5.1.21 Moving Forward

5th January 2021Mr Bennett

5.1.21 Moving Forward

Dear all,
Firstly, thank you for so many positive messages and responses, they really help! We have been given even less time to prepare for this new lockdown.
As we know school is now closed to most pupils and learning switches online. This includes our nursery.
We will be running two routes of education during this lockdown.
Route 1 – In School
Vulnerable children and pupils of Critical workers will be offered full time places in school.
Those who applied via the form, for critical worker places, have been notified via email.
Pupils will be with their own year group staff and only their peers.
If you have missed the deadline to apply for a critical worker place, please contact Mr Bennett to discuss your situation.
Please do not bring your child to school if you have not been allocated a space.
Route 2 – Remote/online education
Most pupils will be at home. We will use Google Classroom and Tapestry to contact pupils. Staff will be dedicated to our online provision during normal school hours. Staff will be in contact and offer a range of activities to continue your child’s education. We will be in contact with pupils who are not accessing their learning to ensure they are ok and to see how we can help.
Tomorrow all pupils (Yrs1-6), will have an online register with a member of staff from their year who will explain how things will work and welcome pupils back to ‘school’.
Pupils need to be ‘attend’ each day.
We have a number of ideas planned to keep pupils engaged. We will start slowly and then add in new elements as we progress.
If you have difficulty with log in codes etc then please get in touch with us.
We recognise that learning from home presents many challenges, but we must stress that it is important for children to complete as much as possible. Staff are aiming to provide 3 hours per day of learning. Please remember that we are here to help, just get in touch.
Any issues can be sent via email to [email protected]
Please use your child’s name and class in the subject to help us direct your query as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your continuing support

5.1.21 Nursery Provision Update

5th January 2021Mr Bennett

5.1.21 Nursery Provision Update

A number of parents asked about the opening of our nursery follow the announcement last night. The updated guidance confirms that as it is part of our school, it will operate under the same structure as the rest of school.
Therefore, nursery will only be open to vulnerable and critical workers as defined by the government list.
Thank you

4.1.21 Mortimer Primary School Response at 9pm

4th January 2021Mr Bennett

4.1.21 Mortimer Primary School Response at 9pm

We are disappointed to be sharing this with you tonight, but we will again do our very best for all pupils, parents and our staff.
Please see the following key points:
· On Tuesday 5th January 2021 our school will be closed to ALL pupils. This includes pupils from nursery to year 6. Only staff will be allowed on site.
· We will open a reduced school offering to vulnerable and pupils of critical workers on Wednesday 6th January 2021 as per the government guidance.
· Vulnerable pupils will be contacted by school and offered places tomorrow.
· Critical workers should apply as soon as possible via our form https://forms.gle/JVuj91cbdhWaKphN6
· Critical worker parents will be informed as to whether they have a space in school, at the latest, by 3pm on Tues 5th Jan via the email address supplied on the form. Do not assume you have a space without confirmation. The email will contain details of arrival, pick up, lunch etc.
· All other pupils will move to online learning.
Online/Remote Learning
· Our online offer will change from the last lockdown. We will offer more visual access to pupils with some aspects of live interaction/teaching.
· Specific staff will take leadership of learning for different year groups. This may not be your child’s class teacher, but will be from your child’s year group of staff.
· Learning will mirror that offered to those in school.
· It is important for children to complete as much of the work as possible.
· We will provide further details of our provision this week.
Why are we not open on Tuesday?
· Staff have been preparing to work in school with pupils as we were told we would be open.
· Staff need to alter the provision and prepare for educating during this lockdown.
· Time is needed to ensure we can ready ourselves for vulnerable and critical workers
· We have only officially been told that we needed to close at 8pm Monday 4th Jan
· We apologise for the position this places parents in, but we have been left with no alternative.
Thank you for your continuing support

4.1.21 Following the PM Announcement

4th January 2021Mr Bennett

4.1.21 Following the PM Announcement

Dear all,
As no doubt many will have just heard, England has been placed into a second state of lockdown. All primary schools are to close, expect to those vulnerable children and pupils of critical workers where child care is needed.
We have heard this at the same time as the rest of the country and it has gone against what we were told to do for the last 48 hours.
We wanted to open and all of our staff were ready to do so. This news is not what we expected or would want for your children.
You will have questions and we understand the difficulty the situation places you in. Please allow us a few minutes to outline our response. We will post again very soon to aid your preparations for tomorrow.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Mr Bennett
Deputy Head

