COVID-19

September 2020

Dear parents

I hope this information reaches you well rested and in good health!

We are greatly looking forward to seeing you and as I am sure you are all aware CV-19 is still very much part of our daily life and we therefore have to continue to take great precautions to stay as safe as possible.

With our September start fast approaching, Im sure that a number of parents may have questions about how we are approaching things at school. We have drawn together a Q&A format that we thought may be useful for parents. We hope we have covered the main points, though there may be more questions that follow. It is important to note that this is our starting point and that things may change over (or even before!?) the first few weeks. There will be adjustments and alterations in response to situations changing, finding better (or safer) ways of doing things and simply to address mistakes or unforeseen issues.

We will communicate these as swiftly as possible when they occur.

The school has placed a full version of our risk assessment on the school website.

SOME REMINDERS FIRST

We will be operating school similarly to Rainbow school to enable everyone to be as safe as possible.

The Government has recognised that younger children cannot socially distance but are recommending we continue to use the POD/Bubble system in school.

We have made the decision to continue to have sister classes together as they share the cloakroom and toilets, this will enable us to continue to have separate outdoor areas for each POD. Each class will be separate inside their classrooms for learning. This year each class is the name of an author to celebrate our love of books and reading at The Ellis.

F1 Nursery PINK POD

F2 Delightful Donaldsons RED POD

Y1 Wise Woollvins ORANGE POD

Y2 Perfect Potters ORANGE POD

Y3 Fantastic Fletchers YELLOW POD

Y4 Wonderful Walliams YELLOW POD

Y5 Creative Cowells GREEN POD

Y6 Determined Dahls GREEN POD

We will continue with our one way system around school and parents will say goodbye at the drop-off gates. There will be a member of staff on the main gate and the gate near F2 to support the children saying goodbye and remind everyone of the one way system.

F1, F2, Y1 and Y2 enter school from School Street and drop off at the red gate near F2. F1 go to the Nursery gate. All parents leave following the Foundation field and walking up to the main gate.

If you need to drop a KS2 child off second you leave them in the drive area to walk around the Y5/Y6 side of school and leave via the main gate.

If you are just dropping off a KS2 child please leave at the main gate, when there is a staff member there.

This is a great opportunity for everyone to start the park and walk for 5 minutes scheme. It enables everyone to come to school for their allocated time and will ease congestion and therefore help the safety of everyone at drop off and collecting time.

No cars are allowed to drive into school or turn near the main gate during drop off and pick up times.

BREAKFAST CLUB

Please only book into breakfast club if it is absolutely essential as we are trying to reduce numbers as much as possible. Initially breakfast club will be in the hall and we will have a separate area in the hall for each pod. We will use the front door for breakfast club starting at 8am. To help us organise can you please let us know what time you will be arriving.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

We will not have any clubs after school during Autumn 1 and we will review for Autumn 2, after October half term.

To keep school as safe as possible for all our families and staff we all need to respect the social distancing rules that have been made by the Government in and out of school.

Your cooperation and support is, as always, appreciated in this matter.

Please do not hesitate to make contact if you have further questions that need answering before your return on the 2^nd September.

Keep safe

Mrs Hurding (Mrs H)

Q and A for the September return to school.

What happens when children arrive at school?

Children will enter school through their designated entry point. Please try to arrive punctually and on time (not early!). Members of staff will be around to monitor entry/exit points. Children should move straight to their designated drop-off/collection points where a member of staff will be meeting them at the appropriate time. Where possible, we wish for children to do this independently to minimize persons entering the site. Initially, we appreciate some of our youngest children may need additional support/reassurance from parents which we understand is necessary. However, please note we ask that children only be accompanied when it is absolutely necessary. Please can we ask that only one adult drops off to decrease the amount of adults in school. We are aware that many children will need support to settle back into school and to get used to the new routines. We will support and nurture all our wonderful children back into school. We may need to hold a child to support their transition away from their carer.

