The planned NEU teachers' strike is due to go ahead tomorrow. So, as previously communicated, Squirrel and Owl classes at West Leigh and 3AJ, 3W, 4W and 5Y will be closed to pupils tomorrow, Thursday 2^nd March. Online learning will be available via the attached links.

All other classes will be open as normal. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions linked to this.

Regards

Nick Webster

Executive Headteacher

The Federation of West Leigh Infants and Backwell Juniors

01275 463 274   01275 462 632

Flu vaccination catch-up clinics are available for all who did not receive their vaccination at school. Please book an appointment at https://imms.sirona-cic.org.uk/flu/2022/bookflu to book either nasal or injectable flu. If you have any queries please contact the Immunisation Team directly on 0300 124 5515 or email sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net

With Kind Regards

Sirona care & health CIC

Community Childrens Health Partnership

Immunisations Team

3 Station Road

Pill

Bristol

BS20 0AB

It is with great sadness that as a country we have learnt of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth. Today, we will be marking this historically significant moment during assembly time at each school and will consider as a community how we can commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth’s reign over the coming days and weeks. We will spend time in class answering any questions that the children may have and offer them support where needed.

I will share further details in due course when we are clearer about the arrangements for schools at the time of the state funeral and coronation. 

Yours sincerely 

Nick Webster

Executive Headteacher

Dear Parents

I hope you have all had a very enjoyable summer period and are as excited to be coming back to school as we all are. An especially warm welcome to all new families and to the children in our Reception intake. We can’t wait to see our youngest children arriving in their school uniforms for the first time on Monday. I look forward to seeing you all at the school gates over coming days.

As always, we have been very busy preparing for school re-opening and have spent yesterday and today undertaking some key training and preparation work in advance of this. There has been a considerable amount of refurbishment work undertaken at both school sites with new fire doors and lighting installed as well as new roofing at BJS. As communicated separately, the hall at Backwell Juniors will remain out of action for the first week back as work is completed and so there will be no hot food lunch choices during this time (Backwell Juniors only).

School Uniform

Please could I also remind you all about expected school uniform – please see the link below with full details:

https://www.backwellfederation.co.uk/page/?title=School+Uniform&pid=45

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday and look forward to sharing your children’s learning journey throughout this year, beginning with our open afternoons from after school until 6pm on Monday 12^th September. These will be a chance for you to find out more about your child’s class routines, curriculum and general year group expectations. More details to follow.

Yours sincerely

Nick Webster

Head Teacher

After a breakfast of delicious pancakes, we started a very busy, fun filled day of activities.  These included abseiling, sea activities, orienteering, caving, plus more mountain biking, archery, zip lining etc.  Each group has completed 3 activities.  Everyone has had great fun, and we are very tried! We all enjoyed a picnic lunch on the field and even had time to fit in some football!  This evening we are off on a coastal hike in the evening sunshine.  Our teachers all say we will definitely sleep well tonight!

We hope you enjoy the pictures below.

After an early departure from BJS, we enjoyed a fun journey to Morfa Bay.  Everyone sang along and was wearing a smile by the time we arrived in Pendine.

On arrival, everyone found out their groups, discovered where they will be sleeping and had a little explore of the beautiful site.

This afternoon, we have all taken part in two activities, including caving, mud assault course, climbing, zip lining, abseiling, archery and mountain biking.  So many new challenges were faced and goals achieved!  Each and every child has been absolutely fabulous.

After a hearty dinner, we all walked down to the seafront in Pendine and enjoyed ice creams and slushies. Unfortunately, the tide was too far in to play on the beach (there was no beach), but we all enjoyed the walk.

Nearly time for bed, well-earned rest and looking forward to a full day tomorrow!

As we start looking to the next academic year, we have some exciting opportunities to become a governor, and join the work of our Local Governing Board (LGB).

The role of the Local Governing Body, working with the Head Teacher and the leadership team, focuses on three core areas:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

As part our governing board development and ongoing succession planning, we are looking to recruit some specific skills.

