Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Free e-learning “Covid-19: Helping Young People Manage Low Mood & Depression”
Mon 04 May 2020In partnership with the University of Reading, Future Learn is offering a free e-learning called “Covid-19: Helping Young People Manage Low Mood & Depression”
On this course, young people, parents, carers, teachers, and other professionals can learn helpful, practical techniques to cope with low mood and depression during the lockdown period and beyond. You’ll examine how to help young people structure their day and improve sleep and diet and you will cover the following topics:
• Practical advice on structuring the day and promoting healthy habits
• Helpful family communication to keep conflict to a minimum
• The importance of modelling and self-care
• Tips on managing your thoughts and your feelings
• Using this time as an opportunity for developing resilience
The course will be available online for two weeks from 4th May 2020 and takes just two hours to complete.
Let us know if you complete the course!
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#ThisIsPE
Tue 28 Apr 2020#ThisIsPE
If you’re looking for ways to educate and entertain the kids during lockdown, we’ve got something for you!
Yorkshire Sport Foundation have brought together teachers from across the country to provide activities and games you can replicate at home, using things you can find around the house. They have fun at the heart of them all, so not only will it keep the kids entertained, but it will continue their development in crucial areas such as coordination, balance and building strength.
It’s endorsed by the Government Department for Education, and is supported by leading national organisations, the Association for Physical Education, and the Youth Sport Trust.
Each video lasts around two minutes, and will introduce an activity, with tips for how to progress it depending on the age and development of your child. Some of the videos have ways
you can put what children have learnt into a game, plus ways of how to make that game easier or harder.
You may think that PE is all about star jumps, cross country runs in the cold, or the school football team. Physical education is actually about providing your child with the fundamental skills they need as they develop throughout primary school. And it’s fun! Families across the country have been getting involved in #ThisIsPE in the last few weeks, so why don’t you?
Check out all the videos here, or take a look on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for #ThisIsPE.The campaign, that was designed and created in Yorkshire to support teachers, parents and carers to teach physical education has received national recognition from the Department for Education.
The #ThisIsPE campaign, led by Yorkshire Sport Foundation, uses specialist teachers of PE from across the county to film two-minute videos with activities that can be replicated at home, all linked to the primary PE curriculum.
Supported by the Association for Physical Education, North Yorkshire Sport and the Youth Sport Trust, the resource has been listed as one of four ‘high-quality resources’ in physical education, alongside those produced by the NHS, BBC and Disney. The resources, which cover multiple subjects, hope to support both teachers and parents adapting to the current coronavirus restrictions that has seen many schools closed.
A new video is added at 1pm on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Yorkshire Sport Foundation Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, and are hosted on the charity’s YouTube channel. PE specialists from across the country are set to be involved in the weeks to come as the campaign evolves.
Alex Ogden, lead for PE and School Sport, has led the development of the campaign, and is excited by the early response.
“We noticed that there were a lot of physical activity and exercise initiatives out there -which absolutely have their place - but nothing that really counted as physical education.
“PE is more than just exercise, and the skills it teaches in terms of coordination, balance and strength are crucial to a child’s development. We want to make the activities easy to replicate at home, so the videos include things you can find around the home rather than sports equipment.
“We also know that children are far more engaged when something is fun, so all the activities have that at their core, and we hope parents in particular find them useful to both educate and entertain.”
Sue Wilkinson MBE, afPE CEO added: "In these unprecedented and challenging times, we know that physically activity is important. However, PE offers children and young people so much more than fitness activities.
"The PE activities commissioned by Yorkshire Sport Foundation are relevant, age-related and safe to undertake in the home environment. They will also help to develop character, determination, decision-making and communication skills, to name but a few.
"We are delighted to be a part of this initiative to support everyone who is wanting to engage in physical education to support children’s development and emotional and social well being. The focus on fun is also important as teachers will tell you that when children ‘want’ to learn they do so much better when they just ‘have’ to!"
For more information on the #ThisIsPE campaign, including the YouTube playlist, visit www.yorkshiresport.org/ThisIsPEPlease share your photos/videos of you taking part in #ThisIsPE on our Twitter page!
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Home Learning and Covid-19 Update
Mon 20 Apr 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
Hope yourselves and your loved ones are all well and keeping safe at home.
Under usual circumstances, today should have ideally marked the onset of our summer term. There seems to be a tremendous amount of media hype speculating when schools might reopen. I just wanted to assure you that no decision has been made at this point. You will be the first to know when a definite plan of return has been established.I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank you all again for the wonderful efforts and sacrifices you are making to ensure that your children are learning effectively from home. As a mother of two daughters, I am under no illusion that this is not an easy task. Just running a household and ensuring that your children are happy and anxious-free is difficult enough during this extremely worrying climate.
