IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Saturday 7th May 2022
Friday 1st April 2022
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding changes to Covid-19 guidance:
Letter from Headteacher - 1st April 2022 - Changes to Covid-19 Guidance
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Please find below a letter from Miss Bailey regarding availability for Dr James until the Easter Break:
Letter from Headteacher - 30th March 2022 - SENDCO Absence
Thursday 24th March 2022
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding drop off and after-school collection arrangements:
Letter from Headteacher - 24th March 2022 - Drop-off and Collection arrangements
Wednesday 8th December 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding Covid-19:
Letter from Headteacher - 8th December 2021 - Covid-19
Tuesday 30th November 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding Covid-19 symptoms:
Letter from Headteacher - 30th November 2021 - Covid-19 Symptoms
Tuesday 23rd November 2021
Please find below an important letter from Paul Wagstaff, Director of Education & Skills at West Sussex County Council regarding Christmas preparations:
Letter from WSCC - 23rd November 2021 - Christmas Preparations
Wednesday 17th November 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding dogs on school premises:
Letter from Headteacher - 17th November 2021 - Dogs
Tuesday 16th & Thursday 18th November 2021
Friday 16th July 2021
Please find below an important newsletter about September 2021 arrangements from Miss Bailey: Manor Field School Newsletter - Arrangements for September 2021Tuesday 11th May 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding personal items being brought in to school:
Letter from Headteacher - 11th May 2021
Wednesday 24th March 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding the Maputo class:
Letter from Headteacher - 24th March 2021 - Maputo Staffing
Friday 19th March 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding our recent Ofsted monitoring visit and the latest report:
Letter from Headteacher - Ofsted Report - 19th March 2021
OFSTED Report HMI COVID Inspection Manor Field Primary 125930
Friday 12th March 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding hand hygiene at school:
Letter from Headteacher - 12th March 2021 - Hand Hygiene
Wednesday 10th March 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding school drop off and collection, along with the school map:
Letter from Headteacher - 10th March 2021
MF School Map - Gates for Morning Drop Off
MF School Map - Gates for Afternoon Collection - March 2021
Friday 26th February 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding the return to the school on Monday 8th March, along with further information documents:
Letter from Headteacher - Friday 26th February 2021
/docs/Letters/Whole_School/26th_February_2021_Covid_19_Symptoms_Letter.pdf
School communication syatem update 29th January 2021
Please find below an important letter regarding the change to the school communication system effective from Monday 1st February 2021.
MyEd Launch letter - 29th January 2021
Wednesday 27th January 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding remote learning.
Letter from Miss Bailey - 27th_January 2021
Thursaday 14th January 2021
Please find below a letter from Mr Esplen regarding remote learning expectations.
MF Remote Learning Expectations letter January 2021
Wednesday 6th January 2021
Please find below our latest risk assessment for Manor Field staff, whilst providing education for Key Worker Children and vulnerable pupils.
Manor Field School Risk Assessment during school opening
Monday 4th January 2021
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding the reopening of the school from Tuesday 5th January 2021.
Letter from Miss Bailey - 4th January 2021
Wednesday 2nd December 2020
Please find below an important letter from Miss Bailey regarding the confirmed case of COVID at Manor Field Primary School.
FR3QUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Tuesday 3rd November 2020
Welcome back to school! Autumn 2 starts.
Monday 2nd November 2020
THE SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY!
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 @ 7.30pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
South East Water are still working to resolve the problems with the water supply in our area. We will be in touch with you all when we are on site in the morning at 7am.
I hope everyone is coping well during this difficult time.
Kind regards
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 @ 3pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
We continue to monitor the situation regarding the water leak in the local area which is being repaired by South East Water. You may wish to click here to access their website. The information on there suggests an estimated completion of 5pm today. Please continue to check our website for updates regarding school reopening.
We plan to provide with a further email later today as well as tomorrow Wednesday 23rd September 2020 after 7am.
Hope you are all keeping well.
Kind regards
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
Tuesday 22nd September 2020
SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO THE LACK OF WATER TO THE PREMISES
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are aware of the water mains supply problem in the area and having spoken with South East Water this morning, they are doing everything they can to restore the supply.