We are particularly interested to hear from people who have experience, past or present, in the following areas:

• Special Educational Needs
• Curriculum/education - especially primary
• Leadership - who would consider acting as vice chair or chair of the board to aid its running
• HR/wellbeing

Becoming a governor is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to who have a good dollop of passion, curiosity, confidence to ask questions, as well as time to invest in the schools.  A chance to both share your skills and develop and learn as part of a board.

So, what would you need to do?

• Attendance at local governing board meetings which are held once a term – typically on a Tuesday evening (can be held virtually or face to face) 
• Monitoring the school as part of your agreed link governor role - to monitor and report back to the local governing board.  Expect about 3 visits a year, which would usually be organised within school hours.
• Be open to training for your role – typically you would expect a maximum of 3 training sessions a year, including governor induction training which is run by the trust.

How to apply: 

• If you would like to express an interest in applying, please do drop myself, or our clerk Clair Gardener, an email by the 6^th June 2022:  jstafford@backwellfederation.co.uk   / cgclerk@backwellfederation.co.uk      

We have a talented community, with much passion, capability, and strong voices, so I hope we can tap into some of that to support the work of our schools.  We are equally happy to hear from non-parents to support our board,  so if you do know someone who would be a great fit do please share this opportunity with them.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Justine Stafford

Chair of Governors

Local Governing Board 2021-2022

• Justine Stafford – Chair.  Outcomes/ Governor development (co opted)
• Lucy Gordon –Leadership/Curriculum (foundation)
• Steve Livings – Safeguarding (co-opted)
• Cath Twine – Finance & premises (parent)
• Lorna Dukes – Curriculum (co opted)
• Angus Urquhart – SEND/Pupil premium (co opted)
• Jenny Holmes – Finance /Ethos (foundation)
• Jane Canning – Ethos (Foundation)
• Charles Hutchings –Behaviour (parent)
• Stephan Axt – Health & Safety/risk (co opted)
• Anne Brock – Staff governor
• Nick Webster - Headteacher

Dear Parents

Even as I write this letter, our circumstances continue to change and evolve. This year has certainly given us all plenty to think about and I’m sure the beginning of 2022 will be no different.

Thank you all for your patience and kindness during these most challenging of times. Without your continued support our schools would not be able to operate in the ways that we have. ‘Normality’ has come to mean something quite different to us all recently. We continue to try to keep things as normal as possible for your children and hope that their time at West Leigh and BJS remains fruitful, rewarding and most importantly fun!

As always, I must recognise the huge effort that all staff put into all aspects of school life. Their commitment is admirable and they all deserve (as I’m sure you do) a restful Christmas period. Working in a constantly evolving environment requires dedication and flexibility and they have shown these qualities and many more in spades.

We are all looking forward to spending Christmas with friends and family and I sincerely hope you have a fabulous time. A reminder that the first day back for children is Wednesday 5^th January 2022, as Tuesday 4^th is an INSET staff training day. Face coverings for adults while on site will remain a requirement at both schools until we evaluate the Covid situation in early January.

Yours sincerely

Nick Webster

Headteacher

School:             Both West Leigh and Backwell C of E Junior 

Hours:              West Leigh - 6.25 hours a week, term time only (11.50am – 1.05pm Mon – Fri)

                          Backwell Junior – 6.25 hours a week, term time only (12.25pm – 1.40pm Mon- Fri

Contract:         Permanent

Start:                2^nd September 2021

Pay:                 JG1C pt 1 - 2 (FTE £17,842 - £18,198) - Pro rata - £2,577 - £2,629

We are looking for caring and enthusiastic Lunchbreak Supervisor to ensure our children have a happy and safe lunchtime experience.

Duties will include:

• To supervise the movement of pupils to and from dining areas, including any personal hygiene requirements.
• To maintain good order and excellent hygiene practices in dining areas.
• To assist pupils, where necessary, with the collection of food and return of trays, or other items to the service counter.
• To assist pupils, where necessary, with the proper use of cutlery, drinking facilities or other aspects of the midday meal.
• To assist in the clearance of any spillages and wiping down, clearing or resetting of tables, as appropriate.
• To monitor behaviour in the playground and assist where necessary, ensuring a safe environment for the children.
• To take any immediate action to attend to sickness or accidents by carrying out minor first aid and summoning relevant assistance.