Times and meeting points:

Drop off

Collect

Waiting

Pink Pod

Nursery

8.45am

11.45am

3.30pm

Wait at Nursery red gate. Socially distancing along the Foundation field

Red Pod

Foundation 2

8.55am

3.10pm

Wait at the red F2 gate. Socially distancing along the path parallel to Rainbow garden

Orange Pod

Y1 8.50am

Y2 8.40am

Y1 3.15pm

Y2 3.05pm

Wait at the red F2 gate. Socially distancing along the path parallel to Rainbow garden

Yellow Pod

Y3 8.50am

Y4 8.40am

Y3 3.15pm

Y4 3.05pm

Wait at the main gate

From Y4 (as long as we know) children can leave school independently

Green Pod

Y5/6 8.45am

Y5/6 3.10am

Wait at the main gate

Ideally encourage to leave independently

How can I speak with school staff if there is a need?

Due to the current and ongoing situation, we are asking parents to only enter the site when absolutely necessary, eg drop off and collection times, unless your child walks home or usually meets you outside. Entrance into school for parents is only by invite from staff or by prior arrangement. If you need to speak specifically with a member of staff, we ask that you make contact via calling the school office or through your class teachers email. If required, appointments may be made to speak directly with a class teacher through these methods. At this time, parents are not welcomed into classrooms routinely. We will be available to support so please make an appointment or phone Mrs Hurding and /or Mrs Gay who are available to talk during school hours.

I can see that the children have staggered starts, but what about playtimes?

The importance of physical activity and regular breaks is important for both health and social reasons. Children will have breaks with their own classmates and their pod, this is facilitated by having designated play areas. We will continue to have learning opportunities outside too.

What about dinnertime?

Lunchtime will be staggered and adjusted for most year groups. We are realistic in that we believe it isnt possible to feed our children in the usual way. Our youngest children often take the longest to eat their lunches and need the most support. For this reason, they will eat their lunches in the main hall, utilizing the larger space for distancing. In order to maintain the integrity of the PODS, other children will be required to eat their lunches in either the classroom or picnic tables/ in their PODS outdoor area.

So are children having usual school dinners and hot meals?

The school has worked with the meal provider to offer a range of meals. There is some variation to the menu, however, this allows the meals to be delivered and eaten safely in areas other than the school hall. Initially, these will be fully disposable (trays/plastic knives/forks, etc) to avoid unnecessary movement, cleaning and opportunities for viral transmission.

How would I order these meals?

These are ordered the same way as before, paid electronically via Parentpay.

My child has packed lunches- what does this mean for them?

Children can use their usual lunchboxes, etc. A fully disposable packed lunch would still be our preference, as it limits what comes into school, however, it if fine to bring in a sandwich box/bag if it is washed and taken home every day.

What about drinks in school?

It is important that all children have readily available drinks. All supplies in school are mains fed and safe to drink. It is for this reason that we will provide every child with their own school water bottle, which will be cleaned at the end of the day and kept in school so children dont need to bring a water bottle from home.

How will you ensure that good hand hygiene is achieved?

Staff will routinely and regularly ask your child to wash their hands at key transition points in the day. Examples will include at the start/end of the day, after breaks or after using shared materials and resources.

How well set up is the school to promote hand hygiene?

Each classroom has hand washing points, these all have readily available soaps and paper towels. In addition to this, all rooms and most entry/exit points will have hand sanitizer. Children will receive regular opportunities and reminders to use them.

What about respiratory hygiene?

Staff will remind children about promoting good standards of respiratory hygiene. This will be in line with current guidance from the government, for example catch it, bin it, kill it for coughs and sneezes. Alongside hand hygiene, children will be reminded about touching mouths and faces and the inevitable nose picking!

What about toilets?

The theory of using bubbles (PODS) is that the children will operate as if they are in an extended family/household. Just like you wouldnt necessarily sanitise a toilet at home after each use, we will be doing the same. Children within pods have allocated toilets for their use, just like a home uses a shared toilet for a limited number of people, we will be doing the same. The priority here is good hand hygiene, as it quite rightly, always should have been!

The Lunchtime supervisors will be cleaning the toilets at lunchtime.

How will the school be maintaining appropriate standards of cleanliness?

The school has worked with the cleaning service provider to ensure that all recommended measures are in place. At the end of each day, all areas in school will receive enhanced cleaning. We have employed another cleaner to ensure each pod has its own cleaner. It is for this reason that classrooms have had some of the soft furnishing and additional resources stored so that all surfaces and touch-points can be efficiently and effectively cleaned. In addition to this, all classrooms have a small kit of cleaning products for additional and intermittent use. This includes surface cleaners and wipes for use on frequently used surfaces, shared resources, etc. Again, the priority here is good hand and respiratory hygiene.

