School Closure 11th – 15th January Inclusive

Sadly, I have to inform families that a member of our lunchtime staff has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the nature of the role – working with our pupils in the school hall assisting with food, serving and cutting up – this poses a potential risk. This also affects our cleaning team at school, as we would have a very limited team to do essential cleaning duties. After much discussion and investigation through our risk assessments, we feel that the best course of action is to close the school for the next 5 school days (Monday to Friday inclusive). This will then ensure that the isolation period for ALL pupils and staff has been covered and we can return safely to school.  This has been discussed with our governors, Local Authority and Public Health England. I do not take this step lightly.

All children in school this week are advised to self-isolate as a potential close contact, but parents/carers will not.

So, what happens next?

Hopefully, by making this decision now, it gives families the weekend to arrange adequate childcare for those pupils who have returned to school. All lessons, next week from Monday 11th to Friday 15th January, will be remote and lead by teachers with TAs in assistance online. We apologise to those families for whom we are supplying printed packs, but I am sure teachers will minimise the need to have worksheets for sessions, next week. Teachers will communicate on Class Dojo regarding this.

In terms of safeguarding, I will discuss with teachers whether ‘live’ lessons with backgrounds or recorded lessons will be available, due to advice to teachers regarding videoing from home. They, again, will make this clear on timetables.    

Again, I can only apologise for this inconvenience, but I hope you can understand our stance and the reasons we are taking these steps. Ultimately, it is for all of our safety.

All being well, we return to school, for all key worker pupils who are currently attending or given places, on Monday 18th January. Obviously, I am on my emails should you need any questions answering.

Steve Gillan

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