However, we are not anticipating that this will be resolved in the next hour as it is also affecting many other Burgess Hill schools. This appears to be a major incident. Therefore, I am making the decision to close the school at the earliest opportunity. For the Health and Safety of all our pupils and staff, it has been necessary to reach this conclusion.
We will endeavour to keep you updated throughout the day.
Kind regards,
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
welcome BACK TO SCHOOL
To report your child's absence - use Studybugs or call the absence line on 01444 233 368. Thank you.
COVID-19 - GUIDANCE, SYMPTOMS AND ADVICE
Monday 14th September 2020
Letter from Miss Bailey 14th September - COVID Information - Symptoms, Guidance and FAQs
Friday 11th September 2020
Our monthly newsletter for September can be found here.
Tuesday 8th September 2020
Letter from Miss Bailey 8th September 2020 - Morning and Afternoon Arrangements
Friday 4th September 2020
Thursday 3rd September 2020
A letter from Miss Bailey regarding the return to school on Monday 7th September 2020:
Returning to school - Monday 7th September 2020
Staff Training - Inset Day 3rd September 2020:
Friday 17th July 2020
A message from the Head Teacher, Miss Bailey:
Monday 13th July 2020
Letter from Headteacher - September 2020 Arrangements
Morning Drop Off Points - School Map
Afternoon Collection Points - School Map
Friday 3rd July 2020
Letter from Headteacher - Friday 3rd July 2020
Class Structure 2020 / 2021
Friday 5th June 2020
Letter from Headteacher - Friday 5th June 2020
Manor Field Primary School COVID 19 Risk Assessments for phased reopening:
Step 1 - Preparing the premises
Step 4 - Creating and staffing your temporary teaching groups
Step 5 - Practical steps to reduce risk
Step 6 - External support for SEND and Behaviour
Step 7 - Changes to routines for staff and pupils
Step 8 - Communicating with staff
Step 9 - Communicating with parents
Step 10 - Managing pupil and staff wellbeing and mental health
Step 11 - Planning what to teach and how
Step 12 - Remote education during wider opening
Friday 15th May 2020
Letter from Headteacher and Chair of Governors 15th May 2020
Letter to parents from FS and KS1 Leaders - 15th May 2020
Wednesday 13th May 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
I would like to update you regarding the school reopening, following my last letter from Monday 11th May 2020.
Initially, I would like to bring your attention to two documents that have been released by the Department of Education as guidelines for reopening the schools next month. Please find the links to both documents below:
Opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June: guidance for parents and carers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings
The first document details guidance for parents on sending children to school.
The second document is a guidance for schools. I would like to bring your attention to page 8 onwards as this sets out what the school day is likely to look like.
I am meeting with Governors tonight to discuss how to proceed, to ensure the school is Covid-19 secure for pupils and staff. I am also in regular contact with our locality Headteachers’ network group which includes Primary and Secondary schools in Burgess Hill and Hassocks to seek wider views on the school reopening.
As always, please be reassured that my primary concern is for the health and safety of our staff, pupils and the school community which will be at the heart of all our decisions.
Kind regards
Miss D Bailey
Head Teacher
Monday 27th April 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have received a lovely book which we wanted to share with you in case you wish to read it with your children. It is a really good explanation of Coronavirus and is specifically aimed at children to help them understand the current situation. Plus, the illustrations are by Axel Scheffler who illustrated 'The Gruffalo'!
We hope you enjoy reading it together.
Kind regards,
Manor Field School Office
Lockdown Lowdown
Please access our Lock-down Lowdown page here
Friday 17th April - Update on Schools Reoopening
Dear Parents and Carers,
Schools Reopening
As you are aware there have been reports in the news recently regarding schools reopening, some of which have caused concern for my staff and parents.
I need to make it clear to all our community, staff, parents and volunteers, that I will not be opening our school until I have the scientific evidence stating it is safe to do so. I shall also be guided by union advice.