How will classrooms be organised?

We have always had a range of seating options in place at school which are used to support learning. The current guidance from the DfE is that where possible children should not be sat in facing groups. Children will be sat side by side generally facing the front where possible. However, we will be teaching children in groups and the younger children will be available to access provision as this is a vital part of their learning.

Will my child be maintaining social distancing?

The DfE guidance that we have received states that children, and especially the youngest children, cannot socially distance and that for younger children the emphasis will be on separating groups and consistent groups reduce the risk of transmission by limiting the number of pupils and staff in contact with each other to only those within the group. However, we also have in the same guidance that for children old enough, they should also be supported to maintain distance and not touch staff where possible. We will be encouraging this by reminding children to attempt to maintain distance where possible and minimising physical contact between themselves, their peers and adults. Please support us with this by reminding children to socially distance as much as possible.

Will school be monitoring temperatures?

No. The latest guidance from DfE states that this is now considered an unreliable method of screening. We have invested in an infrared thermometer which we will use if staff or children are feeling ill.

What happens if my child has an accident or needs first aid?

The school has appropriate supplies of PPE and staff trained to administer first aid. Common sense and moral duty would dictate that the safety of a child with a serious injury requiring immediate first aid would duly receive it. Alternately, should an older child have a minor graze or scrape, the most sensible way to deal with this may be them being supported in cleaning themselves up. We may not

be in a position to give your child the hug or cuddle they need in a minor instance such as this, but we will do all we can to give them the reassurance and positive regard we can. In other instances of accidents or illness (eg vomiting, etc) staff have appropriate PPE to deal with the situation. If we have needed to cuddle your child to support their well-being we will let you know. As nurturers we will hug your child if it is needed.

Will my child need PPE?

PPE will only be needed in specific circumstances for staff, eg, supporting a child with medical needs or if a child becomes unwell and develops symptoms and a distance of 2m cannot be maintained by the adult supporting the child. We are instructed that children should not wear masks in school and whilst they may be wearing them as a result of using public transport or similar reasons, they should be removed prior to entering the school. If staff or parents need to or want to wear masks you are welcome to. The use of masks has greatly increased and is often now essential, since we were last all together, back in mid- July.

What about PE?

Physical activity and PE is an important part of the school curriculum. Children will be encouraged to be active during breaks and lunchtime and participate in games and play with minimised/no physical contact. PE lessons will be undertaken and these will be outdoor wherever possible/appropriate. The delivery of these may require the use of shared resources (eg balls, bats, etc) which will be quarantined or cleaned after use (again hand washing is the key!) and physical contact minimised or eliminated where appropriate.

What does my child need for school?

Initially we are asking that children only attend school with what is necessary or essential. This should be a coat/jacket or similar (if weather dictates it), a packed lunch (including a lunchbox if thats your choice) if not having a school meal. Children may or may not need a bag to carry all these, again we ask for your support in defining what is and isnt really essential. Please avoid additional stationery, toys, gifts(!) and unnecessary clothing. All items brought in for school (eg lunch boxes, coats, etc) should return home at the end of the day for cleaning if necessary. Book bags are now allowed and books can now come to and from school (phew!).

What about PE kits?

We will have PE kits back in school, but please be mindful that the children will not always change. PE is encouraged to be outside and we will limit the need to change as much as possible.

Your childs every day shoe should ideally be a trainer as we encourage time outdoors. Please try and have the trainers as plain as possible to fit in with the school uniform.

We will continue to provide lots of opportunities to learn outside so please ensure all children have the clothes appropriate for the days weather and have wellies in school too.

PLIMSOLLS

Will be needed to change into inside, when outdoor shoes are dirty.

Are children wearing uniform ?

Yes, the DfE have stated that this is now advised. We are asking children to attend in their usual uniform. Current guidance requires that it is not necessary to employ any special methods of cleaning uniform other than those you would usually use with regular washing to ensure good standards of hygiene. However, where possible we would recommend clean clothes every day, please let us know if you need support with this, we have been donated some good quality second hand sweatshirts.

What about homework and reading books?

By minimising other potential sources of transmission between home and school, we can be more confident in controlling others. Teachers will be asked to follow their usual homework systems from September and manage this by having a system in place for receiving (eg an in-tray or similar) and distributing homework (again this is mitigated by good hand hygiene in staff as well as children). Reading books can be selected and used.

