Latest News | Drapers Mills Primary Academy

Year 5 Phased Return Plans

Fri 19 Jun 2020

Dear Parent / Carer

Phased Return Arrangements for Children in Year 5

I am delighted to announce that Drapers Mills Primary Academy will be shortly be able to open for children in year 5.

In order to ensure the safety of your child and social distancing, we have decided to have a phased reopening, similar to that which Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 have experienced over the last few weeks. This means that we have divided year 5 children into 4 groups – two group A classes and two group B classes. Your child will be allocated a place in either Group A or Group B and a 2 - week cycle will operate as follows, with Group B starting on Thursday 25^th June.

Date	Group A	Group B
Thursday 25^th June	Home Learning	In School
Friday 26^th June	Home Learning	In School

Monday 29^th June	Home Learning	In School
Tuesday 30^th June	Home Learning	In School
Wednesday 1^st July AM	Home Learning	In School
Wednesday 1^st July PM	Home Learning	Home Learning
Thursday 2^nd July	In School	Home Learning
Friday 3^rd July	In School	Home Learning

Monday 6^th July	In School	Home Learning
Tuesday 7^th July	In School	Home Learning
Wednesday 8^th July AM	In School	Home Learning
Wednesday 8^th July PM	Home Learning	Home Learning
Thursday 9^th July	Home Learning	In School
Friday 10^th July	Home Learning	In School

Monday 13^th July	Home Learning	In School
Tuesday 14^th July	Home Learning	In School
Wednesday 15^th July AM	Home Learning	In School
Wednesday 15^th July PM	Home Learning	Home Learning
Thursday 16^th July	In School	Home Learning
Friday 17^th July	In School	Home Learning

Monday 20^th July	In School	Home Learning
Tuesday 21^st July	In School	Home Learning
Wednesday 22^nd July AM	In School	Home Learning

Each group will work in a set classroom and will not move to other rooms at any time. This includes adults.

Please note that whilst we will ensure that your child will be in the same group as their siblings, unfortunately, as I am sure you can understand, we cannot make changes based on friendship groups or parental preference. You will be sent a text message on Monday (22^nd June) to confirm which group your child is in, but if you are unclear or do not receive a message, please email or phone the office on (01843) 223989 or office@dmpa-tkat.org.

We are very conscious of the impact the current situation may have had on your child. The social isolation and anxiety related to COVID 19 is extremely significant and therefore we are ensuring that the staff team are equipped with supporting the children with their anxieties when they return.

On top of this, the school will be very different to the one they left in March. We have created a guide for parents that outlines our social distancing measures which can be found HERE. It explains that children will not be able to freely socialise or even communicate with their friends in another group; they will not be able to interact in the same way with staff and generally will need to act in a way that is strange to them.

Please therefore use the YEAR 5 CHILDREN'S GUIDE TO RETURNING TO SCHOOL document which can be found HERE, which explains to them what school will be like when they return. We would suggest that you go through a few things each day so as not to overwhelm them with all the changes.

I fully understand the anxiety that you may be feeling about sending your child back at this time. To support this, we are happy to receive phone calls on the first few days of returning if you want to check in regarding how your child is doing. In order to reduce presence on the premises during the school day when we return, we ask that any communication is done via phone call or admin email.

It goes without saying, if your child or anybody else in your family is showing symptoms of the Covid-19 virus, then they should not come into school and follow the government guidance and self isolate.

Thank you for your continued support, it is much appreciated. I hope you understand that a great deal of effort has gone into planning for your child’s welcome return, but we always use the latest advice so things may need to change at short notice.

If you have any questions please contact the school via the email or phone number above.

Yours sincerely

Joe Manclark

Headteacher

Phased Return Rota for WB 22nd June 2020

Fri 19 Jun 2020

Please find below the rota for Groups A and B for the week beginning Monday 22nd June 2020.

