Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• New Drop-in Vaccination Centres

  Fri 28 May 2021

  Plans announced to speed up Covid vaccinations in Leicester

   

  The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups and Leicester City Council are pleased to announce details for how they will be increasing the pace of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Leicester over the next two weeks, to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the city and in particular the variant of concern B.1.617.2, a coronavirus variant first identified in India.

   

  The plans include six new temporary drop-in vaccination services, additional GP-led drop-in clinics, extra slots at the Hospital Hubs and extra vaccination capacity to ensure people get their second dose of the vaccine eight weeks after the first dose. This all comes in response to an announcement last week by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, that Leicester would be speeding up its vaccination process, following a rise in cases of the coronavirus.

   

  Although cases of the variant are relatively low in Leicester compared to other areas, the plans have been put in place to help prevent the number of cases from rising.

   

  New temporary drop-in vaccination services

   

  Five new vaccination services are now open and will be vaccinating until Sunday 6th June 2021.

  • Coleman Neighbourhood Centre, Balderstone Close, Leicester, LE5 4ES

  • Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Hillsborough Rd, Glen Parva, LE2 9PQ

  • Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, Mantle Road, Leicester, LE3 5HG

  • Hamilton Library, 20 Maidenwell Avenue, Leicester, LE5 1BL

  • De Montfort Hall (The Garden Room), University Rd, Leicester, LE1 7RU

  A further service will open soon at Tudor Community Centre, Bewcastle Grove, Leicester, LE4 2JU.

   

  These are drop-in clinics so you don’t need to book an appointment.

   

  They will be open from 12pm to 9pm most days, except Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th May where they will be open from 10:30am to 9pm. Opening times may be subject to change. The clinic at Hamilton Library will be starting at 2pm on Tuesday 25th May.

   

  Current opening hours will be published at each site and online at: https://www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/additional-covid-vaccination-clinics/ 

   

  Vaccinations are being offered to people who are eligible for the vaccine in line with national guidelines. This includes people aged 32 or over; anyone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of Covid, and anyone who lives with them; adults who live with two or more adults, not from the same family; carers and health and care staff. We are only inviting people to come forward for these drop-in clinics who live in the areas of Leicester listed below, as these are where uptake of the vaccine is lower than in other areas:

  • City centre North

  • City centre South and Southfields

  • West End

  • Newfoundpool

  • Spinney Hill

  • Charnwood

  • St Matthews and St Peters

  • Northfields

  • Crown Hills

  • St Saviours

   

  People who do not live in these areas and are not in an eligible group will be turned away. Vaccines are available for people who live elsewhere in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland via the National Booking Service, the Hospital Hubs and GP practices. Details can be found online at: www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccine/

   

  The sites will all be offering the Pfizer vaccine which means it is suitable for people of all eligible ages and pregnant women. T

   

  he vaccination hubs at Leicester’s Hospitals will also be making additional vaccination slots available. Booking details will be provided to local residents in the prioritised areas, by community-based teams.

   

  Additional GP-led drop-in services

   

  Drop-in vaccination clinics have already been successful in increasing vaccination numbers locally. These tend to operate for one or two days at a time in an area. The next drop-in clinics will be operating at the following locations:

   

  Prajapati Hall, 21 Ulverscroft Rd, Leicester, LE4 6BY. Sunday 30th May 2021, 10am to 6pm.

   

  Merridale Medical Centre, 5 Fullhurst Avenue, Leicester, LE3 1BL. Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th May. 8:30am to 6:30pm.

   

  Caroline Trevithick, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Performance for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups said: “It is really important that anyone in an eligible group and living in the specific areas of Leicester we have identified comes forward in the next two weeks to be vaccinated. We are making it as convenient as possible for people to do that by making additional clinics available in the heart of local communities, including evenings and weekends.

   

  “We are particularly keen to vaccinate anyone aged 50 and over or with a health condition who hasn’t yet come forward. They are more at risk from becoming seriously unwell if they catch the virus and we want to make sure they have the best possible protection if cases of the variant of concern do continue to rise.”

   

  Leicester’s Director of Public Health Professor Ivan Browne said: “Stepping up the vaccination programme in Leicester provides us with a vital line of defence against the variant first identified in India. If you are eligible, please ensure you are vaccinated by visiting one of these drop-in clinics to get your jab.

