Dear Parents and Carers of Year 6 Children,

We hope you and your families are well and have been enjoying this glorious sunshine as often as you are able to! As the summer terms begins, we know that many children will be thinking ahead to the end of term and what this may entail, so we wanted to share some updates with you all. Unfortunately we are not able to move forward with a Year 6 return to school by 22nd June as we had hoped. We will be calling parents next week to update you all with our plans. Please contact the school if you do not receive a call next week.

Firstly, we would like to reassure you that we have spent much time in communication with your child’s secondary school to ensure that they have as much information as possible about your child to ensure a smooth transition to Year 7, which we feel is a priority. Government guidance states that teaching should now focus on readiness for secondary school. Consequently, we have planned some dedicated PSHE time for children to discuss this upcoming transition, both at school for those that can attend, and at home for those that cannot.

The safety of your children is, of course, another priority for us. We have been busy ensuring children are able to return to school in the safest possible way by setting up appropriate social distancing measures in their classrooms and around the school.

Regrettably, as per government guidance, it is unlikely that the usual ‘rites of passage’ that come to Year 6 children, such as our production, leavers’ assembly and other end-of-term excitement will not be able to proceed in the same way, if at all. It brings us huge sadness that the production at the Gulbenkian is not something we can proceed with due to the theatre remaining closed, as well as the difficulties we would face in putting a show together safely. Much the same can currently be said for the leavers’ assembly for similar safety reasons. Once again, we have planned some dedicated PSHE time for children to discuss their feelings around this.

We understand how important these events are to both the children and yourselves as proud parents and carers, and are constantly communicating to share suggestions as to how we can put something together as an ‘alternative goodbye’ to mark the end of the children’s primary school journey. Please be assured that we will continue to review end-of-term celebrations in light of any changes to the government’s guidance for schools and social distancing measures, whilst prioritising the safety of all involved.

We would like to extend a huge thank you for your support over the past few months. We know that you have done your best to support your child in the most appropriate way during this challenging time. As staff, we have received so many kind and supportive words from you that have meant a great deal to us. Your children remain our priority amongst the chaos and hope that you, and they, can understand any alternative arrangements we have to make.

Our thanks again and best wishes,

The Year 6 Team