There are two excellent home learning resources which have been released today. The first example is brought to you via www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize, where you can access a series of 20 minute lessons: for all ages, brought to you by experts, teachers and celebrities; straight from your television or any other device. An excellent way to enhance the work already set by our own teachers at Marshfield Primary School.
Another excellent online classroom resource developed by teachers with support from the government is accessible via www.thenational.academy/ . Parents can access 180 lessons a week for every year group from Reception through to year 10, through a new online platform. The enterprise which has been set up by teachers and is funded by the Department of Education, will provide video lessons for children, with each lesson coming with a corresponding quiz and worksheet.
According to the Ambition Institute, each lesson will last one hour and the portal will provide the equivalent of three hours of lessons a day for primary children and four hours for secondary students.Announcing the plans yesterday, Gavin Williamson said: ‘Tomorrow many children should be going to school for the first time after a two week break. But these are not normal times and we’re asking you to stay at home. Thank you for all the sacrifices that you’ve had to make.’
These resources should really lighten the load for parents and carers. They will also enhance the excellent learning you have already created with your children inspired by Marshfield staff using Twitter and individual class pages.
We are open this week and every other week from hereon (intermittently) with St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School as a ‘Feeder School’ for key workers’ children and other vulnerable groups. It is bizarre opening our doors for (often) less than 20 children and all staff and I are desperate to open as usual with our ‘all systems go’ approach to learning and teaching. I guess recent times have taught us more than anything that we should value our usual way of life.
Looking forward to welcoming you all back into school as soon as safely possible.
Look after yourselves and we are only a phone call away if you need anything.
Kind Regards,
Victoria Hartford -
Update and Thank You
Fri 03 Apr 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
To begin I wanted to use this opportunity to personally thank you for the excellent support you have been giving to your children to learn successfully at home. I have been overwhelmed by the excellent production of work submitted into school via email and Twitter. It is such a joy for myself and all teachers to see the children’s smiley faces excitedly engrossed in learning alongside their families.
Thank you also to those parents who continue to support the nation as essential key workers. We are under no illusion that our lives are under constant protection as you endeavour to keep the British public: safe, healthy and happy during such an incredibly difficult time.
During this unprecedented period of uncertainly, I also wanted to share some fabulous news. Marshfield Primary School has been shortlisted for a Pearson National Teaching Award, in the category titled ‘Best School UK’ for making a difference. You can access further information here:-
https://www.teachingawards.com/2020/04/announcement/
https://www.teachingawards.com/2020-shortlist/
Such lovely news and ‘potentially’ something to look forward to when normal life has been resumed. Wonderful recognition again, clearly testifying the commitment, dedication and the highest expectation and belief shared by all staff, governors, parents, carers and the local community.
Over the last few weeks Marshfield has embraced the opportunity to become one of two BD5 Hub Schools, welcoming key workers’ children from All Saints Church of England Primary School and St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School. It has been a pleasure working collaboratively with neighbouring schools and watching staff and children from different learning environments grow and succeed together as a united feeder school.
For the next two weeks, St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School will be returning the compliment and looking after our children who are in receipt of an EHCP plan, have a social worker or whose parents are key workers.
Contact information. St Matthew's C of E Primary School & Nursery. Ivy House Road West Bowling Bradford BD5 8FG.
email: office@stmatthewsce.bradford.sch.uk
Telephone: 01274 731693. For general enquiries please ask to speak to Cara Dyer (School Business Manager).
For those parents and carers who are in receipt of free school meals, you should have received a text from a company called Wonde today explaining how to access vouchers from a nominated supermarket of your choice.
As Marshfield Primary School will be closed for the next two weeks, please could you contact Cara Dyer on the number above. She has kindly set up the associated voucher system for both schools and will talk you through the process in detail if you are having difficulty.
Marshfield will open again for key workers’ children on Monday 20th April.Look after yourselves and stay safe,
Victoria Hartford
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Arrangement for Key Workers' Children and Other Groups
Fri 20 Mar 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
Further to my school Ping sent on Wednesday evening, if your child is in receipt of an EHCP plan, they have a social worker, they are a looked after child or you are a Key Worker, Marshfield Primary School remain open for them from Monday 23rd March.
Government Key Worker Definition
Key public services
This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and workers delivering key frontline services, those responsible for the management of the deceased, and journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting.
