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Department for Children and Young People
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Our Ref KD/AB
Your Ref
Date 11 June 2020
Please ask for Karen Dolton
Direct Line 0161 253 5501
E-mail k.dolton@bury.gov.uk
Parents/ Carers of Bury primary aged children
Dear Parent/ Carer
OPENING OF BURY PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO MORE PUPILS
I am writing to you about the recent government announcement about the re-opening of primary schools.
Since schools closed to most pupils in March, families have had to adjust to home learning whilst many have been working from home and others have been furloughed or have lost their only source of income. This continues to be a very challenging time for many families.
On 28th May the Prime Minister announced that the government’s five tests had been met and that primary schools could re-open to more pupils from 1st June. Bury primary school leaders have been working tirelessly to plan for the re-opening of schools and it is anticipated that all will re-open to more pupils by no later than 22nd June. However, please be aware that these plans will be kept under constant review and may need to change at short notice. The most important consideration is the safety of pupils and staff.
I would like to thank the headteachers for undertaking robust risk assessments, taking into account regular government guidance updates, prior to re-opening to more pupils.
Every school is different due to the school buildings, including the size of classrooms and entry/ exit points, the number of staff available to work in their schools and also the demand for places. The vast majority of Bury schools have remained open, including during school holiday periods and Bank holidays, in order to provide for children of critical workers. Over the last week the number of children of critical workers accessing provision has increased significantly which has affected the number of places that can, under each school’s risk assessment, be offered to year groups. I am sure that you understand the need for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children to continue to be prioritised. Parents should therefore be aware that every school’s offer to its community will be different and may not be convenient for all families.
As our schools open to more pupils in a phased way, teachers will be continuing to offer home learning to the pupils that are not in school. This places an additional pressure on the staffing given that the maximum group size is 15 pupils and, in many cases, groups will need to be smaller due to the limited size of some classrooms. I know you will appreciate that the level of home learning may be reduced especially as schools open to more and more pupils.
Our schools will need your continuing support as they move into this next phase of re-opening to more pupils, thank you.
Yours sincerely
Karen Dolton
Executive