Westcountry Schools Trust
Westcountry Schools Trust
Latest News
Coronavirus Information - Main Reception is not currently manned. For any non-emergency queries please email enquiries@callingtoncc.net .
Read MorePlease note that due to only a small number of staff being in College at any one time, Main Reception is not currently manned.
For any non-emergency queries please email enquiries@callingtoncc.net .
If you have an emergency, please call 07935 935489.
Dear Parents and Carers
Updated Information and guidance we receive from the Government, NHS and Public Health England will show here and be issued to Parents/Carers via School Comms. We have included previously issued communication on this page.
Best Wishes
Wendy Ainsworth
Principal
Exploring weight through nature
Read MoreThis week Year 2 have been exploring mass and used terminology such as 'heavier than' and 'lighter than' to compare different objects. Today we took our learning outside and used weighing scales to explore the weight of natural resources around us.
Carnival comes to Holbeton!
Read MoreThe Year 1 children have loved finding out about the Rio carnival since being back in school. This week we used our designs and all the techniques we have explored to create our own headdresses! The children paraded around the playground and were very proud of their colourful creations.
A Heartfelt Message
Read MoreAlthough we are delighted to welcome back the Year 10 and 12 students on a partial re-opening, we are acutely aware that the majority of our students are still studying only at home.
Weekly Student Bulletins, Menus and information for all Year Groups
Read MorePlease follow the link here for the video and the latest edition of the Westcountry Schools Trust Reopening of Schools Toolkit.
Please click here for information regarding accessing the Microsoft Teams Student quick start guide
Please click on the links below for previous weekly student
Video showing measures put in place at the College and Educare Registration Form
Read More** Friday, 10 July 2020**
The video below has been produced by one of our Year 13 students and shares how the College is preparing for the return of our students and staff.
The latest edition of the Westcountry Schools Trust Reopening of Schools Toolkit which is available below.
** Friday, 3 July 2020**
The Educare registration form has been updated to include bookings until Friday, 17 July 2020. Please click here to access the registration form.
**Wednesday, 1 July 2020**
Please click here to access a copy of the letter from the Principal, dated 01.07.20, regarding returning to College. Please note confirmation of all uniform updates on the website will be finalised by Friday, 17 July for the September 2020/21 intake.
**Friday, 26 June 2020**
This video has been created to give parents, carers, governors and the wider community an overview of our approach to distance learning during this period. We hope it demonstrates the journey we have been on as a College and we thank you for your feedback and continued support during this time.
Mrs Kelly Olive, Associate Deputy Principal
New DfE guidance published on keeping children safe from abuse and harm. This guidance brings together sources of information about the main risks children may be vulnerable to during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and signposts you to help and support available.
The Educare registration form has been updated to include bookings until Friday, 10 July 2020. Please click here to access the registration form.
**Friday, 19 June 2020**
The Educare registration form has been updated to include bookings until Friday, 3 July 2020. Please click here to access the registration form.
**Friday, 12 June 2020**
We are looking forward to seeing our Year 10 and 12 students next week. Just a reminder that all College transport is running as usual with normal pick up times and bus stops. Please remember your coats.
Please click on this link to access a copy of the letter from the Principal, dated 11.06.20, regarding returning to College, sent to all students in Year 10. Please note that the original letters were individualised for each student.
Digital Safety During Covid-19 - please follow this link for further information.
**Monday, 8 June 2020**
The College announces the partial opening on Monday, 15 June for Years 10 and 12 students only.
Although we are saddened that we are unable to open the College to all our Year Groups, we are delighted to begin to welcome back to our community students in Years 10 and 12, commencing Monday, 15 June 2020. (Letters have been emailed with information regarding specific College dates for each individual student.)
This is a government decision based on the fact that both of these Year Groups are about to enter their forthcoming examination years in September. Consequently we have been working relentlessly to ensure that our site meets all the high health and safety expectations deemed necessary, as well as preparing appropriate teaching for these two Year Groups.
Meanwhile, we continue to miss our students in Years 7, 8 and 9 and appreciate how distance learning is never the same as being at the College. Therefore, we will continue to develop this work and provide a blend of learning opportunities. We hoped that you enjoyed seeing the familiar faces of your tutors and arrangements are being put in place to provide more direct contact with them shortly. Please be assured that we cannot wait to see you all when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
We thought that you would like to see examples of just some of the measures we have put in place for our partial re-opening of our classrooms, which we have organised to support social distancing, including a yellow outlined area in which teachers are permitted to stand in and the new signs to remind all about how to keep safe at the College. Please see the images below.
Finally, we will continue to keep you abreast of any new government directives and refer you to the College website for further information if you wish to know about the detailed planning behind the partial re-opening.
Best wishes --
R Hutchinson
Principal
Please click on the following Year Group links to access a copy of the letter from the Principal, dated 05.06.20, regarding returning to College, sent to all students in Year 10 and Year 12, and the attached appendix. Please note that the original letters were individualised for each student.
