Dear Parents and Carers,

 

I hope you and your families are all well. 

 

I received an email during the night with the information schools have been waiting for regarding school closures, what will be happening during the coming weeks and an information link for you.

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.  If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

Some schools will be open as hub schools for eligible children who are allowed to go to school but as yet we are unsure which schools.

 

The information given from the government is as follows: 

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.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

 

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised.

Many parents working in the 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.

For vulnerable children, your child’s social worker will work with you to assess the best option for your child.

Please follow this link and read the information given for parents:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

 

If you are a key worker can you please telephone the school office, school mobile or send a message on Dojo immediately to let us know and indicate if you would need your child to attend school.

Please be assured that myself and St Gregory’s staff will do everything we can to provide for all the children of our school, and support you in the coming weeks.  I will stay in contact with you on Dojo and the School App.

As soon as I have any more information I will share it with you, hopefully before the end of the day, if not over the weekend

Take care and look after you and yours.

 

Mrs Roberts