Latest News and Updates

Ruth Edwards, MP for Rushcliffe, has written to school asking if Crossdale pupils would like to enter into her annual Christmas Card Competition for 2020. Designs should be on one sheet of A4 paper and submitted via her constituency office 17-19 R

Please read the following information carefully. We want to keep our school open and need your support to help us do this!

To help us reduce the likelihood of Covid-19 transmission on the school site:

• Please see the details below about start and end times to the day THAT we introduced on 2nd November AND ensure you are punctual.

• Please enter and leave the school site promptly.

• Please remind your children to be calm and SENSIBLE when entering anD leaving the school site.

We are finding over the weeks that the playground is becoming congested at pick up and drop off - ANY HELP IN KEEPING THESE BUSY TIMES ORDELY AND IN LINE WITH OUR TIMETABLE WOULD BE greatly APPRECIATED.

______________________________________________________________________________________

We have been reviewing our school day start and finish times ahead of the half term break, and the return to school on Monday 2^nd November 2020.

We are delighted that more families are choosing to cycle to school. Reducing traffic on the roads and encouraging our children to exercise is something we are keen to support. 

However, we have noticed some children cycling in a way that might put them, and others, at risk of injury:

· Cycling on the wrong side of the road

· NOT wearing a helmet

· Cycling 'no-hands' without holding the handlebars

We are increasingly worried that a child could be seriously hurt. If your child cycles to school, please reassure yourself that he / she is competent at cycling on roads and follows basic road safety measures.

Please note, The Child Safety (Cycle Helmets) Bill 2020 is currently working its way through Parliament which will require, by law, children under the age of 16 to wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle on a public highway.

 

We want to keep our school open!

You will be aware that many local schools have had to close to all, or some pupils in recent weeks due to coronavirus. Although this has not been the case for our school, it might only be a matter of time before we also feel the impact.

When reviewing our measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, one major concern has been the number of adults that gather and mix when they drop off or collect their children. Even with our staggered start and end to the day, these times inevitably increase the risk of coronavirus being spread amongst our school community.

As such, and in consultation with the chair of our governing body, we are asking all parents to wear a face covering when they come onto the school site to drop off or collect their children. This will come into effect from 12th October, although we hope many parents elect to wear a covering immediately.

Advice from the DfE makes it clear that school leaders have the discretion to ask visitors and parents to wear face coverings to support existing hygiene measures and system of controls. Given the dramatic rise in cases in Nottinghamshire, this seems like a proportionate and sensible measure that will help keep our school open. Please contact us if you are medically exempt from wearing face coverings.

We have been approached by some parents about the temperature in school at the moment, with some expressing concerns that children are cold in class.

When planning to open to all pupils earlier this month, the guidance we were given to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission requires that we ensure there is good ventilation in school:

• Department for Education: Once the school is in operation, it is important to ensure good ventilation and maximising this wherever possible, for example, opening windows and propping open doors.
• Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) risk assessments for schools: When working inside, pupils should be in groups, in well ventilated areas (e.g. with windows / outside doors open)
• Health and Safety Executive: Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus […] Where possible, consider ways to maintain and increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors (unless fire doors).

This advice for schools remains in place today and the Health and Safety Executive are currently contacting schools to check all advice and measures suggested to reduce the spread of coronavirus are being effectively and consistently employed.

As the temperature drops, all schools will have to find ways to ensure classrooms are well ventilated, but also at a comfortable temperature that allows children to work and learn effectively. Our new heating system should be fully commissioned and handed over in the very near future, which may help, and we have contacted the H&S team at NCC for further guidance.

In the meantime, please keep an eye on the weather and ensure your child has an extra layer or two on chilly days. We are following this up as a matter of urgency and will update you asap.

Please contact us if you have any questions.