Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.

• Covid-19 School Closure Update for Parents

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  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

• Covid-19 School Closure Update for Parents

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  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

• Social Story for Children Explaining the Coronavirus

  Tue 17 Mar 2020
  Please go to our SEND/Inclusion page to find a social story explaining the Coronavirus to children.

• Covid-19 Update for Parents

  Tue 17 Mar 2020

  Please see below a message from the Director of Children and Young People's Services.

   

  17/3/20 

   

  Message from Steve Reddy, Director of Children and Young People's Services

   

  Dear children, young people, parents/carers and families,

  
  Following my letter yesterday the government has now announced a number of additional measures.
  
  It is important that we all continue to follow the guidance set out by the Government and DfE and make the necessary changes.

   

  Whilst schools remain open some planned activities will inevitably be cancelled. 

   

  Schools may well restrict all but essential visitors on to the site.

   

  We will be speaking to Public Health England to consider the implications for children and staff with significant health needs.

   

  Anyone who has high temperature/fever and/or new persistant cough will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days along with anyone in their household.

   

  We are very grateful for the continued support of all school staff, children, young people and families as we manage these difficult times.

   

  It is important that we continue to work together and support one another.

   

  
  Best wishes,
  
  Steve Reddy
  Director of Children and Young People’s Services.