Have behaviour expectations been revised?

We always expect our children to be kind, thoughtful and respectful. At this time some amendments have been made with specific reference to include deliberate spitting and coughing, refusing to follow instruction about physical contact and distancing. Deliberate acts will be taken seriously, however, we do appreciate that with young children they can forget at times. There will be regular reminders by staff to follow the guidelines.

How will my child receive additional support and help when needed?

Staff at school have always routinely worked closely with children, for example on a 1:1 basis when they are finding something particularly difficult. In many cases this can still be done at arms length, though at times it may be more difficult and we need to support our children to learn. Children with specific needs or working with EHCPs will have their needs assessed and addressed in line with current guidance. We want to keep our children and staff safe and enable learning to take place.

During the summer term, attendance regulations were relaxed and it wasnt compulsory to attend. Does my child now have to attend school?

The DfE has instructed that school attendance will be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term. This means from that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, including: parents duty to secure that their child attends regularly at school where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age;

schools responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
the availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities codes of conduct.

We are also instructed that shielding advice for all adults and children will pause on 1 August, subject to a continued decline in the rates of community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). This means that even the small number of pupils who will remain on the shielded patient list can also return to school, as can those who have family members who are shielding. We also know our community and that some of our children may be anxious about returning to school for a variety of complicating factors. We welcome the opportunity to discuss, reassure and support children in this situation. Please contact school from 1st September via the phone or email.

OKWhy is all this important?

The measures outlined above, such as bubbles/Pods, staggered starts and hygiene requirements have been put in place (to follow the guidance!) because it is really important that we do what we can to help keep everyone safe, including children, staff, parents and the wider community. By operating in this way we can minimize the risk and should anyone within the school become ill, develop symptoms or test positive for COVID19 the school can be really clear on the necessary steps which are outlined in the next question.

What happens if my child, myself or someone else shows symptoms?

Staff members and parents/carers understand that they will need to be ready and willing to:

Book a test if they or their child are displaying symptoms. Staff and pupils must not come into the school if they have symptoms, and must be sent home to self-isolate if they develop them in school. All children can be tested, including children under 5, but children aged 11 and under will need to be helped by their parents/carers if using a home testing kit
Provide details of anyone they or their child have been in close contact with if they were to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or if asked by NHS Test and Trace
Self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), or if anyone in their household develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Anyone who displays symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can and should get a test. Tests can be booked online through the NHS testing and tracing for coronavirus website, or ordered by telephone via NHS 119 for those without access to the internet.

The government will ensure that it is as easy as possible to get a test through a wide range of routes that are locally accessible, fast and convenient. By the autumn term, we will be provided with a small number of home testing kits that we can give directly to parents/carers collecting a child who has developed symptoms at school, or staff who have developed symptoms at school, where we think providing one will significantly increase the likelihood of individuals getting tested.

We ask parents and staff to inform us immediately of the results of a test:

If someone tests negative, if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
If someone tests positive, they should follow the stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and must continue to self -isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and then return to school only if they do not have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell/taste. This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone. The 10 day period starts from the day when they first became ill. If they still have a high temperature, they should keep self-isolating until their temperature returns to normal.

Other members of their household should continue self-isolating for the full 14 days.

What will the school need to do if someone becomes ill, shows symptoms or receives a positive test result?

We must take swift action when we become aware that someone who has attended has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). We will contact the local health protection team. This team will also contact us directly if they become aware that someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) attended the school as identified by NHS Test and Trace. The health protection team will carry out a rapid risk assessment to confirm who has been in close contact with the person during the period that they were infectious, and ensure they are asked to self-isolate. The health protection team will work with us in this situation to guide us through the actions we need to take. Based on the advice from the health protection team, we must send home those people who have been in close contact with the person who has tested positive, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact with that person when they were infectious. Close contact means:

direct close contacts – face to face contact with an infected individual for any length of time, within 1 metre, including being coughed on, a face to face conversation, or unprotected physical contact (skin-to-skin)
proximity contacts – extended close contact (within 1 to 2 metres for more than 15 minutes) with an infected individual
travelling in a small vehicle, like a car, with an infected person

The health protection team will provide definitive advice on who must be sent home.

