Victoria School
"Working Together for Success"
Victoria School
Working Together for Success
Latest News
See here for the latest news and updates
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A Letter to parents from the Director of Public Health - Birmingham
Mon 21 Sep 202021st September 2020
Dear parent/carer,
It’s been wonderful to see children back at school, learning and seeing their friends again. I know the past few months have been hard on all of us and I’d like to thank you for your continued support. You will have seen some changes to the way your school operates so I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of why these are vital to the safe running of school; please remember that although many aspects of society have opened up again, although in a different way, the virus has not gone away. While changes will vary from school to school, depending on such things as building layout and number of pupils, the differences you will notice could include: − Staggered drop-off and collection at the start and end of the day to minimise the number of people at the school entrance. − Children will be in ‘bubbles’ to reduce contact as much as possible, but allow them to learn and play with friends. − If a child or staff member within a bubble shows symptoms or is infected then the bubble may need to isolate, but the school will communicate with parents if this happens. − Asking children to wash their hands even more than usual, use hand sanitisers and follow any one-way systems while staying apart as much as possible. I know some of these changes may be hard to get used to, and they may be frustrating, but they are entirely in order to keep all children, staff and parents safe. I would therefore ask for your continued patience and consideration as we all do our best to help each other get through this difficult and unusual time. School staff have been working so hard to ensure schools are a safe environment for learning and playing, so please do what you can to support them and each other and we will get through this. Please also keep in mind that it is important that we all play our part in not going for a test unless we have one of the three covid symptoms, a temperature, new continuous cough or loss of sense of taste or small, or if we are asked to by the NHS or public health teams. Birmingham City Council Director of Public Health 10 Woodcock Street Birmingham B7 4BL If you have any questions or concerns, please speak direct to your school – they are here to help.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Justin Varney
Director of Public Health Birmingham City Council
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QAC Open Day Events Update
Thu 17 Sep 2020For those parents who are beginning to consider options for when their young people leave Victoria School please visit this link. It explains how Queen Alexandra College (QAC) will be conducting their open days differently this year:
https://www.qac.ac.uk/news/qac-open-day-events-update/1361.htm#.X2MUEBBKjIV
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Virtual Parents' Evening
Sun 13 Sep 2020This week is our opportunity for a virtual Parents' evening. You will be contacted individually by your child's class teacher, for a discussion specifically about your child, their needs and your priorities for them. The class staff will also offer you the opportunity to participate in a whole class "virtual meeting" with the full staff team and all parents/carers to share information about the running of the class, the timetable, routines, expectations, etc. We encourage you all to attend. There will be no face-to-face meetings as we usually have. -
Tighter Coronavirus restrictions in Birmingham
Sun 13 Sep 2020You will be aware that the rate of Coronavirus infection is increasing in Birmingham and as a result, tighter restrictions are coming into force. What does this mean for your child?
Victoria School remains open for all pupils except those who require regular Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) such as suctioning*, nebulising and ventilation. (*Those who require only oral (mouth) suctioning can return from Monday.)
Students in year 7 and above (Key Stages 3,4 and 5) should bring a face covering to wear at school when in communal areas outside of lesson times. There may be some children who can't wear a face covering because of respiratory or behavioural issues. No-one will be prevented from attending school if they do not wear a face covering, but we do encourage everyone who can, to wear one.
If your child has a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a change to their senses of taste or smell, DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. Stay at home and ring 119 or go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus to arrange a test. They must isolate for 10 days or until their test result comes back negative. Other household members must isolate for 14 days.
If your household is isolating, you cannot come out to drive your child to school.
If your child develops symptoms at school, they will be kept in isolation and you need to collect them immediately and arrange for them to have a Coronavirus test.
Please assist us to stop the spread of the virus by limiting to one, the number of adults accompanying a child to school. Please maintain social distancing from other parents, staff and children when you are dropping off / picking up your child.All school visits are strictly by appointment.
Remember that frequent, rigorous handwashing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the best way to control the virus.
REMEMBER:
HANDS - wash your hands
FACE - cover your face
SPACE - leave enough space between yourself and others
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School Transport
Thu 03 Sep 2020We are very aware that many families have been unhappy about arrangements and communication regarding school transport which started again today. It is a massive undertaking and involves many stakeholders: the children and young people, their families, the school, Birmingham City Council Travel Assist who commission the service and employ the guides, and National Express Accessible Transport (NEAT) who provide the buses, employ the drivers and work out the routes. Jayne Griffiths , who is Victoria School's Transport Coordinator has been working tirelessly, assisted by Di Tate, Pastoral Care Manager, to liaise with Travel Assist and NEAT to identify the gaps in service so they can be rectified. We appreciate your patience while this is sorted out. Parents who choose to drive their own children are eligible to apply for a cash mileage allowance. Application is via Travel Assist. Hopefully the initial problems will soon be ironed out and transport will resume working effectively.
We have 2 extra buses this year: 32 buses plus taxis and parent pick-ups. Therefore, we need to maintain the double pick-up times in the afternoon. Buses: 6, 17, 18, 23 and 26 , together with taxis and parents picking up will only be able to enter the car park after the first run of 27 buses has departed, usually at about 3.15-3.20pm. This means that all children should depart school by 3.35pm.
Please do keep in touch with us regarding any transport difficulties.