My union’s (National Association of Headteachers - NAHT) advice is as follows:
‘Our position is, and always has been, that schools should only reopen when the scientific evidence is clear that it is safe to do so. Safe for pupils, safe for staff, safe for parents.’ Source: NAHT, 11th April 2020, 12:16 PM.
Many of the staff at Manor Field Primary School are members of NEU (National Education Union) and the union have recently produced a petition which parents can sign, should they wish to do so – it can be accessed here. The petition asks questions of the government that need to be answered before our school governors and I will consider opening the school.
Of course, we wish to open the school as soon as possible, and when we can, we will.
We are currently planning for September, which involves recruitment of new teachers due to increasing pupil numbers. Interviews are taking place during the week beginning Monday 11th May. Shortly after that, I will be able to share the new class structure and your child's new class teacher with you. Your child's annual report will be emailed to you by Friday 10th July.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Please can I ask all parents to touch base with their child's class teacher at least once a week via class dojo or email. Hopefully, parents of children entitled to free school meals will be able to access their vouchers from Monday 20th April 2020.
As always, if you have any concerns, queries or need any help or support, please do contact the school - we are here for you.
And finally, Mrs Muddell has created a wonderful presentation of children’s and staff’s activities during the school closure - this can be viewed on our website here.
Kind regards,
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
Thursday 16th April - FSM Voucher Update
Dear Parents/Carers
Firstly I would like to apologise that you have not received your FSM vouchers for the Easter break as yet. However, this situation has been out of our control despite our continued and sustained efforts to address this.
The Government announced just before the Easter Break that schools will be providing lunch provision when they had previously stated that they wouldn't.
The company (EdenRed) that the DfE had commissioned to provide the vouchers became so overwhelmed with orders that their system crashed.
After many man hours and numerous phone calls from myself, I can confirm that the vouchers are set up and ready to be sent for Monday 20th April. However I am still working with EdenRed to provide you with vouchers for the two week Easter break.
I will update you as soon as I can on this, though I can confirm that you will receive two weeks worth of vouchers for each child (£15 per week per child) which can be redeemed at a supermarket voucher from a selected list.
Please note the vouchers can only be redeemed for food items.
I am hopeful that EdenRed now have their system organised so you will receive vouchers weekly throughout the school closure.
Apologies once again for the delay that has been completely out of our control. Many many thanks for your patience during these unprecedented times we all find ourselves in.
If you have any queries please contact the school office, who will forward your emails on to me.
Kind regards
Mrs K Kirkin
School Business Manager
Monday 6th April - Home Learning Grids
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find below the links to home learning grids for each year group as well as a link to the general home learning links to useful websites:
Foundation Stage - Home Learning Grid
General home learning - links and useful websites
Tuesday 31st March 2020 - Supporting Young people's mental health & Well-being
Dear Parents/Carers,
To help and support the whole family through this difficult time, www.gov.uk has provided some helpful advice on looking after the mental health and well-being of children or young people during the Coronavirus outbreak;
COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
We hope you find it useful and are keeping safe.
Kind regards,
Manor Field School Office
Monday 30th March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you are all well and adjusting to the new normal for the time being. From the many photos and communication via class dojo, it certainly appears that the children are coping well and I fully appreciate your support in continuing learning at home.
Welfare and Wellbeing
As you are aware, the school places high regard to the welfare and wellbeing of all our pupils and families, and we take our roles and responsibilities seriously. Clearly, this is more challenging when the school is closed and leaving parents without face to face personal communication.
Please can I ask that all parents communicate at least once a week to their child’s class teacher, via class dojo. If the class teacher has not heard from you during the week, on Fridays a member of the Senior Leadership Team will be in contact via email and/or telephone to simply check in. Circumstances can very easily change for families and children and we are simply here to make sure everyone is safe and supported. If your circumstances change and you need support, please contact the school via the office email and we will respond.
Good Friday ( Friday 10th April ) and Easter Monday ( Monday 13th April) - SCHOOL CLOSURE
In line with Local Authority guidance and advice from many unions, the school will be closed to all children on both Good Friday and Easter Monday.
