Coronavirus Update

Dear Parents

We are continuing to monitor the ever changing information and have put an action plan in place if the situation continues to get worse.

We intend to communicate with you whenever new advice is issued

We have liaised with the wider community to help assist with our action plan

Please can all parents ensure that their child knows their Show My Homework Login details in case we need to post work on it. If for some reason your child cannot log in, please reset your passwords this week

We will update this page to include a special section with information and links to work for students in the event that there is a school closure

Thank you for your continued vigilance, support and partnership.

Kind Regards

Rabbi H Cohen

Deputy Headteacher

UPDATES ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS WILL APPEAR HERE

Updated Wednesday 1 April

Jewish Community Support Lines Directory

Updated Tuesday 31 March

We remain committed to safeguarding children throughout the period of school closure, and we are currently reviewing our safeguarding policy to ensure that our policies and practices are sufficiently robust in this new situation.  The full guidance can be accessed here.  We will be working through this guidance and creating an addendum to our Child Protection policy, and will be share this with parents and carers via these updates.

Furthermore, we recognise that during this crisis, there may be a significant impact on the mental health of children and families.  The Department for Education has recently published guidance that may be helpful for parents to refer to.

If you have any specific concerns about your child’s mental health, wellbeing or safety, please do contact the Safeguarding team via email safeguarding@jfs.brent.sch.uk

Where can I go to get support to help keep my child safe online?

There is a lot of support available to keep your child safe online. Below are some useful links to help parents and carers:

• Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
• Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
• Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
• LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
• Net-aware (support for parents and careers from the NSPCC)
• Safety Detective (Parents’ Guide for Safe YouTube and Internet Streaming for Kids)

Reporting abuse
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

Updated Thursday 19 March

Dear Parents

I would like to begin by thanking you all for the overwhelming number of positive messages of support we have received overnight from so many of you.  Knowing that you recognise and empathise with us regarding the very difficult decisions we have been making on a daily basis has helped support staff morale.  Please excuse me for the length of this letter but it contains important information that I know you have been waiting to receive.

Unsurprisingly this is a very emotional time for many.  With the announcement about the cancellation of all public examinations we have many students for whom the outcome of two years’ hard work and effort is now in limbo.  I have written separately to Year 13 students for whom this strange situation brings their JFS years to a close.

Whilst we continue to plan for online learning our focus is now shifting to Year 12 and Year 10 as a priority.  We will be planning some online opportunities for Years 11 and 13 as we recognise the challenges presented by extensive time in home confinement without any daily structure towards a final goal.

We have managed to maintain as normal an environment every day this week with an increasing number of staff absences.  I am writing to advise you that based on today’s figures, maintaining that level of safe student staff ratio is no longer tenable.  Despite the government request that schools remain open until tomorrow, I have no choice but to close school today until further notice for all students.

A separate letter addressing the issues of those of you who are counted in the government list of Key Workers, who have children with EHCPs or whose children come under the vulnerable category will be sent shortly.  Please note that in order for us to manage our planning and coordinate with other schools as hubs are established, JFS will be closed for these students as well tomorrow, Friday 20^th March and Monday 23^rd March.  Should arrangements be clear and established earlier than Tuesday you will be informed.  I ask that if this is relevant to you or your child you complete the form that is sent to you and return it promptly.  This includes anyone who may have already communicated with school about this.  It is essential that we have a central and accurate record.

These are unprecedented times and I appreciate the challenges that such a decision brings including ongoing education for all our students.

Please note the following provision that is in place to enable students to continue to receive education and support using available technology as best as possible under the circumstances.  We have been planning for this closure for over a week and staff have already received relevant training to ensure as smooth an implementation as possible.

Formal Studies
We are planning for staff to be available online from 900 am – 12.00 pm daily and to deliver work as follows:

Years 10 and 12: Our focus and priority is on delivering lessons to years 10 and 12.
Lessons for years 10 and 12 will either be pre-recorded or delivered live via the Teams function of Office365. Staff have been trained to ensure that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.  Instructions on how these lessons can be accessed will be sent early next week to parents of students in these year groups.

Key Stage 3: Work for Key Stage 3 students (Years 7-9) will have varied work including extended project assignments.

Years 11 and 13: We will review what educational framework and support we can continue to provide for Years 11 and 13. This will focus on life skills, preparation for next steps, cultural capital and other broader topics. We will provide further details next week.

