Latest News

Latest News Friday 22nd May

Good Evening Everyone,

I hope you and your family are well. This has been a busy week in school and we have started preparations to open the school for selected year groups from Monday 1^st of June.

The government have suggested that we initially concentrate on nursery, reception, year 1 and 6 children. This has involved a substantial amount of work including producing extensive risk assessments, re-organising the school day, implementing staffing rotas and ensuring we do as much as possible to reduce any risks posed by Covid-19.

I met with governors today who have approved our risk assessments and actions to open school for selected groups. As from Monday 1^st of June, school will be open to reception, year 1 and 6 children. Unfortunately, we cannot open our nursery at this stage. We will still provide childcare for critical key workers.

We have spoken directly to all parents from the cohorts outlined above and we now have a list of children who will attend school after the half term. Classes will consist of no more than 8 children. Letters have been sent out to all parents who informed school that they wanted their child to start back to school.

Next week, school will be open for childcare for critical key workers although we will be closed for ALL children on Thursday 28^th and Friday 29^th May. This will allow staff to prepare classes and deep clean the school ready for June 1^st.  Please also note that childcare will finish at 12.00 noon each Friday from the week beginning 1^st June.

Today would mark the end of half term. As a result, home-learning activities will cease next week and resume the week after. This will give children a well-deserved break and allow staff to plan for the coming weeks. I hope your child has enjoyed taking part in all the activities set. I also hope you managed to see Mr Roberts live on our school Facebook page today. His keep fit session looked amazing and I know children, parents and staff were exhausted. It has been uploaded on our Facebook page so if you did miss it please take a look and leave a comment. Thank you, Mr Roberts.

All staff have been amazing, they have all taken turns to care for children of critical key workers. They have set daily activities to support children to exercise their minds and bodies. They have simply been fab and as head of the school I thank them for all their hard work, dedication and selflessness.

These have been very trying times for everyone over the last couple of months. People have sadly lost family and friends, we have not been able to venture out and do the things we normally do including visiting our loved ones. Many people are rightly anxious and worried! The children have not been able to meet their friends and they have been away from school for such a long time. I am acutely aware that this has, and continues to, affect us all.

Whatever is in the press and media I feel I need to say that the staff at Cobbs Brow are desperate to get back to school. School feels empty and a shell of what it usually is. It is so disheartening knowing that we face another day, week or month of not seeing the children of Cobbs Brow. No member of staff joined the profession to become rich. We joined because we love the job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Like all employment, it is tough going at times but when you spend time with our amazing children there is always something that is said or done that makes you smile even on days you think they will be hard to come by. And we are all missing it, we are missing the children.

I am not sure what the next few weeks will bring. I don’t know any dates to extend the opening of school to other groups and I do not know if we will be open fully before the end of summer. This saddens me greatly. I, like many staff, have watched our children start their first day at school with some of our year 6 having been with us since nursery. The thought of the end of summer arriving without the chance to say ‘hi’ or ‘goodbye’ to all our children and Cobbs Brow family genuinely upsets us all.

Please let your child/children know that we are all thinking about them and missing them. I have been at Cobbs Brow for 28 years and I love the place. We have an amazing school, with the best children and staff and a fantastic community of parents and friends and I hope and pray these worrying times end soon.

Please take care everyone.

Regards

Mr I Eaton.

Latest News Friday 15th May

Dear Parents/Carers,

Re: possible reopening of school to more pupils in June

We are writing to you about the recent government announcement about the reopening of schools on 1st June to nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils only if the government thinks it is safe to do so.

We are aware that the last 8 weeks have been very difficult for many families.  Along with the loss of routine, families have had to get used to home schooling, with many working from home at the same time, whilst others have been furloughed or have lost their only form of income.  Many of us have experienced the loss of direct contact with friends and relatives and sadly some of our community have lost loved ones to this virus.  This has had a huge impact on us all and brings with it uncertainty about the future.

Many people hoped that the Prime Minister’s speech on the 10^th May would provide some clarity and certainty, but it appears to have created more questions and concerns.  This is the reason we are writing to you.  We may not be able to answer all of your questions at the moment because we are all in a place we have never been in before.

As a school we emphasize that we are determined to do the right thing for our children, families and school community within local authority and government guidance.  This may not fit in with the expectations or timescales of government proposals.  We want our children to return to school but only after we have implemented as many safety precautions as possible.  However, we must stress that even though we will do everything to protect our children, parents and staff, attending school still poses a risk. Our aim is to reduce this risk as much as possible but we cannot eliminate it.

We will be contacting parents of Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on Monday to establish potential numbers of children attending school as we move forward.  If your child is in any of the above groups please expect a call from school on Monday.  We must stress however, that parents must not rely on the suggested government date to return as we may not be able to meet this as a school.  We aim to keep you updated throughout this process and do things in the right way, at the right time.