   

  “We are very happy to support the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups with this vaccination programme. Where necessary, we can also use our ground teams who have been knocking on doors in local neighbourhoods to offer tests and advice for many months”.

   

  Second doses

  The NHS is bringing forward when people in the highest priority groups, receive their second dose of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination, if they haven’t already had it. This is so people that are at greater risk of getting seriously ill due to coronavirus, can get maximum protection earlier. Up to now, the NHS has been offering the second dose of vaccine up to 12 weeks after the first dose. With new variants of coronavirus circulating, it is important that we ensure people that are at greatest risk can get their second dose earlier -at around 8 weeks after their first. The local NHS is increasing its capacity to be able to do this as part of the local plans to minimise the risk associated with the variant of concern. You will be contacted about how to book your second dose by the part of the NHS who provided your first dose, for example your GP practice, a hospital (Swiftqueue) or the National Booking Service.

   

  For further information contact: PressofficeLLRCCGs@leicestershire.nhs.uk

• End of 1st Summer Half Term

  Fri 28 May 2021

  Dear Parents/Carers,

   

  We are now at the end of an extremely successful half term. Children are well-established back in the school routines and staff have enjoyed seeing them grow and achieve again in the school environment this term.

   

  Covid-19:

  Half Term Contact Tracing: Schools have been asked to continue their contact tracing role during the half term break. If we are notified of any positive cases next week, we will of course update you. It is very important that if your child becomes unwell with any of the symptoms of Covid-19: a high temperature, a new or continuous cough, a loss of taste/smell, you take them for a PCR test. Please notify the school office as soon as possible if you have to take your child for a PCR test and if they have a positive test result: office@oaklands.leicester.sch.uk or call 07742 800987 (10am-12 noon)

   

  If you have not yet had a vaccination, we would encourage you to contact your GP about where and when you can have a vaccination. There is additional capacity across the city to do this now. We are also aware that if you register as a carer (for your SEND child) with your GP then you are able to get both vaccinations more quickly.

   

  Parent/Carer Support: With funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, Bild (British Institute of Learning Disabilities) have been providing a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) helpline to provide support for family carers and support staff during Covid-19. Self-help featured highly on the requests for support that were being received so a range of resources and information can be found on their website here:

  https://www.bild.org.uk/resource/pbs-helpline-resources-self-help/

   

  Beat The Street: We were thrilled to see on the first day of Beat the Street, Oaklands was the 2^nd school on the leaderboard. We are now 1st!! Well done to parents/carers who have been out with children and got active! It is a great scheme and we would encourage you to keep us at the top of the board by using the map sent to explore the local area, improve physical and mental wellbeing for your family and help the school possibly win some great prizes.

   

  School Trips: Next half term, we are intending to start taking children out into the local environment again. We feel that this is a valuable part of our curriculum and we want to help prepare children for going out with families during the six-week summer break. This may simply begin with children having a picnic at the front of the school beside our lovely Oak tree, and extend to a walk down Whitehall Road including using the zebra crossing, to perhaps visiting the park or going to a local shop.

   

  Year 6 Leavers: Next half term we will continue to prepare our Year 6 children for moving on to a new school. We are still considering how to say Goodbye to them and the best way to involve parents considering Covid-19 safety measures. We will of course keep you updated.

   

  Diary Date: On Thursday 8^th July between 10-11am we will hold a virtual end of term coffee morning for parents. The leadership team would very much like the opportunity to catch up with parents (via Teams) before the end of term. More information will be sent to you about this after half term.

   

  We wish you all a happy half term,

  Regards

  Sarah Osborne (Headteacher)

• Positive Behaviour Support

  Wed 19 May 2021

  Please see our new page about positive behaviour support (PBS).  It has lots of information about the strategies that we use in school and how you could use it to support your child at home.

   

  https://www.oaklands.leicester.sch.uk/positive-behaviour-support/

• Local Offer Live 2021

  Wed 19 May 2021

  Quick Link - Local Offer Live Brochure

  With live performances, workshops and stalls sharing information all online, it is a key place to find services that offer support locally for special educational needs and disability.

  

• Covid-19 Positive Case

  Tue 18 May 2021

  Tuesday 18th May

  Dear Parents/Carers,

   

  Coronavirus Information

   

    I am writing to advise you that unfortunately, a child in the school has been tested positive for Coronavirus. The children in that specific class, their staff team and those children who have been on the child’s bus are now at home and have been asked to self-isolate following the national guidance.

