We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of our pupils. We expect everyone to share this commitment. View the safeguarding section of our website for more information.
Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Christmas Performances
Tue 30 Nov 2021Our Christmas sing along performances will be available to view on our website. We will let you know when they are available.
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Updated Risk Assessment
Sun 05 Sep 2021Please click on the link below to view our latest risk assessment and outbreak management policy for September 21.
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DfE Update 16.7.21
Fri 16 Jul 202116th July 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Re: Changes to contact tracing in education and childcare settings
As you know, the Prime Minister announced on 12 July that Step 4 of the roadmap would go ahead on 19 July.
One of the key changes from 19 July is that, education and childcare settings will no longer be asked to conduct routine contact tracing. On local Public Health advice, we will be continuing with our current arrangements until end of the term.
Once the summer holidays begin, we will revert to the standard NHS Test and Trace process where positive cases will be contacted only by NHS Test & trace team to identify their close contacts.
As with positive cases in any other setting, NHS Test and Trace will work with either the positive case or, in the case of children, the parents, carers or guardian of the positive case to identify close contacts.
NHS Test and Trace already manages the contact tracing process for the rest of society – including children who have recorded a positive PCR test – and has expertise in supporting people to identify close contacts.
This letter sets out in more detail below how that process will work and what you need to do if your child tests positive for COVID-19.
Self-isolating and taking a test
- If your child has symptoms, they and other members of the household should self-isolate – and you should inform their education or childcare setting. You should immediately order a PCR test for them. If the PCR result is negative, they and other members of their household can stop self-isolating (unless instructed to self-isolate for other reasons). If the PCR result is positive, they, other members of their household and any close contacts identified currently by the setting and post end of the term by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
- If your child has a positive result from a lateral flow device (LFD) test, they and other members of the household should self-isolate. If this happens before the end of term you should inform their education or childcare setting. You should immediately order a confirmatory PCR test. If the confirmatory test is taken within two days and the result is negative, they and other members of their household can stop self-isolating (unless instructed to self-isolate for other reasons). If the confirmatory PCR test is positive (or is taken more than two days after the LFD), other members of their household and any close contacts identified currently by the setting and post end of the term by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the LFD test.
- PCR tests can be booked online through the NHS Test & Trace website or by calling 119.
- PCR test results will be recorded with NHS Test and Trace automatically, but you should also communicate the result to the education or childcare setting during term time or summer provision.
Contact tracing
- If your child gets a positive PCR test result, before the end of term you should contact the school as normal. From the holidays there is no need for you to contact the school. NHS Test and Trace will contact you using the details you registered when ordering the PCR test. You and/or your child will be asked a series of specific questions designed to identify who your child has been in close contact with. Being in an education or childcare setting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not necessarily mean a person is identified as a close contact.
- You will be asked to provide the contact details, if you know them, of any of the individuals – or their parents or guardians – who have been identified as close contacts. NHS Test and Trace will then get in touch with these close contacts and provide appropriate instructions or advice (see below).
Self-isolation and/or testing of close contacts
- At present, anyone identified as a close contact is legally required to self-isolate and must not attend their education or childcare setting (the only exception is if they are participating in a daily contact testing trial and schools allow this to happen). Anyone identified as a non-household close contact by NHS Track and Trace must self-isolate until 10 days after the date of their most recent contact with that person. If they live in the same household, they must self-isolate until 10 days after the date of that person developing symptoms (see point 1 above) or, if that person was asymptomatic, the date of their test (see point 2 above). NHS Test and Trace will notify you of the day on which the self-isolation period ends.
- Close contacts are also advised to take a PCR test. If the test result is negative, they must still complete the full self-isolation period, as the test will not detect all positive cases. If the result is positive, they will need to self-isolate for a further 10 days – and NHS Test and Trace will contact them to identify any close contacts.
- From 16 August, if the close contact is under 18, they will not have to self-isolate (in line with the policy for fully vaccinated adults) but will be asked to take an PCR test immediately, other than for very young children identified as non-household contacts, and they will not need to self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test. If the PCR test is positive, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the test. NHS Test and Trace will then get in touch to identify close contacts (see points 5 and 6 above). Look out for any further guidance on these changes to self-isolation.
We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families, education and childcare settings have had to make. This has been an enormously challenging time for everyone and we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you have done.
Aleks Hartshorne
Headteacher
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Headteacher's Letter to Parents
Fri 16 Jul 2021Dear Parents and Carers,
Looking ahead to the summer break, we hope that the ever changing picture of the coronavirus pandemic means we can begin to see a time when we can return to our normal lives.
It is, however, important that we continue to remind ourselves that we all have a part to play in keeping the pandemic under control so that we keep everyone safe and that together we can look forward to a brighter future.
Since all pupils returned on 8th March, the school has been full of life and it has been wonderful to hear the busy sounds of children learning, playing and laughing with their friends and teachers. It has also been a challenging term, with more Covid interruptions and further disruption to children’s learning.
Bowlee Park School staff have worked tirelessly since the start of the pandemic. School has remained open throughout this time supporting children of key workers and vulnerable pupils and juggling this with delivery of remote learning. Since 8th March our focus has been to help children make up for missed learning. Our recovery work is not over. We have plans in place to ensure that over the next 12 months all children will be given the support they require to catch up to the age related expectations for their year group.
I remain grateful and thankful for your support and patience this term, and for your hard work in supporting your children’s learning at home. I know for many of you this has been, at times, challenging: juggling your own work, family illnesses, children not always eager to participate in home learning and the general stresses and strains the pandemic has put on us all.
