Whole School Update Jan 21
Dear parents / carers
As you know, school is now closed except to the children of critical workers and vulnerable children, from now until February half term. We have been working hard today to make arrangements in school following the last minute announcement by the Prime Minister last night. Thank you for being patient while we have put these plans in place.
Critical Worker and Vulnerable Childcare
We can confirm we will be open for the childcare of critical workers and vulnerable children in Nursery to Year 6. A separate letter will be shared with relevant parents with further details for the arrangement of this provision.
Nursery
Our Nursery will be closed except to the children of critical workers and vulnerable children. While independent Nurseries have been asked to remain open by the government, the decision to open school-led Nurseries is at the discretion of the school. Due to the high number of children in our Nursery, the practicality of socially distancing three year olds as well as the exceptionally high number of critical workers, we will only be providing places for Nursery of critical workers. We have to limit the number of children in school, to reduce the chance of transmission of the virus between families. This is for the safety of our whole school community.
Benefits Related Free School Meals
It is likely that food will be available for those children staying at home who are entitled to benefits related FSM. We will share more information on this once we have received the details from LA Catering Services.
Remote Learning
Remote learning will begin tomorrow for all children. We have an incredibly high number of critical worker children who will be attending school on site. This poses a significant challenge for staff in managing childcare in school and setting and marking remote learning. However, we will continue to do our best for all children. All children, whether in school or accessing remote learning, will be given the same Teaching and Learning. Teachers will also keep in contact via Google Classroom, Seesaw, Tapestry (EY only) and phone calls home for children not on site. Further information and expectations for home learning will be shared with all families this week. It has taken every moment since the announcement to prepare and organise for opening tomorrow.
Out of School Club
OOSC will be open for children attending school only. If your child was booked into the club for this half term but is not going to be in school, your booking will be cancelled and your account refunded.
I am sure the weeks ahead will not be easy, but we are more prepared as a school community than we were when the first lockdown was announced. Please continue to bear with us as we seek to provide the best support we can for all of our children and families in these difficult circumstances.
Kate Byrne
Headteacher