   

  Following Government Guidance, your child should continue attending school providing they remain well. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#soc

  However, if your child becomes unwell with a new and persistent cough, or a high temperature, or has a loss of or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), you MUST keep them at home and you must follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, which sets out that your child should self-isolate for at least 10 days and you should arrange to have a test to see if they have coronavirus (COVID-19). You can book a test online at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119. Please email the results of any tests taken by members of your household during the isolation period as we need this information in order to safely bring your child back to school. Please email any results to office@oaklands.leicester.sch.uk.

   

  Whilst numbers of Covid cases has reduced nationally, we continue to be concerned about this and ask that you remain vigilant in looking for the symptoms of Coronavirus. Please do not send your child in to school if they are unwell. If your child or a household member has symptoms of Coronavirus and you need further advice you can call NHS 111.

   

  If your child has nausea, diarrhoea or any other signs of illness, you MUST keep your child off school for at least 48 hours after the last bout of their illness. Please ring the school office to let us know.

   

  If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your child’s safety is our utmost priority. We will contact you as soon as we know the outcome of the child’s test.  

  Regards

  Sarah Osborne

  (Headteacher)

• Letter from Ivan Browne Public Health

  Mon 17 May 2021

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We’d like to thank you for keeping to the national and local guidance–social distancing, frequently washing hands and using face coverings. Here in Leicester we’ve been under lockdown more than anywhere else in the country, so we know just how important these actions are.

   

  COVID-19 case rates in Leicester are at around 37 per 100,000 of the population, the lowest the rate has been since last autumn. Our rates are coming down; however, they continue to be significantly higher than the national average and in the last couple of weeks we have seen our rates fall at a slower pace. We urge you to remain vigilant even as restrictions continue to be relaxed and from Monday, 17 May, as you begin to mix more with your families and friends.

   

  You may have heard about different variants of the virus. In Leicester, all positive PCR test results are checked to see if they are a variant. We have systems to make sure we are informed of potential variant cases very quickly and that we respond rapidly to such cases. This means that we can contain any spread to a very small number of people. We will continue to do this in the coming months. Please be assured that there is nothing additional for you to do about variant cases unless specifically contacted by ourselves or Public Health England.

   

  The best way to reduce the transmission of ALL cases, not just variant cases remains: social distancing, frequent hand washing, wearing face coverings when required, keeping the number of people you are in contact with as low as possible and getting tested regularly as part of the lateral flow testing or when symptomatic. In other words, continuing to do the things you have been doing:

  • Not sending your child to school if they have any symptoms

  • Arranging a test if any member of your household has symptoms and isolating all contacts until the results of the test are known

  • Keeping your child at home if they have been identified as a contact with a confirmed case

  • Continuing to do twice weekly lateral flow tests and confirmatory PCR tests if any results are positive.

   

  We would also urge everyone who is eligible to have their vaccination when invited to do so. Vaccination, alongside the measures above, are the best ways to reduce the spread of coronavirus and protect both ourselves and our loved ones. Other than in a very few cases, the tiny risks associated with vaccination are far lower than the very real risks from infection.

   

  Schools and settings continue to have arrangements so that children are able to attend school so please do keep sending your child to school throughout the rest of the summer term unless they are unwell, have had a positive test or advised to self-isolate. As usual schools will only grant leave of absence for exceptional circumstances. From Monday, 17 May, there are some changes to some of the rules for schools.

   

  Guidance about face coverings has changed

   

  Following the government’s announcement, from 17 May, pupils, staff, and visitors will no longer be required to wear face coverings in school during lessons. However, they may still wear them if they want to.

   

  In Leicester we are still encouraging secondary aged pupils to wear face coverings in indoor communal areas, such as corridors, where it is difficult to maintain social distancing.

  Staff and visitors in all schools must continue to wear a mask in indoor communal areas at all times.

   

  Visit leicester.gov.uk/facecoverings for the most up-to-date guidance for Leicester.

   

  There is no national or local recommendation that children in primary schools wear a face covering.

   

  Trips and visits

   

  School organised trips are now allowed in the government rules. If your child’s school organises a trip or visit, they will make sure that all the safety measures are in place. They will not be mixing groups of children.