4.1.21 School Opening, Critical Workers and School Closure

4th January 2021Mr Bennett

4.1.21 School Opening, Critical Workers and School Closure

Dear Parent/Carer,
Our aim is to open school to all pupils as long as we able to keep everyone safe. However, we know that in some parts of the country primary schools are being closed due to the rapid spread of COVID19.
At the moment Mortimer Primary school will remain open to ALL pupils but if the virus continues to spread, a new lockdown is called or we have insufficient staff then we may need to make the decision to close the school. If this happens school will remain open for vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers only.
In order to be fully prepared for this, we would ask that you complete the Google form if you are a Critical Worker and would require a place for your child in school. This would be Monday to Friday inclusive, but there is no guarantee of a place.
CRITICAL WORKER FORM
https://forms.gle/zvLhExouivRzWvnp9
Please note that this is purely to aid any closure situation and is not an admission of closure. We are simply planning ahead.
Critical worker spaces may be limited so it is essential that forms are completed fully and by the deadline, if you think you fall into the category of a ‘critical worker’. You will be contacted by school if you have been allocated a place once the deadline is past (11/1/21). Parents and carers of vulnerable pupils will be contacted directly by school staff in the event of school closure.
The list of ‘critical workers’ was updated on 31/12/20 and can be found on the government website www.gov.uk. The list of workers includes:
· Health and Social care
· Education and childcare
· Key public services
· Local and National government
· Food and other necessary goods
· Public safety and national security
· Transport and border
· Utilities, communication and financial services
We want to see children in school, it is the best place for their learning and well-being however we may need to balance minimising the risk of transfer of COVID 19 and providing face to face education for all children. We will continue to put the Health and Safety of pupils and staff at the forefront of any decisions we make.
In the event of school closure,
Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.
Parents of vulnerable pupils will be contacted directly regarding places in school.
Remote learning will be available for ALL pupils – staff will use Google Classroom, Tapestry or Class Dojo and the school website to make daily contact.
It is essential that emergency contact details are up to date for all pupils.
If your child has been in contact with a positive case they MUST isolate for ten days, they must not enter the school site. If your child is isolating or absent for any other reason please contact the school office so we can record the reason for their absence.
We request that adults wear a mask when picking up or dropping of their child to reduce the risk of transmission. It would also be of great benefit, if children from different year groups did not mix once out of school, especially in the school grounds.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Cunningham
Head Teacher

31.12.20 Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

31st December 2020Mr Bennett

31.12.20 Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

We hope that you’ve had an enjoyable Christmas and are getting ready to usher in a new year.
School will reopen next week as planned. Monday is for staff only and on Tuesday we welcome the children back. If there are any changes we will let you know ASAP.
Whilst the North East has entered Tier 4, our previous procedures will remain in place for drop off and pick ups.
I’m sure we are all ready to see the back of 2020 and hope that 2021 can bring the end to the restrictions that we are currently under.
Thank you for all of your support through these challenging times.
Stay safe and we will see you soon.

18.12.20 Latest Newsletter

18th December 2020Mr Bennett

18.12.20 Latest Newsletter

As sent home today.
A word from the Head Teacher – Mrs Cunningham…
After a very difficult Autumn term, I am sure you will agree that a Christmas break with our families is more than needed. Mortimer pupils have shown strength and courage and as a staff we are all in agreement as to the amount of resilience they have shown. A huge thank you to all, for your continuing support and adapting to the changes we have had to make. Your support for our raffle and the various charities we’ve had was phenomenal. We appreciate that it is difficult when bubbles are asked to isolate and work commitments are affected, but we have pulled together and shown that the Mortimer family is as strong as ever.
Enjoy this very special time with your wonderful children. Watch lots of movies, eat lots of sweets and have a pyjama day.
On behalf of all the staff and Governors we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a much better 2021.

18.12.20 COVID19 & School

18th December 2020Mr Bennett

18.12.20 COVID19 & School

Dear parents/carers,

Whilst this is the last thing we wish to discuss, we must point out the following information.

If your child develops symptoms of COVID19 over the next 48 hours (Sat 19th to Sun 20th December) from the last day of school AND goes on to test positive, please email the school office.

[email protected]

Please leave:

  • Your name
  • Child’s name
  • Your phone number and contact details

Any symptoms developing from Monday 21st Dec, do not need to be shared with school.

We hope that no one needs to do this and you are able to enjoy your Christmas in the best way possible.

Merry Christmas and Stay Safe.