I know every day how amazing the NJS staff are: they do an incredible job for our children.  They are especially amazing at the moment: thank you Team NJS from me and our School Governors.

Mrs Mx

Please can I urge you to help me to keep staff and children safe and well: if your family are self isolating please do not come to school site for any reason.

I would really appreciate your support with this.

We have had several queries from parents and carers concerned about delivering home learning.  We will help as best we can during closure; we care and want to help.

Please however do not put too much pressure on yourselves with this.  We all want to keep our children’s learning ‘up to speed’ and their minds engaged however the priority is, despite the challenges the next few weeks brings us all, keeping our children happy.  When school reopens our children will learn well if they remember this time as enjoyable, quality time with their families.

Teaching is tough!  We are trained professionals, you are parents, please do not put pressure on yourselves and the children.  Read, bake, play, have fun: far more important at this time.

Thank you to all of the families who replied to my message today.

Unfortunately there is still no guidance from the Department for Education about this.  We can assure you that we will be in touch as soon as we have any information about who a keyworker is and what provision will be in place.

Year 6 children were asking today if they would be back to do ‘leavers activities’.  We do not know the answer to this.  They were very cheerful when we suggested doing t shirt signing tomorrow!  If you are happy for your child to have their t shirt signed please send them with a pen!

We have had many enquiries from parents and carers about forthcoming trips and visits.  Please give us some time, as you can imagine there is a lot to organise.

We will over the coming days review all of these and send out details when we can.  Some will be cancelled and some may be postponed.  Some we will be able to organise refunds for and some we will await insurance, IF we are advised this is possible.  We will communicate with you over these but please give us some time.

It is fair to say times are tough….. let’s try to bring a little cheer tomorrow. Children can replace one item of uniform clothing for a brightly coloured one… maybe a jojo bow  (not normally allowed!!!), colourful pair of trainers, a funny hat/boppers or a Hawaiian shirt!

If families feel able the ‘fine’ for this could be a tin, packet or jar that we could use to support vulnerable families during school closure.

The Secretary of State for Education announced yesterday, Wednesday 18 March, that the 2019/20 national curriculum assessments will not take place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This means the following assessments planned between April and July 2020 are cancelled:

• end of key stage 1 and key stage 2 assessments (including tests and teacher assessment)
• phonics screening check
• multiplication tables check
• science sampling tests
• all statutory trialling

Reminder: Department for Education (DfE) COVID-19 (Coronavirus) helpline

DfE has launched a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends from 10am to 4pm

𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒

During these difficult and uncertain times,  it is our top priority to protect and care for all residents, visitors and employees in our borough.

 After careful consideration, we have decided to temporarily close the following Telford and Wrekin facilities from 5pm on Friday 20 March:

• All Leisure Centres: Abraham Darby Sports & Leisure Centre, Horsehay Village Golf Centre, Newport Swimming Pool, Oakengates Leisure Centre, Phoenix Sports Centre, Stirchley Sports Centre, Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre
• Telford Snowboard & Ski Centre
• High Ropes, Disc & Adventure Golf at Telford Town Park
• Telford Ice Rink
• Libraries run by Telford & Wrekin Council at Madeley, Newport, Oakengates and Wellington as well as library facilities at Southwater One – we are also recommending that partners who run community library facilities in the borough also close.
• Telford Town park visitor centre (the town park remains open)

These facilities will be closed until the end of May when we will review the decision.

We are also postponing the Council’s outdoor events programme until the end of May,  when we will review the decision.

These events include:

• Spring into St George’s Day 19 April
• VE Day celebrations 8 May
• Telford Balloon Fiesta 9 & 10 May

More information on http://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/15159