Please check your emails for letters regarding changes to staffing and classes for September 2023.

 

A separate email has been sent to individual families and adults confirming classes for September due to the mixed ages.

 

Attachment is the letter sent to all families regarding the changes.

 

Any questions please get in touch.

Festival in a Day/Sports Day 14.07.23 - Every year at Brockley we host an incredible family day, when we all come together and have a fabulous time. The success of the day is all due to the support of the school community and we need your help!
We are looking for stall holders, games and face painters to join us - can you help?

Please contact the office if you are available and willing to get involved.

Many thanks #thebrockleyway#bekind

The transition day for the Y6 pupils who will be joining The Bolsover School in September is the 13th July 2023.

 

If you require any further information regarding this date, please contact The Bolsover School direct on 822105.

6th July 2023 - Induction evening from 5-7pm

 

11th July - Y6 Induction Day

12th July - Y6 Induction Day

13th July - Y6 Induction Day

 

Should you require any further information, please contact Heritage High School direct on 810259.

 

Dear Brockley Families,

 

National Education Union (NEU) Industrial Action - Please read carefully.

 

All schools have been sent guidance from the Department of Education and Derbyshire County Council with regards to the planned teacher strikes.

 

I am able to confirm that following notification from the NEU members in school, ONLY ZEBRA CLASS  will be affected by the intended strike action on Wednesday 5^th July and Friday 7^th July

 

No other classes are affected.

 

To try to minimise the impact on children and parents the following arrangements will need to be in place.

 

On Wednesday 5^th July and Friday 7^th July Little Zebra children (Nursery) should attend school as normal for the morning session, 8:40am gates open as usual.

 

Little Zebra children (Nursery) should attend school and be collected at the usual time and place of 11:50am.

 

Big Zebra children (Reception) should NOT attend school on these dates.

 

The school office will be open as usual, should you need to contact us.

 

With regards to possible further action and dates, I will be in touch when I am able to confirm which staff are taking part in the industrial action.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support.

You may be aware that It’s About Me, Derbyshire’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme is back again this summer during the school holidays between Tuesday 25^th July- Friday 1^st September.

 

It’s About Me is a FREE Holiday Activity and Food Programme funded by the Department for Education offered to children aged between 4-16, eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Please note this hasn't been the case at Brockley and ALL children are invited - we will ensure we fight for this!

 

Bookings are set to go live early July, so this is just a gentle reminder for our families to be on the lookout for the links and messages.

Our Eco-Team have been busy in the garden with our lovely Alan making sure everything is tidy and growing successfully.

Our rhubarb patch has grown immensely, some of the stalks and leaves were bigger than the team members!

Attendance and Holidaying in Term Time

The Governing Body and Headteacher of Brockley Primary School are committed to improving outcomes for all children. Attendance at school and being on time everyday has a huge impact on a child’s learning and helps to ensure personal success.

The government's expectation is that for a school to be judged 'Good' by Ofsted then the attendance rate must be at least 96% and today (16.06.23) Brockley's is 93% with a persistent absence rate of 21% against the national average of 17.4%. This clearly isn't good enough and whilst I am sympathetic to each individual request or issue regarding absence I must reinforce our policy.

Whilst the Governing Body and Headteacher will do everything they can to support families struggling with attendance and lateness it must also be understood that as part of the monitoring procedures parents and carers may receive a sternly worded letter informing them of their child’s late and/or absent rate. This letter is a statutory requirement.

The letter will invite you to attend a meeting with the Headteacher to discuss any problems you may be experiencing and share ideas  in which we can work together to achieve an acceptable level of attendance.

Staff are here to help you and may suggest:

•  Joining Breakfast Club (Available daily 8am until 8:40am) 

• Providing contact details of an external local provider to help with work commitments

• Providing contact details of a local child minder to help with work commitments

• Referral to School Health where on going illness is a recurring issue

• To discuss possible external agencies and the help they can offer

• Support with transport (If eligible)

Please speak to the Headteacher in the strictest confidence.

 

Absence During Term-Time

I would like to clarify the school’s position regarding holiday or leave of absence during term time.

Authorising absence is a policy decision. I have to work within the policy adopted by the Local authority and school. All school absence is a serious matter monitored by the LA, Education Welfare department and Ofsted and all school procedures are checked regularly.

Holidays are NOT permitted in term time. Requesting holidays because it is cheaper to go in term time is not a valid reason, neither are celebrations abroad considered a necessity.

Taking holidays in term time mean children quickly fall behind with their work and may require extra support to catch up.

Parents taking holidays without discussing it first or informing the school in advance will result in fixed penalty fines being issues. This is £60 per child and parent rising to £120 per child and parent if not paid within 28 days. If we are not informed where a child is in school time the child is classed as missing and the relevant authorities.

Parents may request leave of absence for exceptional circumstances. A form needs to be filled out and submitted to the Headteacher with as much notice as possible. This is available from the school website. www.brockley.derbyshire.sch.uk

Permission for exceptional leave of absence will be submitted to the governors of Brockley and they will assess if the child:

• Has attendance of 96% or above at that time.

• Is not likely to fall behind with their work.

• Has not requested any other leave of absence that year.

• There is an acceptable exceptional reason for this request.

• Does not have any statutory tests at that time.

I hope this explains how the school will deal with requests for leave and any holidays taken in term time.

 

School attendance and absence: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Year 5 Taster Day at The Bolsover School. Please see the attachment for details.

Healthy Steps is an 8-week email programme to support families with 5-11 year olds to make healthier choices, including easy tips, budget-friendly recipes, family challenges and more.

 

Visit the Healthy Steps website, to sign up in your local area.