Dear parent/carer

Coronavirus update – school closure to most pupils

Following on from my last update, I’m now writing to let you know the school’s current plans in relation to our school closure, which will apply from Tuesday 21st April 2020. 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. As a special school all our pupils have EHCPs; and we could view all our pupils as ‘vulnerable’ in one sense or another. In line with the latest Government Guidance for pupils with SEND (updated 19.04.20) we have reviewed our school’s risk assessment to assess which children we can offer a place to.

All other children will need to stay at home, and we ask that you do not send your child into school. We have already have and will continue to send out work packs to all children and make provision for 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 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.

At the moment we are having to make very difficult day to day decisions regarding our ability to open the school to any pupils at all and to ensure that the staffing levels and premises are safe. We will be in constant communication with relevant parents 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.

Please Remember: The Government Guidance states that if it is at all possible for your child to stay at home then they should do so.

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