Keep up to date with the latest News here.

• Head Teacher's Blog

  Thu 28 Jan 2021 Mrs Bates

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  I genuinely hope that you are all well, especially after the announcement from the government yesterday. It was probably not the news that the majority had hoped for. However, based on the transmission rates of the new variant, and the rise in cases, we consider the Prime Ministers announcement to be a fair reflection of the situation we are in right now. Covid-19 is certainly dominating lives and circumstances currently, and school life is no exception.

   

  For those of you who did not hear Boris Johnson speak yesterday, children will not be able to return to school, unless they are vulnerable or part of the critical worker groups, until the 8^th March 2021 at the earliest. In his statement, he confirmed that ‘it will not be possible to increase the number of pupils attending schools immediately after the February half-term’. Instead, he indicated that the earliest the government believes it will be safe to begin to increase pupil numbers is from the 8^th March 2021. This means education continues remotely and our offer remains the same for at least a further two weeks after our February half-term. The Department for Education, and the Nottinghamshire Local Authority, have also confirmed this week that schools will not be asked to stay open throughout the holiday. Both the staff, the pupils and their families require rest and recuperation from the education that they have been providing and receiving since January.

   

  Despite the perception within the media, schools are very much still open and we continue to educate 135+ children daily (a third of the school community). There has just been a shift in the way in which are working. We are still very much educating 100% of our children, with the 65% of those at home receiving work and feedback daily.

   

  We are very proud of everything you are doing currently to support your children and we know how hard this is right now. Many of us are parents ourselves, and we know the balance that has to be struck, and it is not easy for anyone. We also whole-heartedly appreciate how hard the news must have been to hear yesterday and how disappointed you must be! Rest assured, we are here to support you and will do what we can to get you and your children through the next few weeks.

   

  Times are hard currently and this is certainly harder than the previous lockdowns. The nights are darker, the days are colder and the beautiful snow soon turns to slush and wet. We no longer have the sun and the patience that we had in the first lockdown, the daily figures create worry and panic, and positivity is being lost because we are struggling to believe that there is an end in sight. However, I wanted to say WELL DONE! Ultimately, we are all coping in a global pandemic; things are bound to feel strange and different! There may be more microwave meals throughout the day, more time on devices and screens and a later time to bed! No one is judging this and ‘it’s ok!’ – we are all doing our best, and we know that you are all doing what you can to keep your children safe in the best way possible.

   

  Do not be hard on yourselves and seek help if you need it. We are all in this together, and we will genuinely help if you are honest and open up! We know that the daily timetables do not work for everyone and that you all have a different tolerance to education and the ability to support your children. Reach out and we can help.

   

  Honestly, look after yourselves and take care. We cannot wait for this to be over, but at this moment in time, we are very much living and breathing a pandemic that needs to be controlled and managed in the very best way possible. We are nearly a year in (I cannot actually believe I am writing that, but we are!) and we have the experience now to keep going and fighting this battle until the very end!

   

  There is a light at the end of the tunnel! For now, do your best and keep going! I am so proud of our community spirit right now.

   

  THANK YOU, take care and look after yourselves,

   

  Mrs Bates

• Head Teacher's Blog

  Wed 27 Jan 2021 Mrs Bates

  Useful phone numbers to support our families and children during this difficult pandemic and further time at home:

   

  Food bank (behind Eastwood Library) 01773 535255

  BWP  01773 719111

  Eastwood Library 01773 712209

  Eastwood Children’s centre 0115 9773742

  HFT 0115 8835500

  MASH 03005008090

  HomeStart Nottingham 0115 9624262 Befriending support for families with children under 5yrs

  Broxtowe Council 0115 9177777

  Notts Help yourself -online

  Riley Foundation-Underwood for children with additional needs

  Let’s talk wellbeing  03003002200

  Drug and alcohol support CGL 0115 8960798

  Safe families 01159227593

• Head Teacher's Blog

  Fri 22 Jan 2021 Mrs Bates

  Following our school closure this week, I wanted to remind families to ‘be kind to yourselves and do your best’. Yes, we have expectations from the Department of Education to follow, and children are expected to work from home. However, we also understand how difficult it can be. Remember that in school, a lesson lasts for a set amount of time, and when that time is up we move on. We supply a suggested daily timetable to support you with your day at home. However, please make this work for you. You may want to alter the timings of the lessons, or order of activities to do. PLEASE be easy on yourself and reduce some of the pressure. The work does need to be completed, but do your best in the time you have and make it work for you at home. Teachers will contact you if they don’t hear from you, but if you upload what you can, when you can, they will know you are coping and know you are ok. If not, then tell us and we are here to help! GOOD LUCK!

  

• Head Teacher's Blog

  Fri 15 Jan 2021 Mrs Bates

  Well, another great week at Greasley. Despite many children working from home, we have true commitment from everyone involved with the school. 

  Teachers and staff are working exceptionally hard with blended learning, ensuring that children at home and school are receiving the same level of education, support and feedback. Parents, you are doing a great job in supporting your children, and (as usual) the children are being GREAT! We are so proud of everyone!!

   

  Please do tell us if there is anything we can do to support you and please do get in touch with any concerns or worries. 

   

  The bubbles in school are working hard and we know this is being replicated at home! 

   

  I did some 'pupil voice' today with some children across school. This was to find out their views and experiences of blended learning. 'Out of the mouths of babes' we are learning a lot and looking at how our provision may need to tweaked slightly. We will also be asking for your views too soon, which will enable us to evolve our home learning offer. 

   

  Thanks for working hard and coping during these difficult times! 

   

  Take care,

   

  Mrs Bates 

• Head Teacher's Blog

  Fri 08 Jan 2021 Mrs Bates

  Week ending 8th January 2020

   

  WOW...what a week in the world of education - I think the amount of communication this week shows how crazy it has been! Thanks for your understanding in advance.

   

  I am lost for words and SO proud of our whole-school community. Parents and carers have been so supportive, children have been resilient and positive and my staff have been AMAZING!! 

   

  We will continue to face whatever next week brings and tweak any plans where necessary.

   

  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:

   

  Sonny - Orange 1 - For writing his name independently and enthusiastically. He used great letter formation and consistent sized lettering. He was proud of himself and we are too! 

   

  Holly (and her dad!) - Orange 1 - For making my day by acting out a story at home. Holly made a great narrator and dad was the best tortoise I have ever seen acting! : ) 

   

  Well done everyone - keep safe and keep smiling! : )

   

  Mrs Bates x