Safeguarding

The Federation of West Leigh Infant School and Backwell C of E Junior School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all in our community to share this commitment. Any appointment will be subject to full enhanced DBS checks (including Barred List Information) and satisfactory references.

School Visits

School visits are encouraged to take place after school.  To arrange a visit please contact the School Office on 01275 463274.

Applications

Further information is available from the school website Federation of West Leigh Infant School and Backwell C of E Junior School - Federation Vacancies (backwellfederation.co.uk)  or from the school office 01275 463274.

Application forms should be sent to the school office by post or email the School Business Manager – Avril Steel – asteel@backwellfederation.co.uk

Interview date:                                        TBA

This post will commence:                        As soon as all necessary checks have been carried out

We will be holding Parent consultation meetings during the second week of T2. West Leigh Infants will be held from 3:30-6:30 on Tuesday 9th and Thursday 11th November and Backwell Juniors meetings will be from 4-7 on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th November. Full details regarding how to sign up for these will be sent out in due course.

We will be hosting the meetings either in person or via MS Teams depending on your preference. When booking, please state which way you would like to access the meeting.

As always, this will be an opportunity to discuss your child's progress over T1 and find out more about curriculum coverage and content and ask any questions that you may have.

We are very much looking forward to meeting you to discuss how your children are getting on.

Best wishes

Nick Webster

Executive Headteacher

The Federation of West Leigh Infants and Backwell Juniors

01275 463 274   01275 462 632

The PTA are delighted to confirm that it’s application to be put forward to a customer vote for outdoor play equipment has been successful.

Please vote for BJSA with the blue tokens every time you shop at Tesco in Nailsea and Tesco Express in Portishead (BS20 6LR). Voting continues until 31 December.

Although the application was originally made to raise funds for the replacement outdoor play equipment, the scheme administrators have confirmed that they are happy for the vote to go ahead and for any grant money received to be used to enhance the outdoor play equipment and/or provide additional play equipment. Presently the idea is to replace broken netball nets and/or provide outdoor seating for the children.

The project with the highest number of blue tokens will receive £1,500, the project which receives the second highest number of tokens, £1,000, and the third placed project £500.

Film Night at BJS - Save the date!

Do save the date for a film night on Thursday 18th November, more information will follow shortly!

Preloved Christmas Jumper/Clothing sale

We plan to have a pre-loved Christmas clothing sale in November. It would be amazing if you could hang on to any outgrown Christmassy clothes for the moment - more details to follow…

Thank you for your continued and invaluable support to, in turn, support our children.

BJSA

Please find attached letter from Mr Webster:

3^rd  September 2021

Dear Parents

I hope you have all had a very enjoyable summer period and are as excited to be coming back to school as we all are. An especially warm welcome to all new families and to the children in our Reception intake. We can’t wait to see our youngest children arriving in their school uniforms for the first time on Monday. I look forward to seeing you all at the school gates over coming days.

As always, we have been very busy preparing for school re-opening and are spending today and tomorrow undertaking some key training and preparation work in advance of this.

As previously communicated, we are reverting back to our pre-Covid opening times (please see below) with all year group bubbles, staggered starts/finishes and the wearing of face masks on site are now not required. We will, of course, be continuing to regularly sanitise surfaces, wash hands and maintain effective ventilation in all classrooms. New guidance states that any children or staff with Covid symptoms will have to isolate at home, but their close contacts will not – hopefully ensuring limited disruption to learning moving forward. Our full, updated risk assessment will be on the Federation website from Monday.

PE Kit and School Uniform

We will be asking pupils at Backwell Juniors to continue to come to school wearing their school PE kit on their PE days (these will be communicated to you by your child’s class teacher).

Please could I also remind you all about expected school uniform – please see the link below with full details:

https://www.backwellfederation.co.uk/page/?title=School+Uniform&pid=45

We look forward to seeing much more of you on site this year - either in class or through regular assemblies and services beginning with our open afternoons from after school until 6pm on Monday 13^th September. These will be a chance for you to find out more about your child’s class routines, curriculum and general year group expectations. More details to follow.

We look forward to sharing another productive and exciting year ahead with you all.

Yours sincerely

Nick Webster

Executive Head Teacher