COVID 19 (corona virus)
1.9.20 September re-opening - updated information for parents and carers. Please click the link
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9.7.20 Letter from the authority regarding the reopening of schools in September
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24.6.20 - Urgent letter from the authority regarding emergency childcare provision for key workers - click link
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24.6.20 Partial Re-opening of School.
Please click below to access the vital information for Parents and Carers.
Please click below to access the vital information for Parents and Carers.
information_for_parents_carers.pdf | |
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17th June 2020 - letter about schools and childcare from the authority - click link
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Press release - 12th June 2020
School-based emergency childcare hubs to close
School-based emergency childcare hubs are to close later this month as schools in Powys prepare to re-open before the end of the summer term, the county council has said.
Powys County Council is working with school leaders across the county to enable schools to re-open for a limited number of learners each day as part of ‘Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September’ – the Welsh Government’s next phase for schools in Wales which will start on Monday, June 29.
As part of the preparations, the school-based emergency childcare hubs will close on Wednesday, June 24.
For Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June, childcare will be offered by individual schools across Powys for their own pupils between 8:30am and 4:30pm. This will be for the children of key workers and the vulnerable learners who are currently accessing childcare.
From Monday, June 29, schools in the county will make childcare provision for the children of key workers who have used the emergency childcare hubs between the opening of the hubs in March and the end of May. This provision will be on school days only from 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday,
Additionally, the children of schools’ staff will be able to join the childcare facility to allow their parents to work in schools. Vulnerable learners will also be able to access schools for the usual school day, and they will be informed by their schools.
For primary-aged children of key workers (who used the hubs between March and May) and the children of schools’ staff, parents will still need register online at www.powys.gov.uk/emergencyhubs until the end of the summer term.
Other learners will access as many days as schools are able to facilitate but parents and carers are being reminded that no more than 30 percent of pupils will be present at school at any one time.Schools will determine the number of days and inform parents about which children will be able to attend on each day. School transport will be provided to those who usually use that service – with careful social distancing put in place on transport.
For the period of the schools’ summer holidays, the council is currently exploring options to provide childcare for school-aged children of key workers. This provision will not be managed by school staff.
Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The school-based emergency childcare hubs have been invaluable since they were introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and we are grateful to everyone who has worked in them for the extended days over the last 12 weeks – including weekends and bank holidays.
“As ever, our main priorities are the physical safety and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff across Powys.”
“We are now preparing for the re-opening of schools in Powys and this means closing the school-based emergency childcare hubs. Closing the hubs on Wednesday June 24 will allow school staff to prepare their school ahead of their re-opening as schools on Monday, June 29.”
School-based emergency childcare hubs to close
School-based emergency childcare hubs are to close later this month as schools in Powys prepare to re-open before the end of the summer term, the county council has said.
Powys County Council is working with school leaders across the county to enable schools to re-open for a limited number of learners each day as part of ‘Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September’ – the Welsh Government’s next phase for schools in Wales which will start on Monday, June 29.
As part of the preparations, the school-based emergency childcare hubs will close on Wednesday, June 24.
For Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June, childcare will be offered by individual schools across Powys for their own pupils between 8:30am and 4:30pm. This will be for the children of key workers and the vulnerable learners who are currently accessing childcare.
From Monday, June 29, schools in the county will make childcare provision for the children of key workers who have used the emergency childcare hubs between the opening of the hubs in March and the end of May. This provision will be on school days only from 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday,
Additionally, the children of schools’ staff will be able to join the childcare facility to allow their parents to work in schools. Vulnerable learners will also be able to access schools for the usual school day, and they will be informed by their schools.
For primary-aged children of key workers (who used the hubs between March and May) and the children of schools’ staff, parents will still need register online at www.powys.gov.uk/emergencyhubs until the end of the summer term.
Other learners will access as many days as schools are able to facilitate but parents and carers are being reminded that no more than 30 percent of pupils will be present at school at any one time.Schools will determine the number of days and inform parents about which children will be able to attend on each day. School transport will be provided to those who usually use that service – with careful social distancing put in place on transport.
For the period of the schools’ summer holidays, the council is currently exploring options to provide childcare for school-aged children of key workers. This provision will not be managed by school staff.
Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The school-based emergency childcare hubs have been invaluable since they were introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and we are grateful to everyone who has worked in them for the extended days over the last 12 weeks – including weekends and bank holidays.
“As ever, our main priorities are the physical safety and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff across Powys.”
“We are now preparing for the re-opening of schools in Powys and this means closing the school-based emergency childcare hubs. Closing the hubs on Wednesday June 24 will allow school staff to prepare their school ahead of their re-opening as schools on Monday, June 29.”
9th June 2020
Please click the link to view a letter from the local authority regarding the partial reopening of schools from 29th June 2020. |
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3rd June 2020
Press release from the local authority:
Council statement on schools
The safety of children, families and school staff in the county remain the main priority for Powys County Council following the announcement by the Wales’ Education Minister.
Kirsty Williams announced on Wednesday, June 3 that schools in Wales will start the next phase on June 29 so that all children will have the opportunity to ‘Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September’.
Reacting to the announcement, Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “From the beginning of this pandemic, we have made it clear that our main priority has always been the safety of children, their families and school staff and this still remains the case
“Some of our schools and early years providers have remained open to provide childcare for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children throughout the lockdown, including at weekends and bank holidays. We want to say thank you again to all the staff who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
“We understand the pressure families are under, and the importance of ensuring that children are able to return to school when it is safe to do so. We also appreciate parents’ genuine concerns about sending their children back to school.
“Here in Powys, we have been working hard to put plans in place for increasing the operation of our schools to enable more children to attend when the time is right to do so. We have been working closely with headteachers, governors and school staff, and discussions are continuing with Welsh Government and the teaching unions.
“Risk assessments are being carried out at all of our schools across the county. Each school is being individually assessed on its own situation, and it may very well be the case that ‘a one size fits all’ approach will not work. This means that some schools may not be able to offer the same level of provision, which will depend upon on building space and staffing capacity. The main consideration is to keep everyone - children and school staff - as safe as possible.
“Parents will be updated over the coming weeks on the specific arrangements and the measures that are being put in place to allow us to do this.
“I would like to reassure you that we are doing all we can, and we will keep you informed every step of the way, but please bear with us as it may take some time to put all these arrangements in place.
“In the meantime, our schools are continuing to work hard to support children with their learning at home; and if you need any additional support at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your school.
“Thank you for your continued support and co-operation, we will be providing you with an update as soon as we can.”
Press release from the local authority:
Council statement on schools
The safety of children, families and school staff in the county remain the main priority for Powys County Council following the announcement by the Wales’ Education Minister.
Kirsty Williams announced on Wednesday, June 3 that schools in Wales will start the next phase on June 29 so that all children will have the opportunity to ‘Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September’.
Reacting to the announcement, Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “From the beginning of this pandemic, we have made it clear that our main priority has always been the safety of children, their families and school staff and this still remains the case
“Some of our schools and early years providers have remained open to provide childcare for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children throughout the lockdown, including at weekends and bank holidays. We want to say thank you again to all the staff who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
“We understand the pressure families are under, and the importance of ensuring that children are able to return to school when it is safe to do so. We also appreciate parents’ genuine concerns about sending their children back to school.
“Here in Powys, we have been working hard to put plans in place for increasing the operation of our schools to enable more children to attend when the time is right to do so. We have been working closely with headteachers, governors and school staff, and discussions are continuing with Welsh Government and the teaching unions.
“Risk assessments are being carried out at all of our schools across the county. Each school is being individually assessed on its own situation, and it may very well be the case that ‘a one size fits all’ approach will not work. This means that some schools may not be able to offer the same level of provision, which will depend upon on building space and staffing capacity. The main consideration is to keep everyone - children and school staff - as safe as possible.
“Parents will be updated over the coming weeks on the specific arrangements and the measures that are being put in place to allow us to do this.
“I would like to reassure you that we are doing all we can, and we will keep you informed every step of the way, but please bear with us as it may take some time to put all these arrangements in place.
“In the meantime, our schools are continuing to work hard to support children with their learning at home; and if you need any additional support at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your school.
“Thank you for your continued support and co-operation, we will be providing you with an update as soon as we can.”
1st May 2020 Please click to view a letter from the Local Authority
letter_to_parents_01.05.20.pdf | |
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27th April 2020 - free school meal update
Dear Parents/carers
As an update to providing free school meal allowance, we have been processing many supermarket vouchers which are being sent to you by email. These vouchers will be sent on a fortnightly basis, the next vouchers will be emailed to you on the 4th May 2020. Click on the link to find a useful guide on how to use the vouchers: https://sodexo-engage.com/p/48OT-A0V/free-school-meals
For those who have opted to have a bank payment and have completed the online form on the Powys County Council website these payments are being processed and will be paid into you bank account. There is currently a back log of applications waiting to be processed, this is due to eligibility checks having to be done, please bear with us.