We are planning for a ‘normal’ September. We will dispense with bubbles, resume assemblies and lunches in the hall, and invite parents into school for school events. We will, however, be mindful of public health and government advice and make any changes required to keep everyone safe.
Please support your child’s learning over the summer by taking advantage of the opportunity to visit school on Wednesday mornings with your child to change their reading book. Mrs Jones will be on hand to offer guidance on book choices
Throughout the past 18 months, the community of Bowlee Park has remained strong and the conversations and emails from you, remain as always, positive and supportive. We have an exceptional school, with incredible children, families, staff and community support. I am confident that in the next academic year we will continue to thrive.
I wish you and your families a safe, restful and enjoyable summer break,
Aleks Hartshorne
Headteacher -
Important information from Public Health
Tue 29 Jun 2021IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health/Infection Control Advice for parents and carers:
Bubbles and Social Distancing:
All schools are using the bubble system. This limits the amount of people each child will have contact with and therefore limits the spread of the virus. However, the size of these bubbles will differ between schools. Each school has done an individual risk assessment, reviewed by Public Health, taking into account the age and educational needs of the children, class sizes and size and layout of classrooms/buildings and facilities.
Testing and Contact Tracing:
National guidance states that any individual with the three main covid symptoms (a new continuous cough, high temperature or a loss of/change in sense of smell) should stay at home and arrange to have a test. Due to high covid rates in Rochdale, we encourage anyone with symptoms on the extended list* to also take a test and/or isolate until symptom free. The school has the right to enforce this if they are concerned your child may be a suspected case of covid.
If your child tests positive for covid-19, they and their household must isolate for 10 full days.
If your child is identified as a contact of someone with covid-19, they must isolate for 10 full days, starting the day after they last had contact with the positive person. If the person has tested positive on a Lateral Flow/LFD test, the bubble will be asked to isolate immediately, whilst the positive individual takes a PCR test to confirm. If the PCR test result is negative, the case and contacts can come out of isolation.
Your household does not need to isolate if your child is a contact, unless they develop symptoms or test positive.
PCR Testing for Contacts:
Due to the current high rates of covid in the borough, we are asking that anyone who has been identified as a contact takes a PCR test (unless they have had a positive PCR test in the last 90 days). This will help us to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus, and to identify positive individuals who are asymptomatic (do not have symptoms).
You can book a test online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test and selecting the following option:
My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms
If you do not have internet access, you can also book a test by calling 119.
Isolation and Support:
We understand that isolation can have a financial impact on families. If you or your child need to isolate, you may be eligible for a £500 payment under the Test & Trace Support Payment Scheme.
Information on financial and other support available from the council can be found at: http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling: 0300 303 8870 (for financial support) or 01706 923685 (for other support, e.g. food, medication, wellbeing)
Useful Information:
NHS isolation guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment
Guidance for household contacts: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Guidance for non-household contacts: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person
Information on Covid-19 Vaccinations: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination
Government Covid-19 Roadmap: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary
Guidance for parents and carers on schools, colleges and early years providers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
*List of Covid-19 Symptoms
- fever
- a new and continuous cough
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- loss of smell
- loss of taste
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- myalgia
- sore throat
- headache
- nasal congestion
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- vomiting
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Message from Public Health
Fri 28 May 2021You may aware of continuing concerns regarding rises in cases of covid 19 in the borough and across GM. Currently, infection rates in Rochdale are high in comparison to other local areas.
We all appreciate you support at this time and we are trying to do the best to stop the spread of covid 19.
During the holiday period if you or your child have symptoms please go ensure that you go for a PCR test at one of the local testing sites. Secondary aged pupils are asked to continue to test twice a week throughout half term and essentially before returning to school at the beginning of the new term. Rochdale public health are strongly encouraging the continued use of face masks in communal areas in schools and in line with school guidance where social distancing can’t be maintained.
Parents of primary aged children can access Lateral Flow testing kits from local pharmacies and from the borough’s PCR sites. We would encourage you to pick the kits up and test children before the return to school. This will help us to enable a safer return to school after the half term break.
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Uniform Reminder
Thu 01 Apr 2021Please click the link below to see a letter form Mrs Hartshorne about school uniform.
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Reopening Plans 8th March 2021
Mon 01 Mar 2021Please click on the link below to view the reopening plans for 8th March 2021.
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FAST Testing
Fri 29 Jan 2021Fast testing
FAST Testing, which use lateral flow tests, is available for anyone who lives or works in the borough and cannot work from home.
Testing is free, there is no need to book and is only for people who show no symptoms.
If you do have symptoms you need to book a covid-19 test through the NHS – details of how to do this can be found here – rochdale.gov.uk/Coronavirus
FAST testing is available at the following sites:- Rochdale – Nye Bevan House
- Heywood – Heywood Sports Village (both a walk in site and a drive through site)
- Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre
- Pennines – Hare Hill Bowling Club
Sites are open 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 4pm at weekends.
We recommend that you get tested twice a week.
For more information on FAST Testing please visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/FastTesting
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Safe after School Information
Thu 21 Jan 2021We know that finding childcare can be difficult. Rochdale LA have made us aware that babysitting services are being offered via a website called nextdoor.co.uk. Parents in the borough have used this site unaware that those offering their services have not been vetted and safety checked. This opens the door to adults intending to harm children. The ‘Safe After School’ parent booklet provides advice to parents when selecting tutors, babysitters, childminders and out of school activities. This booklet will help you to ensure that the relevant checks have been undertaken and the appropriate questions asked to safeguard your child. Rochdale LA also holds a list of all registered childminders in the area.
Please click here to view the Safe after School information