School Work over the Easter Break (Monday 6th April - Monday 20th April)
Children will be given the opportunity to choose a project from their summer term one home learning grid based on next term's theme. Their work can be shared via class dojo.
The new key texts and theme overviews are on this website should you wish to see what the children will be learning about next term.
Of course, continuing with year group timetables and spellings will always be beneficial for children in preparation for their next academic year.
Monday Morning Learning , set by class teachers will, continue again on Monday 20th April.
Acts of KIndness
Since the school closure, so many staff, parents and members of the community have offered help and support. There have been many acts of kindness from the whole community and we at Manor Field will make sure we play our part.
Thank you for your continued support.
Be safe and stay indoors.
Kind regards,
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
Monday 23rd March 2020 - ParentPay Refunds
Parent Pay Refunds
Dear Parents/Carers,
Over the next few weeks we will be arranging refunds for events that didn't take place due to the school closures. These include internal after school clubs (Manor Field Marchers and Art/DT club), swimming lessons, residentials and violin and guitar lessons. If you have paid via ParentPay, the money will go back to your ParentPay account. If you paid by cash or cheque, we will organise a cheque to be posted to your home address but this will take a few weeks process so please bare with us.
External club providers and piano teachers will contact you directly about refunds.
Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.
Kind regards,
Manor Field School Office
Monday 23rd March 2020 - Social Distancing Plan
Social Distancing Plan - from Tuesday 24th March 2020
It is important that parents and carers understand the message about social distancing and therefore that the safest place for children to be is at home. Use of the emergency care provision at school must be a last resort reflecting that you have explored all other possible options and that sending your child into school is the only way you can find to provide care for them. The fewer children and staff that are together in school, the safer the provision will be and it will provide a better chance of limiting the spread of this virus.
You will be asked to provide evidence of your key worker status tomorrow morning Tuesday 24th March 2020, if you haven't done so already. With regret, the school will not allow children into the building, without seeing your ID. Please only email the evidence to the school office at office@manorfield.w-sussex.sch.uk if you have not done so last Friday. Thank you.
Please ensure that children are well before arriving at school. If anyone in the household is displaying any symptoms everyone in the household must isolate for 14 days. Please impress upon your children the need for good hand washing and social distancing so that messages at home and school are the same. Please ensure children change out of clothes they have been wearing at school when they return home and that they wear a clean set of clothes each new day in school.
During the school day:
- On arrival the temperature of every pupil and staff member will be taken before entering the building and they will antibac their hands.
- Parents are encouraged to remain two metres apart on the playground.
- The school will open between 8:45 and 9:15, to avoid gatherings on the Oak Tree Playground. Outside of these hours, please use the main entrance.
- Breaktimes will be staggered to ensure children are spaced out. Children must maintain a two metre distance.
- No team games including football will be permitted. All physical exercise to be individual.
- Lunchtimes will be outside if possible or in the classroom with the same social distancing in place.
- In classrooms, children will be spaced out, sitting at their own desks. The same distancing will be in place as they walk around the school.
- Children will have their own equipment which will not be shared.
- There will be no more than six pupils in each classroom.
- The windows and doors will be open to support ventilation, so please ensure your child is wearing warm clothes.
- All parental enquiries, due to social distancing, should be made via telephone and class dojo and only if absolutely necessary.
End of the day:
- Parents must wait in the Oak Tree Playground, where gates will be open at 2:45pm. Children will be released as and when parents arrive.
- If you are arriving earlier to collect a child, please go to the office. Be reminded that if you’re a shift worker, you can drop off and pick up your child in line with your working commitments.
- Children will have their temperature taken and will antibac their hands before being dismissed.
All staff will be asked to leave the premises by 15:30 pm, so please ensure prompt collection at 3pm.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
Headteacher
Friday 20th March 2020
Update at 8.03am
Dear Parents and Carers
School is open today Friday 20th March and all teachers are in, apart from Ms Baldwin who will not be in school until the foreseeable future due to personal reasons, not coronavirus related. We are very fortunate to have Miss Emily Merker teaching Kuala Lumpur class.
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
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Update at 7.55am
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have now distributed a google form, please complete it by 3pm at the latest to help us plan for the new provision. Thank you.
