Dear Parents/Guardians, In September, the Buckinghamshire 2021 Secondary Transfer Tests are currently scheduled to take place for the current Year 5s (who will then be in Year 6). The Secondary Transfer Test is a test to determine whether or not a child is suited to a grammar school. Buckinghamshire County Council undertake the administration on behalf of the 13 grammar schools. For pupils in Buckinghamshire primary schools, a printed copy of the Familiarisation booklet is usually given to each pupil to take home towards the end of the summer term of Year 5 but due to the fact that school may still be closed a copy of the Familiarisation booklet is available to download (see image). Due to COVID-19 final arrangements for the tests have yet to be made. As soon as more information is available we will email parents. Taking the test is not compulsory for children in Buckinghamshire primary schools and if parents/guardian wish to withdraw their child from testing we must have parental consent. Please email the school office should you wish to WITHDRAW your child (opt-out) from the tests by Friday 26th June. Should you feel that your child has a disability that will affect them sitting the exam, please email and we can arrange a time for you to discuss this with a teacher. These can then be emailed to the school: admin@ivervillage-jun.bucks.sch.uk. The Equality Act 2010 places a duty upon Local Authorities (LAs) and schools not to discriminate against disabled people or pupils in their access to education. The grammar school admission authorities are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled children are not put at a substantial disadvantage during the Secondary Transfer Test. They do this through the operation of the Special Access Panel.
Where a child who has an Education, Health and Care Plan, or has a disability (without having an EHCP) that could be described as having an ‘adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’, then parents are advised to discuss their child’s access to the test with his or her headteacher. If the disability might affect access, consideration can be given as to whether any special testing arrangements should be made. If you feel that your child needs special access arrangements for the transfer test please contact the school as soon as possible but no later than Friday 26th June. Kindest regards, J Digweed Dear Parents
I can’t believe that we have reached the last half term of the school year! The last few months have certainly been a challenge! The manner in which children, parents and staff have dealt with this crisis has filled me with pride from day one and I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive community. I want to thank the many of you who have been sending in emails of support over the last few months and I only apologise that I have not been able to respond to all of you individually. They have definitely helped me through the long days and sleepless nights as I plan for the safe return of staff and children to our school. Next week sees the return of some of our Y6 children and the staff have been busy preparing the school for their return. We support and respect the difficult decisions made by each individual family about the return to school. There is no right and wrong in a situation such as we find ourselves in, only what is best for you and your children. In the coming weeks there are likely to be more announcements about more children returning to school. We are as much in the dark as you are about what might or might not happen going forward, and only hear about changes to the guidance when it is announced at the government briefings. For now, we will keep working as we are, doing our best to support all of our families in these difficult times. My very best wishes to you all for some peace and happiness this weekend, J. Digweed Dear Parents/Guardians,
Iver Village Junior School aims to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive curriculum. We aim to give children the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future. As you may be aware, from September 2020 the Department for Education is making Relationships and Health Education (Primary) and Relationships Sex Education and Health Education compulsory in all schools. What does the new guidance mean? The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, it will give children the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and will help them take responsibility for their own well-being. All sessions will be age-appropriate and meet the needs of all children in the class. How will this be delivered? This guidance will form part of our school’s PSHE education programme which is taught throughout the school in every year group and is monitored and reviewed regularly. For more detail about our PSHE curriculum offer, please visit the school’s website: https://www.ivervillage-jun.bucks.sch.uk/pshe.html On our website you will be able to see the details of the curriculum for each year group. As part of the introduction of the PSHE curriculum schools have been asked to consult with parents. In usual circumstances we would hold a meeting for parents to talk to us about the curriculum however, with the need for social distancing, this is not possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office and we will get back to you. Best Wishes, Mrs Chapman-Allen Dear Parents/Guardians,
Following government guidelines, we have created small groups to accommodate the children of key workers. These groups are kept totally separate during the day to reduce the risk of cross contamination of any germs. To maintain social distancing, we can only have a small number of children in each group and new children are unable to then join an established group. Going forward we will not be able to accept any new children of key workers into these existing groups. Therefore, we need to know immediately if you are a key worker who will need childcare during this half term. To ensure the safety of everyone, childcare places are for families that have no other means of childcare. If you are going to need childcare, then please inform us by 3.30pm on Friday 5th June by emailing the school office at admin@ivervillage-jun.bucks.sch.uk or calling the school reception (please feel free to leave a voicemail if the number is engaged). We want to create all groups on Monday 8th June and this will be the last opportunity to join a ‘childcare group’. We are aware that the government guidelines may change during this half term and if this is the case we will then update you about any new arrangements. Please contact us soon as possible (by the latest Friday 5th June 3.30pm) if you are going to need a childcare at any point this half term. Thank you once again for all of your support during these difficult times. Best wishes, Jill Digweed See the live crocodiles tomorrow at midday!
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/nature-live-online-crocodiles-rock.html |
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March 2024
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