encourage your children to follow the school rules including any face coverings
and class or group bubbles
• If you or your children are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please do not
attend school. Instead, stay home and book a test.
• If you have tested positive for the virus your children should not attend school
for 10 days of you showing symptoms.
• if your child has been sent home from their class bubble and told to isolate,
your child must stay at home and not go out, whether they are experiencing
symptoms or not. They must also stay home regardless of whether they have
had a negative test. The rest of the family does not need to isolate unless your
child develops symptoms.
The earlier that children and young people with symptoms stay off school/college, the
fewer other children and staff will need to isolate as a precaution. This way we can
reduce any potential disruption to other children and staff and help keep schools and
colleges open.
The vaccine roll-out and falling case rates mean we can now start the gradual return
to normal life and the reopening of schools and colleges to more pupils is a welcome
step forward. But we must all do everything we can to ensure that is done in the safest
possible way. By working together and following the guidance, we can ensure we
keep our children, teachers, lecturers and other staff safe.
In closing, we want to thank you for the way you have supported your children’s
schools and colleges at this difficult time. We understand how challenging remote
education has been and your continued support and cooperation has been vital
throughout a very tough year. You really have made a difference, so thank you.
Warm Regards
Councillor Ian Ward
Leader of Birmingham City Council
Councillor Jayne Francis
Cabinet Member for Education, Skills & Culture
Councillor Kate Booth
Cabinet Member for Children’s Wellbeing