Date	Group A	Group B	Key Worker Group
Monday 22^nd June	In School	Home Learning	In School
Tuesday 23^rd June	In School	Home Learning	In School
Weds 24^th June AM	In School	Home Learning	In School
Weds 24^th June PM	Home Learning	Home Learning	In School
Thursday 25^th June	Home Learning	In School	In School
Friday 26^th June	Home Learning	In School	In School

NSPCC Assembly

Wed 17 Jun 2020

Please find below a link to an assembly we have shared with children this week from the NSPCC.

If you child has not been in school, please can you arrange for them to watch this.

Thank you.

Mr Manclark

Headteacher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm0kccbZpYY

KENT TEST: Support for parents

Mon 15 Jun 2020

Year 5 parents have been asking how they can support their children to prepare for the Kent Test in September.

Our advice will be to keep their brains active by : -

- Completing the work that the teachers are setting online

- Reading regularly

- Accessing maths and problem solving activities on online websites such as BBC Bitesize.

- Familiarising themselves with 11+ (Kent Test) papers. Some examples can be found online or can be purchased from normal sources (Amazon, etc.).

Further guidance and support can be found HERE.

Phased Return Rota for WB 15th June 2020

Fri 12 Jun 2020

Please find below the rota for Groups A and B for the week beginning Monday 15th June 2020.

Date	Group A	Group B	Key Workers
Mon 15th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Tues 16th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Wed 17th June AM	Home learning	In school	In school
Wed 17th June PM	Home learning	Home learning	In school
Thurs 18th June	In school	Home learning	In school
Fri 19th June	In school	Home Learning	In school

The Schoolwear Centre

Wed 10 Jun 2020

The lovely people at the Schoolwear Centre in Margate have asked us to share the following information with our parents: -

Please find attached the following: 2020 price guide; online savings; our layaway service; family club handout; a how to measure guide and a handout explaining the things we have set-up for all new reception and your year 6 leavers.

Also attached is a parent’s information handout. This can also be found at www.schoolwearcentre.net

We are setting up an appointment system for new starters & those who have special needs.

From Monday 8th June every Morning from 9am to 12.30pm

You can try on, buy, or put on layaway with a £10 deposit, all the family’s uniform.

We are asking as many parents as possible to buy online and have extended our exchange date to 12 months.

We are setting up a new collection counter which will be outside of the shop, so you do not have to come in the shop to collect orders.

To allow us to follow the pandemic recommendations we have changed our opening times to:

Monday to Saturday 9am to 12.30pm appointments only, for new starters & students with special needs

Closed for lunch 12.30pm to 1.30pm

1.30pm to 5.30pm (Saturday 5pm) Open for anyone but with a limit to the number allowed in the shop and with a managed social distance queue outside of the shop

For help / questions email margate@schoolwearcentre.net

Appointment line Open from 26th May 01843 584902

2020/21 Term Dates

Fri 05 Jun 2020

Please be aware that some of these dates are different to the published KCC Term Time dates that may be used by other local schools. **

Please note, these dates may be subject to unavoidable change, especially in view of the current Covid-19 situation.

Term 1

Thursday 3rd September 2020 - Friday 23rd October 2020 ** (see below for INSET days in this term)

Term 2

Monday 2nd November 2020 - Friday 18th December 2020 (see below for INSET days in this term)

Term 3

Monday 4th January 2021 - Friday 12th February 2021

Term 4

Monday 22nd February 2021 - Thursday 1st April 2021

Term 5

Monday 19th April 2021 - Friday 28th May 2021

Term 6

Monday 7th June 2021 - Friday 23rd July 2021 ** (see below for INSET days in this term)

INSET Days 2020/21 (these are subject to change)

Thursday 3rd September 2020

Friday 4th September 2020

Monday 14th September 2020

Monday 2nd November 2020

Monday 7th June 2021

The school will be closed to children on these days.

KENT TEST update

Thu 04 Jun 2020

Kent Test for 2021 admissions

Registration opens on 1 June 2020 and closes at midnight on 1 July 2020 for children due to start secondary school in September 2021.

