Friday 20^th March,

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

School Closure and Key Workers

We wanted to update you on the latest advice we have been given. Below is the information we have been provided with from the government.

“The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

It is important to underline that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children. But 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 wider society.

Many parents working in these critical sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. This is an offer to parents and carers and there is no requirement for parents and carers to send their children to school if they do not need or wish to do so.”

As stated in my previous letter, school will be open for key workers. If you believe yourself to be a key worker then please call the office today and someone will speak to you regarding Monday and subsequent days. We ask that you are patient if you are trying to get in contact with us as we will be dealing with a large volume of calls. If you are a key worker and have someone at home who is able to look after your child/ren then that is the most advisable option to further reduce the number of people your child is in contact with.

Key workers fall under the following categories:

• Health and social care
• Education and childcare
• Key public services
• Local and national government
• Food and other necessary goods
• Public safety and national security
• Transport
• Utilities, communication and financial services

The government guidance on social distancing and isolation is what we would refer all our families to adhere to during this time. As these are extraordinarily circumstances, we would encourage you all to use the exceptional adjustments and measures the government has put in place to protect yourselves, others, and the most vulnerable in our communities.

Thank you again for your continued support as we all try to navigate ourselves through these unprecedented times. Thank you also to all of you who have understood, and been so supportive of the challenges, we, and all schools, are facing to support all of our communities and who know we are all doing the best we can.

I hope to update you further re children who are eligible for free school meals either today or in the coming days. Again, we will await further guidance and inform you as soon as we are able to.

Best wishes,

Zakia Khatun