Local and national government
This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response or delivering essential public services such as the payment of benefits, including in government agencies and arms length bodies.
Food and other necessary goods
This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).
Public safety and national security
This includes police and support staff, Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic), fire and rescue service employees (including support staff), National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas.
Transport
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.
Utilities, communication and financial services
This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure), the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage), information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response, as well as key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services), postal services and delivery, payments providers and waste disposal sectors.
We will be opening at 7:45a.m. and closing at 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and remain open until further notice. This will also include the two week Easter holiday period. All children will be welcome to attend breakfast club and will be provided with a lunch and evening meal. Other family members are also invited to receive three meals per day at their request.
We have organised a thoughtful timetable to ensure that your child/children will remain safe, happy and content during this incredibly difficult and uncertain time.
For children coming in to school as of Monday 23rd March 2020, the following measures/precautions must be taken:
- Own clothes to be worn which are fresh on – we recommend putting clothes straight in the washing machine once returning home from school to minimise and control the spread of infection.
- Up to date contact details for family members must be available within school and emergency contact details should your child become poorly/exhibit symptoms of contracting coronavirus.
- We must register your child in and out of the premises by somebody who either has parental responsibility or has been nominated by yourselves, as long as you are all fit and well and not showing symptoms of coronavirus.
- If you become unwell with coronavirus symptoms, you must immediately contact school and arrange for collection of your child.
- Social distancing must be enforced whilst your child is not in school if we are to prevent/minimise the spread of infection.
- School must be informed if you no longer fall within the key worker list or you have been asked to self-isolate.
- Thorough hand washing to take place at home just before leaving the home.
- There will be some flexibility between 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. if you are wanting to drop your child or children off later and collect earlier.
If you require any further details or information, please contact the school office 01274 573 295. There will be a member of staff available to take your call each day.
We look forward to seeing the associated children and their families on Monday and for the vast majority of our children who are residing at home with their loved ones, we are going to really miss you. Please follow our Twitter page regularly, when there is some exciting learning taking place in school, we will capture it in an attempt to reach all of our 459 children.
If any of our parents or carers need any support, guidance, information, just someone to talk to or even food over the forthcoming weeks there will always be a member of staff available at school to help.
It is with a very heavy heart that we can only open our doors to a small number of children but we have to apply the rules of social distancing to reduce the spread of this horrible virus.
Stay safe everyone.
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Important COVID-19 Update
Fri 20 Mar 2020Dear parents and carers
Following government guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) we have closed our school.
The government says that this closure is until further notice.
We understand the pressure that this will put on families. The health and wellbeing of children is our priority. We are working urgently with schools across the Bradford district to put as much support in place for pupils and parents as we can.
Each school will have their own individual arrangements for setting work for pupils during the closure and will be in contact with parents to inform them of these.
Bradford Council has identified some schools that will stay open to meet the needs of vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
We will keep the situation under constant review and will update the website as soon as we know if the situation on the school closure changes.
Below is the latest health advice on coronavirus (COVID-19), some frequently asked questions and some contact information that we hope is useful.
Latest health advice
- For the latest advice and information on COVID-19, people are advised to visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
- When schools close from Friday, do not let your children visit elderly people (age 70 or over), those who have a long-term health condition, those who are pregnant, or people who have a weakened immune system.
- If any of your family develops symptoms of a high temperature and a new, continuous cough, follow the advice on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. DO NOT visit your GP, pharmacy or hospital. If symptoms persist or get worse use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service - 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ - you should only call NHS 111 if you cannot get help online.
- If you have an underlying health condition follow the government advice https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
Frequently asked questions
Why have you closed?
The government has taken the decision to close all schools across England because of the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19).
When will school be open again?
The government has not given a date for this. The situation will be kept under review and we will update our website and social media pages as soon as we get further information.
What is going to happen to my child?
Most children will be given work to do at home from their normal school. Your school will be in touch to provide further information of how that will be delivered, e.g. learning packs, online-learning.
If your child belongs to one of the vulnerable groups, they will have the opportunity to attend a school in your local community.
Who are the vulnerable groups?
They are:
- children who are known to Social Services
- children with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- children whose parents are required to work as they have been identified as key workers
However, if your child falls into one of these categories, BUT has complex health needs then you should follow Public Health England advice about social distancing. If you have any concerns, please contact your school or Bradford Council's children's services on 01274 435600 for advice.
What if my child meets the criteria to attend a local school, but requires support for longer than the school day?
If your child will be attending a local open school, they will be providing support and care outside normal school hours.
Will my child’s Education, Health and Care Plan be reviewed during school closure?