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Sad News - Clare Blackshaw
Thu 03 Sep 2020It is with great sadness that I pass on the news of Clare Blackshaw's death on 31 August. Clare had a very long history with Victoria School and was wholly committed to the welfare and education of the pupils. Clare began working at Victoria as a teacher and gained promotion to the role of Assistant Head Teacher. Upon her retirement, Clare was appointed as Clerk to Governors of the newly formed Federation Governing Board, a role she held right up until her death. Although a very busy role, Clare also was extremely active on the committee of Friends of Victoria and over the past few years, fulfilled the role of Treasurer. Clare was active in preparing for and attending every Spring Fair, Summer Fair, Christmas Market and Santa Special. She liaised with Phab Camps for the children, and coordinated tickets to the Zoo, Circus and various special events for pupils and their families. Even this was not enough to fill her time. Clare was also a very regular volunteer , helping our young people with their reading and language development. Outside of school, Clare was a longstanding member of St Laurence Church and its choir. Clare passed away after a short illness. She will be very much missed for her great gentleness, dignity, hard work, generosity, care and concern for our young people. We will pass on details of her funeral (which we are hoping to live stream) and a collection in her memory, as they come to hand. -
Updated Information on children returning to school in September
Mon 31 Aug 2020I am sorry to advise that guidance has changed since my last post 10 days ago. The NHS has determined that they are not able to issue a "COVID-Secure Certificate" for children who require Aerosol-Generating Procedures (AGPs) such as ventilation, suctioning and nebulising) to return to school. Unfortunately that means that at this time, those children are unable to return. Your child's class teacher will be in contact with you to discuss ways that your child can still participate in their education. When the COVID-Secure Certificate is issued, the children will be able to return. (This applies to all Special Schools in Birmingham, not just Victoria.)
The updated risk assessment and letter to parents have been uploaded on the website under: Key Information / September 2020 Returning to School.
There has also been some confusing messages about the attendance of children in secondary schools and the wearing of masks by thos children. Secondary aged pupils at Victoria (except those requiring AGPs), can attend full-time from 3 September 2020. There is NO rota system in place. They are NOT required to wear masks at school. These strategies apply only to those areas where the COVID risk is rising. This is NOT the case in Northfield.
As with everything related to Coronavirus, guidance on these matters is constantly being updated. We will keep you informed of any changes, as promptly as possible, vis the website.
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Welcome back, Risk Assessment and Information about COVID-19 for September
Tue 25 Aug 2020We are very much looking forward to welcoming back our existing pupils and welcoming new pupils during September. However, the already complex procedures for the beginning of a new school year, are further complicated by the fact that Coronavirus is still about so we are fully committed to keeping our pupils, families and staff safe. I am attaching 2 lengthy documents: the full risk assessment for fully re-opening schools and a letter to parents, which is briefer and easier to read, that details important information about your child's return to school and taking protective strategies to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus. Please do take time to have a look at the Risk Assessment and to read the letter thoroughly. We hope that the 2020-21 school year is less disrupted than the previous year and that your child will enjoy a rich year of learning experiences.
Please go to the "Key Information" Tab to see these two documents under the "September 2020 Returning to School - Coronavirus Information" tab.
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Update on COVID-19 Situation in Birmingham from Ian Ward : Leader of BCC
Wed 19 Aug 2020Leader statement on current COVID-19 situation - 19 August 2020
You may have heard in the news over the last couple of days that – Birmingham’s infection rate is now increasing. We’re not yet in the position other UK cities have been (in no small part thanks to your vigilance and hard work). But government is watching very closely over coming days, in case it looks like we’ll need to go back into lockdown.
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, has urged everyone to pull together to ensure the city tackles the threat posed by rising coronavirus case numbers, and you may like to take a look at the message that he has written that’s just been published on the council website here.
We will continue to communicate key messages to you as this situation changes and develops to keep you fully informed. In the meantime – the basics such as regular hand washing, wearing face coverings inside public places, and keeping 2m away from others continue to have the biggest impact – and keep up the excellent work I know you are all doing to comply with the current requirements. Please also share the messages widely with your staff, parents, friends, and family as an ongoing reminder.
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Full School re-opening in September
Fri 17 Jul 2020The 2019-2020 school year has now come to an end. It has been a most unusual year because of Coronavirus, and we are sorry that children have not been able to celebrate their end-of-year assemblies, their Prom (although the virtual Prom was magnificent!) and the many other special activities that usually mark year's end. I pay tribute to you as parents and carers for all your hard work in caring for and educating your children with remote lessons from the school or via the internet, or around part-time school attendance. I pay tribute too to all of our teachers and support staff - both educational and non-educational, who have kept the school functioning throughout this difficult time.
\in accordance with government requirements, the school will re-open to all pupils in September. The first day of attendance for returning pupils and new pupils in year 1 and above, will be Thursday 3rd september. New Nursery and Reception children will have been given their first attendance date.
School is from 9am to 3pm. Children can arrive from 8.50am. Parents collecting children in the afternoon are asked to arrive at 3.20pm.
The School Transport Service will be operating as normal.
We will have additional hygiene precautions in place with extra cleaning, hand sanitisers and frequent hand-washing in place. Classes have been arranged in "bubbles" to minimise contact between groups. We will maintain social distancing as mush as possible and staff working with children for personal care will wear PPE.
You can help us y having only one adult accompany children into school and by clearing the foyer area as quickly as possible. Please observe social distancing if needing attention at the school office. Please wash your children's hands before they leave for school in the morning and as soon as they get home.
Your child MUST NOT ATTEND school if they have any illness or Coronavirus symptoms. If they become ill at school, you will be required to collect them as soon as possible.
The situation continues to change rapidly and I will keep you informed as the situation changes.
If you have been loaned laptops or iPads from school, please return them on the first day of your child's attendance.
We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back in September!