Please click here to access a video highlighting social distancing measures that have been put in place to facilitate the partial re-opening of the College.
The Educare registration form has been updated to include bookings until Friday, 17 June 2020. Please click here to access the registration form.
** Monday, 1 June 2020**
Please click for Enrichment Week update information and for Work Experience information.
Additional parental and student support and information can be found here.
** Friday, 22 May 2020**
Please click here for an update letter from Mrs Hutchinson, Principal.
Please click here for an update letter from Mr Haring, WeST CEO.**
Please click here to download the 'WeST Toolkit for Reopening of Schools'
Cleaner required September 2020
Read MoreCleaner Required from 1st September 2020
Grade B £17.711 – £18.065 (pro rata) 20 hours per week, 40 weeks per year.
Sherford Vale School is seeking to recruit a cleaner, you should be a cheerful and motivated to work with the team to create a clean and safe learning environment.
Wrap Around Club Assistant required-please see our Vacancies page
Read MorePlease enter an introduction for your news story here.
Coronavirus - Latest Updates
Read More4th May 2020: See the links at the bottom of this page for the latest letter from the CEO of WeST regarding COVID-19.
Updated guidance for parents and carers on the closure of educational settings
The guidance for parents and carers on the closure of educational settings has been updated with additional information on the resources and support available to help parents educate their children at home.
The guidance can be found here:
New domestic campaign launched as cases expected to increase
Partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are launching a campaign to raise awareness around domestic abuse and have warned that it may increase in the coming weeks due to the impact of Covid-19.
However, they want to reassure communities that victims will still have access to vital support services despite the current uncertainty.
The campaign will highlight the fact that whatever type of abuse takes place, be it physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial, the abuser is trying to control the victim and uses abuse and/or violence to achieve that control. It will also tell victims how to access help and support.
Superintendent Sharon Donald of Devon & Cornwall Police said, “Sadly, as schools close and home working is encouraged, Covid-19 may cause a rise in domestic abuse. The cycle of violence may intensify with people having to isolate themselves and being unable to socialise in the normal ways. It is important that victims know how and where to get advice and support and that they know they can report by phone and online.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez, is responsible for delivering victim care in the area and works closely with the Victim Care Network to ensure that help is on hand to those who need it including to victims of domestic abuse.
She said: “Unfortunately we have to prepare for a rise in incidents of crimes such as domestic abuse that might go hand in hand with a period of mass isolation. Sadly, some children are safer when they attend school regularly as it’s through them signs can be spotted that something might be wrong and picked up and reported.
“It is crucial that victims get straight to the services they need as quickly as possible and the launch of live chat means that they will be able to do exactly that. I would urge any victim of abuse to seek help even if you don’t want to report it to the police, there is a range of support available.
The campaign will be rolled out via digital media and will include mobile phone banner messaging. It aims both to raise awareness that domestic abuse may increase with people self-isolating, and to reassure people that help is available during these unprecedented times.
Anna MacGregor at Safer Futures, which provides support for victims in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Covid-19 will have a serious impact on the lives of those living with domestic abuse. For some people, home is not always a safe place, which might mean that the prospect of physical distancing or self-isolation may be causing some adults and children to feel additionally anxious, at an already difficult time.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that specialist support continues to be available to everyone that needs it. Some services are restricted to delivering non-face to face support, due to current health concerns. However, the support is still here for you and your family, refuges are still running, and specialist domestic abuse workers are still working to respond to your needs and help you to stay safe.”
Chrissy Stower of Splitz, which provides support to victims across Devon, said:
“We see too often that at times of heightened anxiety a rise in the number of incidents of domestic and sexual violence, just as we are hearing now from reports in China.
“The restrictions on people’s movement, financial concerns as employment sees a downturn, the temporary closure of schools to some children, the fear of this virus and the uncertainty about the future – these are all factors that increase the risk of domestic abuse within the home.
“Right now, our message to people across the region, is that there is no excuse for domestic abuse. There is no part for it in our society. To victims, I say that while you may feel alone, you are not alone. There is help. There is support. There is safety to be found for you and your children. We are here to support you.”
Resources/help
Live Chat is a web-based support service that will be available to victims in Devon and Cornwall 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is anonymous, confidential and free to use. To access it please visit victimsupport.org.uk or visit the Victim Care website – www.victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk. Victim Support will still offer telephone support on 0808 031 8178.
In addition to the web chat facility, other channels for victim support are still available. The Victim Care Unit can be contacted on 01392 475900 from 8am to 8pm on Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm at the weekend. Information on the practical and emotional support on offer is available at victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk.
In a non-emergency, you can also report a crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 101 webchat or on the online crime reporting form - both on the force website – www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. There’s also a useful AskNed system that provides online advice on a range of issues and by signing up to Neighbourhood Alert regular updates and information can be received from the OPCC. This can be done via devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk.
Crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website – www.crimestoppers-uk.org
The situation continues to change rapidly so for up to date advice on the Covid-19 virus please visit the Force website – www.devon-cornwall.police.uk and www.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
Please contact Tamsin Boyde on 07525 406242 to arrange interviews.
Staying at home guidance
Yesterday, the Prime Minister addressed the nation on coronavirus (COVID-19) and asked people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes.
There is no change in guidance for education settings, which remain closed except for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children. We continue to ask that parents keep their children at home, wherever possible.
The full stay at home guidance is available at:
For children coming in to school as of Monday 23rd March 2020, the following measures/precautions must be taken:
Own clothes to be worn which are fresh on – we recommend putting clothes straight in the washing machine once returning home from school to minimise and control the spread of infection.
Up to date contact details for family members must be available within school and emergency contact details should your child become poorly/exhibit symptoms of contracting coronavirus.
We must register your child in and out of the premises by somebody who either has parental responsibility or has been nominated by yourselves, as long as you are all fit and well and not showing symptoms of coronavirus.
If you become unwell with coronavirus symptoms, you must immediately contact school and arrange for collection of your child.
Social distancing must be enforced whilst your child is not in school if we are to prevent/minimise the spread of infection.
School must be informed if you no longer fall within the critical worker list or you have been asked to self-isolate.
Thorough hand washing to take place at home just before leaving the home.
Lastly please keep yourselves and your children safe, for further updates please keeping checking the school website.
COVID 19
Update from the DfE:
From Friday 20 March schools, childcare and other educational settings are closed for everyone except:
- children of critical workers
- vulnerable children
We have published guidance for parents and carers:
Critical workers
If parents’ work is critical to the coronavirus response, their children will be prioritised for early years and education provision.
The Government has published a list of critical workers:
COVID 19
Earlier guidance for households with symptoms
Yesterday, the Government introduced new guidance on whole household isolation in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
- if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started
- if you live with others and you or another member of the household have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill. It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
- for anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14-day isolation period.
The symptoms are:
- A high temperature (37.8 degrees and above)
- A new, continuous cough
The full stay at home guidance for households with these symptoms can be found here:
The Prime Minister’s statement from Monday 16 March can be found here:
Temporary suspension of Ofsted inspections
Ofsted is to temporarily suspend routine inspections of schools, colleges, early years settings, children’s social care providers and local authorities to reduce the burden on staff who are providing vital services to the nation in response to coronavirus.
The current medical and scientific advice is for schools and other educational establishments to stay open. If this changes and the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser say closing schools, colleges, and early years settings is in the best interests of children and teachers the Department will take that step.
The full announcement made by Gavin Williamson can be viewed here:
CORONAVIRUS: The importance of hygiene
Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes.
How to wash your hands properly
Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water.
Watch this short NHS film for guidance:
Teach young children how to wash their hands with the NHS handwashing song:
Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.
Roman Day in Year 3 at Stowford School
Read MoreYear 3 Children have recently enjoyed a fantastic curriculum day focusing on their current topic about 'The Romans'.
Stowford School cares about climate change
Read MoreAll children at Stowford School have been focusing upon Climate Change and what they can do to help.
Partial Reopening Timetable for the last 3 weeks of term starting Monday 29 June 2020
Read More1. Extended Partial Re-opening w/c 29 June 2020 (last 3 weeks of term)
Monday and Tuesday – Year 6 and Woodmice
Wednesday – Year 2 and Year 5
Thursday – Year 4, Year 1 and Dormice
Friday – Year 3, Year 1 and Dormice
Educare will carry on as normal for Keyworker children only where there is no alternative childcare provision available at home.
Arrive between 8.45 & 9.00 am - Finish between 2.45 & 3.00 pm - NO UNIFROM - School Meals Available (click here for menu)
Parent guide for partial reopening - click here (apart from the dates everything else stays the same).
Pupils Starting School Again - click here
Pupils Coming Back to School in A Bubble - click here
Over the last weeks, school has felt slightly more normal as we welcomed back children in Year 1 and Year 6. The children have been amazing, both in terms of their attitude to learning and how they have adapted to the changes of routine in school. The children have been taught in their class bubble of up to 15 children for the day; they learn and play with this group. I would like to thank my team for providing the safest and calmest environment for your children and the support from our governing body.
After further government guidance updates and subsequent meetings with the trust, governors and school leaders, I am delighted to be in the position to extend our partial opening to all year groups. From Monday 29 June, we will continue to provide education for 2 days for children in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 6. In addition, we will offer 1 day a week to children in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5.
As a school, we feel it is so important for as many children as possible to attend school before the end of the academic year. This will give us the opportunity to support your children’s emotional development, teach a few maths and literacy objectives and give the children chance to socialise in their class bubble of up to 15. Most importantly however, we would like the opportunity for the children and staff to feel some kind of closure on an exceptionally challenging period.
Please read the parent guide for partial reopening. I look forward to seeing your children in school later in the term.
Stay safe, Steve Bone Headteacher