A quick reference version of what to do if a situation arises: The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

A high temperature this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
A new, continuous cough this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you

get your result.

The table below covers the vast majority of situations for children, should your situation not be covered, please contact school to discuss.

What if͙?

What to do?

Return to school when͙?

My child has covid

symptoms.

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self isolate

Get a test

Inform school immediately about test result

the test comes back negative.

my child tests positive

for covid.

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self-isolate for at least 10 days

Inform school immediately about test result

they feel better after 10 days isolation.

Symptoms can last for several weeks once the infection has gone, but they can return after 10 days if they feel

well.

somebody in my

household has covid

symptoms.

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self isolate

Household member to get a test

Inform school immediately about test result

the household member test is

negative.

somebody in my

household has tested

positive for covid.

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self isolate for 14 days

the child has completed 14 days

isolation.

NHS test and trace have

identified my child as a close contact of

somebody with

symptoms or confirmed

covid.

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self isolate for 14 days

the child has completed 14 days

isolation.

we/my child has

travelled and has to self

isolate as part of a period

of quarantine.

Do not take unauthorised leave in term time

Consider quarantine requirements (and

possibility of quarantine) and FCO advice

when booking travel

Returning from a destination where quarantine

is needed

Do not come to school

Update school daily

Self isolate for 14 days

the child has completed 14 days

isolation and quarantine period

complete.

we have received

medical advice that my

child must resume

shielding.

Do not come to school

Contact school

Shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again.

school inform you that restrictions

have been lifted and your child can

return again.

September 2020

Dear parents and carers,

I wanted to get in touch to reassure you of the plans we have in place to keep your children safe when they return in September. Below is information received from Barnsley Council.

All year groups will return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. Weve been working hard to minimise the risks of Coronavirus (COVID-19) by making sure that we have control measures in place in line with the Government guidance.

The school has undertaken a thorough risk assessment which includes:

maximising distancing between people in school, and reducing contacts wherever possible
Enhanced cleaning arrangements
Robust hand washing and respiratory hygiene measures.

We all have a role to play in keeping our school and community safe

Do not send your child to school if:

they do not feel well
they have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) or have tested positive
you, someone in your household or support bubble has symptoms or has tested positive.

You should book a free Coronavirus (COVID-19) test and self-isolate in line with the guidance below and at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

The same guidance applies to school staff.

The rest of this message includes information on what is happening across Barnsley and gives you advice on how to protect you and your family from Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Were looking forward to welcoming all children back in September.

Kind regards

Mrs Hurding

How you protect yourself and your family

Barnsley council continue to monitor the situation across the borough, working closely with partners and Public Health England, adapting their approach as required.

They know that some of the positive cases in the borough are from people socialising together. While people have missed spending time with friends and family, its important to remember these two rules:

When you’re outside, don’t meet with more than six people together at a time.
You can only socialise indoors with people from up to two households.

Remember, in both of these situations, you still must social distance and wash your hands regularly. You should avoid touching anything unnecessarily, but anything you do touch should be cleaned. This includes walls, doors, door handles, the toilet, the sink and taps.

Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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

new continuous cough and/or
high temperature
a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

Getting a test for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If youre concerned in any way, or you have even mild symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19), you can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute.

In Barnsley, we have a local testing site on the Courthouse car park in the town centre. We also have a mobile testing unit that will move around the borough.

The Mobile Testing Unit will be in Wombwell on Station Road car park (behind the library), from Friday 21 to Tuesday 25 August and at Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall, Darton Lane, Mapplewell from Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 August.

Book your test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119, and you can expect your result the next day.

When should you self-isolate?

Self-isolate immediately for at least 10 days if:

you have any symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
you’ve tested positive for coronavirus this means you have coronavirus.

Self-isolate immediately for at least 14 days if:

someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
you’ve been told by NHS Test and Trace that you’ve been in contact with someone who has coronavirus.

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

How to self-isolate reduce the spread of the virus and dont be a contact

You must not leave your home if you’re self-isolating.