Marking and Feedback
Work for all classes will be set on Show My Homework.  Completed work that requires feedback and assessment can be submitted digitally via SMHW or via email to the teacher.

Years 7-9:  Whole class feedback will be given on a weekly basis

Years 10 and 12: Feedback both individual and whole class will be delivered on a more regular basis and where appropriate based on the assignments set by different departments.

I would like to draw your attention to ensuring that staff will be able to communicate with students via the ‘Chat’ function on Show My Homework (this is quicker but similar to email – it is a written chat).

Safeguarding and Pastoral Support
Alongside our teaching responsibilities we will endeavour to maintain pastoral provision to the best of our ability.

Any safeguarding concerns should be addressed by email to our Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Bruce bruce@jfs.brent.sch.uk

Other pastoral matters should be sent to the Head of Year or to Rabbi Cohen cohen@jfs.brent.sch.uk and we will do our utmost to support your child as best as possible under the circumstances.

Informal Education and Wellbeing
Alongside the provisions being made for formal education to continue I am delighted to inform you that JiEP have planned a range of daily and weekly events and activities which all students will be able to access.

Our wellbeing team has also planned a range of support and advice for students and families that I hope you will find beneficial.

I respectfully request that students continue to maintain appropriate teacher student boundaries during this time.  In addition, I am also requesting that you do not contact teachers to request additional work specifically for your child.   Please be respectful of these boundaries and be cognisant of the fact that many of our staff, in addition to continuing to provide education will be taking care of young children and other family members at home.

I know this is a stressful time for many people and I would like to thank you once again for maintaining a sense of calm and confidence in the school’s management of this unusual situation.  We will provide updates as the situation evolves and as more information becomes available. Thank you to those parents who have offered various practical support.  Next week we will address this in a more structured way but I wanted to acknowledge your kind gestures at this time.

I am sure you join me in extending care, concern and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who have unfortunately fallen ill to the virus.  I hope that one of outcomes of this period of physical separation is that we further strengthen the positive partnership of the entire JFS community.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Fink
Headteacher

Updated Wednesday 18 March

Dear Parents

I am writing following the government’s announcement that a closure has been imposed on all schools nationally.  This will take effect from Friday 20 March until further notice.

We are seeking clarification about the provision for the children of Key Workers and those with EHCPs and are in discussion with our fellow schools and the Local Authority over how this will be provided.

These are unprecedented times and I appreciate the challenges that such a decision brings including how we can ensure ongoing education for all our students.

I know this is a stressful time for many people and I would like to thank you once again for maintaining a sense of calm and confidence in the school’s management of this unusual situation.  We will provide updates as the situation evolves and as more information becomes available.

Whilst public examinations will not place in May and June, which we recognise creates uncertainty for your child’s future, we would ask you to refrain from emailing staff at this time with questions regarding examinations, sixth form entry, predicted grades and university applications. At this point we have no additional information other than that announced by the Prime Minister and therefore cannot give you accurate guidance.

I am sure you join me in extending care, concern and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who have unfortunately fallen ill to the virus. Thank you to so many of you for the messages of support that you have extended to the school in at this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Fink
Headteacher

Updated Tuesday 17 March

Dear Parents

Whilst the news is changing on a regular basis, we continue to update you with arrangements at school.

We remain open, in line with government advice, and in order to do so we are making some operational changes over the next few days. We are in close contact with our Local Authority and are taking their guidance on a daily basis.

We have made the decision to operate a winter Friday timetable from tomorrow, Wednesday 18 March ending school at 1.15pm – 1.30 pm. Staff will remain in school and spend the afternoons preparing and uploading resources to Show My Homework which will be the main method of communication with students moving forward.

We have a number of staff absent and as such we will be condensing classes, ensuring that we are using our depleted teaching faculty in the most efficient way. Teachers are working hard preparing resources that students in isolation can complete from home, however please refrain from emailing or messaging teachers directly asking for work for your child.

We remain committed to supporting our students, both in terms of academic and personal welfare as well as supporting parents/carers with their children’s education.