As a school we are in constant contact with other headteachers, local authority and government advisors to address issues to plan for a safe return within an achievable time frame.  We understand many people will have their own views and opinions about this matter and that we cannot satisfy everyone.  Again we endeavor to work together to meet the needs of as many children as possible.

I want to reassure you that we are not going to be pressuring anyone to send their children to school.  Government guidance states that parents will not be fined if they decide not to send their child into school.  We will keep you updated with all our preparations for making sure the school is as safe as possible, so you can make an informed decision.

The senior leadership team are currently creating a detailed action plan to outline the procedure and process for school to reopen to some groups.  Precautions we will be taking include:

• Limiting class sizes
• Reducing contact with other groups
• Staggering break times, and pick-up and drop-off times
• Increased cleaning
• Personal protection equipment in areas where required
• Keeping pupils and staff with coronavirus symptoms at home
• No breakfast or afterschool club provision will be offered

If your child is clinically extremely vulnerable, or living with someone who is in this group, they should not come back to school and should continue home learning. If your child is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), you should follow medical advice to decide if they should come back to school. Please refer to the latest government guidance for more information.

In the meantime, the school is still open only for vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers. This service must be used as a last resort only therefore we ask that if alternative childcare is available do not bring your children in to school to limit exposure.  Although the national data around Covid-19 is showing signs of improvement there is still a very high risk to our school community.  As a school we are still adhering to government guidance to keep us safe as possible but by attending school, children, parents and staff are at risk.

We know some employers will be encouraging you to return to work, but we are not in a position right now to extend places to other age groups until plans have been put in place and we receive further government information around whether or not the five key tests set have been met.

We would like to thank you for your continuous support in helping your child learn from home. We will keep you updated once we know more about when schools will be able to reopen for other year groups.

If your child remains at home beyond 1st June, we will continue to support you and them with home learning, and meal support for those eligible.

In the meantime, adhere to government advice and stay safe.

Regards,

Mr I Eaton.

Latest News Monday 11th May

Dear Parents/Carers,

I, like many of you, watched the Prime Minister’s announcement last night and heard everything he said about potentially beginning a phased opening of schools from June 1^st.

I am sure you will have many questions and about Cobbs Brow opening. However, school does not have any further information at this stage. Over the next few days school will receive information and guidance from the Local Authority and the Department for Education. As soon as I have this information, I will contact you again.

At this stage, the situation in school remains unchanged and we remain closed for most children with the exception of those parents who fall under the criteria as critical key workers. Childcare for these children should be seen as a ‘last resort’ only where no other childcare arrangements can be made out of school. To adhere to social distancing, numbers in school must remain limited until we are told to do otherwise.

I apologise that at this current time I have no further information for you. However, whatever the decision is moving forward, we will do everything we can to keep our children, parents and staff as safe as possible.

Stay safe everyone.

Kind Regards

Mr I Eaton.

Latest News Friday 8th May

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you are all safe and well. I am aware our children are missing school and we are all desperate to get back and see our friends and school staff. We are following the news carefully and we are expecting the Prime Minister to make a statement on Sunday regarding the governments next steps on lock-down. I must stress however that we have not received any information regarding dates for schools to re-open. I know there are lots of views circulating in the press about schools opening but this is just speculation. As a result, school is adhering to and following government advice and I will inform you as soon as we know of any changes.

Staff are still setting daily activities for the children to access. We would like children to engage with the tasks as they help stimulate minds and can be a great distraction to the ongoing crisis. After speaking to parents, some have stated that they feel that they are ‘doing it wrong’, ‘or not doing enough’, or that others are doing it better or differently with a greater or lesser degree of success. Please do not worry. We are all doing our best! These are very trying times and both parents and children will feel anxious. Our priority is to protect our children, family and ourselves. School is following Department for Education guidance which states “Helping parents, carers and pupils to make a weekly plan or structure that includes time for education, playing and relaxing is important to reduce stress and anxiety for families.” We feel, as a school, we are supporting this well.

I know parents are also worried about children ‘falling behind.’ Please do not stress over this. Cobbs Brow have amazing staff and we will ensure that our children are back on track once school returns.

As today is a bank holiday, there will not be any home-learning tasks set. Personally, I am forgetting what day we are on and with a bank holiday Monday taking place on a Friday it has really thrown me. I am hoping most feel the same although I have been informed that it is an ‘age thing’ with me!

Please let your children know that we are all missing them at Cobbs Brow and we can’t wait for school to start again so that we can share lots of smiles and fun.

In the meantime, enjoy spending time with your children, enjoy the good weather, share smiles, engage with home learning as best you can and most importantly keep your family safe.