All schools are provided with advice on how to undertake annual reviews if they are required. This includes how annual reviews can be made without a face-to-face meeting, e.g. telephone, email.
How will I know if my child can still attend school?
The government has said that some schools will be open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
If you believe your child is in one of the vulnerable groups, or you are a key worker, your school should be contacting you. If you haven’t heard anything, you should contact them.
My child has been identified as being in one of the vulnerable groups and entitled to keep attending school but I want to keep them at home. Can I?
If your child is known to a social worker, the local authority may decide to make school attendance compulsory as part of a care plan.
If your child has complex health needs, and under Public Health England guidance should be social distancing, then they should stay home for up to 12 weeks.
If your child shows symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) they should self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days.
If your child has an Education, Health Care Plan, it is expected that they attend the allocated school, which may not be their normal school, unless they show symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or have complex health needs, in which case they should stay home.
Any parents who are finding it difficult for their children to attend, should contact the SEN Assessment Team on 01274 435750.
I think I am a key worker, what do I do?
You need to check the list from government detailing who is a key worker.
As soon as the list is published, we will provide a link.
If you are in doubt, contact the local school or Bradford Council.
What if I can’t care for my child?
If you are unable to care for your child, you need to seek the help and support of your family and extended networks. Should you require advice on how to do this safely please contact Bradford Council's children's services on 01274 435600 for advice.
Should your child have an allocated social worker please contact the allocated social worker directly or the duty social worker for the area team.
What should I do if my child gets free school meals?
Schools are currently organising how the meals service can support families through this period.
When details have been confirmed, we will make this information available.
What if my child doesn’t get free school meals but I am having difficulty feeding them?
Contact your nearest local school that has remained open so that they can arrange for your child and/or you to have a meal.
A list of the open schools will be on the Bradford Council website from Monday. In the meantime, please contact your normal school for details of the open school in your community.
Will teachers and staff still be contactable if I need to speak to them?
Individual teachers may not be contactable, however, all schools will be contactable via the usual phone number.
What about children with exams?
This summer’s exams have been cancelled. As soon as a national announcement is made on what the government and Ofqual (the people responsible for exams) plan to do, we will let you know.
Other useful contact numbers- Job Centre Plus Benefits Enquiry line: 0345 604 3719
- You can find local help on the Money Advice Service website.
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 111 444. To find your local advice centre go to http://www.divabradford.org.uk
- Housing advice: The Housing Options Service - housing advice: 01274 435999
- Samaritans: 24-hour helpline for the depressed, distressed and suicidal: 08457 909090
- If you need support for your mental health, advice and support is available online at My Wellbeing College.
- Meal provision for the vulnerable or those in isolation in the Bradford district can be found at Wellsprings Together.
- Bevan House: advice and support centre for the homeless and asylum seekers: 01274 322400
- National domestic violence helpline: 0800 200 0247
- Lone parent support: 0808 802 0925
- NHS 111: telephone 111
- NSPCC: 01274 769800
- PALS: NHS patient advice and liaison service: 01274 364021 for Bradford Royal Infirmary or 01274 365853 for Airedale General Hospital
- Relate: relationship and individual counselling:
01274 726096 - Bradford Council's children's services: 01274 435600
- NHS search service: for help with finding a GP, dentist or hospital phone 111
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COVID-19: latest advice from NHS Bradford district and Craven
Wed 18 Mar 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
Latest COVID-19 advice outlined below for your information:-
People do not need to contact their GP practice, pharmacy or hospital if they believe that they have symptoms of COVID-19.
For advice about other conditions, such as a common cold, parents should visit www.nhs.uk or go to their local pharmacy.
For the latest advice and information on COVID-19, people are advised to visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
People should stay at home for seven days if they have coronavirus symptoms. The symptoms are either:
- a high temperature (over 37.8°c) – they feel hot to touch on their chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means they have started coughing repeatedly.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. If they live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms.
People should use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service - 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ - if:
- they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home
- their condition gets worse
- their symptoms do not get better after seven days.
Schools and colleges can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging students, teachers and parents to:
- wash their hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash their hands when they get home, into school or work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Further information and the latest, trusted advice is available on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Continued thanks for your support and understanding during an incredibly difficult week.
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World Book Day letter
Tue 25 Feb 2020 -
Delayed School Opening Time
Mon 24 Feb 2020Due to adverse weather conditions, school will open at the later time of 10 a.m.
This will enable staff and children to arrive safely.
Apologies for any inconvenience. -
Minister of State for School Standards sends Letter of Congratulations
Thu 30 Jan 2020