* COVID19 *

Updated 2nd July 2020

* Plans for September 2020*

The government have published guidance today on full opening of special schools from September 2020. Please bear with us whilst we read the guidance and consider what we need to put into place to implement a full, safe return for all of our pupils. We will issue more information on this website and directly to parents / carers as soon as possible. 

Firstly I would like to thank you for the very supportive approach you have taken during these exceptionally challenging times. We have been formally closed from Monday 23rd March 2020 in line with Government guidance

An update on special opening  from Monday 20th April and plans to extend opening from the start of June :

From Monday April 20^th Camberwell Park School has been offering provision for a small number of pupils identified through our risk assessment process. In line with the most recent government guidance, the provision will be for the pupils of parents and carers who are ‘key workers’ in addition to those considered the most vulnerable in our school community. We are currently reviewing our risk assessments for all pupils taking into account the conversations which class staff have been having with families as well as how we are supporting with all aspects of each child's Education, Health and Care Plan during this period of time. 

Plans for further extended opening from 15th June 2020

Following completion of a comprehensive risk assessment carried out in consultation with all staff and governors, the headteacher and Chair of Governors agreed we were able to safely extend opening to pupils in year 6 from Monday 8th June on a 2 week rota. 

We are pleased that from 15th June, we are able to further extend opening to additional pupils. We have re-visited our risk assessment in relation to pupils who are most in need  in order to prioritse places for further extended opening and all parents / carers have been contacted. 

 This letter  has been sent out to parents / carers for guidance on helping us all to keep safe in school.

In addition we  prepared a number of social stories to support the children returning to school which you can see on the links below:

My returning to school story 

My social distancing story

Back to school booklet

All parents / carers across school have been invited to share their views about extending opening to more pupils in the form of a survey which the headteacher and leadership team will be reviewing to form future plans.The survey included a questions asking parents / carers about information which may help them to feel more confident about sending their child back to school. In order to respond to these queries I have included a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at the bottom of this page. I will continue to update this with new information as it arrives. 

Planning for September

We will continue to take all advice and guidance from the government during this term with regards to extending opening for pupils and with regards to September opening. We have prepared our class lists for September and very shortly parents / carers will receive a letter with regards to which class your child will be in and with which staff team from September. 

Annual reports and Year books

We are sad that we will not be able to hold our annual celebration assembly this year which is always a highlight when our year 6's perform for everyone and we present year books to all the children. Class teachers have completed annual reports however and we are finishing completing year books for all of the children. Once these are complete we will send them out to you electronically this year. We are busy planning a special way we can share the year books with the year 6's so will update you on these plans asap. 

Home Learning

We  know that many children will continue home learning until the end of the summer term. We have a really comprehensive home learning and communication programme in place and members of your child's class team will be in regular contact with you via class dojo. This will continue for any child who does not have a place in school. 

In addition, do check out our Home Learning Page  for ideas and activities 

This case study was published by the DfE about the home learning programme we have in place with our children and their families. 

Manchester's Local Offer provides information about services and support available to children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND) and their families. You can view the Local Offer here:

www.manchester.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is of paramount importance at all times and particularly at this time when we are not able to see our pupils each day. If you have any safeguarding concerns then please do not hesitate to contact the school. Alternatively, the Manchester  Community Central website gives a range of other support which is available 

Positive feedback

We are grateful to the parent/ carers who are sending us such positive feedback about their home learning e.g. T's mum who has said he has shared his favourite song with his family  and the message from D's mum to say "D is responding well now and slowly easing into the routine thanks to the cushion you sent. It's such a big help. Words aren't enough to thank you for your support during this very difficult time. Thank you" PK's mum told us 'Thanks so much for your support during this time .Generally the activities are really helpful.'

Free school meals

If your child is out of school and is entitled to Free School Meals we will have been in touch with regards to how you can access support. If you are unsure or need any help, please email us on the email address above and we will support where we can. 

Use of public transport

The Department for Transport has issued advice on how our families and their child can travel to school safely on public transport as part of the #TravelSafely campaign. Resources have been developed to ensure that parents and their child have the information they need to stay safe on the public transport network. This includes information developed in collaboration with respected partners on how to cycle and walk safely, where possible.

Resources can be found here:

https://extranet.dft.gov.uk/safer-transport-campaign/schools/

Letter from Minister Ford

Minister Ford who is the Parlaimentary Under Secretary for Children and Families has written this letter to all of you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am concerned about social distancing in school – what will be in place for my child?

We have taken into account the size of classrooms, the number of pupils and also the individual needs of pupils when considering social distancing in the classrooms. For this reason there is no fixed number of pupils per room however the groups are much smaller than they would normally be. When your child is due to return to school we can give you specific information about how many pupils are in your child's class etc. Pupils will remain in class for their lunch rather than all be in the dining room and social times like outside play will be staggered so that there are not larger groups of pupils playing outside together.

2. What Personal, Protective Equipment (PPE) will be in use in school?

We always provide gloves and aprons to staff as well as cleaning products for use with personal hygiene routines such as taking children to the bathroom. These will continue to be in place. We are following government guidance on use of PPE and it is not recommended for general use, however, if a risk assessment for a particular child determines additional PPE in the form of face mask and goggles / visor are required then these will be provided for staff. If a child presents with symptoms, the staff with the child will wear PPE (aprons, gloves, mask and goggles) whilst the parent is contacted to collect them to be tested for COVID19.

3. Will you have staggered start and finish times at school?

In order to ensure the school is cleaned appropriately and we can manage any home-school transport required, we have a reduced school day for pupils at the moment which is 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This will remain under review. We are not currently staggering start and finish times for pupils however have implemented different entrance and exit points to school depending on where the children will be based to ensure there is not a large number of people waiting to enter / exit school at any one time.

4. Will class groups be mixing with each other?

We are following government guidance to group children into ‘bubbles’ within school so that only the same children and staff will mix during the school day. As above, outside play and other shared areas will be staggered to ensure these groupings remain in place. Shared areas will be cleaned between use.

5. What cleaning / personal hygiene is in place in school

We have rigorous cleaning and personal hygiene routines in place in school which we have increased in line with guidance. Everyone is required to wash their hands on entrance to school and at regular intervals during the day. Cleaning staff are on site to clean down surfaces e.g. door handles, light switches etc at regular intervals .  Cleaning and personal hygiene are a fundamental and integral part of our school day

6. Will the home learning programme remain in place?

The home learning programme will remain in place for any child who is not yet able to return to school.

7. Who can I contact if I have any queries?

If you have any queries then please email admin@camberwellpark.manchester.sch.uk and the admin team will pass on your query to the head teacher or relevant member of the leadership team

Mary Isherwood

Headteacher

Judged Outstanding by Ofsted May 2010, June 2013 and January 2018 

 "This is a school full of smiles and laughter" Ofsted inspection report, January 2018.

WINNER of the NASEN 'Excellent practice in Special School' award 2017

Parent quote ' In the school brochure there is a saying about every child being like a butterfly in the wind, well i would have to say Camberwell Park is like a cocoon.  We send our little caterpillars to your school and you help them to evolve into the best butterfly they can be.' Summer 2019

 "UNCRC, Artice 28: All children have a right to learn"

You can now follow us on twitter @CamberwellPark