The published Kent Test dates for 2020 are:

10 September 2020 for children who go to school in Kent
12 September 2020 for children who go to school outside of Kent.

Please note, these dates may be subject to unavoidable change.

You can register your child for the Kent Test HERE.

Parents will be told closer to the time if any adjustments need to be made to the assessment process because of the recent school closures for most children.

Any request for special testing arrangements for children with SEN or disabilities is to be made by their school before 10 July 2020. Please let the school know if you feel your child may need special testing arrangements before that date.

Your child must have been born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 to take the 2020 Kent Test. If your child is outside this age range but still needs to apply please email kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk.

If you live outside Kent

Most years, many children who live outside Kent register to take the test but do not turn up on the day. Others take the test, but do not apply for Kent schools.

With restrictions in place to limit virus transmission it will be particularly difficult to arrange testing for thousands of visitors. Please only register if your child needs to take part in the Kent Test because you intend to apply.

The test is only valid for Kent grammar schools.
Medway Council has its own Medway Test and London Borough of Bexley has its own Bexley selection test.

Many children will find the test difficult.
Grammar schools in Kent provide for children in about the top 25% of the ability range. In addition, some of Kent’s grammar schools - particularly those which are most likely to offer places to children from outside Kent - give priority to those with the highest scores. You may want to discuss your child’s academic achievement with their primary school before you decide whether to register them for the Kent Test.

Passing the Kent Test does not guarantee your child a place in a Kent grammar school.
Make sure you know where the Kent grammar schools are, and what the admissions criteria are for the school(s) you are interested in. You can search for Kent grammar schools with our Kent Schools search.

Consider how likely your child is to be offered a place there, and how they would get to that school if a place was offered. If you will need help with the cost of transport from home to school, check if your child is eligible for free school transport.

School admissions are co-ordinated between local authorities.
Even if your child qualifies for admission to a grammar school in more than one area, all your preferred schools must be listed on your home local authority’s application form, and you will not be offered more than one school place. Independent schools have their own admissions processes.

If your child is disabled or has special educational needs

If your child has a disability or special educational need that may affect the way they access the test, you need to discuss this with your current school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) as soon as possible. Any proposal for alternative access requirements must made by the school by 10 July 2020.

When you register your child for the Kent Test online, you will need to confirm if you have discussed a request for access arrangements with your child’s school.

UPDATE: Amendment to Behaviour Policy

Thu 04 Jun 2020

June 2020

Amendment to Behaviour Policy

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are very much looking forward to welcoming your child back in to our school. However, we must make you aware that due to the current circumstances relating to Covid-19, the following changes have been made to our Behaviour Policy.

The addendum to the Behaviour Policy is for use during the arrangements for education of students in school during the Covid-19 artial school closures.

For Pupils attending school

In addition to the established roles, responsibilities and expectations of school staff and pupils, the following expectations are in place and sanctions will be upheld.
Staff and pupils will adhere to the social distancing requirements in place.
Staff and pupils will take every precaution to reduce the risk of virus transmission by regularly washing hands, using hand sanitizer and keeping work areas clean, making use of the cleaning materials provided.
Any incident of spitting will result in immediate exclusion from school for a period of no less than 3
Use of threatening, aggressive language and behaviours towards staff from either pupils or families will result in immediate exclusion from school for a period of no less than 3 days.

For pupils accessing remote learning;

Staff and pupils will continue to implement the expectations of safe internet usage stated within the E-safety policy.
Use of inappropriate language within the Google classroom as and when in use will result in a telephone call home to discuss.
Use of threatening, aggressive language and behaviours within the Google classroom towards staff from either pupils or families will result in immediate access denied and a requirement from parents/carers to collect a paper copy of work set from the office weekly.
Any use of racist, homophobic, discriminatory, or bullying language/behaviour within the Google classroom will result in immediate access denied and a requirement from parents/carers to collect a paper copy of work set from the office weekly.

Best wishes and stay safe.