Kind Regards

Mr I Eaton

Latest News Tuesday 28th April

Good Morning Everyone,

First and foremost, I hope you are all safe and well. The national data around Covid 19 shows signs of improving but we are still adhering to all government guidance around school to help us all to stay safe. At the moment we have not been informed of a start date back to school. As soon as this information becomes available, I will let you know. Don’t forget to keep checking our school app and Facebook page for further updates.

I hope the children are enjoying the variety of activities the teachers are providing online. We do not expect the children to complete every activity, but we do encourage them to have a go. The activities can be found on each class Seesaw app and also by going to our school website at www.cobbsbrowschool.co.uk and then navigating to your child’s class page.

School feels very strange without having all the children in. The staff and I are missing having a full school and we are looking forward to sharing lots of smiles and fun when Cobbs Brow re-opens.

Stay safe everyone and we hope to see you all soon.

Regards

Mr I Eaton

Latest News Monday 20th April

HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you are all safe and well.

Latest News Wednesday 15th April

Good Afternoon All,

I hope you are all safe and well and were able to make the most out of the Easter weekend even though social distancing has kept many families apart.

There have been many rumours regarding the ending of the lockdown and schools getting back to normal. The current guidance from the Department of Education (DFE) states that schools will not open until scientific data suggests it is safe to do so. As soon as this information is made available, I will inform you all.

Monday 20^th April marks the proposed start of the summer term. Teaching staff will start providing home learning activities for children from this date. The activities will be uploaded the Seesaw app and each class teachers page on our school website.

We are all hoping things settle down as soon as possible and we get back to normal.

Take good care.

Mr I Eaton.

 

 

 

 

Latest News Thursday 2nd April

A new update is available for parents. Please see ‘whole school newsletter’ section of this website.

Regards

Mr I Eaton.

Thursday 2nd April 4.50pm

IMPORTANT – SEESAW APP

Dear Parents,

School has been using an app called Seesaw for some time. This app is used by staff to send out home learning activities and newsletters. Home learning is put on each class page on our school website.

Latest News Thursday 2nd April

As you are aware, the scheduled parents evening due to take place today Thursday 2^nd April has unfortunately been cancelled. However, we know how important it is for parents to receive termly reports on the progress of their child. As a result, teachers have written mid-year reports to replace our usual parents evening. The reports include comments regarding reading, writing, maths and a general comment.

Individual reports will be sent out to each parent via our Seesaw app on Friday 3^rd April around 3.00pm. If you cannot see your child’s report, please email the school using the emails below:

Nursery and Reception enquiries: nurseryreception@cobbsbrow.lancs.sch.uk

Infant – KS1 enquiries: ks1@cobbsbrow.lancs.sch.uk

Juniors – KS2 enquiries: ks2@cobbsbrow.lancs.sch.uk

We will get back to you as soon as we can.

We would very much prefer to meet parents face to face to discuss your child’s progress. However, due to the current crisis we thought this would be the next best thing. We hope you enjoy reading about your child’s achievements.

Kind Regards

Mr I Eaton.

 

Latest News Friday 27th March 8.00pm

Good Evening All,
I hope you are all safe and well at the end of very difficult week. I want to thank the children of Cobbs Brow for all their efforts with the activities class teachers have sent out each day. We have had lots of wonderful feedback from children and parents about how enjoyable they have found the daily activities on class newsletters.
I also want to thank all parents for their support throughout the week.
I must also extend a huge thank you to ALL staff in school including all cleaners, office staff, teaching assistants, kitchen staff and teachers. Everyone has worked as a team to ensure we offer outstanding childcare for critical care workers, food for free school meal children, home learning activities, deep cleaning the school and all the administration required by LCC and the government.
Please adhere to all government health and safety advice. Stay safe everyone.
Regards
Mr I Eaton

Latest News Monday 23rd March 2020 – 7.00pm

Dear Parents,

As you have requested for childcare in school as a critical key worker, I would like to remind you of the following:

• From tomorrow, Tuesday 24^th, children should enter school through the side gate opposite Little Acorns and into school via the hall doors.
• Children must be collected by an adult at the end of the session at 3.30pm or earlier if required. Pick up will be from the hall doors.
• If you are not picking up your own child from school, please inform a member of staff and give in the name of the adult who will be. This adult may be asked to show ID.
• All parents must complete and hand in a key worker registration form if you haven’t already done so (this was sent out or you can have a paper copy when you arrive).
• Key workers are asked to provide ID to show their employment (payslip, employer letter etc)
• We plan to provide a lunch for the children. However, as our delivery of food has still yet to arrive please give your child a packed lunch for the time being.
• IMPORTANT: PLEASE REMEMBER THE CHILDCARE WE OFFER IS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT FIND ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR SOMEONE TO LOOK AFTER YOUR CHILD. HAVING NUMBERS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS TOGETHER DOES INCREASE THE RISK OF SPREADING VIRUSES AND THIS CHILDCARE SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A LAST RESORT.

