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Friday 17th July 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Further to the letter sent by Mr Lindsay Harvey (Corporate Director – Education and Family Support, Bridgend County Borough Council), I am writing to confirm arrangements for the full reopening of Ysgol Bryn Castell from September 2020. As always, Ysgol Bryn Castell’s priority is for the health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community, and this will not change going forwards.
From Friday 4th September 2020, pupils will begin their transition back to school with all new learners to the school visiting on Friday 4th September;
|
School Day Start/End Times |
Friday 4 September |
|
Start: 9:30 End: 12:30 |
|
In-line with usual admissions procedures, pupils new to Ysgol Bryn Castell will then be offered a bespoke transition package that best meets their individual needs.
From Monday 7th September, each class group will be split into Group A and Group B, with pupils returning to school according to the following table;
|
Pupil Group |
Monday 7th September |
Tuesday 8th September |
Wednesday 9th September |
Thursday 10th September |
Friday 11th September |
|
Group A |
Start: 9:00 End: 11:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 12:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 13:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:45 |
|
Group B |
Start: 13:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 12:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 11:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 10:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:45 |
The school recognises that for many pupils their levels of social interaction will have been significantly reduced during the school closure period and will find the reintegration to school challenging. If the transition back to school is too challenging for your child then the school may need to reconsider the number, frequency and timing of sessions which for some pupils may involve an alternative provision of support.
It is also recognised that all members of the school community will have experienced some kind of loss as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic and school staff have been busy developing our YBC curriculum to enable pupils to reconnect and recover through a Trauma Informed Approach when we return to school.
Ysgol Bryn Castell will build upon the current geographical zonal model that has successfully been in place since school closure. This zonal model involves pupils and staff staying within discrete groups and areas of the school, which minimises the number of contacts and promotes physical (social) distancing whilst working towards maximising a broad and balanced curriculum for pupils.;
|
Geographical zone |
Maximum number of pupils |
Curriculum |
Geographical location |
|
KS2 |
18 |
Usual offer with minimal changes and impact. |
KS2 |
|
KS3 |
26 |
Recovery and reconnection curriculum offered by reduced number of staff; more nurture-focussed activities and provision but with some curriculum rotation. Potentially reduced access to specialist areas. |
KS3/4 |
|
KS4 |
35 |
More ‘usual’ timetable offer although this will be offered by a reduced number of staff to minimise contacts. |
Specialist areas |
|
P16 |
41 |
More ‘usual’ timetable offer although this will be offered by a reduced number of staff to minimise contacts. |
P16 |
|
ASD |
32 |
Usual offer with accredited options delivered from smaller staff group and potentially reduced access to specialist areas. |
ASD |
This model will remain under review and we will work towards implementing a more ‘usual’ schooling experience as soon as we are able.
School staff have worked tirelessly during the 2019/2020 academic year to support our pupils and will be taking a well-earned rest for the Summer Holiday period; this means that school staff will be unable to offer regular communication with families over this period but support can be accessed by contacting Laura James (Vulnerable Groups Coordinator) on 01656 642421.
Sincere thanks for all your support, understanding and encouragement over what has been a very challenging academic year; we look forward to a time where we are able to have our YBC Family all safely back together.
Stay safe and happy holidays,
Mrs Helen Ridout and all at Ysgol Bryn Castell
14 July 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
Thank you for your support, understanding and patience over the past four months. I am grateful to you all for everything you have done to assist your child’s learning, your child’s school and the local authority at this difficult time.
This letter will provide you with further information in respect of your child/ren will return to school from September 2020.
As a result of the Minister for Education’s recent announcement regarding the reopening of schools, the local authority is keen to work with schools and Parents/Carers to ensure all pupils return to school in September as soon as it practicably possible to do so.
All Bridgend schools will be open for staff only between Tuesday 1 September and Thursday 3 September (inclusive). This period will allow school staff to plan and reconfigure the school in readiness for pupils returning to schools.
Parents/Carers are advised that Bridgend schools are not open for pupils during this period.
From Friday 4 September, certain year groups will start to return to school.
The following table provides further information in relation how pupils will return to Ysgol Bryn Castell School on Friday 4 September.
|
School Day Start/End Times |
Friday 4 September |
|
Start: 9:30 End: 12:30
|
|
From Monday 7 September, Ysgol Bryn Castell will welcome pupils back to school with nearly all pupils attending full time by Friday 11 of September.
At Ysgol Bryn Castell each class group will be split into Group A and Group B, with pupils returning to school according to the following table during the week commencing Monday 7 September;
|
Pupil Group |
Monday 7 September |
Tuesday 8 September |
Wednesday 9 September |
Thursday 10 September |
Friday 11 September |
|
Group A |
Start: 9:00 End: 11:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 12:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 13:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:45 |
|
Group B |
Start: 13:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 12:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 11:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 10:00 End: 15:20 |
Start: 9:00 End: 14:45 |
Class teams will be in touch to confirm which group your child will be in before Friday 17 July.
In-line with usual admissions procedures, pupils new to Ysgol Bryn Castell will be offered a bespoke transition package that best meets their individual needs. If your child is new to Ysgol Bryn Castell, Mrs Jane Marsh or Miss Sara Kulpa (Home School Liaison Officers) will contact you directly regarding arrangements for your child.
If the transition back to school is too challenging for pupils then the school may need to reconsider the number, frequency and timing of sessions which for some pupils may involve an alternative provision of support.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you all, once again, for your continuing support at a very difficult time.
I hope you all enjoy the summer break and I look forward to seeing pupils back in schools from September.
Sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
Tuesday 7th July 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Ysgol Bryn Castell has successfully reopened and we currently have a number of learners accessing Hub provision and ‘Check in, Catch up and Prepare’ provision (both on- and off-site), alongside pupils accessing digital learning;
As per our previous letter, Bridgend Local Authority have confirmed that schools will close on 17th July 2020.
The school and Local Authority, are eagerly awaiting advice and guidance from Welsh Government about plans for September and will keep you informed as we receive any updates. We recognise and share your frustration that we are not yet able to share information about plans for September.
The Admin Team will be in touch with you over the next two weeks as the school implements the Sims Parent App which allows greater communication between Parents/Carers and the school. The App is available on both apple and android devices and can also be accessed by an internet browser.
School staff will maintain regular communication with families but recognise that members of the school community may find this transition period from full lockdown challenging and unsettling and would encourage you to reach out and seek support if you or your child are finding things difficult.
Ysgol Bryn Castell will continue to act in the best interests of your child as we move forwards together, focussed on the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff.
Thank you for your support, encouragement and feedback.
Stay safe and best wishes,
Mrs Helen Ridout and all at Ysgol Bryn Castell
We have loved welcoming pupils back this week and help you get ready to come back we have made a film to show you the different ways you will need to come in.
Click the link below and see how you will enter and exit school now.
We can't wait to see even more of you over the next few weeks
Try out some of the Digital Kicks online activities.
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