Blog Post
Wynstream News & Events
Update from Executive Headteacher
May 12, 2020
Dear Parents, Carers and Staff,
I am sure you will have heard the Prime Minister’s address on Sunday 10th May in which he stated that:
“At the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays.”
All schools across the country, heard this news for the first time on Sunday and we have now received more detailed guidance from the government. We are currently working our way through this and planning how we can be ready to open the school to the year groups identified, in a safe way.
We will continue to offer day care places for vulnerable children and those of key workers, but we understand that many other parents will want to know more about when their children will return to school, reviewing this as the guidance changes. In preparation for this measured reopening, governors have decided that the federation schools will be closed to all children for the scheduled half term week, 25th May - 28th May, reopening to the specified year groups, as well as for vulnerable children and those of key workers on the 1st June.
Government advice today clarifies that nursery age children will also be included in this reopening, noting:
“ We know that, unlike older children and adults, early years and primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff."
and
"It is still important to reduce contact between people as much as possible, and we can achieve that and reduce transmission risk by ensuring children, young people and staff where possible, only mix in a small, consistent group and that small group stays away from other people and groups."
These challenges are being carefully considered as we plan our gradual reopening schedule. We aim to be able to offer some time in school to the specified year groups each week, to continue online learning activities while maintaining the support to our vulnerable children and those of key workers also. We are also planning to enable the roll out of these openings to all year groups eventually, in line with the governments aspirations. Staff will be contacted regarding their return to work later in the week and once we have confirmed arrangements we will let you know our full plans early next week.
In the meantime, it would be appreciated if parents could avoid contacting school directly.
I would like to thank you for all your support, understanding, patience and efforts in supporting us so far.
Yours sincerely,
Martyn Boxall
Executive Headteacher
Wynstream Primary School has hosted a Gabrieli Roar workshop this month for three other schools, ahead of their performance at Exeter Cathedral on the 9th of December. Gabrieli is a choir and period instrument orchestra founded and led by Artistic Director Paul McCreesh. They perform and record choral, vocal and instrumental repertoire from the renaissance to the present day and have cultivated an international reputation for excellence, innovation and ambition. They offer first-class performance opportunities to young people through their education programme, Gabrieli Roar. Pupils from Montpelier Primary School, Ide Primary School and Ermington Primary School came along to join Wynstream’s choir of 45 pupils to prepare for the concert. This initiative is supported by the Devon Music Service whose representative at the rehearsal thanked Wynstream Primary School for hosting and said that their cooperation, organisation and choral preparation of the young people was “exemplary.” The children will be performing at ‘A Grand Georgian Christmas’, the show will be a festive exploration of English music for parish churches during the Georgian period. It has been designed to offer the perfect platform to encourage young singers to connect with choral and classical music. Tickets can be purchased here. Elise Redman, Headteacher at Wynstream Primary School said: "We are so proud of our choir and the dedication they are showing. We know that musical education is really important for children and supports their development in many ways. Rehearsing, working together and performing in front of an audience are all things that help build their confidence and that will help them flourish in every area of life." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: “I am so pleased to hear that Wynstream Primary School played host to its neighbours for this exciting workshop. At Education South West we strongly believe in both the power of collaboration and the importance of promoting the arts and this initiative achieves both of those things. I wish the choir all the best with their performance next month.”
Steve Race MP visits Wynstream Primary School
Wynstream Primary School is holding a summer fayre on Thursday the 11th of July.
As you are aware there is currently an amber weather warning in place as storm Ciaran moves towards Devon. An amber warning presents a risk to life, but there is also a large amount of uncertainty about this weather front which means it could increase to a red warning overnight. The combination of wind, rain, and the storm moving over warm sea waters increases risk of very high wind speeds, flooding and trees falling. An emergency strategy meeting has taken place today and it was agreed that we need to ensure school leaders fully appreciate that the current weather warning presents a risk to life and could worsen. Based on the information we have, Devon County Council have taken the decision today to ask all staff where possible to work from home. We are asking all schools to consider the high level of risk presented by this storm and make a decision today about their operations tomorrow. This potential risk to life means that we have taken the regrettable decision to close schools tomorrow. We do not do this lightly. The school will be shut to all pupils and staff. Information on work provided will be sent out later this afternoon Schools will be open as normal on Friday 3rd November. Thank you for your understanding.
On Wednesday 19th April our children began to think about ‘rights’ and what being a ‘Rights Respecting School’ means. We will be looking for parents, carers, staff, governors, and children to help us on this journey. Please speak to Ms Redman or Miss Humphreys if you are interested in helping. Please look at the following for more information: What is a Rights Respecting School? - UNICEF UK
A message from our Chair of Governors. Hello. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all back to the school after the Easter holidays. As you are aware Wynstream is now part of Education South West Academy Trust. The school has already been working with the Trust for the past year. Together we are continuing to deliver support, exciting opportunities and high quality of teaching and learning across the school and the community. I hope you will all join me in embracing this new journey of Wynstream's future. Your sincerely Michaela Young Chair
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Do you know anybody who would make a great Community (Co-opted) Governor for our school? There is a vacancy on Wynstream's Local Governing Body and we are inviting nominations. Governors are welcomed as valued members of the governor team and play an important role. Life as a governor is interesting and varied. Meetings are at least once every half term. Training and support will be available. Please do let friends and family know, and ask anybody who is interested to pop into school for more information, or call 01392 284990. More information as well as the nomination form can be found by clicking here. Thankyou.