Don’t

do not go to work, school or public places work from home if you can
do not go on public transport or use taxis
do not go out to get food and medicine order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family except for people providing essential care
do not go out to exercise exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Please follow our Facebook page and see our Teachers with a video message for their new class in September…

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheEllisCESchool/videos/?ref=page_internal

Lockdown Poems by The Ellis children, staff and families

Im supposed to be at school today By Lucy

Im supposed to be at school today

But mum says I cant go

Its our turn on the bikes, I said

But she hugged me and said no

I get to play at home today

And sit and watch TV

Dads been on his phone all day

But it doesnt bother me

Mum made us ring Gran today

And I said that I had grown

I told them both my favourite joke

And gran laughed loud down the phone

No ones playing on my street today

And Im getting bored of TV

I got a bit upset and sad

Then mum sat me on her knee

She said it all feels a little strange today

Not just for you, but for me

It wont be like this forever my love

Just you wait and see

Dad came off his computer today

And helped me read my book

Both our tummies started rumbling

So then he taught me how to cook

I played out in the yard today

And found some bugs within the grass

My neighbour saw me through her window

And waved at me through the glass

Guess what? I went back to school today

And all my friends came back too

My classroom looked exactly the same

And my teacher said I missed you

Gran came round for tea today

And said something to me

You must remember this time my dear

Cause theyll teach this in history

The time we spring cleaned the world

The world it got so busy

There were people all around

They left their germs behind them

In the air and on the ground

These germs grew bigger and stronger

They wanted to come and stay

They didnt want to hurt anyone

They just really wanted to play

Sometimes they tried to hold your hand

Or tickled your throat or your nose

They could make you cough and sneeze

And make your face as red as a rose

And so these germs took over

They started to make people ill

And with every cough we coughed

More and more germs would spill

All the queens and kings had a meeting

Its time to clean the world up, they said

And so they had to close lots of fun stuff

Just so these germs couldnt spread

We couldnt go to cinemas

Or restaurants for our tea

There was no football or parties

The world got as quiet as can be

The kids stopped going to school

The mums and dads went to work less

Then a great, big, giant scrubbing brush

Cleaned the sky and the sea and the mess

Dads started teaching the sums

Big brothers played with us more

Mums were in charge of homework

And we read and played jigsaws galore

The whole world was washing their hands

And building super toilet roll forts

Outside was quiet and peaceful

Now home was the place for all sports

So we played in the world that was home

And our days filled up with fun and love

And the germs they grew smaller and smaller

And the sun watched from up above

Then one morning the sun woke up early

She smiled and stretched her beams wide

The world had been fully spring cleaned

It was time to go back outside

We opened our doors oh so slowly

And breathed in the clean and fresh air

We promised that forever and always

Of this beautiful world wed take care

Now Im working from home By Thomas Y3

Now I’m working from home

It always makes me moan

My mum is trying her best

To help; to complete her quest!

The sun is shining, its nice and warm

To work or play? Im too torn!

Finding a balance is a big task

Are you working? I hear you ask

The daily vlog from school is really good

Keeps us in touch like only Mrs H could

Im missing my friends and playing tig

Talking about Minecraft and chasing that pig

Well be back soon, ready to learn

Our uniforms on with energy to burn

Well be happy to work, happy to play

When we return it will be a good day

The world for now is quiet By Harry Y5

The world for now is quiet

There is a cloud in the sky

Full of germs and sadness

And it keeps on floating by

The world is not as we know it

Its changed overnight

The schools are closed for now

But in the end it will be alright

The world needs the sunshine now

To chase the cloud away

Everyone to stay at home

Until a brighter day

The world is all okay again

Theres a bustle on the street

Well remember this quiet time

And well celebrate we got it beat

A place full of hustle and bustle By George Y6

A place full of hustle and bustle

Friendship everywhere

Now its just a place full of despair

Friends separated until who knows when

As quiet as a mouse

Not even allowed to leave our house

The streets deserted

Everyone locked away

When will the world return to normal

Nobody knows

When will friends reunite once more

When will the school be once again flooded with hustle and bustle

When will the playgrounds be once again filled with laughter and joy

From girl to boy

The future no one can predict

However we can make it.

