4th January, 2021
Dear Parents/Carers
Following on from yesterday’s message to families, I am now in a position to give further information to how the school will reopen tomorrow 5th January 2021.
Due to the increased rate of transmission of the new Covid variant and the lack of additional information surrounding this variant, concerns of Local Authorities and staff Unions and the inconsistent approach of Government we are unable to fully open for all pupils at this time.
The Local Authority has issued the following statement:
Given the confusion over Government communication and guidance to schools, we believe the Secretary of State must provide clear and consistent information to schools in tier 4 that includes a move to remote learning for all pupils (excluding vulnerable children and those of key workers) and a return to school on 18th January. In the absence of changes to Government guidance DCC is clear that any decision on school closure should be made by school leaders and their Governing Bodies based on individual risk assessments at local level. Risk assessments continue to be updated and need to take account of a range of factors including local infection rates, availability of staff as well as the school’s physical environment and organisation. DCC will continue to support all of our schools based on established locally derived information along with national guidance and best practice.
After meeting with the Chair of Governors and the Senior Leaders, school will open from Tuesday 5th January for Critical Worker Children (where both parents classed as key workers or a single parent household with a key worker parent) and Vulnerable Children only (children with an EHCP, social worker and this with additional needs). Those accepting a critical worker place would be expected to send their child to school full time. All other children will be provided with remote learning to enable them to work from home. We urge you to use alternative childcare arrangements if they are available to you.
Critical worker criteria:
The decision to switch to remote learning will be reviewed weekly.
We would ask parents, as a matter of urgency, to complete the Forms Questionnaire below by 2.30pm today to log an Application for a Critical Worker/Vulnerable Person’s place, if you feel you meet the criteria.
A list of critical workers can be found on the Government website below.
Breakfast Club will continue to operate from 7.45am for Critical worker and Vulnerable children as normal.
Staggered time of the day will continue:
Y3 & Y4 – 8.45am to 3.05pm
Y5 & Y6 – 9.00am – to 3.20pm
Remote learning will be via Purple Mash and the other platforms we have previously provided. We will not be preparing paper packs – if you have difficulty accessing online learning, please contact the school.
If your child is entitled to free school meals, we can offer a free packed lunch from for collection school daily between 12 and 1pm. Please email the school should you wish to take up this offer.
We will be in contact with all families on a weekly basis.
I very much apologise for the delay in sharing this information with you, but as I mentioned yesterday, the situation is fast moving.
Kind regards,
Paul Dixon
Head Teacher
