Thursday 14th May 2020

Dear parent/carer

Re: Coronavirus update – school closure to most pupils

Following on from my last update, I’m now writing to let you know the school’s future proposed plans in relation to our school closure, which will apply from Monday 1st June at the earliest.

As advised by the government, we will continue to stay open whenever possible for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and the most vulnerable students within our school community. Our priority is to ensure a safe place for these pupils to be during school hours.

In addition, following Government guidance issued this week, as a special school we are currently risk assessing which additional children can return to school; irrespective of year groups to achieve a phased return. We will continue to support pupils who will not be attending through home school packs and online learning.

Whilst the school is closed to most children, our duty and responsibility to safeguarding our pupils remains. Our regular check-ins with families needing a bit of extra help and support will continue throughout the period of school closure, just as if the school was open. Please do not feel offended if a member of school staff calls to check-in with you, and to speak to your child. If you have any safeguarding concerns whilst the school is closed, for your child or for any other pupil from the school, please contact the Family Support Worker (FSW), Dawn Jenks , 07730766019 in the first instance or in an emergency Linda James, Designated Safeguarding Lead on 07834747981.

If your child usually receives free school meals, we will continue to send out shopping vouchers.

We will be in constant communication with relevant parents/carers to ensure that you have the most up to date information. We appreciate your continued patience as we deal with this ever-changing situation. We understand that this latest news will have a continuing impact on you and your family and it’s far from ideal, but we’ll continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation

develops. If you want to get in touch to share any concerns, please contact the school office, 01543 686315

Please remember: if your child or a family member is displaying symptoms of coronavirus, then please follow the government’s guidance on self-isolating and social distancing at www.gov.uk or use the NHS website www.nhs.uk and click on the Coronavirus link at the top of the page.

It is vital that we all work together to ensure our children, staff and families stay safe and well.

Thank you again for your continued support, and we will be in touch with more information when we can.

Yours Sincerely

Linda James