VALENTINE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Valentine Avenue, Sholing,

Southampton, SO19 0EQ
Telephone: 023 8044 8944
Facsimile: 023 8044 3498
Email: info@valentineprimary.co.uk

Headteacher: Ms Liz Filer

11th December 2020

Dear Parents / carers

IMPORTANT UPDATE – END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS

I wanted to write to you all about the end of term arrangements at Valentine. There has
been much coverage in the news about schools being 'allowed' to move an Inset day to
Friday 18th December so that we can finish the term on Thursday 17th December. I received
this information from the Government on Tuesday of this week. We have made the
decision not to do this for two main reasons

1. We have already planned our Inset days for the year. These are used for
invaluable training opportunities for the staff which improve teaching for all of our children
2. This is far too short notice for many parents /carers to organise child care.

This means the last day of term will be Friday 18th December 2020. The Government's
expectation is that children attend school every day next week.

The Government are also asking schools and school leaders to continue assisting with
contact tracing for 6 days following the final day of teaching, meaning that some school staff
must remain ‘on call’ until the 24th December. This means the Government are expecting
myself and my Senior Team to be available right up until Christmas Eve! The staff here have
worked tirelessly to make sure that the children had a safe return in September and have
continued to work hard to make sure that the school is as safe as possible. Staff have also
worked hard to make sure that as many gaps in learning, due to the school partial closure,
have been taught so that children can catch up. As a result, the children have made great
progress this term. We are now all ready for a break and looking forward to the Christmas
holiday. It is extremely disappointing that myself and my Senior Team are now expected to
work right up until Christmas Eve.

The email from the Government does also ask that we make everyone aware of the
arrangements in terms of Covid-19 cases during the school holidays and so it would be
helpful if you could make yourselves familiar with the following:

· For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive
for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in
school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-
isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.
· Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19),
having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school
should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing
instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
If you do need to contact school as per the first bullet point, please email this
address, covid19@valentineprimary.co.uk, which I personally (supported by the School
Business Manager and Deputies) will check daily as I want to be certain that all other school
staff are guaranteed the full Christmas holiday without interruption – I’m sure you’ll agree
that it’s very well needed and much deserved.

Thank you so much for all of your help and support over this term. It has been much
appreciated by us all. I hope that you all continue to stay safe.

As ever please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries or concerns about
the contents of this email.

Best wishes

Liz Filer
Headteacher

IMPORTANT COVID REMINDERS for dropping off and collecting children

1. Only 1 adult per child is permitted onto the school site.
2. Arrive at school at the correct time for drop off and collection. Please do not arrive early
as this causes queues of people and congestion on Valentine Avenue.
3. Can ALL adults please wear a mask when dropping off and collecting children.
4. Remember to keep a 2metre distance from each other at all times when waiting to come
onto and in the school site.

PLEASE CONSIDER YOURSELVES AND OTHERS BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES

We have had a number of complaints from parents / carers who are seeing adults
NOT following the guidelines above