Dear Parents and Carers,
Following the Government’s announcement in the early hours of this morning, please see below their decision:
‘Schools, colleges and early year’s settings will be closed to everyone except children of key workers and vulnerable children from Monday, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.
Children who do not fall into these groups MUST remain at home with appropriate care.’
Children with asthma or underlying medical conditions like diabetes or heart conditions must not be in school as it an additional risk to their health.
Even for Key Workers, children will be only considered to be eligible for a place if there is no other alternative for childcare.
Key Workers are people who work in these critical sectors:
Further guidance is available on the Government website.
My aim as Head Teacher is to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus, whilst providing support to the families who genuinely need it. The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in the wider society.
In order to assist me in planning ahead, you MUST let me know if you need to consider sending your child to school during the closure period. I anticipate that there will be a very small number of children in school. Teaching the National Curriculum will, therefore, be suspended and children will not be taught in year groups.
Our school is currently operating using a skeleton staff for the foreseeable future. Your child will not be cared for by their usual teacher.
To support children eligible for free school meals, schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers from supermarkets or local shops. How this may be done is not clear yet and further announcements are expected later today. In an emergency, I will let you know if you need to send a packed lunch with your child.
I will be contacting parents today and keeping you all updated on school arrangements. At this point, many things are very unclear, but I will keep you updated as the picture becomes clearer.
Work for your child is available on the website and will be updated on at least a weekly basis.
Please support the school during this very difficult time. Contact school if you believe you are eligible for a place on Monday, by 4pm today. DO NOT JUST ARRIVE AND EXPECT A PLACE. If parents arrive with children and they are not a Key Worker they will be sent home. Please do not put school in that position.
School staff are willing to support your families through this terrible time of national emergency and as a result are at increased risk themselves. We too have young children, families and elderly parents that we are worrying about
Closing the school gives me great sorrow and regret. I will miss you all over the coming weeks. Keep safe and well. God Bless.
Mrs.K. Perry
20.3.2020 at 10.30am