If you have not received the google form, contact the school office as soon as possible at office@manorfield.w-sussex.sch.uk
Thank you
Manor Field School Office
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Update at 7.22am
Dear Parents and Carers,
For information about school closures, please follow the link below:
GOV.uk - Closure of Educational Settings - Information for Parents
We will be sending further communication to you this morning.
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
Headteacher
Thursday 19th March 2020
Update at 6.13pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
Disappointingly, our Prime Minister, during his speech this evening, did not make any reference to schools and key workers despite his Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, informing school leaders today that:
"a full list of key worker categories will be published by the Cabinet Office later today. We will share this with you once this information is made available." Taken from the Department for Educations Daily Update to Schools, Colleges and Early Years Settings. 19/03/2020
Whilst we wait for guidance, I advise that all parents begin to make plans for child care arrangements from Monday 23rd March 2020.
I am dismayed that our school leaders and myself are unable to start putting our plans into place to reassure and support our parents.
These are indeed testing times for all of us so thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Miss D Bailey
Headteacher
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Update at 2.15pm
Dear Parents and Carers
We are still waiting to hear from the Government and the Secretary of State for Education. I am aware this waiting may be causing some additional worry and anxiety, but please be reassured we will be in contact as soon as we hear any news.
We have a google form ready to share with parents, once we have added the key worker roles. This form, which we are asking all key workers to complete, will assist us with planning supervision provision when the school closes tomorrow.
It is indeed unprecedented times, and the possibility of not seeing our children until September, is truly saddening for all of us.
Thank you as always for your kind messages of support - we will do our utmost for you and our children.
Kindest regards
Miss Bailey
Headteacher
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Update at 7.25am
Dear Parents and Carers
School is open and all teachers are in, apart from Ms Baldwin who will not be in school until the foreseeable future due to personal reasons, not coronavirus related. We are very fortunate to have Miss Emily Merker teaching Kuala Lumpur class.
I'm meeting with our Senior and Middle Leaders this morning and I will update parents as soon as we receive information from the DfE and the Local Authority.
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
Wednesday 18th March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Following today's announcement from the government, I am writing to inform you that the senior leaders and key stage leaders are meeting tomorrow morning in order to address the directive from the government.
Attached is a letter from West Sussex Local Authority for your information.
I will continue to update you throughout the day, as firmer plans are received from the Department of Education, on how this will be implemented by Monday 23rd March 2020.
As you know, we are a fully inclusive school, and I believe schools should be open to support all parents of all children, during these challenging times, irrespective of their backgrounds and needs.
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
Headteacher
West Sussex County Council Communication to Parent 18.03.2020
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Dear Parents and Carers,
With school closures possible over the next few weeks due to the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus, we are taking several measures to support your children to learn from home.
In the event of school closure, learning will be sent home via Class Dojo every Monday morning by your class teacher, and will be consistent across each year group to minimise disruptions should staff become unwell.
The learning will contain:
- Your child’s half termly ‘Home Learning Grid,’ which contains several different tasks for the children to do, all linked to their theme.
- Maths learning will be sent via ‘My Maths’ so that the teachers can track the progress of children. These learning tasks will follow the usual curriculum progression, as well as giving children a chance to apply and embed the skills they have already learnt at school.
- An English task, which will contain a writing activity, alongside either a reading or spelling and grammar task.
- Children will be able to access accelerated quizzes online.
Furthermore, we are collating a list of useful home learning websites to further support you at home.
If you wish to educate your child at home further, please be aware that our Theme Overviews are on the website. Here you can find your child’s key text for this half term, alongside all the learning objectives that would be covered before and after the Easter break.. Please contact your child’s class teacher if you have any further questions about this.
Teachers will be showing children how to access Class Dojo, where they can upload their work, photos and videos to share with their class teacher and friends.
We will continue to update you as the coronavirus situation develops. Please refer to the website COVID-19 tab for all information regarding coronavirus related news and actions.
Thank you as always for your continued support
Kind regards
Miss Bailey
Headteacher
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Update from Tuesday 17th March 2020