Parents/carers will only receive either a supermarket voucher or a bank payment not both.
If you have any questions or have not been contacted about Free School Meals, please contact our team on 01597 826660 or email [email protected]
Diolch yn fawr / Many thanks
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning
Dear Parents/carers
As an update to providing free school meal allowance, we have been processing many supermarket vouchers which are being sent to you by email. These vouchers will be sent on a fortnightly basis, the next vouchers will be emailed to you on the 4th May 2020. Click on the link to find a useful guide on how to use the vouchers: https://sodexo-engage.com/p/48OT-A0V/free-school-meals
For those who have opted to have a bank payment and have completed the online form on the Powys County Council website these payments are being processed and will be paid into you bank account. There is currently a back log of applications waiting to be processed, this is due to eligibility checks having to be done, please bear with us.
Parents/carers will only receive either a supermarket voucher or a bank payment not both.
If you have any questions or have not been contacted about Free School Meals, please contact our team on 01597 826660 or email [email protected]
Diolch yn fawr / Many thanks
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning
16th April 2020 - update regarding free school meals
Prynhawn da / Good afternoon,
We are aware that schools and parent / carers have started to receive free school meals supermarket vouchers via email.
The email will arrive with a colourful Free School Meals heading (see below) and a link to Voucher Shop Exchange. This is genuine and ok to use.
Regards,
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning /Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Powys County Council / Cyngor Sir Powys
Gwalia
Llandrindod wells, Powys, LD1 6AA
Prynhawn da / Good afternoon,
We are aware that schools and parent / carers have started to receive free school meals supermarket vouchers via email.
The email will arrive with a colourful Free School Meals heading (see below) and a link to Voucher Shop Exchange. This is genuine and ok to use.
Regards,
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning /Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Powys County Council / Cyngor Sir Powys
Gwalia
Llandrindod wells, Powys, LD1 6AA
3rd April 2020 -
UPDATE REGARDING FREE SCHOOL MEAL ALLOWANCE
Dear Head Teachers,
Our teams are currently in the process of contacting all parents and carers of entitled free school meal pupils. This is to check that we have their contact details correct prior to issuing any vouchers or payments.
We have a Tesco voucher scheme set up, which we know will not suit everyone, however we are also in the process of also setting up a Pay Point “cash out” scheme, where parents will receive a voucher via SMS or email which they will be able to cash at a local pay point store (for cash).
If neither of these options are suitable, then parents will be able to contact the Income & Awards Team on 01597 826345 and request a payment to their bank accounts. Parents will receive £15.00 per week per child, this will include this week (30th March – 3rd April) and also over the Easter break period. Then ongoing fortnightly. Voucher queries can be made on 01597 826660, although all parents will be contacted by our team.
The Pay Point voucher scheme is taking a little longer to set up and should be available within 1-2 weeks, but we are pushing to get this set up as quickly as possible. Our teams are working hard to get this arranged ASAP.
Kind Regards
Jason
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning /Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Powys County Council / Cyngor Sir Powys
UPDATE REGARDING FREE SCHOOL MEAL ALLOWANCE
Dear Head Teachers,
Our teams are currently in the process of contacting all parents and carers of entitled free school meal pupils. This is to check that we have their contact details correct prior to issuing any vouchers or payments.
We have a Tesco voucher scheme set up, which we know will not suit everyone, however we are also in the process of also setting up a Pay Point “cash out” scheme, where parents will receive a voucher via SMS or email which they will be able to cash at a local pay point store (for cash).
If neither of these options are suitable, then parents will be able to contact the Income & Awards Team on 01597 826345 and request a payment to their bank accounts. Parents will receive £15.00 per week per child, this will include this week (30th March – 3rd April) and also over the Easter break period. Then ongoing fortnightly. Voucher queries can be made on 01597 826660, although all parents will be contacted by our team.
The Pay Point voucher scheme is taking a little longer to set up and should be available within 1-2 weeks, but we are pushing to get this set up as quickly as possible. Our teams are working hard to get this arranged ASAP.
Kind Regards
Jason
Jason Rawbone MCGI
Professional Lead Catering & Cleaning /Arweinydd Proffesiynol Arlwyo a Glanhau
Powys County Council / Cyngor Sir Powys
This is a list of contact numbers for different services to provide support for health and wellbeing
Please click to view a letter about the authority's plans for providing free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak.
