Keep up to date with the latest news headlines at Downderry...

• Be aware of scam emails

  Wed 25 Mar 2020
  We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.

   

  We can confirm that this is a scam email and is not official. We urge parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.

   

  We will NEVER ask for your bank details in an email. NEVER share you bank detail with anyone using email.

  
   

• Home-Learning

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  As a staff, we have been tirelessly collating activities, ideas and useful links for you to access whilst we enter this period of indefinite school closure. These are inclusive of English, Maths, Science and Foundation subject tasks. You will also find that while we wish for the children to continue their educational learning, we of course would like them to take this time to be calm and celebrate the time they can safely spend with their families and loved ones amongst this uncertainty, and therefore have included alternative activity ideas and links to virtual websites for museums etc.

   

  You will find these tasks on your child’s Class Page on our website as of this afternoon. This is also accompanied by the whole school generic ‘Parent’s Links and Ideas’ document, which gives you a variety of activities you can do with your child that perhaps are not specific to an educational subject area.

   

  Early Years       Year 1      Year 2       Year 3       Year 4       Year 5       Year 6

   

  We have also put together a list of websites and educational links that we use as a teaching staff to plan and facilitate lessons and the children’s learning on a daily basis, including PhonicsPlay and Twinkl. This is inclusive of log-in details or access arrangements. Please note that your child has personal log in details for websites such as Bug Club and TT Rockstars which you and they have been issued with already by your class teacher for homework.

   

  We understand that facilitating home-learning may be daunting for some. Please do not be concerned if you or your child are finding this process difficult at times. Upon return to school, we will be able to fill in any gaps in the children’s learning as we always do. Please do contact the school for guidance and advice if needed. Regarding timings, there is no strict guidance on how much time children should be learning for at home, but from research and experience, we know short, sharp bursts of activity are more beneficial for the children than hours of continual learning which may lead to stress and anxiety for you both.

• School Closed until further notice

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  Government statement

   

  School will be closed from Friday 20th March, and will remain closed until further notice except for children of key workers and vulnerable children, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.

   

  Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus. Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require.

   

  Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care. The school will remain contactable from 8am-3:30pm Monday to Friday.

   

  Government Guidance -

  Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers

   

  A letter has been sent home today to all parents and can be found here.

• Coronavirus update for parents

  Thu 19 Mar 2020

  Yesterday (18/3/20) the government ordered schools in the UK to close on Friday afternoon until further notice.

   

  I realise this is distressing news for the entire school community and will leave many anxious, but I want to reassure everyone that we have spent a great deal of time preparing for this announcement. I feel very confident we have everything in place to ensure that we continue to support you and your children in the coming weeks and months.

   

  Over today and tomorrow we will plan for how we can offer a service to look after the children of key workers, such as NHS staff, police and delivery drivers and other children that the government wants us to keep in school.

  Downderry will be kept open with a skeleton staff to provide support for these children including a restricted menu thanks to Chartwells, our catering contractor. At this point we cannot give you any more details, but we will let you know what our plans are as soon as possible in the hope that we can support as many of our families as possible.

   

  Key Worker details required

  If you are an NHS, emergency services, delivery driver or utility staff worker, please notify the school office as soon as possible or via admin@downderry.lewisham.sch.uk This list is subject to change subject to government advice.

   

  Thank you for your support

  I am sure that you will join me in thanking all our fantastic staff for working so hard at this difficult time. Some cannot be in school at the moment but are working hard at home. I want to thank you all for working with us and your continued support for the school at this time. Updates will be sent via the school website.

• Coronavirus update

  Sat 14 Mar 2020

  In collaboration with Public Health England and the NHS, we are receiving regular updates with regard to COVID-19. At present the advice remains clear: no school should close in response to a suspected COVID-19 case, unless directed to do so by Public Health England.

   

  We have now entered the ‘delay’ stage in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As we work together to tackle the outbreak people with either a fever or continuous cough should self-isolate for 7 days.

   

  In the event of school closure this will be announced on the school website.

• Spring Concert Postponed

  Fri 13 Mar 2020

  We will be postponing the Spring Concert that was due to be held on Thursday 19th March until after Easter in the hope that it can be enjoyed by all. We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

• Sport Relief

  Fri 13 Mar 2020

  This week, we have been taking part in Sport Relief to get active and raise money for the charity. Children have been taking part in sporting challenges throughout the week and on Friday were invited to come to school dressed in “something sporty” and make a donation. Well done to everyone who took part!