The term seems to be whizzing by and with only two weeks left the children are well engrossed in their learning for this term. Some of the highlights from across the school in the last couple of weeks include: pond dipping, tasting Greek food, planting seeds and young plants in the allotments, more Forest School and continued Commando Joes plus, of course. lots of reading, writing and maths. Another TTRockstars battle will be happening before the end of term so keep practising - Year 2 will be taking part this time along with Years 3 to 6. 

The government have introduced an initiative that enables the adults in families with children in primary and secondary schools to collect or order rapid lateral flow tests.  This is because about 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on to others. Click here to access further information - Households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff of schools and colleges: get rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  You will find details of how to get tests for the adults in your family.  Please take the time to read the instructions and procedures very carefully and feel free to phone school if you have any questions. These tests are not designed to be used by primary aged children.  

If your child or anyone in your household has symptoms, you must book a PCR test at a test centre. The nearest one to school is at the High Street car park, Swindon Road GL50 3HQ (lower High Street) 

If you think that you may be eligible for free school meals please follow the link below. Even if your child is in Reception or Years 1 and 2 and automatically gets free school meals through the universal free school meal system it is still important to apply as our school would then get some extra funding.  

https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-transport-and-free-school-meals/apply-for-free-school-meals/ 

Why should I apply? 

For every child that is entitled to free school meals the school receives extra funding to enhance provision and improve progress and outcomes for children. So please apply even if you do not wish to take up your free school meal.  

What are the qualifying criteria for Free School Meals?   

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following: 

• Income Support 
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit 
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) 
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit 
• Universal Credit -  your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) 

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals. 

You will receive an instant response as to whether you are entitled to free school meals once you have submitted your claim. All you need is your National Insurance Number and a current email address. 

Please can we ensure that we all continue to follow the drop off and pick up times for your child’s class. This will help us to continue to ensure that we are able to maintain social distancing and stop groups congregating. We appreciate your continued co-operation with wearing face coverings too. 

Please ensure that your ParentPay and Nursey accounts are in credit.   

As you will all appreciate our aim is to educate the children therefore any funding we receive from central government should be spent on that and not on debts incurred by families.