I dont know what to do right now By Mrs Stevens

I dont know what to do right now

Things are so strange

Keep thinking about going to work

But obviously things have changed

I feel so lost without those I see everyday

Its just not normal in anyway

I am at home with my son

Trying to do things we have never done

Its so hard at this moment in time

I miss the children after lunch getting in a line

Looking after them at lunch

Watching them laugh and play

Cant wait to see this again one day

Missing each every one of you

Its staff and children too

Everyone take care and hope to see you soon

A Rainbow. By Lucas Y3

A Rainbow

Is as red as apples crunching

Is as orange as leaves blowing

Is as yellow as the sun shining

Is as green as frogs jumping

Is as blue as the sky turning

Is as violet as flowers dancing

Lock down By Eliza Y6

L: Life is very different at home

O: Out to dinner? More like out of the question

C: Cant stop stressing

K: Knowing what to do is hard

D: Down time is essential

O: Outside everything is shut

W: When I look outside theres nothing there

N: Nothing to do at all

Leavers poem By Darcie Y6

Its time to go

End of Primary is here

What a wonderful school year

Ill miss my friends

Ill miss the staff

Ill miss the way we all laugh

F1 we built a tower

F2 we planted a flower

Y1 we tied our shoe laces

Y2 we chose a story from the book cases

Y3 we played lots of sports

Y4 were dinosaurs meaning a mixture of all sorts

Y5 PGL was our trip

Y6 was all about IKIC

Ive loved the years we have all shared

Its time to move on and Im a little bit scared

Its time to go, the fun weve had

Memories weve shared of course we will be sad

Its time to leave

Our goals at The Ellis were achieved

Lockdown By Freddie Y6

Luckily we are safe from this invisible, life-stealing virus

Obnoxiously people still amble across the streets

Chaotically shoppers panic-buy, the shelves empty

Kind-heartedly the NHS still work hard, while we relax

Dauntingly our elderly are in quarantine (12 weeks)

Ominously the death tolls rise, like a tsunami engulfing the world

Wickedly the virus spreads its germs like wild-fire

Noticeably the streets are quieter now..

Empty Coat Pegs By Mrs Trotter

I glance up at the classroom clock

It says its five to nine

I grab my coat and rush outside

To meet my Year 2 line

But the playground stands deserted

Not a soul or sound I hear

The realisation dawns on me

I fight to hold back to tears

I go back inside my classroom

A second home to me

I stand for a while, take it all in

This isnt how it should be

The chairs are stacked on tables

The coat pegs are empty too

Reading books upon the shelf

Waiting to be read but by who?

I walk into the school hall

No PE, assembly or singing

But then I close my eyes and listen

Their voices in my head are ringing

So I head into the staff room

Where all my friends should be

But the lights are turned off, no kettles are boiled

No queues for a cup of tea

I decide to switch on my computer

And a smile appears on my face

Photos on Twitter and Facebook

Our children are running this race

Amazing home learning completed

Children spending time at home

Or out walking, enjoying nature

Spotting rainbows as they roam

I think to myself how I used to joke

Without children, how lovely school would be!

All clean and tidy, no lost pumps or cardis

How wrong I was, I now see

Because without children, we just have a building

Its them that make it a school

Their laughter and learning and friendship

Sticking to our golden rules

I busy myself with my work

And soon it is time to go

I shut the school gates behind me

As I look back over my shoulder I know

This is just a moment in time

Which wont last forever youll see

And one day our future teachers

Will teach it in history

Our school doors will open again

And one thing you can be sure

Is that all the staff will be waiting

With huge smiles for you at the door

So until then Ill clap for key workers

To say thank you for all that they do

But to every Ellis child out there

I am also clapping for you

Covid-19 By Marilyn Burke

Coronavirus

Oh what a performance

In the year twenty twenty

People are panic buying and loo roll aisles are empty

Everyone pushing and forming a queue

Theres hardly owt left for such as me and you

Im 73 now and doing as Im told

Im self isolating you see

And as loo rolls are like gold

Im going back to the days of old

When there wasnt such a thing

Wed cut newspapers into squares

And tie them on a nail with a piece of string

The Year 2020 By Marilyn Burke

Around the world our lives are on hold

Around the world we have to do as were told

We have to stay at home and stop the spread of this disease

It will save our lives so please, please, please

I know children will miss a hug from their gran

But theyll be able to cuddle you as soon as they can

And teenagers will miss going out with their pals

So try and have patience you great guys and gals

So lets look to the future when all will be fine

And well all get through this fearful time

Then one day future generations will look back and theyll know

How brave their families were in the days of long ago

Lockdown By Mrs Broadbent

Life is different now its lockdown

The roads are clear

Less hustle and bustle

Theres no one near