   

  For further help and advice around Coronavirus, please visit the council’s website - leicester.gov.uk/coronavirus and remember as things start to reopen we need to take this step carefully.

   

  Keep a distance from others, wear face coverings and wash hands often. Get tested regularly.

   

  Kind regards,

  Martin Samuels                                                      Ivan Browne 

  Strategic Director, Social Care and                        Director of Public   

  Education                                                               Health and Sports  

• Day 5 - Mental Health Awareness Week

  Fri 14 May 2021

  As we come to the end of our week focussing on mental health awareness, it’s important to remember that wellbeing continues to be a focus throughout the year. Children need to develop the skills to understand and express their emotions, and to develop strategies for coping with the ups and downs of life.

   

  It’s important to encourage your child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health from an early age. The attached document is tips that have been suggested to Scope by parents and professionals with experience of special educational needs.

   

  Please also have a look at https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers/pshe-super-mood-movers/zm2gydm Super Mood Movers.  These are free and fun videos that will encourage your child to get active while they learn.

   

  For more information or support please contact our Mental Health Champion; Sally Bott sbott@oaklands.leicester.sch.uk or 0116 241 5921.

  

• Day 4 - Mental Health Awareness Week

  Thu 13 May 2021

  What do we mean by 'connect with nature'?

  We build our connection to nature through our own personal experiences - what we feel, think and experience in our interactions with the natural environment. Connecting with nature is not just about the amount of time we are spending outdoors; it is also about building a relationship with nature by noticing and becoming sensitive to what is around us. We use our senses to do this–such as noticing the different cloud shapes in the sky, taking in the scents that flowers give off and listening to the birds chirping in the trees.

   

  Sound Walk Activity:

  Why not go on a sound walk with your child/family? What can they hear? Use the worksheet attached to name the sounds. Try to focus on sounds made in nature, birds, trees, leaves. Collect some sticks and leaves and explore the different sounds that they make.

   

  #mentalhealthawarenessweek #connectwithnature

  

• Day 3 - Mental Health Awareness Week

  Wed 12 May 2021

  Health & Wellbeing

  Being outdoors is good for us in so many ways. Ideally, a connection to nature established at a young age will develop healthy, lifelong behaviours. Evidence shows that being outside and connecting with nature can provide many health and well-being benefits including:

  • opportunities to increase physical activity
  • guarding against obesity and type 2 diabetes
  • preventing Vitamin D deficiency
  • reducing the symptoms of stress and ADHD
  • contributing to dementia treatment
  • promoting academic attainment
  • developing employability skills
  • helping to prevent the loss of environmental knowledge and understanding

   

  These activities can be done by adults or can be adapted for children.

   

  Do activities outdoors:

  • Take a walk in a green space, such as a local park.
  • Get creative. Draw or paint animals or nature scenes, or let them inspire a poem or song lyrics. If you enjoy writing in a journal, try doing this outside.
  • Eat meals outdoors. Have a picnic in a local park, or simply sit in a garden. This might be something you could enjoy doing with other people.
  • Watch the stars. Use a stargazing website, app or book to help you recognise different stars, or simply enjoy looking at the night sky. Give your eyes time to adjust, as it can take about 20 minutes before you can fully see stars in the dark.
  • Try exercising outside. Run or jog through a local park, or do yoga outdoors. You could try it by yourself, or look for classes in your local area.

  

• Day 2 - Mental Health Awareness Week

  Tue 11 May 2021

  How can nature benefit my mental health? 

  Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects. It can: 

  • improve your mood 
  • reduce feelings of stress or anger 
  • help you take time out and feel more relaxed 
  • improve your physical health 
  • improve your confidence and self-esteem 
  • help you be more active 
  • help you make new connections 
  • provide peer support.

   

  What nature ideas could I try?

  Bring nature inside:

  • Buy flowers or potted plants for your home.
  • Collect natural materials, for example leaves, flowers, feathers, tree bark or seeds – use them to decorate your living space or in art projects.
  • Arrange a comfortable space to sit, for example by a window where you can look out over a view of trees or the sky.
  • Grow plants or flowers on windowsills.
  • Take photos of your favourite places in nature. Use them as backgrounds on a mobile phone or computer screen or print and put them up on your walls.
  • Listen to natural sounds, like recordings or apps that play birdsong, ocean waves or rainfall.

  These activities can be done by adults/young people or can be adapted for children.