Latest News
All the latest news happening here:
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CEO blog - Working together
Fri 25 Sep 2020Working Together
This week, one of our schools welcomed back its bubble of pupils and staff at the end of the self-isolation period. This experience has been a good test of our procedures and communication channels and I am pleased to report that our systems have proved to be robust and effective.
During this challenging time, we are constantly adapting and exploring new ways to reach out to our community. This term, we are introducing virtual open days, alongside our usual open days, for our new families and online parents’ evenings to give parents and carers the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher in the way that suits them best. I am proud to be working with such a creative and innovative staff team!
The prime minister’s message this week has confirmed that COVID-19 has not gone away. We all need to continue our efforts to protect our pupils, staff and families. I would like to thank staff, parents and carers for supporting and reinforcing our key messages at school and at home. Your support is vital and much appreciated. By continuing to work together, we continue to protect the safety of our Rivers family.
Be kind to yourself and one another,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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CEO blog - Settling Back Into School Life
Fri 18 Sep 2020CEO’s Blog 18th September 2020
We are already at the end of our third week of term! I am delighted to be able to report that attendance remains high across the trust. Staff tell me that pupils are engaged and focused on their learning and are enjoying being back together.
This week, two of our schools volunteered to take part in Ofsted pilot visits. Both schools found this to be a very positive experience and were encouraged by Ofsted’s confirmation of the strategies we have put in place to support our pupils as they settle back into school life.
Last week, we had the first confirmed COVID-19 case in one of our schools. Following government guidance, we took swift action to close the appropriate bubble and notify parents/carers and the local outbreak response team (LORT). Parents/carers and staff have been reassured to see that robust systems and procedures are in place and working well and confidence remains high.
We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone in the education sector – staff, governors, external professionals, parents/carers and pupils. Let’s continue to support each other and work together so that we can move forward in a positive way during the weeks and months ahead.
Be kind to one another,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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CEO Blog - Welcome Back Everyone!
Fri 11 Sep 2020Welcome Back Everyone!
It was wonderful to see the happy, smiling faces of pupils and staff as we welcomed all year groups back to our schools last week. I am absolutely delighted to report that over 97% of our pupils have returned to schools across the trust. Well done everyone – a fantastic start to the new school year!
I have spent some time this week visiting our schools and saying a socially distanced ‘hello’ to pupils - always the favourite part of my job! It is clear to see that pupils and staff are thrilled to be back together again. Obviously, our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our community and it has been reassuring to see how quickly pupils have adapted to the new routines of regular handwashing and social distancing. A huge thank you to parents and carers for following the new guidance about staggered starts/finishes, different entrance/exit points, bags, lunch boxes and PE kit. It is a lot to take in, I know, but these new arrangements have been put in place for the safety of our pupils, staff and families and your support is greatly appreciated by us all.
We are all looking forward to an exciting term ahead as we continue our learning journey – together again!
Look after yourself and each other,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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