17th March 2020
Coronavirus latest updates
Dear Parents,
Can I first extend a huge thank you for all the support and understanding that you have shown during this difficult and unsettling time. All decisions made at this time are made in consultation with the Leadership Team of the school and the most current information that is being sent into schools from the Department for Education and Public Health England. I am sure that in time we will reflect on the decisions that we have made and maybe some of them will , with the benefit of hind sight, have been wrong, these are unprecedented times and the answers are not always obvious. What I can assure each and every one of you is that any decision made has had the health and safety of the whole school community at the forefront.
Following the latest guidance with regard to social distancing, we have decided to cancel all forthcoming events in school until further notice. This decision has not been an easy one as we appreciate that some of these will be very disappointing to the children, parents and the staff who have already worked hard preparing for them. The following events have therefore been cancelled:
Year 4 residential trip to Everdon and Years 5 and 6 swimming, is currently under review and a decision will be made immediately after the Easter holidays.
With regard to self-isolation the following advice has been given:
Anyone with a high temperature or a persistent cough who lives alone is continuing to be told to self-isolate for seven days.
However, in the new advice issued this week entire families –or households of more than one person are being told to stay isolated for a period of 14 days if one of them displays either of those symptom.
Whilst we are trying our utmost best to keep school open as the information is changing daily this may not be possible and it maybe that we have to close or partially close due to staff shortages.
We currently have no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID - 19) at either site, but we do have a number of families who, under the new guidance, are self-isolating. If this situation changes, please be assured that we will be open and transparent and share information with the school community.
At this time we have antibacterial hand gel in school, however, as supplies run low it is becoming increasingly more difficult to source replacements. If parents wish to send their child into school with a small container of hand gel then please ensure that it is clearly named. Children have been advised that they must not share it with their friends for obvious allergy reasons. Please be assured that all children are washing their hands regularly under the supervision of adults and the importance is being revisited in assemblies and in class.
We are also very mindful that in the community we serve there are older and vulnerable people, who after the weekend have been told to self-isolate for their own protection. As a school we are reaching out to these people and the children have offered to write letters and maybe a weekly phone call from a member of staff will help to break that isolation. If you know of anyone in either village who would like to hear from us and are happy for you to share their details, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Whilst in the media there is lots of information being shared, let us remember that there are millions of people worldwide who have had this virus and recovered fully from it.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Gill Pedder