Updated 24/03/2020
Bellerive is closely following all advice given about Coronavirus by the Government and Public Health England. This advice is updated regularly and is available to view here.
The Government has advised all schools to close. Therefore, with effect from the end of the school day on Friday, 20th March 2020, Bellerive will be closed until further notice.
The government is advising that we follow these key principles:
- If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
- You should also do everything you can to ensure your children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
- If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them, see the letter from our Headteacher, above.
Anyone who is concerned about their health or experiencing symptoms should check and follow the advice given here.
While we are closed, communications with school will be by email. Parents may contact Bellerive on contactus@bellerivefcj.org. Pupils can contact teachers directly using the school email system.
Please see below for the latest from Liverpool City Council:
Schools and Learning : Liverpool City Council
Safeguarding
Any child who is concerned that they are at risk of harm during this period of closure should email safeguarding@bellerivefcj.org to alert a member of staff of their concern. If they have no access to email, they should phone either Childline on 08001111 or Liverpool Children’s Services 01512333700.
Remote Learning
We will continue to provide work for our pupils using the online platforms available to us. Our pupils have received guidance from their teachers on these and this guidance has also been emailed to pupils’ SCHOOL email accounts. If you have a query about usernames and please contact knighth@bellerivefjc.org or helpdesk@bellerivefcj.org
Staff are aware that not every student has full IT access at home and that IT access can be unpredictable at times. Students should not worry if they miss a submission deadline because of these factors.
Show My Homework is the main platform for staff to share work with students and for students to contact staff with queries about their work. Please note that some activities on remote platforms might not work as effectively when a tablet or phone is being used. Demand for all online platforms is high at the moment so please be patient.
Students are asked to email staff from their school email accounts only. Students are also asked to check their school email accounts at least once a day during the school week.
Exams – GCSEs and A levels for Secondary schools
- They will not go ahead with assessments or exams this year.
- Will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year.
- Would work with the exam watchdog Ofqual to ensure that children get the qualifications that they need.
- No details on how students would be assessed in the absence of exams
- That no student would be unfairly penalised by the Government’s approach.
- There would be an appeal system for those who felt their grades didn’t reflect the work they had put in.
Further information has been made available in recent days. We will keep you updated as the situation develops:
School Buses
The Bellerive buses are not running for the duration of this forced closure. There is no need to make further payments of school bus fare and arrangements will be made, in time, to refund any monies due to be refunded to parents or carers.
Free School Meals
Families with children who are in receipt of Free School Meals will be entitled to a weekly £10 food voucher per child whilst the school is closed during term time, which can be redeemed online or in store at ASDA. To collect the voucher, people should visit their local Children’s Centre from Monday 23rd March. Parents and carers will need to take a letter issued by their school and ID, and vouchers cannot be distributed to children and young people.
If you are in self-isolation and cannot collect please call the centre and they will arrange for it to be posted out.
In the event of your local children’s centre being closed, please call 0151 233 3000 and they will re-direct you to your nearest local centre.
Any family who require further assistance to purchase food, can apply to the Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme. The scheme is to assist citizens, who may be vulnerable and on a low income, where they are unable to meet their short-term subsistence needs. https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/help-in-a-crisis/liverpool-citizens-support-scheme/
School Trips
All scheduled school trips both International and within the UK have been cancelled. Arrangements will be made, in time, for a full refund of any monies paid for these cancelled trips.
School Business
No deliveries or post will be accepted at this time. If you have a finance query or invoice, please email finance@bellerivefcj.org
School Site
Our site team are working hard to maintain Bellerive buildings and grounds in good condition until school resumes. If you notice something about our site, contact the team on caretaker@bellerivefcj.org
Coronavirus Advice
The spread of the virus is most easily avoided through good hygiene. Regular and effective handwashing or the use of hand sanitiser will limit the spread of any infection see this video.
If you have any concerns about yours or your child’s health, please follow the NHS advice that can be found here.
Please be assured that the health and wellbeing of pupils, staff, parents and carers is our main concern and we will update this page as and when further information becomes available to us.
This page was last updated on 24th March 2020
