19 March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
As you are aware, school will be closed from the end of the day on Friday 20th March for most students. To support their home-learning during the closure, teachers will continue to set work on ‘Show My Homework’. There are also resources available on the ‘Home Learning’ section of our website, in the ‘Students’ tab. We recommend that your child tries to undertake a range of work across the week.
Children who are entitled to a free school meal will still be catered for. On Monday, one person from the household can collect a care package, per entitled child, that will last 5 days. This can be collected from school between 12 and 2pm. The package will contain essential items such as bread, cheese, fruit, and snacks. Please indicate on either the google form https://forms.gle/p8pdeWyqXYCESf8Q6, or by phoning the school, by the end of tomorrow, if you would like a care package to be prepared for you. We are also mindful that many families are experiencing real financial hardship at this time, so if you are not currently in receipt of free school meals, but would like a care package, please also complete the form.
As per Government instruction, the school will remain open for children of ‘key workers’ where alternative childcare cannot be found, or where the only available carer is someone over the age of 70. What this means is that if both parents at home are key workers, or if a child lives with a lone parent/carer who is a key worker, and no alternative childcare is available, then those children are entitled to attend school during the period of closure. The government’s definition of key workers is people who, in these unprecedented times, are needed on the frontline. This includes those working in the NHS, in care homes, in the police and fire service, teaching assistants and teachers. It also includes people who are involved in essential retail delivery and those suddenly manufacturing equipment such as ventilators. We should receive a more specific definition soon, and if this definition changes, we will inform you.
So that we can arrange suitable provision for this, please complete the linked form https://forms.gle/SzrYMXuP4CNZi38z7 if your child will require such supervision from Tuesday (school will be closed to students on Monday, however, it will be open for the collection of care packages). It is really important that the information is complete and accurate for our safeguarding procedures. Please also indicate whether or not your child is entitled to free school meals.
The Government has also identified other groups of children who will be invited to attend school. Those families will receive a separate letter tomorrow.
We are extremely mindful that these are very stressful times for everyone. We have provided a suite of health and wellbeing resources on the Home Learning section of the website in the PE area. I would urge you to encourage your child to look after their mental and physical health during this challenging time.
I will continue to keep in touch. If you have any questions, please do email. Thank you for your continued support.
With kind regards,
Kate Littledyke
Headteacher