• Work for each year group will be uploaded on a weekly basis to Show My Homework.
• Work will include a mixture of teacher-created activities and those created via various online learning platforms to which there will be links available on SMHW.
• Work completed by Years 7-10 will be submitted to teachers via Show My Homework and whole class feedback will be given by teachers on a weekly basis.
• Work completed by Years 11-13 will be submitted to the teacher via Show My Homework and/or direct email (as instructed by the class teachers) and a mixture of whole class and personalised feedback will be given by teachers as and when required.

Questions and Answers

What if my child does not have a laptop or reliable internet access at home?
You should contact your child’s Head of Year and let them know. We will try as far as we can to ensure that all children have the resources they need to access learning materials but we need you to inform us.

Will my child be able to interact with their teacher?
In some cases, and for certain lessons your child may be able to safely communicate with their teacher.  Details of how this will take place will be explained once we have uploaded the work in the event of closure.

What if I have questions about pastoral issues while my child is off school?
Please email your child’s Year Team as usual. If you have a very serious issue to discuss, please email Rabbi Cohen cohen@jfs.brent.sch.uk directly.

What if my child has Special Educational Needs or Disabilities?
The SEND department are working on specific resources for SEND children that will be circulated alongside other class work. We will be sending out separate information about how students with SEND, particularly those with EHCPs, will be supported should we have to close.

What about public examinations?
Ofqual updates its advice regarding public examinations and we will follow their joint contingency plan if necessary. Parents and students can view the plan here: www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-statement-on-coronavirus

What about Free School Meals and Looked After Children?
We will email all FSM and LA families with details of support that is available during any closure.

What if I or my child has a safeguarding concern when the school is closed?
In the event of school closure, we would advise any parent or child who has a concern about their own or others’ safety, to contact your local authority safeguarding agency.

Barnet: Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 8359 4066
Brent: Family Front Door on: 020 8937 4300 (option 1)
Hertfordshire: Safeguarding on 0300 123 4043

If you live in a different borough, please contact the relevant safeguarding team.

If your concern is school-related you will be able to email the Designated Safeguarding Team: Mr Bruce via bruce@jfs.brent.sch.uk

These are unprecedented times and I reiterate my hope that we will pull together as a community to support each other over the coming weeks and months.

Kind regards

Rachel Fink
Headteacher

Updated Monday 16 March

Dear Parents

I hope this update finds you all well. As we said last week, we would ensure there was an update whenever we received new guidance as we have done today.

I am pleased to let you know that the vast majority of students in years 7-11 are in school. We want to thank all you for supporting so many children to be here with us. Mrs Fink and I have been walking around the school and are delighted to share that there is a calm atmosphere with everyone focused on their learning.

We have received an understandably higher than usual number of absent requests, which we totally understand and appreciate with so many people having loved ones who may be at increased risk in these uncertain times.  As we said yesterday, we really do appreciate the anxiety that the lack of certainty is creating amongst all of us, in addition to the confusion caused by the varied advice we are all receiving on the news and on social media.

The government have updated their advice for schools this morning. I am pleased to say that we had already put in place the actions that were suggested in the latest release, and have an identified room for students who display any symptoms of the virus whilst they are at school. The room has windows and is well ventilated and is large enough to have a 2 metre distance between anyone who needs it. If you would like to read the full release you can find it here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19#cleaning-and-waste .

We intend to remain open until we are advised otherwise. We will continue to follow government advice and make decisions based on that advice and in conjunction with our Chair of Governors.

Just a reminder from yesterday, no testing is taking place for those with mild symptoms, but if your child is displaying symptoms, specifically:

• a high temperature,
• a new continuous cough,

they should stay at home and self-isolate for 7 days. They MUST NOT attend school. If a member of your household is displaying symptoms, please listen to the advice from NHS 111 regarding wider family isolation. This will help to protect others in our community while they may be infectious. If your child develops any of these symptoms while they are at school, you will be contacted and they will be sent home.

Please do inform us via email attendance@jfs.brent.sch.uk if your child is going to be absent from school.

Stay Healthy.

Kind Regards

Rabbi H Cohen
Deputy Headteacher

Updated Friday 13 March

Please note that the current advice is that ONLY the person with symptoms of the virus needs to self-isolate.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. (See ending isolation for more information).  This action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.

To stop the spread to the rest of your household:

• stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible
• sleep alone, if that is possible
• wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds each time using soap and hot water

For further detailed guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection