COVID-19 Update

17th Mar 2020

Here is a copy of the letter sent out today.

17 March 2020

Dear Parents and Carers

Update: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

As I write this letter to you I am certain you will agree that the challenge facing all of us is unprecedented. We are all uncertain of how and when it will be safe to return to our normal routines and how long this crisis will last.

As you know, it is our aim to keep the school running and to offer the best possible education that we can until we are told otherwise by the government. We know that there will be difficulties trying to offer this service, but we will continue to do our best.

As you are aware, the current guidance for self-isolation will affect all areas of society and schools are no different. If the need arises, we will try to cover classes using a mixture school staff and supply staff, when required. At some points it may even be necessary to bring classes together for certain parts of the day, however we have not yet reached that stage.

The advice given yesterday stated:

if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Expectant mothers are considered more vulnerable.

The implications for school therefore are:

if you are pregnant or vulnerable in any way try to avoid coming to school to drop off or collect
please do not bring your children into the classroom unless it is critical (use the class email, phone or speak to School Office staff

As parents and carers, I know that you will have your own opinions about how to keep your families safe. Our message is, that we will be guided by you. If you call us and tell us that you are self-isolating for 14 days in line with guidance, then we will code as such and support fully your decision in taking that action. Please do not worry about attendance matters at this time.

In light of the Prime Minister's announcements yesterday we are also making the following changes to our scheduled plans and usual ways of operating:

all planned visits off site are cancelled - including this week's scheduled visits to the EIS
school will close from 5.15pm to all staff each day in order to facilitate a deeper clean
JPAC will continue to operate to its normal hours
reading and other volunteers are asked not to come into school for the foreseeable future – and we do thank you for your fantastic support
music lessons run by external providers e.g. 'Rocksteady' will continue for the time being as we have received assurances that all health and safety guidelines are being followed (a letter from Rocksteady will be sent separately to the parents/carers of members)
the FS2 Phonics Workshop scheduled for this Thursday 19th March 2020 is postponed
the forthcoming pupil progress/achievement review meetings scheduled for Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April 2020 are cancelled and interim reports will be sent home directly instead (staff will be contact parents and carers directly if additional conversations are required)
weekly class liturgies, Celebration Assemblies, Lenten Liturgies will now not be open to parents, carers and family members
the important SEND review meetings for vulnerable children (which have already been scheduled) will go ahead for the time being but we ask that you only attend your meeting if you are feeling well, and alternative ways of meeting e.g. via telephone conferencing or skype will be considered if this is preferable and possible
our LINKS partners will not provide coaches for any after-school sports activities with immediate effect (however the remaining sessions for this term's after-school LINKS activities will continue and be covered by Mr Johnson instead)
before and after school sessions run by school staff will continue for the time being e.g. Y6 revision and 'Cosmic Yoga'
the annual Y3/Y4/Y5 passion play will go ahead for the time being, as this is something the children really enjoy and look forward to, though we may end up presenting it differently in order to comply with guidance regarding gatherings i.e. filming it
the Curriculum Showcase scheduled for Thursday 9th April 2020 is postponed
the transition meeting for the parents/carers of children transferring to All Saints Catholic High School (scheduled to take place at 3.30pm on Thursday 26th March 2020) is, for the moment, going ahead as planned
the PTFA monthly meetings will now take place off-site and the PTFA will contact you separately about the arrangements

Work will be sent home in due course for pupils already self-isolating.

We have also arranged for our website providers to add a new 'Home Working' portal to the Home Page of our website. This will be done shortly. This portal will provide password-protected access to activities for children not in school. A reminder that should you have questions about these activities please email them to the class teachers directly via the appropriate class email address, rather than to the ‘enquiries@’ email address. Please do not phone school.

I repeat our commitment to continue sharing updates with you. Please keep referring to the school website and use the links and information we provide to ensure that we have your most up-to-date contact details. Please return the ‘access to internet’ slip as soon as possible.

Most of all, please take care of yourselves.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely

Mr F Barratt - Headteacher