Latest Bilton C of E Junior School News

• Do you care about the environment? Do you want to know more about climate change?

  Mon 24 Apr 2023

  There's a spcial event on in town this Saturday you might want to know more about.
  There is also a competition you can enter too - the closing date isn't until 2nd June (write a story / poem / song, create some art work, compose some music)

   

  For more details log in to your Google Classroom
   

• Industrial Action

  Fri 21 Apr 2023

  Dear Parents / Carers

  Industrial Action

  We have had some responses to the communication about the upcoming industrial action and I wanted to reply to the whole community.

  Firstly, we appreciate and are fully aware of the disturbance this causes to people's lives and more importantly to the education of your children. We also appreciate your support during the last few months as this action has continued. Every member of our school community wants the best for the children and works hard to support them in achieving their goals. I hope as parents and carers you see and understand this.

  Secondly, as referred to in previous communications, we respect the right of individuals to take industrial action to stand up for what they believe in. 

  Finally, as a school leader, I have legal obligations and frameworks to work within, in regard to everything about the running of a school, which includes situations such as the current ongoing industrial action. I appreciate that it seems unfair that some children come into school and others do not, however in every decision I make I have to consider the legality of what I ask the staff of this school to do. Legally teachers "cannot be compelled to provide cover for other teachers during industrial action" and this limits how I can assign staff during action such as this.

  As I have said, as an educator and a parent, I understand the frustrations and concerns you have and can only assure you that we do what we can within the legal frameworks we abide by to open schools as best we can in difficult times.

  Kind regards and thanks for your support during these times.

  Ed Newton

  Executive Headteacher

  Bilton Community Federation

• Industrial Action

  Fri 21 Apr 2023

  Dear Parents / Carers                                                                                                                                     Thursday 20^th April 2023

  Industrial Action

  As I am sure you have seen in the media, further industrial action has been planned by the teachers' union, the NEU.

  The planned industrial action is due to take place on Thursday 27^th April and Tuesday 2^nd May 2023.

  We are very aware of the disruption this causes to you and your daily routines and apologise for the inconvenience to yourselves.

  Here at Bilton Junior School we have had to make the difficult decision to partially close the school on both of these days.

  The school will be open to children in the following classes: 3JE / 5MB / 5JB on both days.

  On Tuesday 2^nd May this will also extend to 6SM & they will be in for the whole day, but they will not be in on the Thursday 27^th April.

  If your child’s class is open, they are expected to attend school.

  For other classes we would, as previously, direct parents / carers to make use of the many online offerings the school has, to support the children’s learning on these days.

  Lunches:

  The kitchen will be open as normal for those who are in and have school meals.

  We will again offer lunches to children who have access to Free School Meals and can provide an hour in school for these children to have their lunch and a lunch break between 12:30 - 1:30 pm. We would ask that all those families that are eligible let the school office know by 1:30 pm on Monday 23^rd April if they will be making use of this offer, to allow the kitchen staff to plan accordingly.

  Once again, we apologise for the disruption, but ask that all members of our school community respect the rights and decisions of others at this time.

  Yours sincerely

   

  Ed Newton

  Executive Headteacher

   

• Haven Update

  Tue 18 Apr 2023

  Dear Parents / Carers,

   

  I hope you have all had a good Easter break and managed to spend time with family and friends.

   

  I am aware that there has been some concern around the change of setup for the Haven from today. 

   

  I can only apologise that this was done at short notice, but we have to, as always, react to circumstances and we were left with the prospect of closing down the Haven offering from the start of the Summer Term due to staff shortages if we did not find a viable option. Thankfully Epic Academy, a company we know and already work with, gave us a lifeline to keep the provision open. Such short notice means administratively we are catching up and elements such as Childcare Vouchers take some time to set up for companies. 

   

  To clarify:

  • The Haven will be open from today as planned - this service will be provided by Epic Academy with the school's support.
  • Those who have already used vouchers to pre-pay for this service will have these passed over to the new provision.
  • Whilst Epic Academy is setting up its ability to take vouchers, we will accept these on their behalf for you.
  • All bookings for the provision can be done via email: craig@epicacademy.uk.com
  • As systems change we will ensure you are kept informed about the processes for booking and paying for this.

  If there are any further queries regarding the provision please address these to Craig at the above address. As always the school is available for contact through the office email address - office@biltonjuniorschool.co.uk Please find the booking links below.

   

  Breakfast club - https://epicacademy.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=9087&t=2023-04-17

  Afterschool club - https://epicacademy.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=9089&t=2023-04-17

   

   

  I hope this helps clarify the situation and apologise again for any inconvenience this has caused.

   

  Kind regards,

   

  Ed Newton

  Executive Headteacher

  Bilton Community Federation

   

   

• Haven Wraparound care changes

  Fri 07 Apr 2023

  31^st March 2023

   

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  We hope this has been a positive term for you all.

  We would like to share some exciting news about changes to the Haven: 

  A company who are very well known to our school will be taking over the running of the Haven facility from 17^th April 2023.

  The staff who work for that organisation are familiar with our school, our staff and children as they already support our PE provision in school and work across most of our year groups on a weekly basis.

  A number of BJS staff who currently work with our Haven group are also going to continue so this will help positively support the Epic staff in settling in.

   

  The hours of opening/closing at Haven will remain the same and the costing will not be impacted due to this change.

   

  Booking will be slightly different and Mr Jones (Head of Epic) has requested email addresses for parents/carers of Haven users so he can contact you with more information. Please let us know if you are happy for us to pass on your email addresses by emailing thehaven@biltonjuniorschool.co.uk or office@biltonjunior.co.uk or by telephone 01788 810675

   

  Unfortunately at this stage Epic are unable to accept childcare vouchers, however this is something they will be looking into. I appreciate this is not ideal for a number of parents. I believe any refunds owed for childcare vouchers must be requested via your childcare voucher provider. 

   

  We ask that all outstanding payments be made to us as soon as possible for any sessions owing up to today, 31/03/23. Any cash/pay 360 refunds for advanced payments will be processed in due course.

   

  The Haven email is still active for any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

   

  Mr Jones has a wonderful set up and has many exciting activities planned for the children after Easter should your child continue with the wraparound care.

   

  Amanda Clarke

  School Business Manager