Mrs A Evans

Deputy Head Teacher

UPDATE: School Reopening Plans

Mon 01 Jun 2020

Dear Parent / Carer

Reopening of Drapers Mills Primary Academy

I am writing further to my communication from 20^th May to confirm our arrangements for the reopening of Drapers Mills Primary Academy from Monday 8^th June for children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

As highlighted previously, in order to ensure the safety of your child and social distancing, we have decided to have a phased reopening. This means that we have divided our Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes into 2 groups - a group A and a group B. Your child will be allocated a place in either group A or group B and a 2 - week cycle will operate as follows, with group A starting on Monday 8th June.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday am

Wednesday pm

Thursday

Friday

WK Beg 8th June

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK Beg 15th June

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK Beg 22nd June

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK Beg 29th June

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK Beg 6th July

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK Beg 13th July

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP B

YEAR 1 GROUP B

YEAR 6 GROUP B

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

WK

Beg 20th July

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

YEAR R GROUP A

YEAR 1 GROUP A

YEAR 6 GROUP A

KEYWORKER GROUP

NURSERY

KEY WORKER CHILDREN ONLY

SCHOOL CLOSED

The arrangements for vulnerable pupils and the children of Key workers will remain the same. They will form part of an additional group and will be able to access the school every day.

The next three weeks will therefore look something like this:

Date	Group A	Group B	Key Workers
Mon 8th June	In school	Home learning	In school
Tues 9th June	In school	Home learning	In school
Wed 10th June AM	In school	Home learning	In school
Wed 10th June PM	Home learning	Home learning	In school
Thurs 11th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Fri 12th June	Home learning	In school	In school

Mon 15th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Tues 16th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Wed 17th June AM	Home learning	In school	In school
Wed 17th June PM	Home learning	Home learning	In school
Thurs 18th June	In school	Home learning	In school
Fri 19th June	In school	Home Learning	In school

Mon 22nd June	In school	Home learning	In school
Tues 23rd June	In school	Home learning	In school
Wed 24th June AM	In school	Home learning	In school
Wed 24th June PM	Home learning	Home learning	In school
Thurs 25th June	Home learning	In school	In school
Fri 26th June	Home Learning	In school	In school

Nursery children will be able to attend every day.

Each group will work in a set classroom and will not move to other rooms at any time. This includes adults.

The classes will be split alphabetically into Group A or Group B. Please note that whilst your child will be in the same group as their siblings, unfortunately, as I am sure you can understand, we cannot make changes based on friendship groups or parental preference. You will be sent a text message to confirm which group your child is in, but if you are unclear or do not receive a message, please email office@dmpa-tkat.org before school reopens.

We are very conscious of the impact the current situation may have had on your child. The social isolation and anxiety related to COVID 19 is extremely significant and therefore we are ensuring that the staff team are equipped with supporting the children with their anxieties when they return.

On top of this, the school will be very different to the one they left in March. We have created a guide for parents that outlines our social distancing measures which can be found HERE. It explains that children will not be able to freely socialise or even communicate with their friends in another group; they will not be able to interact in the same way with staff and generally will need to act in a way that is strange to them.

Please therefore use the CHILDREN'S GUIDE TO RETURNING TO SCHOOL document which can be found HERE, which explains to them what school will be like when they return. We would suggest that you go through a few things each day so as not to overwhelm them with all the changes.

I fully understand the anxiety that you may be feeling about sending your child back at this time. To support this, we are happy to receive phone calls on the first few days of returning if you want to check in regarding how your child is doing. In order to reduce presence on the premises during the school day when we return, we ask that any communication is done via phone call or admin email.

It goes without saying, if your child or anybody else in your family is showing symptoms of the Covid-19 virus, then they should not come into school and follow the government guidance and self isolate.

Thank you for your continued support, it is much appreciated. I hope you understand that a great deal of effort has gone into planning for your child’s welcome return, but we always use the latest advice so things may need to change at short notice.

If you have any questions please contact the school via the email or phone number above.

Yours sincerely

Joe Manclark

Headteacher