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26.3.20 Some advice guides for parents and carers to help manage extended time at home....
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Click below to access a letter from school, and a letter from the LA dated Fri 20th March 2020
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Click to access the Activity Pack ideas and information
activity_pack_ideas.pdf | |
File Size: | 434 kb |
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Updated 18.3.20 4.15pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today, Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Education, has announced that all schools in Wales will be closed by Friday 20th March, bringing forward the Easter Holiday.
To read the full statement click here:
https://gov.wales/statement-minster-education-kirsty-williams-school-closures-wales
As it stands, the last day for pupils will be Friday 20th March.
Over the last week each school has been working hard to prepare opportunities for children to learn at home through various e-learning programmes and work/resource packs, in readiness for this situation. These work/resource packs will be available on Friday.
Although the way in which schools work will change, we will remain in continuous contact with all our families through this challenging period, to ensure that every child continues to be supported as best we can.
We hope that everyone keeps safe and that everything will return to normality as quickly as possible.
Warm regards,
Mrs Rachael Owen
Headteacher
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today, Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Education, has announced that all schools in Wales will be closed by Friday 20th March, bringing forward the Easter Holiday.
To read the full statement click here:
https://gov.wales/statement-minster-education-kirsty-williams-school-closures-wales
As it stands, the last day for pupils will be Friday 20th March.
Over the last week each school has been working hard to prepare opportunities for children to learn at home through various e-learning programmes and work/resource packs, in readiness for this situation. These work/resource packs will be available on Friday.
Although the way in which schools work will change, we will remain in continuous contact with all our families through this challenging period, to ensure that every child continues to be supported as best we can.
We hope that everyone keeps safe and that everything will return to normality as quickly as possible.
Warm regards,
Mrs Rachael Owen
Headteacher
Updated 13.3.20 6.45pm
To ensure we keep everyone in our care as safe as possible, parents/carers are asked NOT to enter school. Please drop children at the door where they normally exit school, and they will be met by a member of staff. Pupils will wash their hands on arrival and throughout the day.
Please check your child's temperature before leaving home - if your child is displaying any symptoms, DO NOT send them to school. Symptoms are a new persistent cough and/or a temperature of 37.8 degrees or above. Keep them at home for 14 days. If any household member displays symptoms, all members of the household should be self isolating for 14 days. This means all adults and brothers/sisters living within the home. Please refer to guidance on how to self isolate which is available on the public health Wales website - click the button at the bottom of the page to access this.
Please wash hands thoroughly before leaving home, and when returning to home at the end of the day. Ask your child to teach you the handwashing songs that they have created in school, to help them wash their hands properly and for 20 seconds!
If you need to speak to a member of staff, consider contact by phone or email in the first instance. If this is not possible, please use the main reception door and make your enquiry at the hatch.
Only visitors who are providing important services are being permitted to the building. Those who need to enter the school site will be asked to wash their hands prior to entering the building, and contact with pupils will be kept to a minimum.
School is keeping up to date with all guidance being issued. This is being updated regularly, and we will keep you informed.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
This is the link to the latest Welsh Government advice for educational establishments:
To ensure we keep everyone in our care as safe as possible, parents/carers are asked NOT to enter school. Please drop children at the door where they normally exit school, and they will be met by a member of staff. Pupils will wash their hands on arrival and throughout the day.
Please check your child's temperature before leaving home - if your child is displaying any symptoms, DO NOT send them to school. Symptoms are a new persistent cough and/or a temperature of 37.8 degrees or above. Keep them at home for 14 days. If any household member displays symptoms, all members of the household should be self isolating for 14 days. This means all adults and brothers/sisters living within the home. Please refer to guidance on how to self isolate which is available on the public health Wales website - click the button at the bottom of the page to access this.
Please wash hands thoroughly before leaving home, and when returning to home at the end of the day. Ask your child to teach you the handwashing songs that they have created in school, to help them wash their hands properly and for 20 seconds!
If you need to speak to a member of staff, consider contact by phone or email in the first instance. If this is not possible, please use the main reception door and make your enquiry at the hatch.
Only visitors who are providing important services are being permitted to the building. Those who need to enter the school site will be asked to wash their hands prior to entering the building, and contact with pupils will be kept to a minimum.
School is keeping up to date with all guidance being issued. This is being updated regularly, and we will keep you informed.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
This is the link to the latest Welsh Government advice for educational establishments: