East Leake

SCHOOLS. “We are back” was the bright and breezy message last week from the three schools in East Leake, after the lockdown forced on them by the coronavirus pandemic had brought a halt to normal classes and had seen pupils of all ages having to take their lessons at home.

The return of the students saw a return of the usual busy activities in the village early in the morning as hundreds of youngsters made their way to their school that had been largely closed down for weeks, and again later in the day as classes ended and youngsters made their way home to tell their parents how it had all gone.

East Leake Academy principal Blake Francis said they had been very much looking forward to welcoming students back and they had carried out a new risk assessment based on the guidance released by the government, ahead of the planned reopening to all their students last week.

Mr Francis said they had ensured they had taken into account any changes to circumstances, new or updated government guidance or any localised infection control measures required in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic before they reopened to their students.

He said they had made some adjustments to how they usually organise the academic day, including the fact that students had to wear a face covering when travelling on a school or public bus service, adding however, that the drivers had been told by the local authority not to enforce this expectation.

” It relies on students following the guidance at all times,” said Mr Francis.

The principal said no social distancing was required on dedicated school buses, but social distancing measures are required on public bus services, meaning that commercial capacity will be reduced on the Nottingham City Transport Number 1 bus route between Nottingham and Loughborough.

Start and finish times were the same for all students – an 8.30am start and a 3.05pm finish.

Year groups have been given a designated entrance/ exit point to the academy site to reduce contacts when entering the site. Year groups are identified by different coloured ID lanyards, with these being worn at all times.

Break and lunch times are the same for all students, with students having break and lunch in designated year group zones.

Specific toilet facilities are designated for individual year groups.

Students have to wear full uniform, including PE kit

Full lessons for all age groups came into operation on Thursday last week, with Mr Francis saying how much they had looked forward to welcoming all their students back.

Gary Kenny, headteacher at the Brookside School, said they had been eagerly awaiting the return to school for all their children after a summer holiday and the period of Covid lockdown.

“All our staff have been busy during recent weeks planning for the learning and activities that will resume and are eager to spark the enthusiasm and enjoyment of learning within every child,” he said, adding they had been busy absorbing the government’s return to school guidance and had used this to help develop their return to school protocols.

The school is continuing with staggered start and finish times. Due to the number of pupils and parents, only one parent is permitted on site per drop-off/pick-up and the school is continuing to employ its one-way pedestrian system – in through the school main gate on School Green and out via its driveway.

The gate from Cromwell Drive continues to be out of service.

Mr Kenny says during the arrivals and leaving times it will be difficult speaking with teachers unless the teacher initiates the discussion, adding: ” Teachers must commit their time to ensuring that all children safely arrive and leave their care.”

DfE guidance states that coming into a school site without an appointment is not allowed. The school office is not to be accessed by parents unless through prior arrangement via a call or email.

The office is not open for parents to drop in. Brookside will, however, continue to offer support over the phone or via the office email.

With the start of the new year, the school is employing four bubbles of pupils and while at school.

“Children from one bubble will not mix with children from another.

Mr Kenny says Government guidance regarding attendance is clear - it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise as far as possible the longer-term impact of the pandemic on children’s education, wellbeing and wider development.

School attendance will therefore be mandatory from the beginning of the autumn term.

Jane Butler, head teacher at Lantern Lane Nursery and Primary School, said it was a pleasure to welcome everyone back .

As yet they cannot just get back to “normal”, as restrictions will still need to be in place, but she is confident, with careful planning and with everyone all working together, they will make it work in order to ensure that the children are kept safe whilst resuming their education in school.

The 450 children are in bubbles, but these bubbles are now their whole class. Says Mrs Butler: “The restrictions for the children around this will be that each bubble’ where possible, will be kept separate from other bubbles. Within each bubble, although it is preferable and the children will be encouraged to do so, social distancing is not paramount.”

Staggered start times at the beginning and end of the day, as well as staggered break and lunch times, are being operated. Children are entering school through their classroom doors and not through the reception area.

Handwashing on arrival and at regular intervals throughout the day is taking place, along with more regular cleaning of surfaces throughout the day. Soap and hand sanitizer is in every classroom and in other areas throughout the school.

Unnecessary items of furniture have been removed from classrooms to ensure more space and fewer surfaces for children to come into contact with.

A plea is made to parents that while bringing and collecting their children, they follow social distancing rules in and around the school site.

Mrs Butler said: “Bring your children to school at the allocated time in order to reduce contact with other groups of children.

“It is imperative that your children are on time and are taken to the allocated drop off point for their class.

“In order to reduce risk to both my staff and your children, we do not want children being brought to the office unnecessarily due to lateness as that will mean more adults going into classrooms, and your child coming into contact with more people.

“Be on time to collect your child so that there are fewer adults on the playground at each collection point and so that the children are not mixing with other children in other class groups. Only one person to bring and collect a child in order to reduce the number of people in the playground at any one time.”

Parents are asked to not take their child directly to the classroom door but to stand back and allow their child to enter school in a safe, orderly fashion.

“This is vital to us maintaining the health of the staff,” says the head.

Mrs Butler took the opportunity to remind parents that attendance at school is mandatory and therefore it is their duty as parents to make sure their children attend.

She said: “I fully respect that there will remain some anxieties for many of you in respect of your child’s return to school and I am more than happy to discuss these with you, if needed.

“We are doing our very best to make this full opening of school as safe as possible. I believe that, although lockdown has been very challenging for all of us, working together will enable us to take the first step – and in many cases, second step

– back to the school life that we are all craving.”

In a joint statement, Colin Pettigrew, Notts County Council’s corporate director of young people, children and schools, and Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of the young people and children’s committee, say as young people return to school, they are taking the opportunity to assure everyone of the arrangements the council has put in place to ensure that all publicly funded schools are open to all children at the start of the new term:

“As you know, with the exception of one secondary, all secondary aged children attend academies which remain outside of council control. That aside, council teams have continued to work with all schools at this time and will continue to do so over the coming months.”

On the question of transport, they say the council has worked closely with its dedicated transport suppliers, commercial bus operators and schools to ensure plans are in line with government guidance:

“We are encouraging children to walk or cycle for journeys less than two miles and if using a car, to park away from school and walk in the last half mile or so – park and stride.

“This is good exercise and also helps with congestion around schools.”

Guidance about school transport, including face coverings and other helpful messages are on the county website: www.nottinghamshire.gov. uk/education/travel-toschools/

The statements says the council’s education teams have continued to support head teachers and senior leaders and maintained communication with the CEOs of multi academy trusts throughout the pandemic.

Throughout the summer holiday weeks, the council has maintained communication with head teachers and CEOs to ensure that national advice is applied sensibly in educational settings in a timely manner.

The statement adds: “Parents who may have questions and some concerns should be encouraged to talk to their child’s teacher and head teacher if appropriate.

“Our head teachers, and indeed all staff, are mindful of the concerns of a small number of parents and will do all they can to help parents and carers increase their confidence at this time.”

The two leaders say they are confident that schools in Nottinghamshire have arrangements to keep children and young people as safe as is possible with strong arrangements in place to implement a curriculum that will support children and young people to catch up.

ONLINE WORKSHOPS. A programme of free online workshops began this week, allowing high street businesses from across Rushcliffe – including East Leake – to access expert marketing and retail guidance and advice to help them reopen or continue to trade securely and successfully following Covid-19.

Rushcliffe Borough Council launched the project with funding from the European Regional Development Fund to help local businesses recover and operate safely in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The first of the live, online training sessions took place on Tuesday last week, addressing shopper psychology while exploring how businesses can optimise their customer engagement activities, having suffered the economic shock of Covid-19.

The session looks at how shoppers tend yo process information, react or behave when introduced to various stimuli.

In all, 10 sessions are set to take place between now and October 6.

The second of the series took place on Tuesday this week and next week the third will be held with the theme of how to excel in customer experience and staff engagement in a Covid-19 world.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s portfolio holder for business and economic Growth, Councillor Andy Edyvean, of Willoughby on the Wolds, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’re able to launch this new package of free support and offer training, guidance and advice from experienced consultants who can help local businesses navigate their way out of Covid-19.

“These programmes will not only enable business owners to enhance their digital skills and consider new ways of operating to help them, their staff and their customers, but also provide them with insight that can help them adapt in this new era.

“We enjoy a wide breadth of brilliant high street businesses across the Borough and I hope they take advantage of this new support and book a free session with our consultants.”

Booking is on: https://bit.ly/31jX2w0

BELL RINGING. East Leake St Mary’s Parish Church was among those in the area which staged a session of bell ringing to commemorate the end of the Second world War.

The local band of ringers marked the end of the 1939-45 conflict by ringing in all church towers across the East Leake benefice.

The ringing was part of a nationally coordinated event for the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

All ringing took place in accordance with national guidance issued by the central council of church bell ringers in consultation with Public Health England.

MEADOW PARK. Meadow Park, at East Leak,e is coming to the fore more than ever during the continuance of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and is proving to be a valuable asset to the village.

Residents are able to get out and walk in the fresh air and spot various flowers, birds and insects as they wander. Work in the park has gone on in an ad hoc way with some weeding and inspection being undertaken by individuals.

Brenda Lewis, the publicity secretary for the park, continues to give information about what has been going on in the park in recent weeks and this shows the important role the facility plays, and in particular during the current national position.

Says Brenda: “We hope you continue to enjoy the park in this period of lockdown and social distancing. It seems ironic that this year has been one of the best for spring time flowers and the like in a long while.”

BADGERS. East Leake parish council chairman Councillor Conrad Oatey is asking residents to be aware of the possibility of a move in the Midlands to reduce the number of badgers in the area.

Coun Oatey has pointed out the possibility of this to the Meadow Park group in the village, citing a report from the Leicestershire Wildlife Group which highlights the position.

Says the Wildlife Group: “We have recently found out that there is a possibility that Leicestershire could be included in badger cull zones. We expect an announcement this month.

“Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts are all facing the same possibility, so together we have pulled together a last-minute public campaign to get people to write to their MP opposing the cull.

“Please sign the petition here and share far and wide (on social media, and with volunteers and anyone you think relevant):” https://action.wildlifetrusts. org/page/65812/action/1

“When you sign it will pre-populate an email which automatically is sent to your local MP.

“You can see more info here:” www.lrwt.org.uk/badgervaccination

Harriet Hickin, supporter development Officer for Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, can be contracted on 0116 248 7358, on 07719 956090, or at: www.lrwt.org.uk

EMAIL FRAUD. Parishioners in East Leake and surrounding churches have been warned about the dangers of fraudulent emails.

In his weekly newsletter, the Rev Tim Parker, the vicar of the United Benefice of East Leake, warns parishioners that a number of churches and congregation members in the Nottingham and Southwell Diocese have received scam emails, purporting to be from members of the clergy.

The fraudulent emails ask for money or the purchase of gift vouchers.

Mr Parker says:” As always, please be vigilant to all forms of fraud and computer crime at this time.”

HAVE YOUR SAY. A reminder is being given to residents, organisations and businesses in East Leake – and Rushcliffe in general – that they have an opportunity to have their say on the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, which maps out potential areas for future development, including their own village.

Councillor Cary Thomas, one of the East Leake members at the borough council and also a parish councillor at East Leake, says East Leake itself, along with West Leake, Normanton-onSoar, Stanford-on-Soar and everywhere in between, have the opportunity to deliberate the proposals in the plan.

Residents are strongly urged by the councillor to take a look too and consider making a response in their own right.

Potential areas identified within Leake Ward include a new settlement, perhaps the size of East Leake or larger, stretching from the A6006 to the River Soar, on the doorsteps of Normanton-onSoar and Stanford-on-Soar, and effectively linking these two villages together.

Land has been identified for additional housing around East Leake and the Kingstonon-Soar Energy Village to the north of West Leake, joining up with the Ratcliffe on Soar power station site. A potential development along the A453, as far as Clifton is also highlighted.

The consultation closes on Monday, September 14. It can be found at: www.gnplan.org.uk/ gn-consultation/

MARKET. East Leake’s new market gets under way on Friday this week, after originally been on the diary to open in May but delayed because of Covid-19.

The event will open at 3pm and is scheduled to last until 8pm on Friday (September 11).

Market manager and East Leake resident Meg Kozian, on behalf of East Leake traders, says they are very excited now the event is near to starting but admits the delay in getting it under way has been really frustrating.

The organisers are hoping to attract not only East Leake residents but many from further afield as well.

The market is to take place on the Gotham Road Recreation Field, the same site as hosts the annual village carnival, which also fell foul this year because of the pandemic. It is expected there will be more than 20 stalls operating.

If the trial market is successful, it is hoped the event will become a monthly affair next year.

To run the event an East Leake Market Association has been established and the event will comply with the rules of the historic market charter in Loughborough.