Kind Regards

Mr I Eaton

Latest News Sunday 22nd March 2020 – 5.30pm

Dear Parents,

I have attached a letter on this website about home learning, free school meals and how to contact school. It can be found on the Whole School Newsletter link.

Latest News: Sunday 22nd March 2020 – 9.00am

Dear Parents,

I have attached a letter on this website about childcare for critical key workers. It can be found on the Whole School Newsletter link.

Regards

Mr I Eaton

Latest News: Thursday 19th March 2020 – 12.38

Dear Parents,

Following on from my last update, I’m now writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children after this Friday until further notice.

As advised by the government, we will do all we can to stay open for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and children with certain needs. If we do remain open we will not providing a formal curriculum it will be a childcare service only.  Children attending will not be at any more of advantage to those children who remain at home.

Key Workers

We are waiting for the government to publish more information on what this means, but it would help us in the meantime if you could let us know if you think you fall into one of these categories.  At the moment, key workers are listed as: emergency service workers, including health staff, all first responders, essential delivery drivers, social workers, those who work in schools and childcare settings and are required to be in their schools.  IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE A KEY WORKER AND REQUIRE CHILDCARE, PLEASE CONTACT SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY. We’ll be in touch again as soon as we are sure who this does apply to.

Until you receive further information all other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday onwards.

Please note that this is a national closure – as you may have heard in the news – so while it is a challenging situation, we are not alone. We’ll re-open fully as soon as we can and will let you know when this is by School App, School Website and Facebook.

What we’ll continue doing whilst your child is at home

Your child’s learning is of course important to us, so we’ll be providing home learning tasks.  This work can be accessed through Seesaw App and the your child’s class page on our school website at: www.cobbsbrowschool.co.uk.

Home learning activities:

• The tasks set may include reading, writing, maths, PE and topic work.
• We have sent home an exercise book and pencil for the children. They can use this to complete some of the written tasks.
• We would recommend that all children take part in the activities they have been set.
• Due to social distancing, this an ideal time for parents to work alongside their children.

Free School Meals

If your child usually receives free school meals, we will be in touch with more information about how we will continue to provide this, with support from a scheme that the government has just announced.

What we won’t be able to go ahead with

• All statutory tests and assessments
• School trips
• Breakfast or after-school clubs
• Events

This is as much as we know right now and we appreciate your continued patience with us as we deal with this ever-changing situation. We understand that this latest news will have an impact on you and your family and it’s far from ideal, but we’ll continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops.

If you want to get in touch to share any concerns, please don’t hesitate to do so via email:

bursar@cobbsbrow.lancs.sch.uk

head@cobbsbrow.lancs.sch.uk

or telephone on 01695 720632.

And remember: if you or your child feels ill and you want to know what to do next, please use NHS 111 online.

Thank you again for your continued support, and we will be in touch with more information when we can.

Regards

Mr I Eaton

Latest News: Wednesday 18th March 2020 – 19:15

Latest Update – Dear Parents, The government have now instructed schools to close on Friday. School leaders will meet Thursday morning to discuss our next steps before we close. I know many of you will have questions and we will endeavour to answer them as soon as we can. However, please keep checking this site, our Facebook page and school app for further information throughout the next 2 days.

Kind Regards Mr I Eaton

Latest News: Wednesday 18th March 2020

Dear Parents,

The latest news suggests that schools in Wales and Scotland may close this week. As a precaution, we are sending home exercise books and pencils so that children can work at home in the event we close. The work will be sent home daily via the See-Saw app (please make sure you can access this). We will also put this information on class pages on our school website at www.cobbsbrowschool.co.uk. I will keep you informed of any changes.

Regards Mr I Eaton

Latest News:  Monday 16th March 2020

PLEASE SEE THE LATEST UPDATE LETTER FROM SCHOOL ABOUT THE CORONA VIRUS ON OUR ‘WHOLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER’ PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE, OUR SCHOOL APP AND SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE. 

Stars of the week.

Week beginning: Monday 9th March 2020

• Infant 1: Junior Jones and Sophia Kelly
• Infant 2: Bella Langley and Tyler Jane Murrell
• Infant 3: Ruby Tang and Ella Dobson
• Infant 4: Kai Cassidy and Caleb Pinnington
• Infant 5: Alahna Grey and Iyla Smith
• Mrs Quirk’s Group: Mollie Woods and Mila Sykes
• Junior 1: Frankie Lathom and Sophia Robin
• Junior 2: Thomas Hague and Jake Wills
• Junior 3: Lucy Johnson and Lucy Gilbody
• Junior 4: Connor Bentham and Luke Williams
• Junior 5: Reggie Pritchard and Ava May Rowlands
• Miss Taylor’s Group: Annabelle Bedford and Macy McAllister
• Year 4 : Leonie Turner and McKenzie Leigh Gregson

Well done everyone, we are all very proud of you.