Correspondence from primary schools?

[CloudyVanilla]

My eldest DD is starting school for the first time in Sepember.

I know with the pandemic everything has gone a bit awry but does anyone know when you usually hear anything from the school? It's only 11 weeks til she starts and only a few weeks until the schools finish for the summer and I thought based on my place confirmation email that the school would get in touch with me.

The school also mentioned at the show around and on the website that there would be an induction event over the summer for the new reception children. Also I have a few questions to ask just regarding some general stuff not available on their website, and I don't want to flood them when they've only just reopened but I'm keen to hear from them!

Do you usually hear from schools once your place is confirmed? Is it okay to email them with some questions or I am thinking about all this way too early and they'll just get in touch with me closer to the time?

With the Primary school my dc attend I've usually had a letter in the last week of June about induction sessions etc. As these probably won't be able to take place & they're probably having to do bigger packs I wouldn't chase it until the 1st week of July. Obviously all schools will be different but I think that's the point at which I'd be contacting them given the current situation. They've no idea what will be happening in September yet so are probably having to read & re read any wording they use etc.

Thank you, that makes sense, I will hold off for a couple of weeks :)

I'm the same OP youngest is meant to start in September and had nothing from school regarding how to buy all the legoed uniform, book bags etc or starting days. I'm not to worried at the moment. I'm sure they will send something out in the post before the summer break.

My DD's starting reception in September; I got an email welcome pack last week with some registration forms, information about the school day etc, and a signup sheet for a meet the teacher session over Zoom in early July. I think more information will follow in due course, but as they're all trying to adjust to new ways of working I'm not chasing just yet.

Mine is in reception at the moment, the school got in touch with us around the end of June last year. I would imagine things would be delayed, or at least less information available for those starting this year though.

We have just this week had a holding email to explain that they’re working through how best to do things. DS1 is at the school and they are very efficient so if they’re at that stage I suspect others may be further behind!

Thanks all! If I haven't heard anything by early July I will get in touch but it sounds likely I will :)

Is this for a nursery class or a reception place? If it's for reception I would send them a quick email to chase (they won't mind!) and also ask your questions but I would wait another couple of weeks for nursery. Chances are they are still finalising things but they won't mind being asked.

I've had an email now saying they are doing a zoom meet and greet and for any questions we might have. They are also getting packs together to send out and will let us know about the transition periods once the government advise.

@MrsWombat yes it's for a reception place; I'm a bit worried now as a few have said they have heard stuff and even got introductory things from the school, I've also checked the letters home section of the website and they have definitely not sent anything to prospective parents it seems. Maybe quick email won't hurt, they can just ignore it if they are busy and I will make clear it's not super urgent.

I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anyone though!

@CloudyVanilla I work in a school office and I would expect to be answering questions like this via email. My school have sent out our reception info, but we haven't sent the nursery info yet so we are getting parents enquiring and we are happy to answer anything or forward it on to people who know. It may prompt them to put something on their social media or webpage if they don't want millions of emails.

I think the education secretary is doing an announcement today about this funding etc so they may well be holding off until then in case he mentions anything that would impact start dates or transition. I don't think it would but you never know.

I'm an idiot. Was checking wrong email address, have actually received an email on Tuesday with virtual tour, prospectus and invite to virtual induction meeting for next week! Thank goodness I remembered 😅

Thank you @MrsWombat :)

To be fair tho the primary schools still don't know what will happen come September so they may be waiting for gov guidance before committing to any confirmed start dates etc. I would imagine they will need to make sure they can get current students in before they start on new ones and it's looking unlikely considering they only have certain year groups going in before sept. I reckon that once they've got their other year groups settled they will then start on their new intake. I have already heard of some parents that have heard that their child won't be starting Rec in September. Obv all schools will be different but it would be sensible of them to wait till the gov give them some guidance

I do things like that all the time Cloudy, I'm please you've got some info now!